Charlene Taylor serving as mayor in Atlantic Beach during Retha Pierce’s suspension
News13 and scnow.com continue to keep you covered on the latest from Atlantic Beach, where yesterday, Mayor Retha Pierce was suspended by Governor Mark Sanford after she was indicted on felony hit-and-run charges from an incident that happened in April.
With Pierce stripped of her power as mayor until she is either acquitted or convicted, mayor pro tem Charlene Taylor will take over for Pierce as mayor for the time being.
Taylor tells news13 she was surprised to hear she’ll be serving as mayor, but plans to make the most of the opportunity.
“You won’t find me in the news every day,“ said Taylor.
Taylor says though the news was surprising, it was a “joy” to hear Pierce was indicted.
“It’s a joy that we’re not going to be bothered with that kind of story every day, you know all in the media, we won’t be bothered with it every day,” said Taylor.
Pierce told News13 on Friday her suspension won’t stop her from leading people in the community and doing things she’s done while mayor.
“I’m suspended from naturally doing any official things, but I’ll do what I always do as far as helping the people and helping the town from a neighborly standpoint,“ said Pierce.
Taylor is running for re-election on town council. She told supporters at a campaign fish-fry event, she wants to bring new businesses to Atlantic Beach.
“We wanted to get on Front Street and do a facelift on 17. We want to do that. And, we want to remodel it either remodel or bring a new building to the community center. That’s needed. And, so we got to look for housing for the people because public housing is being closed down,” said Taylor.
Taylor also hopes to bring jobs to Atlantic Beach.
“We’re talking to a guy down in Myrtle Beach that wants to put in an amusement park right here on the end of 32nd avenue. And, that would be jobs for people. And if we get the community center built, that would be jobs for people,“ said Taylor.
Taylor hopes people looking for jobs and in need of housing will elect her to council on Tuesday.
If she loses that race, another mayor pro tem will assume the role as mayor in Pierce’s place, at the end of Taylor’s council term.
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Reader Reactions
Ms. Taylor seems to be a welcome change as Mayor in Atlantic Beach. I do hope that Ms. Taylor will have a better scope of things that need to be done in this area. I can imagine that Retha Pierce will try to cause this woman (Ms. Taylor) many problems, but I hope that Ms. Taylor will overlook obstacles in her path. The office of Mayor should be one of respect, dignity and - not in the news for being arrested for alledged DUI or leaving the scene of an accident and driving without insurance. I was glad to hear that Ms. Taylor agreed that Pierce should be indicted. Thumbs up, Ms. Taylor!
Pierce told News13 on Friday her suspension won’t stop her from leading people in the community and doing things she’s done while mayor. Does that mean she’s going to continue to have run-ins with the autirities in the area????Let’s hope she’s learned her lesson!!
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