Olanta candidates discuss hopes for their town

Two candidates are running for Olanta mayor and three hopefuls are seeking seats on Olanta Town Council in Tuesday’s general election.

In the mayoral election, incumbent Betty Sims will face Jimmy McCutcheon, who previously served on Council.

Sims said she likes small towns and loves people. In small towns, Sims said, you have the opportunity to build relationships with people.

“I just love Olanta because I grew up there since I was 6 years old,” she said.

Sims said she wants to see through many projects that have started during her time in office. Those efforts include water and sewer work, installation of two new wells and a streetscape project. She said she and council members worked hard to get grants for the projects.

Sims said she has been mayor for four years and served as a council member for three terms.

Sims said many Olanta residents would like to have rural water, which is her next major goal for the town.

She recently attended a grant meeting where she learned about ways to obtain grants that help establish community centers, she said. Sims thinks the town needs to have a community center and would like to secure a grant to turn the old Olanta gymnasium into a community center, she said.

Sims still wants retail chain Dollar General to come to Olanta and also would like a have fast-food restaurant and other businesses in town, she said.

One of her hopes and prayers, she said, is for everyone in Olanta to begin working together.

Sims also said the Olanta Business Association will get back in “full force” to make the Olanta Gator Festival a success again. She said the Olanta beautification committee will help in the effort, as well.

McCutcheon, who is running against Sims for the mayor’s seat, said he has always liked small-town atmospheres and that he has lived in Olanta for 45 years. He said he is familiar with nearly all the citizens in the town and feels good to know everyone.

McCutcheon said he’s running for mayor because he wants to get involved in the community again after retiring a year ago. He said he thinks transparency in the operations of city government will be a big step toward building unity among citizens.

He said he is a “big fan” of economic development and would like to see new businesses open in Olanta. McCutcheon also said that improvements need to be made in the Olanta Police Department and that Olanta youths need more recreational opportunities.

McCutcheon said he served terms on Olanta Town Council during the 1970s and 1990s.

Council candidate Tommy “Mitch” Driggers Jr. said he has been self-employed for about 10 years doing electrical contracting and that he should be able to use that knowledge in serving Olanta. Driggers said he would also be a help to the town on issues dealing with water. He has lived in Olanta for seven years and likes the community, he said.

“It’s a quiet town and a nice place to raise kids,” he said.

Eric L. Evans said he is seeking a council seat to make a difference and bring a new positive light to Olanta.

Evans said he has lived in Olanta for 10 years and that he thinks the town’s residents need to unite around the idea of making the town better. He said all residents must strive to work together for improvement.

Council candidate Alice C. Smalls said she wants to see the town grow. Smalls said she wants more businesses to open in town and create more jobs for citizens. She said she would like to see more recreational activities provided for youths.

Smalls said citizens need to work together and be peaceful. She said God needs to be in the “mix” of the citizens to eliminate division.

Smalls also said she would like to see the town’s streets revitalized and vacant lots cleared.

— Lake City News & Post staff writer Bradrick McClam can be reached at (843) 394-3571. Comment on this story at http://www.scnow.com.