Pam Sansbury to run for Hartsville mayoral post

A former member of Hartsville City Council and finance director for the city has announced her candidacy for mayor.

Declaring that “tough times demand experienced leadership,” Pam Sansbury said she is running because she believes her experience in city government will be a benefit to the city.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Sansbury said. “I think I bring a unique perspective. I’ve been on council and worked for the city, and I think that experience will help. I think I can bring a different view to the city.

“I love this city. I’ve lived here all my life. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t be taking this on.”

Sansbury served on city council from 1975 to 1988. She was 27 when she was first elected and was the first woman elected to council. She resigned from council in 1988 to take the position of finance director, which she held until she retired in 2007.

She said she believes that experience will prove valuable as the city seeks to deal with budget and funding issues in difficult economic times.

“I think we need to be more proactive than reactive,” Sansbury said. “We’ve got to learn to work smarter. The city is not broke, but we are in a financial crisis as far as capital improvements are concerned. We need to be building up our capital reserve and not just the fund balance.”

Sansbury is the first candidate to officially announce for mayor. Businessman Mel Pennington said in May he was forming an exploratory committee for a possible bid and is expected to announce his decision soon.

Hartsville Mayor Michael Holt, who is wrapping up his first term in office, isn’t seeking reelection. He was elected to a state family court judgeship in May and is expected to resign as mayor soon. The election to choose a successor will take place in November.

“I feel like the city has to be the leader and not the follower,” Sansbury said. “I do not believe that you should raise taxes when you’re in a financial crunch like we’re in. I think that’s when you need to examine each department and see if there are things you can do to save money. I think every aspect of city government needs to be examined and let’s see what we can do to save money.”

Sansbury said the city has an excellent group of employees who are asked to do a great deal.

“I feel like I have a good working relationship with all of the council members, with the employees, with the (S.C.) Municipal Association,” she said.

Sansbury said she has been humbled by the expressions of support she has received.

“People are calling and coming to see me,” she said. “Certainly, I don’t want the job for 12 years. I just want to see the city get back on track.”

Sansbury said she will work with council members to keep them fully informed.

“I will work toward making council more cohesive,” she said. “Council is limited on the decisions it makes by the information provided to it.”

Sansbury works part-time for Medical Arts Pharmacy. She has been active in several groups and activities. She served five years on the Board of Directors of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce and served as a former United Way chairwoman, worked with the Hartsville Christmas Parade Committee, the Hartsville Community Players, the Prestwood Country Club Board of Directors and the FEMA Board of Directors.

She also served as president of the S.C. Business License Officials Association, as a trustee with the S.C. Municipal Insurance Trust and on the Board of Directors of the S.C. Utility Billing Association.

She served for nine years on the Board of Directors of the Darlington County Mental Health Association, including two years as president. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels. She was named Young Career Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women of Hartsville and was nominated as an Outstanding Young Woman of America.

She also was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Comprehensive Employment Training Act by former Gov. James Edwards.

Sansbury is a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, where she served on the Administrative Board and as a Sunday school teacher.

The daughter of Ruth Newsome Parrott and Rex Parrott, Sansbury is married Jerry Sansbury. She has a daughter, Traci Rogers; stepchildren, Dr. Kimberly (Dr. Rick) Zimlich and Todd (Heather) Sansbury; and six grandchildren.

— The (Hartsville) Messenger’s Jim Faile can be reached at (843) 332-6545. Comment on this story at http://www.scnow.com.