Williams-Blake, Powers lead Florence city council races
Published: November 4, 2008
Updated: November 6, 2008
Democrats Octavia Williams-Blake and Steve Powers were leading the other two candidates in the race for two at-large Florence City Council seats at press time Tuesday.
OUR ELECTION COVERAGE
Coverage from the Morning News and WBTW News13, The Weekly Observer and the Star & Enterprise:
- Election by the numbers
- Horry voters say ‘yes’ to the penny
- Horry County election update
- Boone re-elected as Florence County sheriff
- Fowler to keep Florence County treasurer’s seat
- Incumbents lead S.C. House 60, 63 races
- Voters OK Sunday alcohol sales in Florence, deny them in Lake City
- Williams-Blake, Willis lead Florence city council races
- Wukela wins Florence mayoral race
- Williamsburg opens floodgates for Obama
- Mullins, Nichols get new mayors
- Hulon wins Dillon County sheriff’s post
- Marlboro County passes school bond referendum
OUR STORIES IN PICTURES
See our stories in pictures from the Morning News, WBTW News13 and scnow.com photographers:
- Slide Show: Wukela Celebrates at Michael’s on the Loop
- Slide Show: Florence Mayoral candidate Rocky Pearce on election night
- Slide Show: The Florence County Sheriff’s race
- Slide Show: Election in the Pee Dee
- Slide Show: Election day on the Grand Strand
OTHERS’ STORIES
Read coverage from around the area:
- Myrtle Beach Online: Incumbents leading in Horry County Council races
- Myrtle Beach Online: Rankin to hold onto state senate seat
- From Georgetown Times: Charlton, Johnson, Beard win county council
- From the Star News: Republicans sweep Brunswick school board seats
STATE & NATION
- Obama makes history; turns to sobering challenges
- McCain concedes, acknowledges historic achievement
- Democratic majorities stronger, tougher
- Brown re-elected to US House from SC 1st District
Williams-Blake had the highest tally, 6,187.
Willis had the second-highest number of votes, 5,784, followed by Democrat Steve Powers with 5,629.
Republican incumbent Bobby Holland trailed with 4,783 votes.
The seats are held by Holland and Rick Woodard, whose terms expire this month.
Woodard lost to Holland and Willis in the city’s Republican primary, held in June.
Williams-Blake is a newcomer to political office. She has said Florence’s most important issue is ensuring the city has the leadership to cut crime and improve downtown. Leading up to the election, the 36-year-old candidate said the city’s government needs “broader representation,” including a younger demographic.
Willis, who has a background in law enforcement, described public safety as the most important issue facing Florence. He is an advocate of community policing, through which officers interact with the community so that residents are more comfortable in dealing with and helping law enforcement.
Willis has served for more than a decade as a member and chairman of the Florence County and city planning commissions.
Powers has touted downtown redevelopment, which he said is an ongoing process that will take time to succeed. He has been involved in downtown Florence as vice chairman of the city’s Design Review Board and owns S/W Printing, on South Irby Street. He also has said the city needs a task force to combat the growing, serious problem of gangs.
Holland, a Florence native, has served on council for 13 years after working as the city’s public works director. He has said downtown revitalization is the most important issue facing Florence. Holland also said he was seeking re-election to see several projects, including the city’s upgraded wastewater treatment plant, come to fruition.
All the candidates have told the Morning News they think it’s crucial for council to support the city’s police department with more resources, particularly to fight gangs.
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