EDITORIAL: Voters must not take elections for granted

In four days, the campaigning ends. Now it’s your turn. Don’t take that for granted. Vote Tuesday. We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. If you’re registered to vote and live within the city limits of Hartsville and you don’t vote, shame on you.

In the race for mayor, Pam Sansbury, former finance director for the city and a former member of city council, is facing Mel Pennington, a businessman and member of the city’s planning commission.
The winner will take office on Nov. 10 to serve a four-year term.

In council District 1, incumbent Adlena Graham is facing a challenge from Jannie Harriot.

Candidates Wanda James in District 3 and Bob Braddock in District 5 are running unopposed in Tuesday’s election.

The candidates for Hartsville mayor and city council have had their say during a public forum.

Tom Langston, Randy Reynolds and Jackie L. Thomas are running for Lamar mayor, and incumbent Doris L. Byrd, Robbie Smith and Bernetha W. Witherspoon are running for town council.
Those aren’t the only races voters will have to settle Tuesday.

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 served on Council previously. Tommy “Mitch” Driggers Jr., Eric L. Evans and Alice C. Smalls are competing for two open town council seats.

Two men will vie for the office of mayor in Tuesday’s municipal election in Timmonsville, while two others hope to gain seats on the town council. Betty Dowling is running against Lillie Mae Joe for an open Florence School District 4 seat in the town.

Incumbent James Beard Jr. will face Darrick Jackson in the mayor’s race. But while three town council seats are on the ballot, only two names will be on on it: Jim Pigate and Marvin Bruno. The third seat will be awarded to the write-in candidate who gets the most votes, Timmonsville Election Commissioner Ruth Martin said.

In Chesterfield County, Kevin Griggs and Dennis M. Penny II are running for Mt. Croghan mayor.

Brian K. Hough, Finley Kohler and David Whitaker are vying for Pageland mayor; Joe C. Clontz and Jessie Evans are seeking the council District 4 seat; incumbent Cathy Smith, Susan P. Breisch and Barry Laney are seeking the council District 5 seat; and Wayne Jiggs Carnes, Roy Neal and Joe Steen are seeking the council District 6 seat.

Cheraw Town Council District 2 incumbent Robert L. Benton faces Billy Wallace Jr., District 4 incumbent Jacqueline Ellerbee-Channon faces J.J. Wallace, and District 6 incumbent Jimmy Mickey Workman faces Reid McBride.

Incumbent Robert McKenzie, C.M. “Bubba” Hammet Jr. and Jackie Robinson are running for Kingstree Town Council.

The issues and challenges facing all Pee Dee municipalities are many and will not go away by themselves.

This is an important election for their future. It’s your city and your government.

Last year, the state saw record-high voter turnout for he general election. It’s how voter turnout really should be for every election.

Make your voice heard and your influence felt.

Vote.