I am writing this letter because I am very disappointed with the recent elections. I live in City Council District 1 and had not voted in the last two council elections because there was no one running against our current council member.

State Rep. Nikki Haley brought her campaign for the Republican nomination for governor to Hartsville Tuesday.

Randy Reynolds defeated Jackie L. Thomas, with 192 votes to Thomas’ 141, for the Lamar mayor’s post. Voters in Lamar returned to the polls Tuesday to settle a runoff election.

Mel Pennington took the oath of office to become Hartsville’s next mayor Tuesday.
Adlena Graham, Wanda James and Bob Braddock were also sworn in as members of Hartsville City Council.

I am writing this letter because I am very disappointed with the recent elections. I live in City Council District 1 and had not voted in the last two council elections because there was no one running against the current council member.

State Rep. Nikki Haley of Lexington, a Republican candidate for governor in 2010, will visit Hartsville to meet voters fro 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Centennial Park on the corner of Fifth Street and Carolina Avenue.

Jannie Harriot, who lost her bid for the District 1 seat on Hartsville City Council, is challenging the election results. The Municipal Election Commission of Hartsville will meet at 2:30 p.m. Friday to consider Harriot’s challenge.

According the South Carolina Ethics Commission Web site, the two candidates for mayor of Hartsville have raised more than $13,000 as of Oct. 20. Mel Pennington has raised $7,906.25 this election cycle, and Pam Sansbury has raised $5,573.44.

Pam Sansbury said her years of experience in city government as a member of Hartsville City Council and as city finance director make her the only qualified candidate for the job of mayor.

Mel Pennington said his years on the city’s planning commission, where he currently serves as vice chairman, give him ample experience and insight into the workings of city government.

Candidates for Hartsville City Council outlined their positions and goals Tuesday during an open forum. The only contested council race on the ballot in Tuesday’s election is for the District 1 seat. Incumbent Adlena Graham is facing a challenge from Jannie Harriot.

Innovation and ideas matter most in tough economic times. Without creativity, Hartsville will remain mired in its troubles. Hartsville needs solutions and someone who is willing to take a chance and think outside the box to tackle the city’s problems.

Biographies of the Hartsville City Council District 1 candidates

Hartsville City Council voted to table a resolution for a feasibility study for a possible fiber optic network in the city until its next regular meeting on Nov. 10.

City of Hartsville Mayoral candidate biographies

The two candidates for mayor of Hartsville will meet in a forum and answer questions at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the auditorium of Davidson Hall on the campus of Coker College.