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.

People & Events Oct. 14

A few people have asked recently if they can vote in the upcoming mayoral election in Hartsville even though they live outside the city limits.

The Darlington County Board of Elections and Voter Registration will have a new home by the end of this year.

Gov. Mark Sanford keeps saying that it’s for others to decide if he should be impeached.

Friday’s noon filing deadline for Hartsville city elections passed quietly with no surprises and no new filers. That means a two-person race for mayor and only one of three City Council seats contested.

In the race for mayor, former council member and former city Finance Director Pam Sansbury will face businessman Mel Pennington. The two are seeking to succeed former Mayor Michael Holt who resigned in August to assume a seat on the state family court bench.

At least one member of Hartsville City Council will face a challenge in the November municipal election.