BOWMAN -- Two candidates are seeking to become mayor of Bowman, succeeding the late Marion Glenn Jr.

Glenn was elected to the town council in 1990 and became mayor in 2009, holding the office unless his death in July.

Bowman Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Rhett and Aretha Allison are seeking to become Glenn's successor in the Nov. 5 municipal election.

Voters will also elect two council members on Nov. 5. Candidates Michael Void, Shaquetta Pelzer and Jessica Darnell are seeking election. Look for a preview of the council race in Saturday's T&D.

The mayor and council seats are at-large, which means every voter within the town limits can vote in the election.

Patsy Rhett

Rhett is retired, having worked in the 1st Circuit Solicitor’s Office and with Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5.

Rhett serves as pastor of Good Hope AME Church and is actively involved with the NAACP.

“I am seeking to be elected because I have 10 years of experience, Bowman is my hometown, I live there, work there. I know what I bring to Bowman, and I know that I have a vision to help improve Bowman,” the mayor pro tem said.

Rhett listed several issues she believes are facing the town.

“Right now, the current issues that are facing Bowman are lack of employment and the fact that we are trying to secure a grocery store,” she said.

“We are currently addressing them by seeking someone to come in and bring a grocery store into the area. And right not, as far as job opportunities, we are trying to encourage our students to stay in the area where we are. We’re trying to locate businesses that will come into the Bowman area and offer those job opportunities."

Rhett praised the current council.

“The areas in which I think we are doing well is right now we are working with the community. We have a goal that we are setting, and our current council, we work together, we are on one accord, and everything we do is for the benefit and for the betterment of our town,” Rhett said.

Rhett said she plans to spend whatever amount of time is necessary to perform the functions of mayor.

She said there are some additional needs for the town, which is currently working on getting more volunteers and securing funding for more paid staff.

Rhett said she is aware of the S.C. Freedom of Information Act and intends to abide by the law.

 

Aretha Allison

Allison is employed as a licensed independent social worker. She holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice and a master’s degree in science and criminal justice.

Alison offered several reasons she is seeking to be elected as mayor.

“Naturally a visionary and native of Bowman, I aim to see the Town of Bowman flourishing. I plan to be an effective leader by listening to both the citizens and council and working together with council to achieve and develop new goals and objectives for Bowman,” she said.

Allison listed several issues she believes are facing the town.

There is a need for a resolution or completion of major projects involving the town’s water and sewage system, and a need for ongoing improvements to support the development and expansion of the system, she said.

Allison said there is a need to increase “support and resources for the Bowman Fire Department, first responders and the Bowman Police.”

She also said there is a need for infrastructural improvements and planning that supports the development and usage of existing town resources.

Strategic planning and the development or strengthening of the town’s goals also are priorities for Allison.

Allison said there is a need to attract more business and visitors to the town, as well as a need to strengthen the town’s fiscal planning and accountability by implementing internal and external audits of finances.

Allison said there is a need to improve citizen moral through planned participation.

She said she would “work effectively with council to achieve the goals and objectives for Bowman and addressing the issues that Bowman is facing.”

Allison assessed the current council.

“The challenges facing Bowman are multifaceted and ongoing. The town council is addressing some of these issues,” she said.

Allison said she believes there are some additional needs: infrastructure upgrades, and an increase in the number of volunteers and paid staff.

“There is also a need for grants to support initiatives of the Town of Bowman,” she said.

Allison said she plans to spend as much time as necessary to perform the functions of mayor.

Allison said she is aware of the FOI Act and intends to abide by the law.

 

 

The article was written by Bradley Harris T&D Staff Writer
This article was obtained from the Times and Democrat Newspaper.