Three incumbent Bamberg County Council members will face opposition in the Tuesday, June 8th Democratic Primary Election for another four year term on council. In other county elections, County Auditor Margaret B. Meyer and County Treasurer Alice Johnson have no opposition and District 90 Representative Bakari Sellers has no opposition.

In the Bamberg County Council District Two race, Bamberg County Council Chairwoman Alzena Robinson is running to retain her seat over challenger Roger C. Moses, who she defeated four years ago. Moses, who served two previous terms on county council, is seeking a third term.

Robinson said she is offering “a simple platform” of accountability to voters, visionary leadership, and partnership with other local officials to set goals for the county. “I believe in putting our differences aside and doing what’s best for the county, she said.”

As an example of visionary leadership that has the potential to connect the county, Robinson pointed to her part in the development of a planned wellness park on Highway 78, which she called “her baby.” She also pointed to her involvement in the 2010Census, plans to improve the county road system and continuation of the Annual Back-to-School Bash as her priorities.

In challenging Robinson for the District Two County Council seat, Roger Moses, a retired Bamberg School District One educator, said having more time to devote to the position than in his previous tenure is one of his reasons for running. “I’m available 24/7 now and I want to give something back to the citizens of Bamberg County," Moses said.

Moses said his main objective would be to broaden the tax base by bringing in new industry. He said if taxes could not be reduced, the county needed to look at ways to reduce the impact of the tax increase that will be brought about in the next two years by the passage of the school bond referendum. “Are we better off than we were four years ago or are the conditions worse,” Moses asked?

In the District Three County Council race, Councilwoman Dorothy “Dot” Tatum said seeing the completion of the county water and waste water project, the widening of Highway 78, the county building project, and maintaining the viability of the county hospital are her main reasons for seeking another four year term in office.

Tatum said she was interested in moving the county forward by providing easier access to county services through supporting the county’s GIS and E-911 addressing systems to identify where the citizens of the county are and have a better accuracy in knowing what properties are in the county. She said an accurate 2010 Census Count was also high on her list of priorities for the county.

District Three challenger Sherryl Dan Walley, a 26-year retired military veteran, former S.C. Department of Public Transportation maintenance foreman, and registered foster parent for Bamberg County for the past 12 years; said he is running for county council in order to improve the county’s road system and improve the condition of the county’s DSS Building, which he said “is in very poor condition.”

“I would like to see something done about that (DSS building) since I’m a foster parent and familiar with those conditions,” he said. Walley said he would put time in getting the roads up to date, look at situations personally and help people with their problems.”

Political newcomer to the District Three County Council race Larry Haynes, a truck driver for 40 years, said he is running for county council to “offer a different voice and attitude.” Haynes said that his priorities on county council would be “seeing that people get their roads scraped, improving economic development and developing recreational opportunities for kids in the rural areas of the county.

In the race for the District Six seat on Bamberg County Council, incumbent William H. Nimmons cites some of his accomplishments such as; being instrumental in creating the Bamberg County Handy Ride Program, helping to create the Olar, Govan, Middle Place Regional Water System; the placement of “numerous” dirt roads in the county maintenance system, the establishment of the Mary Ann Morris Animal Shelter (MAMAS) and the creation of the County Litter Control program as reasons he should be re-elected to council for another term of office.

Nimmons is being challenged in the District Six race by Denmark attorney of 25-years, Evert Comer Jr. Comer cites his service on the Denmark City Council for the last six years, where he is presently Mayor Pro Tem and past service on the Bamberg School District Two Board of Trustees for 14 years as reasons he should be elected to Bamberg County Council. He says he is involved in numerous community, religious and fraternal organizations.

“ I pledge my best for the common good of District 6 and most importantly, I will ensure that the interests and concerns of District 6 will be known, advanced and represented,” Comer said.

On June 8th Primary Election Day, polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.