Bamberg resigns City Council seat
Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter
Citing a “personal matter”
Bamberg City Council District 2
Councilwoman Ella Bamberg
officially resigned from her seat
on Bamberg City Council. In a
June 18, letter addressed to
Bamberg Mayor Alton
McCollum, Bamberg stated:
“I am writing to officially
tender my resignation from City
Council of District 2,
immediately as of this day June
18, 2010. The letter went on to
say “working with the City
Council has been a great learning
experience. I could not ask for a
better group of colleagues. I have
grown in many ways during my
time here and I appreciate the
opportunities provided for me by
City Council.”
In an interview Monday
afternoon to respond to
allegations from town residents
that she no longer lived in
District 2. Bamberg said, “My
residence is 134 Free Street,
Bamberg. I’m still going to work
for the community.”
Bamberg Mayor Alton
McCollum had only positive
things to say about Bamberg’s
tenure on Bamberg City Council:
“Ella Bamberg was a highly
respected person, willing to give
her service to the City Council
and the community.” The Mayor
added “However it was her
decision to resign her position
because of other personal needs
that she needed more time to
focus on.”
Bamberg, who was first
elected to Bamberg City Council
in 2007, was in her first term in
office and would be up for reelection
in April of 2011.
According to City of
Bamberg Clerk/Treasurer Bruce
Watson, because Bamberg’s
resignation comes with more
than 180 days left in office, a
Special Election must be held to
fill the District 2 Seat on
Bamberg City Council. A special
election will be held September
14, 2010. Watson noted the State
Election Commission must be
called and a pre-clearance must be granted by
the Justice Department before an
election can be held to fill the vacant seat.
If an election is not held
Governor Mark Sanford will
appoint someone to the seat.
