On Tuesday, April 5, the citizens of Bamberg will go to the polls to fill three open seats on Bamberg City Council for a term of four years each.

In the election for three seats on the Bamberg City Council, in District 1, two candidates have filed for the seat being vacated by Teresa Hannibal, who is not running for a second term. Former Bamberg City Councilwoman Betty Mack and Linda Hayes Hudson are seeking election. In District 2, incumbent Cynthia Summers will face challenger Paul Sandifer. And in District 3, incumbent Janeth Walker is unopposed.

The polling place for the District 1 election is the National Guard Armory/Bamberg Civic Center at 2477 Main Highway. The polling places for the District 2 election are the National Guard Armory/Bamberg Civic Center and the J. Carl Kearse Agricultural Building on Calhoun Street. The polling place for the District 3 election is the J. Carl Kearse Agricultural Building on Calhoun Street. The polls will open at 7:00 a.m. on Election Day and close at 7:00 p.m.

In the District 1 race for Bamberg City Council, political veteran Betty Mack, a retired educator now employed by Bamberg School District One, cites her previous experience on Bamberg City Council as a reason she is running again. Mack previously served six years on Council completing the unexpired term of late Councilwoman Vanessa Davis Williams and one regular term of her own. Mack, who said she was “not making any promises she could not keep,” stated “I want the opportunity to serve the citizens of District 1 and will work to help better the City of Bamberg.”

Mack is being challenged in District 1 by political newcomer Linda Hayes - Hudson, who is a lifelong resident of the District. Hayes- Hudson cites her background in Home Health Care and as a substitute teacher for giving her insight in “helping people.” She said she will seek out employment opportunities using a “proactive approach.” “It’s important to make every attempt to revitalize downtown Bamberg, transforming it to a place of destination again. Hudson said the downtown merchants are depending on City Council members “to lead” or the City will face “consequences that are dire and bleak.”

In the District 2 race, incumbent Cynthia E. Summers, a City of Orangeburg employee, who was elected six months ago to fill the unexpired term of former Councilmember the Rev. Ella Bamberg said she is running for office based on her accomplishments since taking office. Summers said since being elected to City Council she has been involved in; Seeking funding sources to improve the community; involved in the downtown revitalization effort by working with business leaders to improve traffic and patronage and establishing a “user friendly” environment to create jobs and erecting street signage to help keep kids’ safe going to school. “I hit the ground running,” Summers said.

Paul Sandifer, a Bamberg Businessman for 26 years, and who has lived in Bamberg “all of his life” is opposing Summers for the District 2 Seat on Bamberg City Council. Sandifer said he is running for Bamberg City Council based on his record of community service which includes: A member of the Bamberg Fire Department for 42-years; Bamberg Christmas Parade Chair for 32 years and a Board member of the American Red Cross for over 30-years. Sandifer said Bamberg needs new industry, more job choices for young people and more recreation to keep kids off the streets. “I will work with other City Council members to make Bamberg a great place to live,” Sandifer said.

Incumbent Janeth Walker, who represents District 3 on Bamberg City Council, and is unopposed in the April 5, election, said she is undeterred by the fact she has no opposition. “While many might say that validates my work within my district, rest assured that I ‘am very committed to the constituents of District 3 and the City of Bamberg, my commitment will remain strong and unwavering,” Walker said. Walker thanked all of her constituents for believing in her the last four years and said she is looking forward to another four years to “make our City a better place to live, work and play.”