JOHNSTON – In a forum where six candidates for mayor and town council were invited to speak on the issues surrounding the Town of Johnston, perhaps the loudest words were spoken by those candidates who were not in attendance.

Current mayor Willie Campbell and town council candidate Robert Oliphant did not attend Thursday’s forum at the American Legion Hut sponsored by the Johnston Lion’s Club.  

Neither of the two candidates had any representation at the event, leaving some residents angry and others of the small crowd shaking their heads.

“That right there says everything that needs to be said,” one resident would say.

Forum moderator and Lions President Roger Lamb, who said he had not heard from either of the men as to their absence, also shared his disappointment before proceeding with the evening’s agenda.

“I’ll leave it to the members of the audience to decide what message that conveys,” he said.

Each candidate was allowed seven minutes (up from the scheduled five minutes due to the absence of the two candidates) to introduce themselves and explain their reasons for running, with mayoral candidate Andy Livingston, a longtime member and former chairman of the Edgefield County School Board, speaking first.

“I appreciate the opportunity to be at a forum like this because it’s hard to get around and meet everyone,” he said. “I’m a CPA (certified public accountant) and I work with finances everyday. I want to bring financial responsibility, community involvement and leadership (as mayor). I can bring financial responsibility to the town and community involvement has been a way of life for me all of my life.”

Mr. Livingston was asked by residents to comment on the proclivity in the town towards sagging pants, booming music, crumbling properties and dirty streets – issues which residents have been complaining about for some time.

“Well, one thing I’ve learned on the school board is that you can’t legislate morality,” he said. “You hope people live a life of respect and then show that respect towards others. There are ordinances (for yards and homes in disrepair) we already have for that. We just have to enforce what we have, and sometimes you just have to get hard with people though.”   

The next two candidates to speak, Bryan Murray and Tommy Stone, are each a candidate for the town council seat in ward two following the announcement by current councilman Morris Holmes that he would not be seeking another term of service.

Mr. Murray, who has been a familiar face at town council meetings, said he wanted the opportunity to serve the town and its residents in a greater capacity.

“When this position came open I thought that it would be a good way to give back and serve others here in the town,” he said. ‘There are lots of things that need to be tended to in the town of Johnston and there are many people who are afraid of change, but it’s going to happen. I felt it was time to involve myself and do what I could to help.

“We need to push and keep on pushing and do whatever it takes to have our voice heard. If I’m allowed to have this seat I promise to follow through on every complaint.”
Taking his turn at the podium, Mr. Stone was quick to tell the audience that he would hardly need the two additional minutes with which he had been provided.

“I probably could have done with a few less minutes,” he joked, before diving into his reasons for running, which included his concern for the financial welfare of the town.

“I have a great affection for this little town,” he said. “It’s a great place to live and I want it to stay that way. My primary focus is going to be the financial stability of this town. We’re not alone in these hard times (with financial trouble), but nothing can happen if our finances aren’t in order so that’ll be my primary focus.”

The final candidate to address the audience was Tommy Burton, the incumbent candidate from ward four. Mr. Burton said he would once again offer his honesty and fairness to serve the residents in his district.

“When I first came into this office I said I wanted to see things (in town) cleaner, quieter and more productive and I think we got to about 80-percent of that,” he said. “But now I feel as though we’ve gone back from 80-percent to 20-percent in the way some parts of this town look. I wish to continue to serve the people in ward four and I’m asking people to please consider voting for me. I’ll give them 110-percent again.”

Elections for mayor and town council in Johnston will be held April 6th.