Right here are the candidates for the vacant Clemson Metropolis Council seat
10 min readEditor’s Notice: When The Greenville Information and Anderson Impartial Mail originally printed these applicant submissions, we did not implement the exact standards to all 3 candidates.
Candidates had been explained to to post solutions of 200 phrases or fewer, and we did not get the time to edit down some responses that came in very long.
We figure out that this did not permit all candidates and equivalent forum to state their views, and gave them the prospect to develop past the original 200-term limit.
We attempt to be truthful in our newsgathering, and wanted to be certain all candidates had an equal voice in progress of this special election. As a result, we are republishing this story with the expanded answers.
If you have issues about our procedures, remember to call govt editor Steve Bruss at [email protected].
Key Story: The race to fill the Metropolis of Clemson’s empty city council seat is on.
The seat was vacated by Mayor Robert Halfacre very last month just after he took the oath of business. The winner of the race will provide the rest of his term, which ends in November 2022.
The specific election is scheduled for March 23, 2021, and will element a few candidates. Clemson municipal elections are non-partisan. City Council associates serve in at-huge seats.
The candidates will take part in a forum hosted by the League of Females Voters on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. The digital celebration can be identified listed here: https://www.facebook.com/League-of-Women-Voters-Clemson-Place-120397393402
Right here are the candidates, in alphabetical get:
Jim Borick
How prolonged have you lived in Clemson?
I have lived in Clemson for 2 and half many years (this time!) I have moved to Clemson an unprecedented 5 times, starting up at Clemson University as a freshman in 1977. In among those moves I have lived in Maine, Boston, Philadelphia, Hilton Head and Northern California.
What is your profession?
I am retired. I have spent most of my organization daily life in revenue or tourism. I have worked in most of the important U.S. markets on the east coastline. I have levels in Company Administration and Accounting and graduated with honors. In retirement, I can be the carpenter I usually needed to be.
Why are you running for Clemson Town Council?
Obtaining come and long gone from the Clemson space for around 45 years I have found heaps of alterations some great and some…. “not so substantially.” It is the latter that conjures up me to operate for Clemson city council. My agenda is, and will be, the agenda of the persons of Clemson.
I imagine in safety first — something we can all concur on. We want our streets and neighborhoods to be safe.
I believe we can have an remarkable city and robe connection.
I believe the people tax dollars need to be put in in the most prudent way. I read through money statements as properly as anyone and have an great knowing of authorities and not for profit accounting.
I feel we can mature, with Clemson University, in a prudent, good and safe fashion.
There is not always the excellent answer to issues, but there is generally A remedy.
Safety 1st and Inhabitants to start with!
Why should really voters choose you?
I am a good and genuine guy with varied knowledge. I do not feel experience is 40 a long time placing on the exact hubcaps. I imagine expertise is 40 decades placing on various hubcaps. Possessing lived all over the United States I have discovered new (and outdated) ways to get matters carried out. Our complications in Clemson are not exceptional, they have occurred in several metropolitan areas. I want to provide my experience to support generate methods.
I obviously don’t forget quite a few yrs in the past the resistance to the Cross Island expressway in Hilton Head. Several stated it could not be done and was not affordable—looks like they ended up mistaken. I remember staying in conferences and wanting for answers to a dilemma listening to people today say: “let me notify you why we can’t do that.” I prefer persons who say: “let me convey to you how we CAN do that!”
I am a man or woman who enjoys figuring issues out, from paying for university, knowledge economical statements to constructing a fence or putting in a pink front doorway.
I would like to be my good friends and neighbor’s humble servant and to aid solve some of Clemson’s difficulties. I want to be a new confront at Clemson Town Council.
John Fulmer
How lengthy have you lived in Clemson?
We acquired our dwelling here in the late slide of 2014 and moved below completely Thanksgiving 2015. For the duration of the time in involving we spent just about every minute attainable here. However our household has been coming to Clemson yearly for more than 40 years. Our children grew up on the College campus. My relatives ties to Clemson go again to 1929 when my dad 1st attended and our kids signify the third generation of graduates. We have settled in Clemson, achieved and designed quite a few buddies and are customers of University Lutheran Church.
What is your profession?
I am retired. I put in approximately 40 years in the finance and banking marketplace performing the past 35 yrs for a large national bank. Through that time I managed point out, regional and nationwide product sales operations for identical business traces. We moved all around but lived mostly in the southeast. Right after retiring I spent several many years working as the organization supervisor for a smaller nonprofit faculty for exclusive desires young children. I honestly found that job to be the most fulfilling of my functioning profession
Why are you operating for Clemson Metropolis Council?
I have been associated in town routines considering that early 2017. It took two attempts prior to we had been in a position to get the city to go together with a moratorium so there could be a strategic system formulated for Clemson. The successful exertion was the final result of the function of a grassroots business: Build a Much better Clemson. That group worked tirelessly for six months but the initiatives paid off. With the moratorium in area, a steering committee was named and I served as a member for the future 10 months. The endeavours of that team are exactly where we are with Clemson Future.
Also, in June of this yr, a committee was place with each other to address reasonably priced housing in our historically Black communities. I am serving as the chair of that committee and although there is a lot to do we have manufactured a good offer of development.
I am jogging due to the fact I want to see the initiatives of Clemson Following steering committee go ahead. We have a great strategic program and it’s now time for the metropolis to execute wherever it makes perception and it is very good for the local community.
Also, I have a passion for the very affordable housing requirements in our local community and especially our historic black communities. This is not going to be an easy fix but 1 that the metropolis requires to target on in part through ClemsonNEXT but also separately as there are loads of prospects.
Why ought to voters pick you?
I am organized for this role. I am a graduate of Leadership Clemson. Considering that having associated I have been a typical attendee of town conferences the two in particular person and now on the internet. I am in-tune with what is going on currently as properly as how we bought right here.
I truly feel my involvement in the ClemsonNEXT steering committee as properly as my currently being on the floor as we gathered signatures through the Develop a Superior Clemson hard work give me true insight as to what our citizens are contemplating and would like to see occur.
I have been included with the historically black communities very long right before the formation of the Shaw Centre for Housing and Financial Growth. There are a lot of wrongs that the metropolis needs to tackle in these communities, and I want to see Clemson operate to boost and guard these neighborhoods.
Greg Rice
How lengthy have you lived in Clemson?
When I approached my spouse in 2017 about going our loved ones to her beloved hometown, the gleam in her eye told me it was the ideal selection. My spouse, Jacqui (Poole), has been a resident of Clemson most of her lifestyle. Our family’s roots and like for this city run deep. Acquiring two younger daughters, Finley Grace and Emmie Sloane, who are fourth era Clemson residents, has inspired me to do the job on behalf of the residents of this fantastic town that we get to contact household.
I have often been involved with the community in which I lived, irrespective of whether it be serving as President of the Rotary Club or remaining lively in the neighborhood Chamber of Commerce. When this prospect to operate for city council came about, my household and I knew it was the perfect timing to action up and come to be much more concerned in which our girls are rising up.
Whether or not we are having fun with one of our metropolis parks, watching our young children engage in athletics by way of the Recreation Section, purchasing and acquiring a meal downtown or attending Clemson athletic events, this will permanently be our hometown. We want all Clemson inhabitants to have the identical good possibilities that this city has afforded us. It is critical, equally shorter phrase and extended phrase, that we plan and make selections with the upcoming always in sight. The prosperity and inclusiveness of our city will be my guiding principle in any decisions built. I will go on to be a sounding board and continually perform towards the greatest alternatives for all citizens.
What is your profession?
I am now a Funeral Director with Robinson Funeral Residences. As a funeral director in my expert life, I think I am named to provide other folks through their most tough periods. I am capable to actively listen to other people with an open up thoughts and coronary heart, and have these challenging conversations, all when remaining poised and decisive. I am also an lively member of Clemson Sunrise Rotary Club.
Why are you working for Clemson City Council?
I am jogging for Clemson Town Council in the upcoming particular election because I want to carry on to be an lively member of the group in which I are living. I believe a fresh new strategy and new concepts are qualities that I can deliver to the existing council. In talking with several inhabitants and company proprietors, the most widespread topics that continue to appear up are advancement and targeted visitors. The perform that has been accomplished by means of the In depth Approach and ClemsonNext strategic strategy has been incredibly comprehensive and will assistance manual the metropolis relocating ahead. It will be critical for council customers to engage with residents on a normal basis to prioritize the items in these strategies.
I will do everything I can to make sure that all of our people have the identical possibilities to enjoy all that our great metropolis has to offer you. Speaking brazenly with our citizens and participating their requires will generally be my variety one particular goal. I will go on to dedicate to weekly social media updates on town affairs and normal attendance to community functions to listen to and study from our citizens. I will go on to make myself readily available by telephone, electronic mail, virtual conferences and in-human being conferences to assure that all citizens’ voices proceed to be read. By way of interactions I have with numerous condition representatives, I experience that I can guarantee that our city is generally receiving our share of point out means.
The romantic relationship between the City of Clemson and Clemson University will carry on to produce simply because of intentional discussions and collaborations. There are great discussions occurring now to ensure that the conversation between both of those entities is successful and in the most effective passions of all parties concerned. As a portion of council, I would assure that we continue on to construct positive associations and carry on to have considerate, significant conversations moving ahead.
The city has prolonged relished the successes of not only our hospitality market, but also that of our regional companies. To say 2020 and the beginning of 2021 has been tricky for these corporations is an understatement. It is encouraging that the Clemson Athletic Office is planning to have total attendance at all athletic occasions in the drop. This will be a key boost to our struggling organizations. However, Clemson companies need our assistance now and I will function to guarantee that the Metropolis is marketing our businesses to help them quicker relatively than later. Our regional firms ought to often be a leading priority to the vitality of our city. These organizations are, for the most component, owned by and make use of our buddies and neighbors.
Why need to voters pick out you?
Clemson residents really should vote for me on March 23 because I will supply a well balanced and inspired technique to this council. I will be a contributor for all Clemson citizens, an advocate for Clemson modest corporations, a collaborator for optimistic City and Robe relationships, and a facilitator for community outreach and engagement. I contemplate Clemson to be the greatest spot to live, function, and enjoy. Most importantly, I think Clemson is the premier city for raising a family. Collectively, with a community 1st method, we will direct our beloved Clemson into the long run.
Zoe handles Clemson — just never ask her about touchdowns or tackles. She covers every little thing non-athletics. Discover her at [email protected], @zoenicholson_ on Twitter, and @zoenicholsonreporter on Instagram.