Five seek three seats on Williston Town Council

Five candidates are running for three seats on Williston Town Council.

Incumbent Alyson Hutson Collins along with Ken Beatty, John Jerkins Jr., Judy Myrick Taylor, and Greg Walkup are hoping to be elected to one of three seats. 

Ken Beatty

Ken Beatty is a 1993 alumnus of Williston-Elko High School and attended The Citadel before joining the U.S. Navy.

He currently serves on the Barnwell County Consolidated School District board after being elected in November 2022. Now, the Williston native wants to serve on Williston Town Council.

Alyson Hutson Collins

Alyson Hutson Collins was elected to town council in January to fill a vacant seat.

"I have loved getting to learn and experience the ins-and-outs of town business and learning how I can best help and serve our community," she said.

She attends Williston Presbyterian Church where she's served as a member of their Session, sings in choir, and teaches Sunday School. She's treasurer of the Williston Recreation & Activities Committee helping with town events and recreation activities.

She and her husband Tripp have three girls; Katie, Reese, and Hensley.

John Jerkins Jr.

John Jerkins Jr. is a Williston-Elko High alumnus.

He is a full-time firefighter for Charleston County and a part-time firefighter at Edisto Beach.

"I love the job and love serving people," said Jerkins. "My family and I love the Lord."

He and his wife Kayla have one daughter named Emberlynn.

He is the son of John Jerkins Sr. and Susan Jerkins of Williston.

Judy Myrick Taylor

Judy Myrick Taylor graduated from Williston-Elko High Class of ‘75.

She's a disciple of Culbert Branch Missionary Baptist. She received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force. Her main job has been with the USPS since 1987 as a letter carrier. "I was injured on the job three times and developed a condition known as RSDS, no known cure, so I was told that I had to learn to live with it and for the last 25 years I have been doing that," she said.

She was a substitute teacher at WEHS, night manager, cook, receptionist, and cashier at various places.

She's the youngest of 13 children born to Qute and Ella Johnson Myrick. She and husband Jimmy R. Taylor have 3 children, Andre & Consuelo Dunbar, Jacklin (Norris) Bennett, and Antionette Taylor Hall, plus 5 grandchildren (Norris Jr., Garrett, Gavin, Kyndall, and Gabrielle.

Greg Walkup

Greg Walkup was born in Anderson but has lived in Williston the past 30 years.

He graduated from Erskine College in Due West with a degree in Business Administration. He worked four years for J.B. White as a department manager and has worked the last 33 years at the Savannah River Site.

His wife MaryAnn grew up in Williston, which is where they raised their two children. Their son lives in Chicago and works for the EPA. Their daughter lives in Myrtle Beach and works for WBTW News 13.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Why are you seeking election?

BEATTY: I have chosen to run for town council because I believe I can have a greater impact on our students' future as well as help the entire community move forward.

COLLINS: Since being elected to town council in January, I've done my best to learn the business of the town and see where I can best be of help. We've got a wonderful mayor and town office staff and our council works incredibly well with them and with each other. I think it's such a blessing to be part of a group who truly wants what's best for Williston and who are so dedicated to making sure we are doing things the right way. We've made some wonderful plans including beautification projects for our downtown area and parks, and water-line and road improvements. I'd love to make sure I'm a part of seeing these projects and ideas through.

JERKINS: I have a desire to help the town I grew up in and love and to be a voice for the next generation to stay in the town and to show the next generation that the town is a great town to grow a family. I want to be a voice for the citizens. I want to be an advocate for public safety.

TAYLOR: The decision to run for this position is to evoke a positive change and to be an advocate for the PEOPLE. To increase the Town of Williston and not decrease it, by letting the light shine in this council that our Father has put in us. The Town of Williston needs leaders who are advocating for jobs, speaking up for our senior citizens, and investing in revitalizing the town to attract small as well as large business owners to the area. This position calls for a leader who is willing to do the hard work so that Williston can continue to strive. I believe that I am that hard worker who gives unselfishly of myself expecting nothing in exchange. I am a problem solver and will not let anything get the best of me. There has to be a solution! I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. I love Williston because of the small town, family atmosphere. I am hoping that new citizens feel the same when they come to live in our town.

WALKUP: I would like to help our town continue to grow into the future.

What makes you the best candidate?

BEATTY: I promise that if elected I will work every day for you, for our youth, and for our town to grow us to where we all expect to be.

COLLINS: We've got some amazing folks running in this election and I've never been the best at "tooting my own horn" so I don't know if I'd like to say that I'm better than any of the other candidates - but I will tell you that I will continue to build the working relationships with council and other members of our town's workforce that I've established; I'll continue to make the best decisions for Williston's growth and security; and I'll never stop working for the people of Williston.

JERKINS: I have lived in Williston my whole life. I volunteer where I can, not for recognition, but to better the town. I am growing my family here and am a contributing citizen.

TAYLOR: I am a Wilkonian. Home bred through and through. I know the Town of Williston and the people know me. I have always been active in the community through my church, the schools, and family events. Participation in the church, in the school system, and in 100 Suits for 100 Men, puts me in a very good position and shows the support I have offered throughout the last 40 years. Lending a helping hand and communicating with senior citizens about business affairs has granted me with much wisdom to help improve their conditions. Faithful attendance of town council meetings for the past four years has advantageously provided me with firsthand knowledge of the town’s procedures and guidelines. I ask for your vote and that vote means, “We Can Do This Together”!

WALKUP: I am reliable, responsible, accountable and truthful.

How are you involved in the community?

BEATTY: I am currently a sitting board member on the Barnwell County Consolidated School Board. We have worked to guide Williston and Blackville schools through the initial consolidation of our county schools. I am also a member of Williston Presbyterian and Hope lodge and also Ackerman and will continue to put Williston first in all my future endeavors.

COLLINS: I've always been involved in our community in some way or another. I went to school and graduated from WEHS in 2001, I raised my family here and have worked in education here for the last 10 years.

JERKINS: I am a volunteer firefighter for the Williston Fire Department and the neighboring Elko Fire Department.

TAYLOR: I spend time volunteering as a poll worker for over 18 years. 100 Suits for 100 Men which is a non-profit organization that dresses men and women for success. I helped organize food drives for citizens of the CSRA during Covid-19. One of my highlights was to help organize the toy drive for Barnwell County. The delight the parents showed when those toys were put in their trunks was priceless. I also assisted with the Smart Box summer lunch program for the Williston youth. I cooked many hot dogs and nachos for the children, players, and parents during the games held at the town parks, including our church league all night games on Labor Day. I tutored many students of all ages, helped the juniors and seniors to have Prom nights and afterward take a trip out of Williston for several days. I was on the Committee for the 150th sesquicentennial celebration, under the leadership of Mayor Tommie Rivers. I am a member of the NAACP and Barnwell County Democratic party. I serve on the recycling committee and also the newly organized beautification committee of Williston.

WALKUP: Over the years, I have been involved with community projects on the town’s walking trail, helped the church put together and deliver snack packs for school children, and Thanksgiving food baskets for families in our community. I am a member of the Gideons International and we place bibles in our local hotels, elementary schools, nursing homes and doctor/dental offices. We perform scripture distributions at various events throughout Barnwell County. I am a member of the Barnwell County Recreation Committee which looks at various recreation projects that may be possible in Barnwell County.

Governing a town is a group effort. How would you work with others?

BEATTY: I intend to work closely with the mayor and the council to lay the groundwork for our growth. There are several areas of the town that need to be addressed to return our town to the beautiful place that we all know it to be.

COLLINS: We have a wonderful group of elected officials and Town Employees who work together beautifully to go about the business of keeping our town running. It may look easy from the outside looking in, but there's a lot of thought and careful work and planning that goes into each decision made for our town. We are blessed to have town leaders who truly care about each individual and their needs. I'm proud to be a part of this group.

JERKINS: I will listen to the voices of all people and be involved in a group effort to make the best decisions for the town. Teamwork makes the dreamwork.

TAYLOR: I would welcome the opportunity to shadow and network with the former town council members. I feel it is a necessity for me to continue to keep the community involved by frequently sharing information concerning town’s updates and encouraging citizens to attend town council meetings. I value the power of teamwork as a necessary part of strengthening an organization’s growth and success.

WALKUP: I will listen first. I have always been able to work with people in the jobs I have held. I believe I can work with the mayor, council members and citizens to place the town’s needs first.

What do you love about the community?

BEATTY: I love the fact that Williston is a small town family.

COLLINS: I love to travel and see new things and new places, but I can honestly say I'm always excited to come home too. Williston is a special place, and I think my favorite thing is just how much our community cares about and loves one another. Seeing our community rally behind folks that need a helping hand, or work together to find a solution to a problem, or put on an event for our youth is just inspiring and fills me with hope for the future. The people of Williston are second to none when it comes to loving your neighbor and I'm so proud to be a part of that.

JERKINS: The people of the community are always willing to come together as a family when there is a need. I love the Blue Devil pride that Williston has.

TAYLOR: I admire the family-like atmosphere and the genuine concern that our citizens display towards one another.

WALKUP: I love being in a small town where most people know each other and help each other when they can. Also, the fact that there are so many churches in Williston and the surrounding area. Most people in our town realize the importance of God in their lives.

If elected, what are your top priorities?

BEATTY: One of my top priorities is to attract more business to our town. We need to get back to the growth we experienced back before the turn of the century. It has been too long since we have had the future of our wonderful town secure. There are also several issues that I see around town that are already covered in ordinances that have not been properly seen to. That is another main priority for me.

COLLINS: If re-elected my top priorities are to continue to learn from the mayor and council, and to do what I can do best to support the town's current plans for the future.

JERKINS: I will advocate for public safety. I will be an advocate for the next generation. I will push for economic growth.

TAYLOR: Advocating for the people, revitalization and upgrade of parks, basketball courts and playgrounds, continuing improvement of the water system, implementing an electronic evacuation system, and seeking industries to our town that offer better opportunities for better living conditions for our citizens. In prior discussion with fellow citizens, these are the most significant concerns.

WALKUP: I am pro-business. I want to make it easy for businesses to come into our town and employ people. I do not want to hammer businesses with taxes/fees that are too high and I would like to cut any government “red tape” that may hinder the business. I will support the safety and security of our town by backing our local police, fire and EMT departments. I would like to ensure they have everything they need to do their job safely. I support local recreation for children and adults. I like to play disc golf and tennis at our town park and would like to get pickle ball courts at our town park as well. I will support local infrastructure improvements such as replacing old/broken town water lines. I am all for government efficiency and continuous improvement. How can we do things better, faster, cheaper to best utilize the taxpayers’ dollar?

If you aren't elected, how will you work to be involved and make a difference?

BEATTY: If not elected I will continue to work on the school board and for our youth.

COLLINS: If I'm not re-elected, I'd certainly wish the new appointees their best in their endeavors. I'll still be here on Main Street and at Williston Presbyterian on Sunday morning. I'll continue my work with the Recreation Committee and I'm sure I'll see you around town. I appreciate all of you, and look forward to seeing you in November.

JERKINS: Continuing to serve the community as a volunteer firefighter. I enjoy being a firefighter for the community because I know when I respond to a call, I'm helping serve my neighbor. I serve the community to help protect, and to make an impact in each individual's life.

TAYLOR: If I am not elected, I will continue to focus upon the advancement of the growth of Williston as were outlined in my priorities that are listed above. I will continue to be a voice for the people.

WALKUP: I will continue to support our mayor and town council and may appear before the council with community concerns that arise.

Anything else?

BEATTY: Our scholars are our future.

JERKINS: If I get elected, I will serve the community with humility, honor, and pride.

TAYLOR: There is much to be done, but you cannot just look at the council. The citizens must also be a willing participant. Let us know your concerns and stand together with us as we start to make it happen. I will be counting on you as much as you will be counting on us. We must keep unity in the community.

WALKUP: I have always put God first in the decisions I have made in my life and have let Him guide me. I will continue to let God guide me in the decisions for the town’s business if elected.