New City of Barnwell mayor, councilwomen sworn in

Barnwell City Council began the new year with some new faces.

On Jan. 8, the council convened for their first meeting of 2024. The meeting began with a new mayor, two new council members, and one re-elected council member taking the oath of office.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve each of you. I will listen to and serve all citizens to the best of my ability,” said former District 1 Councilman Ron Still after being sworn in as the city’s new mayor. He takes over for Marcus Rivera who lost re-election in November 2023.

After Mayor Still was sworn in, city attorney Tom Boulware administered the oath of office to three council members who were elected in November. This includes Wanda Highsmith, who replaces Jimbo Moody as District 4’s representative, and Jana Black Myers, who beat Ryan Bragg to represent District 6. District 2 council member Peggy Kinlaw was also sworn in for another term after winning re-election.

“I look forward to working together and moving the city forward,” said Kinlaw.

Highsmith thanked her constituents for trusting her to serve as their representative.

“I will always have a listening ear,” said Myers, who welcomes citizens to share their ideas and concerns.

Mayor Still said it’s important that everyone – council, city employees, residents, and himself – works together to move the City of Barnwell forward.

“We all want a safe and prosperous city, even if we want a different path to get there,” he said.

He pledged to “serve and govern with respect” and to “listen with an open mind and heart.”

Improving the quality of life for residents is a priority for Mayor Still.

This includes hiring a new police chief to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former chief Lamaz Robinson last year. Interviews were held last week and the city plans to hold final interviews Jan. 29. Mayor Still said the new chief will be tasked with rebuilding the police department.

Other initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life include completing construction of the new fire station, improving Fuller Park, and working with the county to attract more industries.

Cleaning up litter – and ultimately preventing litter in the first place – also plays a role in quality of life.

That was the topic of discussion by Ben Kinlaw, a Barnwell County Council member and executive director of Keep Barnwell County Beautiful, during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“We know as we try to attract people to buy homes and live in Barnwell County…they want our roadsides to be clean,” said Kinlaw. This is also true for potential industries.

Since becoming an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful in April 2023, Keep Barnwell County Beautiful has held several clean-ups across the county. Twelve people, including seven new volunteers, participated in the New Year’s Day clean-up in Barnwell where they collected 41 bags of trash and five tires.

While some council members have volunteered in the past, “I encourage the city council to get involved,” said Ben Kinlaw.

“We are in a role of leadership. If people don’t see us doing it, how can we ask them,” said Mayor Still, who also encourages residents to volunteer.

Out of the county’s 600 miles of roadway, only 40 have been adopted through the Adopt-a-Highway program.

“One of the problems is they are adopting a highway but not picking up trash,” said Ben Kinlaw.

Some churches like First Baptist and Life Tabernacle Church are participating. He said Life Tabernacle recently picked up 10 bags of trash along Clinton Street.

Councilwoman Alicia Davis said her non-profit organization has adopted a highway. She welcomes volunteers to join them.

Keep Barnwell County Beautiful is placing a focus on Lake Brown, which is a “flagship for the county and this city,” said Ben Kinlaw.

On a related note, City Administrator Lynn McEwen said the city received a $10,000 Palmetto Pride grant to pay crews to pick up trash.

The prevention of litter is the ultimate goal. He said education, enlightenment, and enforcement are important to achieve that goal.

“The future for Barnwell is bright,” said Mayor Still.

However, he said that doesn’t mean the path is always easy and fast. That’s why it’s vital for everyone to work together.

In other news:

• Council held a split vote for mayor pro-tem, a position that fills in and conducts meetings when the mayor is absent. Peggy Kinlaw, who has been mayor pro-tem, and Davis were both nominated by peers. Each one received three votes. Mayor Still said Kinlaw would remain mayor pro-tem for now and a new election will be held once someone is elected to fill the vacant District 1 council seat.
• Former city councilman Jimbo Moody was nominated and unanimously approved to serve as the city’s representative on the county’s new capital sales tax committee. This committee will consider proposals for funding capital projects, formulate a referendum question to appear on the ballot, and submit the proposed question to the county council with enough time for them to approve it.
• The fire department ended the year with 370 calls.