Conway candidates for mayor, city council talk crime, development and business climate

A familiar face will be Conway’s next mayor.

The only question is whether it will be that of incumbent Alys Lawson or councilwoman Barbara Blain-Bellamy.

Lawson is seeking her third term and Bellamy opted to challenge her rather than pursue another four years on council.

Along with the race for mayor, three council seats will be decided Tuesday.

Incumbents Tom Anderson and Larry White will be on the ballot as will challengers Ashley Smith, Alicia Todd and Danner Thompson.

City council members are elected at large and serve four-year terms. The mayor is paid an annual salary of $16,000, the mayor pro tem makes $11,000 and other council members earn $10,000.

The Sun News sent a questionnaire to all the candidates this week. Thompson was the only one who did not respond.

Responses have been edited.

Mayoral candidates

Alys Lawson (incumbent)

Age: 54

Occupation: Day manager at Rivertown Bistro

Family: Husband (Ed), daughter (Kate), son (Paul)

Education: Holds a B.S. in political science from the University of South Carolina

Civic and political experience: Served as Conway’s mayor for seven years; served 10 years on Conway City Council; president of Municipal Association of South Carolina; Conway representative on Interstate Rail Committee; Conway representative on Grand Strand Area Transportation Committee; member and past chairwoman of Horry County League of Cities

Question Conway has taken on several downtown development projects in recent years, including acquiring the former Horry County museum and razing the former police station. What other projects should city council pursue for the downtown area? What projects should the city pursue for other areas of Conway?

Answer Conway had a downtown market analysis done to identify areas where we could improve the economic vitality in our city. A business incubator was listed and we partnered with Coastal Carolina University and Clemson to develop one which is operating today on Third Avenue in Conway. The idea of a civic center/reception hall was also presented to council and so we approached the county to acquire the old post office, and we have begun construction on this project. The idea of the pavilion site for the expanded farmers market was also an economic development strategy of the plan. The funding for this project is in the current budget. Additional projects identified in the study were upstairs housing in the central business district and riverfront district. I believe additional housing in these areas will increase the activity and vibrancy of Conway. I do not believe these will be solely city projects, but more public private partnerships with the city and developers. The idea of a downtown hotel also is a dream I have. After visiting similar projects is Anderson and Lake City, I believe this project will be an economic boost for Conway by housing guests as Conway continues to grow as a wedding destination. It could be a draw to folks interested in eco-tourism that enjoy the Waccamaw River and our conservation areas. A downtown hotel could also serve as a small convention site and house supporters of increased sporting events within the city limits of Conway. I believe this will also be a project that will require public and private investments.

Question One issue that’s often discussed at City Council meetings is the city’s effort to combat crime. Although the city has undertaken some initiatives to address this problem, what else should be done?

Answer Crime is an issue that is of most importance to me and the entire council. I was very excited to invite U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles to bring an innovative drug reduction program to Conway. The CSTAND program took a new approach to dealing with open air drug dealing. It identified the high level dealers and used federal charges to ensure they would not be returning to our streets. It then identified lower level dealers and helped them to make changes within their lives that could avoid jail time and result in shaping a more productive member of society. Job skills were offered, mentoring and educational opportunities were available. Everyone that joined the program graduated. This program should continue and be expanded. Additionally, another innovative program from the U.S. Attorney's Office is real time. It is another program to attach federal charges to persons violating their parole that have guns in their possession. These serious offenses need to have serious charges to get repeat offenders off of our streets. We need to continue partnering with schools, churches, the Salvation Army, and other groups to provide safe and educational after-school and summers programs for children. The City of Conway has budgeted for body worn cameras for our police force. I feel these cameras will increase safety for the officer and the public. We have also added security cameras for our parks. I believe increased neighborhood patrols that target problem areas is an effective method of crime reduction and should be continued. I strongly believe that continued cooperation with all levels of law enforcement is important. Sharing trends and information heightens local departments awareness and effectiveness. Conway included salary increases across the entire city to help with retention and recruitment . This particularly helped to fill positions within the police department. A department that is fully staffed is much more effective. I believe we should continue to implement more community watch neighborhoods and educated our citizens about crime and prevention measures.

Barbara Blain-Bellamy

Age: 63

Occupation: Attorney

Family: Husband (Robert), four children, five grandchildren

Education: associate’s degree from Coastal Carolina University, a B.A. in sociology from the University of South Carolina, a master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina and a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law

Civic and political experience: Served on Conway City Council for 10 years, currently mayor pro tem; served as the city’s deputy administrator for four years; volunteers weekly mentoring fifth graders through the Project LEAD program of the solicitor’s office; board member of the Palmetto Academy for Learning Motor Sports, a local charter school; advisory board member for Miller-Motte Technical College; founder of Girl Scout Troop No. 88

Military experience: None

Question Conway has taken on several downtown development projects in recent years, including acquiring the former Horry County museum and razing the former police station. What other projects should city council pursue for the downtown area? What projects should the city pursue for other areas of Conway?

Answer While we have done a very good job with beautification projects downtown such as taking down unsafe and unsightly overhead wiring and improving Riverwalk Park, it is imperative that we not neglect more fundamental concerns. Our downtown infrastructure is in a poor state of repair, and our recent flooding incident was not our first hint of the problems. Our crumbling clay sewer system is dilapidated, and our ‘quick fixes’ to date have failed us miserably. Our sidewalks are cracked and uneven. We are not so likely to win an award for improving drainage downtown, or for assuring the integrity of the Main Street bridge, but unless we give them our immediate attention, our safe mobility, loss mitigation and clean water are at risk.

I am aware of the broad appeal by Conway citizens for added health and recreational opportunities, a designated youth center, an events venue and an urban square (green space to be utilized for day markets, music events , movies… maybe even a historical statue) to name a few. I support these ventures in theory, and share in the consensus that our quality of life will be enhanced with these additional benefits. But I would direct immediate attention to more foundational issues. These issues center around safety, security and systems maintenance — those attributes that make our experiences here qualify as ‘quiet enjoyment’ of our private and shared property.

Question One issue that’s often discussed at City Council meetings is the city’s effort to combat crime. Although the city has undertaken some initiatives to address this problem, what else should be done?

Answer The city has spent years, countless man-hours and too many dollars to gain a disappointing result from the Attorney General’s ‘C S.T.A.N.D.’ program that was established here to combat drugs and crime in our communities. After tall promises and lengthy waits, we finally arrested five or six longstanding and well-established drug dealers. A few first-time arrestees were essentially given pre-trial intervention — a program that has been in existence for over a decade with the solicitor’s office. I am certain the City of Conway can do so much more.

We might start with fully staffing our police department. A fast-growing population, physical expansion of the city, increased crime, and an ever-increasing gang presence add to the responsibilities of our police department, even while being severely short-staffed. Further, the men and women charged with our protection through law enforcement need opportunities to be trained in timely criminal issues. In sum, they need our increased support.

Council candidates

Tom Anderson (incumbent)

Age: 48

Occupation: Homebuilder, businessman

Family: Wife (April), children (Caroline and Thomas)

Education: B.A. in political science from Coastal Carolina University

Civic and political experience: Worked as page and legislative aide in the state House of Representatives; elected to Conway City Council in April 1998 to fill unexpired term, reelected in 2000; served on the Horry County Solid Waste Authority Board of Directors as vice chairman from 2005-2006; re-elected to Conway City Council in 2007, 2011; Conway High School PTO vice president

Military experience: None

Question Conway has taken on several downtown development projects in recent years, including acquiring the former Horry County museum and razing the former police station. What other projects should city council pursue for the downtown area? What projects should the city pursue for other areas of Conway?

A. I suggested we raze the old police station and build a city square [with] a pervious parking lot designed so it could be easily closed to have a gathering place for music or events. On the edge of the space I envision a structure where a permanent farmers market could be held daily, with bathrooms and a performance stage. Beyond the downtown, I think street lighting that matches the downtown would help to tie everything together. Going down Main Street to Millpond and Main Street down Fourth [Avenue] to 501 Bypass would be a great start.

Question One issue that’s often discussed at City Council meetings is the city’s effort to combat crime. Although the city has undertaken some initiatives to address this problem, what else should be done?

Answer In the last several years, we raised salaries in the police department. I believe that was a good step, the next level is to add more police officers. We have a great department, but I think they need more help. I think we have to have more officers on the street.

Ashley Smith

Age: 45

Occupation: Teacher at Conway Elementary School

Family: Wife (Kayla), son (Will), daughter (Mary)

Education: Coastal Carolina University graduate

Civic and political experience: None

Military experience: None

Question Conway has taken on several downtown development projects in recent years, including acquiring the former Horry County museum and razing the former police station. What other projects should city council pursue for the downtown area?

Answer The needs of the community are always changing and the city needs to be able to meet the needs in the coming years. Bringing in new business is key, but we also need to take care of the existing businesses. Many cities have an economic development person as part of the planning or to assist new businesses and help existing business. What projects should the city pursue for other areas of Conway? With the recent developments of the flood, I feel the city needs to take a look at our storm water drainage system and what can be done to fix the current problems. More lighting throughout the city will help deter crime in our neighborhoods. I really like the idea of taking the council meetings to the people to make meetings more accessible for everyone.

Question One issue that’s often discussed at city council meetings is the city’s effort to combat crime. Although the city has undertaken some initiatives to address this problem, what else should be done?

Answer Community involvement has been a focal point of my adult life. From my time working for the city to my current position. Working with youth has been extremely important and fulfilling for me. We are one city and as a community we need to rely on each other regardless what street we live on. Curbing crime needs to be a grass roots program and it starts working with our youth. As a city councilman I would be dedicated to help facilitate the interaction of the city and the youth of Conway. Together we can create a Conway where everyone is happy to live in.

Alicia Todd

Age: 48

Occupation: Director of operations for Rocket Vision Media

Family: Husband (Kevin), daughter (Hope Harper), step son (Brandon Todd)

Education: B.S. in business administration from Winthrop University

Civic and political experience: Chairwoman of Conway Area Advisory Board for Horry County Schools, president of Conway High PTO, serves on Conway High School Improvement Council, Conway High Booster Club board member, past president of Conway Area Chamber of Commerce

Military experience: None

Question Conway has taken on several downtown development projects in recent years, including acquiring the former Horry County museum and razing the former police station. What other projects should city council pursue for the downtown area? What projects should the city pursue for other areas of Conway?

Answer Before Conway takes on additional projects, I would like to see a strong emphasis on improving the development of downtown Conway as it exists today so that we can assist current businesses with growth and welcome the addition of new businesses in the available storefronts. Continued investigation of new initiatives is needed. That would create incentives for the expansion of current and future business owners. Of utmost importance, however, is to maintain the historical value of our beautiful city and make sure that current city ordinances are conducive to this preservation. As for other areas of Conway, I support continued opportunities associated with Lake Busbee, especially those related to parks and recreation, and to work with Santee Cooper in development of any such project. Additionally, the Conway corridors should have a more welcoming and character-filled presentation which would be more reflective as to what our city represents to visitors who enter and leave our community.

Question One issue that’s often discussed at City Council meetings is the city’s effort to combat crime. Although the city has undertaken some initiatives to address this problem, what else should be done?

Answer Current initiatives by the city with C-STAND have us headed in the right direction to combat our crime problem and I eagerly await the long-term successes of those individuals and the trickle effect it will have within our community. I do believe it to be necessary to focus on programs that would assist in solving problems instead of reacting to a crisis. In association with such, I have heard of other cities using tactics like street modification with traffic control, increased lighting, positive loitering and problem-oriented policing. With that said, this needs to be a community-based effort in determining what and where our specific problems exist. Together, as a community and working hand-in-hand with public safety, we can all work to assist in providing a safe community. Furthermore, as chair of the Conway Area Advisory Board, crime, particularly gang related, in our schools has been voiced as a concern on multiple occasions and is evident that it exists at all levels of our community. In order to help school administrators contain those problem within our schools, we also need to address that direct link from the community.

Larry White (incumbent)

Age: 61

Occupation: Works in outreach and enrollment for the Affordable Care Act at Health Care Partners of S.C. in Conway

Family: Four children, 10 grandchildren

Education: B.S. in education from Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, N.C.

Civic and political experience: Elected to Conway City Council in 2009 special election; former health educator at the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control; past president of the S.C. Public Health Association; board chairman of A Father's Place

Military experience: None

Question Conway has taken on several downtown development projects in recent years, including acquiring the former Horry County museum and razing the former police station. What other projects should city council pursue for the downtown area? What projects should the city pursue for other areas of Conway?

Answer In the downtown area, I think that we need to have a physical (building) presence for the police; more signage directing passersby to our downtown area; public restrooms for visitors and shoppers alike. As for other areas of the city, neighborhood parks, more street lights and sidewalks, more community policing and relationship building with community members and a library on the west or south side of Conway.

Question One issue that’s often discussed at City Council meetings is the city’s effort to combat crime. Although the city has undertaken some initiatives to address this problem, what else should be done?

Answer In combating crime, it is a community’s job, not just the city. The police can do but so much. We need citizens being ‘nosey’ neighbors, parents taking more interest in their children's whereabouts, their friends. … [We need] jobs with good salaries to prevent our young people and adults from leading a life of crime. We must be our brother's keeper and assist families whenever we can, before the criminal aspects begin to fester in our community.

This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 8:53 AM with the headline "Conway candidates for mayor, city council talk crime, development and business climate."