BOWMAN, S.C. — Current Bowman Mayor Reverend Patsy Rhett is running for re-election. Running against her are Ike Carter and Jody Pendarvis, who goes by UFO man and will be listed that way on the ballot
The candidates spoke about the possibilities for the Town of Bowman and why they're running.
Incumbent Patsy Rhett says she is running for re-election because of her role in the community.
"I am running to be mayor of the Town of Bowman because it's my hometown,” Rhett said. “I have been engaged in every activity that can be done in Bowman. I was on council for 10 years, and then I was blessed enough to run for mayor in 2019."
Ike Carter, who is a member of town council, is trying to unseat her.
"The reason I'm running for mayor in Bowman is I love my town. I've been here all my life," Carter said. "There's a lot of things we need to fix in Bowman and make better. Of course, we've survived through the years, but I want Bowman to become a town that when children graduate from school, they want to come back."
Jody Pendarvis is known for operating what's known as the UFO Welcome Center in town.
"I own the UFO, and I believe the UFO will bring a lot of more people into Bowman if they know that the mayor or UFO man is here," Pendarvis said.
Rhett said if re-elected, she wants to continue her efforts to get a grocery store for the town.
"One of the major concerns that I constantly hear, when are we going to get a grocery store," Rhett said. "Now, for the last four years, that has been a goal of mine and other people in this area that are in a position that can help us get to that point."
Carter said if elected he would tackle the financial standing of the town first.
"If I were elected, the number one change that has to come about is the financial records of Bowman," Carter said. "We've got to work at improving them. There would be a several step phase where first thing would be to get a new software added in. We don't have a comprehensive software package of accounting."
Pendarvis said he wants to bring more resources it the community.
"If I win mayorship, I have a lot of goals," Pendarvis said. "One of them is to bring the Greyhound Bus back into town. We used to have one back in the sixties and also maybe a Samaritan House and more senior citizen dwellings that Bowman people can get into because a lot of the old people now are living in dilapidated homes."
Polls will be opened tomorrow at Bowman Town Hall from 7a.m. to 7 p.m.