WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — In West Columbia, two candidates are vying for the mayor's seat: incumbent Tem Miles and political newcomer Melissa Sprouse Browne.
Miles said he's running again to see the River District and infrastructure projects through the end.
Brown said she's running because she loves West Columbia and wants to serve.
Miles said his focus for the new term would be strengthening public safety, reducing litter and keeping city services costs low.
"We look to see a lot of work done on the far stretch of 378, that corridor," Miles said. "We're finishing up a major sewer line installation out there, which we expect is going to open up for some additional development out in that corridor. We're also about to undertake a major project on both ends of U.S. Highway 1."
Brown said she's focused on crime prevention partnerships, listening to residents and helping them promptly.
"I really want to reduce the tax burden, or not let it go any higher, certainly. And then the other thing that is disturbing to me is the crime situation," Brown said. "There's a great website that I use for real estate called Neighborhood Scout and they rank communities all across the county, and they use a scale from one to 100. 100 is the safest neighborhood. One is the least safe. West Columbia is a one, and I was shocked by that."
Election day is Tuesday. For more details on what to bring to the polls, visit SCVotes.gov.