As of today, we are just a week away from our Town of Irmo elections. These elections are our biannual opportunity to elect leaders who will guide the direction our town takes. Roads, water, police, garbage collection, and many other essential public services depend on these decisions.
Having served 19 years representing Irmo, I know firsthand how important it is that we vet candidates who seek the responsibility of representing our community. Out of the five candidates currently running, I have only received information from one — Councilwoman Barb Waldman.
Running for public office means engaging with the public — it’s called campaigning. Incumbents don’t get a pass simply because they’ve held office before, and newcomers must demonstrate they understand how our town interacts with county and state governments. You can’t do that without campaigning.
This year, our choices are clear: one incumbent actively making her case for re-election, one incumbent under investigation for alleged sexual abuse, and three other candidates who have yet to show they know how to campaign. Meanwhile, Broad River Road remains un-widened, the new Town Hall project is on hold — potentially jeopardizing millions in grants — and continued annexations are adding housing complexes with little attention to infrastructure or school impacts.
Irmo deserves leaders who communicate, plan, and put our town first. We must choose wisely — our town’s future depends on it.
Barry Walker
Former Mayor, Town of Irmo
