First and foremost, congratulations to Councilman-elect Mike Ward. Your election is a reflection of the trust Irmo residents are placing in you. Now, more than ever, your community is depending on your leadership, integrity, and commitment.
Unfortunately, not everyone has chosen to accept the results of progress with grace.
Former Mayor Hardy King, who was removed from Irmo Town Council in 2019 for good reason, continues to stir division. His past is marked by a well-documented pattern of racially insensitive and divisive behavior that brought shame and unnecessary tension to our town. Voters made their voices heard when they fired him from public office. Now, years later, he’s back to the same tactics—dragging up old issues and launching personal attacks to distract from the positive momentum Irmo is building.
Recently on the New Irmo News, Mr. King had attempted to smear candidate George Frazier over a paperwork oversight that occurred three years ago. The facts are clear: Mr. Frazier lives in Irmo and serves as chairman of the Irmo Events Committee. He is actively involved in the community and committed to its betterment. To dredge up a minor clerical error from years ago is not only disingenuous—it’s petty.
Mr. King also took it upon himself to cast doubt on candidates who filed to run on the final day of the deadline. Let’s be honest: filing on deadline day is perfectly legal and widely practiced. It reflects nothing more than a candidate’s right to carefully consider their decision amid family, work, and community obligations. To suggest that timing equates to lack of commitment or weak character is simply a baseless distraction.
Ed Greco, George Frazier, and Mike Ward are all thoughtful, qualified individuals who stepped forward to serve. Filing early doesn’t make one more prepared or more dedicated. Voters know better than to buy into that empty rhetoric. They recognize substance over sound bites.
Let’s also set the record straight: the voters rejected Hardy King in 2019, and they did so decisively. He was beaten—fair and square—and no amount of bitterness will change that fact. It’s time to move on.
Irmo’s newly elected leaders, including our new Mayor and Council members, have proven themselves through years of genuine service. They’ve volunteered, listened, learned, and grown with our community. And they’ve done it with integrity—not through racially charged language or by nursing old grudges.
This election was never about Hardy King’s feelings. It was about truth, transparency, and trust. It was about choosing leaders who show up for Irmo consistently, not just when it’s convenient or politically advantageous.
So let’s move forward. Let’s support leaders who respect the democratic process, who uplift rather than divide, and who put the needs of the people above personal vendettas.
Irmo deserves nothing less.
Former Mayor Barry A. Walker
Irmo
