Strong Mayor Petition Certified, Voters Head to Polls Dec. 3

The petition calling for a strong mayor referendum has been certified by Richland County election officials Friday, giving the city the approval to move forward with a vote on a new form of government in December.

The Richland County Elections and Voter Registration office certified 11,757 signatures that were gathered through a petition drive organized by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. By state law, at least 15 percent or 11,063 signatures were needed to have a referendum. 

Supporters of a strong mayor system pushed for the question to appear before voters on Nov. 5, but Columbia City Council voted Wednesday night to hold a special election on Dec. 3. 

Four members of council voted for the special election: Sam Davis, Leona Plaugh, Moe Baddourah and Tameika Isaac Devine. Voting against it were Mayor Steve Benjamin, Cameron Runyan and Brian DeQuincey Newman.

Runyan, who said the special election would be costly to taxpayers, released the following statement after the certification results were released:

"I remain disappointed that Columbia City Council chose not to hold this election on November 5, when voters will already be going to the polls. Instead, Council needlessly set a special election for December 3, during the holiday season, which will be costly to taxpayers and burdensome to voters. But nothing can take away from how proud I am of the people of our city. When Council failed to act, we the people joined together and won our right to vote."

In a statement released on Thursday, Devine said she voted against placing the question on the Nov. 5 ballot "before citizens could be thoroughly educated."

"My votes have not been based on my personal feelings regarding the best form of government but has been based on doing what is right for all voters and providing all the facts without rushing through the process."

"During the special called City Council meeting, on September 18th, I made a substitute motion to place this important matter before the people on December 3rd.  That motion passed because it is the right thing to do.  It gives all voters more time to become better informed and learn more about the long-term impact of changing our form of government."
     
Baddourah, who is running against Benjamin for mayor, said in a statement released Friday that while he is against a strong mayor government, he never opposed the referendum. He said he had agreed to support a referendum as long as the public "was given six months' notice, which would allow time for voters to become as informed as possible."

"Unfortunately, the Mayor withheld his strong-mayor plans from the public until just last month — less than three months from Election Day. It was deliberately timed to allow for as little public discussion or debate as possible."

There will be several sessions held for voters to get information about a strong mayor system.

The Community Relations Council will hold a forum at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor Avenue. The League of Women Voters is also holding informational sessions from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 and Oct. 17 at the USC School of Law, 701 S. Main Street.