Columbia, SC|News|
Meetings This Week: Columbia City Council, Richland County Council
Regular meetings for both Columbia City Council and Richland County Council will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m.

I was born and raised in the Pee Dee. I am a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina-Columbia (Go Gamecocks!). I received degrees in Journalism and Mass Communications, and in Media Arts.
Prior to becoming editor of Irmo-Seven Oaks Patch, I was an education reporter for a daily newspaper in Florence, SC, for about five years.
In my spare time, I enjoy attending local festivals, concerts and Gamecock sporting events. I also enjoy watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
I have lived in Columbia, off and on, since 2001. I look forward to getting to know the Irmo community better and meeting new people.
Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I am not registered to any political party. What’s important to me are the issues, how we choose to address those issues and how we can come together to fix problems that impact our communities, our state, our nation and the world.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
I believe in God and know that all things are possible through Him.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
With all communities, the areas of education and economic growth are always important issues as well as public safety.
Regular meetings for both Columbia City Council and Richland County Council will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Ronnie Thompson, 45, is wanted for failure to pay child support in excess of $81,000, according to the Richland County Sheriff's Department.
The special election will be held Tuesday. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A 23-year-old Columbia man found lying in the middle of a Richland County road was pronounced dead early Sunday morning.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at EdVenture Children’s Museum.
The statue was stolen last year from the Richard & Annette Bloch Cancer Survivor's Garden located at Maxcy Gregg.
The department requested almost $600,000 in additional funds over its budget of $1.2 million for fiscal year 2013-2014.
Kids Day will be held at Zoës Kitchen located at 4855 Forest Drive on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.