By Paul Gable
Grand Strand Daily reached out to the five candidates for the vacant Conway City Council seat that will be contested in a special election Tuesday June 13, 2023. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The candidates were asked to provide basic background information such as family, education, church membership, military service and experience. In addition, candidates were asked to provide a short answer why they were running for city council and to explain what issues they felt were most important for council to address.
Candidates Autry Benton, Kendall Brown, April O’Leary and Tyler Thomas responded. Candidate Bill Wiegand did not. Capsules from the candidates’ responses are listed below in alphabetical order.
Autry Benton
Benton is a 45 year old native of Conway and product of Conway schools. He served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Conway High School. He is married to his high school sweetheart Amanda Benton. The couple have four children, one grandchild and will celebrate their 25 year wedding anniversary in November. The Benton family attend Langston Baptist Church where son Keith Autry Benton III serves as Youth Pastor. Benton is the owner of local businesses Benton Concrete & Utilities LLC and Benton Precast Concrete LLC. Benton has volunteered as a coach for a number of recreational youth teams through the years and is currently a member of the Conway Community Appearance Board.
Benton ran for city council in the 2021 general election. While he was not elected, Benton said the experience reinforced his decision to give back to the community as a member of city council
“I will put all of Conway first in every decision I make. I will put public safety, smart growth, quality of life for citizens and flooding concerns as some of my top duties. I am committed to this office and will serve this city well when elected,” Benton said.
Kendall Brown
Brown is a Conway native and a product of Conway schools. He is the son of Thelma Brown, a retired employee of the City of Conway. Brown is an employee of the Horry County Registry of Deeds. He is a member of the Cherry Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Brown has served on the Conway Planning Commission for the past seven years.
Brown said with his experience on the Planning Commission, he feels the time is right to meet and serve the needs of his neighbors on the larger platform of city council. He said with the growth Conway is currently experiencing it is essential for the city to have leaders in place to make responsible decisions as well as be strong listeners to the general public.
“Several issues that should be addressed in the next year include: Public Safety/staffing, Traffic – particularly in emergency situations/special events, addressing growth and the ability for the city to welcome growth – but in a way that is responsible and cognizant of the future landscape of our beautiful rivertown,” Brown said.
April O’Leary
O’Leary has lived in Conway for over 10 years. She is married to a city firefighter and is the mother of two school-aged children. O’Leary is a member of the Methodist Church. She has extensive experience in community service, including serving as President of Horry County Rising, a non-profit organization dedicated to fixing flooding issues in the local area.
O’Leary said she is “running for the Conway City Council to protect the values of the residents of Conway and to support smart and sustainable development during a period of rapid population growth in Conway. Her main goals include enhancing the state of Conway’s roads and stormwater infrastructure, investing in nature-based tourism to improve Conway’s economy, representing the interests of the residents of Conway and supporting Conway’s first responders and public safety.”
Tyler Thomas
Thomas has lived in Conway since he was in the first grade. He is 47 years old and married to his high school sweetheart Kelli. The couple have two teenage children. Thomas is a product of Conway school and a Citadel graduate. The Thomas family are members of First United Methodist Church where Thomas serves on the Staff/Pastor Parish Committee. He is the General Manager for Sellers General Construction LLC.
Thomas said he is running for city council to serve the citizens of Conway and to help those who may have issues with the city to find Common Ground that pleases both the citizens and the city.
With respect to issued to be addressed, Thomas said, “I believe you will always need to address infrastructure, flooding, and the needs of the community.”
Get out and vote for the candidate of your choice on Tuesday June 13th between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Speak Up…