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LOL Andy Cheekrs OMG help us.
AIKEN --- Six people, including a former Augusta commissioner, have filed to run for an Aiken County Council seat that will be vacated later this year.
"It looks like we've got good, qualified people," said Dennis Saylor of the Aiken County Republican Party, adding that with so many running for the District 5 seat, "It looks like we're obviously going to have a runoff."
Republican candidates L.J. "Larry" Murphy, Barry Baggott, Sandy Haskell and former Augusta Commissioner Andy Cheek, who moved to Aiken County, filed for the council's District 5 seat being vacated by Eddie Butler, who is resigning Nov. 3 because he plans to move out of that district.
Democrats Judy Hamilton and James W. Richardson, both of Belvedere, have filed to run.
Four seats on the Aiken City Council -- two at-large and those of Districts 2 and 4 -- also will be on a ballot this year.
Filing begins at noon Monday and ends at noon Aug. 10, said Stuart Bedenbaugh, the executive director of Aiken County Registration and Elections.
The primary for the District 5 county council seat will take place Sept. 15, and the city council primaries will be Sept. 8.
The general election vote will be Nov. 3.
Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
CANDIDATES
ANDY CHEEK
Party affiliation: Republican
Background: Past Augusta commissioner
Resident of: The outskirts of North Augusta
Campaigning on: Savannah River issues, infrastructure improvements and finding ways to promote Aiken, North Augusta and the county's smaller towns, according to recent comments to The Chronicle.
JUDY HAMILTON
Party affiliation: Democrat
Background: A social worker and member of the Aiken Public Land Trust, St. Andrews Society of Aiken, ABATE of SC and Palmetto Scottish Country Dancers.
Resident of: North Augusta
Campaigning on: Broadening the county's tax base with new industry and better job opportunities and being an outspoken advocate for District 5 residents in such areas as affordable, accessible health care; programs for senior citizens; and improving education through fiscal and academic accountability.
L.J. "LARRY" MURPHY
Party affiliation: Republican
Background: Aiken County school board member from 2000 to 2008. He also served on the first Aiken County Council in the 1970s, he said.
Resident of: Clearwater
Campaigning on: Keeping the status quo that current Councilman Eddie Butler has established.
BARRY BAGGOTT
Party affiliation: Republican
Background: An 18-year employee of Savannah River Site who serves on the Fairview Early Childhood Center's board of directors.
Resident of: North Augusta
Campaigning on: Providing Aiken County residents with necessary county services at current levels while avoiding a tax increase. Also, will support county and city public safety departments and will focus on long-term economic growth in the county.
SANDY HASKELL
Party affiliation: Republican
Background: Has 36 years of business experience, 29 years in operations management of recycling plants and seven years in business development in the waste management and recycling industry.
Resident of: North Augusta
Campaigning on: Continuing a cooperative spirit among council members and pushing for business-friendly tax structure and infrastructure; also wants to help grow the county's job base.
JAMES W. RICHARDSON
Party affiliation: Democrat
Background: Former firefighter with Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department and worker with Aiken County EMS
Resident of: Belvedere
Campaigning on: Support for public safety departments, to include the sheriff's office, EMS and fire departments
Comments
LOL Andy Cheekrs OMG help us.
ABC... Anyone but Cheek.
Oh come on South Carolina, we are just being neighborly sharing our wealth known as Andy Cheek.
You people name one thing Andy Cheek has done that was BAD for Richmond county? I am not talking about ideas. Remember how everyone laughed at Mcintyre about the riverwalk !! Now, what had Andy done so bad other than disagree with the radical and out of control former commisioners in RC. He would not let them have their way and that is what others don't like. especially a select group right justus?
Now, come on and answer what did Andy do to harm RC that can be backed up with truth, not just your opinnion, really harmful?
Andy left Augusta for a better life across the river. What GOOD did he do? His pie in the sky ideas are nothing but laughable.
Please rally behind anyone but CHEEK! The guy has no place in Aiken County (OR ANY) politics. HE is so self centered and smug, so smooth, makes me sick. Hey Andy, there are no Canals in Aiken to boat down! And WHY does the AC list him FIRST????
lol Sandy Haskell.....lol yeah right!
even Andy Cheek would be better than Haskell......just ride over to Border Drive in Belvedere and ask any of the residents what they think of this guy! please!
Andy Cheek was one of the best commissioners we had on the ARC. He served with HONESTY and put the needs of ALL people before any select group. He never faced opposition because he represented his people well. And justus, the Chronicle Editorial Board HATED him because he crossed over and voted with the 'blacks' on the commission, I guess you don't really care about facts like that and cannot see past the color of his skin huh? I can name a few gtreat things Andy did for us in Augusta, look no further than the third level of the canal clean up. Speaking of the canal, what about his work to save the ACTUAL canal? He even went and inspected the canal walls HIMSELF in scuba gear. Now you may not have liked his canal idea for Ellis Street but it was not the only thing he ever did or proposed. I advise the people of Aiken County to give Andy and Terri a chance to work for them too. You all will be surprised at what you get with this dedicated public servant. GO ANDY!!! P.S. Justus, you idiot, Andy MOVED to Aiken and meets the requirments to run there.
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