Butler resigning from council, not politics

AIKEN --- What began as a 17-year-old trying to prove a point has become a lifelong career in politics for Eddie Butler.

Last Tuesday, The North Augusta native and Aiken County Council member took part in his last council meeting before his Nov. 3 resignation.

Mr. Butler is moving out of his district into a home that will better fit his wife and three small children.

The issues of the county are not far from his mind, and his long-running stint as a councilman will not be his last hurrah.

"I'll definitely be involved in politics again at some point," he said. "I feel like I could be the most productive at the local level. I'm not sure when I'll get that opportunity."

In his teen years, Mr. Butler, 47, saw the significance of taking a stand in local politics.

As a senior at North Augusta High School, he said he recalls the bad rap his school system received. At 17, he announced his run for Aiken County Board of Education.

"I was able to verbalize that it wasn't all bad, but I also felt there was some wrongs that needed to be righted as a student in the system," he said.

He lost the bid by less than one percent to his opponent, but he said the brush with politics only fueled his passion.

He went on to receive a degree in economics from Wofford College and returned home to pursue politics again. He ran for the District 5 County Council seat at the age of 25, making him the youngest candidate to win a council election.

More than 20 years later, Mr. Butler said he has gained more than he could have possibly given to his district, which includes Belvedere, North Augusta and the Horse Creek Valley.

"My thoughts and opinions were really shaped in my years on the council," he said. "I've learned a lot about myself, formed relationships and really just learned how to work with people."

Council Chairman Ronnie Young said Mr. Butler will be greatly missed on the council.

"He's been an all-around supporter of the county, not just his district," he said. "He's a great friend, and I know he'll continue to do great things."

Mr. Butler said leaving the council is bittersweet. The greatest successes of the council to date during his tenure are the nearly completed Palmetto Parkway and the capital improvements made possible through the local option sales tax.

"We've really gotten a lot of work done in the last 11 years or so," he said. "We still need a new county facility and some improvements to our water and sewage systems."

The owner of Butler Automotive said the candidate who takes his seat should be financially conservative, open-minded and prepared to help manage the future growth of the county.

He said he hopes his successor is able to learn from the council and constituents as he has.

"There's not one person in there that I haven't made mad," he said. "I've had to tuck my tail in and say I'm sorry. To leave and still have their respect, that makes me feel like I've done some good."

Reach Stephanie Toone at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110 or stephanie.toone@augustachroniclel.com.