Folks in Columbia may finally have an opportunity to turn their city around and move beyond nearly two decades worth of ineffective, wasteful, bloated bureaucracy.
Attorney Steve Benjamin announced Tuesday that he will challenge five-term Mayor Bob Coble in next April’s city election.
“I’ve been given some incredible opportunities to get involved in making this city better,” Benjamin told The State newspaper. “I want to take a more central role in making that happen. I want to try to help provide some vision, some leadership, and also help restore some sense of accountability.”
In a city with nearly 16 percent unemployment, taxes that have increased more than 30 percent in three years, and a budget deficit in excess of $7 million, a fiscal reformer like Benjamin offers much-needed change for Columbia residents.
Benjamin’s candidacy is significant not only because he offers Columbia a chance at real reform, but because, if successful, he would become the city’s first black mayor.
But Benjamin isn’t distracted by the historical significance of his candidacy. “I don’t think race is or ought to be an issue,” he said.
Benjamin was a candidate for attorney general in 2002 and served as chief executive of the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services during the administration of former Gov. Jim Hodges.
As for his thoughts on his opponent’s complaints that the office is too limited to be effective, Benjamin, “You don’t have to have a strong mayor form of government to have a strong mayor.”
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Attorney Steve Benjamin announced Tuesday that he will challenge five-term Mayor Bob Coble in next April’s city election.
“I’ve been given some incredible opportunities to get involved in making this city better,” Benjamin told The State newspaper. “I want to take a more central role in making that happen. I want to try to help provide some vision, some leadership, and also help restore some sense of accountability.”
In a city with nearly 16 percent unemployment, taxes that have increased more than 30 percent in three years, and a budget deficit in excess of $7 million, a fiscal reformer like Benjamin offers much-needed change for Columbia residents.
Benjamin’s candidacy is significant not only because he offers Columbia a chance at real reform, but because, if successful, he would become the city’s first black mayor.
But Benjamin isn’t distracted by the historical significance of his candidacy. “I don’t think race is or ought to be an issue,” he said.
Benjamin was a candidate for attorney general in 2002 and served as chief executive of the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services during the administration of former Gov. Jim Hodges.
As for his thoughts on his opponent’s complaints that the office is too limited to be effective, Benjamin, “You don’t have to have a strong mayor form of government to have a strong mayor.”
Click here to view the original article.
