Candidate for Lexington Town Council Greg Brewer. Photo by Michael Reed.
“Forget government,” Greg Brewer said. “How do we help each other?”
This was the general attitude at a recent candidate forum held at Wings and Ale at Outlet Pointe: Less government, more natural rights. Less behind-the-scenes, more transparency.
The Standard staff moderated a candidate forum for the upcoming General Election on November 7, 2023. Brewer is one of six candidates who attended:
1. Will Allen, running for Lexington Town Council
2. Greg Brewer, running for Lexington Town Council
3. Melissa Sprouse Brown, running for City of West Columbia Mayor
4. Barry Walker, running for Town of Irmo Mayor
5. Gabriel Penfield, running for Irmo Town Council
6. Phyllis Coleman, running for Irmo Town Council
All candidates were invited to participate in the forum, unfortunately many chose not to show up. Candidates introduced themselves then took questions from The Standard staff. Brown left early due to prearranged plans. The remaining candidates answered the following questions.
Voters want transparency in elections and when representatives are elected. How will you be transparent?
Brewer, a former engineer for General Electric, answered simply: “Budget and audit expenses.”
He informed the audience that the Town of Lexington is budgeting 8 million dollars for the renovation of Virginia Hylton Park. The hospitality tax, fundraising campaigns, and Covid-19 relief payments from the federal government will fund the project. An additional 8.25 acres will be added to the park. There will be a paved walking trail, a splash pad, a special needs playground, an overlook of Twelve Mile Creek, a covered stage area, and multiple picnic shelters with grills. The park is scheduled to reopen in February of 2024.
Regarding the renovation, Brewer demanded financial transparency.
He proposed that the Town of Lexington should post a “low, medium, high” financial scope on their website for each project. This includes the cheapest financial option, an average option, and the most expensive option for voters to review.
Gabriel Penfield agreed that there should be transparency online. He proposed that Irmo Town Council should begin using Facebook and TikTok to post “real info from council members.”
Phyllis Coleman used her experience in IT Project Management to shed light on the topic of transparency. She suggested that a clear communication policy should be implemented on Irmo Town Council. Just as she reviews systems as a Senior Project Manager at SAS, she would like to consistently review the town’s communication policy. Her goal is to eliminate loopholes that promote financial deceit.
What power should municipalities have in enacting restrictions on citizens and businesses? Restrictions include requiring face masks and fining individuals/businesses who do not follow restrictions.
Mayor Barry Walker, who was elected as Mayor in 2019 and served on the Irmo Town Council since 2004, alluded to his experience as Mayor during the Covid-19 pandemic. He announced that Irmo was the first city in South Carolina to allow people to eat outside at restaurants.
Though, he admitted that he was in support of mask mandates at first, he said “I didn’t know (about theft of rights)” he said. “I wanted to keep people alive.” He said he now understands more about Covid-19 and opposes mask mandates.
Greg Brewer and Will Allen both agreed that the government should have little power over enacting restrictions on citizens and businesses. They did not support the mask mandate during the pandemic, nor do they support the possibility of a future mandate.
On the other hand, Gabriel Penfield argued that there is a middle ground between “do whatever you want” and “communism.” Though he considers himself a “libertarian at heart,” he realizes that a lack of order results in “chaos.”
What will you do to reduce, maintain, or increase the size of government?
Phyllis Coleman said, “Conditions require different approaches.” She said that she would first focus on growing the police force to ensure the safety of Irmo.
Gabriel Penfield, on the other hand, argued that we don’t need to expand the government. Instead, he said, “We need to expand opportunities within the town to empower people.”
Greg Brewer agreed that we need to limit the government. If elected, he plans to conduct ‘ride-alongs’ with landscaping professionals to better understand where Lexington can afford budget cuts.
Lastly, Will Allen answered by noting that he is the oldest of eight children. He laughed and assured the audience: “I was born and molded by frugality.”
To limit the government, Will Allen suggested that the Town of Lexington should revoke the Hospitality Tax, a two percent tax on prepared meals and beverages.
What are the top three issues your town is facing, and how do you plan to solve them?
Gabriel Penfield noted the issue of roads in Irmo. He did not offer a solution. He also expressed a desire to reinforce the police program.
Walker listed infrastructure as the main issue in Irmo. He clarified that Lexington County has jurisdiction over the roads–not the Town of Irmo.
Phyllis Coleman listed growth, policing, and inclusion as the top three issues in Irmo.
Allen also listed growth as a major issue in the Town of Lexington. In addition to this, he mentioned traffic and the misconception that the Town of Lexington is a tourist destination. He suggested that a total shift of mentality on town council will mend these issues.
Brewer agreed that there is a conflict of vision on Lexington Town Council. He noted that four of the seven current council members are realtors. “There is a builder, developer, realtor ecosystem right now. We cannot just have realtors on council.” This is a perceived, if not an actual, conflict of interest on Lexington Town Council.
He also listed the lack of public engagement, specifically as it relates to voting, as a major issue.
This question concluded the forum. Candidates took two questions from the audience, then talked privately with audience members following the event.
The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The Lexington County Office will be open for Early Voting from October 23, 2023 through November 3, 2023. You may cast your vote from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To find more information on the candidates, visit vrems.scvotes.sc.gov.
Camryn Hambrick lives in Lexington, South Carolina with her family and labradoodle, Bob Ross. Her writing has appeared in Interlochen Review and Fish Barrel Review. If you want to continue to see independent thought and reports please “like”, comment, share with a friend, and donate to support The Standard on this page to assure the continued availability of news that is ignored too often by the dominant media.
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