3 more candidates file for Sumter City Council Ward 4 race

The ballot for Ward 4 has quickly gained the largest number of candidates out of any position up for election this November for the City of Sumter, including the mayor's race, after three more candidates filed.

Rebecca Lynn Kennedy, Scott Burkett and Gene Weston are the latest to file, raising the candidates running for Ward 4 from two to five.

Kennedy has worked for City of Sumter for 17 years as an event manager, but before that, she was a volunteer.

"I've always been very dedicated to the City of Sumter and to the county also," Kennedy said. "So, if you see my bio, you'll see how active I've been in the community, and I just felt like having the background of working at the city and working on a lot of organizations that I could best serve the City of Sumter at Ward 4."

Kennedy was the chair of Sumter Green, a nonprofit organization that focuses on beautification and keeping Sumter clean, and she said one of her big focuses, if elected, would be continuing that beautification.

"I've just lived here all my life, Sumter's the only town that I know, and I want people that come in and people that live here to enjoy Sumter as much as I have," Kennedy said. "I've had a lot of opportunities, and I've been very fortunate, and I thank the Lord every day that I can live in a town like Sumter."

Alongside beautification, Kennedy wants to bring more arts and events to Sumter. In her time as events manager, Kennedy oversaw the Iris Festival and other community gatherings.

Kennedy said she never would have run if not for Ward 4's current representative Steve Corley not seeking reelection.

"I think he's done a wonderful job, and it's gonna be a hard set of shoes to fill, but I think I'm dedicated and I'm willing to work for our community, and I know I can do a great job," Kennedy said.

After her retirement from the city, Kennedy put her focus on her butcher shop on Bultman Drive, Carnivore Butcher and Bottle. Kennedy said the main word of her campaign will be "dedication" after her dedication toward the City of Sumter.

"Vote for whoever you think is your best candidate, and just get out there and vote 'cause your vote counts. It's very important," Kennedy said. "I hope it's a vote for me, but if it's not - you think someone else will do a better job - that's definitely who you need to vote for, but I promise you, I'll do a good job for you."

Burkett was born and raised in Sumter's historic district, and that is where he returned more than four years ago.

A Realtor and the owner of Stretch Zone Studios in Sumter, Columbia, Lexington, Gastonia and soon to be Florence, Burkett said living within Ward 4 gives him an idea of what needs to be done in the area.

"Obviously I am looking after Ward 4, not just for Ward 4, but for all citizens of Sumter," Burkett said. "I'm Team Sumter, and between city and county, nobody knows where our city lines are, where they start or anything, everybody just knows they live in Sumter per se, so I'm representing everybody in Sumter in the grand scheme of things."

In 2016, Burkett started a litter campaign that is known today as the Sumter Litter Advisory Board. He researched what other cities did to control litter and was instrumental in the hiring of three litter officers. Burkett still holds the position of vice chairman on the advisory's board.

"I figured that I was able to accomplish some things without being on city council, and I still have a lot of ideas that I want to put out there and make Sumter better," he said.

Specifically, Burkett wants to focus on getting the sidewalks repaired. The candidate said walking his dog down his street is akin to "playing dodgeball" with the overgrown tree roots showing from under the pavement to overgrown shrubbery.

Burkett also wants to put cameras on the streets, not to stop petty crimes such as running red lights, but for residents' peace of mind in case a crime takes place.

"Obviously, my constituents are for Ward 4, but every decision we make as a team on city council is for the betterment of Sumter completely," Burkett said.

Politics have been on Burkett's radar for years now, and he said the timing is just right for him to run now.

"I've had many people over the years telling me that I'd be a great person to ambassador, whether it be, you know, regular politics or local stuff like the city council things, so I've definitely had some encouragement from friends and family along the way the last few years," Burkett said.

See the Wednesday, Aug. 7, edition of The Sumter Item for an article on Weston's candidacy.

Running alongside Burkett, Kennedy and Weston in the Ward 4 race will be Lucy Mahon and Jimmy Davis.