James Arnold
Eddie Baughman
BLYTHEWOOD – As the Town of Blythewood prepares for their March 11 special election to fill the remaining two years left on the seat vacated by former Councilman Roger Hovis in December, The Voice offers voters a glimpse of the two candidates, in their own words. . . .
James Arnold, 73
Family: Wife, Glenda; 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren
Career: Retired after 31 years in the Navy. Last position,Chief Warrant Officer 4
Residency: Ashley Oaks. Lived in the town since 2006
I am running as a write-in candidate for Blythewood Town Council because I have a lot of concerns about how the Town is spending our money. My wishes are to see Blythewood as a family friendly place where we can live and raise our children.
Town Council needs to set new priorities for the people and their concerns. They need to focus on the things that will draw new families to our town and not on big ticket items that most people do not want or need, and that drain the town budget. I will be but one vote on the Council, but that one vote might be the one vote that will make a difference for the people of Blythewood.
I served 31 years in the Navy and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. During that time I was an officer-in-charge of the Navy BEE school that had 80 instructors and 300 students. While there I instituted new programs that are still being taught there today. I was a range control officer in Puerto Rico at the Navy’s weapons training facility. My last duty station was at N S MY port at one of the training centers as an operations officer. At each of these places I had the responsibility of large budgets.
I graduated summa cum laude from Saint Leo University in Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology. My wife and I are active members of Praise International Church of God where I serve as an usher and she interprets for the Deaf.
Whether you vote for me or for the other candidate, I urge each of you to use your right to vote.
Eddie Baughman, 55
Family: Wife, Donna; 2 children and 2 grandchildren
Career: Retired after 26 years with Columbia-Richland fire service. Last position, Battalion Chief
Residency: Lake Ashley. Lived in town for 28 years.
I am running for a seat on the Blythewood Town Council to be a voice for our citizens who feel their voice is not being heard on the issues facing our community and the direction it is headed.
As a public servant for 30 years and a longtime resident of Blythewood, I am confident in my abilities to serve the citizens of Blythewood. As a Battalion Chief with the fire service, I was responsible for the emergency operations on a daily basis. I am a U.S. Navy Veteran and, while on active duty, I was assigned to Fighter Squadron 101, a F14 tomcat fleet replacement squadron. We trained naval aviators to accept assignments in the fleet. I left active duty as a petty officer 3rd class with an honorable discharge.
As a public servant I’ve operated within a set budget to accomplish set goals and have worked to ensure a positive outcome. My experience in public service has allowed me to work hand in hand with many of the vital agencies that deal with the day to day activities of our town government and those which service this area of Richland County. I have held the first vice president position with the International Association of Firefighters CFFA here in Richland County and I’m the secretary of the Lake Wateree VFW post 8346 MA. I am also a Deacon at Sandy Level Baptist Church.
Blythewood is at a crossroads with its master plan. We are still a bedroom community where you can live, work and raise your family. The growth of our town depends on the infrastructure to handle that growth. A primary concern is that the infrastructure has not kept up with growth of our town. Improved infrastructure will allow us to grow at a rate that will improve the quality of life for all our residents and, for our business owners, this will allow an increase in job creation which in turn will boost the revenues needed to provide a safe living and working environment.
If elected, I will focus on maintaining financial accountability to those who have placed their trust in this Council and to put “public” back in public service.
