Mayor Charlene Herring
I am an educator by profession having obtained a BA in History from Columbia College and a Master’s Degree+30 hours in Elementary Education and Administration from USC. I am currently serving as an Educational Consultant having retired from Richland School District Two where I was the Chief Academic Office, a principal, an assistant principal, curriculum coordinator and teacher. I have garnered awards such as State Teacher of the Year Finalist, Administrator of the Year, and One of One Hundred Most Influential Leaders by Columbia Business Monthly Magazine.
I became Mayor of Ridgeway in 2006 and have completed my eighth year in office. I have lived at 110 W. Ruff Street in Ridgeway for 16 years with my husband and former council member, Roger Herring. I have two daughters and two grandchildren. I am 64 years old. I am a member of Aimwell Presbyterian Church.
I am running for re-election as Mayor of Ridgeway. I can answer affirmatively the proverbial question “Are we, Ridgeway, better off than we were eight years ago?” Absolutely! The quality of life and work has improved not only because of my vision and leadership but because of the good work of council, businesses and the citizens of Ridgeway.
I have built my leadership and service as Mayor on three words: Revitalization, Responsibility and Relationships. Ridgeway has been revitalized through streetscape improvements, restoration of buildings, and attraction of downtown businesses, grants received for water expansion and upgrades, and recognition at the state level as recipients of awards for leadership, business growth and technology.
Responsibility can be defined by the involvement and ownership of the Town by the mayor and citizens through the creation of a Strategic Plan, management of a fiscally sound budget, adoption of a town logo and brand, and promotion of safety with the addition of police officers, community meetings and implementation of a Crisis/Disaster Plan.
A community is as vibrant and strong as the citizens who live there. Ridgeway is a strong community. Relationships have been built and nurtured through the work of Town committees, events such as Pig on the Ridge, Arts on the Ridge, Ridgeway Reads, Easter Promenade, Holidays on the Ridge, 43 Mile Yard Sale and First Fridays, awards such as Citizen of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year and the creation of The Ridgeway Museum. I have also strengthened relations with other cities in the county, the Midlands and across South Carolina through meetings, joint projects and presentations. Ridgeway is known throughout the Carolinas as a progressive yet quaint southern town. Our population doubles each month as persons come to visit, shop, dine and tour.
I am asking the citizens of Ridgeway to re-elect me for four more years. There is still much to be done such as the creation of a town park, additional street, water and capital improvements, continued attraction and sustainability of downtown businesses, a new strategic plan and further engagement of citizens in the community. Help me continue to lead by example, influence and involvement so Ridgeway remains a great place to live and work.
