Staff Writer
EASLEY - The voters have spoken, electing Councilman Larry
Bagwell to his first term as mayor in 2008.
Bagwell received more than half of all votes cast - 1,175,
defeating opponents David Whittemore and Jim McConnell.
Former councilman Whittemore received 819 votes or 35.36
percent; McConnell received 316 votes or 13.64 percent of the
votes.
Bagwell has served on City Council for 28 years and taught at
Easley High School for 29 years.
Taking over Bagwell's Ward 1 seat is Brian Garrison who
defeated opponent Robert Sams 702 votes to 304.
Bagwell and Garrison will assume their duties Jan. 14 during
the first Easley City Council meeting of 2008.
Chris Mann and Thomas Wright will begin new terms
representing Ward 3 and Ward 5 respectively.
Both Mann and Wright were unopposed in the election, as
was Dr. Jim Lyday who was re-elected as an Easley Combined
Utilities Commissioner.
"We're tickled to death," Bagwell said. "The three of us each
had a good, heart-felt campaign. We're happy we came out on
top."
Bagwell said he won't make any drastic changes once he
settles into his new position.
"We want to still do the things we've been doing good and
improve on some things that we haven't been doing as well,"
Bagwell said.
Bagwell said he wants Easley government to be more open.
"I want the people to feel free to comment and express
themselves," he said. "I want to have an open door policy, maybe
have a change in the format of our council meetings to make
that easier. I'd like to see that done."
Whittemore expressed his disappointment at the result.
"We had a real low voter turnout," he said. "I was hoping for a
lot more. I hope to do better next time."
Whittemore thanked "everybody that turned out and voted."
"We had a lot of people working hard," he said. "I will
absolutely continue to be involved in Easley's community and
government affairs."
Reach Jason Evans at jevans@theeasleyprogress.com or 855-
0355.
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