by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes
Holly Smith and Richard Johnson will continue in their roles of mayor and vice mayor respectively for another year. Council was unanimous in both selections Tuesday, April 5, when the pair took the oath of office at the top of the council meeting.
Councilman John Henshaw first nominated Johnson to be mayor, but Johnson declined the nomination after much consideration and a long discussion with his family, who are also his business partners at Bailey’s General Store.
“It pains me to say that,” Johnson said of his declination. “I love this community. I love the people who live here. I don’t want to let anyone down, but at the same time I have other considerations I need to make beyond this council. Thank you very much. I am honored.”
Johnson subsequently nominated Smith for her second term as mayor. He said the past 12 months have been “difficult” and there have been significant challenges, from the search and hiring of a new city manager and the start of strategic planning to enduring the pandemic and other accomplishments.
“(Smith) has worked many, many hours diligently leading this community in the direction it needs to go and a lot has been accomplished in the past 12 months here on the island, in the region and the state,” said Johnson. “I don’t believe the community has had the opportunity to fully understand what goes on and there is a fair amount of work that has been started and that I feel needs to be finished.”
Smith nominated Johnson for his second term as vice mayor. “I want to acknowledge the hard work (Johnson) has done, we have all done. When we step up to these positions, there is a different amount of work,” she said. “I would be honored to continue that work as we all grow into our leadership roles. I appreciate the leadership you have given the past year in your position,” she said.
There were no other nominations for mayor or vice mayor.
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