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Editor's note: In collaboration with the Summerville Journal Scene, the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum to provide a platform for candidates in races impacting Dorchester County to share their positions on key local issues. The event occurred Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Faith Sellers Senior Center in Summerville. The following information was compiled from that event.

Harriet Holman (R)

Deep Commitment: Expressed love for the state and country, emphasizing her experience on the county council, where she fixed roads and brought in medical assistance. Pledged to work hard for the community.

Education: Advocated for providing students with appropriate learning options and career pathways and encouraging families to invest in their children's education.

Housing: Committed to securing workforce and affordable housing, promising to take necessary actions to ensure housing availability.

Workforce Development: Stressed the importance of education and apprentice programs to give students real-world experience, helping them find and stick with their passions in the workforce.

Closing Remark: Running to provide a new voice for the people, Holman pledged to be responsive and get the job done, advocating for fresh leadership and promising to bring new funding to the district.

Summary: Holman expressed a deep love for her state and country and emphasized her track record on the county council, where she fixed roads and brought medical help. In education, Holman focused on ensuring students have access to appropriate learning and career training options while encouraging family involvement in their children's education. She committed to addressing housing challenges by working hard to secure workforce and affordable housing. Holman emphasized the importance of education and apprentice programs to help students gain experience, find their passion, and stay committed to their careers. In her closing remarks, she positioned herself as a new voice for the district, pledging to be accessible and promising to secure new funding and leadership for the community.

For more information, visit https://www.harrietholman.com/.

Joe Jefferson (D) (incumbent)

Experience: Highlighted 20 years of service in Columbia. He’s a Clemson graduate and an FBI Academy grad. He expressed gratitude for the ongoing support in the House.

Education: Advocated for incentivizing teachers and working with Trident Technical College and other schools to ensure adequate student options and stressed funding for education.

Housing: Acknowledged various housing challenges, stressing the importance of ensuring job availability so people can afford homes and apartments.

Closing Remark: Emphasized his 20-plus years of service in Columbia, urging people to look beyond party affiliation and focus on working together.

Summary: Jefferson, with 20 years of service in the House, emphasized his background as a Clemson graduate and FBI Academy alumnus, currently serving on the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee and Legislative Oversight Committee. He expressed appreciation for the continued support of his constituents. On education, Jefferson advocated for incentivizing teachers and working with institutions like Trident Technical College to ensure proper options for the future workforce and for funding for schools. In addressing housing challenges, he stressed the need to create jobs so that people can afford homes and apartments. In his closing remarks, Jefferson highlighted his 28 years of experience in Columbia, calling for unity beyond party lines and focusing on working together for the community’s benefit.

For more information, visit https://jefferson102.com/.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - A new resource connection center had its grand opening in Dorchester County.

Trident United Way opened a location in the Summerville area, hoping to get people back on their feet.

“From many of the families that we see, they’re working one sometimes multiple jobs. We want their children to be in a stable place so they can continue to remain in the same school, continue to learn and ultimately that our neighborhood can thrive by making sure every neighbor is financially secure knowing where their next meals are going to be and that they’re able to stay in their home,” Trident United Way President and CEO, DJ Hampton said.

Hampton says this resource center has taken time to open the doors for those in financial distress.

“So for those families who are working hard every day, struggling to make ends meet, it’s a place where they can come and get additional help and services,” Hampton said.

After looking at their database, Hampton said there’s about 40% of the community that are above the poverty line yet struggle significantly financially.

“There’s a large cross-section in our community that’s on the brink of financial disaster so all of those citizens have a resource center right here,” Summerville Mayor, Russ Touchberry said.

Touchberry explained that though he did not play as big of a role as others, he has referenced many to the organization and is hopeful for what this may bring.

“I’ve connected folks to the 211 program and connected them directly to them and they always get taken care of. It always makes folks feel special,” he said.

Trident United Way partnered with about a dozen non-profits to help provide opportunities for Summerville families.

While choosing which partners, Hampton says they had to consider their data to also cater to the needs of the community.

“We know health care can be a real challenge for people to access here, so we’ve partnered with mobile clinics from MUSC and roper to come and actually provide medical for those families while they’re already here,” Hampton said.

The center has office spaces for seminars or meetings, computers, school supplies and food.

“Then we help them get it in one stop. So instead of spending weeks going to multiple places, they’re able to get it one place. Which ultimately means they’re most likely to get services and they’re more likely to get the help they need to stay stable,” Hampton said.

Hampton also explained they can help with taxes.

He said every year, they complete about 1,200 to 1,300 tax returns for families, so any family that makes less than 73,000 dollars a year are eligible for the opportunity to have their taxes done for them.

“I hope when people get in there, they feel comfortable. They feel empowered and supported, and then from that they can be successful in our community,” Touchberry said.

The hours for the new location are Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

They will then accept appointments on Friday.

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