By Justin Lee Campbell
Courtesy The Journal

justin@upstatetoday.com

PICKENS — The newest members of Pickens County Council assumed office Tuesday in a swearing-in ceremony at the county administration building.

Judge Karen Roper of the 13th Circuit Family Court swore in newcomers Chris Bowers, Roy Costner III, Wes Hendricks and Carl Hudson.

The new council members won election in June. Bowers defeated Jeff Willis to fill the District 5 seat of the Easley area vacated by chairman Jennifer Willis. Bowers won a runoff race with a total of 1,345 votes to Jeff Willis’ 866 votes.

Costner will represent the Liberty area of District 4 after defeating incumbent Neil Smith in a runoff with 1,329 votes to Smith’s 680 votes.

Hendricks defeated Alex Saitta to represent the Pickens area of District 3 after winning a runoff with 1,866 votes to Saitta’s 1,685 votes.

Hudson will assume the District 6 seat of the Dacusville area after incumbent Tom Ponder chose not to run and Hudson’s lone opponent, Daniel E. Lee, dropped out.

The new council members now join remaining council members vice chairman Trey Whitehurst, who represents the Central and Six Mile areas of District 2, and Ensley Feemster, who represents the Clemson area of District 1.

The new Pickens County Council will hold elections in an organizational meeting on Wednesday for the new chair, vice chair, vice chair pro tempore and chair appointments. A council retreat and new meeting schedule will also be discussed. The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. in the council auditorium.

Items facing the new council are the construction of a new jail, issuance of a $7.8 million bond and continuance of economic development projects, especially in the Pickens County Commerce Park.