SPRINGFIELD - Less than two months after the surprise resignation of Mayor David R. "Rusty" Fogle, a couple of new twists have developed in the political saga of small-town Springfield.
After almost four years in office, Fogle announced he would resign as mayor at the end of September to be a candidate for the board of directors of Jefferson Davis Academy in Blackville.
"I'm not upset with anybody in Springfield. I just want to focus on Jefferson Davis. If I get elected (to the board) I want to be able to focus 100 percent ... and do what they ask me to do to try to help out," said Fogle, who was quoted in an Aug. 1 article in The Times and Democrat.
However, Fogle is one of five candidates who filed earlier this month for one of the four seats on Town Council.
At the same time, Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn McCormick, who will become acting mayor the end of the month, has filed to run for mayor.
Although McCormick's name will be the only name on the ballot in the Nov. 6 nonpartisan municipal election, Town Councilman Dickie Phillips filed as a write-in candidate for mayor by the Friday deadline. Phillips, a former mayor, did not file for re-election to Town Council.
The five candidates seeking two-year terms on council are Fogle, incumbent Hattie Wood, John W. Baxley, Lydia Lackey and Eddie Lee.
Neither Fogle nor Phillips could be reached Monday for comment.
The only other write-in candidate to file by the Friday deadline was Michael Hyman, who will challenge Joseph Corbett for mayor of Neeses. Only Corbett's name will appear on the ballot.
With all of the filing closed, no elections will be necessary for seats if there is just one candidate. No elections will be held in the Orangeburg County towns of Cope, Eutawville, Holly Hill, Livingston, Rowesville and Woodford.
A recap of the Nov. 6 nonpartisan municipal elections:
* Bowman -- Mayor: incumbent Zelda Pelzer and challenger Joseph Pendarvis. Council: incumbents Marion Glenn Jr. and Nathaniel Gaines and challenger Margaret Jones for two seats.
* Branchville -- Seven candidates are running for three seats: incumbents Charles Dukes, Glenn Miller and Chris Ott; and challengers Charles Bamberg, Debra Anne Perugini, Betty Skolasky and Luvenia Williams. Mayor Tim Cooner, who did not have opposition, will automatically be re-elected to a four-year term.
* Cope -- No election. Mayor Janet Joye and Council members Darren Jump, Marlene Workman, Emma Jean Gallagher and William Workman are all re-elected.
* Elloree -- Council District 2 incumbent Barry Pauling is being challenged by Harold Void for a four-year term. Water Commissioner Bill Irick is being challenged by Charles Denniston. In Council District 3, Jimmy Fogle is unopposed.
* Eutawville -- No election. Council members Mary Lynn Owen and Margaret Jean Akers are re-elected.
* Holly Hill -- No election. District 1 Councilwoman LeAnne Troutman and District 2 Councilwoman Jan Wiles are re-elected.
* Livingston -- No election. Mayor Bobby Gordon and Council members Ronnie Cribb, Bobby Jeffcoat, Tony Linder and Robert Yongue are all re-elected.
* Neeses -- Mayor Joe Corbett is facing a write-in challenge from Michael Hyman. Councilwoman Julie Renee Olenick and candidates Wanda Ammons, Jimmy Dyches and Kenny Gleaton are elected without opposition.
* North -- Six candidates are seeking four Town Council seats: incumbents Rose Binyard, Paul Drew, Aubrey Gleaton and Harriett Lane; and challengers Joseph Gleaton and Deborah Salley. Mayor Earl Jeffcoat is unopposed for mayor.
* Norway -- Mayor Brad Fogle is being challenged by Thomas "Chuck" Blake. District 1 Councilwoman Bonnie Fogle is being challenged by Sara Ann Johnson. In District 2, Geraldine Bell and Cindy Bates Williams are the candidates. Gregg Covington of District 3 and incumbent Councilwoman Emma Reed of District 4, who do not have opposition, will be elected automatically.
* Rowesville -- No election. Councilman Sidney Bowman and candidates Deborah Bonnett, Richard Morris and Carolyn Groom will be elected without opposition.
* Springfield -- Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn McCormick will be challenged by write-in candidate Councilman Dickie Phillips, who is not seeking re-election to council. Five candidates are seeking the four council seats: Mayor David R. "Rusty" Fogle, who is resigning as mayor effective the end of September, incumbent Hattie Wood, John Baxley, Lydia Lackey and Eddie Lee.
* Vance -- Three candidates are running for Town Council: incumbents Neivory Reaves and Alma Mazyck and challenger Freddie Bozard.
* Woodford -- No election. Mayor Charles Stoudemire, Council members Timmy Jefferson, Vernetha Williams and Anne Johnson and candidate Carole Faye Jeffcoat are all elected without opposition.
T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.