OLAR -- A perennial hotbed of small town politics, the Bamberg County town of Olar seems to consistently attract a large field of potential candidates for office.

Although a few shy of the 10 who ran for council in both 2006 and in 2004, there are six candidates on the ballot in Tuesday's nonpartisan municipal election. Also, there's an official write-in campaigner.

Incumbent council members Steve Brabham, Brenna Hancock, Wade Hough and Tracy Waller are all seeking re-election to two-year terms. The challengers are Dickie Dickert and Shaun Williams. Former council member Lewis Orr is waging a write-in effort.

Despite the strong interest in local government, most of Olar's candidates apparently prefer to be seen and not heard. Only Hancock, Dickert and Orr could be reached for comment. The others did not return messages to The Times and Democrat.

With a population of 220 residents, Olar has about 160 registered voters.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Olar Town Hall on Tuesday.

Steve Brabham

Brabham won a seat on council in 2006. He has been an assistant fire chief. There was no working telephone number available for him in 2006, and he did not return recent calls to The T&D seeking comments and a photo.

Brenna Hancock

Seeking her first full two-year term, Hancock won the unexpired term of former council member Alvin Maynor in a special election in July.

A former town clerk, Hancock says she's making no campaign promises.

"I will say we need to work together before we can move forward. That's my main issue," she said. "I want to move forward."

An example of the need to work together, Hancock says, is the town ball field. Until the ball field is completed, she says, the town cannot apply for state money to do a playground or other recreation projects.

"We definitely need some program for our youth," she said.

A native of the Olar community, Hancock has an associate's degree in computer technology from Denmark Technical College. She is the fire coordinator for Bamberg County.

Wade Hough

Hough, who had served on council previously, was the top vote getter in the 2006 election. He did not return telephone calls to The T&D in 2006 or in 2008.

Tracy Waller

Waller, who is seeking his second two-year term, did not return telephone calls from The T&D.

Based on information from 2006, Waller is originally from Aiken. He has lived in Olar, his wife's hometown, for 14 years. An electrical engineer, he has a bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering.

Dickie Dickert

After attending council meetings, Dickert says he decided to make his first run for public office.

"I've been going to the meetings, and I found a lot of arguing," he said. "I thought I could do a better job."

If elected, Dickert says he'll do his best to provide honest leadership. And, if he doesn't know the answer to a question, he'll find out.

"I'll be honest with everybody when they ask a question," he said. "A lot of times I get the runaround when I ask questions."

As a retiree, Dickert also notes that he has plenty of time to devote to town business.

A native of Leesville and a four-year resident of Olar, Dickert is a high school graduate. He is a retired carpet installer.

Shaun Williams

After losing out in the 2006 election, Williams is making his second try for a council seat. He did not return telephone calls from The T&D.

Based on information provided in 2006, Williams is a native of Olar and an employee of BellSouth. He has an associate's degree from the University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie.

Lewis Orr

A former one-term member of council, Orr lost his bid for re-election in 2006. As a write-in candidate, his name will not be on the ballot.

Although he intended to file for council, Orr says he "just messed around and waited until the last minute."

If elected, he says he'll work to "help benefit the town."

Based on information from two years ago, Orr is a native of Olar. He attended high school and is employed by the Hanes sock manufacturing company in Barnwell.

T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached by e-mail at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5545. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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