ISSUE: County Council chairmanship change

OUR VIEW: Politics, yes, but not just race-based politics

Harry Wimberly took over the Orangeburg County Council chairmanship at a trying time. Longtime council leader John Rickenbacker was indicted on federal corruption charges, leaving his colleagues, constituents and a county in general stunned. From the vice chairmanship, Wimberly stepped into the leadership role and did a commendable job for 2-1/2 years.

His tenure was marked by some contentious issues from a continuing focus on regulation of poultry houses to council oversight over the publicly owned Regional Medical Center. As an agricultural leader, Wimberly was outspoken even before becoming chairman about the need to protect the farm economy. The regulations he opposed ultimately were overturned via legal ruling supporting his contention that state regulations were applicable and sufficient.

Wimberly has been the most outspoken critic of the Regional Medical Center, insisting the hospital be more accountable to council in investing, spending and borrowing. In the face of criticism that he was damaging the hospital's stature, Wimberly persisted. We expect he will continue in that role -- but it won't be as council chairman.

This week, Wimberly was ousted as council leader in a 4-3 vote, with Councilman Johnnie Wright of District 1 assuming the chairmanship. It might have been predicted the change would come two years ago when Wimberly was elected chairman.

One has only to look at the history of council. Roughly a quarter century ago, the council makeup was a source of political and legal battles. The NAACP was out front in pushing for an end to an at-large voting system and establishment of single-member districts to produce a council with a black majority reflective of the county's 60-percent-plus African-American population.

Council's 4-3 black majority today might have been expected to split along racial lines in deciding between the African-American Wright and Wimberly, who is white. It didn't happen that way.

African-American members Willie B. Owens (who was a leading figure in the push for single-member districts those years ago) and Johnny Ravenell were joined by Clyde Livingston, who is white, in supporting Wright.

Wimberly got support from African-American council Vice Chairman Janie Cooper and Heyward Livingston, who is white.

Although the days of votes along racial lines likely are not at an end in a county in which race often remains an issue, even if underlying, the vote has the looks of politics beyond race.

In nominating Wright, Owens was not critical of Wimberly's leadership. Rather, he said, "We need change every now and then to give (other) people a chance to show their leadership. This will provide an opportunity for people on County Council to show leadership."

Such change is reality as politicians jockey for up-front influence and power behind the scenes. It is a part of politics.

Wright is an experienced council member of 14 years. He will give the eastern part of the county a stronger voice than it has had previously. He holds and has held leadership positions. He will be a respected and capable leader for council and a solid leading representative of the county in important matters such as economic development.

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