BRANCHVILLE - Compared to the devastating tornado that tore through downtown Branchville in 2008, as well as publicized tension on Town Council, the upcoming Nov. 3 nonpartisan municipal election is a relatively low-key affair.

Five candidates are seeking three Town Council seats up for election.

Incumbent Councilwomen Amy Ott Bryant and Benita Gibbs; former council member Nathaniel Lincoln; former candidate Charles Bamberg; and political newcomer Gidget Vickers are seeking the three four-year terms.

Incumbent Councilwoman Georgianna Harmon, an outspoken member who has clashed often with the mayor and others on council over a variety of issues, is not seeking re-election.

Branchville has a population of 1,083. There are 674 registered voters.

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Amy Ott Bryant

Seeking re-election because "there's so much more to get done," Bryant says the town is working on grants and funding.

"I truly love and care about the town of Branchville. We have a lot of good things in the making. We have some funds and are seeking more to reconstruct recreation for your youth, (including) fixing Horton Field and the old Lockett School gym," she said. "I would love to see extra ball fields and ball courts for the entertainment of all ages.

"Phase II of the streetscape is finished and Healthplex is almost at the finish line."

With more to do, Bryant says that "so much negativity and unnecessary issues that keep surfacing when they need to be put to rest" are causing setbacks.

Noting the cleanup after the March 2008 tornado and the December 2008 celebration of the town's 150th birthday, Bryant says the town has shown it can come together.

"We need to come together as a town and see all the good that has been accomplished, instead of trying to dig and dig for something that makes us look bad," she said. "Like I said, I am in this for the love of my hometown."

A Branchville native, Bryant has a local gifts and graphics design business that specializes in embroidery. She attended Spartanburg Junior College and Midlands Technical College.

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Benita Gibbs

Gibbs did not return repeated telephone messages from The Times and Democrat, including one call she had scheduled.

According to a 2005 election profile, Gibbs is originally from Brooklyn, N.Y. She has been in Branchville for about 20 years. A high school graduate, she attended Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College pursing paralegal studies. She's a trade specialist with the state Department of Transportation in Orangeburg.

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Charles Bamberg

Bamberg, who ran for council in 1997 and again in 2007, could not be reached for comment. An official at Town Hall said Bamberg's home recently burned down and the town has no way to contact him.

According to his 2007 profile, Bamberg is an Orangeburg native and a 24-year resident of Branchville. Retired from Still-Walter Tool Co., he does part-time custodial work with Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4. He attended high school.

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Nathaniel Lincoln

An 18-year veteran of council, Lincoln lost his seat in the 2007 election.

"I'm hoping to get back on to serve another term or two," he said. "There are projects that need to be worked on."

If he's elected, Lincoln says he'd like to see a walking trail for residents and street lights for safety.

"I'd like to see council and the mayor all pull together where we can accomplish something," he said. "The last two years, they were always at each others' throats. You can't be successful like that. The mayor did a lot, but he needs help."

A native of Branchville and a high school graduate, Lincoln is a truck driver.

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Gidget Vickers

In making her first run for political office, Vickers says she is actively involved in the town she moved to a decade ago.

"I'm very active in both the Branchville and Orangeburg community and the school system," said Vickers, who has served on the School Improvement Council for Lockett Elementary and as vice president for the athletic booster club. She's also involved with local sports groups and is a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.

"I'd like to see continued programs. The town has really been through some trials in the past couple of years," she said. "I was a tornado volunteer and I served lunches during the relief. I just want to see us continue to move forward.

"It's a great little town and there are a lot of good things. I want it to continue to grow."

A native of Rhode Island, Vickers restored an old home in Branchville after moving from the Charleston area 10 years ago. Vickers, who is a high school graduate with some college, is a sales consultant and has a real estate license.

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T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.

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