Wade Long for County Council District 4
My Background
I was born in Augusta, GA and raised in Plum Branch, SC. I served eight years in the United States Marine Corps before becoming a Defense Contractor, further working with the military, on various DoD programs. I have been a proud member of the Plum Branch Town Council since 2016.
My Dad was raised in McCormick County. My Mom loved this county. My brother and I were raised in McCormick County. Moving back here after 20+ years and seeing the current state of several issues is personal for me.
Upon getting elected to County Council, there are 3 broad categories I intend to address. I call them, The 3 E’s.
- Emergency Services
- Around 40% of our county is 60 years old or older. Those numbers don’t roll backwards. Better equipped/staffed sheriff’s office, EMS, and volunteer fire departments make for safer environments which encourage community growth.
- Economic Development
- Too many businesses are shutting down and not enough are starting up. McCormick has a beautiful lake…we need to use it. We also need to make the County as business friendly and safe as possible. When businesses start arriving, we need to be ready with a hospitality industry ready to greet them.
- Education
- The school system needs as much community support as they can get. This starts in our homes and continues on until graduation. But learning should not stop there. Teaching skills in hospitality and business through mentorship programs can make this county prosper. Savannah Lakes Village is overflowing with retirees that have multiple lifelong skills that could be passed on to a new generation of earners.
These 3 broad topics have multiple layers that all interact with each other. It’s hard to accomplish any one of them without the other 2 encroaching. They will all have to be handled together if any one of them is to succeed.
I believe in community. I believe there needs to be trust in the decision makers. I believe that McCormick can thrive.
It will take work, transparency, and common-sense decision making based on the NEEDS of the County…not the wants for this to happen.
I am a new voice for the county. I have many ideas to help grow our economy. I want to make the county better.
The old way isn’t working. All the textile mills and pulp mills are gone. Relying on just property taxes is not sustainable. We have to try something new. A new generation for change.
Thank you for your support and your vote in November.