Incumbent Roy Blake, 59, is running for his third term in the district that covers south Rock Hill, including Saluda Street and Heckle Boulevard, and west of the city along S.C. 322 and Eastview Road. His platform is based on what he's accomplished in nearly four years on the job and how he'll continue to build on his track record.

Challenger Gwendolyn Connor, 45, a relative newcomer to York County, is basing her candidacy on her lengthy private sector experience in human resources and her civic involvement. William "Bump" Roddey, 34, claims his experiences as a member of a younger generation with a vision for the future give voters a fresh choice.

"I've been there, and I've been working hard, and I hope my constituents see that and let me continue," Blake told The Herald last week. "I think most people in the district trust me, and I think I'm the best one for the job."

Blake wants drug discount

At the top of Blake's list is a prescription drug discount program for seniors and low-income families, available through the National Association of Counties. He wants the county to sign up for the program that gives participants a coupon card that makes them eligible for small discounts at the pharmacy. It won't cost taxpayers a dime, Blake says, but saves users up to 20 percent on prescription drugs.

"A penny saved is a penny saved," Blake, a Rock Hill native, said. "There's a lot of people out there without insurance."

The County Council voted 6-1, with Blake dissenting, not to approve the plan this week until more research could be done on the contractual issues. But Blake said he wants to keep fighting for the program.

Blake also is touting his involvement with the county's waste management plans. He said he's been a steadfast supporter of waste-to-energy technology that might allow trash to be incinerated and converted to energy. He wants to serve a third term so he can continue advocating for the idea.

"I think that would be good for the county. Eventually, we're going to have a hard time keeping up with our waste," he said. "We need to be forward thinking. I think out of the box, and I think ahead because that's the way we grow."

Additionally, Blake said, if re-elected, he'll lobby for more money to be spent in the impoverished Blackmon Road community in his district. He said water and sewer lines need to be extended to residents there, and he'll support spending money to make that happen.

Connor: Education is priority

A human resources manager for Thomas & Betts steel structures division in Lancaster, Connor said education and its effect on economic development is her top concern.

While County Council members don't have direct control of local schools, Connor said she wants to work with local superintendents to pay teachers more in an effort to recruit and retain the best. She said a highly trained work force is one of the county's biggest assets in economic development efforts.

"What doesn't affect us directly will affect us indirectly," she said about playing an active role in educational issues. "When a company brings jobs to York County, residents should be considered for the jobs. We ought to reap the benefits with a talented, educated work force."

Connor, who moved to Rock Hill from Aiken in 2005, also wants to put her human resources training to work for taxpayers by being accessible. She cares for workers' well being on a daily basis, she said, and wants to do the same for constituents. She's also involved with Rock Hill's Committee on Human Relations, Rawlinson Road Middle School PTO and the school improvement council at Northwestern High School.

"Nine out of 10 citizens don't know their representative, and that's a shame," Connor said. "I'm accessible. I'm available. I want to be that voice for the people.

"I don't want to make impossible promises or tell people I'm going to change the world," Connor said, "But some issues, if we attack them, will make a difference for everyone, including education, economic development and building relationships."

Roddey eyes roads, contracts

Roddey, a lab tech at AbitibiBowater and a former Northwestern High School football standout, is telling voters his ideas for the future include limiting the amount of tax dollars given to out-of-county companies, making developers foot more of the bill for growth and finishing county road projects.

One of Roddey's ideas is to require contractors who win county projects to spend a portion of their budgets in York County. State law requires bids to be awarded to the low bidder, but Roddey wants to investigate how to ask the contractor to spend dollars locally, helping small and minority businesses in the process.

"As many tax dollars as we can keep in York County, the better," Roddey said. "The general contractor may be out of Charlotte, but some of the subs need to be local businesses."

Blake, the incumbent, also said he wants to investigate how to award more contracts to local businesses.

Roddey said he supports policies that require developers to pay for school and public facilities. He said property tax changes have crimped school budgets, and county leaders should help find alternate ways to pay for educational opportunities.

"Developers shouldn't be allowed to come in and do their thing while leaving the county footing the bill," he said. "They should be partly responsible."

Additionally, Roddey said, if elected, he'll push the council to finish "Pennies for Progress" road projects. He thinks the council should have more oversight of the 1-cent sales tax program in light of the recent shortfall. And he'll support the program again in 2010 if the money is still needed.

"People need to be held responsible. If I make a $22 million mistake at work, I get fired," Roddey said, referring to the Pennies shortfall. "We have no room for error with taxpayer money."

Roddey's opponents said they want to learn more about the recent Pennies for Progress shortfall before supporting any future projects.

"I'm a visionary, and I want to get York County lined up for the future," Roddey said. "I'm just as common around town as McDonald's. So my views are in line with the decisions everyday people make. When I get in there, those are the people I'll be taking care of."

County Council members serve two-year terms, beginning in January, and are paid $15,500 annually.