Chester City Council election will decide seats in all 4 wards. Meet the candidates.
The Chester City Council election will be May 4, with five council seats up for grabs.
Both seats are open in Ward 1 -- one is the “unexpired term” of Councilman William “Budda” Killian who has been elected to the Chester County Council.
Wards 2, 3, and 4 each have one open seat. Also, Dana Peay is running unopposed in Ward 2.
Each of the four wards has two representatives. City of Chester Mayor Wanda Stringfellow is the ninth member of the council.
Only city of Chester residents can participate. Voters must wear a mask.
Early voting has started and will take place at the Chester Elections & Registrations Office, 109 Ella Street. This is the only early voting location. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday until May 3.
On election day, voters can go to their voting precinct from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Precinct information can be found on the SC Votes website.
The Herald provided questionnaires to all of the candidates. Below are their answers, which have been edited for brevity.
Ward 1 Unexpired Term
KIM T. CHISHOLM
Age: 56
Occupation: Realtor
Why are you running for office?
I’m running for the people. I’ve always wanted to go into politics. I moved to the city eight years ago. I’ve been noticing different things. People tell me they need housing, they need housing developments. I feel like I should be on the council, to be a foot soldier, to work together to get solutions, to get housing.
What is the biggest problem in your ward?
We have people that don’t have houses, that have three families in their houses. If you can pay $650 to an apartment complex, you can afford your own home. I talked to this lady the other day. She said, ‘this place has waterbugs and roaches,’ and she said, ‘I spray all the time.’ She said, ‘If I had my own house, I wouldn’t have this problem.’
And in the county apartments, they have so much trash. The government subsidized apartments, look at the trash out there. These people are suffering, and no one is speaking up, saying anything about it.
How would you work with other council members to solve problems?
We’ve got to hear from the community, and when we hear what the community wants, we’ve got to bring it back. We need to sit down at the table and bring up what they are, what their complaints are, and as a council, we need to get out and see how we can resolve the issue. This isn’t just something I want, it’s a community. It’s not just mine, Chester doesn’t belong to me. This is everybody. So as a councilwoman, if you have a complaint and you take it to me, I take it to the council to be heard. You have a voice in this situation now.
If you could say anything to the people of Chester, what would that be?
Just go out and vote, but don’t just vote because somebody says stuff like ‘I know I can do this, I know I can do that.’ You are one person with one vote. If you vote for me, I’m going to fight for you. If you ask me to do something, and I don’t know the answer, give me a day or two and I’m going to get back with you. That’s a promise.
WADE A. YOUNG
Age: 35
Occupation: Food service (chef)
Why are you running for office?
It started with frustration, with my trash not being picked up like it should be, and it just kind of grew from there. I’m already in politics around the county. For the Chester County Council, I serve on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee and I also serve on the Chester County First Steps board.
I was more interested, the more I thought about it, the more my inspiration to actually run grew and to make sure that I was actually going to put the effort into the job. I took a couple of extra days to make sure that I was going to mentally, physically do the job like it needs to be done, and I decided to go ahead.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
I think the biggest problem is vacant housing. I think we need to utilize and enforce city ordinances like they’re supposed to be enforced. I still have abandoned houses on my street, and the trash always blows into my yard and I have to go out and pick it up. So that should be an issue that I’d spend a lot of time on, and I see a lot of abandoned homes, that’s a huge issue.
And for the people that may have an issue with ‘what is going to happen to my grandmother, or my uncle who’s on a fixed income?’, ... we will try to find different grants to help them fix their houses. We have programs in Chester, in particular the Amber Church, they have a program where they actually go into neighborhoods and houses. So maybe we can utilize them a little more.
How would you work with the council to solve problems?
We’re going to have to figure out how to keep the personal vendettas out of things, and I’m not saying that people have personal vendettas... And so I’m hoping that we can keep those out of it, and keep Chester in mind, and that everyone wants the best for Chester, but we just want to go about it in a different way. This is our Chester. Then maybe we will be able to move forward, but I know it’s going to be a hard fight.
JEFF FOWLER
Age: 52
Occupation: Detention officer at Mecklenburg County Jail
Why are you choosing to run for office?
Over the last few years that I’ve lived in Chester, there’s been a lot of things that the city council hasn’t been doing, and hasn’t been managing our money very well. The big mill sites that are just overgrown weeds that are taller than any people. You know, I’d like to see those sites cleaned up and somebody actually develop them and make something out of it. Put something there. And of course manage the money a whole lot better than they’re doing.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
There are a whole lot of buildings that are just plain either boarded up or falling down. I’d like to see somebody convince the owners to either fix them or sell them, and get them to where they are habitable. We need to get things fixed up, with all these jobs that are in the area, between everything on Route 9 from here to the interstate, there certainly could be a whole lot more people wanting to live here if they just fixed the town up some.
How would you work with the council at large to solve these problems?
Well, I know that most of the first time challengers running here, want to change pretty much the same thing that I’m interested in changing. I’ve talked to a few other ones, and I think we could get enough votes. First of all, we could at least bring things up for a vote, but I think we can get enough votes to actually get something done.
If you could tell anything to the people of Chester, what would that be?
Vote to fix up and clean up the town of Chester, and bring in all new faces. Vote out the incumbents and bring in new faces — try your luck with somebody new. It’s better than what we know hasn’t worked.
Do what your heart tells you, I believe people should choose someone who they know can do something for them.
Ward 1 Regular Term
SUSAN HASTY KOVAS (Incumbant)
Age: 62
Occupation: retired School Counselor, having served Chester Senior High School for 10 years, and Chester Middle School for 13 years.
Why are you running for office?
Chester is my home and I want it to be the best city around. It is truly a hidden gem with many wonderful people, and a downtown with so much potential. I see houses being built and businesses coming in. The city has to be ready for this growth .... There are many projects currently in the works which I am involved in and I would like to see them come to fruition. As a current City Council member, I am chairing the YMCA Ad Hoc Committee which hopes to turn our abandoned YMCA building into a City Recreation facility for our population, opening it back up with facilities for basketball teams and tournaments, swim teams, and exercise groups. The closure of the YMCA was a huge blow to our town.
It is my desire to get it back up and running. I also chair the Public Works committee, which is working to improve zoning procedures and working to find ways to pick up our trash more efficiently and effectively. These and other projects such as turning the old First Citizens Bank building into a police station with rooms dedicated to training are all positives which will help enrich the lives of our citizens.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
In Ward 1 as well as the entire city, we have a problem with blighted houses, which have been abandoned or in some cases burned and are still standing. These houses make neighborhoods look bad.
We also have had a problem with trash pickup because of an old fleet of trucks that breakdown and can’t complete their routes.
Lastly, we need to continue to improve recreation. We have beautiful parks in Ward 1, the Joe Collins Stadium and Jeff Brown Softball Fields Sports Complex. We need to continue to improve these facilities with programming and equipment.
How would you work with the council to solve these problems?
Finding money to fix these problems by working within the city’s budget, finding grants, collaborating with other elected officials and developing programs which can help the city to solve these problems.
If you could say something to the people of Chester, what would it be?
I am committed to the city of Chester, and love serving the citizens. We all want a better quality of life and a city where we enjoy living, and working, and playing. We all want the same things. We want to feel safe. We want clean streets and quiet neighborhoods. We want shops and restaurants to go to and festivals. We want a city to be proud of. I will work hard for you because Chester means so much to me.
TABATHA M. STROTHER
Age: 44
Occupation: Homemaker
Why are you running for office?
I am a community activist. I believe it is time for a change in our community, in the city of Chester. We are under a microscope, if you will, and we need to be the change that we want to see. And currently, after much prayer, I believe that I can be part of that change. I can’t do it by myself, but I believe I can be part of that change, and I can help implement that change.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
Well, in my ward and the city there is a lack of trust in our leadership. There is a lack of transparency and because of it there is a lack of trust. So we need that transparency among our community as a whole, among our leadership and then that will reach our people.
How would you work with the council to solve problems?
Well, we have to work together. The biggest thing that we have to do is come together for one goal, and that is to make the city of Chester, and Chester as a whole, a better place. So we have to put aside whatever differences we may have personally and work together for the betterment of our city, of our community, of our ward. Because, you know, it’s what’s best for the people, five years ahead, 10 years ahead, 20 years ahead.
If you could say something to the people of Chester, what would it be?
What do you want to see change? And now, let’s make that happen. We can be much better than what we are. I want to help bring that transparency to life. I want to help bring better financial stability to Chester. I want to help bring better technological advancements. I want to help bring all of that to Chester, and I know we can do it. I want to help bring the working partnerships, minimum wage, things other municipalities have, to Chester, and we can do that. We can do that together and I am asking for your vote on or before May fourth.
Ward 2
DANA PEAY
Age: 58
Occupation: retired
Why are you running for office?
I moved from Charlotte. I can see the difference in Charlotte and Chester. So I feel like I can improve it, give my opinion on how to better change it.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
What I see in my ward, is that everybody doesn’t have the same rules. Everybody doesn’t have the same regulations. Everybody doesn’t have to follow the same guidelines, and I feel like we’re all in the same area, and we all need to follow the same guidelines.
How would you work with the council to solve problems?
I pray that we can all come together to enforce what the city ordinances are supposed to be. I think that’s what’s going on now here is that we show favoritism. And we need to be all in agreement on the same agendas.
If you could say something to the people of Chester, what would it be?
If you’re going to vote, vote for what you truly want, and what you truly want should be improvement. So vote for the person you know that can do that job to improve the city. We all need to come together and stay here to improve and better our living conditions , as far as minimum wage as far as cleaning up all our city, and we just have to stand for what is right.
Ward 3
DANIELLE HUGHES
Age: 34
Occupation: Business owner/health care professional
Why are you running for office?
I am running for office because I am a native and current member of this community, and I believe in the greatness within the places and people here. I want to help bring about a needed change that will move our city forward in a productive and meaningful way.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
Some of the challenges that I see that are prominent in my ward is infrastructure, specifically with the broken and damaged roads. I also see the lack of community outreach for the youth and elderly population, as well as the lack of support for the local business owners.
How would you work with the council to solve problems?
I will work with the counsel at large to discuss and create plans of actions that will effectively address and serve these challenges in an innovative way.
If you could say anything to the people of Chester, what would it be?
I would tell the people of Chester to simply vote for the leader they want to see. Someone who leads by serving others and walks in truth, empathy, and advocacy.
KEN LEBBON
Age: 68
Occupation: Executive director for CURES for Chester (nonprofit)
Why are you running for office?
I got here four years ago, and I started going to city council meetings. And since then, I’ve been to every city council meeting and committee meeting. I’ve missed very few. I sit and listen. And I found that the city was not using the power that it has to make itself better. There’s a lot of people there, nine council people, but they they don’t have the energy, the knowledge, or experience... to use the power that they have. And they just keep kind of going downhill. So I’m not a politician. I don’t really want to run. But somebody needs to do it. And so we’re doing it, and I think if we can get the right people in office we can make a big change very quickly.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
We’ve got some major problems. CURES for Chester, my non-profit, we have a mission that approaches it from a basically four-pronged area of: business redevelopment, housing rehabilitation, recreation facility construction and educational opportunities. It’s important that the city uses its power to do those things. We need to redevelop the downtown. We need to boost the the tax base.
How would you work with the council to solve problems?
That is something that has been a problem in the past, is that that nobody’s really worked together. I’ve made a point of knowing everybody in the city, to the point where I can I know who they are. I can talk to them. I know their family. It’s important that we look at it from an organic standpoint. That’s my vision for the city, is a city council that is a team, instead of just an entity. If we have a team of people we can do anything, any vision you have is possible.
If you could say something to the people of Chester, what would it be?
The biggest thing is that everybody knows the city needs a little bit of help. So if I was going to tell anybody something, it would be just to get out and vote. Because this year for the first time in maybe 40 years, I see a real difference that can be made. There are people who are forward-looking, that will look at it from the point of view that ‘yes, we can work together and we can do it.’ So get out there and vote, and make a difference. Now is the time.
Ward 4
HARVEY BERNARD HEATH
Age: 59
Occupation: material handler, coaches little league, football, basketball
Why are you running for office?
I’ve been in Chester all of my life, I’ve been dealing with the public all my life, I’ve been dealing with the kids all of my life, and I just want to make a difference. I just want to be a voice, and a voice for our people. And I just love Chester, I’m doing it because I love the people and I love Chester.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
Right now, between the citizens and the council, there is basically just a trust issue. They don’t trust the council right now, so that’s why I want to bring transparency to the council, to have people know exactly what’s going on. You know transparency is easy, if you just be honest and fair.
How would you work with the council to solve problems?
I’ve been coaching all my life so I know how important it is to work as a team. So I want to go in and work with the team, and just accomplish what we need to accomplish, do one thing at a time and get it done. Then go the next one. So the people can see us making some progress, and maybe that would bring some trust back toward the people and the city.
If you say could something to the people of Chester, what would it be?
Just give me a chance. You know, I been in Chester all my life. I live and breathe Chester. I live in Chester, I’m from Chester. Give me a chance. You already know my position that I have in the community, you know I stand with the children and with the people, and I’m trying to get things done for the community. So on May 4, vote for Harvey Bernard Heath.
ROBBIE KING-BOYD (Incumbant)
Occupation: State social services, licensed real estate agent, and employed with Chris King Memorial Church
Why are you running for office?
I decided to seek election to be a voice for all of the citizens of the city of Chester, not just Ward 4. Growing up in the city of Chester, I have great memories of East Chester.
As I drive or walk through our city I have noticed great changes. I want to be part of the team that’s creating a solid financial city, job opportunities, housing opportunities, providing recreation and other resources.
I want to assure that our youth have great memories, and when they are of age to make decisions on where to live and work that they choose Chester. I want to help make Chester that place where they want to be and not the place that they are running away from.
What do you see as the biggest problem in your ward?
I want to help recruit new industry and bring more jobs to Chester by offering incentives to business looking to relocate or grow their business in our city. Social and economic infrastructure are the greatest issues facing Ward 4, the City of Chester and the entire Chester County. We need to improve the social and economic infrastructure by providing incentives for new businesses opening and operating in the city... and offer incentives to existing and new businesses in the city of Chester that hire city residents.
Recreation also is very important for all citizens which includes seniors, adults, young adults and youth. Through recreation our citizens can build healthier social and physical relationships which in turn will build a healthier Chester.
How would you work with the council to solve problems?
I would like to create a better partnership with the city of Chester and existing businesses to establish safe locations to provide recreation and education for all citizens to create a thriving city. My vision for the city is to work with the school district, York Tech. College, local business and other elected officials on the local, state and federal levels to provide education, which will include technology centers, mentoring programs and job training.
If you could say anything to the people of Chester, what would it be?
My vision for the city is to work with the school district, York Tech. College, local business and other elected officials on the local, state and federal levels to provide education which will include technology centers, mentoring programs and job training. Social and economic infrastructure is the glue that can connect us, the citizens and the government, the city, county, state and federal government and bring us together to make our city and county the best place to live, work and play.
