Crowded race for Tega Cay City Council

Seven candidates for two open spots want to represent residents as part of the Tega Cay City Council.

Candidates include three first-timers, two return challengers and two incumbents. They are: incumbents Ron Kirby and Chris Landvik-Larsen and challengers Abigail Duval, Ryan Richard, Lisa Marie Johnson, Theresia Keys and David O’Neal. The general election is Nov. 3. Voters must register by Oct. 2 to cast ballots.

Abigail Duval

Duval, 42, moved to Tega Cay 18 months ago. The mother of three is a Realtor who serves on the city board of zoning appeals. She served on the same board in Rock Hill for five years, along with two years on the student improvement council at Gold Hill Middle School.

“Service to the community has consistently played an integral role in my personal life planning,” Duval said. “As a current member of the board of zoning appeals, I want to increase my participation in service to the city by sharing my enthusiasm and positive energy for growth, knowledge and leadership.”

The Charleston native graduated from Winthrop University and stayed in Rock Hill. The move to Tega Cay brought her closer to family and “into our forever-home on the lake.” Past work experience includes COO of Banking Center and ATM Technology with Bank of America, a post she believes affords the business acumen, management and communication skills to help lead the city.

“This coupled with local market knowledge gives me a powerful tool-set for serving as council member,” Duval said. “The city of Tega Cay is a phenomenal place to be a part of and I want to foster its continued success.”

Ryan Richard

Another first-time candidate, Richard, 38, describes himself as an entrepreneur. He moved to the city with his wife and two children from Louisiana in 2009 after a half dozen moves with the U.S. Marine Corps.

“By chance on my way to Lake Murray to look at a property, I stopped at the Shell station on the Gold Hill Road exit on I-77,” Richard said. “I noticed water on the GPS and decided to drive down the street and investigate.”

Richard wants to use lessons learned as a Marine to improve the city with a small town atmosphere where he chose to raise his family.

“I was taught to be focused and diligent, always looking out for the persons to your left and right,” he said. “The ability to adapt and overcome in any scenario to meet the needs of the mission. These are just a few of the traits and characteristics that make good leaders great.”

Richard said he fielded calls about running after speaking at a hearing on Tega Cay Water Service, the private utility since purchased by the city. He made the decision when, as the candidate filing deadline neared, only two incumbents were listed. Richard wants to see more input from residents and partnership between elected officials and residents.

“I hope to bring a no nonsense citizen-driven opinion to this great city,” Richard said. “We have far too many intelligent residents to have such minimal support and response to issues.”

Lisa Marie Johnson

Johnson, 43, is chairwoman of the board of zoning appeals. She ran for a council seat two years ago. The attorney and adjunct professor at University of Phoenix also is a four-year resident and the mother of a 1-year-old.

“I want the opportunity to listen to the issues and concerns expressed by the residents of Tega Cay and aggressively work towards a resolution,” she said.

Like many candidates, Johnson said there are many positives in Tega Cay. Her candidacy is about adding to those positives in a new way.

“A fresh and new perspective, a new energy and determination to maintain the spirit and energy of Tega Cay while I work to help it grow and develop,” she said.

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Crowded race for Tega Cay City Council."