Last year’s flooding, ongoing traffic headaches, drainage problems and managing Richmond Hill’s explosive growth were among the many issues discussed by several candidates for seats on Richmond Hill’s City Council during a pair of question and answer sessions hosted Wednesday by the Bryan County Chamber of Commerce.

Termed as a debate, the online event at the Chamber office in Richmond Hill was moderated by Tom Allmon and questions posed to candidates were submitted by Chamber members. The organization sponsored the event to “help the community make informed decisions,” said Chamber President and CEO Summer Beal.

Candidates for Post 1 and Post 2 participated in separate sessions with a break between them. A third segment included mayoral candidates.

The public was not invited to the event due to limited space at the Chamber office, Beal said. The event can still be viewed on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

Post 1 and Post 2 candidates

A pair of first time office seekers are vying for the city’s Post 1 seat held by mayoral candidate and Mayor Pro Tem Kristi Cox. Cindy Hatala is a retired teacher and Army veteran, while Lavetris “Vee” Singleton serves on the city’s planning commission and is a government program coordinator at Gulfstream.

Post 2, currently held by Robbie Ward, has a more crowded field, with four candidates – three of whom have run for office before – vying for the seat. They include Kevin Bowes, a retired law enforcement officer and business owner who currently serves as chairman of the Bryan County Planning and Zoning Commission; Buck Holly, a business owner and military veteran; David London, a retired Army officer and educator; and Sabrina Watkins, a veteran and pastor.

The issues

Candidates expressed similar views on the city and county’s response to the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Debby, with most saying local leaders should have been more visible and information should have been more readily available to residents during and after the flooding, but all said that lessons learned from the event have led to a better plan to deal with future disasters.

They also praised volunteers in what Holly termed the “redneck navy” who helped in the aftermath by taking supplies to those impacted by the floods.

“The response I wish that the county and city government had responded with was exactly what the citizens did respond with,” he said.

There were some differences in the candidate's messages, however.

Bowes, one of those who helped during the flooding, said there “were too many chiefs and not enough Indians,” and “there was no established chain of command,” during the response to the flood, while Holly said there needs to be a single location with the resources to help those impacted by the flooding. Watkins echoed the idea of a single location for resources, while noting some residents had to go elsewhere for sand bags一something that the city should’ve done a better job providing.

London, who lives off Highway 144 behind Kroger, said he was one of those impacted by the flooding and recalled being grateful when a volunteer brought Chic-Fil-A sandwiches to him and his family.

London also saw a bright side to the disaster from at least one standpoint.

“We have a win here,” he said. “We have a huge capacity inside this community to respond outside of government.”

Questions on infrastructure needs also showed candidates thinking much alike, with improvement to drainage and road infrastructure frequently mentioned.

Impact fees were also mentioned more than once as candidates said there needs to be a way to let growth pay for itself.  

“Growth is stressing the infrastructure we currently have and we need to do something,” said Hatala, whose house flooded in 1994 and again in 2016. “Whether it be impact fees, more stringent guidelines on the growth we’re having, we need to do something that slows down or helps fix the infrastructure problems we have.”

Singleton said the city planning commission is already working on ways to make sure developers are required to retain water from their developments on site, rather than on impacting other neighborhoods.

“As we continue to grow in this area we have to be so intentional about our infrastructure,” said Singleton.

Both Bowes and London also suggested impact fees should be considered.

Holly, meanwhile, pointed to road infrastructure as the most pressing issue. He said it regularly takes him about 25 minutes to drive from his office near I-95 to his home near Publix, only about five miles away.

The issue of public safety was also raised, with candidates promising to support the city’s first responders – police and fire – through making sure both departments have the resources they need.

And, candidates were asked what they’d do to support small business as well the Chamber. All stressed the importance of small business in Richmond Hill and finding ways to work with the Chamber to the benefit of both its members and the city as a whole.

Candidates also had three minutes to make closing statements. 

Among the highlights, Hatala pointed to her service in the military and as a teacher, noting she “poured my heart and soul into the students I taught,” and “if elected to city council I would do the same for residents.”

And, she said, she wants to improve communications between residents and the city, and if elected will look to hold public forums.

Singleton reiterated her emphasis on drainage, community engagement and sustainable growth.

“We need to make sure, while we still have time, to take time out to really see what’s important,” she said. “We need to get a plan together and focus on what we want our city to look like … in 20, 30, 40 years. We are serving our children.”

Watkins touted her leadership in the military and as a pastor, and said if she’s elected she wants to be a voice for all residents. She also stressed the need to keep all residents safe and would look into some form of public transportation for seniors and children.

“My thing is family,” she said. “Richmond Hill is about supporting families, supporting our public workers, supporting our small businesses. Keeping our southern charm but growing as a community.”

Bowes, who moved from New Jersey with his family in 2019 and “didn’t know anyone in town,” said he has seen a lot of changes since then.

“I’ve seen one lane turn into two, forests turn into apartment complexes,” he said, adding that his family has grown with the city and, whether he gets elected or not, he’ll continue to serve in any way he can.

“I’m not stopping,” he said. “I want to provide a voice for everybody.”

London, a West Point graduate who has served as a scout troop leader and band booster, said Richmond Hill is about family and he wants to see more family oriented businesses brought into the city while also working on fixing drainage issues.

“We need one list, one map, one spreadsheet of all our infrastructure, where it is, and what we need to do to go ahead and improve it.”

Holly praised the other candidates for stepping up to run.

“Too few people want to get involved these days because politics is nasty,” he said, thanking his candidates for a “nice fair race to the end.”

He then said campaigning is an interview process, and stressed his volunteer service, his fundraising and his business experience, including investing some $3 million into C&H Precision, which employs 75 people and manufactures various parts for weapons.

“I will lead the city through my faith and through God,” he said. “He guides me every day to make the right decision.”