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On Tuesday, voters in Columbia City Council District 2 will go to the polls to elect a new City Council member for only the second time in the district’s 27-year history. Unfortunately, the election comes after two highly publicized mayoral elections (the general election and the runoff) and two highly publicized statewide party primaries (also including a runoff).
But the District 2 election should not be ignored. Yes, it’s a district council person, not a statewide office. But the issues in Columbia’s District 2 affect the people across the region. The district includes Main Street and its downtown business district, the Vista and its hotels, restaurants and bars and a portion of Five Points, the popular college hangout and shopping area.
But District 2 also includes the city’s poorest neighborhoods. Their per capita income and housing values are the lowest of any of the city’s four council districts.
Since Monday, The State newspaper has been running a story each day highlighting a specific issue in District 2 and the responses from the eight candidates who have filed to run for the seat. Here’s the schedule:
- Monday: Housing
- Tuesday: Main Street
- Wednesday: Homeless
- Thursday: Crime in Five Points/Vista/Main Street
- Friday: Education
Adam Beam covers the City of Columbia for
One Comment
How about something to do with our city services, such as Police or Fire? I’m sure the members of district two would love to hear about the candidates opinion on how to improve things in that area. I know as a city employee I would.