Businessman, attorney compete for chance to replace longtime Richland councilman
Businessman Hamilton Grant and attorney Overture Walker will face off in the June 23 Democratic primary runoff election for Richland County Council District 8.
The two were separated by 234 votes in the June 9 primary, with Walker coming out on top.
The runoff winner will face Republican Gary Dennis in the November general election in a bid to succeed retiring Councilman Jim Manning.
District 8 covers parts of northeast Richland County, including the Decker Boulevard corridor and the Spring Valley area.
Anyone who voted in the Democratic primary on June 9 is eligible to vote next Tuesday, as are any registered voters who did not cast a ballot. Voters in the June 9 Republican primary can’t vote in next week’s Democratic primary runoffs.
Meet the candidates:
Hamilton Grant
Age: 31
Education: I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from South Carolina State University (2011) and a Master’s in Business Administration from Alabama A&M University (2014).
Political experience: I am a graduate of the James E. Clyburn Congressional Fellowship, member of the Richland County Democratic Party, member of the Young Democrats of the Central Midlands, and I have volunteered for several campaigns ranging from local to presidential elections. In addition to this experience, I am the youngest elected trustee to any public College or University in the State of South Carolina. I was elected to serve my alma mater, South Carolina State University, in 2018.
Professional experience: I work with my father, Tony Grant, as President of Grant Business Advisors, LLC, a strategic financial advisory firm for nonprofits, small businesses and middle market companies. We specialize in arranging financing for new construction loans, re-financing existing debt and putting together strategic alliances for our clients. Since the inception of Grant Business Advisors (formally Grant Business Strategies, Inc.), we have successfully arranged over $1 Billion in financing for clients across the country.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up right here in Richland County District 8.
What is the biggest issue facing District 8?
I would say the penny sales tax program. My district is seeing growth by leaps and bounds. Where I live off of Hardscrabble Road, we’re seeing an excess of homes being built, and you still have a two-lane road. ... The more homes you have, the more roads you’ll need. Richland County has kind of put the cart before the horse when it comes to growth. ... We have to be able to be on the cutting edge and on the lead of it, and what I mean by that is being able to plan for it, making sure we have the proper infrastructure in place so we’re not playing catch-up to the growth.
What is the biggest difference between you and your opponent?
One of the biggest differences is I’m the only candidate in this race with governing experience. Being a Board of Trustees member for South Carolina State University and the youngest elected board member for any college in South Carolina, that has given me amazing experience with governing and oversight. ... We are charged with having the insight and the vision to put in place good policy and good governing practices for the people we represent. ... (It has been) valuable looking at and approving things such as a budget. ... Another major difference is that I’m actually from the district that I’m running for and have had a lifelong track record of being involved in my community. I believe that people who run for these seats develop a source of mistrust and questions around their involvement from community members, because unfortunately, the only time they see people is when they run for a seat. ... Having a hands-on approach and role in the district that raised me has given me a perspective on what the district really needs.
What do you think Richland County Council does well?
You can always tell a tree by the fruit it produces, and Richland County Council does a great job at highlighting everyday residents who do amazing things in and around our community. By recognizing their accomplishments at council meetings, it supports a strong sense of community. I am proud to be from Richland County District 8 and, as a councilman, I will continue to lift up our residents.
What do you think Richland County Council should do better?
Richland County must improve in the area of accountability and transparency. Richland County tends to be in the spotlight for all things bad in this area. One prominent example is the issue with the Penny Sales Tax program. Residents in Richland County deserve to understand why projects are behind schedule and over budget. In order to keep our trust, County Council must address hard questions on how we arrived here, and what the plan is moving forward. Richland County is our state’s second largest county. The future of our growth and infrastructure depends on how well we can trust our council to do the right thing with our dollars.
How should Richland County move forward with the $1 billion penny roads program despite ballooning costs endangering some projects?
When this program was passed in 2012, it was passed with the belief and trust that projects would be completed in a timely manner and managed properly. Unfortunately, what we now know is that has not been the case. Council must make tough decisions on how costs can be cut to ensure that much needed projects are not only completed on time but are in line with the budget, if not under budget. While this is not a popular opinion because residents won’t get everything they were initially promised, this will alleviate traffic congestion in much needed areas. In addition to cutting costs, as councilman, I would determine if any budget funds could be re-directed toward road projects to help complete projects pertaining to safety, such as sidewalks and crossing lanes. Keeping our residents safe should be our top priority.
How can the county settle an outstanding $40 million dispute over management of the program with the S.C. Department of Revenue?
It is of the best interest of the residents of Richland County to reach an agreement with the SC Department of Revenue that is fair and just. Since this dispute is tied to so much productivity, it is hard for our county to do the work that council was elected to do with this issue looming above. Settling this dispute will allow much needed business to continue and would be a step in the right direction in moving forward. Council must also strengthen its checks and balances over the management of the program so those same mistakes are not repeated.
What are the top three issues in this campaign, and how specifically would you address them?
While there are many important issues of my campaign, the top three are (1) transparency and accountability of the Penny Sales Tax program; (2) addressing food deserts in our county so that everyone in the county has access to fresh and nutritious foods which makes the county as a whole healthier; and (3) ensuring that we feel safe in our communities. As your next Richland County District 8 Councilman, I am committed to always communicating openly and honestly with my constituents and intend to implement an “open door” policy. Specifically, with respect to the Penny Sales Tax program, I will thoroughly research how the penny tax monies have been spent and managed to date and will ensure that any mistakes are not repeated. I will work hard to get the program back on track and to how it was intended to be administered. I also will work with county staff and nonprofits in making sure that all of our residents have access to affordable and healthy food options. Right now, over 65,000 residents in Richland County do not have that access. Understanding the importance of feeling safe in our community, I will continue to work with our law enforcement and fight for laws and programs that will get results. My main priority is improving the safety and security in our neighborhoods and keeping children safe in their schools. When our community and law enforcement work together, our county is a safer place for everyone.
Tell us something important about you that you want voters to know.
I am the only candidate in this race with governing experience, and I will bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to our growing county. As a lifelong resident, District 8 is my home. It is where I have decided to raise my family. My wife, Alana, and I are about to welcome a baby boy in a few weeks. I want him to feel the sense of home in this community that I did as a child growing up here. This community made a meaningful impact on the person I am today, and I want to give back to this community that I love and cherish. I would be honored to serve as your county councilman and hope to earn your vote on June 9th! To find out more about me and my platform, including my growing family and how to connect with the campaign, please visit www.GrantForSC.com.
Overture Walker
Age: 39
Education: University of South Carolina Bachelor of Arts – History ‘02, University of South Carolina School of Law - Juris Doctor ‘04
Political experience: No elected office experience.
Professional experience: Former City of Columbia Municipal Court Judge; Founder and Managing Partner at Stoney & Walker, LLC with law offices in Charleston and Columbia; Former City Prosecutor for the City of Columbia; Former Assistant City Attorney for the City of Columbia; Former Assistant Public Defender for the Richland County Public Defender Office.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Sumter but grew up in Richland County over the past 33 years; 12 of those years have been spent living in and enjoying the people and communities of Northeast Richland. We live in the Parliament Lake subdivision and our daughter attends Polo Road Elementary.
What is the biggest issue facing District 8?
The biggest issue in District 8 is the issue of haphazard developmental growth. The voters have expressed to me on numerous occasions their concern that growth is out of control or not strategic. They are tired of the process of 200-300 houses going up on a two-lane highway or road. What has happened is it’s had an adverse effect on the quality of life in northeast Richland County. We already have the issue of traffic congestion, as northeast Richland is growing, it seems, by the day. ... Growth — as in housing, apartments, all of that — has outpaced the advancement of infrastructure. Before you throw up an extra 200 or 300 housing units, can we get an extra lane? Can we have an extra traffic light? In other words, let’s put the horse before the cart for a change. ... We want to promote the sort of growth that enhances and improves the quality of life in District 8, but also throughout Richland County.
What is the biggest difference between you and your opponent?
The voters of Richland County will have to decide what they think the differences are between my opponent and me. ... If the voters of Richland County were to elect me to County Council ... what they’re going to get in a future councilman would be someone who is an advocate, who is a problem solver and someone who is a decision maker. For 15 years, I have a record of service that shows that I have advocated on behalf of those with limited to no resources as a public defender here in Richland County. I have advocated and fought for safe communities in my capacity as as city prosecutor. I have protected taxpayer dollars in my capacity as an assistant city attorney. I have over 10 years experience in private practice, where I safeguard the legal rights of citizens and have protected working families against the indifference of big corporations. ... I have a history of making consequential decisions that are immediately impactful and impact peoples lives; I’ve done that in my capacity as a city judge. ... As the only former judge in this race, I have the most governing experience. ... I believe it is my record of service and my attributes as an advocate, a problem solver, a decision maker and someone who is a small-business owner that started his business from scratch that separates me from anyone else in this race.”
What do you think Richland County Council does well?
Council does a fine job of live-streaming meetings and archiving them on the county website, which increases transparency and allows the citizens of Richland County to see their government at work. Council’s robust support has created a countywide fire system that provides quality protection for residents and a level of coverage that has resulted in a very low ISO rating, thereby saving taxpayers money on their homeowners insurance. In addition, the council brought stability to county government ranks by coming together to secure a very good county administrator.
What do you think Richland County Council should do better?
Council should seek to work more harmoniously with all municipalities within Richland County.
I also believe that council has to look for more ways to ease the tax burden on our citizens who are taxed at a rate 60% higher than our counterparts in Greenville and Charleston. Moreover, council must do a better job of looking out for the county as a whole. While single-member districts play a much-needed and critical role in ensuring diverse representation on council, it is important that council members remember they not only represent the interest of their district but that they have a responsibility to look out for the best interests of the entire county. There may be times when what appears to be good for a single district might not be in the best interest of the entire county. It is imperative that we have leaders with a holistic or county-wide perspective.
How should Richland County move forward with the $1 billion penny roads program despite ballooning costs endangering some projects?
In early May, County Council re-scoped three major projects to realign the $1 billion penny roads program to cover all original projects included in the ballot referendum as well provide for $40 million of fund balance to cover any future ballooning costs. It appears that the modifications were driven by road data and will allow projects to be completed under budget with a projected surplus of $56.5 million, which should be sufficient to cover future cost overruns. While I support these actions, it is important that the council pays close attention to cost as well as how this plan is carried out. I would push for the council to have regular, detailed updates on the progress and for it to keep the public informed.
How can the county settle an outstanding $40 million dispute over management of the program with the S.C. Department of Revenue?
The dispute with the Department of Revenue must be resolved to renew confidence both in the penny program itself as well as local contractors. I fully support the county operating in good faith and in a timely fashion to assertively work for a resolution. It is important to note that it is County Council’s job to oversee these funds. Whatever settlement it comes to with the Department of Revenue must be in the best interest of county taxpayers, must move the program forward and must ensure that controls are put in place to address the potential of similar questions being raised in the future. In addition, there should be an annual audit that is shared with the public and the Transportation Penny Advisory Committee should be strengthened to ensure accountability.
What are the top three issues in this campaign, and how specifically would you address them?
1. Management of tax dollars. To ensure prudent management of tax funds, we must have transparency throughout county government that informs taxpayers how their dollars are spent. We also need the sort of accountability that demands change if an expenditure or initiative fails. If elected to council, I would continue with the independent annual audit of every county department performed by a reputable accounting firm and publish the same on the county’s website. I also would demand that discussions about spending always be held in the open and not behind closed doors. We should not decide how the people’s money is spent when they are not looking.
2. “Smart” growth that prevents haphazard development. In Northeast Richland, housing and apartment development is occurring at a pace that makes it difficult for the current infrastructure, specifically roads, to accommodate the growth. While growth is good, that is not good growth; it is an expensive and inefficient process that eats up tax dollars and lessens quality of life. We must plan strategically to ensure that new and existing infrastructure can accommodate new development. I will work with builders and developers to encourage the kind of growth that enhances the quality of life for our citizens, while also ensuring that builders and developers remain profitable.
3. Public Transportation and Traffic Congestion. If minimal strategic planning in housing development has engendered burdensome traffic congestion, then minimally adequate public transportation has exacerbated the same. Without something as simple as turnouts for picking up commuters, a bus stopped on Forest Drive in the mornings or Two Notch Road during the afternoon rush hour could add several minutes to an arduous commute. With a population of over 400,000 people and growing, it is critical to have a modern transportation system that takes people of all stripes where they both want and need to go — whether that is to the doctor’s office, shopping, sporting and entertainment events or commutes to work. A metropolitan area of our size deserves a transportation system that helps boost the economy.
Tell us something important about you that you want voters to know.
Although I was born in Sumter, I am of, for and by Richland County. This is home; it is the place where I grew up in every sense of the phrase. I grew up in and attended public schools in southeast Richland County. I went to college and law school in Richland County. I started my career as a lawyer in Richland County. I met my wife, Sharon, got married and started a family in Richland County. I built a record of public service from providing access to justice for those with limited resources to keeping communities safe and protecting taxpayer dollars here in Richland County. I was entrusted with the administration of justice here in Richland County, and made impactful decisions in a fair and unbiased manner as a city judge. I started my own business, Stoney & Walker, LLC, here in Richland County, where we safeguard the legal rights of citizens and protect families, most of whom are Richland residents. Further, my daughter attends public school at Polo Road Elementary in District 8. As someone with deep, systemic ties who has lived in different parts of the county, I have a holistic view of Richland County and a vested interest in seeing every community of our beloved county thrive and prosper.
