Citizens of West Columbia will elect four members of the city council this fall, but only one race has more than one candidate running for the seat.
In District 1, Councilman Mike Green faces a challenge from engineer Pete Fisher for a four-year term on the city council. District 1 covers the southwestern corner of the city, between Highway 1 and Airport Boulevard.
Three other council incumbents — Casey Hallman, Erin Porter and Mickey Pringle — are all running unopposed for re-election. Hallman had an opponent, Joe Fitzgerald, file to run against her earlier in September, but Fitzgerald has since withdrawn from the race.
Pete Fisher Provided
Pete Fisher
Age: 59
Occupation: Engineer
Education: Masters in Engineering
Prior political or civic experience: Worked with Federal, State, County City officials along with volunteering on disaster relief, feeding the homeless, and coaching. Volunteer work disaster relief, feeding homeless, coach, fundraisers.
So that your voice will be heard if you are a senior, working person, trying to raise a family, student, or business owner... and for our kids, our future.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
Aligning city budget with current priorities and funding. Infrastructure projects for future generations. Eliminating waste and mismanagement.
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
Decision making as an engineer being able to impartially determine where problems exist and propose viable solutions and timely implementation.
What current practice or policy of the city would you preserve or enhance? Why?
Landscaping. The work they have done enhances the city and creates a friendly environment improving the quality of life.
Mike Green Provided
Mike Green
Age: 50
Occupation: Real Estate Investor
Education: College Graduate, Bob Jones University
Prior political or civic experience: West Columbia City Council
We are in the middle of the largest economic boom we have seen in West Columbia in a very long time. It’s these times where we need to make sure we are fiscally conservative with every taxpayer dollar, just in case of a rainy day. I plan to continue pushing for open and transparent government that is accountable and accessible to the people it serves. Being a small businessman, I am a fiscal budget hawk and a stickler for a good user experience. And as a conservative I believe in limited government.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
1. District 1 has very visible entry points to West Columbia that have the highest car counts in the entire city. Some of these gateways have no landscaping or beautification, particularly the I-26/US 1 ramp. Now is the time to push for landscaping here.
2. Local businesses are very important to our local economy. We have to put emphasis on providing tools so they thrive. We need to attract thriving new businesses to our city. We also must never stop trying to help the businesses that are here.
3. A Performance Audit/Efficiency study of the city Government is needed. We need to see if we have enough employees or if there is a way, we can do more with automation.
4. Finally-and this is very important-We have to continue the fight to make our city litter free. Our roadways and in our communities are full of trash, and it is not acceptable. I have worked to get citizens involved in picking up trash. We had over 200 people who picked up several tons of trash at no cost.
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
I bring a businessman’s perspective to city government and I look at it through a Constitutional lens. As a private businessman, I know return on investment keeps things afloat. Money isn’t everything, but in our capitalist society, human problems are solved by money well spent. I also am extremely diligent and verify that things are working. I know I need to check things out for myself and don’t always rely on someone’s word. I believe that government first and foremost should work. I always look to see if a new ordinance is allowed under the U.S. Constitution and the State Constitution. If it is not, I will not vote for it, it’s that simple. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of South Carolina. I have a strong personal belief in God, Country and family.
What current practice or policy of the city would you preserve or enhance? Why?
I want to continue to see our water system modernized. As a council we have committed over $60 million dollars to this very important task, making sure we do not have water line breaks and to make sure the sewer does not have an overflow. It is imperative that we continue to have safe, reliable drinking water. West Columbia provides water for about half of Lexington County. That is not always an easy task and not one to be taken lightly. It is very important we deliver the highest quality fresh water we can.
A great tradition we are building in West Columbia is that we may have a council with different backgrounds and different beliefs, but we are civil and professional. We all have respect and no one is yelling and screaming. We might have frank, honest disagreements, but we can all be a group working to the common good. While our national leaders are fighting in the media, we are working every day. City Government touches your life nearly every way- this is why they say “All Politics is Local”. We provide you water, sewer, police, fire, trash service and we do it the most efficient way possible. It would be my pleasure to serve another term and continue the important work of making all your interactions with West Columbia better.
Bristow Marchant covers local government, schools and community in Lexington County for The State. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2007. He has almost 20 years of experience covering South Carolina at the Clinton Chronicle, Sumter Item and Rock Hill Herald. He joined The State in 2016. Bristow has won numerous awards, most recently the S.C. Press Association’s 2024 education reporting award. Support my work with a digital subscription
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