Letters: Duvall has experience, character Columbia needs

Howard Duvall is clearly the best qualified candidate for the at-large Columbia City Council seat.

He was director of intergovernmental relations and then executive director, for 16 years, of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, where he acquired a vast amount of experience on municipal issues and became the state’s leading and most-sought-after expert by city governments.

I got to know Howard while fighting with him for financial responsibility and accountability at City Hall. His character is outstanding, and he has confirmed that he will make every effort to stop frivolous spending and focus on the essential needs of Columbia: infrastructure, police/fire/EMS and the arts.

We have some big issues in Columbia, and experienced leaders are needed now more than ever. Billions of FEMA dollars are coming into the city. We need a watchdog with experience to make sure this money is spent wisely.

We must stop electing people for reasons other than experience and character.

I urge voters to elect Howard Duvall to City Council.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 3:19 AM.