12/13/07
The Race is On
Former Manning mayor to run for Dist. 2 council seat
By Cathy Gilbert

Following Clarendon County Council member Margaret Jackson’s announcement that she would not seek re-election next year, former City of Manning Mayor Jerry Robertson has announced his intention to run for that seat.
Filing for the June 10 primary opens at noon on March 17 and will close at noon on March 31.
Robertson is a native of Clarendon County, born in Gable. He was a member of the last graduating class of Black River High School in Gable in 1952. He is married to the former Margaret Eadon. The couple, which celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this summer, has two grown sons, James and Gerald, and four grandchildren.
Robertson was an executive with Southern Coatings for 26 years. He retired from the company in 1996 and now serves as a consultant in the industry.
He served as Manning Councilman for two years and Manning Mayor from 1996 to 2000.
“As a council, we worked very well together and were very committed to improving the city’s finances and growing our infrastructure systems.”
During Robertson’s tenure as mayor the Council eliminated all short term debt, funded all reserves and created a comfortable financial cushion. The groundwork was completed and construction began on supplying water and sewer to Alcolu.
“I want to help with Clarendon County’s growth,” Robertson said, praising the forward momentum that the current council has managed over the past several years.
“There are great things on our horizon,” Robertson said. “I am deeply committed to seeing that momentum continue. I will be available to our citizens and business leaders 24/7.”
Robertson said he is particularly interested in Clarendon’s growing retiree community.
“These folks bring a wealth of resources to our county, not only financial, but in their time and talents as well,” he said. “I believe we should aggressively promote our county as a desirable retirement location. They are a positive addition to Clarendon County.”
Robertson noted that while retirees are valuable assets to the community, they require few of the county’s services.
“Retirees generally do not have children in the school system, rarely require law enforcement services and pump dollars into our local economy,” he said. “They are great neighbors.”
Robertson also has a special interest in seeing the county take advantage of its historical resources.
“Great history has happened right here in Clarendon County,” Robertson said, referring to the Briggs vs. Elliott decision which was the genesis of the landmark school desegregation case, Brown vs. the Board of Education. “That is a part of our history that sets us apart from most of the nation and should be celebrated more fully.”
“Historical tourism is a huge market in today’s travel industry and we have much to offer,” Robertson said. “From Briggs vs. Elliott, to our role in the Revolutionary War and our beautiful Murals Trail, Clarendon County could be a major draw to history buffs, a group that is rapidly growing.”
Robertson is a member of Manning United Methodist Church and currently serves as president of the Clarendon County Historical Society. He has served on the boards of the Municipal Association of South Carolina and the Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments.