Cottageville, Lodge, Edisto elect leaders

The Colleton County towns of Cottageville, Edisto Beach and Lodge held elections Tuesday.

In Cottageville, the two candidates who opposed Mayor George White's expansion plans won council seats. An incumbent who supported the mayor's vision to expand the water and sewer system to draw more businesses lost.

Newcomer Debbie McMillen, who owns a cleaning service, was the top finisher with 34 percent of the votes in Tuesday's unofficial results. Former Councilman Jimmie Ramsey, a detention officer who lost a re-election bid two years ago, got the second seat with 30 percent of the votes.

They both opposed the expansion plans and called for smaller government.

Councilwoman Peggy Thomas, who has served three terms, lost her seat with 21 percent of the votes. Carl Null, a retired truck driver running as a write-in candidate, got 15 percent. They both favored the expansion plans.

Edisto Beach voters chose two council members. The winners were Babe Hutto, with 41 percent of the votes, and Tommy Mann, with 40 percent. Jane Darby got 19 percent.

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Lodge Mayor Roy Fender didn't file to run but was re-elected as a write-in candidate, according to unofficial results from the Colleton County Office of Elections.

Two other write-in candidates, Larry Carter and Brenda Connelly, won the two open council seats.

The election commission could not say what percentage of the vote they got Tuesday night because there were so many other write-in candidates.

Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.