CONWAY — Managing growth and improving downtown parking are among the central issues in the race for three Conway City Council seats.
Visitors walk by historic Conway City Hall on March 25. Richard Caines/Staff
Incumbents Amanda Butler, William Goldfinch and Beth Helms are joined on the ballot by challenger Tonya Robinson. The election is Nov. 4.
Here’s a snapshot of each candidate:
Amanda Butler
Butler, 40, has served one term on city council. She is a special education teacher and girls basketball coach at Conway High School.
Butler has a degree in sociology and a minor in biological sciences from Clemson University, a master of divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, and a master of arts in teaching (special education) from Francis Marion University.
The three most important issues to her are population growth, infrastructure and economic development.
Butler supports small businesses as well as bringing larger brands to the area. She said that the reality is that council cannot stop development, but city leaders work hard to design strict guidelines and standards for the city.
Butler said a parking garage would be beneficial to the city, but finding the right location is crucial as she wants to preserve the beauty and historic feel of downtown.
When it comes to flooding, Butler said that the city needs to make sure residents understand the flood zones and when their property could be at risk. She said city staff works throughout the year to maintain drainage systems and remove debris to ensure floodwater flows out quickly.
“It is my desire to continue to be a voice for the community and to represent all of the citizens of Conway with transparency and integrity,” Butler said.
William Goldfinch
Goldfinch, 44, has served 15 years on city council. He also spent four years on the city planning commission.
Goldfinch earned a business administration degree from the University of South Carolina and is a financial advisor in Conway.
He said the top issues facing Conway are growth, traffic and infrastructure.
Goldfinch said Conway can continue to manage growth by maintaining high building standards and ensuring developments are sensitive to flooding.
Last year, Goldfinch served as the vice chairman and Conway representative of the RIDE IV Commission, which developed the latest countywide road-building program. During his time on the commission, Goldfinch said he fought to get the city more tax money to improve local roads and infrastructure.
Goldfinch said council is exploring options to address the need for more downtown parking, including a possible parking deck that would blend with the surrounding area.
He said his experience on city council has shown him what works and what doesn’t.
“I love Conway to its core, and I want it to remain the sort of vibrant and successful community that my two boys will want to call home when they grow up,” Goldfinch said. “I take this job seriously and give my best effort to make decisions that are in the best long-term interest of Conway.”
Beth Helms
Helms, 57, has served one term on city council.
Helms graduated from Conway High School. At Clemson University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in management and minored in real estate and finance. She works as a field supervisor at the Horry County Assessor’s Office.
Her focus is on public safety, infrastructure and growth.
Helms said she would like to see a drug and gang task force formed to help make the community safer.
She emphasized that thoughtful planning is key when it comes to managing growth. She said she works closely with city officials to make sure that new developments align with the city’s capacity for infrastructure and public safety services.
Helms said the city has stricter building standards than the county and has focusing on lowering density. She said those regulations help Conway manage growth responsibly and she hopes to build on them.
She also wants to make sure any new projects don’t worsen flooding in existing neighborhoods.
Helms said the council needs to continue working with state and county officials to improve drainage systems and protect natural floodplains.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand how our community has grown and changed over the past 57 years — and I couldn’t be more proud to call it home,” Helms said. “I’m dedicated to serving on city council because I care deeply about our shared future.”
Tonya Robinson
Robinson, 57, is an empowerment coach/stylist and Realtor. She is a Conway High School graduate and attended Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
Robinson has served on boards and committees for organizations such as Careteam Plus, Habitat for Humanity and the Palmetto Literacy Council.
One of Robinson’s top priorities is supporting workforce housing. She said many households make too much to qualify for housing subsidies but still cannot afford market-rate housing.
Robinson said the people who keep the city running, including teachers and service workers, are being priced out of the market.
Another focus of Robinson’s campaign is homelessness and public safety. She said the city needs a “service-first” approach that will build relationships, not just pursue enforcement.
“When people experiencing homelessness are connected with housing and services rather than policing, public safety improves,” Robinson said.
To keep up with growth, Robinson said the city will have to expand and update roads and storm drainage.
In addition to investing in a parking garage, Robinson said Conway should prioritize sidewalks, bike lanes and public transit links.
“My goal is to make sure Conway remains a place where families can thrive, small businesses can grow, and where children can see opportunity in the community they call home,” Robinson said.
