Columbians face an open mayoral election with no incumbent on April 6 – something we have not seen in 20 years. The national debate raging over the role of the public sector versus the private sector has implications for the direction of our city. Columbia, predominately known as a government town, needs to work harder at becoming a business and entrepreneurial town. The next mayor will play a vital role in leading this city toward or away from that direction.

State government, Fort Jackson and USC have long been the underpinnings of Columbia’s economy, which has kept this city somewhat recession-proof until now.

With an unemployment rate of more than 10 percent, Columbians can no longer rely on its past resiliency to national down cycles. Government has been cutting back along with the private sector. More than 20 percent of Columbia’s workforce is employed by the government, compared to Raleigh’s five percent. Columbia is not Raleigh, but the two cities have similarities: Southeastern capital cities and home to big universities. Raleigh, however, has a vibrant private sector that creates a fertile environment for a high standard of living that consistently ranks the city as a top national location to live and work.

The next mayor should take an aggressive role in transforming Columbia’s economy from a heavy reliance on the public sector to a more balanced economy fueled by the private sector. Even though we have a mayor-council form of government that weakens the mayor’s office, the right person can be a strong mayor and take the lead in pursuing this goal. The mindset of creating public government projects that will attract businesses needs to be jettisoned and replaced with a mindset of nurturing a favorable environment that is conducive to attracting and growing businesses. Lowering the cost of managing a business and reducing regulations and governmental interference will help Columbia to grow organically, raising the standard of living in this community that has lagged the national average in per capita income.

Tea parties, rancorous town hall meetings and the election of Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown reflect the independent American attitude of liberty that has served this country well. Most Americans just want the government to protect them and get out of the way. The American Revolution Gadsden flag depicting a coiled rattlesnake with the inscription “Don’t Tread On Me” nicely sums up the mood of the country in regards to the ever-expanding role of government in our economy and in our lives. Columbia has the opportunity to take a fresh approach – April 6 is your chance.

Sincerely,

Henry Clay
Publisher