This just in from Columbia’s mayor-elect, Steve Benjamin:
Columbia, SC – In his continuing effort to bring together a broad cross-section of business, government, neighborhood, and community leaders to help address the key challenges facing our city, Columbia Mayor-elect Steve Benjamin today announced his four Transition Team Co-Chairs as:· Former Mayor Pro-Tem and Richland County Bar Association President Luther Battiste.· CoastalStates Bank Executive Vice President & Managing Director and Midlands Technical College Trustee Robert Dozier.· Internet pioneer, entrepreneur, and director of TheRackesGroup Barbara Rackes.· Recognized community leader and Columbia Council of Neighborhoods President Bessie Watson.“Last month, the people of Columbia elected me to bring new ideas, new leadership, and change to City Hall,” Benjamin said. “We have set the bar high. But I am confident that the expertise and dedication these four exceptional men and women bring to this effort will exceed our expectations.”The four Transition Team Co-Chairs are tasked with making an assessment of the city government’s ability to effectively address citizens’ needs and, in consultation with fellow committee members and city staff, to make recommendations and deliver a report to the Mayor and Council by July 1st.“This is an opportunity to take stock in the past and to look forward to the challenges ahead,” Benjamin explained. “It’s an opportunity to identify our obstacles while build a consensus so we can overcome them together.”A full transition committee list including each committee’s chair is expected later this week.Benjamin was elected on April 20th in a record turnout election and will be sworn in as Mayor of Columbia on June 30.