From Staff Reports

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. – Four incumbents were re-elected — and one newcomer elected — to Travelers Rest City Council on Nov. 7.

The four incumbents re-elected to council are Kelly Byers, 344 votes; Shaniece Criss, 341 votes; Sherry Marrah, 341 votes; and Grant Bumgarner, 328 votes.

Meanwhile, in a special election to fill former council member Rick Floyd’s vacancy, Catherine Stanford James defeated Jeffrey Hyten, 403-80 votes.

“Floyd recently moved out of Travelers Rest city limits, prompting the special election to fill the seat for the remainder of the term, which runs until January 2025, the website www.trtribune.com reported.

“James, a Furman University graduate who has lived in Travelers Rest with her husband for about 19 years, is a senior vice president of marketing and brand strategy at Greenville Federal Credit Union. She serves on the board of directors for Roper Mountain Science Center Association, as a board member for Greenville County Schools Foundation, and as a Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year judge.

“According to a recent interview, James’ priorities include fostering sensible growth, enhancing and improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, protecting and prioritizing green spaces, and preserving the city’s sense of community and connection.”

Travelers Rest “is not just a beautiful town that serves as a gateway to the northern part of the county, it’s a friendly and welcoming, close-knit, giving community,” James said. “The people of Travelers Rest are truly what make this community so special, and if you have lived here for any amount of time, you feel it.” trtribune.com quoted her as saying.