Congressman Buddy Carter welcomes new Pooler mayor, council in inauguration

Pooler held their inauguration of the new mayor and council to a packed room of family, friends and loved ones. Of the guests present was U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, who grew up in Port Wentworth before eventually serving on Pooler city council and as mayor himself.

He took a moment to thank Stevie Wall and Rebecca Mayor, who were both on council when he was mayor, and both had served the City of Pooler for 26 years.

He also highlighted Michael Carpenter and Wesley Bashlor, who couldn't make it due to illness. Both are newcomers to council.

"I would be remiss if I did not note that we were very fortunate this past year to get $16 million in grants from the federal government for growth here in Pooler," Carter said. "That is extremely important. Infrastructure is extremely important. I've often said that the City of Pooler is a city rich in heritage and tradition, but I still feel that our greatest times are perhaps in ahead of us."

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Councilmembers Tom Hutcherson, Shannon Valim, John Wilcher, Aaron Higgins and Carpenter and Mayor Karen Williams were all sworn in before each giving a speech, thanking the residents, their friends and families, and urging them to participate in the future of Pooler.

"Your diverse perspectives and your experiences are the strength of the city," Higgins said in his speech. "I'm not here to represent you from an ivory tower, rather, we stand together as the architects of a future that mirrors the richness and aspirations of our city. Let's turn that vision into reality. Not just through me, but through your ongoing environment."

Williams also thanked Wall and Benton for their years of service, as well as the dignitaries from visiting cities and the county.

"I am not just thankful for the opportunity to serve as your mayor, but I'm humbled and honored," Williams said. "I am committed to creating a future for Pooler where it's not only cooler in Pooler, but Pooler is a class of its own."

Benton said that she was sad to be out of local government for the first time in over two decades, but she's happy she doesn't have to worry about the city.

"I hope they'll continue to work hard, and they're going to have to work on that traffic," Benton said. "They need to get after all the state and local and federal officials that can help them get money for the roads, because that's the only thing that's going to help the traffic."

Pooler has been experiencing explosive growth for over a decade, with new commercial and residential developments sprouting along Pooler Parkway. During lunchtime on a weekday, or in the morning and evening the traffic on Pooler Parkway is bumper to bumper, and a large source of headache for Pooler residents. Many fear it will only get worse as more growth is expected to come.

It's also a sign of Pooler's growth that Valim remains the only city council member to serve for more than four years. Valim has been on Pooler City Council for the past 16 years, while the other council members are new, Carpenter and Bashlor, or have only been on council since 2020, Wilcher, Hutcherson, Higgins, Williams. Historically, Pooler has always reseated incumbents.

Between 2011, when all six council members were incumbents, and 2019, a flood of 6,400 people came rushing into Pooler, and four incumbents were unseated in the that election. Since then, Pooler's population is creeping up to 30,000 compared to the nearly 20,000 in 2011.

Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at dambus@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Pooler welcomes new mayor, council in inauguration