Former Columbia, SC council member supports Devine for mayor
Mayor for all of us. That’s why I support Tameika Isaac Devine for mayor of the city of Columbia.
I am a former member of Columbia City Council, where I served for 20 years, and I continue to be engaged in Columbia’s future. I served on City Council when Tameika was first elected and worked closely with her for 6 years.
She always served with passion, commitment, and clarity of vision for our city. I saw these traits firsthand as she collaborated with both the business community and neighborhoods to solve problems and propose new initiatives.
Her approach to bringing people together is an essential characteristic for a new mayor.
I have never seen someone grasp the mission and goals of leadership so well like Tameika. She is laser-focused on public safety, neighborhood development, economic empowerment and more.
Under her leadership, she has been a key part of leading us through challenges such as the 2015 flood and last year’s demonstrations.
In her role as an at-large City Councilwoman, she was the driving force behind the establishing the criminal domestic court, specialized courts for people who are homeless, and for people who face mental illness.
She has been an advocate for continued improvements in the Vista area and other commercial hubs in our city.
Tameika knows the importance of our city’s quality of life including opportunities for healthy activities, such as parks and bike lanes, and establishing strategies to address food deserts. She knows the importance of the arts to our city, and works to provide opportunities for more dance, music, theater, and visual art.
Tameika recognizes cities are multi-faceted and she is the best person to respond to the various aspects of our city and to bring us together.
Another major reason I support Councilwoman Devine in her run for mayor is her unique understanding of our community, our challenges, and our opportunities. As a small business owner, she understands the tenacity needed to start a business and to thrive in Columbia. As a wife and mother, education and building safer communities for our families are paramount to her.
I admire her ability to not just act when an issue becomes pertinent or urgent, but also to listen to the citizens of Columbia about their personal experiences.
Tameika hosts monthly open houses as a councilwoman to hear concerns and input from fellow citizens. She not only listens, but she acts to address concerns people share and to explore ideas people share with her.
Tameika works with us and for us. When she makes a promise, we can count on her to follow through on it. Her word is her bond, and Tameika works daily with citizens to move our city forward block by block. Her service and responsiveness is unmatched when compared to her opponents.
Tameika’s influence on Columbia is undeniable and recognized beyond our city. She represents our city well through her service on Women in Municipal Government, the National League of Cities, and SC Women in Leadership.
There’s no other candidate I trust to lift Columbia toward being a safer, more resilient, and successful city than Tameika Isaac Devine.
Her leadership, knowledge, and deep understanding of the challenges facing our city will help her to create a better future for all citizens. I urge each of you to join with me and vote on Nov. 2 for Tameika Isaac Devine to be our next mayor.
Anne Sinclair, a former Columbia City Council Member, is owner of Anne Sinclair Consulting.
