'I'm a blue-collar candidate': Mayoral candidate talks growth, vision for Pembroke

Sharroll Fanslau grew up in Jasonville, Indiana, a small town with just one traffic light. The state highway ran right through downtown and neighbors were always there for each other.

Pembroke and Jasonville are a lot alike, which is why Fanslou has grown to love the Bryan County seat. The girl from the Midwest knows how much rural America means to residents, which is why the mayoral candidate is determined to preserve small-town living and values in Pembroke.

Here is what to know.

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'I want to serve this community'

Fanslau is no stranger to the community, having spent five years working for the Downtown Development Authority in Pembroke and four as the city’s clerk.

Her time in city hall, however, was short-lived.

According to the settlement agreement between Fanslau and the City of Pembroke, "Her position as city clerk and treasurer for the City of Pembroke, Georgia terminated as of Sept. 1, 2020.”

The city told the Georgia Department of Labor the “Claimant seriously violated the procurement policy when she used the City of Pembroke’s credit card to purchase $1,600 of gift cards at what she thought was the request of her son-in-law when in fact, it was a phishing or scam scheme.”

According to Fanslau, her son-in-law Kelly Price, was the former lieutenant for the Pembroke Police Department, from whom she thought the request to purchase the cards came.

The city also told the Georgia Department of Labor, “The city auditor discovered for the second year in a row the reconciliation of accounts were not made, year end balances for 2019 were not in balance, that fees were not properly accounted for and lease proceeds were not recorded, which were her duties…”

Fanslau insists she resigned from the position. The city agreed to pay her $35,000 as part of a settlement agreement.

Despite it all, Fanslau said she wants to return to the community she came to know and love and holds no ill will toward anyone in office past or present.

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'I'm a blue-collar candidate'

Fanslau has support from residents like Miranda Price, who believe her experience in the financial sector will be beneficial as mayor. Fanslau worked at Heritage Bank before coming on board with the city.

“Sharroll Fanslau is a great candidate in my opinion because rather than growth for her own gain, she’s interested in growth for the betterment of this community," said Price. "She has a strong, extensive financial background, therefore, [she] would be terrific when it comes to budgeting realistically.”

Although retired now, Fanslau said she can relate to middle-class families who work tirelessly to put food on the table.

“During my 18 years being here in the city, I see a lot of things that could be improved upon,” said Fanslau. “I'm what I consider a blue-collar candidate. I've always had to work for everything I have.”

If elected, her first order of business would be to improve upon the town’s lack of affordable housing options.

“We have low-income residents who need lower priced homes and apartments,” said Fanslou. “Some of these same residents have homes that are in bad condition and could benefit by having assistance to update their current homes. I would like to look into grants that would be available to those in need.”

During her time as a member of the DDA, the team put on a 5K run, a spring yard sale and events for local artists to showcase their work. Those are just some of the way’s Fanslau worked to bring the community together.

“I'd like to see our activities for our seniors and our youth, especially with families,” said Fanslau. “We really don't have anything. You have to go out of town to enjoy doing anything as a family.”

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'We need new vision'

Fanslau is also concerned about the lack of job opportunities in the area, saying residents who do not have transportation need access to educational opportunities to better themselves.

“If you don't have the funds or the ability to get grants as a family, then you're just kind of out there in a job where you make minimum wage and go on,” said Fanslau. “I'd like to see a technical college of some sort that gives the graduating kids a reason to stay and the benefit of being here without having to worry about transportation.”

According to datausa.io, Pembroke’s poverty rate is 13.6%. Fanslau envisions Pembroke being a place where residents can thrive for a lifetime.

“I think the working class has been forgotten,” said Fanslau. “We are going to grow, that is inevitable. We just need to do it the right way and provide a small-town feel for our citizens. We don't need 1,000 businesses. We need maybe 30 or 40 businesses along the whole town at the most and get opportunities for our young people and our seniors to be able to do something.”

Pembroke is a stone’s throw away from Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, Georgia’s largest economic development in state history. Laborers will need a place to live and a host of other amenities to support their quality of life.

“We need new vision for the growth that is coming so we grow as we want while maintaining our small-town atmosphere and charm,” said Fanslau. “I believe fresh eyes and strong vision will benefit our community. I’m a blue-collar candidate and would be honored to work with our citizens.”

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Sharroll Fanslau running for mayor of Pembroke