Runoff for Guyton's mayor will set stage for city's response to growth pressures
The battle for the top spot in Guyton City Hall continues.
Sitting Mayor Russ Deen and office manager Andy Harville will square off in a runoff Dec. 5 as neither candidate reached 50% plus one vote Nov. 7.
Guyton is on the brink of a historical election as each candidate’s view will shape how the town progresses in the coming years.
Harville wants to bring “transparency and communication” to city hall, while Deen is focused on providing more resources for residents, such as the YMCA.
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But there are bigger issues looming in the rural town that sits on the north end of the county.
With impending growth from the Hyundai EV and battery plant and developers itching to put up rooftops, mitigating large commercial and industrial properties will be key to building trust with residents.
Here is what to know.
Deen, Harville ready for runoff
Deen said he is proud of the work he and his staff have accomplished over the past four years. If reelected, the next four years will be geared toward finishing what he started, like getting the town's water and sewer issues resolved and expanding recreation opportunities.
"I still have things I want to accomplish," said Deen. "I think we have done a good job so far. As far as my campaign pitch goes, I'm going to continue to talk to people. I enjoy talking to residents because it gives me an opportunity to share my ideas and hear theirs."
Harville is looking for a shot at redemption as he came close to nabbing the seat.
The runoff did not come as a surprise to him, and although a little more than 500 people voted out of nearly 1,900 eligible voters, Harville said those numbers are higher than usual.
“I was very surprised at how the numbers were fairly even across the board,” said Harville. “For each candidate to get over 30% of the vote is unusual. Municipal elections have notoriously low turnouts. In the past, Guyton has had as few as 200-250 votes cast. I feel that the people really wanted to be heard in this election and showed up.”
Still, with so many residents inactive Election Day, both candidates need every vote they can get.
“My plan moving forward is to keep up the momentum we've gained so far and get the people back out to the polls for the runoff,” said Harville. “Whether you vote early or on Dec 5., you just need to vote.”
Guyton election pivotal for unincorporated residents
Nestled on 16 acres in the outskirts of Guyton, Debbie McIntosh can be found tending to her cat, chicken, pigs and a whopping 14 dogs.
“I can’t turn down a shelter animal,” said McIntosh.
While the picturesque views and tranquil vibes make for peaceful days, McIntosh does have one thing on her mind regarding the upcoming election.
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“The primary thing would be the planning and zoning committee,” said McIntosh. “When they are bringing in all this rental property, that increases the volume of people. It may bring in more taxes but it brings in more crime ― that type of thing has no boundary.”
Residents who live outside the city limits are invested in Guyton’s community but do not have any say-so in the election.
“It would be nice if they appoint someone that lives outside the city limits to provide feedback to the planning and zoning department because it does affect people that call Guyton home,” said McIntosh.
Harville said there will always be room for those residents who want a seat at the table.
“I welcome those members of the public to show up to city planning and zoning meetings and voice their thoughts, I welcome them to city meetings to join in the discussion,” said Harville.
Guyton has little-to-no spending options for residents, so most shop out of town. McIntosh said those dollars are getting away from Guyton.
“Guyton is not getting spendable tax dollars because folks are spending their money on dinner in Rincon or ordering groceries online and picking them up in Rincon,” said McIntosh. “I don’t see a lot of them spending their money in Guyton.”
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Some residents worry about the future of Guyton
Christina Pierre knows this year’s mayoral race could have major implications on the future of Guyton ― and her family.
“Most of us who live in the unincorporated area are fine and happy,” said Pierre. “One of the big things is that a couple of the mayoral candidates talked about annexing more land in the city. If they were to do that, it would change a lot of things. Right now, our property taxes are lower than what they would be if we lived in the city.”
She moved to Effingham County as a child after her mother became fed up with crime in Savannah and the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. Pierre fears her rural lifestyle will be stripped from her if warehouse developments and other infrastructure make its way to the northern end of the county.
“Growth is happening because of the ports and it’s coming out this way,” said Pierre. “It’s going all the way out to Bulloch County. Once the water and sewer system is fixed, that could lead to more residential properties coming our way.”
Pierre foreshadows Guyton becoming a key player in growth and development and admitted she would consider moving if industrial properties begin popping up.
“Trucks are coming on tiny roads that they are not supposed to be coming on,” said Pierre. “We are seeing more potholes, wash out and that is just the beginning.”
With Dec. 5 three weeks away, it is possible that a few or several hundred residents could determine the future for thousands of Guyton residents.
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: Guyton mayoral runoff is slated for Dec. 5
