Williamston Town Councilman Otis Scott announced this week that he does plan to run for re-election to the Ward 4 Council seat he presently holds.Scott said he was planning to announce that he would not be seeking reelection, but changed his mind after speaking with his pastor and praying about the decision. His pastor told him to think about “all you have done for the town” and prayed that he would make the right decision.
“If the citizens see fit to elect me again, I would be more than proud to serve them to the best of my knowledge and ability,” Scott said.
“It is hard to get things done but you have to try with help from the Lord. I pray and if it is not right for the citizens, because it belongs to them, I won’t support it.”
Scott said he wants to see the town grow and new businesses to come in.
“I am looking forward to seeing the town go forward, and seeing some of the rumors about new business that are interested in opening in Williamston come true.”
One example is Walmart.
“For three years we’ve heard that Walmart is coming and is supposed to come again. People are being let down,” he said. “I am worried it will be another Spinx.”
Spinx gas station was a business that the community and town officials thought was a sure thing, which didn’t happen.
“I would like to see our town grow,” Scott said. “There is not much room in our downtown. It will have to be on the outskirts of town.”
“I would love to see something done with dilapidated houses to make them a lot more presentable so they don’t look so bad on the community. It doesn’t seem like we get anything done on this.”
Scott said he is definitely against a tax increase or any kind or a fee increase on citizens.
“I enjoy working with the employees of the town,” he said. “We have some of the best of any small town,” he said. “I don’t tell them how to do their job. It is up to the mayor and public works director to do that.”
“I don’t agree with everything they do but I will voice my opinion and we can still work together. Even though you don’t agree, you have to do that as an elected official,” he said. “If we don’t pull together the town is going nowhere.”
Scott said he would also like to see the town get more money from the county and Anderson County Transportation Committee for paving streets.
Scott is a lifelong resident of Wiliamston. He and his wife Gail (Morgan) have been married for 47 years.
They have one daughter, ,Tonya McAbee and son in law Chris McAbee and two grand-daughters, Mallory and Adrianna.
He is a lifelong member of Big Creek Baptist Church where he has seved as Chairman of Deacons and Sunday School director.
Scott is retired.
He is currently serving his second term on council.
He was elected to council for one term, then ran unsuccessfully for mayor, and was reelected to the current four year term.
