Stringfellow returns to mayor's office

The order of succession in the Chester mayor's office will now read Foster, Stringfellow, Foster, Stringfellow.
In Tuesday's municipal election, former Mayor Wanda Stringfellow defeated incumbent Mitch Foster by a count of 579 to 503. Stringfellow defeated Foster in 1999, then fended off a close challenge from him (by three votes) in 2003. Foster defeated Stringfellow to reclaim the office in 2007.
Stringfellow said the most important issue facing the city is quality of life, which is directly tied to the economy, she said. She said she hopes to see the city partner with the county's economic development office.
"We need to partner with them to help the city re-blossom," Stringfellow said. "That will help businesses grow and put our citizens back to work. We want a good quality of life for people."
Stringfellow also said that people were able to see through the "propaganda in the newspaper" to realize that the city had unfinished business.
"They want to see that business finished under the leadership of Wanda Stringfellow," she said.
Stringfellow said she hopes that young people, like her daughter, will get to the point that they want to come back to Chester after finishing college. Right now, with limited opportunities, many do not, she said.
Foster joked that he planned to consult the Guinness Book of Records to see if he can earn a spot.
"I've served three non-consecutive terms as mayor. I don't know of anyone else that's done that," Foster said.
Foster said he would not be adding to that record. Tuesday's election was his last for a city office, he said. He said he may consider running for some other office in the future.
"I had a good 20-year run on council and as mayor," Foster said. "But it's time for someone else to assume the mantle."
Foster said he congratulated Stringfellow on her win and said he would be praying for the City of Chester. He said he was disappointed in the low turnout, which he figures hurt his chances some. Things happen for a reason, though, he said. He said he was proud of what was accomplished in the past four years. When he assumed office, the city was several years behind on its audits. No one was exactly sure how much money the city even had. The books are clean now, he said, and the city itself is cleaner, with the old Thomas and Howard building and the Springsteen Mill having been cleaned up in the past few years.
Stringfellow was sworn in yesterday and will preside over a meeting on Monday.

Travis Jenkins

Wanda Stringfellow is sworn in as mayor of the City of Chester on Thursday.

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