Florence’s Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin Reflects on 14 Years of Leadership and Hopes for the Future

Florence’s Mayor Bids Farewell: Celebrating Accomplishments and Expressing Future Hopes

Florence, S.C. – In a heartfelt press conference held on Tuesday morning at the City Council Chambers, outgoing Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin reflected on her 14 years of service, sharing significant projects and challenges that have marked her tenure in office. With a bright smile, she reiterated her love for the city and the potential it holds, stating, “Moving Florence forward. Stronger together. Better together.”

Completion of a Wonderful Journey

As Myers Ervin prepares to make her exit, with an inauguration ceremony set for her successor, Lethonia “Peaches” Barnes, she couldn’t help but celebrate the remarkable economic strides made during her administration. One standout achievement is the AESC plant, a facility specializing in high-performance batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. This game-changing development is expected to bring around 1,100 jobs to the area, showcasing the positive impact of collaborative efforts between the city, county, and state.

Exciting Developments on the Horizon

Excitement buzzes as Myers Ervin hinted at more economic developments in the pipeline. “We have economic projects that are on the books already,” she promised, indicating that the community can expect announcements in the coming weeks and months. She emphasized that a productive partnership between city, county, and state government has propelled the city into an era of growth.

A Stride Backwards?

But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Myers Ervin brought up her concerns regarding community representation. With her departure, she noted that the city council will lack representation from some areas, particularly from the Community Block Development Grant regions. “When it comes to representation… when I step down, there will be no one on this council who lives in those areas—no one. That’s movement backwards.” She stressed the importance of diverse representation to ensure all voices in the community are heard.

Keeping the Candle Burning

As her time in office draws to a close, Myers Ervin expressed a wish for the current council to uphold transparency and openness. When pressed about attending Barnes’s inauguration later that evening, she mentioned, “I will not be present. I was not formally invited.” Nonetheless, she remains hopeful about Florence’s future, stating, “I will still be a community mayor and activist.”

A Lasting Commitment to Florence

Even though she won’t hold the title of mayor any longer, Myers Ervin reinstated her commitment to serving the community. “I’m a servant leader. I don’t need a title to allow me to do the things I’m called to do.” With this, she makes it clear that her love and dedication to Florence will persist.

The community may bid farewell to a beloved figure in politics, but with the promising developments announced and a continued commitment to uplifting the voices of all residents, Florence appears to be stepping boldly into a bright future.