For updated information about your voter registration status, check your polling location or view a sample ballot, visit scvotes.gov.

Locally, four Greenville County Council seats have contested primaries. Several other candidates are uncontested in the primary.

District 17*

Candidate: Joe Dill

Party: Republican

Job: Bailiff at Circuit Court and Minister of Music

Years on council: 24

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? Protecting farmland from being turned into subdivisions. Preserving our natural resources. Bringing public safety up to a standard that makes it competitive with others in South Carolina.

Any ordinances that allow builders to develop land that require taxpayers to foot the bill for the infrastructure improvements needed, for those subdivisions.

Candidate: John Ehlers

Party: Republican

Job: Master electrician

Years on council: 0

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? Slow down development in District 17. Lower property taxes and abolish property tax on homestead for retirees.

Candidate: Travis Forrester

Party: Republican

Job: School safety and security

Years on council: 0

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? If elected, my focus will be protecting the character of our communities while ensuring Greenville County grows responsibly. I will fight to improve infrastructure before approving large-scale development, protect taxpayers from unnecessary tax increases, and support public safety across our county. My career has been built on service and accountability, and I will bring that same mindset to County Council. I believe government should listen to the people, respect property rights, and make decisions that strengthen families, neighborhoods, and the future of Greenville County.

Candidate: James Hoard

Party: Republican

Job: Structural steel detailer

Years on council: 0

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? I plan to be a fiscal hawk. Preserving rural communities begins with fiscal discipline and keeping taxes low. Greenville County residents are taxed enough already; I will not vote for any new or increase in taxes. We must use the resources we have to once and for all fix roads and we must tackle the issue of development. We must tackle the lack of zoning in District 17. We need to use all the tools in our tool belt. We must continue to protect our future generations from pornography in county libraries. We must protect families.

District 23

Challenger: Angela Aiken

Party: Democrat

Job: Healthcare professional

Years on council: 0

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? If elected, my first priority is pushing County Council to adopt a coordinated affordable housing strategy, one that puts underutilized land, existing state/federal funding tools and community stakeholders at the center. Greenville County already has the ingredients. What’s missing is the will to pull them together. I will work to ensure that every housing dollar invested in this county builds wealth for long-time residents rather than displacing them. Affordable housing is not a talking point for me. It is something I have fought for from the ground up, and I will keep fighting for it from the inside.

Incumbent: Alan Mitchell

Party: Democrat

Job: Architecture

Years on c0uncil: 3; (I am in my 4th year of my 1st term)

What are you planning to work on in your next term? I plan to continue to work on affordable housing securities and transportation options. I will also continue to provide necessary services to my constituents. As for change, I will continue to work on improving how governmental and private entities cooperate on getting projects completed for the betterment of the citizens of Greenville County.

Challenger: David C. Mitchell

Party: Democrat

Job: Human resources

Years on council: 0

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? Developing affordable, accessible and attainable housing for low- to moderate-income families, by sustaining legacy minority communities that have been decimated by gentrification and taxation policies, which have displaced low- and moderate- income families by excessive taxation and home loss due to county tax policies.

Building and supporting an effective Transit Development Plan that creates a reliable public GTA/Greenlink transportation system that has dedicated funding sources to support green technology, on-time performance and modern equipment that facilitates a state-of-the-art bus transportation system

Council representation that focuses on smart growth and infrastructure that keeps pace with rapid growth and development.

District 26

Incumbent: Rick Bradley

Party: Republican

Job: President of R D Bradley Co.

Years on council: In my fourth year

What are you planning to work on in your next term? The Greenville County Comprehension Plan is one of the issues I will continue to focus on. The Comprehension Plan tells us where growth can be. The zoning ordinances tell us what can be built and the Land Development Regulates (LDRs) tell us how it can be built. Right now, they are not in alignment with one another. I have already started this process to align them. The result will make is much easier to manage our overwhelming growth and infrastructure problems here in District 26 as well as in the rest of Greenville County.

Challenger: Daniel Rumfelt

Party: Republican

Job: Manufacturing

Years on council: 0

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? With the primary coming my way, I pledge to improve the land development regulations in order to ensure sustainable development of Greenville County that is in sync with our infrastructure needs. At present, growth exceeds the capacity of roads, drainage systems, and public safety and people suffer as a result of this mismanagement. My efforts would be towards updating the land codes in our county, directing growth to areas which can accommodate it and ensuring proper planning of large projects. I would also like to create a conservation district in South Greenville to preserve rural living for generations to come.

District 28*

Candidate: Allen Kellett

Party: Republican

Job: Farmer and businessman

Years on council: 0

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? I want to bring fiscal responsibility to the council and transparency for the public. The major issue I will be working on is finding funds in the current budget to allocate to our road and bridge problems.

Candidate: Kyle Long

Party: Republican

Job: Pilot Lt Col USAF ret.

Years on council: 0

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? I am going to get the roads fixed without raising taxes. The current council budget was able to increase road repair spending four times more than had ever been spent in the past. I plan on making our infrastructure a priority while limiting the overgrowth. I will have good communication with my constituents and involve them in proposals that come before county council. I will be on every board I can be on to understand where our money is being spent while fixing inefficiencies. I will use discernment to understand the ramifications of every proposal.

*Incumbents Joey Russo (District 17) and Dan Tripp (District 28) are not running for reelection.

Uncontested county races

The uncontested Greenville County primary races include Chadwicke L. Groover (Republican) for probate judge; Scott Case (Republican) for auditor; Allen Hodges for county treasurer; Benton Blount (Republican) and Cody Dean (Democrat) for County Council District 19; and Thomas Sanders (Democrat) for County Council District 28.

Throughout Greenville County, eight Senate and 16 House seats are on the general election ballot with 11 contested races. S.C. Senate candidates Rex F. Rice (R-District 2), Tom Corbin (R-District 5), Jason Elliott (R-District 6), Karl B. Allen (D-District 7), and Shane Martin (R-District 13), and S.C. House candidates Neal Collins (R-District 5), Thomas Beach (R-District 10), Mark N. Willis (R-District 16), Mike Burns (R-District 17), Alan Morgan (R-District 18), Patrick Haddon (R-District 19), Bobby J. Cox (R-District 21) and Bill Chumley (R-District 35) are running unopposed.

***

Here are the other contested candidates on the ballot:

Governor

Republican

• Jacqueline Hicks DuBose
• Pamela Evette
• Joshua Kimbrell
• Nancy Mace
• Ralph W. Norman
• Rom Reddy
• Alan Wilson

Democrat

• Jermaine Johnson
• Mullins McLeod
• Billy Webster

***

Secretary of State

Democrat

• Jason Belton
• Edwina Winter

***

State Treasurer

Democrat

• Vincent Coe
• Trave Robertson Jr.

***

State Attorney General

Republican

• Stephen Goldfinch
• David M. Pascoe
• David Stumbo

***

State Comptroller General

Democrat

• Tiffany Boozer
• Bruce K. Cole

***

State Superintendent of Education

Democrat

• Lisa Ellis
• Sylvia Wright

***

State Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican

• Jeremy B. Cannon
• Danny Ford
• Cody Simpson
• Fred West

***

U.S. Senate

Republican

• Calvin Cowen
• Thomas Keith Dismukes
• Lindsey Graham
• Pat Herrmann
• Mark Lynch
• Darius L. Mitchell

Democrat

• Annie Andrews
• Brandon P. Brown
• Kyle Freeman

***

U.S. House

District 3

Democrat

• Eunice Lehmacher
• Ernest E. Mackins

District 4

Republican

• David Atchley
• Robert E. Lee
• William Timmons

***

State House

District 5

Republican

• Neal Collins
• Brandy Tarleton

Democrat

• David F. Jones

District 10

Republican

• Thomas Beach
• Stewart Watson

Democrat

• Thomas Stewart

District 21

Republican

• Heather Currie
• Dianne Mitchell

District 22

• Randolph Chuck Rhode Jr.
• Paul Wickensimer

District 24

Democrat

• Caroline Avinger
• Justin Sanders

District 25

Democrat

• Wendell Jones
• Derrick L. Quarles

***

While many races have contested primaries, multiple candidates are running unopposed for their party’s nomination.

Candidates in uncontested statewide primary races include: Michael A. Addison (United Citizens), Walid N. Hakim (Green) and Gary M. Votour (Workers) for governor; Mark Hammond (Republican) for secretary of state; Curtis Loftis (Republican) for state treasurer; Richard Hricik (Democrat) for attorney general; Mike Burkhold (Republican) for comptroller general; Baba Amin Ojuok (United Citizens) and Ellen Weaver (Republican) for state superintendent of education; DeShawn Blanding (Democrat), Chris Nelums (United Citizens) and Michael Sullens (Libertarian) for commissioner of agriculture; and Jason Elliot Brenkus (Libertarian), Mark Hackett (Constitution) and Kasie Whitener (Libertarian) for U.S. Senate.

The uncontested primary races for Upstate representatives include Sheri Biggs (Republican) and Brian Corriea (Libertarian) for U.S. House District 3; Jessica Ethridge (Libertarian) and Courtney McClain (Democrat) for U.S. House District 4; Lynn Ramirez (Democrat) and Mark N. Willis (Republican) for State House District 16; Mike Burns (Republican) and Rich Nicoloff (Democrat) for State House District 17; Virginia B. Maclure (Democrat) and Alan Morgan (Republican) for State House District 18; Patrick B. Haddon (Republican) and Rachel Smith (Democrat) for State House District 19; Polly Elbertse (Democrat) and Stephen D. Frank (Republican) for State House District 20; Dexter Reaves (Democrat) for State House District 21; Josh Kendrick (Democrat) for State House District 22; Chandra Dillard (Democrat) for State House District 23; and Bruce Bannister (Republican) for State House District 24.

The post Meet the candidates: Greenville County June 9 Primary appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

Advanced: $473.9M budget

Council voted 9 to 3 to advance an ordinance establishing a $473.9 million budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, including around $27 million for road maintenance.

The proposed budget was amended to include a 4% pay increase for all county employees. The ordinance previously planned for an average 2.5% pay increase for all county employees with an additional 2.5% for public safety workers.

This item will go before the Council for final approval on June 16.

Other items:

Council voted to approve or advance several items, including:

• Sending an ordinance regarding a referendum to establish a penny tax for roads to the Committee of the Whole. If approved, the referendum would appear on November’s ballot.
• The final reading of an ordinance to donate county-owned land to the Piedmont Public Service District. The 3.7-acre parcel in the area of Ridge Row and Langston streets near the Saluda River in Piedmont. The property will be used for recreation.

The post Greenville County advances $473M budget, penny sales tax referendum: Council Notes appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

While crafting her story, Lester found inspiration from an article about the Golden Age of Hollywood at the city’s Chateau Marmont.

Set in 1957, the story follows Aria Jones, a newly orphaned young woman who is sent to live with her aunt, a fading star who hides away in the hotel. Once there, Aria connects with two aspiring actresses, Calliope and Flitter.

However, Aria’s first few nights reveal an insidious secret that continues to haunt her as she grows up in the Marmont’s halls. If she can stay invisible as she saves money, then she can leave the hotel and live life on her own terms, alone but free. Her plans fall apart when it is bought by Theo Winchester, a reclusive rock star turned unexpected caretaker of his daughter, Adele, and unlike any man Aria has met before. To earn the last bit of money she needs to escape, Aria becomes Adele’s tutor, which brings Aria closer to Theo and ignites a passion she never expected.

“(The article) talked about then Columbia Pictures Studio boss Harry Cohn saying, ‘If you must get into trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont,’” said Lester. “That kind of line is like catnip to a novelist.”

Lester’s other inspiration for “The Chateau on Sunset” came from a book she loved as a child, Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre.” She said when she reread the book as an adult, she wondered if Jane regretted not venturing out into the world. With that idea in mind, Lester decided to reimagine the story to give her an ending that was romantically and personally satisfying.

As she researched the Chateau Marmont’s history, Lester also found fun anecdotes about its residents, such as Vivien Leigh, the actress best known as Scarlett O’Hara from “Gone with the Wind,” who replaced the hotel’s art in her room with her own portraits. In addition, she discovered that events at the hotel during the 1950s and 1960s helped set the stage for the MeToo movement.

“I wanted to look at writing an alternative history of that because so many of those stories about what happened to those women who we see as amazing movie stars, a lot of their backstories are actually quite difficult and dark,” Lester said. “They struggled every day against that Hollywood casting couch.”

Lester will participate in M.Judson Booksellers’ Book Over Drinks series June 9 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is $35 per person and includes a cocktail or mocktail and a signed copy of “The Chateau on Sunset.” For more information, visit mjudsonbooks.com.

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Advanced: Traffic calming study

Council advanced a traffic calming study conducted by Impact Designs Inc., which examined the League Estates and Poinsettia subdivisions as well as Jones Avenue and Hedge Street.

The study’s recommendations included:

• Adding a diagonal diverter at South Pliney Circle and Hunter Street, and two speed humps on North Pliney Circle in League Estates.
• Installing two speed humps on Jones Avenue between Southern Oaks Lane and North Maple Street.
• Creating a northbound half closure at Moore Street and a southbound half closure at Crisp Street on Hedge Street.
• Constructing a partial median closure at Poinsettia and Fernwood drives, and a forced turn island in the southbound lane of Poinsettia Drive at Coralvine Road.

This study was proposed after council voted in February to reopen Hunter Street, which was closed in November 2022. This item will go before the City Council for approval on June 9.

Advanced: Amendment to fiber franchise agreement ordinance

Council advanced an amendment to the city’s fiber franchise agreement ordinance. If approved, all new agreements would be subject to the City Council’s approval or denial.

This item will go before the City Council for initial approval on June 9.

Other items

During his report to council, City Administrator Tee Coker provided several project updates, including:

• An arborist removed seven trees near the playground in Gracely Park. The next steps are installing shade structures over the playground and possibly turning two remaining tree trunks into sculptures and installing two boulder playsets.
• Within the next few weeks, an HVAC contractor will apply sound-deadening foam casings and fabric to the variable air volume units above the dais in council chambers.

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When Enloe sat down to write his story, he knew he wanted to feature two boys who were thrown into conflict, but he did not realize that his longing for a lifelong friendship would help fuel the story.

Set in 1961 in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, this thriller follows two 13-year-old best friends, Boyd and Roger.

Boyd is expected to spend his summer working on his grandfather’s farm and praying after a schoolyard fight, but he has other plans. Alongside Roger, he embarks on an adventure to find an abandoned trestle and explore a cave with personal significance. Their journey is fraught with obstacles, including Boyd’s overbearing grandfather, Roger’s violent alcoholic father, a corrupt sheriff and even a dangerous cougar that seems to be stalking them all summer.

As the adults and institutions around him fail, Boyd is pushed to lie, steal, and risk everything for Roger’s safety. When the boys finally escape to their secret haven — the trestle cave — Boyd discovers the truth about trust, betrayal and the painful cost of protecting those we love.

“About the middle of fifth grade, when my father was in the Navy, we moved a good bit and (I) never saw (my) really good friend Phillip Smith again,” Enloe said. “Because of us moving a good bit, I did not sustain a lifelong friendship that these two boys (did), so there’s kind of a longing in that that I’ve dealt with as an adult.”

Enloe will participate in a reading and signing event on June 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Hub City Bookshop. Admission is free. For more information, visit hubcity.org/bookshop.

The post Upstate SC resident E. Davis Enloe to promote debut novel in Spartanburg appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

“The June 9 primary will take place as scheduled,” said Conway Belangia, SEC executive director. “Our focus remains delivering a fair, impartial and accessible election for every eligible voter in South Carolina, and that work continues regardless of ongoing activity at the State House.”

Questions surrounding the election started when Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order May 14 to make the state General Assembly reconvene for a special session, beginning May 15.

The House of Representatives took up H. 5683, a bill that, if approved by both chambers, would redraw the state’s U.S. House districts. This piece of legislation was passed by the House on May 20 and is being discussed in the Senate.

For more information, visit scvotes.gov.

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Titled “Down the Rabbit Hole,” the episode aired May 18 and brought the six remaining chefs to compete in a challenge at Unity Park in Greenville and Topsoil, a restaurant in Travelers Rest.

The Quickfire Challenge, which took place in Unity Park, required the chefs to compete against each other to create a dish using peaches and ingredients purchased at Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery. Each chef was given 30 minutes to cook, and in the middle of the challenge, they had to move to the station to the right and put their own spin on the dish that their competitor was creating.

This challenge was judged by Keith Habersberger and Rachel Ann Cole of The Try Guys, an online entertainment group.

Held at Topsoil, the chefs were asked to pay homage to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail and Michelin by creating a dish using rabbit for the Elimination Challenge.

Their plates were served to the judges and a dining room full of people, including Brent Bookwalter, a retired professional cyclist, and five secret diners, who also scored each plate.

The challenge was judged by Adam Cooke, executive chef of Topsoil, and Niki Nakayama, Michelin-star chef and owner of n/naka, as well as host Kristen Kish and judge Gail Simmons.

Anthony Jones of Alexandria, Virginia, was eliminated at the end of the episode, while Rhoda Magbitang of Mauna Lani, Hawaii, won the Quickfire Challenge and Sherry Cardoso of Brooklyn, New York, was the victor in the Elimination Challenge.

“Top Chef” airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on Bravo, with episodes available on Peacock starting on Tuesdays. Season 23 of the show is based in Charlotte, North Carolina with visits to Greenville for several episodes.

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Initial approval: $49.9M budget

Council gave initial approval the city’s $49.9 million 2026-2027 budget.

If approved, the budget will go into effect July 1 and some of its highlights include:

• $2.9 million for vehicles and equipment for police, fire and public works departments.
• $534,000 in funding for road resurfacing.
• $250,000 for the continued construction of sidewalks and trails.
• 2% cost of living increase for staff.

This item will go before the City Council for final approval on June 15.

Initial approval: Sewer pump station fees

Council unanimously voted to approve an ordinance that would establish or adjust the sewer pump station fee for parcels in multiple subdivisions, including:

• Establishing a $400 fee in Hawk Haven and a $75 fee in Pine Forest.
• Maintaining a $75 fee in Adams Glen and Indigo Point.
• Reducing the fee in Riley Trace from $425 to $400, in Ameris from $268 to $250, and in The Retreat from $425 to $400.
• Increasing the fee in Deer Ridge from $50 to $60.

This item will go before the City Council for final approval on June 15.

Other items

Council voted to approve several items, including:

• An amendment to the city’s fireworks ordinance to allow the city administrator to grant permits to people or organizations for special fireworks displays. This item will go before the City Council for final approval on June 15.
• To accept $500,000 from the Greenville Legislative Delegation Transportation Committee to build new sidewalks on Miller Road.
• A mutual aid agreement and contract with Clemson University for the Mauldin Police Department to assist with security during the college’s home football games.
• A memorandum of understanding to allow the city administrator and police chief to enter into agreements with outside law enforcement agencies to support special events held within the city limits.
• The appointment of Erika Stinson as a full-time administrative judge with the city. She will serve a four-year term through May 31, 2030.

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Initial approval: $40.2M budget

Council gave initial approval to the city’s $40.2 million 2026-2027 budget.

If approved, the budget will go into effect July 1, and some of its highlights include:

• Adjusting the public works fee from $199 to $239 to cover increased landfill tipping fees and fully fund solid waste department operating costs without the support of the general fund.
• Slightly increasing sewer rates due to a rise in billing rates from billing partners.
• Adding a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all eligible employees.
• Creating a new job in the natural gas department.
• Increasing holiday pay to 12 and 16 hours for the police and fire departments.
• Updating the compensation and classification study, a strategic plan and a sewer rate study.
• Completing the Wall/Jones Street parking lot, as well as Phase 1 of PD Terry City Park improvements using recreation impact fees.

This item will go before the City Council for final approval on June 11.

Postponed: Planned development change to add apartment units

Council unanimously voted to postpone further discussion on a request to approve a major change to 0.96 acres on Speedway Drive adjacent to the La Vida Apartment development. If approved, the project would enter into its Phase 2, which includes developing a two-story building with six one-bedroom units and one three-story building with 12 two-bedroom units. This item will go before the City Council for final approval on June 11.

Other items

Council unanimously voted to give initial approval to a couple of items, including:

• An annexation and rezoning request for 3.3 acres at 1587 Scuffletown Road. The city owns this property and wants to zone it as Residential Conservation (R-C)  to allow for the development of Fire Station 3.
• A request to rezone 0.51 acres at 701 Fairview St. from General Residential 1 (GR-1) to Commercial (C-2). The applicant, Alicia Jordan, plans to use the property to open a multiple-occupant salon.

These items will go before the City Council for final approval on June 11.

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Initial approval: $29.4M budget

Council gave initial approval to several ordinances related to its over $29.4 million budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.

If everything is approved, the budget would go into effect on July 1, and would include:

• A $34 Public Works Enterprise Fund fee increase to replace city sanitation equipment and continue to offer services.
• A 5 mil increase for unincorporated Greenville County taxpayers who live in the 21-square-mile fire service area. This item will be taken by city staff to the Greenville County Council Finance Committee meeting on June 8. If approved by the County Council, the millage increase would account for $825,000 of the budget.
• A 2 mil property tax increase to adjust the city employees’ pay to the 50th percentile among Simpsonville’s peers.
• A master lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management that would first replace two minibuses used by the city’s senior center and 42 old vehicles.
• A 10-year capital improvement plan.
• Transferring $227,500 for future capital projects and over $11.5 million in bond proceeds from the Capital Projects account to fund the downtown revitalization project.

Other budget highlights are:

• Adding three jobs to the fire department, two positions to public works, one person in City Hall and 1.5 jobs at Heritage Park.
• Purchasing a patch truck, snow play, roll cart storage building, utility trailer, and bucket truck for Public Works; and two golf carts with blue lights for the police department.
• Replacing the windows and HVAC system at the senior center, and the roof and door operators at fire station no. 2.
• Rebuilding the floor at the Woodside Gym.
• Transferring money to Capital Projects Fund for the first of four payments for a new fire truck, which will be delivered in 2030.

These items will go before the City Council for final approval on June 9.

Approved: Amendment of old City Hall agreement

Council approved an addendum to amend the Burdette North Development Agreement, which concerns 2.44 acres at 118 and 124 N.E. Main St., which was home of the former Simpsonville City Hall and SunTrust Bank.

The applicant, Blue Ridge Holdings LLC, requested the following amendments, including:

• The city’s cooperation for the construction of a possible parking structure if the developer can acquire the Secured Advantage Federal Credit Union Property at 116 N.E. Main St.
• Amend its construction schedule once a practical completion date is determined for the streetscape project.
• Allow for temporary use of the site as a laydown yard for the streetscape project’s equipment and materials.

Council approved a rezoning request for the development at its April 14 meeting.

Other items

Council voted to unanimously approve multiple items, including:

• An ordinance to rezone 206 Ladean Court from ID (innovative development) back to B-G (business general). The property was rezoned in 2022 and served as home to Scuffletown Food Truck Park.
• A request to modify the city’s rules pertaining to fiber franchise agreements to require the City Council’s approval before any permits may be issued to new providers. This will take the form of a draft ordinance to be discussed by the Council on May 26.
• A resolution to allow City Administrator Tee Coker to execute automatic aid agreements between the city and neighboring fire departments and districts. This allows for nearby fire departments to be automatically dispatched to a scene instead of the city having to request assistance.
• A resolution to relocate the statue of Dr. L. L. Richardson from its location on North Main Street to the circular pad between Council Chambers and East Curtis Street. If approved, the statue would also have a garden installed around it.
• Appointment of Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell as city clerk.

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Titled “The Ultimate Dinner Party,” the episode aired May 4 and brought the eight remaining chefs to compete in two challenges at Soby’s, which is located on South Main Street.

The Quickfire Challenge required the chefs to compete against each other to create an appetizer using Duke’s Mayo, while the participants had to work together as a team to craft individual dishes for the Elimination Challenge’s eight-course meal. Duke’s Mayo was created in Greenville and is still produced in Greenville County.

The challenges were attended by various guests, including Carl Sobocinski, founder and president of Table 301 Restaurant Group; Babette Jones, CEO and founder of Six Nineteen of 1865; Khailing Neoh, owner of Sum Bar; Carrie Morey, founder and owner of Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit; Tarcy Harger, pastry chef at Soby’s; Joe Cash, chef and owner of Scoundrel and Jorge Barrales Jr., co-owner of Papi’s Tacos.

Sobocinski also served as guest judge alongside of fellow guest judge Shuai Wang, a South Carolina local and “Top Chef” season 22 finalist, as well as host Kristen Kish and judge Gail Simmons.

“It was a huge honor to represent Greenville and Soby’s on this season’s ‘Top Chef’ episode filmed here at Soby’s,” said Sobocinski. “There were times that I was nervous and times that I was simply in awe of not only the chef participants but also the judges and entire production crew. I had no idea what went into filming an episode of the show and was simply blown away at all the production. Having finally viewed the episode I couldn’t be more happy and proud of our city for how amazing it looks on ‘Top Chef.’”

Oscar Diaz of Durham, North Carolina was eliminated at the end of the episode, while Anthony Jones of Alexandria, Virginia, won the Quickfire Challenge and Laurence Louie of Quincy, Massachusetts, was the victor in the Elimination Challenge.

“Top Chef” airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on Bravo with episodes available on Peacock starting on Tuesdays. Season 23 of the show is based in Charlotte, North Carolina with visits to Greenville for several episodes.

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Before writing each of her books, Harrison normally picks a location she wants to focus on before conducting research. For “The Island Club,” she knew she wanted to set it the story in the 1950s on Balboa Island, which is just off of the California coast.

The book follows the lives of three women, which begin to unravel in shockingly different ways, an unlikely friendship —and the game of tennis—may be the only thing that can save them.

Milly Kinkaid moves her family from Hollywood to Balboa Island to fix her crumbling marriage. Society matriarch Sylvia Johnson and her husband have recently begun a new business venture, The Island Club, a place for members to swim, play tennis and dine in style. But when she learns that he has been risking their financial security and putting their family’s future in grave danger, she’s not only poised to lose the club, but the entire community she holds dear. Meanwhile, standoffish loner Adele Lambert’s entire world is on the brink of being destroyed if the dark secrets of her past and her hidden identity is revealed.

“I learned that in the 1920-1950s, Balboa Island used to be the destination for college kids to go to for spring break,” said Harrison. “I learned that in Life magazine at the end of the 1940s, they had a 21-photo spread of Balboa Island (and) of all of these college kids at the beach, dancing, out on boats and driving their cars down the main street. This is all taking place at the time of this story.”

As Harrison crafted her story, she decided she wanted to incorporate an element of tennis because she found that playing the sport gave her a sense of community that she wanted to incorporate in “The Island Club.”

“As women get older, you lose this element of playfulness,” Harrison said. “We get so wrapped up in adult responsibilities that we tend to lose our sense of play. I just thought it would be explore something like that in this book and what happens when women get permission to try something new.”

Harrison will participate in M.Judson Booksellers’ Lunch and Lit series May 7 from noon to 1 p.m. at Soby’s. Admission is $60 per person and includes a three-course meal and a signed copy of “The Island Club.” For more information, visit mjudsonbooks.com.

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Advanced $29.4M budget with tax increase

Council unanimously voted to advance several ordinances related to its over $29.4 million budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.

If everything is approved, the budget would go into effect on July 1, and would include:

• A $61 Public Works Enterprise Fund fee increase to replace city sanitation equipment and continue to offer services.
• A 5 mil increase for unincorporated Greenville County taxpayers who live in the 21-square-mile fire service area. This item will be taken by city staff to the Greenville County Council Finance Committee meeting on May 11. If approved by the County Council, the millage increase would account for $825,000 of the budget.
• A 2 mil property tax increase to adjust the city employees’ pay to the 50th percentile among Simpsonville’s peers.
• A master lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management that would first replace two minibuses used by the city’s senior center and 42 old vehicles.
• A 10-year capital improvement plan.
• Transferring $497,500 for future capital projects and over $11.5 million in bond proceeds from the Capital Projects account to fund the downtown revitalization project.

Other budget highlights are:

• Adding three jobs to the fire department, two positions to public works, one person in City Hall and 1.5 jobs at Heritage Park.
• Purchasing a patch truck, snow play, roll cart storage building, utility trailer, and bucket truck for Public Works; and two golf carts with blue lights for the police department.
• Replacing the windows and HVAC system at the senior center, and the roof and door operators at fire station no. 2.
• Rebuilding the floor at the Woodside Gym.
• Transferring money to Capital Projects Fund for the first of four payments for a new fire truck, which will be delivered in 2030.

These items will go before the City Council for initial approval on May 12.

Advanced: Amendment of old City Hall agreement

Council advanced an addendum to amend the Burdette North Development Agreement, which concerns 2.44 acres at 118 and 124 N.E. Main St., which was home of the former Simpsonville City Hall and SunTrust Bank.

The applicant, Blue Ridge Holdings LLC, requested the following amendments, including:

• The city’s cooperation for the construction of a possible parking structure if the developer can acquire the Secured Advantage Federal Credit Union Property at 116 N.E. Main St.
• Amend its construction schedule once a practical completion date is determined for the streetscape project.
• Allow for temporary use of the site as a laydown yard for the streetscape project’s equipment and materials.

Council approved a rezoning request for the development at its April 14 meeting.

This item will go before the City Council for approval on May 12.

Other items

Council voted to unanimously advance multiple items, including:

• A modification of the city’s fiber franchise agreement to limit the number of providers in a designated area.
• A resolution to allow City Administrator Tee Coker to execute automatic aid agreements between the city and neighboring fire departments and districts. If approved, this will allow for nearby fire departments to be automatically dispatched to a scene instead of the city having to request assistance.
• A resolution to relocate the statue of Dr. L. L. Richardson from its location on North Main Street to the circular pad between Council Chambers and East Curtis Street. If approved, the statue would also have a garden installed around it.
• Appointment of Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell as city clerk.

These items will go before the City Council for approval on May 12.

Staff reports

During his report to the Council, Coker provided a couple of updates, including that staff issued a request for proposals for city banking services the week of April 27, and Walker Consultants has completed a demand and supply analysis, which will inform its recommendations for future downtown parking facilities.

Another staff report highlight came from Campbell, who announced a text line to keep the community updated on the downtown revitalization project. Residents are asked to text “Downtown Simpsonville” to 32871 for more information.

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The exhibition, which was organized in partnership with Clemson University and private collectors, focuses on people, places and events of the Southern Campaign’s war years, while offering a look at the culture and life in the backcountry during this period.

“Upcountry Road to Freedom” features original items and artifacts owned by soldiers and civilians to illustrate the phases in the United States’ fight for independence and the nation’s formation. It will also share perspectives from Upcountry women, free and enslaved African Americans, indigenous people and solidiers.

Ahead of the exhibition’s opening, the museum welcomed a one-day viewing of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History’s “Foundations of a Revolution” exhibit on April 23, which included three of the state’s most important documents from the American Revolution.

This special exhibit featured:

• Articles of Association for the District Eastward of the Wateree River, 1775 – The Provincial Congress appealed to residents in present-day Clarendon, Kershaw, Lancaster and parts of Sumter counties, to sign this document to signify their support for a shared defense against British aggression.
• South Carolina Constitution of 1776 – Drafted by the Provincial Congress and signed in March 1776, this document set up the state’s General Assembly and gave the legislature the right to elect judges, sheriffs and military officers.
• Treaty of Dewitt’s Corner, May 20, 1777 – This document was signed by representatives of South Carolina, Georgia and the Cherokee to signify the end of the war with the Cherokee.

“Upcountry Road to Freedom” is on display through Sept. 5, 2027. For more information, visit upcountryhistory.org.

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Council report

During his report to council, City Administrator Seth Duncan announced that the Mauldin Theatre Co. will perform at Artisphere. On May 9 at 3:30 p.m., the theater group will be on the Fred Collins Foundation Grand Lawn Stage, and on May 10 at 3 p.m., a group of its youth performers will take to the Furman University Artists on the Rise stage.

Other report highlights included:

• Swig Drinks will open in the old Sonic location at 1534 Woodruff Road in Greenville.
• The Greenville Triumph will host its first home game at GE Vernova Park on June 3.

Approved: Modification to Adams Glen pump station

Council approved a request to have Excel Electric install a power conditioning voltage regulator at the Adams Glen pump substation, which was added to the city’s collection system inventory in June 2024. Over the past 22 months, as homes have been constructed, city staff has dealt with the station pump’s tripping breakers.

After performing an investigation, it was determined that everything in the station operated properly when run off the generator, but surges or drops would occur when it was connected to “live” power. Installing the regulator will fix that issue.

This modification is expected to cost $75,000 and will be a one-time expense.

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