Administrator well-versed in conflict management

Short and long-term growth plans. Infrastructure issues. Quarreling elected officials. This list should not be surprising to anyone familiar with Pageland’s current events and concerns. What may be shocking is that, for once, I am not directly referring to Pageland’s struggles. In fact, all three of these are issues were faced by Roland Windham, Pageland’s Interim Town Administrator, on a regular basis. As Charleston County’s former administrator, Windham is a seasoned municipal servant who has much to offer Pageland. Council should utilize his services wisely.
In the interest of full disclosure, let me first say that I have known Roland for a number of years. However, I only became familiar with his professional side during the past three years I spent in Charleston.
For those of you who aren’t political junkies like me, Pageland’s local politics, while ripe with humor and mind-boggling moments, pale in comparison to Charleston’s. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley is serving a record eighth term of office. He is, depending on who you ask, the best thing Charleston has seen since sliced bread or the biggest, meanest bully in South Carolina. He is regularly at odds with Keith Summey, mayor of North Charleston regarding Charleston’s expansion beyond its current boarders and the growth plans necessary to facilitate this suburban sprawl. Equally perturbed at Riley is almost the entire area known as James Island which has tried three times to break away from the City of Charleston and form its own municipality only to be thwarted at the South Carolina Supreme Court twice by Riley’s merry band of attorneys. Combine these with the constant struggle to accommodate the influx of new industry to Charleston County and their demands on infrastructure and it is obvious that Windham has vast experience with the type of issues facing Pageland, but on a much larger scale.
Herein lies an enormous opportunity for Pageland. Employing the services of someone with Windham’s knowledge and experience permanently is next to impossible for a town the size of Pageland. Considering the town’s limited resources, it is unlikely that Pageland can recruit a Town Administrator candidate possessing Windham’s caliber of qualifications. It would be prudent to take advantage of Windham’s positive attributes while they is available.
Throughout law school, my professors ingrained in mine and my classmate’s minds that the best way for a young attorney to learn the ropes is to find a mentor. In fact, the South Carolina Bar is so committed to this idea that they have developed a program designed to partner young lawyers with veteran ones. Obviously this is just good common sense and is applicable in numerous settings. However, a mentor is not just for the young. Anyone can benefit from the advice of someone who has previously stood in that person’s shoes. A permanent Town Administrator, regardless of the level of education and amount of experience, can benefit from a mentor such as Windham.
Pageland needs to get the ball rolling and begin the search for a permanent Town Administrator. Time and attention need to be allocated for a more thorough review of applicant’s background and qualifications. However, special attention should be paid so that a candidate can be hired while Windham is available for guidance. Perhaps then, with the new permanent administrator’s attributes and the Windham’s guidance, Pageland can move forward developing short and long-term growth plans, finding solutions to infrastructure issues, and finally silencing our elected official’s quarreling.


Adam M. Foard is a graduating 3L at the Charleston School of Law and a licensed real estate agent with A & E Real Estate in Pageland. He resides in Jefferson, with his wife Clare.