Ledger Staff Writer

Incumbent Cherokee County Councilman Barry Medley and his Republican challenger Quay Little agree on the big picture — jobs and helping senior citizens.

The difference might be in the fine print.

Medley, seeking his second term as District 3’s representative, pledges to work to create more jobs as well as tend to the needs of the elderly.

Little, who lost to Medley in 2000, said, if elected, he would work to bring new industries here by promoting the county more effectively. He said he’d also like to increase the number of beds at the county’s Peachtree Centre, an elderly care facility operated by the county.

Both candidates describe themselves as conservative.

“I have 30 years of business experience and a working knowledge of county council. I have worked hard to help run the county conservatively, efficiently, and to eliminate waste,” Medley said.

“I’m a fiscal conservative and will be a tough county councilman who knows how to get things done for the taxpayers of Cherokee County,” Little said.

Medley said he’s helped to accomplish much during his first four years on council, but said there’s more work to do.

“I want to continue to do the following: work with law enforcement to make our county safer; work with all of our fire departments to prevent loss of life and property; do everything possible to bring industries into our county and to create more jobs; assist our senior citizens and work to maintain an excellent facility for them; maintain and improve our recreational facilities; maintain and pave our county roads, and work with all governmental departments and agencies to maintain and improve Cherokee County,” he said.

Little, a contractor who owns Little Electrical, said Medley hasn’t done enough to improve the roads in District 3.

“I believe that Cherokee County and especially District 3 is not receiving its fair share of C-Funds to improve roads,” he said.

Both candidates have deep roots in the community. Little, a graduate of Gaffney High School, is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and Methodist Salkehatchie, a volunteer effort to renovate and build housing for residents who can’t afford it on their own. He’s the son of longtime Gaffney City Councilman Johnny Little.

Medley has lived in District 3 for 48 years and served for 21 years on the Voter Registration Board.

“If re-elected I’ll continue to be conservative,” he said. “I enjoy helping people and I will be accessible and will listen to anybody’s problems.”