CCU to host Conway mayoral debate on campus Oct. 25

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\nCoastal Carolina University&rsquo\;s Edgar Dyer Institute for Leadership and Public Policy and the
\nConway Chamber of Commerce will host a Conway mayoral debate on Wednesday\, Oct. 25\, at 6
\np.m. in Johnson Auditorium\, located in CCU&rsquo\;s E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business
\nAdministration building. Tickets are required for entry and seating is limited.
\n
\nThe debate will feature Conway mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy\, who is seeking a third term\, and
\nKen Richardson\, former Horry County Board of Education chairman. Drew Kurlowski\, associate
\nprofessor of political science\, will moderate the event. \;
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\nSworn in as Conway&rsquo\;s first Black mayor on Jan. 4\, 2016\, and after re-election on Jan. 6\, 2020\,
\nBlain-Bellamy&rsquo\;s contributions as a member of the Conway City Council began in January 1993.
\nShe twice served as mayor pro tempore and was the city&rsquo\;s deputy administrator in the early
\n2000s. Blain-Bellamy\, a Conway\, S.C.\, native\, has also served on a dozen or so boards and
\ncommissions during the past 25 years. She is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association\,
\npresident of the Horry County League of Cities\, executive board member of the Myrtle Beach
\nRegional Council of Governments\, and board member of the Municipal Association of South
\nCarolina (MASC). Keeping Conway in the spotlight\, Blain-Bellamy is the former president of
\nthe Association of South Carolina Mayors\, chair of the Waccamaw Region Council of
\nGovernments\, and first vice president of the MASC.
\n
\nRichardson has deep roots in Conway\, S.C.\, where he lives along with his wife of 46 years\,
\nDonna. His daughter\, son-in-law\, son\, and two grandsons also make their home in Conway.
\nComing from humble beginnings\, Richardson started his career selling boiled peanuts throughout
\nthe downtown area as a young boy. Some of his accomplishments include being named to the
\nConway High School Educational Foundation Hall of Fame\, guiding and managing operations at
\nFowler Motors for 45 years\, serving on the Coastal Carolina University advisory board\, serving
\nas chairman of the Horry County Board of Education\, and being named chairman emeritus of
\nHorry-Georgetown Technical College.
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\nDebate tickets and parking
\nCCU faculty\, staff\, and students can reserve tickets through the Wheelwright Auditorium box
\noffice with a valid University ID. Community members can reserve tickets through either
\ncandidate&rsquo\;s campaign office or through the Conway Chamber of Commerce.
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\nPatrons should arrive early for parking and for security clearance. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and
\nseating will be first-come\, first-served. General parking will be available on campus in front of
\nBrittain Hall\, the Wall Building\, and Penny Hall. For a campus map and more information on
\ngeneral parking\, visit coastal.edu/parking.

\;CCU to host Conway mayoral debate on campus Oct. 25 \;