T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea is seeking re-election to the Dillon County Council as the representative for Dillon County Council District Four. Finklea is a lifelong resident of Latta. He has a history of public service to the community as a Latta Town Council member, Dillon County Sheriff’s Deputy, Latta Policeman, Latta Rescue Member, Latta Fireman, and now as Dillon County Councilman.
As a Latta Town Councilman and Mayor, he voted to construct the community center at Academy Street Park; helped bring Fairmeadow Apartments to give safe affordable housing to senior citizens; helped facilitate getting sewer to the interstate to bring Flying J Travel Center, which started the growth in the Oak Grove area; started Latta Springfest along with Marilyn Roberts, who funds went to help build the Latta Gazebo and the metal building at the Latta Fire Department, bought the last new fire truck purchased by the Town of Latta, and much more.
As the Dillon County Councilman for District Four, some of the things that have been accomplished during his 12 years as the council member include: Over $1 million for Latta infrastructure (including $600,000 for water and sewer projects related to Highway 38 infrastructure): over $190,000 for Latta Recreation and teams; Holiday Inn Express in the Oak Grove area; Dollar General in the Oak Grove area; had various fire hydrants put in throughout District Four to lower the insurance rates of residents; got access for the Town of Latta residents for the county convenience site; built a fire station in the Bingham area that serves District Four residents; announcement of the expansion of Expert Machine and Fabrication, LLC, a $2.6 million investment; announcement of Spectrum Quartz in Latta, a $22.6 million capital investment; got a controller to activate a stop on the traffic lights in the Oak Grove area so that the Station Nine (Oak Grove) Fire Department can respond safely to calls; got sidewalks and street lights for Oak Grove from Wilco to the caution light; got a walking track to the Oak Grove ballfield; Oak Grove ballfield upgraded with new stands and repairs with more repairs coming; had a new picnic shelter constructed at the Oak Grove Fire Department after the other was destroyed in a storm; Updated the park beside the Oak Grove Fire Department with help from the Schafer Foundation; Voted to start the gravel project with the Dillon County Transportation Committee to address some of the county’s worst roads as determined by the Transportation Committee; Secured a fire engine, rescue vehicle, and tanker and helped to bring the new fire truck that is on the way for the Latta Fire Department; Got three apparatus for the Oak Grove Fire Department and a tanker, addressed some equipment needs including upgrades to support fire operations at the hotels, an emergency generator, and an ice machine; new trash convenience site for Oak Grove; worked the Latta Library expansion, which is currently underway; and secured 95 percent Broadband internet coverage for District Four.
Also during his 12 years on Dillon County Council, some of the things that have benefited Dillon County that have been accomplished include: the spac building that brought Wyman-Gordon; Inland Port Dillon; opening of Quik Trips, Lane expansion to Highway 34 near Harbor Freight Tools, and much more. He has cast several positive votes for economic development and projects for the betterment of Dillon County.
Finklea is dedicated to serving the citizens of Dillon County District Four and says he will continue to get the job done. He asks for the vote and support of the voters of Dillon County District Four on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
