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Michelle Martin elected Bamberg County Council chair; vice chair extension passes after 4–3 vote
Summary
At its Jan. 5 meeting Bamberg County Council accepted a gavel transfer to Michelle Martin as chair for 2026 and, after a contested suspension vote, extended Larry Haynes' term as vice chairman in a 4–3 split.
Michelle Martin was installed as chairwoman of the Bamberg County Council for 2026 after outgoing Chairwoman Sharon Hammond formally passed the gavel at the Jan. 5 meeting. The transfer of leadership included a plaque presented to Hammond in recognition of her service.
Council then considered a motion to suspend council rules to hold an election for vice chair. After a short discussion the suspension passed on a 4–3 vote: Councilmen Larry Haynes, Spencer Donaldson, Dr. Jonathan Goodman II and Evert Comer Jr. voted in favor; Chairwoman Martin, Councilwoman Hammond and Councilman Kenneth Ahlin opposed. Immediately after, a motion to extend Councilman Larry Haynes' service as vice chair for 2026 passed with the same 4–3 breakdown. The minutes record the vote tallies but do not include additional details about why members opposed the measures.
