On July 25, 2025, the Aiken Chronicles submitted questions on the following eight topics as part of an online forum for the two candidates, Barbara Morgan and Clayton Clarkson, vying in the August 2025 Republican primary for Aiken City Council District 6. Ms. Morgan’s responses are provided below. Mr. Clarkson did not respond. 

The written online forum gives candidates and citizens time for thoughtful reflection on issues of concern to local residents. The hope is to contribute toward a better-informed electorate, an enthusiastic voter turnout, and a healthier democracy

REGARDING CONSTITUENCY SERVICE

How would you engage with constituents, both to inform, be informed, and to advocate on their behalf when necessary and appropriate?

How would you ensure that Citizens of Aiken remain at the top of the City’s Organizational Chart?

Barbara Morgan: Constituent service begins with transparency and accountability. I believe residents deserve to be informed about what their government is doing and to have meaningful ways to make their voices heard. That means ensuring clear, accessible communication from the city and demanding openness in how decisions are made. I will advocate for more cooperative communication across departments and for making public information easier to access and understand. The people of Aiken should always come first, and I will work to ensure our government reflects that—from how we plan infrastructure to how we spend public dollars.

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REGARDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE II. CITY COUNCIL

Are you familiar with Chapter 2, Article II of the City Code, which addresses the roles and powers of the City Council? 

Are there any provisions in the code that need amending?  

Barbara Morgan: Yes, I am familiar with the provisions in Chapter 2, Article II of the City Code. The framework is solid, but I believe regular review helps ensure accountability. One potential area for improvement is clearer language around public input, engagement and oversight. Strengthening transparency and avoiding confusion about the Council’s responsibilities benefits everyone.

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REGARDING CHAPTER 2. ARTICLE IV. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Each Council member can appoint (or reappoint) an individual to each City Board, Commission, and Committee. These entities are responsible for helping to guide city policies. 

What approach would you take to making appointments?

 What criteria should a citizen have for serving on any Board, Commission, or Committee? 

Barbara Morgan: Appointments should be based on merit and service, not politics. I will seek individuals with relevant experience, diverse perspectives, and a commitment to improving our community. Citizens who serve should be prepared, engaged, and willing to ask hard questions to make these bodies stronger. I also believe we should improve outreach so that more residents are aware of these opportunities and how to get involved.

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REGARDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE V, DIVISION 3. LEGAL SERVICES

City code allows for two options for the legal department: all in-house or a mix of inhouse and outside, contracted counsel. 

Are you familiar with these options? 

Which of the two choices would you prefer; or should a new structure be codified? 

Barbara Morgan: I am familiar with both in-house and hybrid legal models. Each has its strengths. I support a blended approach that ensures consistent legal advice while allowing for outside expertise when appropriate. I would also support clarifying when and how outside counsel is used so the public can better understand the city’s legal strategy and costs. We must insist on strict adherence to the rules of professional conduct with no actual or perceived  conflicts of interest so  that our citizens receive the most principled and expert legal guidance possible. 

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REGARDING MEGA PROJECTS

What are some of the lessons learned from Project Pascalis? 

Barbara Morgan: One of the key lessons is the importance of public trust. The problem was not vision but process. Major initiatives must involve the public early and often, with full disclosure  at every step and discernable response to feedback. We need stronger oversight, clearer communication, and a renewed commitment to open government when considering any large-scale project.

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REGARDING PROPERTY SALES AND PURCHASES

Aiken City Council approved the $9.6 million in bonds for the purchase of the Project Pascalis properties. City Council also sold two properties, the Laurens Street Building (now SRP) and the Mattie Hall property, to investors who turned around and made $500,000 and $130,000, respectively. 

What approaches to property sales and purchases would you advocate, if any? 

Barbara Morgan: City-owned properties are public resources and should be treated as such. I support requiring competitive bidding processes, full public disclosure, and careful financial analysis before any sale or purchase. These decisions must be strategic and based on long-term benefit to the community, not short-term deals that leave taxpayers footing the bill.

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REGARDING WATER, SEWER, AND STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE

The City of Aiken will have $28 million from the latest Capital Project Sales Tax dedicated to Sewer and Water System ”improvements.” This could mean expansion as well as maintenance.

The City has been mostly expanding the past several years, especially up around Exit 22. For example, it is also spending $3.5 million of plutonium settlement funds on a Northside Sewer Lift Station that will largely service the Shiloh Church Road and Exit 18 areas. 

What approach do you advocate for prioritizing spending on expansion of new water/sewer infrastructure vs maintenance of existing infrastructure?

Barbara Morgan: We must prioritize maintenance before expansion. Growth should not come at the expense of long-neglected systems in existing neighborhoods.  You can’t have growth of any type without functioning infrastructure.  I support a thorough assessment of current needs and a plan to address them using available funding. Every resident deserves reliable services, regardless of what part of the city they live in.

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REGARDING MORATORIUMS ON DEVELOPMENT

Numerous jurisdictions (i.e. Mount Pleasant, Fort Mill, Greenville County, Kershaw County, and North Augusta) have implemented temporary moratoriums on various developments 

Would you advocate for a temporary moratorium on development, at least until the new Unified Development Ordinance goes into effect?

Barbara Morgan: I would give serious consideration to a temporary and targeted  moratorium on certain  developments  until the new Unified Development Ordinance is in place. A pause would give us time to ensure that future projects reflect updated rules, better infrastructure planning, and clearer expectations. Growth should serve the people of Aiken, not outpace the community’s ability to manage it.

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About this Primary

Only the District 6 race will feature a primary; between Republican candidates Barbara Morgan and Clayton Clarkson.

Early Voting for the Repubican primary for Aiken City Council District 6 began on July 28 and runs through Friday, August 8; at the County Administration Building at 1930 University Parkway. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

About the Republican Primary Candidates

Barbara Morgan served as the Solicitor (equivalent to a District Attorney) for the Second Circuit– Aiken, Barnwell, and Bamberg Counties– from 1990 to 2009; having been elected four times in total. Most recently she has served on the City’s Design Review Board after being appointed by Councilwoman Andrea Gregory in February 2024. For more information, visit her Facebook page and website. 

Clayton Clarkson has served as Councilwoman Kay Brohl’s appointee on the City’s Planning Commission since February 2020. For more information, visit his Facebook page and profile on Aiken2025.com.

The above primary info is sourced from Don Moniak’s recent article, Update to Local Politics and Planning 2025.