Edgefield County Council unanimously agreed to appoint Roger LeDuc as the County’s Interim Administrator at a special called meeting June 18. LeDuc will replace current administrator Lynn Strom whose resignation was announced by Council Chairwoman Genia Blackwell in a press release printed in our June 10 edition. The move occurred after a short executive session which included Strom but in which no votes were taken. Strom, who has been serving the County as administrator for three years, is leaving to pursue a position with Aiken County. Her official last day with Edgefield County will be July 5.

After appointing LeDuc as Interim, Council took turns bidding Strom good-bye. Councilman Rodney Ashcraft opened with, “Thanks Lynn for all that you’ve done,” and added that he believed that even if Council had known when they hired her three years earlier that she would be leaving now, they would have made the same decision. Councilwoman Betty Butler followed and thanked Strom for her “efficiency” and for being “approachable.” Councilman Albert Talbert said to Strom, “I wish you much success … we appreciate your hard work.” Councilman Dean Campbell said that Edgefield County was “fortunate be able to hire you to begin with” and noted her “compassion, understanding, and patience.” Chairwoman Blackwell ended the farewells by saying, “It has been a joy to watch you as you’ve grown and blossomed” and added, “Aiken County has won the lottery.” Blackwell closed by saying, “You’re much loved, and you’ll be much missed.” In an emotional reply, Strom told thanked Council for the opportunity to work for them and the citizens of Edgefield County and also stated that she would miss them as well.

The Advertiser spoke with Administrator Strom shortly after her resignation was made official. As she, Finance Director Crystal Coleman, and County Attorney Jim Holly all announced their resignation within a short period of one another, The Advertiser questioned the timing. However, Strom replied that it was “purely coincidental.” Coleman, whose last day working for Edgefield County was June 12, returned to take a position with her former employer. Holly, who will leave the County’s employment at the end of June, is leaving to take a fulltime position elsewhere. Of these two open positions, Strom said that she is actively seeking their replacements and added that she hopes to have both the finance director and county attorney positions filled before she leaves her post.

As to her leaving, Strom told The Advertiser, “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve County Council and the citizens of Edgefield County. Serving in this capacity has been an incredible opportunity for me and I greatly appreciate the confidence and the support of County Council and the community. I will sincerely miss working with the residents of Edgefield County.”

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Tiffani Ireland