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LITTLE MOUNTAIN — Write-in candidate Marty Frick had declined the mayor position as of Wednesday afternoon.

Frick is a former council member and former Little Mountain Reunion Association president who got 67 votes by way of write-in on election day.

Nobody had signed up to run for mayor so residents wrote in their candidate.

Frick said she is appreciative of the friends and citizens who wrote him in especially since he did not actively campaign for mayor.

“It is humbling to have the support and respect of so many. As I stated previously this is not a position I actively campaigned for and after elected had asked that I be given time to discuss with family and friends of whether to accept or decline the position as mayor,” said Frick, who left public office a couple of years ago.

“I hope each of you know I truly care about not only our community but also the people as well, which is what has made the decision so difficult. After much deliberation, conversations and prayer I have made the decision to respectfully decline the position as mayor,” he continued.

Frick says there are many reasons for declining.

“I just asked that you would respect my decision and know that this has been very difficult,” he said. “There were many factors and questions relating to the present state of town politics along with personal obligations that entered into my decision.”

Family is a major obligation for Frick right now which is a part of his reason for declining.

Frick does applaud current Mayor Buddy Johnson for his work over the years in regards to the streetscaping, the Rocky Branch nature trail and the community center.

“I truly hope that the citizens of our community will take this opportunity become more involved and that they will respect my decision and understand that sometimes you have to do what is in you and your families best interest,” said Frick.

Johnson had no intentions of continuing his service and would have to think about the decision. As of press time he had not made a decision.

“His (Johnson) term expires at the end of this year,” said Scott Slaton of the S.C. Municipal Association. “If Buddy refuses, it creates a vacancy. A special election would have to then be held the 13th Tuesday after his term expires.”

This would put the election at the beginning of April and the Mayor Pro Tem, which is council member Melvin Bowers, would act as mayor until one is voted in.

Newberry County Voter Registration Director Brenda Rogers said she has never had this occur as long as she’s been at the voter registration office in Newberry.