The Town of Silverstreet will be swearing in two new council members next week.

In yesterday’s special election, Michael Bouknight garnered 23 votes in a close race against challenger Ronnie Bowers, who got 20 votes.

Bouknight will hold the council seat until 2012. Travis Gillman vacated the seat to run unopposed for the mayor’s spot after former Mayor Janice Havird resigned.

Gerald Dominick took a commanding win over Johnny Wix by 31 to 12 to fill the other empty council seat.

Dominick’s term on council will be somewhat short-lived, as the seat will be once again up for grabs on the November ballot. Dominick takes the unexpired seat held by Vera Nell Dale, who recently resigned due to health problems in her family.

Bouknight works in the radiology department at Newberry County Memorial Hospital and is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Carmen Bouknight, who served the Silverstreet community on County Council and as its chair.

Bouknight, who recently moved to the town, says he wants to see the town take pride in itself.

The virgin politician would also like to see EMS have a regular station in the town and something happen with the old abandoned Silverstreet school.

Dominick grew up in Silverstreet but moved away. After retiring from a career with the S.C. Law Enforcement Division, Dominick has returned to Silverstreet.

Turnout for the special election was robust with 43 of its 123 voters casting ballots, bringing the turnout to 35 percent.