This series highlights people from around South Carolina who are well experienced in municipal government, and what they see as the value of local government to their community.
Penny Daley serves as the town clerk for the Town of Ridgeland.
Why do you serve in municipal government?
I started working for the Town of Ridgeland in 1981 during my senior year of high school as a part-time employee. Upon graduation, that part-time role quickly turned into a full-time role. My first roles were assistant water clerk and assistant municipal court clerk. Eventually, I took on the role of clerk/treasurer, and I am currently the assistant town administrator and the clerk/treasurer.
Serving in municipal government has provided me with the opportunity to contribute, both tangibly and intangibly, to the community I call home. Whether that was helping a new business owner apply for a business license, fielding concerns of citizens and seeing that those concerns are addressed, or simply being a welcoming face at town hall, I hope in my 45 years as a municipal employee that I have made a positive difference in Ridgeland and the lives of its citizens.
A career in municipal government has not only provided me with the pleasure of working in and for the community I call home, but has provided intangible benefits — stable employment, health insurance and state retirement. Additionally, the town and its employees are like a second family to me, and we have a culture that fosters and supports that sentiment.
What has been your proudest achievement in public service?
My proudest achievement is realizing my passion to provide Ridgeland’s citizens with spaces and events that they can enjoy and make memories with their families. I have always been supportive in maintaining and updating Ridgeland’s various park and recreation areas, specifically the revitalization of Harold Turpin Park in the mid-1990s to the most recent playground updates at the park.
Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I have always been a champion of making it a special time in Ridgeland. The town sponsors a lighted Christmas trail complete with festive displays and music. Additionally, we host a nighttime Christmas parade, which is unique in our area, that is always a highlight of everyone’s holiday calendar.
What does your municipality contribute to the community?
The Town of Ridgeland’s mission statement is to provide high-quality services to its citizens and promote a safe, active and healthy environment. One of our favorite sayings in the office is that the Town of Ridgeland does a lot with a little. We currently have 49 employees servicing nearly 4,000 residents. Our employees work hard every day to achieve and further our mission statement. Our goal is to manage our anticipated growth while maintaining our authentic Lowcountry community.