City Council
Front Row - L - R: Mayor Joe Shaw, Councilman John Howard
Back Row - L - R: Councilman Danny O'Brien, Councilman Audrey Curry,
Councilman Bill Sumner and Councilman Gonzie Mackey
Absent: Councilman Preston Blackmon
Councilman Preston Blackmon
District 1
Councilman Blackmon is the City of Lancaster’s longest serving Council Member, starting his 31st year on Council serving District 1. He served in the US Air Force, and was the City of Lancaster’s first black police officer. Councilman Blackmon and his wife, Wilma, have five sons, six daughters, 32 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He has also served his community in a number of organizations, including the NAACP, Lancaster Disabilities and Special Needs Board, Southside Crime Watch, and the American Legion.
Councilman Gonzie Mackey
District 2
Councilman Gonzie Mackey is in his first term on City Council and represents District 2. He has been married to Yvonne since 1980 and they have three children and four grandchildren. In 2003, Councilman Mackey retired from the Lancaster City Fire Department as a Fire Captain. He is active member at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He owns and operates Gonzie & Son Assembly Shop.
Councilman Audrey E. Curry, Jr.
District 3
Councilman Audrey Curry is in his fourth term with the City Council representing District 3. He and his wife, Gwen, have three children, and four grandchildren. Councilman Curry works at Comporium Communications and is a member of Second Baptist Church (Miller Street). He has been actively involved with several organizations, including the Mayor’s Public Relations Council, Communities in Schools Board, and Springs Foundation Advisory Board Member.
Councilman Bill Sumner
District 4
Councilman Bill Sumner is in his third year serving District 4. He retired in 1995 from the Lancaster Police Department as Police Chief after 25 years of service. Councilman Sumner also is retired from the National Guard and is currently Commission Pastor of Wade Memorial Presbyterian Church and Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Virginia, have two children and five grandchildren. Councilman Sumner is active with the Lancaster Rotary Club, South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association, and is President of the Lancaster Children’s Home.
Councilman John P. Howard
District 5
Councilman John Howard has represented District 5 since 1983. He and his wife, Karon, have two children and two grandchildren. After 21 years with the South Carolina National Guard, and serving in Operation Desert Storm, Councilman Howard retired as a Sergeant First Class. He has been employed with Kanawha Insurance Company since 1988 and is a member of Second Baptist Church. Councilman Howard is active in his community with such organizations as Lancaster County Council on Aging and the Catawba Regional Council of Governments.
Councilman Danny O’Brien
District 6
Councilman Danny O’Brien has served District 6 since 1997. He has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 25 years. He has been employed with Duke Power Company for 26 years and is currently a Nuclear Section Manager. He is an active member of First ARP Church, having served as Ruling Elder and Past Clerk of the Session. Councilman O’Brien is also active in community organizations, such as the Lancaster Cotillion Club, Board of Directors of Springs Memorial Hospital, and Lancaster Rotary Club.