Talking to the two candidates running for mayor of West Columbia, the decision for voters might come down to their take on a simple question:

Are you happy with the direction and progress under sitting Mayor Tem Miles, who is running for his second term?

That was exactly how Miles, who faces a challenge from Melissa Sprouse Browne, put it to the Chronicle.

“I look forward to the people of West Columbia having an opportunity to make a choice and a decision. And that choice and decision is simple,” he said. “If they believe that over the last 10 years, the city of West Columbia's improvement has been a good thing, then I'm the experienced leader to continue that on. If they believe that it hasn't been a good thing, then it's probably time for a change.”

Asked if she sees it the same, Brown, the owner and leader of multiple advertising and real estate companies and a former chair of the West Columbia Beautification Foundation, largely agreed, saying she has no hard feelings toward Miles.

“He’s an attorney,” she said of Miles. “He’s trying to argue and win the debate. I’m definitely not an attorney. No shade on attorneys. I think attorneys are wonderful folks. And it’s certainly a needed profession. But he’s just trying differently. He’s focused on winning the debate of whatever the point may be. I’m focused on bringing people together.”

The mayoral seat is on the ballot Nov. 7 in West Columbia along with regular elections for four City Council seats and a special election to replace a member who moved out of the city earlier this year.

Browne said she feels the city of more than 17,000 has a higher tax rate than it should, saying that taxes have steadily risen during Miles’ time on council and as mayor.

“There's a large portion of the population of the city of West Columbia that is older,” she said. “Seniors do not need tax hikes.”

Miles emphasized the investments seen in West Columbia under his watch, both in terms of shoring up infrastructure such as drainage and water supply, and in attracting private development, which the city has seen a lot of in recent years.

“Growth and development certainly requires additional infrastructure, but the growth and development also provides additional resources and activity, which generates revenue that allows us to make those investments. So it's a cycle,” he said. “But along with the continued investment that you have to make for the growth and development, the growth and development then gives you a return that allows you to continue to make investments and improvements.”

Browne questioned Miles’ vision for that growth and development.

“We need to make sure that we’re preserving the character and that we're doing things that make sense. We've had a lot of development in the River District, which I think is awesome,” she said. “But the city's bigger than just the River District. There are more areas that need attention.”

She emphasized that her experience on the Beautification Foundation gives her perspective on where improvements could be implemented and what could work.

Miles said the city under his watch has constantly kept what citizens want to see at the forefront of its approach to attracting growth and development. 

“We have a planning commission. We have public meetings,” he said. “And we take those recommendations into consideration whenever we’re doing those development deals.”

Browne said she sees the city as having a problem with homelessness and bringing more affordable housing to the area could help with this. 

“I think we need to strengthen our relationships with community partners to help get people off the street,” she said, stating that she is running because she wants to be of service to the people of West Columbia.

Miles put his focus on the team that keeps the city running in explaining why he’s seeking another term.

“Between my time on council and my time as mayor, for the last 10 years, it's been a decade. And I think that over that decade we have done so much to improve our city,” he said. “And I want to make sure that and following all that improvement, a fully empowered city staff is allowed to stay in place and continue to improve our city. And that's the No. 1 reason why I'm running for re-election. I want to continue the great progress that we've enjoyed over the last decade and the empowerment of city staff.”