From the City of West Columbia:

The City of West Columbia is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mayor Pro-Tem L. Dale Harley on Thursday, March 23, 2017. He had represented Council District 1 since he first was elected in September 1993.  He also served two previous terms as mayor pro-tem during his tenure on city council.

Mayor Pro Tem Harley was a graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School and the University of South Carolina. He was a self-employed business man in West Columbia for over 50 years.  He was a graduate of the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of the Municipal Association of South Carolina.  He continued to expand his knowledge of local government through participation in the Leadership Training Institute of the National League of Cities in Washington, DC.

Mayor Pro-Tem Harley was a founding member of the West Columbia Beautification Foundation and instrumental in the building of the West Columbia City Hall in 2004.  He worked diligently with other council members to establish the Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater, which first opened in 2005.  Mayor Pro-Tem Harley ardently encouraged city council’s support of the South Carolina Boys and Girls State scholarship programs to provide local high school students opportunities to attend leadership and citizenship sessions at the State House during the summer.

The West Columbia City Council appointed Mayor Pro-Tem Harley as the city’s representative to the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission in October 2014. He previously served on the Commission from March 2003 until March 2012 and was the commission chairman from July 2008 until January 2012.  As commission chairman, he oversaw the expansion of the Commission’s water and sewer service into many unincorporated areas of Lexington County.

The Mayor, City Council, and city staff extend their sympathies and prayers to the family members and many friends of Mayor Pro-Tem Harley. After serving on city council for 24 years, his presence will be greatly missed at City Hall and in the community.

For further information please contact Kelli Ricard, City Clerk at (803) 939-8608.