The Community Times Dispatch

Dwayne Buckner announced today his intention to file for a seat on the Walterboro City Council. An attorney, businessman and former Colleton County school teacher. Buckner recently returned to Walterboro after practicing law in Florida.Buckner is a 2006 graduate of Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale FL. While in law school, he was selected to travel to Vienna, Austria to compete with other law students from around the world at the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court competition. In addition, Buckner traveled to Trinidad and Tobago as a part of the law school’s Caribbean Law Workshop class. There, Buckner presented to high ranking Trinidadian government officials legal research on issues facing the island nation at the time.

“My travels to Europe and the Caribbean have broadened my perspective and appreciation for people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.” Buckner said. “As a city council member, I intend to help formulate policies that will help attract international trade and commerce into the city. We can begin this process by first treating each other in the city with respect, kindness, and generosity and then extending the same to people visit and want to do business with us from other countries.”

After law school, Buckner served as an Assistant Public Defender for Broward County, Florida. There, he represented juveniles and those accused of misdemeanor offences. He managed a caseload of over 100 clients at a time and helped to protect the rights of the poor and less fortunate. “We have to level the playing field in the city so that every person, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic background has the opportunity to live, work and prosper in Walterboro.”

Before moving to Florida, Buckner was the owner and Broker-in-Charge of Interstate Realty in Walterboro. His business allowed him to coordinate transactions for the purchase of commercial real estate for medical offices and franchise development. He guided clients through the process of buying and selling real estate, negotiated, and prepared contracts. “It is vitally important that we set policies that beautify the city, increase property values, remove blights from our neighborhoods, and provide a safe environment where people can work, play and raise a family, said Buckner.

Buckner also served as co-founder and managing editor of The Dispatch newspaper. It was there that Buckner gained a keen understanding of municipal and county government operations through attendance and reporting on meetings. He interviewed people from all walks of life and wrote articles and editorials on various topics. In addition, he worked with the business community developing marketing strategies through newspaper advertising. “Small business is the lifeline of our economy in Walterboro,” Buckner said. I understand the challenges facing the business community. And, if elected, I will help to foster a renaissance of entrepreneurship and business development in Walterboro.”

A 1990 graduate of Walterboro High School, Buckner is a member of St. Peter’s AME Church in Walterboro where he served as a Sunday school teacher and Bible study instructor. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Walterboro. “My campaign is about the future of the City of Walterboro,” Buckner said. “My goal is to make Walterboro the city of hospitality. I bring to the council new ideas, a different perspective and the tenacity necessary to get things done for the betterment of all citizens of Walterboro.