Savannah Morning News, Here are the qualified candidates for the Pooler city elections on Nov. 7

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Ruthie has been a resident of Pooler since 2001. She has a master’s degree in health administration and management.

Ruthie is currently a life insurance agent and works for Ensemble Health Partners in revenue integrity.

Ruthie Woodard’s campaign for city council member is her first entry into politics.

As of June 20, 2025, Ruthie Woodard did not have a website or any information online.

Natural Resources & the Environment

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Supports the use of taxes, user charges, and payments from other levels of government to facilitate the growth of Pooler.

- Supports the use of taxes, user charges, and payments from other levels of government to facilitate the growth of Pooler.

Public Services

Transportation & Infrastructure

Ruthie Woodard

Born in California, Aaron spent most of his childhood in northeast Ohio. As a teenager, he and his family relocated to Colorado Springs, where he met and married his wife, Ashley, in 2009. Aaron and his wife moved to Pooler in 2015. He has an associate’s degree in English from Pikes Peak State College and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Management from Colorado State University Global. 

He serves on the Evangelism & Hospitality Committee of Wesley Monumental United Methodist and is a board member of Family Promise of the Coastal Empire. He is the Juneteenth Run chairman for the Pooler Juneteenth Celebration Committee. In August 2023, he was appointed for a four-year term to the Municipal Training Board of the Harold F. Holt Municipal Training Institute. In February 2023, he was elected to a one-year term with the National League of Cities 2023 Small Cities Council.

Savannah Business Journal, Aaron C Higgins of Pooler City Council appointed to Serve on National League of Cities’ Small Cities Council

Savannah Business Journal, Aaron C Higgins appointed to the Municipal Training Board of the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute

City of Pooler, Councilman Aaron Higgins

Aaron works full-time for Strategic Healthcare Partners, a Savannah-based healthcare consulting and analytics company.

Aaron Higgins was elected for his first term as a city council member in 2020.

Advocates for protecting Pooler’s natural wetland areas by pursuing grants that help cities purchase and preserve land.

- Advocates for protecting Pooler’s natural wetland areas by pursuing grants that help cities purchase and preserve land.

As of June 20, 2025, Aaron C. Higgins’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Advocates for the construction of a “state-of-the-art live fire training tower/building” for the Pooler Fire Department.

Wants to expand training programs for the Pooler Fire Department.

Supports the creation of “low-cost, publicly accessible training programs, such as Red Cross CPR certification, Stop the Bleed, and verbal conflict resolution”.

- Advocates for the construction of a “state-of-the-art live fire training tower/building” for the Pooler Fire Department.
- Wants to expand training programs for the Pooler Fire Department.
- Supports the creation of “low-cost, publicly accessible training programs, such as Red Cross CPR certification, Stop the Bleed, and verbal conflict resolution”.

Supports the construction of a library in Pooler that includes “additional indoor and outdoor space for local events”.

Proposes the creation of a Smart Growth Economic Development Strategy, a step-by-step guide used by small and mid-sized cities to build a place-based economic development strategy.

As a city council member, worked with other councilmembers to rewrite the alcohol ordinance of Pooler.

- Supports the construction of a library in Pooler that includes “additional indoor and outdoor space for local events”.
- Proposes the creation of a Smart Growth Economic Development Strategy, a step-by-step guide used by small and mid-sized cities to build a place-based economic development strategy.
- As a city council member, worked with other councilmembers to rewrite the alcohol ordinance of Pooler.

Supports the implementation of strategies to manage traffic.

Wants to interconnect dead-end neighborhoods.

Wants to promote non-car solutions such as trams, bikes, and e-scooters.

Supports investing in public transportation options.

- Supports the implementation of strategies to manage traffic.
- Wants to interconnect dead-end neighborhoods.
- Wants to promote non-car solutions such as trams, bikes, and e-scooters.
- Supports investing in public transportation options.

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Aaron C. Higgins

In 2011, Dave and his wife founded The Salt Table, a Pooler-based brand of proprietary food products. He and his wife then officially moved to Pooler in 2015. They are founding corporate sponsors of the Savannah Voice Festival. Dave was a 2014 recipient of the Greater Savannah Chamber of Commerce’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award and is a two-time winner of the Flavor of Georgia food contest.

Dave began his career as an advertising salesperson at a daily newspaper in New Hampshire while working part-time at a local radio station. At the age of 21, he worked at the New London Daily, a daily newspaper in Connecticut. After two years, he returned to New Hampshire and launched an advertising/PR agency. As a self-employed marketing professional and consultant, Dave has worked with a number of small businesses and Fortune 500 organizations throughout his 45+ year career. He has served as chairman of the Georgia Grown Commodity Commission and was a founding board member of the Savannah Classical Academy.

Dave Legasse’s campaign for city council member is his first entry into politics.

As of June 20, 2025, David "Dave" Legasse’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants pay and benefits for police, firefighters, and first responders to be “appropriate and comparable to surrounding cities”.

- Wants pay and benefits for police, firefighters, and first responders to be “appropriate and comparable to surrounding cities”.

Wants to divide Pooler into three or more districts.

Supports the establishment of a charter school in Pooler.

Wants to develop and initiate a new master plan for Pooler.

Supports the creation of places and programs designed for young people, families, and older adults.

- Wants to divide Pooler into three or more districts.
- Supports the establishment of a charter school in Pooler.
- Wants to develop and initiate a new master plan for Pooler.
- Supports the creation of places and programs designed for young people, families, and older adults.

Wants to address the needs of older neighborhoods in Pooler.

- Wants to address the needs of older neighborhoods in Pooler.

David "Dave" Legasse

Information on John’s personal background is not available at this time.

John M. Witcher was elected for his first term as a city council member in 2020.

As of June 20, 2025, John M. Wilcher did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to improve the quality of life for Pooler residents

- Wants to improve the quality of life for Pooler residents

John M. Wilcher

Issuu, Pooler Magazine - July/August 2017

Maribeth grew up in northwest Indiana and moved to North Carolina before calling Pooler home. Maribeth has been a resident of Pooler for over 30 years.

Before becoming city clerk, Maribeth started her career with the city in 1989 in the finance department of City Hall in an entry-level position. Her career has grown during her time with City Hall.

Maribeth Lindler is currently city clerk and has served more than 28 years in this position.

As of October 3, 2023, Maribeth Lindler did not have a website or any information online.

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In 2022, stated that “teachers need higher salaries”.

In 2022, supported more resources being provided for public schools, stating that she wanted to “see enough money for those schools so they can build bigger schools”.

- In 2022, stated that “teachers need higher salaries”.
- In 2022, supported more resources being provided for public schools, stating that she wanted to “see enough money for those schools so they can build bigger schools”.

Maribeth Lindler

City of Pooler, GA, Councilwoman Shannon Black

Shannon has lived in Pooler for the past 16 years. She has two children, Zachary and Josie Grace. She serves as treasurer of the Pooler Elementary PTA.

Shannon attended Georgia Southern University. Her background is in property development, and she holds a Georgia real estate license.

Shannon Black has been a city council member since 2010.

As of June 20, 2025, Melanie Shannon Black did not have a website or any information online.

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As a member of city council, voted to approve the site plan for Pooler Promenade.

As a member of city council, supported the expansion of athletic programs offered through the Pooler Recreation Department.

- As a member of city council, voted to approve the site plan for Pooler Promenade.
- As a member of city council, supported the expansion of athletic programs offered through the Pooler Recreation Department.

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Stated that the city has to “have infrastructure to have development, you can't have development without infrastructure”.

- Stated that the city has to “have infrastructure to have development, you can't have development without infrastructure”.

Melanie Shannon Black

New Politics, Endorsement: Michael Carpenter

Michael lives with his wife and three daughters. He is a member of the Pooler Lions Club, the Savannah chapter of the NAACP, and the Georgia Sheriffs Association.

Michael is currently the PTA president at the elementary school in Pooler that his three daughters attend. Joining the United States Army at 20 years old, he was a warrant officer and served in the Iraq War. He and his wife co-founded the community nonprofit, the Takeaway Foundation.

Michael Carpenter’s campaign for city council member is his first entry into politics.

As of June 20, 2025, Michael Carpenter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Proposes the creation of a 24-hour urgent care or hospital facility.

- Proposes the creation of a 24-hour urgent care or hospital facility.

Supports the creation of a local farmers’ market.

Plans to expand community growth with a focus on families.

Wants more youth-friendly attractions and learning centers.

Calls for “pro-businesses policies that encourage innovation, attract investments, and create local job opportunities”.

Intends to “actively engage with and support local entrepreneurs”.

- Supports the creation of a local farmers’ market.
- Plans to expand community growth with a focus on families.
- Wants more youth-friendly attractions and learning centers.
- Calls for “pro-businesses policies that encourage innovation, attract investments, and create local job opportunities”.
- Intends to “actively engage with and support local entrepreneurs”.

Supports reducing the total amount of carbon pollution.

Wants to focus on road expansion to resolve traffic issues.

Plans to focus on drainage issues in several areas of Pooler.

- Supports reducing the total amount of carbon pollution.
- Wants to focus on road expansion to resolve traffic issues.
- Plans to focus on drainage issues in several areas of Pooler.

Michael Carpenter

City of Pooler, Mayor Rebecca Benton

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Rebecca Benton is a lifelong resident of Pooler and attended The Savannah Country Day School. Her father owned Benton’s Dairy and her mother was an educator for almost 20 years. Rebecca graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in political science. She attends Trinity United Methodist Church of Pooler, where she has served as council chair and trustee. She is also a member of the Garden Club of Pooler, Georgia.

Rebecca is a semi-retired attorney and a member of the State Bar of Georgia. She has formerly served as the president of the Rotary Club of Pooler/West Chatman and the secretary and treasurer of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers.

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Rebecca Benton has held the position of mayor since 2020, becoming the Pooler’s first female mayor. However, she has decided not to run for re-election in 2024. She has previously been on the Pooler City Council since 2004 and served as mayor pro tem for 8 years before her mayoral post. While on the City Council, she was a liaison with the Streets and Drainage Departments.

As of June 20, 2025, Rebecca C. Benton did not have a website or any information online.

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Supports the construction of a library in Pooler.

As mayor, supported the establishment of Costco in Pooler.

As mayor, supported the establishment of a Botanical Sciences dispensary in Pooler. Botanical Sciences is Georgia's first physician-owned medical cannabis provider.

- Supports the construction of a library in Pooler.
- As mayor, supported the establishment of Costco in Pooler.
- As mayor, supported the establishment of a Botanical Sciences dispensary in Pooler. Botanical Sciences is Georgia's first physician-owned medical cannabis provider.

WTOC, TSPLOST voted down in Chatham County

As mayor, supported the Transportation Special Purpose Sales Tax (TSPLOST), which included a 1% sales tax on goods and services in order to allocate money to fixing roads and other transportation projects in Chatman County.

- As mayor, supported the Transportation Special Purpose Sales Tax (TSPLOST), which included a 1% sales tax on goods and services in order to allocate money to fixing roads and other transportation projects in Chatman County.

Rebecca C. Benton

Shirlenia is a long-time resident of Pooler and serves as the Executive Pastor of Bread of Life Ministries Inc., which was founded by her husband Erick. Shirlenia and her husband have two adult children.

For the past 3 years, Shirlenia has been a Pooler Planning & Zoning Commissioner. She is a 20-year retired military veteran who was an United States Army Captain.

Shirlenia Daniel’s campaign for city council member is her first entry into politics.

As of September 1, 2023, Shirlenia Daniel’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Issuu, For Such a Time as This (Pooler Magazine - August/September 2023)

Promotes community engagement, especially among the youth.

Advocates for financial stability and economic growth through employment and professional development opportunities.

Wants entrepreneurs to have greater access to guidance, resources, and support.

Wants to restore and maintain healthy families.

- Promotes community engagement, especially among the youth.
- Advocates for financial stability and economic growth through employment and professional development opportunities.
- Wants entrepreneurs to have greater access to guidance, resources, and support.
- Wants to restore and maintain healthy families.

Supports “positive business relationships to build safe infrastructure”.

- Supports “positive business relationships to build safe infrastructure”.

Shirlenia Daniel

Tom was born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, and comes from a line of Baptist ministers. He attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College, being the first in his family to graduate college. He has earned several certifications, including in project management and not-for-profit accounting and governmental reporting. 

Tom has been married to his wife Becky for more than 40 years and has three children and six grandchildren. He and his wife relocated to Pooler in 2014, engaging in church activities at Calvary Baptist Temple, spending time with family, and enjoying music and sports.

Working at IBM for 23 years, he retired as an Executive Project Manager in 2004. He then joined the United States Tennis Association (USTA), retiring as Managing Director of Finance and IT in 2013. 

Tom currently works with the Pooler Recreation Department as a tennis teaching professional. Due to his accomplishments and community work in tennis, he was selected as the '2014 Tennis Man of the Year’ by USTA Eastern.

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Thomas "Tom" Hutcherson used to be a member of the Pooler City Council. He was first elected in 2020 and was in office for less than one term. He stepped down in 2023 following a disagreement with the current city council. He used to be mayor pro tem of Pooler.

As of June 20, 2025, Thomas "Tom" Hutcherson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a city council member, helped organize a drive to assist Senior Living facilities in Pooler that were experiencing mask shortages.

- As a city council member, helped organize a drive to assist Senior Living facilities in Pooler that were experiencing mask shortages.

Advocates for term limits and staggered elections.

Advocates for diversity and greater citizen participation.

Wants to create partnerships between the city and local schools starting with a Youth Council.

As a city council member, contributed to the development of the Pooler 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

As a city council member, founded the Pooler Juneteenth Celebration Committee and chaired Pooler’s first ever Juneteenth celebrations two years in a row.

As a city council member, approved expansion for the recreation program to include a tennis & pickleball facility.

- Advocates for term limits and staggered elections.
- Advocates for diversity and greater citizen participation.
- Wants to create partnerships between the city and local schools starting with a Youth Council.
- As a city council member, contributed to the development of the Pooler 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
- As a city council member, founded the Pooler Juneteenth Celebration Committee and chaired Pooler’s first ever Juneteenth celebrations two years in a row.
- As a city council member, approved expansion for the recreation program to include a tennis & pickleball facility.

Wants to encourage developers to contribute to infrastructure improvements.

Plans to create a purchasing policy that uses additional criteria when awarding contracts, such as local, women, and minority owned businesses.

Wants to focus on outside funding for infrastructure projects.

As a city council member, approved the Pipemakers Canal Widening project as a city council member.

Helped get a $285k grant needed to complete the SR 26/US 80 Corridor study while representing Pooler on the Board of the Municipal Planning Commission.

- Wants to encourage developers to contribute to infrastructure improvements.
- Plans to create a purchasing policy that uses additional criteria when awarding contracts, such as local, women, and minority owned businesses.
- Wants to focus on outside funding for infrastructure projects.
- As a city council member, approved the Pipemakers Canal Widening project as a city council member.
- Helped get a $285k grant needed to complete the SR 26/US 80 Corridor study while representing Pooler on the Board of the Municipal Planning Commission.

Thomas "Tom" Hutcherson

Wesley was born and raised in Pooler. His family has a long history in Pooler since the 1950s. His family opened the original produce stand, better known as Polks Plus. In 2011, Wesley opened and established the produce market Polks Plus, which has been serving the community for 12 years. He is a husband and father of two kids.

Wesley is a builder by trade and has been building homes for Pooler residents since 2007. For four years, he previously worked as the Building Inspector for Pooler.

Wesley Bashlor’s campaign for city council member is his first entry into politics.

As of June 20, 2025, Wesley Bashlor’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to help enhance and develop the growth of Pooler.

- Wants to help enhance and develop the growth of Pooler.

Wesley Bashlor

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 