AH:Main issues include over development, traffic, taxation
On Tuesday, islanders will elect four of the 12 candidates vying for a seat on the new James Island Town Council.
Though they come from a variety of backgrounds, the main issues are largely the same among the candidates, as most say they want to see the island remain small with a small government.
This, they say, is in the face of over development and subsequent traffic problems on the island's main roads, a result of annexations by the city of Charleston.
Another leading issue among the candidates was keeping taxes low by not duplicating services already provided to town residents.
The main issue once was incorporation and passing a referendum vote for the town to exist. Now, the candidates believe they finally can get down to the business of establishing a town on James Island.
KAREN CLARK BENNETT
Karen Clark Bennett said she didn't even notice that she was the only female candidate for Town Council, until someone pointed it out to her. But regardless of the gender distinction, Bennett said it's her passion for the island that makes her a good choice for council.
Bennett, a daughter of mayoral candidate Mary Clark, said that she has been working for the island for the past few years as the secretary/treasurer of the James Island Alliance for Self-Government, the group of islanders that worked for five years to get the island back to the point of incorporation.
Bennett said the main issues are controlled growth and traffic.
"I'm just concerned about the growth," Bennett said. "I want it to be a community, not just a bustling metropolis."
ROBERT BOLUS
When asked what the main issues are for the island, candidate Robert Bolus immediately responds with three things: services, zoning and development.
Bolus, an instructor at Trident Technical College, said it's important for the town to not duplicate services already provided by the James Island Public Service District and Charleston County. This, he said, would only cost residents more money.
Zoning and development, he said, go hand in hand.
Bolus said one of the main advantages of incorporation is the ability for Town Council to establish its own zoning ordinances and have some control over the growth on the island.
"The island is going to continue to grow," he said, "and we can be a strong force in that."
PAUL HADLEY
Paul Hadley, who listed managing taxes and zoning as main issues, said there's little property on James Island that hasn't already been developed.
"James Island is not a developing ground nor a development haven," he said.
Hadley, who feels strongly about the issues, was co-chairman for the James Island Alliance for Self-Government. He said they had to get the town in order to salvage what's left of the bedroom community.
Another reason, he said, was to get local option sales tax money returned to the area. Unincorporated islanders were paying the tax but could not receive their share of the revenue because there was no municipality on the island.
Hadley also said he'd like to see the town develop a strong grant-writing group.
RAY PATTERSON
Ray Patterson, an elected commissioner of the James Island Public Service District for the past 16 years, wants to join the new town's council and use his experience with the district in a liaison-type role.
"That's one of the main reasons I'm running, so we can work together," said Patterson, whose district seat is up for election in November.
The district provides wastewater transportation, sanitation and fire services on the island. And Patterson, like others, believes the town should utilize these services instead of creating its own. The town also should use law enforcement protection from the county, he said.
Otherwise, Patterson, the president of Patterson Music in West Ashley, said he wants to help get the town established and off to a good start.
ANDREW THOMAS PRICE
A computer specialist with DHEC's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, Andrew Thomas Price said efficient growth based on community values and traffic calming are the main issues for the new town.
"We're going to have to put together some ordinances that allow us the power to annex," he said as a long-term goal.
But for right now, Price said the new Town Council should serve as a listener, taking into consideration what the island's residents want for the new town.
In the way of efficient growth, Price said instead of new construction for developments, vacant structures and plazas should be occupied first. He said there will be many issues facing the new town, and he's running for council because he'd like to be a part of the process of establishing the town.
JOE QUALEY
Joe Qualey said he believes less is more, and he's running for Town Council with that in mind.
Less development, less traffic and lower taxes are among the main issues for the town, he said.
Qualey said "running the town like a small business," with "a very bottom-line approach toward fiscal responsibility," is what is needed for lower taxes in the new town.
Qualey, of the Qualey Law Firm, said that he can bring his legal skills as an attorney to the council, as well as his skills as a small businessman.
Qualey also said he would like to see a definite hurricane evacuation plan for the island in the event of a natural disaster.
DON RITCHIE
If elected, Don Ritchie said he plans to use his engineering skills to help the town establish a good foundation, which is one of the main issues he sees for the town.
Ritchie, an employee at O'Neal Engineering Inc., said that in his career, he's had to manage multi-million dollar budgets. This is another way he believes he can help the town get started.
"Managing money is very important," he said. "You have to watch where every penny goes."
Also, as a long-term idea, Ritchie said he'd like to see the town encompassing the entire island, as it's now divided with city of Charleston annexations. This will require changes of state law, And while Ritchie admits this may never happen, he still said he'd like to see everyone on James Island under one municipality.
JEROME SLOANE
Jerome Sloane said the main issues for the new town is keeping it small and getting it organized.
"That's basically what I'm trying to do, keep it like it is," Sloane said.
Sloane said that while growth can't be stopped, it should be controlled.
He said he would like to see most of the rest of the island within the town's boundaries, as single-family homes vs. multifamily developments.
Sloane, a self-employed contractor by trade, was a member of the planning and zoning board for the old town, which was dissolved in 1997.
He said the town will need to address a variety of zoning concerns, including those related to heirs' property. Sloane also said he'd like to see the town annex doughnut hole areas of the island that are not in either municipality.
CLARENCE SPELL
Holding taxes down and controlled development are the main issues for the new town, as Clarence Spell sees it.
Spell served as an election commissioner for the old town.
He said the issues of taxes and development are concerns of islanders who want to see the town stay small and don't want taxes to increase.
"It's important to anybody that they don't spend a dollar that they don't need to spend," he said.
Spell, who is retired from the Charleston Air Force Base, said to help ensure this, he would "vote negative" on any issue that would raise taxes on the island.
A farmer himself, Spell said he wants to protect the lifestyle of some island residents who still raise their own chickens and livestock.
BILL 'CUBBY' WILDER
Bringing unity to the island and addressing traffic concerns are among the main issues for Bill Wilder.
Before, he said, there was only one main issue — getting the island incorporated again.
Wilder, a co-chairman of the James Island Alliance for Self-Government, said he's been working for the town for the past five years since it was dissolved in 1997.
"I'm running on my record as a community leader for James Island," Wilder said, adding that he's also chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Sol Legare, an organization for the community in which he lives.
Wilder also said he would like to address zoning concerns on the island, especially for those who live on heirs' property.
Traffic on the island, especially on Folly Road, is a big problem, he said, and it's something the new council will have to address.
PARRIS WILLIAMS
Parris Williams believes zoning, keeping taxes low and maintaining the environment are main issues for the new town.
Williams said it's important to try to slow down the building of multifamily housing on the island.
He also said he would like to address concerns with heirs' property, warranting the need for the town to have its own planning and zoning board.
Williams said the town should continue to use the services provided by the James Island Public Service District instead of establishing its own services. Keeping good communication with the district is important, he said.
Williams, like others, refers to his participation and leadership with the James Island Alliance for Self-Government in its successful efforts to get the town back to the point of incorporation.
BILL WOOLSEY
Taxes, crime, basic services and common-sense planning are what Bill Woolsey sees as the main issues for the town.
By continuing to have services provided by the James Island Public Service District, Woolsey said the town can spend minimally and return as much of the local option sales tax money to residents as possible.
"We don't need the town trying to think of things to do that will waste taxpayers money," Woolsey said.
Woolsey said he's met some residents who are concerned about crime and would like to see the town promote a neighborhood watch in the area.
A former member of the Charleston County Planning Commission, Woolsey believes the town could use the commission in its planning needs instead of hiring a planning administrator.
In using the planning commission, Woolsey said, the ultimate approval still would rest with Town Council.
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