Unlike two years ago when the town held elections, a cloud of uncertainty about the future overshadows the race. The town is awaiting a ruling from the S.C. Supreme Court on a lawsuit filed by the city of Charleston that challenges the James Island's constitutionality. An unfavorable ruling would dissolve the town.
It's a touch of deja vu. The town was first dissolved in 1997 as the result of a successful Charleston lawsuit challenging the town's borders.
Still, the candidates say they're optimistic about the town's survival this time around. They cite traffic congestion, road and drainage issues, island recreation and establishing long term goals as some of the main issues.
Mayor Mary Clark is being challenged by Robert Kline. Challengers Alice Abrams and Carol Jacobsen oppose council incumbents Joe Qualey, Bill "Cubby" Wilder, Parris Williams and Bill Woolsey.
The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. James Island
precincts 6-10 and 15 will vote at Fire Station No. 1, 1622 Camp Road. Precincts
5a, 5b, 11-14 and 17 will vote at Fire Station No. 2, 853 Harbor View Road.
Precincts 19, 20 and 22 will vote at Fire Station No. 3, 78 Plymouth Ave.
Precincts 1a and 3 and Folly Beach precinct 2 will vote at Fire Station No. 4,
1833 Folly Road.
Race for mayor
Clark said she's running for re-election because her job isn't finished. She refers to restrictions on the town's operations until the state Supreme Court reaches its decision on whether the town can continue to exist.
"My job will be over when the town gets established where we are not under court order, and the (James Island Alliance for Self-Government's) plan is implemented to get tax dollars back to the people," she said.
The alliance, which Clark helped to lead, was a grassroots group of islanders who worked to get the town re-incorporated.
"The alliance worked for five years to establish the town and they sold the plan to the people and the people got out and voted for the town," Clark said.
Kline disagrees with the alliance's plan. "They have served their purpose and they are not a part of the government," Kline said.
He said he's running to lead the town into a stronger future. "I do believe that the town of James Island deserves better and stronger leadership," he said.
For the future, the town should have more services for its people, including a police department, Kline said.
"I don't want to be a paper town. I want to provide services for the people," he said.
Clark said she resents the reference of James Island being a paper town. She believes services like law enforcement are being adequately handled by the county's sheriff's department.
Clark also cites traffic as problematic for the town. Kline
also said he would like to see citizens who serve on town committees receive a
stipend for their work. The money, he said, would come from grants.
Town council race
ALICE ABRAMS
Abrams, a folk artist by trade, is a first-time town council candidate. "I wish to be a proactive member of town council," said Abrams, an 18-year island resident.
Abrams said the town needs stronger comprehensive planning, and balanced growth that takes into account the environment and private property rights.
CAROL JACOBSEN
Jacobsen, a retired first-time candidate, emphasizes the town's need to outline future objectives. "We need a long term plan. We need to know what our goals are," she said.
Jacobsen, who studied city planning in college, also wants to address roads and drainage issues. A four-year island resident, she said the town needs more logical planning to prevent unnecessary work. For example, she's seen roads developed only to be torn apart to install a sewer line.
"Communities work because people communicate," she said.
JOE QUALEY
In his two years on town council, Qualey said he's helped accomplished a lot by way of planning and zoning, which helps control development on the island.
The town has adopted a comprehensive plan and has tackled issues of density and development. Also, he mentions the town's move to oppose development on Morris Island.
"I'm running for re-election so that I can be an active voice for the people of James Island," Qualey said.
BILL "CUBBY" WILDER
Like Clark, Wilder includes his years working with the James Island Alliance for Self-Government as years of experience for his council role.
"I'm a fighter," he said, adding that he also was involved with the first town in the early 1990's.
As chairman of the town's recreation committee, Wilder said he plans to push for more recreational opportunities for children and seniors on the island.
PARRIS WILLIAMS
Williams, an ordained minister, also lists traffic congestion as a major concern for islanders. Like other council members, he mentioned synchronizing several traffic lights on Folly Road to facilitate the flow of traffic down the busy stretch.
During his time on council, he's chaired the roads and drainage committee. He said he's faced a variety of issues, including the often controversial installation of speed humps to calm traffic.
"I'm not new at this," Williams said. "I have experience to help the town become a success."
BILL WOOLSEY
Woolsey said his message for this election continues to be the same as it was in 2002.
"My goal is to keep our town government small and our taxes low," Woolsey said.
Woolsey said he wants to use local option sales tax money as a rebate for residents on taxes from the James Island Public Service District.
Contrary to other council members, Woolsey also said the town
should look for a more secure town hall building, one that could withstand a
hurricane. The town hall is currently at 1246 Camp Road, in the Camp Center
Shopping Center.
MARY CLARK
Office: Mayor
Residence: 1279 Midvale Ave.
Family: Three children; three grandchildren
Education: Graduate of the former Memminger High School
Phone Number: 795-5162
Occupation: Retired
Main Issues: The town's survival, good voter turnout, growth
issues, traffic and roads
ROBERT KLINE
Office: Mayor
Residence: 661 Fort Sumter Drive
Family: Wife, Lee; two children
Education: MA from University of Bridgeport; BA from Western Connecticut University
Phone Number: 762-2963
Occupation: Retired teacher
Main Issues: Setting clear goals for the town
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