Who Will Represent the Town of James Island in the SC Senate?

I have spoken with three candidates for South Carolina Senate District 41 about changes I believe the Town needs in Columbia.     I emailed Tim Mallard several days ago and he has not gotten back in touch.

My first priority is legislation necessary to unite the Town.  That is, legislation that will allow those residents who were in the Town in 2011 and were left out of our incorporation election in 2012 to vote on whether they want to be back in the Town.

I think our best opportunity is House Bill 4203 .

Culver Kidd, who is the only candidate who lives on James Island, knew about the bill and promised to work to get it passed.   He has a good working relationship with Representative Peter McCoy.  As for fixing the millage cap as it applies to new municipalities, clarifying the refundability of tax credits, and the treatment of municipalities that annex versus incorporate in special purpose districts--he was open to proposals I have made, but would not say yes without further study.  He didn't want to tell me later that he has changed his mind.   That seemed sensible enough.

The other three candidates live in West Ashley.    Perhaps it should be no surprise that they were not as familiar with the issues facing the Town of James Island.

Sandy Senn explained to me that she would be representing people both within the Town and within the James Island Public Service District so she would need to do her homework to understand the implications for all sides and for all similarly situated entities in the state. That sounded sensible enough.   She seemed most open to fixing the absurd implications of the millage cap for new municipalities.

Of course, most of the voters in the JIPSD are in the Town.   My goal is to reunite the Town so that everyone in the JIPSD will also be in the Town.   I told her this.  There is at least some hope that James Islanders could persuade her to help us.

Roy Maybank asked many questions and explained that he would need to carefully study all of these issues.  That sounded sensible enough.  When I followed up with him later, he was more confident that he would work with Representative McCoy to help the Town much as has Senator Thurmond.

There are many issues facing South Carolina and the Lowcountry.   I certainly will consider all issues when I cast my vote.   But for the issue closest to my heart--reuniting our Town-- I think Culver Kidd is the best choice.