District 11 Candidates Make Their Cases, Again

CHARLESTON - Bill Moody and Laura Dukes Beck were the two top vote-getters in the first round of the election for the Charleston City Council District 11 seat, and because no one came away with more than 50 percent of the vote, they will face each other again next Tuesday in a runoff election for the seat.

Andy Brack, the third candidate in the first round of voting has declined to endorse either candidate for the runoff.

West Ashley Patch asked the candidates the following questions so that voters can get a better sense of where each stands on issues that matter in their district. We asked the candidates to abide by a 300 word limit on each question.

If you live in District 11 don't forget to vote next Tuesday. .

1) If elected, what role do you see yourself fulfilling on City Council?

Beck: I will be one of the voices of reason on City Council. I am in independent thinker who will not be a rubber stamp for the establishment. I will look at the issues as presented and weigh the costs and benefits to make a decision. I am an issue based decider, not someone who will vote for or against something just because a specific person is for or against it. I will listen to all sides of an issue, and I will do so with respect and honesty. I also understand that I do not know it all and that everyone brings a viewpoint to the table that must be respectfully listened to in order to find the best options. As a lawyer, a mediator, and a parent, and as a past member of Folly Beach City Council I have learned to listen to all of the stakeholders and to build a consensus in order to find a solution, especially in a government setting. I am a logical thinker, not a knee-jerk reactionary, and I think the people in District 11 and Charleston deserve a leader who has a fresh viewpoint that is future oriented, not bogged down in the past. I will be an advocate for District 11 at every step of the way. There is so much potential in West Ashley and James Island. The promises that have been made to us must be fulfilled: like the bike lanes, the Greenway completion, the crosswalks in Avondale, the traffic solutions. So much has the potential to change too, and I will be a watchdog for District 11 to make sure that the infill development we will soon see enhances our District. I will use common sense to shape solutions for a better community in the place we call home!

Moody: One problem with government is that once something is in place, it doesn’t get reviewed or changed. I would question every aspect of the budget and ask: Is it necessary? Is it cost effective? Are we getting the results we need or expected? The City does a good job of measuring its financial budget. I would push for more performance budgeting and measurement. Great effort plus an excuse does not equal results.

Over 50% of the budget is spent on a core government service -police & fire protection. The fire department needs to get its certification completed to secure a low insurance rating which could mean lower fire insurance premiums for homes and businesses. The EMT and central dispatch programs need to be completely implemented to assure better emergency responses. The police need to complete the technology upgrade to better protect the officers and the public.

I'll work with other council members and build coalitions to solve these problems.

2) What do you see as the two most important issues affecting District 11 and how do you plan to address them?

Beck: 1. Economic and Re-Development: West Ashley and James Island are bustling with business and residential activity. We have seen the rejuvenation of shopping districts like Avondale, St Andrew’s Shopping Center, and Riverland Terrace, and our neighborhoods are happy and healthy. There is more to come in the development of the corner of Albemarle Road, the building of the new hotel by the Holiday Inn, and the area near Kmart. Let’s make sure that we keep a vigilant eye on making sure these are assets to our area- in appearance, in services offered, and in jobs.  I want to make District 11 the destination for people looking to open new businesses. We need to smooth the path to make it easier by having a helpful attitude, lowering our fees, and making sure we don’t look to the entrepreneur as a cash cow for the city.

2. Quality of Life: This is a far reaching issue for us in District 11. I think it encompasses everything from traffic, which I discuss in more detail below, to parks and recreational opportunities, to making sure our needs are met by services provided by the government without increasing our taxes, to the wonderful Lowcountry environment we all know and love. Our roads must work, we must address crime problems so we feel safe, and we have to make sure that we look forward every day to what living in Charleston has to offer. Build the bike lanes, build the parks, finish the Greenway, protect our water and air quality, and make sure ordinances like noise and litter and parking are enforced. I will work tirelessly to make sure our quality of life is preserved, and I will advocate for our District to make sure we get what we should as the decisions are being made.

Moody: The city should provide the basic infrastructure to enable businesses to grow and prosper. Businesses need educated workers, affordable water, sewer and electricity; favorable tax structure and minimum regulation. The Charleston Region has a big deficiency in investment capital. After the base closure, we were trying to attract any jobs. We re-tooled by attracting better jobs while raising the per capita income. Our short and long term economic outlook has many challenges. We’ve seen adjustments in the private sector and this notion of doing more with less. We need to have the same mindset with government. We need to partner with those who share the same goals, and collectively market the region and not just one area.

3)Why have you decided to run for City Council and why should the voters choose to support you?

Beck: One of the great things about getting to vote is that you can choose the voice that best represents you. I expect that folks who vote for me won’t agree with me all of the time, but I hope that the approach I bring to problem solving and planning for Charleston’s tomorrow inspires voters to choose me. I have lived in Charleston for over 30 years. I know that we have to look to the past while planning for the future. If elected I will be one of two women on Council, the only single mom, and the youngest Council member. Despite my youth- I just turned 40- I bring a whole host of experience to the table: while on Folly Council I was mayor-pro tem, I have chaired Planning Commission, written laws to address quality of life issues like litter, traffic, noise, and zoning, and balanced a municipal budget. I have saved small businesses and helped negotiate between resident and business concerns. I have built two playgrounds, interviewed and hired a police chief, protected our water and air quality, and successfully addressed traffic and bike/ped lane possibilities. I will always be respectful, even when I disagree, and at the end of the day I know that I represent the voters of District 11. That means that I know there are times I will set my own personal views aside so that the people’s voice is reflected as they want it to be. I decided to run because I want to make sure James Island and West Ashley is the place our kids will want to raise their kids. I also think that we need leaders who bring different experiences and skill sets to the table so that government consists of more than just one gender and age range. I ask for your vote on Tuesday!

Moody: In most communities there is a critical need to provide jobs. The best way to correct this problem is through the private sector. Government, at all levels, needs to get out of the way and stay out of the way and let the free market forces work. I’ve been a successful business owner and have given my time in leadership roles such as the Chamber, United Way and a host of others as a way of returning something back to my community.  In my business role, I’ve watched the bottom line, I’ve grown small businesses and I have the experience in auditing government finances.  Now retired, I have the time, experience and leadership to make a difference and improve our community.  We need to work together to improve conditions for job creation and help existing businesses grow.  I’ll oppose raising taxes or fees and will work with other members of council willing to help grow our economy.

4) Please explain your stance on whether to complete the construction of I-526?

Beck: I-526 is a multi-faceted question. There is no simple answer to it. Something MUST be done to address the traffic in District 11. Simply saying build it now will not solve our traffic problem. If it were permitted tomorrow the construction would take 6-10 years. The statistics given by the DOT worry me. I am a fiscal conservative, and spending half a billion dollars to save the average driver 36 seconds in travel time raises a red flag. It also has the very real potential to open as an already gridlocked road because of inadequate planning and sheer numbers of cars. County Council has the decision making authority over this road, not the City Council. They are currently renegotiating the contract with the State- and we all know the State DOT is broken right now.

The question to me then becomes what can I do as a City Council member to improve traffic NOW? There are traffic studies that show our lights in District 11 are poorly timed and that they increase gridlock: fix the lights. Let’s improve the intersections where there is trouble- and make sure when we spend taxpayer money the solutions are going to work. Look at school and work start times and stagger the flow of traffic. Consider using the middle lane of Savannah Highway at peak times as a temporary measure like the reversible lane of the old Cooper River Bridge. Implement alternate methods of transportation and new-Urbanist style development so that our businesses and errands and jobs are closer to home and we don’t have to drive as much.

And finally, on building I-526, if it can be shown that there is a measurable improvement to our traffic and the people of District 11 tell me they want me to support it, I will.

Moody: Since the early 1970's, a plan to meet the traffic needs of our community was proposed and I-526 was developed from Mt. Pleasant to North Charleston, from there to West Ashley, crossing James and Johns Island and into the city of Charleston. A little more than 19 miles has been completed over the years leaving just seven miles to finish this outer belt of Charleston. This can has been kicked down the road for far too long. I will support the completion of I-526. My opponent talks around this question and will not give a definitive answer. You'll always know where I stand on an issue.