Seabrook Island Candidates Answer the Tough Questions

The general election for the Town of Seabrook Island will take place on Tuesday, November 7. This election is nonpartisan. All the members of Town Council and the mayor’s office are up for election. Utility Commissioner will also be up for election and the only person running for that office is Robert Aaron. The term of office for Town Council and mayor is January 2024 to January 2026. The term of office for the Utility Commissioner will begin January 2024 to January 2030. Voting will take place at the SIPOA Lake House from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit https://www.townofseabrookisland.org/announcements/september-25th-2023 for more information on early voting and absentee voting.

Please stay tuned as we will soon be posting answers from Sharon Welch.

Seabrook Island Mayor Candidates 

Interviewing Jeri Finke, Candidate for Seabrook Island Mayor

Jeri Finke has lived on Seabrook Island as a full-time resident since 2010, however she owned the property since 2005. She has served on Town Council for the past six years. During her time on Town Council, she took the lead on the Town’s opposition to seismic testing and offshore drilling for oil and natural gas; she initiated and drafted the Town’s ordinance banning the use of single-use plastic bags and other plastics; she developed the Town’s Community Development Promotion Grants and she put in place provisions in the Town’s code to regulate short-term rentals. In her professional career, she worked on Capitol Hill for 30 years in personal staff positions to Member of the House of Representatives. Visit JeriforMayor.org for more information.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue that Seabrook Island residents face at this current time? How do you plan to tackle that issue during your next tenure?

Finke: We (as in all Seabrookers) are so fortunate to have a stake in this beautiful, thriving community, but we are challenged at present by rhetoric and actions from within the community that do not move us toward planning for the island’s future – such as issues with Seabrook Island Road to beach management to outside development pressure. I consider that one of the biggest issues we need to overcome. Town Council can help by putting in place a more aggressive communication strategy to dispel the misleading and false claims that our work is done in secret without community input. That may be the best first step for a new mayor in order to end the negativity that has emerged and that at times has the louder voice in the community while not majority support. All of Council’s work is done in full compliance with the strict state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). From our open-to-the-public Council meetings, to workshops and committee sessions, all are posted, filmed, Zoomed, You-Tubed, recorded, saved to a website, etc. Still folks ask why we are not out there facing the community. I'm thrilled that we have a new professional on Town staff who is charged with putting in place a communications strategy that will help restore any lost faith in Council's work. In this campaign for mayor, I’m making every effort to improve my own communication through JeriForMayor.org by welcoming any questions and comments.

Q: What is the most polarizing issue in your opinion and how do you think you have handled both sides of the coin as representatives for everyone on the island?

Finke: I look back over recent years and sadly see a community, seemingly driven by the squeaky wheels, that has moved from one polarizing issue to the next — from the island's closure over COVID, to short-term rental outrage during the pandemic, to the mound of dirt deposited for Seafields construction, to Club finances and a real estate purchase, to arguments against the first proposed location for MUSC, to SIPOA’s Renew50, to the recent debate over whether to annex the Andell Tract. This has made for a tough four years! Has it just been a reflection of the atmosphere in the country, or is it because there is a social media megaphone that makes it hard to judge true community sentiment, or is it just misunderstandings and miscommunication? To start, I believe we all need to be better neighbors. The Town’s governance impacts all property owners within its corporate limits, resident and nonresident alike. While not all can vote in the Town’s elections, my actions on Town Council effect everyone, and I have always welcomed and given every consideration to all comments, pro or con, on any matter, from any Seabrooker. I don’t plan to change that approach as mayor.

Q: What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

Finke: Unfortunately, the Seabrook Island Town Council has no jurisdiction over the county and state roads that take us on and off the island and into Charleston. As in many things, Seabrook’s Council needs to make every effort to have a strong working relationship with our representatives on the government entities who can address our traffic safety and congestion problems. That said, looking back over the last 30 to 40 years, the diplomatic, political approach has found little success for Seabrook. Perhaps it’s time to stomp our feet, realize that the Post and Courier and many Johns Island interest groups have seldom been friends to our community and rarely have helped us address problems. We may be the small community at the end of the road, but it’s time we stop accepting the interference, disrespect, and indifference of outside entities that for decades have been the status quo.

Q: This is going to be an active couple of years ahead as far as development goes with Seafields, the MUSC Health Center taking shape and other projects coming to fruition, like Andell West, what do you think constituents need to know about the changes that are coming?

Finke: Of all the projects you’ve listed in this question, the Town of Seabrook Island has no jurisdiction from which we can exercise any control over their impact. We do have some limited control over encroachments off of Seabrook Island Road, but the design, permitting, construction, etc. of these projects all falls to the Town of Kiawah Island and Charleston County. Kiawah even annexed the traffic circle several years ago so has control over how to manage the significant traffic that Andell West will generate. I certainly believe in working with our neighbors and trying to develop and maintain a respectful relationship to make sure Seabrook Island’s concerns are heard, but history, and my experience on Council, suggests that approach has seldom met with success for our community. As I mentioned in answering the previous question, at what point do we stomp our feet, strategize new tactics, and stop accepting the status quo?

Q: When it comes to transparency, how do you think you have handled communication with Seabrook Island residents? Do you think involving residents in decision making is important?

Finke: Of course transparency is important, an essential element of good governance, and I challenge anyone to suggest that I have not been an open book during my time on Council. That said, I believe in always trying to do better. I’ve already consumed gallons of coffee in meetings over six years to get the input of Seabrookers, but I’m always willing for another morning cup. It is unfortunate, though, when “but they weren’t transparent" is the phrase too often tossed out to argue against a policy or project when the facts can’t be argued, or when someone or some group comes to the discussion late and is disgruntled and exasperated because they feel out of the loop. It requires hard work to serve on any of our community’s governing bodies, but it also takes work day-to-day to be an informed citizen. Perhaps we can work together to solve any misimpression about transparency with better early, upfront participation from Seabrookers and even more aggressive outreach and communication from leadership.

Interviewing Bruce Kleinman, Candidate for Seabrook Island Mayor

Bruce Kleinman and his wife, Ava, purchased their lot on Seabrook Island 20 years ago. They have lived on the island full-time for 10 years now. During that time, he has served on several SIPOA and Club committees. He was co-founder and initial chair of the annual SIPOA Holiday Canned Food Drive in 2017. He also served on the SIPOA Activities Committee, SIPOA July 4th Committee (chair), SIPOA Volunteerism Subcommittee, SIPOA Disaster Readiness Ad-Hoc Committee, and the Club House Committee. Professionally, Kleinman was a commercial real estate attorney and practiced law with large to mid-sized firms in New Jersey for almost 30 years. He focused on negotiating, structuring and closing large, complex real estate transactions.

Q: What do you think the biggest issue that Seabrook Island residents face at this current time? How do you plan to tackle that issue during your tenure?

Kleinman: My responses to several of your questions are very much related. You ask, in separate questions, about the biggest issue, the most polarizing issue and transparency. Solutions for both the “biggest” and the “most polarizing” issue are intertwined, and “transparency” is a major part of the plan to address both. The biggest issue facing Seabrook residents is the need to re-build trust toward our Town government. Over the past several years, it has become increasingly clear that our Town government does not represent the residents of the Town of Seabrook Island. I believe that our residents need a voice in our Town. There is a feeling throughout the Town that the citizens have been disrespected by the Town Council. Repeatedly, the Council acts in ways contrary to the wishes of its residents, or fails to act when the residents seek action. Our current Council members, including my opponent, act as though they are smarter than the rest of us. I, on the other hand, believe that Town leaders do not have a monopoly on good ideas. As Mayor, I will show respect for all Seabrookers, and disparate views will be welcomed and fairly considered. With the support of a new Council, we will implement necessary changes to Town procedures and ordinances to establish new methods which will help residents who now feel excluded to become part of the process.

Q: What is the most polarizing issue in your opinion and how do you think you will handle both sides of the coin since you will be a representative for everyone on the island?

Kleinman: I see short-term rentals (“STRs”) as the most polarizing issue today. While many municipalities have effectively regulated STRs, in the Town of Seabrook Island the problem festers due to the lack of leadership and action from the Town government. This is evident from a review of my opponent’s recent on-line posting of “the most important challenges facing the Town,” where shockingly the STR problem receives barely a mention, being just an add-on in the sixth and final item of her to-do list. While this issue continues to polarize our Town, my opponent, who has chaired a “committee” on STRs (comprised of two Council members) for years without making recommendations, still doesn’t recognize its importance. As Mayor, I commit to putting the needs of our residents first and to act promptly and definitively to review existing rules and their enforcement, consider past studies, and conduct an independent, unbiased deep dive - all with the intention to balance the interests of owners who rent their properties with those of resident owners. I will have an open mind, but it will be a PRIORITY to have effective rules before the Council by June 30th. I am confident that we can reach consensus on this and all of the issues facing the Town. 

Q: What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

Kleinman: Traffic is a significant issue for our entire region. Population growth throughout the Lowcountry has far exceeded current road capacity and likely even currently-approved expansions, especially along Maybank Highway, Main Road, and Bohicket Road. Most of the traffic issues lie outside the control of the Town of Seabrook Island. However, the Town does have the ability to influence the development of solutions to ease congestion and improve safety by forming and participating with existing partnerships with neighboring governmental entities, including Kiawah Island, Johns Island, James Island, Charleston County and the City of Charleston. Unlike my opponent, whose tendency is to chastise and criticize our neighbors for their development decisions, I intend to be pro-active and reach out to these neighbors to work together under a comprehensive, mutually respectful approach.

Q: This is going to be an active couple of years ahead as far as development goes with Seafields, the MUSC Health Center taking shape and other projects coming to fruition, like Andell West, what do you think constituents need to know about the changes that are coming?

Kleinman: While the projects that you mention are at different stages in the development process, our constituents deserve to have been advised at each stage of development of the plans put on paper – not just the marketing words of the developer, and of the issues raised of importance to our Town, including traffic, flooding, aesthetics, etc. Our constituents deserve to have the opportunity to comment on the plans and approvals, including ideas to mitigate inconvenience during construction. This all boils down to seeking and providing comprehensive communication to our residents. This is an excellent example of why effective communication – a key plank in my platform – is so critical. Our Town government will act proactively to inform our residents about development applications in and around our Town. As information becomes available to us, we will make it available to our residents. I will support the initiation of a periodic email blast which will further this communication effort. That is transparency and that is part of our “communication strategy.” The Cone of Silence will be removed from Town Hall.

Q: When it comes to transparency, how do you think you will handle communication with Seabrook Island residents? Do you think involving residents in decision making is important? How do you plan to make constituents feel valued?

Kleinman: My opponent has repeatedly said that disrespectful communication on social media is our big problem. I think that the lack of respectful communication from our Town government is the real problem - and the real cause of residents feeling it necessary to resort to social media in order to be heard. You can count on me to listen to you. This is the bedrock of my candidacy. Only if we involve our residents in decision making will they feel truly vested in those decisions. Once the Town Council ceases to act by fiat, I expect the level of polarization, and social media discord, will dramatically decline. I propose the following changes: (a) We will hold informal monthly meetings outside of town hall where Seabrookers will be able to discuss issues of interest with Council members including the Mayor; (b) Meetings will be moved to a larger venue when interest dictates, with the goal of not turning away community members; (c) Community members will be given greater time to speak at public hearings — three minutes per person is inadequate, and an overall limit at public hearings of 30 minutes is downright disrespectful; (d) Council votes will not be taken immediately after public hearing comments. Seabrook voices will be considered, not just heard. My opponent and her running mates have had the opportunity to implement measures which assure transparency in their proceedings, but have not done anything in that regard. Respect and transparency will happen only if SEABROOKERS VOTE FOR CHANGE.

Seabrook Island Town Council Candidates 

Interviewing Gordon Weis, Candidate for Seabrook Island Town Council

Gordon Weis and his wife, Mollie, have lived on Seabrook Island since May of 2018. Before moving to Seabrook, he lived in Chicago where he was president of the 618 unit condo association board for seven years. He spent one year on the SIPOA communication committee. Weis’s professional experience is in retirement/pension planning, securities and computer communication services. For more information, visit https://GWeis.net.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue that Seabrook Island residents face at this current time? How do you plan to tackle that issue during your tenure?

Weis: The Island seems divided into two groups. One group would like to keep Seabrook Island as a community and the other group would like to see us as a resort. Neither group will get 100% of their desires.

Q: What is the most polarizing issue in your opinion and how do you think you will handle both sides of the coin since you will be a representative for everyone on the island?

Weis: Short Term Rentals. There will always be Short Term Rentals, but there must be a balance between the two factions. We could start by organizing a committee of volunteers made up of equal number of residents/owners on each side of the issue to discuss and reach a few conclusions that both sides can agree to. The committee could interview property managers, but property managers would not be included in the committee makeup. I do think there should be some type of cap, but regardless of the cap, current owners with licensed STRs would be grandfathered. We should also establish a waitlist for when the number of STRs falls below the cap.

Q: What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

Weis: The traffic is especially bad getting off Seabrook Island and getting onto John’s Island using either Bohicket or River roads. We better hope there will be no category 3 or above hurricane or no one will be able to get off the island. It would also be nice if Charleston County kept the tree trimmers off the Bohicket Road during high traffic times. The development of Andell West, MUSC and Seafields will make the problem even worse, especially on Seabrook Island Road and Betsy Kerrison Parkway. After listening to one of Kiawah’s podcasts, the Andell West project is targeted for ten-year completion, and that means lots of trucks and traffic. We need to work with our neighbors on Kiawah Island and John’s Island to encourage Charleston County to target road improvements instead of merely allowing more apartment and condo complexes.

Q: This is going to be an active couple of years ahead as far as development goes with Seafields, the MUSC Health Center taking shape and other projects coming to fruition, like Andell West, what do you think constituents need to know about the changes that are coming?

Weis: They need to know how the projects will impact their life. We need to get information from the people that know, like project managers, to our residents and owners. See next question.

Q: When it comes to transparency, how do you think you will handle communication with Seabrook Island residents? Do you think involving residents in decision making is important? How do you plan to make constituents feel valued? 

Weis: The goal is to get residents/owners involved and for local officials to listen to what they have to say. I feel that it is important to get residents and non-resident owners involved from the beginning of every project. This could be accomplished by open meetings and new communication methods. An example would be a monthly newsletter describing the events that just occurred in the current month and what is planned for next month. In addition, we would get the opinions from residents and owners by use of the online survey at the beginning of the project and continuing through the project. I would also like to copy Kiawah’s podcast and use it to interview people responsible for different projects so residents/owners could get a feeling for how a project like Andell West development will impact them.

Interviewing Chuck Cross, Candidate for Seabrook Island Town Council

Chuck Cross and his wife, Jean, have lived on Seabrook Island since 2017. Since then, he has served on SIPOA’s Finance Committee, the Long-Range Planning’s Facilities Subcommittee, the SIPOA Board of Directors, the Chair of its Architectural Review Committee, the Seabrook Island Club’s Membership Committee, and the Town’s Board of Zoning Appeals. He also volunteers at his church, Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Before living on Seabrook, he served on his previous homeowner’s association board for 18 years. He remains active in the Northern Virginia Partnership for Children, a 501(c), and is currently serving as the President of its Board. Professionally, Cross managed a boutique commercial real estate firm.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue that Seabrook Island residents face at this current time? How do you plan to tackle that issue during your tenure?

Cross: The most important challenge facing the Town of Seabrook Island is effectively managing the issue of growth and demographic changes in the community. The changing demographics, with younger families and increased disposable income, bring both opportunities and challenges. The desire for more amenities, such as shops and restaurants, reflects the evolving needs and expectations of our residents. To address this issue, I would pursue a balanced approach that embraces responsible growth while preserving the unique character and natural beauty of Seabrook Island. It is essential to engage with the community to find common ground and middle-ground solutions that accommodate the changing demographic without compromising the island's charm. In addition, we need to address the Town’s need to enlarge Town Hall and provide a suitable building to accommodate our maintenance and Beach Patrol equipment. In response to the wishes of our citizens, the town’s staff has grown to nine full-time employees along with several part-time employees. In addition, the proposed Town Hall annex will provide larger Council Chambers to allow more citizens to attend town meetings in person while maintaining the state-of-the-art video technology which allows property owners to attend and address Town Council remotely. Ultimately, I will prioritize open communication, community engagement, and a proactive approach to address the challenges associated with growth and demographic changes.

Q: What is the most polarizing issue in your opinion and how do you think you will handle both sides of the coin since you will be a representative for everyone on the island?

Cross: The most polarizing issue is short-term rentals which is directly connected to my earlier answer about growth. As our population grows and changes, so do the needs of the community. It is important to strike a balance between maintaining a sense of community and addressing behavioral issues such as parking and noise. I do not believe restricting rentals is necessary and could have unintended consequences, but there should be mechanisms in place to ensure that short-term rental properties are managed responsibly. This includes implementing regulations and guidelines to maintain a harmonious environment for all residents and visitors. We also must remember that tourism is the second largest revenue generator for our town and the taxes they pay fund critical items such as our Beach Patrol as well as the more cultural events like the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the always enjoyable fireworks display on the 4th of July.

Q: What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

Cross: Traffic is undoubtedly a complex challenge, but with the right leadership in place on Town Council and in the Mayor’s office, solutions can be found. While most of the issues extend beyond Seabrook Island's jurisdiction, I would make a consistent effort to meet with our county and state delegations to advocate for the needs of our residents. What the Council can do is focus on completing the planning and permitting process for rebuilding our Seabrook Island Road from the circle to the gate. This will not only reduce flooding issues but also contribute to improving transportation within the island. All of this should be done in a fiscally responsible manner while protecting our fragile environment. Collaboration with Charleston County, fostering community consensus, advocating for fair funding allocation, and exploring innovative solutions that consider the unique challenges posed by live oaks prohibiting road widening should be our collective approach. I will also maintain a strong commitment to environmental preservation while addressing traffic issues and consider alternative transportation options to reduce vehicle congestion during peak hours.

Q: This is going to be an active couple of years ahead as far as development goes with Seafields, the MUSC Health Center taking shape and other projects coming to fruition, like Andell West, what do you think constituents need to know about the changes that are coming?

Cross: Change is inevitable, and with the growing number of houses and more property owners spending more time in Seabrook the additional retail and medical facilities are needed amenities. The Andell West project went through several iterations, and the developer, collaborating with the community, has now proposed a design that most stakeholders embrace. We cannot stop growth, so we must work proactively to control it and work with developers to achieve win-win situations for all. We also need to keep the developer’s feet to the fire in protecting our roads used during construction of projects such as Seafields to see they are properly maintained, kept clean, and damaged is repaired as agreed. Upon completion we must enforce the restrictions put in place to control access, such as the time and number of deliveries to Seafields and now the MUSC facility. While our property owners enjoy the present, our leaders must always be planning for the future. As your representative on the Town Council, I will be focused on planning for a future that emphasizes our lifestyle and protects our property values. The status quo is not an option. If we are not planning for the future, we are losing ground. Working together we can guide Seabrook into the future while maintaining the Paradise we are all love.

Q: When it comes to transparency, how do you think you will handle communication with Seabrook Island residents? Do you think involving residents in decision making is important? How do you plan to make constituents feel valued?

Cross: Transparency is not only essential in every government organization but in South Carolina, transparency is governed by state law. All meetings of three or more council members must be advertised, open to the public, and minutes and/or recordings made of the meeting. In Seabrook, all Council meetings, committee meetings, and workshops are advertised beforehand, recorded, and available on the town's website. At each Council meeting, citizens are given three opportunities to address the Council by 1) requesting time for a presentation, 2) a public comment time for comments on the agenda, and 3) another public comment time set aside at the end of the meeting for citizens’ comments on general items. All presenters should be treated with respect and their views taken seriously. It is vital to get citizen input on controversial issues before Council, but ultimately, the citizens of Seabrook have elected individuals they trust to make the best decision for all Seabrookers, not just the loudest. It is also important to point out our current Council, in responding to citizens’ request, hired a very experienced Communication and Event Director earlier this year. Along with planning and executing our town events such as the Chow Town Food Events she had been working on several projects to improve Town communication. These projects will be funded in the 2024 budget, and we should see the results of these efforts early next year.

Interviewing Paul McLaughlin, Candidate for Seabrook Island Town Council

Paul McLaughlin and his wife, Susan, have owned property on Seabrook Island for 21 years. For many of those years, they were part-time residents, but have been living here full-time for the past six years. McLaughlin served on SIPOA’s finance committee and helped with the financial planning for the Lake House. He has been a vocal advocate for many issues facing the Island, including the most recent proposal for the marina annexation. He volunteers for Water Wise in his spare time and he also coordinates a men’s spirituality group. Professionally, McLaughlin worked as gerontologist, he was also a non-profit executive and for 20 years, he was the founding CEO of a faith-based charitable foundation.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue that Seabrook Island residents face at this current time? How do you plan to tackle that issue during your tenure?

McLaughlin: While there are many important policy issues before the Town, none will be effectively addressed until we change and reform the mode Town governance so it operates in a more open and transparent fashion. We will reach out to the people we serve, seek input, listen, exchange ideas, share and inform the public, and then act. While it may not be possible to please everyone all the time, every member of the community should feel they can express their concerns and share ideas in a respectful forum. From a policy perspective, I believe the Town needs to address the growth of short-term rentals. I am well aware this is a controversial issue in the community. Rentals have long been a part of Seabrook. The question at hand is—what is the proper balance of rental properties versus residential homes in our community? The Town has an obligation to listen to the concerns of its citizens and then bring people together to talk with each other to address the issues that affect their lives.

Q: What is the most polarizing issue in your opinion and how do you think you will handle both sides of the coin since you will be a representative for everyone on the island?

McLaughlin: This is a difficult question to answer because six months ago no one knew about the Marina annexation but, when it came on scene, it zoomed to number 1. If it returns for reconsideration, my belief is that it would return to number 1. In this instance, the problem was not the divide in the community because Seabrookers by a 5:1 margin opposed the proposal. The problem was the way the Town handled the matter, that created and fostered conflict. To avoid this type of situation from developing again, I would begin by letting the public know there is a new proposal and would attempt to disclose as many details as possible to the community. The Town should then hold several public forums to answer questions and keep the community abreast of all developments. On significant issues having long-term impact on the community, the Town might wish to consider an opinion poll, or a non-binding referendum to determine the level of support from within the community.

Q: What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

McLaughlin: I believe most people are united in the belief that the traffic situation on Johns Island needs to be addressed. While I am not anti-development, the County simply cannot continue to approve projects that add to the traffic woes in this area without coming up with a comprehensive plan to address the roads on Johns Island. In my announcement for my candidacy, I wrote the time has come for Seabrook, Kiawah and other parts of Johns Island to band together and demand a meeting with County Council to call on them to act. With only two routes on and off the island, we cannot wait any longer for traffic relief. The Town must become more active and engaged with the County to finally do something.

Q: This is going to be an active couple of years ahead as far as development goes with Seafields, the MUSC Health Center taking shape and other projects coming to fruition, like Andell West, what do you think constituents need to know about the changes that are coming?

McLaughlin: In 2022 the Town of Kiawah contracted with Kimley-Horn to do a comprehensive study to understand the impact of existing and future development patterns in the area. The study looked at existing conditions, short-term projections for 2026, and long-term 2036 projections. More importantly, it looked not only at the impact these developments will have on Kiawah but also addressed the impact these various developments will have on Seabrook Island Road and the Freshfields Circle. Finally, the report offered solutions to some of the anticipated traffic issues these projects will generate. The Town of Seabrook can learn a lot by simply studying this report. Seabrook has only one access road on and off the island—Seabrook Island Road. While most Seabrookers are aware of the above mentioned developments, the Town should take a proactive stance to work with the developers to keep our citizens informed of the progress. The Town should also be planning for how it will address the traffic impact of these developments and the potential impact these developments will have on our sewage treatment facility since we are required to service these developments.

Q: When it comes to transparency, how do you think you will handle communication with Seabrook Island residents? Do you think involving residents in decision making is important? How do you plan to make constituents feel valued?  

McLaughlin: Let me return to what I wrote in my announcement. “The operative word in my agenda is ‘we.’ I am confident, working together, we can make Seabrook even better. In this regard, the first step I am taking is to share my phone number at 336.918.1194 and email address: electpmclaughlin@gmail.com. I encourage you to contact me with your thoughts, suggestions, questions, or concerns. I am also happy to speak with groups. And, if you elect me to Town Council, I assure you I will remain committed to open communication and will keep these lines open so we can talk with each other.”

Interviewing Dan Kortvelesy,  Candidate for Seabrook Island Town Council

Dan Kortvelesy is the only incumbent running for Town Council. He and his wife, Donna, have been full-time residents of Seabook Island since 2011. They have been vacationing in the area since 1992 and bought a lot in 1994. Along with his last two years on Town Council, Kortvelesy also spent six years as a member of the SIPOA Board of Directors (2014-2020). He was vice president of the board in 2019 and president in 2020. While on the SIPOA Board, he also served time as the chair of the SIPOA Planning Committee, vice-chair of the Architectural Review Committee and was a member of the SIPOA Safety and Security Committee. He has also served as a member of the town's Disaster Recovery Council and the Johns Island Task Force. On Town Council, he serves as the chairman of the town's Public Safety Committee. ​He has also been assigned the role of Communications Official under the town’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. His 35+ professional career was in education. He was a member of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and he also served on the Secondary Education Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Atlantic County Coordinators of School Improvement and the Atlantic County Technology Coordinating Council. In his hometown of Millville, New Jersey, he served on the city Board of Education for two terms, where he served on the leadership team for the Cumberland County School Boards Association and was on the New Jersey School Boards Association Board of Directors.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue that Seabrook Island residents face at this current time? How do you plan to tackle that issue during your next tenure?

Kortvelesy: The most important issues facing Seabrook Island are the ones that are considered most important by each individual citizen. By that I mean, one person may say “short-term rentals”, another may say “uncontrolled growth” still another may say "speeding on our roads” and a fourth may add “increases in property insurances.” As a member of town council, you need to listen to all, engage in a civil dialogue, gather all pertinent information from the many sources available and work through all possible solutions. Quite often, some of the possible solutions are limited by the power granted to municipal governments by the state. All community members need to understand that some of the results may fall short in some people’s eyes while others would be more than satisfied. We are a varied community with varied views where all assessments are considered and respected.

Q: What is the most polarizing issue in your opinion and how do you think you have handled both sides of the coin as representatives for everyone on the island?

Kortvelesy: Polarizing is a word that is very polarizing. In this day and age, polarizing is a word that can carry negative connotations. I fully realize that there are many wide-ranging sides to issues that reflect our varied community. I think that we allow these matters to divide us to such an extent that we wind up talking past one another, ignoring each side and other possible resolutions. Realizing that things can be improved, from my perspective, we live in a beautiful community, a community we decided that we wanted to be a part of since we first drove through the gate. We all want to maintain the features that attracted us here in the first place. Whenever we arrived, we realized that change was inevitable, and change would happen. There have always been processes in place that allowed this change to be managed in such a way that ensured that the growth added did not detract from our overall sense of place. As I said earlier, as a member of town council, I always felt the need to listen to all, engage in a civil dialogue, gather all pertinent information from the many sources available and work through all possible solutions.

Q: What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

Kortvelesy: Let’s start off with the assumption that projects concerning increased road capacity to handle a growing population are handled by either Charleston County or the state. That being said, the Seabrook Island Town Council has gone on record over the years in full support of projects to alleviate ongoing traffic problems; from the days of the Cross Island Parkway to now. Last year (2022), I spent some time working with a group from Kiawah and Seabrook in order to propose an additional alternative. The main premise of this proposal was that the 526 Extension would be completed and an intersection with Maybank Hwy. and River Rd. would be completed. This would mean that traffic from this area would be diverted towards the extension. As we all well know, the 526 Extension has not been approved and completion is many years away. Given the fact that development continues along Maybank Highway, Main Road and Bohicket Rd., traffic continues to increase, and solutions are needed now. As I previously noted, I have been a member of the Johns Island Task Force over the past few years. One observation made during my time on this committee is that the Johns Island community is very much divided about road improvements. As much as the Seabrook Island community is in favor of additional roads and expansion of roads, members of the Johns Island community express solutions that are much less impactful and do not expand the road system.

Q: This is going to be an active couple of years ahead as far as development goes with Seafields, the MUSC Health Center taking shape and other projects coming to fruition, like Andell West, what do you think constituents need to know about the changes that are coming?

Kortvelesy: Change is coming! All the projects listed above will bring additional traffic, additional crowds, and more visitors. However, with these changes also come more services. Emergency medical services will be much more accessible. Additional shopping opportunities, such as a new supermarket, are being planned. One thing that the Seabrook Island community needs to realize is that none of the planned projects listed will occur in the Town of Seabrook Island, all will be constructed on land controlled by Charleston County (their planning and zoning). Also, the Seabrook Island Utility Commission will be providing water and sewer services for each of these developments. This commitment was made through previous contractual obligations. Yes, change is coming. But even if your trip home takes a few minutes more due to traffic, new traffic lights, reduced speed limits, or other traffic calming measures, once you go through the gate, Seabrook Island will remain a beautiful place to live and enjoy.

Q: When it comes to transparency, how do you think you have handled communication with Seabrook Island residents? Do you think involving residents in decision making is important?

Kortvelesy: The public is welcome to attend all meetings and opportunities for citizen comments are provided for each, which I think is very important. One item I would like to point out is that every committee and Town Council meeting is streamed live, and the video of all meetings are posted on the Town of Seabrook Island website. If any citizen wants to see what is discussed at any meeting, simply go to the town’s website. This review by any community member will help them understand to a greater degree the subjects we examine, the people and groups we meet with, and the direction of the council and committees. In addition, each town council member’s email address is published. Emails concerning town matters are answered by the most knowledgeable, which may be staff. Part of any decision-making process is to gather as much information and data as possible, this includes community member input. One always needs to keep in mind that any decision reached may not be agreed to by all community members. However, consideration is given to all input. In addition, this past year the town hired a

communications manager. Events are being planned that will give the Seabrook Island community a chance to interact with the elected officials and town staff.

Interviewing Darryl May, Candidate for Seabrook Island Town Council

Darryl May and his wife, Susan, fell in love with Seabrook after touring the community when they were looking to fulfill their dream of owning a house by the beach. They purchased their home on Seabrook in 2015. In March of 2020 on one of their visits, they ended up staying longer due to the pandemic. They ended up selling their home in Pennsylvania in 2021 so they could live permanently on Seabrook. May is completing his third year on the House Committee of the Club. The first year in particular was a real learning experience since the Club was dealing with challenges in bringing back its dining operations after the COVID disruptions and the difficult staffing challenges. With SIPOA, he is serving a second year on the Architectural Review Committee.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue that Seabrook Island residents face at this current time? How do you plan to tackle that issue during your tenure?

May: I believe that the lack of transparency and lack of openness to Seabrookers' opinions is causing much unnecessary divisiveness. People are never going to agree on every issue, particularly significant ones like annexation and development. But they should be able to speak civilly about it and know that their views are not only heard but given fair consideration. Doing so will lower the temperature, and that's the main reason I am running -- to lower the temperature by showing all Seabrookers that the process includes them and is fair. If I and the other candidates who share this goal are elected, our test will be whether, when the next big issue arises, citizen input and dialogue is channeled through The Town of Seabrook Island, not the Nextdoor website. If I am elected I will work to: (1) make sure everyone who wants to attend a Council meeting can attend; (2) hear every person who wants to speak, subject only to reasonable individual time limits; (3) publicize the number of written comments received and what they favor; and (4) do all of this well ahead of the meeting at which Council will take up the proposal, so that each member has ample time to reflect on and digest the comments.

Q: What is the most polarizing issue in your opinion and how do you think you will handle both sides of the coin since you will be a representative for everyone on the island?

May: The most polarizing issue is the proposed private yacht club. I will listen to both sides and seek a middle ground. I understand some Seabrookers truly want a yacht club and that is their primary focus. There are also Seabrookers who don’t want any development that will impinge on the Urban Growth Boundary or exacerbate traffic or environmental concerns. But it may be that most people would be willing to consider the developer’s plans if all Seabrookers get something out of the annexation and rezoning the developer wants. To me, that something must be a renovation of the public parts of the marina that are in disrepair and getting worse. None of this was addressed in the TOSI Development Conditions that were on the verge of being enacted before an outside lawyer informed Council that the planned annexation was illegal. That failure to do even minimal diligence before rushing to pass an illegal ordinance is stunning, and would not have happened if Council followed appropriate processes. To consider going forward with the developer’s proposal, Council must obtain airtight legal commitments for the marina backed by adequate financial guarantees.

Q: What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

May: First, this is not something that The Town of Seabrook Island can influence at this point. The heart of the problem is Bohicket/Main Road, not Seabrook Island Road or the roads within the gate. The public comment period for the Bohicket/Main Road project was extensive but is now past. Kiawah submitted comments while I do not believe that The Town of Seabrook Island did, although I am not criticizing the Town for this. Bohicket Road is not just busy, it is dangerous. After years of planning and taking public comment, Charleston County needs to choose an alternative and proceed to next steps, but of course that will take many years to come to fruition. In the meantime, while we have to be judicious about further traffic-causing development, we have to be realistic that continued development will occur in areas designated for residential and commercial development, and traffic will not be getting any better any time soon.

Q: This is going to be an active couple of years ahead as far as development goes with Seafields, the MUSC Health Center taking shape and other projects coming to fruition, like Andell West, what do you think constituents need to know about the changes that are coming?

May: There has been a lot of information available to Seabrookers about these developments, which are not subject to The Town of Seabrook Island jurisdiction. The MUSC Health Center is critical — it will save lives and enhance the lives of people, such as heart attack and stroke victims, for whom quick emergency room treatment will make a lifetime of difference. People should understand that the MUSC center is not the private “Health and Wellness Village” that a developer is proposing for Bohicket Road. From what I understand, the Seafields project was the key to getting the MUSC emergency department. Finally, whatever one thinks of the need for a bigger supermarket, it will be used by virtually all Seabrookers.

Q: When it comes to transparency, how do you think you will handle communication with Seabrook Island residents? Do you think involving residents in decision making is important? How do you plan to make constituents feel valued?

May: This issue is so important that I discuss it above as “the biggest issue” that residents now face. Let me give an example of lack of transparency. In July, the Mayor accepted from the Bohicket Marina owner/developer of proposed private Yacht Club a conveyance of water and sewer pipes and easements to access them located at the Marina. Only Council is authorized to accept property, but there is no indication of Council authorization in the public record. So how did someone find out about this? By having a hunch something like this might have happened without public notice, and searching the property records in the Charleston County Register of Deeds Office. That should never happen, and it won’t happen if I and my fellow candidates who are running on transparency and openness are elected. I would give that strong public sentiment great weight in my decision-making, and that is an important way to make Seabrookers feel valued.

Interviewing Raymond Hamilton, Candidate for the Seabrook Island Town Council

Raymond Hamilton and his wife have owned their property on Seabrook since 2017. They moved to Seabrook Island in January 2020. He is from Rock Hill, South Carolina and attended the University of South Carolina where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Before moving to South Carolina, he lived in Atlanta for 25 years. He has served on the Seabrook Island Club Finance Committee and he currently volunteers with Sea Island Hunger Awareness Foundation, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, My Sister’s House, and local hospice.

Q: What do you think is the biggest issue that Seabrook Island residents face at this current time? How do you plan to tackle that issue during your tenure?

Hamilton: I believe the biggest challenge for Seabrook Island is flooding caused by sea level rise. Although we cannot prevent flooding, there are things that our Town can do better. First, we need to form a coalition with our neighbor Kiawah Island to work together on how best to mitigate flooding and damage caused by it. A close review of the Seafields and MUSC developments to ensure water is directed away from our roads along with developing a timeline for raising the height of Seabrook Island Road will be one of my top priorities. I understand the need to wait for road improvements until construction is completed, but the longer we wait the more expensive it becomes.

Q: What is the most polarizing issue in your opinion and how do you think you will handle both sides of the coin since you will be a representative for everyone on the island?

Hamilton: One of the most polarizing issues that I hear of often pertains to short-term rentals. I have been asked what my position is on this subject from both sides. I have also been told by a couple owners that rent how they have been ostracized by a few permanent residents. Unfortunately, one owner that rents was even told he should not be allowed to use a Club amenity because he doesn't live here full time. My position on this subject is that we need to have a balance between being a private community and allowing owners to rent. There are benefits to both and working together we can come up with a solution. One alternative that I will propose is to put a cap on the number of homes that can be rented. I will need much more input from constituents and other Council members, but for now I think the number should be a maximum of 40% for rentable units. As a compromise, I would not impose the cap on anyone that currently owns property, but I would for the next owners.  

Q: What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

Hamilton: With the continued development of Johns Island, traffic will get worse. That is a primary reason that I believe the Urban Growth Boundary, should be enforced by all of Charleston County. If we keep allowing annexation and rezoning property outside the UGB, we are further contributing to the problem. This may eventually lead to destroying the trees that make Johns Island special to build the infrastructure to support all the growth. There is currently a three phase Main Road Corridor project which was approved in 2018 that is underway. This will help with current congestion issues, but we need to do more for future growth. In addition to road and traffic signal improvements the plan encompasses, we need to look for alternatives. One idea is to work with Charleston County to expand public transportation and reduce the number of single passenger vehicles. We should promote carpooling through incentives. We also need to focus on bike lanes and walkways along Main Road.     

Q: This is going to be an active couple of years ahead as far as development goes with Seafields, the MUSC Health Center taking shape and other projects coming to fruition, like Andell West, what do you think constituents need to know about the changes that are coming?

Hamilton: We see the Seafields development and are aware of the future MUSC project that is occurring just outside our Island which will have an impact on all of us for years to come. Although I would like to see MUSC a little further up Bohicket Road to make it more accessible to the rest of Johns Island in addition to being able to better support the increased traffic load, there likely isn’t much that we can do to change it. What I will be able to do as a Council member is to build a better relationship with Kiawah’s Council to be able to keep Seabrook residents informed. It is better to stay updated and be able to voice our concerns such as flooding, trash and construction related traffic than talk about hypocrisy in an open forum. Through collaboration between Town of Kiawah Island and the Town of Seabrook Island, I believe that we can develop better solutions than if Kiawah does it alone. If issues do go unresolved, I can assure you that I am not opposed to having the tough conversations with the Town of Kiawah Island Council in a private setting where I believe more can be accomplished.

Q: When it comes to transparency, how do you think you will handle communication with Seabrook Island residents? Do you think involving residents in decision making is important? How do you plan to make constituents feel valued?  

Hamilton: One of the main reasons that I am running for TOSI Council is to represent the community of Seabrook Island and provide the communication and transparency that everyone deserves. A few ways I intend to do this is through more informal meetings both in person and virtual, not limiting how many people can speak to 10 at our monthly meetings and utilizing other forms of social media and print. These communications will be to notify all constituents when issues or opportunities arise and not after a plan has been formulated and ready for first reading. To make the best decisions, we must get our property owners involved. Our constituents are valued. I have found in my career as CFO that people don't necessarily have to agree with your decision to accept it, but they do need to understand why and know their opinions were considered.