lic works team keeps us clean and looks at all the programs/functions offered at our rec center. We have a great community, and going forward, I would hope that our entire council will continue doing everything possible to keep it that way. Rusty Streetman: With all of the island’s current issues, and others pending in 2024, effective collaboration between council members and between both members and all IOP residents might be the most important change needed. I pledge to promote and improve civility and teamwork if re-elected, and more involvement collaboratively with all residents of the island, including regular community meetings. Our residents are an unlimited source of great ideas, and we need to encourage more feedback and input from them. Through this approach, I think we can make IOP an even better place for residents and visitors alike. Jimmy Ward: The city will need a stronger presence in the South Carolina State House in regard to Home Rule. I want us to be able to use more island tax revenue for capital projects, such as beach path walkways and sidewalks. The Charleston Visitors Bureau, for example, receives more than $1 million each year of the city's A-Tax funds, and I am in favor of putting other options on the table for consideration. We have plenty of tourists, so we don't need to spend more money on advertising. We hired professional lobbyists a couple of years ago to 9 NEWS IslandVibesIOP.com mainland bus service are two focuses that council will have to continue to address. The city began a long-term project in 2017 to improve stormwater and tidal drainage across the entire island. And while work has progressed up to Phase 3, and now includes a master plan for Phase 4 to eliminate standing water in residential neighborhoods and other key areas, I will work, if re-elected, to see that all drainage phases are finished. As for bus service, IOP visitors often outnumber residents by a wide margin, especially in the summer tourist season. Their daily influx can create strains on island resources, traffic flow and the ability of the city to handle them smoothly. I want the city to continue to partner with the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority to provide expanded bus service to the island from Mount Pleasant. And I am a strong proponent of keeping the 2015 parking plan in place to keep day visitor traffic at a minimum in our neighborhoods. Q: If (re)elected, what changes would you strive to make in the community? Tim Ahmuty: No response. Elizabeth Campsen: No response. Ashley Carroll: IOP currently pays in more than $1 million of its accommodations tax money to the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau. I believe that there is plenty of money already spent to promote tourism to our area and I’d like to lobby for a potential cap of the total amount we contribute each year. Additional funds could be used for infrastructure improvements such as to our public beach paths and our recreation center. I’d also like to employ an urban planner to study improvements for bike and golf cart paths. Furthermore, we have a 4-acre, at-large gravel parking lot in the middle of the front beach district. I believe there is opportunity here for innovative and environmentally-conscientious development that would be a great asset for IOP residents and visitors to enjoy. For me, the possibilities are plentiful and it’s all about wanting to make a great community even greater, and if elected, that’s what I plan to do. Brian Duffy: No response. Scott Pierce: No response. Kevin Popson: In my opinion, I don’t see where we need to make any changes at this time. I believe the island is in great shape. A lot has been accomplished over the last four years. We fought through COVID. We rebuilt the public safety building. We completely enhanced our marina and have two new tenants with better leases. We’ve made improvements to our rec center. We’ve made huge strides with drainage projects. Our city finances are in great shape. We are blessed with an excellent, hard-working and dedicated city staff. Our two chiefs, along with their teams, are keeping us safe. Our pubwork on our behalf, and this has been good for the city. I will work to keep this relationship strong and beneficial for the residents. As for additional city assets, I am the creator of the "Spirit of the Island" award recognizing individuals and/ or groups who have given extraordinary volunteer service to the island. I am also the founder and president of the Crabpot Players Theater Company. We have been presenting live plays on Isle of Palms and East Cooper for 30 years. So if re-elected, I will work toward improving our island’s livability in all these areas. We, as council members, have a duty to be good stewards of all the city’s assets. The Isle of Palms City Council election is slated to take place on Nov. 7. For more information on how to vote, visit iop.net/ municipal-elections. Editor’s Note: Candidates Tim Ahmuty, Elizabeth Campsen, Brian Duffy and Scott Pierce were contacted and unavailable to respond prior to the article’s publication. From Page 8
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