Douan, Peper vie in District 7
Both Republican candidates vying for the District 7 seat on Charleston County Council say the council needs to have a firmer grip on spending taxpayer's money.
Joey Douan, 58, a former member of the county's Planning Commission and familiar candidate for council, said he would "Git-R-Done," a slogan he has emblazoned on his campaign signs.
"I'm tired of Charleston County Council wasting our money, stealing our money, taking people's rights, increasing the size of government," Douan said. "Enough is enough is enough."
His opponent in the GOP primary, local attorney Mark A. Peper, 29, said he also is adamantly against raising county taxes. The former Charleston County Park and Recreation Commissioner is seeking his first elected office.
Key issues for him include alleviating traffic on West Ashley's congested arteries, controlling growth and completing the controversial Mark Clark Expressway project.
Peper said that District 7 is mostly Republican terrain and that the incumbent, Democrat Colleen Condon, doesn't represent her constituents well. "I'm excited that I share the same kind of ideologies and conservative values that the citizens of this district have," he said.
Douan said his chief concerns are fair zoning regulation, responsible government spending and adequate oversight of funding given to the local bus system.
Douan, a Vietnam combat veteran and disabled railroad conductor, became widely known years ago when he successfully challenged the county's first attempt to implement the half-cent sales tax, but that victory didn't last. Voters approved the tax again, and the courts threw out Douan's second challenge.
Douan appeared to win a 2005 council race, but that also was thrown out.
"The election was stolen last time," he said. "It was stolen from the voters. If the Republican party chooses to put me back in office, then I'll stand up for their rights."
But Peper said he is the man for the job.
"Joey's proven in years past that he can't win," Peper said. "We need to get a strong Republican in there that has strong community ties, that the community can rally around to beat the incumbent."
Joey Douan
Birthdate: May 31, 1949.
Family: Divorced; one daughter, Ada, 9.
Education: Former Chicora High School.
Occupation: Disabled railroad conductor, caregiver.
Previous elected office: Six months on Charleston County Council; former appointed member of the county's Planning Commission.
Why are you running for office?:"I want to give the taxpayers the choice of voting for someone who's mission is to cut taxes, curtail wasteful spending and protect our quality of life."
What's the toughest issue facing the county?:"There is no one toughest issue facing Charleston County, but protecting our quality of life ranks high on the list."
Mark A. Peper
Birthdate: Aug. 6, 1978.
Family: Wife, Emily.
Education: Former Middleton High School; bachelor's degree in government from Wofford College; University of South Carolina School of Law graduate.
Occupation: Attorney, owner of The Peper Law Firm PA.
Previous elected office: None; former appointed Charleston County Park and Recreation commissioner.
Why are you running for office?: 'I want to give back to the community that raised me here in West Ashley.'
What's the toughest issue facing the county?: 'Controlling growth and finishing the Mark Clark Expressway while funding for the project is available.'
