Folly Beach voters to cast ballot in special election

FOLLY BEACH -- Voters will go to the polls today to fill a City Council seat vacated when then-Councilman Tim Goodwin became mayor in April.

Today's special election will bring to a close campaigns begun by Susan Breslin and Donald "D.J." Rich last winter. Both came up short in April 6 council elections. Breslin competed in an April 22 runoff with incumbent Council Member Laura Beck, who retained her seat.

On April 6, Goodwin won a three-way race for mayor and was sworn in shortly after, necessitating today's special election.

Breslin is a city planning consultant, and Rich is owner of Planet Follywood. Both candidates have vowed to look out for the best interests of the town's residents.

"I'll look at everything that comes to council from the perspective of residents," Breslin said. She also advocates paring back the city budget "during these hard times," and marketing Folly "as a great place to raise a family, live in harmony, or retire."

Rich points out his current and previous efforts to promote cooperation between the city and its commercial district. "I helped structure the noise ordinance that is currently in effect, and am currently seeking new solutions to problems with residents and business owners to find compromises we can all buy into," he said.

Rich also calls for new means of easing traffic problems, better enforcement of vacation-rental noise laws and changes to dog laws "so that residents aren't punished for visitors' offenses."

Voting will take place 7 a.m-7 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Fellowship Hall, 105 W. Hudson St.