Charleston County Council rejects funding for land near Angel Oak Park

In separate votes tonight, Charleston County Council decided to:

-Reject a $518,000 request from the city of Charleston to buy 6.5 acres near the Angel Oak Park on Johns Island. City Council narrowly approved the deal earlier, but Councilman Elliott Summey said, "It feels like a bailout to me."

-Defer a $474,365 request to buy a $1.3 million undeveloped oceanfront parcel on Palm Boulevard on the Isle of Palms -- apparently because of a parking dispute far away from the land.

-Reject a $555,000 deal for a cultural center on the 11.6 acres in Ravenel, outside the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, a vote that led Councilman Henry Darby to accuse his colleagues of playing favorites.

"It appears only rich people are getting dollars," he said. "That's sad."

Council's Finance Committee took the votes, and full council will make a final decision next week.

Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings urged the committee to reject the Angel Oak deal -- which he said wouldn't offer any advantage.

Councilman Dickie Schweers said he was inclined to support the city's request "unless we have a very good reason. I don't think this rises to that standard."

But Schweers and Councilwoman Colleen Condon were out-voted 7-2.

Read more later at postandcourier.com and also in tomorrow's newspaper.