James Island voters pick mayor, council July 31

James Island voters decided last week they wanted to form yet another town. Town organizers announced Tuesday that the new town will elect its first mayor and four town council members on July 31.

Candidates for mayor or one of the four at-large council seats may enter the race formally between May 21 and noon May 31, said Bill Woolsey, a former mayor who is helping to reincorporate the town.

Woolsey said Tuesday he plans to run for mayor again.

The election is nonpartisan, and those who receive the most votes will win. There won’t be a runoff.

To be eligible, one must be a registered voter who lives in the proposed town limits at the time of the election.

There is still time for potential candidates to register to vote with the Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration.

Those who are interested in running may pay their $100 filing fee and deliver their papers at the offices of Kernodle, Root, and Coleman, 914 Folly Road, Suite 2, on James Island. All offices will have a two-year term.

Voters on James Island tried three previous times to form a town from the unincorporated patches of the suburban sea island. During the three previous attempts, the city of Charleston sued, and the courts dissolved the town. The city has not indicated if it will sue again.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771.