Summey, Douglas go head to head

Q: Why are you running for mayor?

A: Douglas: I can do a better job. I've watched city government over the years, and there are some things they are doing that are expensive. It's putting North Charleston in debt. I would like to bring the city expenses down to a normal level and bring our taxes down to an acceptable level.

A: Summey: I think in the past 12 years we have made wonderful strides in the city. I love the city, and I've been able to assemble a staff to take us to the next level. I want it to the best that it can be. I think I have the leadership skills to take us there.

Q: What will you do to lower the crime rate in North Charleston?

A: Douglas: I would first of all find the person who could best advise us on how to deal with the type of crime we find in North Charleston. I would also make sure the police chief is the police chief. With the crime rate that we have, it's ludicrous that the chief is also the fire chief. If we are seriously trying to reduce crime, running the police department would be the only responsibility of the police chief.

A: Summey: We have gone into an agreement with the city of Charleston to bring in an outside consultant from the University of South Carolina to do a study in our neighborhoods to have an extra set of eyes to see what we are missing. We have also added 19 more officers to the police department in this coming year's budget, and we are going into more community policing.

Q: What will you do to alleviate the rush-hour traffic problem on Dorchester Road and Interstate 26?

A: Douglas: I would work closely with the state Department of Transportation. They hold the key to reducing the traffic problem. I would also work closely with other regional governments so we can develop an effective mass transit system that has several components: carpooling, buses, maybe a rail system, and we could possibly work with employers to stagger report-to-work times so we won't get that influx of traffic within an hour or so in the morning and the afternoon.

A: Summey: I think Dorchester Road is being handled by its widening from Oakbrook subdivision to U.S. 17A. That, with what we are doing with Patriot Boulevard and Palmetto Commerce Parkway, will help tremendously. I-26 is a growth issue. Until it is widened, we are going to have that congestion. We will be lobbying for funding to widen I-26.

Q: If North Charleston is successful in annexing property across the Ashley River, how far do you see the city's boundaries extending on that side of the river?

A: Douglas: Not far. I think what we need to do in annexation is to make sure we have the infrastructure in place to service those annexations. I really think that that area that has been annexed across the river ought to be handled in such a way so we don't have urban spread. As far as expanding over there, I'm not in favor of it. We need to service the areas we have and not try to take on more than we are capable of handling.

A: Summey: If we are successful in Watson Hill, it would be up to the individual property owners. You have to develop a 25-year development plan. It won't all develop rapidly. It could expand. Expansion is essential to maintaining growth and maintaining a strong economy in the city.

Q: Why was there such a strong negative reaction to North Charleston trying to annex across the Ashley River?

A: Douglas: North Charleston was looked upon as an unwanted invader. North Charleston would have allowed more units per acre than is desired by the neighbors and the residents of that area, and that would detract from the natural beauty of the area.

A: Summey: Part of it is that we are a growth-mode community. North Charleston has not always had the respect of the rest of the Lowcountry. I've done a lot to change that image, but there are still a lot of people who don't respect North Charleston. Our going west of the Ashley is not different from Charleston going east of the Cooper (when it annexed Daniel Island).

Q: What will you do to revive the economically depressed southern end?

A: Douglas: I would bring in as many developers as I could. I would encourage the landowners and property owners to try and develop their property and even offer tax breaks to landowners who are willing to bring their property up to a reasonable standard.

A: Summey: We are working to get a grocery store in that area. Horizon Village will be a great addition. Noisette is doing demolition work in an outer parking lot for the first phase of their project. We will be looking at new housing initiatives to get young couples to move back into that part of the city. Magnolia will be an asset to that area as well.

Q: Has the city mishandled development of the former Navy base?

A: Douglas: Of course. If they had done the right thing at the Naval Base, there was enough value there to reduce the city's indebtedness substantially. They basically dealt with one group and did not give others a chance to submit proposals and bids on what they would do and what the cost would be. They terribly mishandled development of the Navy base. They basically gave a group $200 million worth of property and got a $6 million return. The millions they paid for development of Riverfront Park are a total disgrace.

A: Summey: No, the bottom line is that we got an appraised value for the property. Noisette has not gone as rapidly as we liked, but it's still moving forward. The money we got out of the base was about $20 million between the old naval shipyard, Noisette and Neal Brothers. I think things are going well, but it could have been faster to make me happier.

Q: Is it the city's role to get involved in education? If so, why? If not, why not?

A: Douglas: The thing the city can do to best assist the school district is to lower the crime rate. As you have crime in the community, it comes into the schools. That's why we have more problems in North Charleston schools than any of the other schools.

A: Summey: The quality of life of a community is based on the educational standards of that community. We have tried to get involved as much as possible, but it's been difficult to break some of the barriers. We have talked with state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex about North Charleston High becoming a state-sponsored charter school and let us be the sponsor. You can blame it on a lot of things, but the fact is the schools in North Charleston are failing. It's difficult to recruit new couples with children into some areas of North Charleston because schools are failing.

Q: With the city's growing Hispanic population, what should be done about illegal immigration?

A: Douglas: That's a federal and state problem; however, it affects the city. We need to encourage our U.S. senators and representatives to address it by coming up with laws to identify people who are in the city.

A: Summey: I think the federal government has to get a hold on it. In the interim, we need to have ID cards for them. They are walking targets because they carry cash because they can't put money in the bank. With a card we can do background checks. We don't have that ability unless we have a name and some kind of identification.

Q: When people think of North Charleston, what image do you think comes to mind?

A: Douglas: North Charleston has changed its image in the past few years. It used to be looked upon as the blue-collar area of Charleston. There is nothing wrong with that. It is now looked upon as the center of the tri-county area. As the center, we have a certain responsibility to work with other areas.

A: Summey: I think more than ever before, it's a great place to shop because of all of our retail. My goal is to get them to think it's a great place to shop and live.

Q: Is North Charleston a better place to live than it was when Keith Summey was first elected mayor in 1994?

A: Douglas: As far as I'm concerned, we are not better off. Tax rates, crime, traffic, affordable housing — all of those things have taken a back seat. I don't think it is better off as far as making a living and it being safe. We have a lot of places to shop. That gives you a place to spend your money. You need a place to earn a living.

A: Summey: I think by far it is. We have made great strides and we have goals we still want to accomplish, but I think we have improved the quality of life considerably.

Q: How much money will you spend on this campaign?

A: Douglas: About $50,000.

A: Summey: In excess of $100,000.

Reach Warren Wise at 745-5850 or wwise@postandcourier.com.