City taxes at issue in mayor's race
Challengers say they'll deliver without tax hike
By David Slade
The three men who hope to unseat Charleston Mayor Joe Riley in next week's election each said they could provide better services without raising taxes, and one asked if Riley's 2008 budget would do the same.
"We need to see the 2008 budget," candidate William Dudley Gregorie said. "I want to make sure it does not include a property tax increase."
Riley is running for re-election Nov. 6, challenged by Gregorie, a retired federal housing official; Omar Brown, a city police officer; and Marc Knapp, a contractor.
Riley did not speak about the 2008 city budget during the debate but said afterward that, although he hopes to avoid an increase in taxes or fees, it is proving to be a very difficult budget. The budget is expected to go to City Council after the election.
The four mayoral candidates spoke at a forum Monday evening on Daniel Island before a crowd of about 120.
Daniel Island is a showplace of planned development partially because of Charleston's growth policies under Riley, but it is also a place where some have complained that city services and amenities have been slow to follow the residential growth.
"If you don't live on the peninsula, you feel like you live in a feudal kingdom," said Knapp, who said people in West Ashley have the same complaint.
One question from the audience asked candidates to contrast the lack of playing fields in the Cainhoy area, above Daniel Island, with the many millions being spent to renovate the Dock Street Theatre downtown.
"Every citizen has a right to effective city services," said Brown, who said better services could be paid for by cutting wasteful spending.
On public safety, Riley pointed out that Charleston has the largest police force in South Carolina, and said drug arrests are up and violent crime is down under Police Chief Greg Mullen.
Gregorie said the city needs to fill more than 30 vacancies on the force to improve public safety. Brown called for more police and new equipment, and Knapp said he'd hire 100 more police officers.
The June 18 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston firemen also was raised several times, and about a dozen Gregorie supporters wearing "Firefighters for Gregorie" T-shirts were in the audience.
An independent panel hired by Charleston to review the department in the wake of the fire has recommended hundreds of changes in equipment and procedures. A union that represents about half the city firefighters has endorsed Gregorie.
Gregorie suggested Monday that the city under Riley will raise taxes to pay for necessary improvements to the Fire Department. Knapp bluntly told the audience that anyone who supported Riley was "directly responsible for killing nine men."
Riley did not criticize his opponents but reiterated his frequent pledge to make Charleston the best place to live, work and raise a family if re-elected to a ninth term.
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exorcist_pencocky (anonymous) says...
If the city of charleston, mayor joseph p. riley, jr. is afraid to show the city his new budget, what sort of massive tax increase might await charleston.
If he won, probably his last term in office, he would be free to do anything with no fear of reelection.
Do you want to continue to support wild dreams or a better city government, you decide, Nov 6.
October 30, 2007 at 5:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nbaby127 (anonymous) says...
I think we should get a New Mayor. Just how long has he been Mayor ?
October 30, 2007 at 5:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
nbaby127,
There will be many responses to your question from those who have lived here many years, but this past week others have reported Mayor Riley has been in office for 32 years.
I was pretty astounded to read his length of office, as even the U.S. Presidency has been limited since Franklin D. Roosevelt's many terms.
October 30, 2007 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notfooled (anonymous) says...
I don't see how the City can operate at the same tax rate with the needed upgrades for the Fire Department. The cost of the hose, equipment and additional personnel needed is going to cost MILLIONS. The cost of the hose alone is around $120,000 (if they go with 4" more if they purchase 5"), 15 additional personnel will cost $420,000 not including benefits, I believe they have to hire between 30-45 personnel to meet the recommendations of the Routley report. I don't support Riley, however, there must be a tax increase. Remember new and improved equipment with additional personnel = $.
October 30, 2007 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigbrotheriswatching (anonymous) says...
Christy and Brian45,
you both appear to be strong supporters of omar brown, I was hoping you could tell me what is his educational background? I tried checking some archived articles on this site and even went to his website and no luck. I would like to check him out, thanks
October 30, 2007 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlm (anonymous) says...
With or without a tax increase, there will probably be serious cut backs in regular services. The Gregorie campaign has already indicated that Riley has redirected funds away from some projects that were already approved by city council. Stoney Field, the city's high school sports stadium built in the early 1960's has become a storm drainage catch basin and is virtually unusable because of years of poor upkeep. How many other low profile projects or just basic city services will be starved in the next city budget in order to feed the overextended city, spur more sprawl or respond to unplanned emergencies that Riley now faces? Wanna bet what the first order of business of any administration that follows Riley (in the next couple of months or 4 years from now) will be? My bet is that it will be term limits for future mayors.
October 30, 2007 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
Mark Knapp is a nut case.
October 30, 2007 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Riley will be re-elected. Crime will be addressed when Little Joe has his take back the streets night where he walks downtown at night with a couple of hundred other democrats. Wish he would walk alone down America Street at 1:00AM on a weeknight. The flooding won't be fixed, crime will continue it's rapid growth under his leadership and taxes will climb faster than CARTA's red ink. Charleston, Little Joe and the P&C have never met a tax they didn't like so taxes are a non-issue! Want to bet Joe wins?
October 30, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
cranky
The people in the know, that I know think he will be reelected. But things are quite different this time and Joe is taking a lot of heat, especially from the P&C - hope this will wakeup the voters.
October 30, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GBob (anonymous) says...
Be careful what you wish for - Riley's last term will be a "Hell on Earth" experience for him. Care to make a bet that he's a complete "nut-case" before 2012?
October 30, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Joe's in a no win situation but I do feel he loves the City, at least the part south of Broad. I don't live in the City and would have a hard time trying to figure out who is the lesser of the evils. Maybe a couple years of shootem ups with Brown as Mayor would push the crinals to join their bretheren in North Charleston thus helping the Charleston crime statistics. As we all know North Charleston doesn't worry about such trivia as illeagles or crime!
October 30, 2007 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ThePhink (anonymous) says...
Vote Howard Stern and Bubba The Love Sponge on Nov. 6.
October 30, 2007 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JH09915 (anonymous) says...
Hey J.C. I agree with you totally.. a spoiled little boy that desperately wants a new toy.. ie the city..
October 30, 2007 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigbrotheriswatching (anonymous) says...
Since christy and brian45 are silent can anyone tell me the educational background of omar brown?
October 30, 2007 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vesta (anonymous) says...
notfooled: Yes, all these items for the fire department will cost a lot. Let me ask you this, what makes you think that, if he is re-elected, Riley will make certain all of these recommendations are carried out? The operative word here is "recommendations". There were "recommendations" made after the Albright-Wilson fiasco and they weren't addressed and that has been over 16 years ago. Do not forget, this is Riley's independent panel he hired. He is under no obligation to perform any of these recommendations. This is why the people of Charleston need to VOTE HIM OUT!!! Safety of everyone (firefighters and citizens) is obviously not his main concern.
October 30, 2007 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
We have term limits; they're called "elections" ... Don't like the incumbant? Vote for someone else, but do be careful who you want as replacement. Being a policeman does not necessarily qualify one to lead one of the largest cities in the state, and campaigning on the graves of fallen firefighters is wrong, especially for an outsider. Calling half the voting public "directly responsible" for their deaths won't get you many votes, either.
October 30, 2007 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lyfe1999 (anonymous) says...
Gregorie is the best choice.
Most Experienced- 20 years as a manager in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government
Most Education- Masters Degree and he completed Harvard School of Government for Public Officials
Pledged Against Raising Taxes
Has a strong immigration policy
Has a strong economic development policy that extends beyond tourism on the peninsular and special interests in real estate
Will fill 30 vacancies in the police department and hire more.
Has pledged to work with School District to make education in Charleston 1st class for all children
The firefighters has endorsed him and are walking the streets with him. Wow.
Will focus on a City that works for everyone.
No other candidate comes even close.
October 30, 2007 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
Schools in Charleston are pathetic. But it is not a city issue. It is a federal issue. Joe can chant all he wants about schools, but he only has a bully pulpit, no $$$.
More law enforcement is not the answer either. Look carefully....arrests are up. Not convictions. Arrest all you want, but if they aren't locked away, it does nothing but take officers off the street to file paperwork. Ask any criminal lawyer out there and they will confirm this. They are NOT Mullen fans.
Please consider a write-in candidate. And Knapp is a nutcase. A feudal kingdom??? Please, sounds like he has an inferiority complex.
October 30, 2007 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigbrotheriswatching (anonymous) says...
Anybody have the background on brown? where did he go to school? study? does he have a four year degree?
October 30, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Bigbrotheriswatching-
I was trying to find something on him as well and this is all I could come up with.
October 30, 2007 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigbrotheriswatching (anonymous) says...
I checked there Girleygirl, thanks.
I hope we don't have a candidate who is trying to hoodwink us and doesn't have the necessary credentials to be mayor. Does he have at least an associates? i heard greenburg required a 4year degree of his officers, is that still the case?
October 30, 2007 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
BigBrother-
I goggled and searched and the only thing people are interested with, as far as Omar is concerned, is the video shoot out. I could not find his credentials or anything. I could not find any associates or anything.
I don't know about Greenburg requirements but I just think its strange their is no bio on Omar
October 30, 2007 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
there is no bio...sorry about the typo
October 30, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
Interesting how suddenly at a loss for words Christy and Brian45 have become. While he may have good intentions, Omar seems to be one of those candidates that actually help Joe get re-elected by diverting votes from a truly qualified candidate with a legitimate chance, like Kwadjo's campaign did in years past.
October 30, 2007 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
Kwadjo, Kwadjo....at least he kept things interesting.
October 30, 2007 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigbrotheriswatching (anonymous) says...
I just heard the video from the debate is online at gregorie's website on the multimedia page
October 30, 2007 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GBob (anonymous) says...
When anyone seriously considers all the political factors and issues in Charleston's mayoral campaign, Omar Brown can only be Riley's hand-picked "stalking Horse", nothing more, nothing less. Brown's only objective is to be a "spoiler" to divert votes away from Riley's only serious challenger - Gregorie.
October 30, 2007 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigbrotheriswatching (anonymous) says...
brian45,
I'm sure on his resume next to experience it doesn't say
equivalent of a PhD degree....
I just want to know what field does he possess o degree in...if any
he appears well spoken and educated, and curious as to where he was educated.
October 30, 2007 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yeahright (anonymous) says...
I hate to point out the obvious, but being a cop for 12 years, being well spoken, and raising a family hardly qualifies one for the position of mayor of a city the size of Charleston. Would his name even enter this discussion without the El Cheapo incident?
October 30, 2007 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
exorcist_pencocky (anonymous) says...
Joe Rileys degree didn't make him a good mayor.
October 30, 2007 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigbrotheriswatching (anonymous) says...
brian45,
why are you attacking or being critical of others for being educated or possessing degrees from institutions of higher learning.
A simple question was asked that you have not answered. If you don't have the answer just say so. but to attack others when you have failed to state the educational background of the person that you support suggests a degree of hostility that you may want to tone down.
Speaking of dropping out of the race, is it true that Omar brown is violating codes, as suggested at the debate, for running in an election and saying that he is a police officer?
You may want to speak to Omar about dropping out. What will he say next? That he didn't say police officer or refer to his position?
October 30, 2007 at 7:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Todays paper had an article on the elimation of the 5% state sales tax on groceries - how about the 1 1/2% city tax on same?
October 31, 2007 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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