Council seats sought by 5

KIAWAH ISLAND - Kiawah Island voters will go to the polls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to re-elect their mayor and choose at least one new member of Town Council.

Mayor William G. Wert has no opposition, but voters in this gated resort community also will vote for four council members among five candidates. They include incumbents Alan. L. Burnaford, Charles R. Lipuma and G. Steven Orban and challengers Harry McHugh and Stanley Morganstein.

Councilman Donald H. McIverk, who had served on council for six years, resigned in June when he moved off the island.

Wert, 69, posted a re-election message on the town's Web site that says Kiawah has seen unprecedented progress since his first election in 2002. That progress has included strengthening ties with Seabrook and Johns islands and finishing the East Coast's largest beach restoration project that didn't involve federal dollars.

Wert also vowed to work toward a new bike path along Kiawah's entrance road.

The island, which became a town in 1987, has about 1,200 registered voters. Its elections are at-large and nonpartisan, and those elected receive no pay.

Tuesday's election will be held at St. John's Fire Station No. 4 at 12 Sora Rail Road. Profiles of council candidates also are available on the town's Web site, kiawahisland.org, and voters with questions can call Town Clerk Cathy Wilson at 768-9166.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.