Condon to focus on responsible growth, green issues

Incumbent Colleen Condon says if she's re-elected, she'll continue to focus on looking out for taxpayers, leading Charleston County to a greener future and promoting responsible growth and development.

"I'm a fighter," Condon said. She's willing to roll up her sleeves and "figure out the hard compromise and make things happen for Charleston County," she said.

And she's "committed to doing this without a tax increase," despite a projected $7.8 million shortfall in the 2010 budget. "The reality is in this economy folks cannot afford a tax increase." The county has to cut back on expenses, she said.

Condon also plans to continue working to improve the way the county deals with solid waste. She worked last summer to put together a "Green Ribbon Committee." The group will work with a consultant to help County Council create a plan for how it will handle solid waste in the future. She especially wants to expand the county's recycling program.

Her West Ashley district is 95 percent developed, she said, but she's still concerned about growth. Development outside her district will put more traffic on roads within her district that are already extremely busy.

Condon supports completion of the Mark Clark Expressway, although she doesn't yet know what it will look like. "In the next year, folks can help decide that," she said. Her concern, she said, is that it's designed to provide real traffic relief. Even so, she said, "it's not the answer" to traffic woes in the county. "We have to have a united land-use and transportation plan."

She said it's an important time for Charleston County. "I'm a sixth-generation Charlestonian, and I'm looking six generations beyond."

Colleen Condon (District 7)

PARTY: Democrat

BIRTHDATE: May 14, 1970.

FAMILY: Husband, Chris Johnson; Son, Cray.

EDUCATION: Law degree, UNC-Chapel Hill; bachelor of arts, College of Charleston.

OCCUPATION: Family lawyer.

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Charleston County Council member 2005-08.

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: "I was certified as a SCUBA diver last year. It made me realize how big the world is."

ONE SPECIFIC GOAl: "To plan for the future while being responsible for the dollars we're spending today."