Reiss is 2008 Citizen of Year

Tom Reiss laughs at his gadfly notoriety — the man who took to the state Legislature a law to stop fireworks in North Charleston. What he wants to talk about is sidewalks.

"Ten years ago, we started on sidewalks," he said about his Forest Hills neighborhood campaign to get them put in. "In January, the contract is going to be awarded. That's a real coup, I guess."

That's what won him recognition as North Charleston's 2008 Citizen of the Year — more than a decade of helping his neighbors and his city. The retired Navy veteran organized crime prevention patrols and nuisance cleanups, pushed to get new street lights, kept neighbors in touch and paid out of pocket for newsletters to get them involved.

He's served on the neighborhood association and city Citizens Advisory Council, tourism board and zoning appeals board. Oh, and he worked to get a needed school bond passed.

Reiss last summer asked the city for tighter controls on people shooting off fireworks. Told it couldn't be done, he convinced state Sen. Glenn McConnell to introduce legislation allowing local governments to pass tougher laws. It's just the latest charge in a long crusade.

"There is no one thing that Tom has done that puts him above the other nominees, but he has served his city and community over a long time with no thought other than making his city a better place," said City Councilman Ed Astle in one of the nomination letters for Reiss.

"There are an awful lot of people doing an excellent job, volunteering and doing things for the city," Reiss said. "Part of my speech will be encouraging people to nominate more of them."

Reiss will be honored at the Citizens Advisory Council annual banquet Tuesday at the North Charleston Coliseum's Club Room North.

Reach Bo Petersen at 843-937-5744 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com.