Santos vows break from cronyism

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Asked how effectively he could run this town with half the Town Council supporting one of his rivals, mayoral hopeful Gary Santos said his election would repair residents' mistrust of government.

"This is clearly the good old boy system," Santos said of their endorsements. "That is not good for government. As a citizen, that scares me."

Santos was referring to the four council members' and the current and former mayors' decision to support mayoral hopeful Billy Swails, who currently serves on council with Santos and the third mayoral candidate, Joe Bustos.

Santos said he would feel sorry for the four new council members who win on Nov. 3 if Swails also were to win.

"There are already five votes against them," he said. "That's something the citizens really need to think about."

Santos made his remarks Thursday before more than 40 people gathered at the National Guard Armory, which already held two forums featuring Bustos and Santos earlier this week.

Santos talked about his other recent clashes with town officials, including his unsuccessful efforts to have the town's minutes record full conversations.

"It's a form of censorship, and I don't think it's fair for the citizens," he said. "That's why people don't trust their government, and if I'm elected mayor, we're going to fix that."

Santos said his commitment to openness and transparency separates him from the field. He said he was open to using Web cams and other technology to help the town's voters better follow what their town is up to.

Santos also was asked about the incident in which he told Mayor Kruger Smith to "rot in hell." Santos said he had just learned that Smith was going to endorse Swails, and he didn't think acting town officials should endorse any candidate.

"He (Smith) came up to me pretty aggressively. I felt like he was getting in my face," Santos said. "I'm sorry I did (say that). Normally, I'm not like that. ... Unfortunately, that was the nicest thing I could think of at the time."

Santos began by talking about his three top priorities. The first is improving the town's economy by helping businesses and promoting tourism, possibly by building a pier for yachts and other large boats at Patriots Point.

Another top priority would be improving the town's infrastructure, especially widening U.S. Highway 17 from the Isle of Palms connector to S.C. Highway 41 and beyond.

And he said he also would work to improve life for the town's elderly, particularly by giving them new opportunities to exercise and stay healthy.

On a specific note, Santos said he would oppose any effort to narrow Coleman Boulevard to two lanes, even part time, and also would fight to keep the height of new buildings there to 55 feet, not 75 feet as recommended in a recent plan.

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Earlier Thursday, Bustos remained confident he will win, largely because he has knocked on 3,000 doors, and 65 percent of the time residents were home. "I've run into exactly two people who said they are voting for someone else," Bustos said.

He made his comments on the "Morning Buzz" with Richard Todd on WTMA-AM 1250.

Bustos told Todd that what sets him apart from the other candidates is his preparation for the job. He is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, a nine-year Town Council veteran and is the only candidate who is a veteran and has a college degree. He noted that town residents are educated and sophisticated. "I think the mayor should be a reflection of that population," he said.

The 19-way race for four at-large council seats was stirred up Thursday as the Charleston County Republican Party's Web site included a link that endorsed five of them.

"A local group of conservatives from the Tea Party organization, the 9:12 Project and members of the Charleston GOP met and interviewed candidates for local races. They have made the following recommendations for local offices which we support," the county GOP said on its Web site.

The site endorsed Elton Carrier, Howard Chalmers, David Kent, Chris Nickels and Craig Rhyne, calling them "good conservatives."

The other council candidates are Steve Brock, Ben Bryson, John W. Burn, Paiam Etminan, George A. Freeman, Henry A. Middleton, Douglas Miller, Kenny Oubre, Linda Page, Russell Read, Tom Reilly, Roxanne Riccio, Phyllis Sheffer and Ted Summerford.

Prentiss Findlay contributed to this report. Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.