Elect Hallman, Seekings, Rosenberg and Wilsonto Charleston City Council

Tuesday's municipal elections feature four races for Charleston City Council, with incumbents seeking additional terms in Districts 8 and 12 and incumbents stepping down from Districts 2 and 10 seats. Voters have important choices in all four races as the city faces the continuing challenge of making ends meet during economically difficult times.

In District 2, we're endorsing Blake Hallman. As president of the S. C. Battleground Preservation Trust, Mr. Hallman persevered for four years, forming local, state and federal coalitions which, working together, halted the threat of development on historic Morris Island.

Now Mr. Hallman, a Charleston native, is ready to use his energy and experience to address issues of growth, traffic and drainage west of the Ashley.

Mr. Hallman, who teaches marketing at the Culinary Institute of Charleston, says the city needs to bring new business to Charleston. A board member of the Fort Sumter-Fort Moultrie Trust and former general manager of the Sunflower Grill, Mr. Hallman has marketing ideas to encourage tourism for those interested in restaurants, shopping and beaches, as well as history.

He says his district needs relief from traffic congestion and cites the extension of the Glenn McConnell Parkway as a potential solution. But he adds that a long-term remedy includes bike-friendly development. He hopes to work with MeadWestvaco for the low-impact development of Watson Hill that will respect the historic area and keep traffic increases at a minimum on Ashley River Road.

Mr. Hallman worked doggedly -- and successfully -- to help save Morris Island from development and wants to put his tenacity to work solving problems for the city. He would be an able representative for District 2.

Michael Seekings realizes that he faces a tough political test running for the District 8 seat held by a five-term incumbent but says he will bring a fresh perspective to city issues. We think so, too.

Though Mr. Seekings lives and works on the peninsula, he wants to make sure that West Ashley also gets the attention it deserves from City Council.

Mr. Seekings, a lawyer who lives near the College of Charleston, sees bicycling as part of the solution to the city's traffic and parking problems. He will vigorously support the development of a comprehensive bike plan that will include better connections between West Ashley and the peninsula and more bike lanes and paths citywide.

He wants more communication between the city and the College of Charleston to ensure that students understand the rules of the road and wants better enforcement of traffic laws.

He also believes police can better deter crime if they get out of their cars.

Mr. Seekings supports completion of Interstate 526, a project that will ease congestion in the West Ashley portion of his district. He says Charleston should resist high-density development by enforcing its zoning laws.

Mr. Seekings would bring new ideas and new energy to council as the District 8 representative.

Ginger Rosenberg, who's running in District 10, would bring to council management skills she honed during a 25-year corporate career, plus insights gained while working with local non-profit organizations in the city.

She currently works in marketing and program development for the Center for Women, and is responsible for starting a job counseling program there for unemployed women.

She says the city needs to encourage small business development with more reasonable fees and a less cumbersome licensing procedure.

Her relationships with multiple local organizations give her a strong background in consensus building. That will help her address difficult problems like traffic and drainage, which are of great concern to her West Ashley district.

Mrs. Rosenberg combines business acumen with a genuine commitment to the people of Charleston.

Having a council member with the background and the interest to actively engage in the city's budgetary process would be a benefit to Charleston and City Council. Elect her to represent District 10.

Incumbent Kathleen Wilson, seeking her second term representing District 12, has delivered on promises to fight overdevelopment, address traffic woes and work for more and better recreational opportunities. While protective of her James Island district, she has a citywide focus.

Mrs. Wilson, acting executive director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, has demonstrated her commitment to managing growth. She took a lead in stopping a Super Walmart that would have filled wetlands and cut grand trees on James Island. And she cast council's sole vote to oppose Angel Oak Village, a development that would abut the iconic Angel Oak on John's Island.

Mrs. Wilson has shown her ability to negotiate prickly issues. She was instrumental in reducing, from 40 to four, the number of grand trees to be cut for intersection improvements at Folly and Camp roads.

She supports proposed road improvements to ease traffic congestion on Harbor View Road. She wants the city to step up efforts to fix its drainage problems.

She wisely called for more transparency in hiring a new fire chief in the wake of the tragic Sofa Super Store fire.

A world-class marathon swimmer, Mrs. Wilson has been a firm advocate for her constituents. She deserves the opportunity to continue on council.