Legare, Qualey for County Council

Charleston County Council's District 8 isn't a one-size-fits-all area. The pressures on James Island are different from those on Johns Island and Wadmalaw and Edisto islands.

Thomas Legare knows the district, and knows where to embrace growth and where to keep things the way they are.

His family began farming on Johns Island in 1725. A farmer himself, he has served on numerous boards to bring appropriate utilities, transportation and business to the area. He intends to see that drainage problems and poor roads are fixed and traffic congestion is addressed.

But his mission is also to preserve "the life we love." He has been, from the beginning, against the completion of I-526 and against the cross-island highway being debated for Johns Island. He doesn't want to see properties on James and Johns islands destroyed and wetlands damaged. He points out that there are more important road projects in the county.

A Republican, Mr. Legare would promote enhanced libraries for his rural constituents. He has witnessed problems with crime on the islands, and he wants to see more deputies deterring crime by patrolling. He has a broad view of the county's needs and supports the idea of light rail for the I-26 area, better CARTA services and more recycling. He will encourage new businesses, small and large, which will benefit the entire county.

Thomas Legare has long served the people who live in his district. Give him a position on County Council so that he can be an even more effective advocate.

Joe Qualey would be a hard-working, fiscally conservative member of Charleston County Council. Voters of District 9, which includes parts of James Island and Johns Island and West Ashley, and all of Folly Beach, Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island, should give him their support on Tuesday.

Mr. Qualey's frugality is particularly needed at a time when the county is facing ever-tighter budgets.

As a member of James Island Town Council, he consistently urged council to take the fiscally conservative course, though sometimes to little avail. His years on council provided him with broad familiarity over a range of governmental services and responsibilities, including zoning, solid waste and transportation.

He views council's priorities as public safety, traffic and transportation, and says that the council needs to focus on those issues while carefully considering its financial limitations.

A lawyer with his own practice, Mr. Qualey understands the challenges of running a small business. He will be committed to a customer-friendly county government: "The first person you see should be the last person you see."

Mr. Qualey is committed to being an efficient steward of taxpayer money. Give him a chance to help steer the county through these tough economic times.