Lee Walton

Given the rather grim impasse now existing between the Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s Board and its unionized professional musicians, there seems little hope for a workable consensus between the two that will avoid either bankruptcy, a protracted internal legal dispute, or both. Sunday’s Palter and Chatter article, “Symphony may plan concert”, was a lengthy, albeit well-written synopsis of the inevitable train wreck now facing the CSO Board. A former board member publicly lamented what hundreds within the Greater Charleston artistic and business communities have recognized for years – “The current business model has proven over ten years not to be viable.”

Bicycle ordinance approved though parking paragraphs to be amended

Is it the fact that meetings are now televised? Are some Council members planning bigger things like running for Mayor and seeking greater visibility? Or is it something else? Whatever, we have noticed conspicuous posturing by some Council members in recent meetings.

Lee Walton

As the latest in a series of articles on the subject, Sunday’s Palter and Chatter “Casino boats gain support” left little doubt that casino cruises will soon be running out of North Charleston’s old Navy Base at the rate two trips per day. This may not sound like much of a concern compared to larger 3,000 passenger cruise ships calling weekly at the Market Street Cruise Ship Terminal until one considers the number of passengers gaming vessels can carry. The environmental threats that these floating casinos will create to near-shore waters just three short miles off Charleston Harbor and the surrounding beach resorts are potentially far greater than a weekly cruise ship visit.

Lee Walton

Charlestonians can always tell when Mayor J. Pericles Riley has had his nose tweaked to the breaking point over an embarrassing municipal incident. Invariably, Riley has to have the last word as he rationalizes city blunders or covers up for the inappropriate actions of his city employees. Such was the case when Riley cajoled the editors of the Palter and Chatter for their recent chastising “Heavy-handed enforcement” editorial. Riley then condescendingly whined in a two full column rebuttal and rationalization for his defense of a city police officer’s recent arrest, cuffing, and jailing of a retired tourist caught with an open can of beer on a city street. Sometimes the less said in such circumstances is best, but not for Riley. True to his thin-skinned character, he just has to have the last word on such issues to demonstrate his superior knowledge and intellect to all who will listen, even at the expense of confirming his own self-serving hypocrisy.

CARTA Budget, and Accommodation Tax allocations

It was a reasonably long agenda before the Finance and other Committees yesterday afternoon. The Finance Committee and the full Council meet only once a month over the summer and it was four weeks since the last Finance Committee meeting.

The following are selected quotes by Thomas Jefferson that are as applicable today as they were during his lifetime:

“When we get piled
upon one another in large cities, as in Europe,
we shall become as corrupt as Europe.”

Lee Walton

As a child whose parents were of the Greatest Generation, I’m probably a typical Baby Boomer having matured during the turbulent and dynamic decades of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Like many young people of that era, I served in the military and witnessed, first-hand, the political and ideological conflicts precipitated by the Viet Nam War. These same socially dominant, post-Christian era “isms” continue to guide our nation down the slippery path toward European-style socialism at best, or, at worse, ultimate destruction as a representative republic. Like many of my generation, I am deeply concerned about the current path that our national government, guided by the current Obama Administration, seems dedicated to follow, regardless of the consequences or growing opposition now fermenting throughout America.

Lee Walton

Once in a while, the stars align just right and poetic justice is served to those deserving a lesson in humility - swiftly as a cold, bitter banquet of consequences. Such was the case in the recent Democratic Party Primary Election for the U.S. Senate race in November. Literally out of nowhere, Alvin Greene, an absolute unknown rural African American veteran with no prior political experience, no campaign organization, no funding and apparently no effort, trounced the Democratic Party’s hand-picked favorite son by over 30,000 votes in a astonishing defeat that left Victor Rawl and the state Democratic Party covered in Jack-Ass excrement from the Greenville foot hills to the Lowcountry.

An energy efficiency program and an ordinance regulating “events”

We were looking to some action over the proposed $142 million Gaillard Center project. Certainly, there were many citizens who spoke at the public hearing. Most were in favor but some were concerned about the cost and the need for spending in other areas. But when it came for discussion on Council, there was little. Considering the magnitude of the project, and the proposed funding, we expected spirited debate. There was none and the project and the proposed funding were endorsed unanimously by Council with some minor amendments. At least that is how it seemed.

Lee Walton

U.S. Representative Joe Wilson had it right when he blurted out “You lie” during President Obama’s State of the Union Address. The same can and should be said for Mayor J. Pericles Riley’s ridiculous claim that the sources of the $71 million for the public’s share of his latest $142 million world-class “Gaillard Center” would come from existing city revenue sources and new borrowing that would not impact taxes.

A referendum to form a Commission to study consolidation in County?

Warwick Jones

At issue was the request from the City of Charleston for an extension of the King Street Gateway TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district for 10 years to 2023. The City needed the money from the TIF to help fund the proposed new Gaillard Auditorium. Agreeing to the request effectively means the County gives up revenues of about $1.5 million a year for 8 years beginning 2015. The recommendation of staff was no! The Finance Committee, and later Council, eventually voted yes, with conditions that were hardly onerous.

The following poem was first published a year ago as one in a series of related poems comprising the Swimp Mon Chronicles. With a few edits and additions to reflect current events, it’s the author’s contribution to the special poetry of Spoleto 2010.

As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend with family and friends, pause to remember those who, over the past two centuries, have given the full measure of their lives to protect and defend the basic freedoms we often take for granted.

A proposal to mitigate the increase in property tax bills*

Yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting agenda was light. Indeed, there was nothing worthy of comment. But Chairman Pryor at the close of the meeting got our attention with some comments on a Post & Courier editorial and a proposal to mitigate the planned effective property tax increase for Fiscal 2011.

Positive report on City Market progress

There were few items of substance on yesterday’s Council meeting agenda. But there was no lack of drama. Council continues to assert itself, readily taking issue with the Mayor over matters of principle.