Amendments to Cell Tower and Tree Clearing Ordinances

More details relating to Magnolia development

Yesterday’s meeting was to be the first in the newly renovated City Hall. But work still remains to be done and the first meeting has been rescheduled for mid June. Whether it was the confusion over the meeting place, Spoleto or simply spring lethargy, there were few attending yesterday’s meeting, held again at the Greenberg Municipal Building on Lockwood Drive. Ignoring City employees, only a few citizens were present and not a soul spoke in Citizens Participation. And indeed, there was little meat on matters before the Council.

Continue reading "City Council, May 29"

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I-526/I-26 Conspirators "in league” with Riley’s Deal-Estate Development Cronies

Lee Walton

If one ever doubted the tenacity of the conspiring cronies hell-bent on shifting I-26 eastward in the Charleston Neck for the benefit of private development, they need not look further than the series of Palter & Chatter articles that have appeared over the past year. This past Sunday’s Palter & Chatter B-1 and H-1 above-the-fold broadsides were the latest in this series of misinforming drivel and editorial spin aimed at cultivating public support to move I-26 at the expense of the completion of I-526, the survival of the remaining remnants of the Rosemont Neighborhood and the proposed SPA terminal at the former Navy Base. This latest smoky back room scheme by Riley and his handpicked deal-estate cronies seeks to spend over $293 million in taxpayer’s money to move a short section of I-26 a few hundred yards simply to maximize the potential of another Riley World vision.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

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Community not happy about access roads

Some oppose the location of terminal

It was first an issue about the road that would link the new container terminal in North Charleston to I 26. But the loaction of the new container terminal has become an issue also. Sentiment against the terminal was strong at the public workshop held yesterday at the Gethsemani Community Center in North Charleston and hosted by the Army Corps of Engineers. There were more than a hundred attendees, we estimate. Many were residents of the areas that could be impacted by the new road.

Continue reading "Proposed container terminal in North Charleston"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)

Tattoo parlors - First skirmish in a possibly intense battle

Last night's Council meeting witnessed a skirmish between those for and against tattoo parlors. In some respects it was a pointless battle because the lines of the issue are not yet defined. The residents of Byrnes Downs had a victory but the fight over tattoo parlors has yet to begin.

Continue reading "City Council Meeting December 21"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:51 PM | Comments (0)

Incentives for aircraft construction project approved

The Finance Committee approved the financial incentives proposed by the County for the Vought Aircraft - Alenia Aeronautica joint venture that is planning a major investment in North Charleston. Plans of the JV have already been announced and they entail a facility that will manufacture and integrate the fuselage for the new Boeing 7E7 "Dreamliner" commercial aircraft. As noted by Charles Newton, the head of the JV, the investment is projected at $560 million and will be the largest single investment ever in the Charleston region and the second largest ever in the state. The JV and the partners will employ an estimated 645 persons with an annual payroll of $32.5 million.

Continue reading "County County - December 16"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)

Warwick Jones, Editor

City Council member Jimmy Gallant is now recovering from triple by pass surgery. We understand that he is doing well but not well enough to return to normal duties any time soon. In fact his doctor has ordered him to rest for a prolonged period and he is taking at least a 7 month "sabbatical" according to a letter circulated to City council members. The question now becomes will he return to City Council, or indeed, being so severely incapacitated, should he not resign? Should there be an election to replace him on Council? After all, 7 months or more is a long time for an area not to have representation.

Continue reading "Will Jimmy Gallant remain on Council?"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:56 PM | Comments (0)

Another step in the development of the Neck area

Council moved further last night towards development of the Neck Area. First reading was given to an ordinance to establish the Charleston Neck Redevelopment Project area and a plan for spending and financing. A public hearing was also set for December 22.

Continue reading "City Council Meeting November 23"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:49 AM | Comments (0)

Warwick Jones, Editor

The potential development of the Neck Area has received a lot of press in recent months. As presently conceived, the development will be very large and re-vitalize a depressed and neglected part of Charleston. The city, which is encouraging the private developers, feels it will be an excellent project. It gave the nod to the development at the last meeting of Council. In discussing the Neck, the majority of speakers including the mayor, exuded good feelings about the development. Only one council member, Wendell Gilliard, expressed reservations. His was the only dissenting vote on approving the broad terms of the development.

Continue reading "Senator Ford Speaks Out - If the Neck is developed, the residents must be protected"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:27 PM | Comments (0)