Push for James Island town draws late protest

BY JASON HARDIN
Of The Post and Courier Staff

     It wasn't going to be that easy to incorporate a new town of James Island.
     During years of work to lay the foundation for a town, supporters have heard virtually no public opposition. But with less than two weeks left before the May 21 referendum on forming a town, that has suddenly changed.
     A group of James Island residents who said the issue snuck up on them held a press conference Thursday to announce their stand and to explain why they believe a town is a bad idea.
     Members of the informal group of about 10 people said the town backers have underestimated what it would cost residents of unincorporated James Island to have their own town.
     "I said, 'My God, I'm going to wake up on May 22 and be a resident of a town of James Island, and I won't have the opportunity to opt in or opt out," said island resident David Cox. "They talk about island pride. Well, you can have island pride without having a municipality that places a burden on its residents."
     Specifically, opponents said town backers have painted too rosy a picture of incorporation. They argue that it likely will cost more than expected.
     Island resident Patterson Smith said a hypothetical town budget submitted to the S.C. Secretary of State's office was unrealistic. The budget, which included spending of about $1 million and the hiring of four employees, would not meet the town's needs, he said.
     "You can't provide services with that budget. There's going to have to be a lot more money involved," Smith said. "It's a pocketbook issue with me. I think it's unwise, and I think it's going to hurt a lot of people on James Island."
     Smith said the total annual cost for homeowners served by the James Island Public Service District is roughly $900 for those in a $100,000 home. If the town passes, that could rise to $2,100, he said.
     Town proponents immediately called the projections absurd.
     Trent Kernodle, an attorney who has been assisting the incorporation effort, said those figures included a number of new services, such as parks and recreation and police protection, that few, if any, town backers want.
     "I've got news for them: We don't have to do that," he said. "This is apples and oranges here. Let's get back to reality."
     Kernodle said that while elected officials would decide what services to provide, the estimates were wildly inflated. Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon has agreed to continue providing law enforcement services at no additional cost, Kernodle said, adding that there already are plenty of park and recreation opportunities on the island.
     Backers project that because a town would be eligible for a share of local sales tax money, that revenue could offset some of the cost of services provided by the PSD, meaning a town would cost less, not more.
     But opponents argued that adding a new layer of government would inherently add costs.
     Kernodle said it's impossible to predict with certainty that government wouldn't grow. But the point of forming a town is that residents can choose how much - or how little - government they want.
     "Is it possible that the officers we elect would raise taxes to that level? Sure. Do you vote them out? Sure," he said.
     Some town backers said they wondered why the opposition emerged suddenly and questioned whether the city of Charleston had anything to do with it. The city sued the first town, and some island residents still resent the city and Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.
     "They're terribly misinformed of the facts, or they have been misled, and it smells a lot like the Riley camp," said June Waring.
     Opponents said they are motivated only by a desire to inform residents about the incorporation and that Riley had nothing to do with it.
     Incorporation would require a majority of the vote in the referendum. If it passes, residents would elect a mayor and council on June 18.