Charleston Currents – referendum

Mayor John Tecklenburg, left, speaks at an event earlier this month at Williams Terrace. At right are Charleston Housing Authority Executive Director Don Cameron and the agency's board chair, Edward Kronsberg.

BRACK: Vote YES on Charleston’s $20 million housing bond referendum

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Charleston needs more places for police, firefighters, teachers and seniors to live if we want to keep the fabric of our community diverse and strong. If there aren’t affordable places for people to live, we’ll keep heading down the path of becoming a historical Disney world for rich tourists and rich folks who want to have a second home here.

You can do something to keep Charleston vibrant by voting YES in a Nov. 7 citywide bond referendum that seeks $20 million to buy, build and equip safe and affordable housing for people and families with low to moderate incomes.

“We need more housing that working families can afford — firefighters, police officers, nurses, teachers and more,” Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg told us. “That’s why this bond is so critical to our city’s future, and it’s why I’m asking our citizens to support it on Nov. 7th.”

by Charleston Currents · 10/30/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

GOOD NEWS: From trick-or-treating to a referendum

Staff reports | With Halloween just around the corner, the health experts at Envolve, an integrated health care solutions company sent along these five tips to make sure you and your goblins have a safe night of trick-or-treating next week:

Travel together. Before your little ones head out for the big night, make sure there’s a plan in place for an adult or two to supervise the festivities. It can be challenging to identify young ones in the dark wearing similar looking costumes. Make sure there’s an established plan beforehand to meet at a familiar location in case your child or someone under your supervision somehow strays from the group during the trick-or-treat trek.

by Charleston Currents · 10/23/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

FOCUS: Demand specifics, accountability on new road, greenbelt projects

By Natalie Olson, special to Charleston Currents | On Election Day, Charleston County residents voted to approve the proposed half-cent sales tax increase.

Leading up to the election, the Coastal Conservation League opposed this referendum because it lacks adequate safeguards to ensure that accountability and transparency are at the forefront of spending our tax dollars. There is no guarantee that the $2.1 billion generated by this tax increase over the next 25 years will indeed go towards high priority transportation projects aimed at relieving congestion and improving the quality of life for all residents throughout the county.

by Charleston Currents · 11/21/2016 · 3 comments · Focus, Good news

Overhead view of an overpass along Johnnie Dodds Blvd. in Mount Pleasant that was part of a bonded improvement project. Photo: Charleston County.

MORRIS: Let’s complete the penny tax for infrastructure

By Kyra Morris, contributing editor | Charleston is one of the fastest-growing, economically-diverse communities in America. Some people say we are the victims of our own success. Strong job growth in manufacturing, local business growth and people moving to Charleston in record numbers are a reflection of our success and quality of life.

As is often the case, with success there are also costs. The infrastructure for our road system throughout Charleston County is severely lacking.

In 2004, a referendum passed for a half cent sales tax that would fund road and highway projects in Charleston County.

by Kyra Morris · 11/02/2016 · 1 comment · Money, Views