Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2020

43 www.ReadMPM.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com feature So where has Mount Pleasant gone wrong in the past three decades? Rambo cited unsustainable growth as the major culprit for many of the problems he and his fellow Council members must now deal with. “You can’t expect to be the fastest growing town east of the Mississippi and not expect unintended consequences such as traffic, drainage issues and the impact growth has had on recreation programs and schools,” he said. According to Rambo, the first thing the Council needs to do is take a close look at the town’s Comprehensive Plan, make some changes, approve it and move forward. “I’m thankful for the citizens who worked it out together, but there are major flaws,” Rambo said. “The first business of the Council should be to dive into the Plan and identify things we agree on and things the residents of Mount Pleasant don’t want to see.” For example, Rambo said that during his Council campaign, he knocked on more than 1,500 doors, and not a single person he spoke with was in favor of more residential density. Nevertheless, he said the plan currently calls for urban overlays that increase density in some areas. The town’s financial situation is another issue Rambo hopes to tackle. The problem, he said, is that 90% of Mount Pleasant’s property is residential. Commercial property owners pay taxes at a higher rate and use less of the municipality’s resources. Rambo pointed out that Mount Pleasant especially needs more office space to accommodate companies that might consider moving to the town. He said that he would like to look at impact fees, which have been increased exponentially in recent years. He noted that hiking fees has produced more of those unintended consequences. “The idea that development should pay for itself is a great concept,” he said. “But small businesses can’t build here. The impact fees are a drop in the bucket for large corporations.” Rambo said he would also like to delve into whether Mount Pleasant needs a full-time mayor and if establishing single-member Council district might be a good idea. He added that he also wants to see recreational opportunities for local residents expanded. He added he’s all about improving the way Council members interact with one another. “We need to set an example for the community and treat each other with respect and dignity and handle disagreements like adults,” he concluded. NICOLE STEWART Licensed Insurance Agent (843) 940-3854 I CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS . Health | Life | Medicare | Long-Term Care •Medicare Advantage •Medicare Supplement Plans •Medicare Prescription Drug Plans For personalized service, Call today! nstewart@healthmarkets.com HealthMarkets.com/nstewart HMIA00968 J. GrahamSturgis, Jr. Attorney at Law Family Law Separation | Divorce | Custody | Support Family LawMediation Personal Injury Equine Law 47 State Street Charleston, SC 843-937-0800 graham@sturgislaw.com • www.sturgislaw.com