35 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com “Mount Pleasant residents want steady leadership, transparency and a focus on real issues,” said Iacofano, citing infrastructure upgrades and improved stormwater and drainage projects as examples. “Growth is not inherently bad. What matters is how we grow, and whether the town planned for it.” Such growth issues have been mounting for more than three decades. For example, since 1989, the town’s population has more than tripled to 96,000 and counting, with annual 2024 overnight visitors topping approximately 1.49 million – signs which Iacofano said could threaten the area’s basic quality of life if left unbridled. “Residents are right to be concerned about ‘runaway’ development,” he said. “We have to support long-term planning, intersection upgrades and solutions that protect neighborhoods and ease daily congestion. And, we have to make sure that development never outpaces the roads, schools, parks and public services needed to support it.” MIKE TINKEY Elected to his first full term with 8,067 votes – more than any other TOMP candidate – Mike Tinkey’s 42 years in Mount Pleasant puts him in a timely position for offering ideas on nearly any development. But one item he particularly favors is tree cover. Despite its benefits, such as improving soil, cooling urban areas, providing natural habitats and reducing runoff and flooding, Tinkey said the Mount Pleasant area has lost 20-30% of forest canopy in recent years, which led to the forming of a community forest master plan “to protect and enhance our tree canopy and ecosystem for generations.” “Flood resilience is a critical growth issue facing us every day countywide,” said Tinkey, whose first-time victory came almost eight months after winning a special election to fill a seat vacated by Carl Ritchie when he ran for sheriff. “And people are very concerned about their stormwater, and in the community, maintaining both gray infrastructure as well as forest and greenspace and the impacts and responses on development and redevelopment. Controlling growth and increasing green space is a critical role.” ALEXANDRA CROSBY A firsttime winner to town council, Alexandra Crosby polled 6,012 votes on a simple platform: protect what makes Mount Pleasant special and be good stewards for future generations. “Mount Pleasant has grown incredibly fast, and many of us feel the impact every day,” she said. “I ran because I want to protect what makes this town special, while making sure we grow in a way that fits our character.” While growth is only one issue Crosby will be addressing with the council, she added that a spirit of public trust and accountability, as if all Mount Pleasant residents were watching, carries just as much importance. “Over the next four years, I’m committed to protecting what makes our town unique while planning responsibly for the future. I want to bring a fresh perspective to town council, one focused on transparency, accountability and truly listening to our residents,” she said. “Winning this election is an incredible honor, and I’m grateful for the trust our community has placed in me.” KATHRYN WHITAKER Also a firsttime winner to council, Kathryn Whitaker polled 7,652 votes on an approach of area balance: align our town
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