Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2021

41 www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com | www. ReadMPM. com | www. I LoveMountPl easant . com feature Brickyard Plantation. I have been actively involved for years at the public, transparent stakeholder meetings conducted by the county, at which all of the alternatives were discussed. The most recent proposal, Alternative 7B, did not come from public meetings, and I insist that all meetings and discussions by the county return to being public and transparent. Any alternative selected by the county, which only they can do, that will not pass federal regulatory or judicial approval is NOT a viable alternative. I propose the county and state — which owns the road — look into TSMO, or Transportation Systems Management and Operations, which uses traffic management to get optimal results when pavement expansion options are limited. We know the Phillips Community has agreed to three lanes. Why not explore having two lanes going south in the mornings and two lanes going north in the evenings, using a lane in the middle that reverses? It’s already done in a lot of places, and given today’s technology, it is safe. We are not talking about police officers and orange cones directing traffic. We need a viable solution that can stand regulatory and judicial scrutiny and has an actual chance of getting federal approval, or else we will be talking about this for years to come. Landing: Solving traffic issues is multifaceted. Once again, I will point out that recruiting more jobs on this side of the bridge will hopefully reduce the number of people who commute downtown and elsewhere. We have about 28,000 cars a day that go over the bridges away from Mount Pleasant and about 32,000 that come here. One idea I have shared with several people … involves an expanded ferry system that could encompass a Shipyard Park-Daniel Island- Port Authority-Ferry Wharf route. It could make a lot of sense and eventually be adopted by commuters in the same way as MUSC-CARTA Express. If you can take thousands of cars off the road by creating a transportation alternative that works for many people, it’s a win-win. We are trying to encourage the county in a direction that works well for all our citizens on major projects such as the widening of Highway 41. We do not need a bypass through a beautiful park, and both the Dunes West and Park West residents do not want this either. Completion of the final leg of the Billy Swails Boulevard will be a major change, as it will provide a third artery north and south to parallel Rifle Range and Highway 17. ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Mayor Haynie: We are no longer a suburb of Charleston. We have our own identity and vision. Ever since I announced the Palmetto Principle of Leadership shortly after I was elected, — which is to protect, plan and restore — I have been true to using it as a guideline instead of chasing what is popular. That is why issues such as protecting Shem Creek are essential because if you don’t protect, you have nothing to plan. The Wando Dock acquisition was smart planning for the town and a way to protect the commercial fishing industry. Another way we are protecting this industry was through the comprehensive plastics ordinance which is, again, another contrast between my opponent and me. There were one million single-use plastic bags being distributed monthly in Mount Pleasant. It is imperative we keep the most damaging plastics out of our sensitive marine ecosystem. I came back from the Charleston Dutch Dialogues with the takeaway that we should form a standing flood resilience committee, and it was approved by Council unanimously. That is an example of the kind of relevant and forward- thinking leadership I aim to provide. We have storm water and tidal flooding as well as an aging infrastructure to deal with. We are not only fixing drainage issues but looking at ways to prevent flooding by limiting impervious surfaces, planting trees and increasing vegetative buffers. Landing: Shem Creek is the heart of our community, and I grew up in a family that always had boats and loved the water. We need to preserve the fishing and shrimping industry. On Earth Day 2021, I announced a reusable bag contest, designed to encourage good eco-friendly practices, encourage community-building and promote local goods at Mayor Haynie at an event honor ing health care workers for their heroic effor ts dur ing the COVID-19 pandemic.