53 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com things we’ve seen in recent years is partisanship. I’ve worked for 37 years with people of different political and religious backgrounds without offending everybody all the time. I can work with others but will always say my piece—and I am fairly persuasive. I have to stand for something and not sway with the voices in the room.” Landing’s opponent, Democrat Donna Brown Newton, is also a familiar face. The life-long Mount Pleasant resident has been active in community affairs since she was a teenager, participating in the historic 1969 local hospital workers’ strike for equal pay. The issue of a living wage for all is still one that drives Newton, who places that and affordable health care as top priorities. “There aren’t a lot of families getting public assistance in District 80; however, there are those that fall through the cracks and do not qualify for government aid but don’t make enough to cover anything beyond basic housing expenses.” Newton said. Newton contends that expanding Medicaid would help those families caught in between. She added, “I believe everyone in District 80 wants affordable health care for its residents. We can find a way to put that in the budget and stop focusing on issues that don’t need to be fought. We just have to shift some things around and make it a priority.” Newton also supports a $15 minimum wage and stated that increasing it would help businesses, too, by increasing consumer spending. “If you have more money in your pocket, you can spend more money and stimulate the economy,” she offered. Nelson asserted that her decades of experience serving on the county’s Disabilities Board, Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee and Snowden Community Civic Association Board—and her career in the county school district offices of special education– have given her insight into many facets of public service that will benefit her constituents. It’s been said that all politics are local. There are innumerable interpretations of this phrase, but one that may apply to the upcoming elections: these local candidates vow to bring local issues to the state capitol. feature Donna Brown Newton . NOW OPEN! Village Pointe 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC Check out our other location Cigars on Maybank located on Maybank Highway at the corner of River Road on Johns Island. Mon.-Sat. 11am-8pm | Sun. 12pm–6pm 843-352-2441 We look forward to serving you with all of your cigar, pipe tobacco and accessories needs! www.CigarsOfCharleston.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1