The following letter appeared in the Aiken Standard on August 19th. Below the letter I have posted a few photos that make it quite clear that there is a concerted effort by builders and realtors to replace the managed growth team of Dick and Jane with individuals who will reliably support their initiatives. By publishing the photos I do not mean to say that any of the candidates or the builders whose signs appear in them are not good people. They simply have a different point of view and by dint of their occupations are somewhat conflicted. It is for this reason that I urge you to vote for Homoki and Cubbage for the two at large positions and also vote for Reggie Ebner if you reside in District 4.
AIKEN STANDARD AUGUST 19
“With filings closed for the September 8th City Council primary election, it appears that the fact that Jane Vaughters and I have term limited ourselves has produced several well qualified candidates.
You are reminded that before Jane and I were elected in 2001, City Council conducted its business very differently. Aiken was suffering from an unbridled growth surge, and new developments were being approved with little thought given to infrastructure capacities or aesthetics. The Comprehensive land plan was frequently not followed. City Council meetings were preceded by work sessions where the meeting agenda was discussed and decided off the record. The actual meeting was almost always brief to rubber stamp the already made decisions, and there was little public participation.
The final blow to the Council’s credibility took place in June of 2001 when more than 200 citizens (an angry mob in current terms) showed up to object to a large commercial project proposed for Silver Bluff Road in an area that was planned for residential use. Despite widespread public sentiment against it, the Council approved the project in a unanimous vote.
As a consequence of that vote Jane Vaughters, whom I had not previously met, and I decided to run for City Council. With great support from many citizens concerned for Aiken’s future the team of “Dick and Jane” won.
Within a very short time City Council work sessions were moved to the main chamber where everything is recorded, and minutes of both the work sessions and the general meetings are taken. The general sessions became much more open, and a new era of transparency began. The Comprehensive plan was updated and strengthened by adding a phrase that the plan must be followed unless there was a public interest reason not to. Traffic management and “Big Box” ordinances were passed and green space issues were addressed.
With our departure from Council Jane and I are very much concerned that City Council might again become overbalanced in favor of growth at any cost. As we look at the current list of candidates we believe that Steve Homoki and Kent Cubbage who are running for the two at large seats and Reggie Ebner who is running for the District 4 seat most closely share our views on growth management and fiscal responsibility. Reggie, Steve and Kent are well qualified and not in any way conflicted. Electing them will assure that a healthy balance of interests is maintained on Council
It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve on the City Council. There has been vigorous debate on various issues over the years but Council members have worked well together and achieved compromises that worked for both sides. I respect the views of all members and their willingness to serve.
Please vote for Reggie Ebner, Steve Homoki and Kent Cubbage on Tuesday September 8th.
Sincerely
Dick Smith
Aiken City Council “
ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!
Mr. Smith,
ReplyDeleteIt appears to me that you believe it is acceptable to have a special interest group you support such as "Smart Growth", but you condemn other people who do not agree with your views. Differences of opinion is what makes up the American Political system. If it weren't for Builder/Developers like Hugo Sims (Gem Lakes), Bob Penland( Houndslake, Dunbarton Oaks)Tom Biddle (Quail Hollow, Exeter) and Earl Holley (Woodside Plantation)Aiken would not have the developes that brought people such as yourself to Aiken. You also seem to only want to represent retired and financially independent residents whose lively hood doesn't depend on moderate growth and day- to - day business activity within the City of Aiken.
Rusty Findley/Findley Construction
I am not surprised that a developer had this reaction. I agree there have been some good developments in aiken, but let's look at the other side of the picture. When a traffic ord was proposed to help steer us to "moderate growth," developers and chamber members flooded the Council meeting to oppose it. Many of them also support taxpayer $ to create attractions such as the train depot, which will bring traffic to their "day-to-day business activity." It is a difference in opinion of what City Council should be - a body that provides public services for all and creates a business friendly environment where businesses flourish on their own, or an arm of the chamber of commerce that makes it their mission that local businesses suceed - and put that interest over that of the average citizen - and uses taxpayer $ to do it. We are tired of too many lobbyists in Washington. We don't need them here.
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