Letters to the Editor - May 28, 2020

Put stop to establishment politics

 

Looking at the Republican primary ballot for the June 9 election, I see that my neighbor Boyd Gregg is challenging the status-quo candidate, Josh Whitley. Finally, we have someone whose career and connections in no way benefit from serving Berkeley County. Here’s what comes to mind immediately when thinking of Boyd:

 

No cronyism.

 

Honest.

 

No foul-smelling deals.

 

Intelligent.

 

No entanglements.

 

Hard working.

 

No conflicts of interest.

 

Neighbors, what we have in Berkeley County is “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,” good ol’ boy politics. Who benefits from that? The good ol’ boys who are doing the scratching, and the rest of us are left itching for better leadership. Let’s elect someone who is not tied to party politics and entanglements as deep as the Wando River. I, for one, am tired of establishment politics in our neighborhood. Don’t get fooled by who has more signs in more yards. It’s time for change.

 

Jay Karen
Daniel Island

 

Gregg has Lowcountry roots

 

We encourage readers to vote on June 9 for new representation on Berkeley County Council: Boyd Gregg.

 

We support Boyd because he has roots in the Lowcountry and is invested in maintaining our quality of life, building needed infrastructure to support the growth of Berkeley County, and making wise investments with taxpayer money. 

 

We support Boyd because, as a civil engineer and successful entrepreneur, Boyd works with local governments, giving him valuable knowledge to bring to the challenges of Berkeley County.

 

We support Boyd because he is a fiscal conservative whose career involves helping local governments build and maintain necessary infrastructure within their budgets.

 

Most importantly, everyone should support Boyd because he believes that integrity and transparency in government are paramount to maintaining voter trust. Boyd has made a pledge to never seek or accept any contractual work within Berkeley County. This pledge serves as a significant contrast to his opponent who has received over $750,000 of Berkeley County taxpayer dollars by serving as legal counsel to the Berkeley County School District since 2017, according to the district’s transparency webpage. How can one person serve without conflict of interest BOTH the county and the school district when both entities pull funds from the very same folks, us the taxpayer?!

 

It is Boyd’s qualifications and commitment to avoiding all real and potential conflicts of interest when he serves us, the voters of Berkeley County, that should give everyone in this community reason to cast their vote for Boyd Gregg. He is committed to serving us, not himself.

 

Sean and Rindy Ryan
Daniel Island

 

Pinkston devoted to the community

 

Shawn Pinkston is a candidate in the June 9 Republican Primary and I wanted to share some thoughts as to why Shawn will make an excellent public servant. Shawn embodies the definition of selfless service and is a man of the utmost integrity. He volunteered for active duty with the United States Army after 9/11, deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was honorably discharged as a captain in the JAG Corps.

 

I have personally witnessed Shawn devoting countless hours to better our community. Our children were both involved in Scouts and Shawn was always a reliable volunteer for community service events, fundraisers and campouts. During holidays such as Independence Day and Veterans Day, Shawn would join me and our fellow veterans to talk to the scouts about patriotism and the sacrifices made by those who wear our country’s uniform.

 

Shawn has led a life of service to country and community and I have no doubt he will always put our interests first as a member of the State House of Representatives. We need honorable and ethical people in Columbia and Shawn Pinkston is the right candidate to represent us. I encourage you to join me in voting for Shawn Pinkston in the June 9 primary.

 

Bob Griffin
Daniel Island

 

In support of candidate Mark Smith

 

Please join me in voting for Mark Smith in the upcoming Republican primary for SC House Seat 99.

 

For almost 15 years I have known Mark Smith as a neighbor, a coach, a parent, a successful small business owner, a volunteer at church, and an elected official on Mount Pleasant Town Council. What’s most important to me and my family though is that we have known Mark Smith as a true friend. Over this time we have personally witnessed Mark pour out his heart and soul to the people of this community and beyond. Mark is passionate about serving others and protecting our quality of life here in the Lowcountry. What will make Mark Smith the right candidate for House Seat 99 is the way he continually puts the needs of others ahead of politics, and political agendas.

 

For these reasons, I encourage everyone to join me in supporting Mark Smith in the June 9 Republican Primary for South Carolina House Seat 99.

 

Thank you.
Kendal E. Buckendahl
Charleston

 

Writing in support of candidate Pinkston

 

I am writing today to express my personal opinions regarding Mr. Shawn Pinkston.

 

Fortunately, I have been a friend and colleague of Shawn for many years. In all respects, I have always known Shawn to be an outstanding and honest individual. Shawn and I share a profession and, thus, have had opportunities to work together for the purpose of furthering our respective clients’ interests. In that regard, working with

 

Shawn has always been quite a pleasure as he is a faithful and diligent individual and always works to promote his client’s goals with the highest integrity.

 

Moreover, Shawn and I have maintained a personal relationship and he has provided me with countless nuggets of personal insight and wisdom. My life has been enriched through Shawn’s presence. 

 

I am proud to know a veteran like Shawn is part of our Daniel Island community. I support him in his efforts to further the interests of Daniel Island and our residents at the State House in Columbia. Thank you for allowing a forum for the expression of my opinions.

 

Chris Mingledorff
Charleston

 

Supporting County Councilman Whitley

 

I have always appreciated those that run for political office. Most of them run because they feel that they can be of service to their constituents. However, I have little respect for those that run negative campaigns.

 

Boyd Gregg recently called and claimed that it is unethical for his opponent, Josh Whitley, to serve as the School District attorney while serving on County Council. He stated the amount Mr. Whitley’s law firm has been paid in legal fees. I told him I could not determine the reasonableness of the fees without prior years’ amounts. The 

School Board Chair, Sally Wofford, said legal fees the year prior to Mr. Whitley’s firm assuming the duties, exceeded $1 million. She said since 2014 the legal fees have been reduced by more than half. Whitley’s firm has recovered $3.3 million for the school district. Those facts do not fit Gregg’s objective to disparage Mr. Whitley. In Berkeley County, the School Board is autonomous from the County Council, meaning the district and council are separate and distinct governmental entities.

 

Councilman Josh Whitley has done an excellent job delivering results for his constituents. He fought to expedite the completion of the Clements Ferry roadway, got the funding to pave the St. Thomas Island access road and secured the funding to build the roundabout at Daniel Island and Seven Farms. Please join me in voting for

Josh Whitley to continue to represent us in Berkeley County Council District 2.

 

E. Mac McBride
Daniel Island