Letters to the Editor

Not too late to have a say on projects

The deadline for public input on the proposed improvements at the intersection of Folly Road and Camp Road was Nov. 27. But it may not be too late. I urge all James Islanders to contact Charleston County RoadWise at www.ccroadwise.org or 329-0050 to voice your concerns. Charleston County Council has the final vote on the improvements, so you also can contact our council representative, Paul Thurmond, at pthurmond@tktlawfirm.com or 937-8000.

The improvements proposed by CCR will destroy as many as 38 grand trees, including several large oaks. I realize that some trees will need to be removed to widen this intersection, but I believe some of the proposed improvements offer little benefit considering the loss of these trees. For example, the proposal includes two left turn lanes off Folly onto Camp, but the second receiving lane on Camp Road only lasts one block. Then everyone has to merge back into one lane. What is the benefit of this versus the loss of several grand oaks on Camp Road? I also believe this is a safety hazard. Some drivers will use the one-block lane to speed up and pass other drivers and then cut back in just before the merge onto Camp.

Why not instead keep one turn lane off Folly onto Camp and lengthen the leading green light during the peak hours of 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays?

The CCR proposal also adds leading green left-turn lights off the side roads at Rivers Point/Eugene Gibbs (Blockbuster) and at Ellis Oaks (Harris Teeter/Lowe's). This is going to lengthen those light cycles and delay the traffic flow on Folly Road even more. The CCR has not even considered adding "smart" sensor lights at these intersections. Why should we wait longer at a red light on Folly Road at times when there aren't any cars on the side roads waiting to turn?

We have waited so long for these road improvements. Now that the county has the money available, let's ask them to take the time and spend the money in innovative ways that offer the best possible improvements with the least impact on our trees.

Lisa W. Cassidy

James Island

Setting the record straight on vote

I am writing to set the record straight concerning the James Island Town Council meeting on Nov. 6. The Journal stated in its edition, on Nov. 15, Volume 6, No. 45, that I voted in favor of rezoning land on Maybank Highway near the Riverland Terrace neighborhood. This statement is not true! When the first motion (made by Councilman Joe Qualey) for first reading of the land-use proposal of the development was made, the motion was lost because no one made a second to the motion. Therefore, the rezoning of the property died. The developer's attorney, Jonathan Yates, was given permission to discuss the development, and he said the plan had changed, that it was more of what the community would consider for the use of the land. First reading would have given the developer a chance to represent the plan to the citizens and planning commission. If council did not like the plans by the second reading, then it would have been voted down. I did not vote to rezone the land, but I did vote for first reading of the ordinance to reallow citizen input since the plan had changed. Let me be clear on this issue, I always vote on behalf or in favor of the citizens of the town of James Island. For me to vote with developers, it would have to be what the citizens want and it would be good for the town of James Island.

Bill "Cubby" Wilder

James Island

Editor's note: The story published in the Nov. 15 issue did explain the first-reading implications and stated that Wilder wanted residents' input:

Yates said the public wasn't informed about these updated development plans and urged council to approve the rezoning, which would have been a first-reading approval and would have prompted a public hearing.

Councilmen Joe Qualey and Bill "Cubby" Wilder voted in favor of the rezonings. Councilmen Leonard Blank and Parris Williams and Mayor Mary Clark voted against the requests. ... Wilder said he wanted the residents to weigh in again on the updated plan.

"When I came in, I was going to vote against it," Wilder said. "If the plans have changed and the people still don't like it, we can still vote it down. I wonder if the people still feel the same."