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GOP faithful hear from hopefuls

Published Tuesday, May 06, 2008 9:28 AM

By Frank Johnson
Berkeley Independent

Four Republican candidates seeking a term on county council made their case to dozens of GOP activists Saturday morning at the monthly Republican Breakfast.

The event was held at American Legion Post 166 in Goose Creek.

District 2 candidate Jim Mills told Saturday’s audience that he believes citizens have “grave concerns about where our county is going,” and called on government “to adhere to business principles when spending” the public’s money.

Mills said he comes to race after a decade as a realtor. He said he will bring “honesty without question” and “leadership without compromise” to council.

Incumbent council member Tim Callahan called his time on council “an eye-opening experience.”

He cited the current water and sanitation problem, and called for accountability in county government. “I see a lot of finger pointing … but without accountability you can’t go back and make sure this (will not) happen again,” he said.

Callahan said a strong council can correct “over development and bad planning” in Berkeley County.

“I’m for pay as you go,” he said. “I’m not for borrowing more money.”

District 3 candidate and former council member Bob Call said that growth can be a good thing for Berkeley County. “Growth is necessary to maintain low taxes,” he said. “When development stops, you’re going to look down the road and see your taxes climbing in large increments.”

Call said he is an NRA member. “I firmly believe in the Second Amendment right to bear arms,” he said.

Call said he has lived in Berkeley County for 40 years, and in District 3 for 30. He called his eight years on council in the 1990’s a high point in his life.

“I’d appreciate the opportunity to go back,” he said.

District 3 candidate David Kennedy said wise judgment is needed when it comes to spending.

“I believe in controlling how your money is spent,” he said. “Let’s make wise decisions instead of the dumb decisions that sometimes get made. We need to work together to spend your money wisely.”

Kennedy, the Goose Creek Recreation Commission Chairman, called on more control over “the way guns are sold privately.”

He said the county needs to “get back to the basics” when it comes to education. “Young people today can’t do simple math,” he said.

Republican Philip Farley, who will seek re-election in District 1, was unable to attend Saturday.

In a question-and-answer session, all four candidates fielded queries on a number of issues, including taxes, and the water and sewer situation.

The Republican Breakfast is no longer affiliated with the county GOP. It meets the first Saturday of every month.

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