Blogs Homepage
Featured Entries
Recent Entries
Recent Comments
Vendor Blogs
Tags
My Starred Entries
Create A Blog
RSS FeedCharleston SC - Mayor Riley enters ninth term |
Posted at Charleston's Home Port by Mike Terry
Jan. 21, 2008
Categorized in: Charleston, SC - General
Riley enters ninth term
In his inaugural speech Monday, Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. stressed the need for a regional development plan, an “impenetrable” urban growth boundary and the speedy development of a light commuter rail connecting Summerville to the peninsula.
“This reduces traffic, congestion and greenhouse gases (and) produces a high quality of life, and this is not something that will continue to be part of a long-range plan,” Riley said of the rail. “We must do it now.”
Riley provided no details about how or when the light rail route would be funded or built.
But Riley said his top priority is the development of children and said he will work with the Charleston County School District to develop more after-school programs. He called on colleges, universities and business and civic organizations to increase their involvement at schools as well.
Riley said he also intends to lobby the state Legislature to fully fund kindergarten for 4-year-olds.
“A wise person said long ago the only thing more expensive than quality education is ignorance,” Riley said. “And we are engaged in global economic competition. If our children are not well educated, our economy will underperform.”
Riley, who’s been the mayor of Charleston since 1975 and who won nearly two-thirds of the vote in November, pledged to increase affordable housing, improve public safety, create a regional land-use plan with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, increase the number of county and city parks to use as “an impenetrable urban growth boundary,” create a regional police training facility, continue to aid the development of minority- and women-owned businesses and more.
Riley also said he wants to retrofit existing bridges with bicycle and pedestrian paths.
During his talk, Riley addressed the June 18 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston firefighters. Riley wants to purchase the land where they died and allow Charleston citizens to choose a memorial.
Riley also called for continued enhancements to the fire department to make the department a national model. The City Council recently approved a 4.5% property tax increase to help fund $2.4 million in fire department upgrades, including more firefighters and new equipment.
“That is the best way to honor our fallen heroes,” Riley said.
Newly elected council members Tim Mallard, Aubry Alexander and Gary White Jr. along with incumbents Jimmy Gallant III, James Lewis Jr. and Louis Waring also took the oath of office.
as provided by Charleston Regional Business Journal
