Deed Restrictions for the City Owned Crowfield Golf Club

Editor's Note: Jerry Tekac is a running for re-election on the Goose Creek City Council. Patch is reaching out to all of the candidates about blogging with us. 

Last night at our February City Council Meeting, a member of the audience asked our Mayor which members of City Council did not support the Mayor's proposal to put a deed restriction on the golf course. The Mayor indicated that he fully supports the deed restriction, but wouldn't speak for the other members of Council. I, along with a majority of Council, do not support this proposal, at this time, for a number of reasons which we explained.  

First of all, I am a staunch supporter of the Golf Course and its continued operations, which cannot be disputed. One of the issues that concerns me about this proposal is that City Council had a workshop on Jan. 24, where the topic of deed restrictions for the golf course where discussed. Council was given a brief overview by the City's Attorney and we were given his insight on the topic. As demonstrated by our responses last night, a majority of Council had the impression that it was not a proposal that our attorney would recommend.

Despite the lack of support on Council, the Mayor instructed City Staff to get a deed restriction proposal drawn up so we could have it ready for our regular February City Council meeting and rush this proposal through prior to the April 3 election. I objected to this and asked for a workshop to be scheduled so we can discuss this important matter further to see if we could provide other suggestions or alternatives to the Mayor’s proposal.

I feel that if we are going to tie the hands of future City Councils by placing a 25 year deed restriction on the property that we owe it to the people that we represent to thoroughly analyze the pros and cons before we rush to a decision. This workshop is scheduled for Feb. 28 and is open to the public and I would welcome feedback at that meeting. Playing politics with one of the City's prized assets is just something that I can’t support.

I should also point out for full disclosure that I do live in The Hamlets and this deed restriction will impact me directly. I also, have had numerous discussions with our residents that will be directly impacted and will continue to have those discussions. The one point that comes out of all of my discussions is that they want to keep the golf course and want City Council to ensure that the golf operations continue.

I welcome your comments and want to hear from those on both sides of the topics. I was elected by the citizen's of Goose Creek to utilize my experience on the Planning Commission and my experience in the banking industry to make sound decisions and that is what I believe that I have done and will continue to do, if on April 3 you choose to keep me on Council .