City Council Candidates On the Issues: Gerald Stinson

As we get closer to the April 3 election, Patch is reaching out again to candidates to ask them for their approach to concerns raised by residents in recent weeks. We'll be posting responses as they come in. 

What will be your top three priorities on council?

Gerald Stinson:

• Public Safety - This includes building and manning new fire stations as well as ensuring roads are safe for our citizens.
• Planned Growth - Guiding growth to ensure that the true essence that everyone loves is not lost or compromised. 
• Resolve Golf Course dilemma - This issue has been divisive and a solution needs to be obtained that everyone including the council and citizens can support. 

The council has been split recently on the need to restrict future council actions at the Crowfield Golf and Country Club. What is your position on the course and do you support deed restrictions?

GS: The Crowfield Golf and Country Club is an asset to the City of Goose Creek.  Therefore, I feel that every logical effort should be made to preserve it. At present, the golf course has already been rezoned Conservation Open Space by the current City Council. Therefore, as an entity, the City Council is the only one that can remove that zoning.

With that being said, the golf course is protected at this time.  One concern is that future councils may reverse the zoning. However, after the election on April 3, the council will be in place for another 2 years. For that reason, I feel that there is time to provide due diligence and come up with a logical solution to protect the golf course and the concerns of the citizens.

After careful analysis, the Council may possibly decide that the sensible approach could be to apply deed restrictions. However, my worst fear is that the present council will rush to a solution which could adversely affect future citizens of Goose Creek. 

Road issues are a frequent concern from residents but the city isn't responsible for the roads. What role should city council and its members play in transportation?

GS: As stated in my top priorities, public safety is very important to me. Even though, the city does not own the roads, I feel that it is the responsibility of the City Council to take every step possible to ensure the safety of its citizens.

Some residents in Woodland Lakes and Braemore suggested the city purchase nearby commercial property when developers planned a grocery store. Should the city buy land to protect property owners? What else can the city do to address resident concerns?

GS: It is my understanding that the city has and will, on a case by case basis, consider purchasing property for that exact reason. However, the most important thing that the City Council can do is listen to the concerns of its residents and work diligently to balance growth with those concerns in mind. This will not be an easy endeavor but a necessary one.

What else do you want residents to know about your campaign?

GS: Not only am I running because I feel that I can bring fresh ideas but I bring a spirit of service. I spent 20 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves. There is no greater call to service than our US Armed Forces. The Air Force has three main core values: Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do. I embody each of these core values in my daily living. There are no hidden agendas or pretense. I look forward to serving all the citizens of Goose Creek with Integrity, consistent Service, and Excellence. This is what I will bring to the Goose Creek City Council.

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