Gunn: Reopen Satellite Office

By Kenneth Gunn

Editor's Note: Kenneth Gunn is a candidate in the GOP Primary for Berkeley County Council District 3.

Closure of the Goose Creek treasurer and auditor offices was a big mistake. 

The closure, a purported cost saving measure of $50,000, has cost Berkeley County residents time and money. The employees who formerly worked in the office were absorbed into other positions; and the county continues to rent, heat and cool the building for court purposes while the formerly used office space is empty. Where is the savings? 

Over 60 percent of Berkeley County residents reside closer to the former Goose Creek office than the main office in Moncks Corner. On average over 2,700 residents used the office monthly. This represents over 33,000 visits to the satellite office per year. It is 28 miles round trip to Moncks Corner from this now closed office and that adds up to 924,000 plus miles of travel in one year due to this inconvenience.

Do the math, nearly a million miles of unnecessary travel. That is a lot of gas! 

My opponent, Mr. Call, was the deciding vote for the closure of this office which is in his own district. I can only say that it simply does not make sense. Berkeley County government should be convenient to its residents not miles away causing undue wasted time and extra expense.

If elected I will work to reopen the Goose Creek satellite station as quickly as possible and reverse this poor decision.