My campaign platform is based on five very broad areas, each with literally dozens of issues which need to be addressed. In this platform I have given my opinions and general solutions to these areas. As to specifics on these and other questions, it ultimately depends on the character and values of the person making the tough decisions that will lead our County into the future.
As a Green Party candidate, I will conduct my campaign and, if elected, serve the citizens of York County guided by my values. I joined the Green Party because of our Ten Key Values, and finding I agreed with each and every one of them. If elected I will neither sacrifice nor compromise my values for the sake of personal gain, nor political expediency.
This is a very good program which has been poorly managed. The blame must fall on both the consultant/contractor charged with managing the projects, and County Council who failed to demand current reports, information, and advisories of budget deficits in a timely fashion.
In the 11 years since the first Pennies for Progress referendum was passed, only half of it's 14 projects have been completed. Now, their projected budget has more than doubled, and these initial projects may not be completed before the third referendum is scheduled for the ballot. Add to this the 25 projects from the 2003 referendum, and the problem is self-evident.
The Council has taken the first step, which is the County taking control of the projects, but more must be done...
1-Prioritize the 30-plus projects on the table, according to need, citizen benefit, and geographical fairness.
2-Include as priorities, projects in the less populated areas of York County. All of York County contributes to this program, all of us should share in the benefits.
3-Limit the next referendum to far fewer projects with realistic budget requirements.
4-Put the focus of future projects on the needs of the citizens and townships of York County. As our County continues to grow, certain areas are hard hit by far more residents and vehicles than the roads were intended to accommodate. (top)
York County continues to grow, and so does our solid waste problem. As solid waste has become more of an issue, our solutions have been to add landfills, or expand existing landfills, this mindset must change.
Land available, and acceptable, for landfills is becoming scarce. Regulations are becoming more comprehensive to address the environmental impact of landfills which adds to the cost, and further restricts the location of new landfills. Finally the rising cost of fuel is making transportation of solid waste much more costly.
It is possible for York County to become a leader in South Carolina, and the U.S., by adopting a sustainable solid waste plan. There are a number of environmentally sustainable methods available. In order for us to take the lead, we must take advantage of the latest technology available, aggressively promote recycling programs, and incorporate environmentally sound solutions to our waste programs.
1-York County needs to build an environmentally sound, solid waste facility, with the focus on future expansion and improvements, in order to maintain the cleanest possible air, soil and water for our citizens.
The cost of the facility would be partially covered by grants available at the State and Federal level, plus a variety of grants from the private sector. Additionally, when the plant becomes operational, there will be a dramatic increase in revenue from recycling, as well as the facility providing it's own power and adding to the power grid.
2-An educational program should be designed for adults and another for use in our schools. These programs will outline the benefits of recycling and give information about our solid waste plan. They would also keep citizens informed about the advances in solid waste use and disposal technology.
3-The environmental impact of an advanced solid waste facility is substantial:
-It reduces the number of landfills needed.
-It greatly reduces the amount of pollutants created by landfills.
We must find ways to address the influx of people into York County. As the population grows, it has put tremendous strain on our infrastructure. New schools are at capacity the day they open their doors for the first time. Water and sewer lines, which are in need of replacement or repair in much of the County, are taxed with an ever increasing number of users. Roads and waste management struggle with the weight of new users, and Fire and Police protection are stretched dangerously thin in some areas.
1- York County needs an Adequate Facilities Ordinance. Before re-zoning for, or approving, a new development, the Council should consider the cost of the increased services that will be needed. We can't and do not wish to stop development, but development needs to go forward in a planned and sustainable manner.
2- When considering re-zoning questions, public input should not only be allowed, but sought out. Often citizens and small business owners do not attend "public hearings", feeling that it is nothing more than a legal formality. We must change this attitude, and include the voices of York County citizens in the final decisions.
3- York County must adopt a long-range development plan, and act on future developments accordingly. Residential development should not be approved in an area that may be negatively impacted by planned civil or economic growth. Likewise, if an area is residential, the citizens in the area should see their property rights protected from commercial or civic development. (top)
A by-product of the population growth York County has experienced is a large increase in the number of retail and service businesses. While these types of businesses provide additional tax dollars to the County, Cities, and Towns, they typically provide low paying jobs to our citizens.
York County must seek a balance between retail/service, manufacturing/distribution, and locally owned small businesses. If we fail to balance these areas, the gap between the "haves" and the "have nots" will continue to grow. As property taxes rise to support a "bedroom" community, young people will see their "American Dream" be just that...a dream. At the same time our retirees and others on a fixed income will see their American Dream turn into a nightmare.
Together we can bridge this gap!
1- Continue to seek out manufacturing and distribution companies to start or re-locate to York County.
2- Ease restrictions and give tax breaks to locally owned small businesses. We should support and encourage entrepreneurship in our County.
3- Build a coalition of government, business, and educational institutions for job training and re-training, aiming toward helping those unemployed or under-employed due to the closure of manufacturing plants in the County.
With major companies now embracing "green" alternatives, one focus of these training programs would be "green" oriented. This green-collar training would prepare our workers for jobs installing, operating, and maintaining alternative energy equipment, including hybrid/electric vehicles.
4- With the continued rise in food prices, York County should support and encourage locally based farmers markets and other citizen based trade groups. These types of markets not only save us money, they act as a social gathering place, and they instill self-reliance in our citizens, and pride in our communities. (top)
The educational system of York County has been a source of pride for many years, and we must continue our high standards. Currently, however, changes in the way our schools are funded has made these standards difficult to maintain.
When the General Assembly passed Act 388 they gave needed relief on the tax burdens of homeowners, but at the same time, put our schools in a position of having to slash their budgets.
District 1 has suffered possibly the largest impact on this decrease in funding, as the Fort Mill district has had to cut the number of teachers they planned to hire, while at the same time seeing a 10% increase in the number of students. Ft. Mill will no longer pay a supplement to future national board certified teachers, creating the potential of the best teachers seeking employment in other districts. And finally, funds for student activities are being cut, either eliminating them or requiring parents to finance their child's participation in traditional student activities.
Although these issues fall on School Boards, there are some ways for the County to help this situation.
1- Pass an Adequate Facilities Ordinance.
2- Form a committee with representatives from the County, School Boards, and Townships, for the purpose of seeking Federal and private grants to fund educational activities for our schools.
3- Work with the business community and citizens in helping schools raise funds for the continuation of extra-curricular activities for our young people. Clubs, sports, and other activities play an important role in the development of our students. (top)
York County continues to grow, and so does our solid waste problem. As solid waste has become more of an issue, our solutions have been to add landfills, or expanding existing landfills, this mindset must change.
Land available, and acceptable for landfills is becoming scarce. Regulations are becoming more comprehensive to address the environmental impact of landfills, which adds to the cost and further restricts the location of new landfills.
We must break the cycle of landfills, and move forward with a waste management program that focuses on recycling. We should develop a plan today that will be sustainable, and will take into consideration land availability, land use, and solid waste problems 10, 20, and 30 years into the future.
The most common alternative to landfills in the past has been incineration, often accompanied by waste to energy (WTE) technology. There are WTE technologies available other than incineration, however, incineration is the only one which has proven to be economically viable.
In theory a WTE incinerator appears to be a sound program. It would involve extensive screening for recyclable material prior to the burn, further screening (for metals) after the burn, and strict emission control standards during the burn. While processing our solid waste, it would also produce electricity which is sold back to the grid.
In practice an incinerator proves itself to be far less than the ideal. Several WTE incinerators have been de-commissioned at the end of their contracts. In Charleston, the company that operates the only incinerator in South Carolina, is negotiating another 20 year contract, and is facing opposition from citizen and environmental groups.
The following problems facing the Charleston incinerator should be addressed prior to York County even bringing up an incineration for consideration:
Screening waste going into the incinerator. Household waste frequently includes batteries, thermometers, paints, oils, cleaners, and even car batteries.
Emission control standards must go beyond the legal requirements. Incinerators are a major source of particulate matter. Charleston County has a well documented PM problem. The American Lung Association’s State of the Air Report 2008, was released 5/1/08, giving the County an “F” grade. Also incinerators are a major source of mercury. The Charleston County incinerator currently releases 128 pounds of mercury each year into the air and water.
Every modern day solid waste plan includes a recycling program. In Charleston there is an economic incentive to avoid recycling and burn as much of the waste as possible. Their contract calls for a minimum of 175,000 tons, after reaching this goal the cost of incineration decreases.
There are alternatives to incineration, one of which is Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT). This type of plant integrates biological treatment with mechanical separation of solid waste. An MBT system does produce energy, however, it produces approximately the same energy it uses for it’s operation. It will add little if any electricity to the grid as it’s emphasis is on material management rather than energy creation.
The cost of an MBT facility will vary a great deal, as there are various options available in equipment used in the facility. This also means the benefits vary as well. In a worst case scenario the system should limit the amount of waste sent to a landfill to 30% of the current total. With a fully integrated system, citizen and business participation in a recycling program, it could reduce the waste to be land filled to 15%, with 85% diverted to recycling and reuse.
An MBT system, working in concert with an aggressive recycling program would increase revenue from recycling, it would reduce our dependence on landfills, and it would help York County avoid the environmental concerns of an incinerator.
The concerns expressed regarding an incinerator, the positive aspects of an MBT system address only two of the options available. We must use care to select a system that is economically and ecologically sound. Before rushing into a commitment based on incineration, it should be known that Charleston County Council voted unanimously in January to stop using their incinerator at the end of 2009. Although this issue appears to be back on the table, Gregg Varner, Charleston’s Solid Waste Director, said at the time, ‘The financial analysis still proved out that the landfill option was less expensive over the 20 year planning period’.
Recycling and reuse should be at the heart of any solid waste program York County adopts. The Council must look to the future, and ask ‘What will York County look like 20 years from now? What kind of environment are we handing over to the next generation?’ An MBT system, or similar facility will protect our environment, protect our health, and will make it possible to hand down a better York County to the next generation. (top)
