Mayoral Candidate Forum - Part 6
The next Mayor of Charleston will be decided in a matter of days. Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to officially cast their ballots.
Candidates Ginny Deerin, William Dudley Gregorie, Toby Smith, Leon Stavrinakis, John Tecklenburg, and Maurice Washington have been hard at work on the campaign trail over the last several weeks to educate voters on their platforms.
On September 17, The Daniel Island News hosted a Mayoral Candidate Forum led by Moderator Steve Ferber at Bishop England High School to give the candidates an opportunity to answer a series of questions before an audience of Daniel Island and Cainhoy community members. In this the final installment of our series on the forum, we invite you to read the candidates’ responses on what they learned from the program, as well as their closing remarks.
Q: Please tell us something that you’ve learned tonight.
William Dudley Gregorie: “I’ve learned a lot tonight. As I said earlier, this is my third time (running)….I’ve learned that when we have a great array of people running for mayor that we get the kind of dialogue and exchange which makes all of us grow. Very different from my previous races because we had other people, but they didn’t have nearly the substance that the people at this table have. The other thing that I’ve learned is that they don’t know what we’re doing as a city based upon some of the statements that they’ve made. You can’t be Mayor Riley’s good friend on this side and then on the other side start criticizing some of the great achievements that we as a city, including Mayor Riley and Council, have made.”
Toby Smith: “I’ve learned there is a place for a voice like mine, a non-politician, a political newcomer, that people resonate with sincerity and honesty, that people share the same hopes and dreams, that they care about the community, they care about the underserved community, and that maybe they just don’t know how to put that into play, and that they’re willing to help…and I’m encouraged by that everywhere I go. And I appreciate that and I’m going to keep talking because I believe there a lot more people out there who feel the same way we do.”
John Tecklenburg: “I’ve learned that a couple of my fellow candidates would only serve two terms if elected. Three would be my max. Y’all have a hard decision this election, November 3. We really have a great group of candidates and I’ve really enjoyed being with them. This week has been like “forum du jour.” There’s been a different forum every day, but I certainly look forward to having the opportunity to serve our citizens if you’ll give me that honor and support. We’ve got a great and special place in Charleston and Daniel Island is an important part of that…We have to work together to make sure that our quality of life in this special place that we have is preserved.”
Ginny Deerin: “I’ve learned that you all know how to run a great forum because I like this one minute thing and I like the timers….I learned yet again that my fellow candidates all very smart people who care deeply about the issues for our city. I’ve learned that I have a lot of support. A lot of people have seen my television commercials and my platform is resonating with folks. And I’ve learned that the volleyball team I ran into in the bathroom, they are widely enthusiastic about having a woman serve as mayor, first ever.….So I’ve learned a lot tonight, mainly that this community is very interested and engaged, more so than any forum we’ve come to so far in terms of residents, so happy to be here with you.”
Maurice Washington: “I have learned that I still have a lot to learn and I need to learn how to answer the question within that 60 seconds…I have learned how to pronounce Tecklenburg’s name…I’ve learned that that you really care about your community, and you care about your neighbors just up the road. I’ve learned that each of these candidates are very very sincere about wanting to serve and represent you and that they have your best interests at heart, and I truly enjoy sharing the stage with them.”
Leon Stavrinakis: “I’ve learned that these guys have said most everything that needs to be said. You do run a great forum, having timing in front of us instead of behind us is great…I agree that the questions have been fantastic. It’s been a very informative night. I learned some history about West Ashley where I grew up all my life that I didn’t know.… All these folks up here love Charleston, they’re all in the race for the right reasons and I think that’s really important. We’re lucky to have folks that care about Charleston running for office. The quality of the people up here, even if we have differences…is really outstanding.”
Q: Please share your closing remarks:
Ginny Deerin: “Let me start by humbly asking you for your vote and if I am you person after tonight….sign a supporter card, volunteer, make a contribution. I feel right at home here. My daughter went to BE. I spent many days and nights next door in the gym as a volleyball mom. I was a “Spirit Mom” - which may not surprise you, they did have a winning season! I do want to say that I understand that Jim Merrill has said that he’s going to deliver Daniel Island for his pal Leon Stavrinakis, but I want to say to him I’ve got these two sisters and want to give Jim a little heads up, but seriously I do think that this is such an important (race). I would value your vote and I appreciate you being here tonight.”
John Tecklenburg: “I heard a call to serve and it was led by three things - one being the incredible example that I have of a family who has served our community for generations, secondly by my faith in God, I believe that we should endeavor to serve our brothers and sisters in this world, and thirdly by the accomplishments and experience I have in my life story. And again, it’s not by being an elected official or politician - but by being a common sense business person, by having the unique opportunity of having worked with Mayor Riley in the City of Charleston, and by having been involved in our community in a number of civic organizations like Rotary and other non-profits. I don’t owe anybody any favors. I’m just a common sense guy with a heart that looks to serve our city, with the goal of making Charleston the number on place to live.”
William Dudley Gregorie: “I am the one candidate that has been tested. I am the one candidate that has been a part of making sure that our city continues to have a triple A bond rating. This is no time for learning on the job. We need someone like myself who is ready from day one to lead our city, because of my established relationships with my fellow colleagues as well as Mayor Riley. Mayor Riley nominated me to be Mayor Pro-Tem and even during his absence and when he was sick I was the acting mayor for two months, conducting City Council meetings and signing bills into law. Mayor Riley also recognized me by signing and giving me a book called Profiles in Courage - because he knows that I have the courage to make the kinds of decisions for the greater good, even if it’s not popular.”
Maurice Washington: “My road has been similar to many of the roads that you all have traveled. I don’t come from a big family name. My parents were incredible….my Dad was a sanitation worker for the City of Charleston. My Mom did domestic work, but they kept all 10 of us believing in ourselves and believing that if we don't blame others for failure, if we press and drive forward despite the setbacks, that we can accomplish incredible things in life. Listen, we’re losing a 40 year mayor, and we cannot believe our greatest years and accomplishments are behind us. We have to believe that we have greater things still yet to be accomplished. And I have the experience. Visit washington4maor.com.”
Leon Stavrinakis: “Ginny, Jim never said that and these are his constituents. It’s more about me and that’s not fair to him. Forty years ago, Mayor Riley left the legislature, where I serve, as a proven tested leader and became Mayor of the City of Charleston. And over those 40 years we have seen the difference that proven leadership can make for a community. We have great opportunities ahead of us and great challenges to meet as well because of that leadership. And what we need now is another proven tested leader. You talk about the issues that face our community - transportation, education, growth management, neighborhood quality of life, I have answered the call on both the local and state level on all of those issues. I have a proven record of serving this community. And more important than just proven leadership, a proven record of bringing people together. That’s one of the incredible special things about Mayor Riley…his ability to bring this community together and keep this community together, and I’ve done that when I was elected Chairman of County Council while in the minority party and I did it when I passed a gun bill in the South Carolina General Assembly in a record time of about three months. So I’ve got a long record of getting things done and keeping this community together.”
Toby Smith: “Not long ago I took my babies down to Gadsden’s Wharf and I was showing them around downtown. They weren’t interested, they wanted ice cream, but I was talking to them about their future. And I was telling them that one day they are going to surpass all the things that I have done. I’ve had an amazing career. I’ve walked the hallowed halls of the CIA, I’ve worked for the Chamber, I worked with Charleston County Schools. I cleaned houses on Daniel Island. My life has been diverse. And I want my girls to know everything they need is right here, but it’s not enough if it’s just for them. It’s got to be for all of our kids who have this opportunity, whether they’re at this school, at Academic Magnet, at North Charleston High, we owe them the best future possible. And they’ll have it if we tackle the tough stuff now. That’s why I got into this race. Until we get this racial part right and get it behind us, it will dog us, so I’m asking you this November not just for vote, I need your heart. I need you to look at this, see what’s wrong and be willing to walk it out with me.”