| Tweet |
Biographical information
- Political affiliation (Republican or Democrat?): Nonpartisan election, Registered Republican
- Education: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – (BA) Double Major in Communications and Public Relations
- Professional background: Kim was employed by McKesson Corporation, a Fortune 100 healthcare software development corporation for twenty years. Throughout her career she held a variety of team leadership, staff and upper management positions involving a wide range of responsibilities including new business operations and executive sales. Of particular note, she successfully executed the company’s largest sales contract of the year bringing in revenues of over sixteen million dollars.
In 2003 Kim formed a publishing company with the objective of writing children's books highlighting Hilton Head Island's unique environment and inhabitants. Charlie’s Perfect Day sold over 5000 copies in its first year of publication. Her second book, Charlie’s Special Friends was a 2004 Southeaster Bookseller’s Children’s Book of the Year nominee. Kim was honored by The Island Packet in their annual Today’s Woman special edition featuring intriguing women of the year and in 2006 her company was named the Hilton Head Island SCORE New Business client of the year.
Kim was an invaluable participant in a grassroots organization dedicated to opening an educational interactive Children’s Museum for the families and visitors of Hilton Head Island. In 2005 the doors of The Sandbox Children’s Museum opened with Kim serving as its first Executive Director. Two years later, she received the Hilton Head Island Chapter of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution’s “Excellence in Community Service” award for her efforts in helping to bring The Sandbox to fruition. In addition to her ongoing involvement with The Sandbox, Kim currently serves as the Executive Director of Main Street Youth Theatre, another HHI non-profit organization. - Public service background: Kim is an active member of St. Andrew by the Sea United Methodist Church where she teaches Sunday school, works with the youth and has served on the Administrative Board. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Hilton Head Christian Academy and Chairman of the Board of The Sandbox Children’s Museum. She is a past Board member of the Hilton Head Island Advisory Board of the MUSC College of Nursing where she secured the college’s largest in-kind donation ever made. She also served on the Board of First Presbyterian Day School and as President of their Parent’s Association.
- Family (wife, children, number of grandchildren if applicable):
Steven Likins – Spouse
Ben Likins (14) – Son
Alex Likins (10) - Son - Who are your heroes and why? When I think of heroes, the first person that comes to mind is my father. He was the oldest son of 9 children born to a poor family in rural North Carolina. His father died when he was in his early teens and he inherited the responsibility of supporting his entire family both financially and emotionally. He spent his youth working to keep them together even when Social Services had said it simply could not be done. After serving in the Air Force, he put himself through college and then raised his own family. His entire life was spent serving others; whether it was his family, his church or his community. I truly cannot think of a more selfless life than his and that is why he epitomizes the ideal of hero to me.
Q: The recently released master plan for the Hilton Head Island Airport outlined several options for runway lengthening. In your view, is it necessary to expand the facilities in order for the airport to be viable? If so, what should the limits of such expansion be?
A: A safe and useable airport is a vital part of our community, for both residents and visitors. Seventy percent (70%) of the nearly 4,000 respondents to the survey by the Mayor’s Task Force for the Future indicated that the airport was important for the island. I would support lengthening the runway if required to ensure continued commercial service. However, we need to understand from the next level of consultant report, due back in about 30 days, what the incremental cost/benefit is of each of the proposed lengths before deciding on which option to pursue.
Q: There’s been a lot of talk about how to encourage property owners to redevelop or spruce up old buildings. What should the town’s role in that process be?
A: Hilton Head Island is a beautiful place; however as with all places, over time aging becomes more and more evident. Ongoing rejuvenation is necessary to ensure our Island remains both a desirable place to live and a desirable tourist destination. The Town has to play a leadership role in this process and in doing so should:
Encourage Redevelopment
Through thoughtful Town projects that embrace the community in their planning and execution; encouraging concurrent redevelopment of near-by businesses/properties.
Facilitate Redevelopment
Through re-writing the LMO to better reflect the current realities. We are no longer a rapidly developing community, but one in need of redevelopment. Through a culture change in the Town staff that welcomes and helps owners gain approval for redevelopment/rejuvenation projects.
Recognize Redevelopment
Through a PR campaign with the Chamber that highlights improvements.
Q: How will you react if the S.C. Attorney General’s Office issues the opinion that Hilton Head Island’s dog leash laws are trumped by a state law that would require dogs to be leashed if on public property, even the beach?
A: I think our current laws are working well for the most part. I would like to hear from our citizens if they feel it should be changed. I would wait until such an opinion is issued, if ever, and then work with the Council to respond in a manner that best serves our citizens.
Q: Do you support off-shore drilling along the South Carolina coast?
A: While a national energy policy on off shore drilling is beyond the scope of Town Council, my personal opinion is that I would not like to see offshore drilling along our coast.
Q: Some beachfront property owners have complained that trees block their views, causing vacationers to complain about paying a premium for ocean views that are partially obscured. Would you support a process that would allow them to selectively cut trees?
A: Yes. We all know how things grow here. After 20 or 30 years of year-round growth a responsible amount of trimming is going to be necessary for numerous reasons. We must protect the important specimen trees, but landscaped vegetation and trees (like palms and pines) should be able to be trimmed within reasonable guidelines to improve overall appearance and views. Specimen trees like live oaks should also be eligible for careful trimming.
Q: Are you in favor of instituting a 1% sales tax to be used by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce for tourism marketing?
A: We need to continue a strong marketing presence for Hilton Head Island. There is no legislation at the State level to allow a special sales tax, but if there was, I don’t think we can or should raise taxes at this point to fund tourism marketing. The Town should work more closely with the Chamber to review how our marketing funds are being spent and work to make sure we are leveraging the greatest possible returns from current funding.
Q: In the past several years, the South Island Dredging Association has asked the town to help with the dredging of Harbour Town and other Sea Pines-area waterways, a request that could involve financial expenditures. How involved should the town be in dredging efforts?
A: I think the Town has a role to play in helping gain regulatory approval for dredging, but cannot take on the financial responsibility for dredging private marinas and waterways. There are many private marinas on Hilton Head Island, and the Town cannot afford to dredge them all.
Q: Hilton Head has resisted calls to create a lawful employment ordinance that would require all companies to verify that their employees are eligible to work in the United States. Would you support such a law?
A: I support lawful employment, but would have to question whether the Town should try to take on that enforcement role. Both Federal and State agencies (assisted by the County) have existing laws/regulations. We should look at the cost/benefit of Hilton Head establishing regulations, and particularly the cost of enforcement.
Q: What should the town’s role be in encouraging people to recycle?
A: I support the current Town proposal for recycling for single family homes, but think that the proposed approach for villas and condos could use additional work. I also believe we need to continue to move forward with our recycling efforts to include commercial property and convenient visitor recycling options.
Q: Describe how the town can make itself friendlier to business and economic development.
A: The Town needs to establish an economic development focus within our existing Community Development department to promote, advocate and facilitate development of new business opportunities. We need to market to businesses just like we market to tourist. The Town also needs to shift its culture from controlling growth to a welcoming, customer service culture which engages business owners and works with them in partnership.
