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Independent
Education: USC Beaufort (Clemson Extension Service), San Francisco State University, San Jose City College, Cabrillo College (courses of study include Certified Master Gardener, political science, golf and anthropology), Michael C. Riley High School
Professional background: Served in Vietnam. Has worked in front-office management and food and beverage operations. In 1984, established The Island Gardener, a landscape company, and the Ferguson Community Development Company.
Public service background: Elected Ward 1 Councilman in 1993 and has served on several Town Committees, including as Chairman of the Planning and Development Standards Committee, Personnel Committee, and Public Facilities; served on the Public Safety Committee, Low Country Council of Governments and the Parks and Recreation Task Force.
Family: Wife Linda, a teacher for the Beaufort County School District; two sons, Roger and Willie D., and two daughters, Jamila and Kesi; seven grandchildren
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Question: The recently released master plan for the Hilton Head Island Airport outlined several options for runway lengthening. Is it necessary to expand the facilities in order for the airport to be viable? If so, what should the limits of expansion be?
Answer: According to the FAA, the airport is safe and viable. Therefore, the length of the runway is sufficient as it is.
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: The town is in the process of aiding redevelopment and development by making adjustments to local laws and LMO revisions.
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: State law supersedes local and municipal laws.
Q: Do you support off-shore drilling along the South Carolina coast?
A: No. There are too many ecological and environmental concerns. Strong governmental oversight and controls are needed.
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: The Town is in the process of allowing selective pruning of trees and vegetative material to be trimmed or removed.
Q: Are you in favor of instituting a one-percent sales tax to be used by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce for tourism marketing?
A: No, we need to concentrate on lowering taxes and fees and explore other methods for marketing and advertising Hilton Head.
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: The Town is limited to providing public funds to public communities.
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: Federal laws are already in place to address this issue.
Q: What should the town’s role be in encouraging people to recycle?
A: Provide the means to assist people to be able to recycle according to their needs. The Town is in the process of selecting a recycling provider.
Q: Describe how the town can make itself friendlier to business and economic development.
A: Make revisions to the LMO, creating overlay districts to allow for various additional uses and densities.
