North Charleston seeks “Citizen of the Year” nominations

The North Charleston Citizen Advisory Council is seeking nominations for the 2011 “Citizen of the Year.” Each year, North Charleston citizens are nominated to identify, honor, and reinforce the activities of exceptional citizens whose service or performance positively contributes to the quality of life in North Charleston.

All applications are welcome, and should include a detailed explanation for the nomination along with the nominee’s name, address, and phone number. Also, the individual(s) submitting the application should include their name, address, and phone number as well. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by Tuesday, November 1, 2011 for consideration.

Nominations may be submitted below or mailed to:

City of North Charleston
Citizens Advisory Council
c/o Executive Department

P.O. Box 190016

North Charleston, SC 29419-9016

RAIL

The former Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor and South Carolina Public Railways have pushed through, behind closed doors, a plan to place a rail yard on the northern end of the former navy base. The property to be used for this yard was donated by the City of North Charleston to the Clemson University Restoration Institute to facilitate the creation of a renewable energy economy, including wind turbine research. Sixty of the Eighty acres have been condemned. The State, through South Carolina Public Railways, has exercised eminent domain to obtain the property. This rail yard would allow trains to enter and exit the north end of the former Navy Base and create a railroad roundabout of the Greater Park Circle community. Traffic congestion, road blockages, and train noise will drastically increase. Apart from increased heavy rail traffic, trucks carrying cargo containers from other port terminals (Columbus Street, Wando, North Charleston) would traverse city streets to access this rail yard.

This plan is in direct violation of the 2002 State Legislature mandated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of North Charleston and the State Ports Authority (an instrumentality of the State of South Carolina), in which it was agreed upon that the Port would utilize rail access exclusively from the south end of the base.  Relying upon this agreement, homeowners, businesses, industry, and the city have made significant investments to improve the Greater Park Circle community, the East Montague Business District, and the former Navy Base.

If you wish to express your opinion regarding the proposed rail yard on the north end of the former Navy Base, please call and/or email the legislators below.

Thank you for your help in fighting to preserve the quality of life of the residents of North Charleston.