Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
Briarcliffe Acres candidates bios, Q&As
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Johnnie Bellamy
Age 50
Johnnie BellamyAddress 247 Dogwood Lane, Myrtle Beach
Occupation Business consultant, currently teaching at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Grand Strand Campus
Education Graduate of Furman University, Harvard University and University of Chicago
Civic and political experience Leadership Grand Strand class 30, chamber ambassador for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement - a program where business leaders go out into the school system and teach a class about business environment and leadership skills, president of Myrtle Beach Republican Women's Club, secretary of state for S.C. Federation of Republican Women, worked as board facilitator with the Waccamaw Workforce Investment Board, was regional director for Victory '08 McCain campaign, worked on Mitt Romney campaign, worked on Lindsey Graham phone banks
Family | Divorced
Military | None
E-mail/Web site | bellamyjm94@aol.com
Nancy Edelman (i)
Age 64
Address 10 South Gate Road, Myrtle Beach
Occupation Retired
Education Ph.D. in social work from University of South Carolina, graduate of Leadership Grand Strand 1989
Civic and political experience Former member of Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach, Institute of Lifelong Learning at Coastal Carolina University, on Town Council for two years, past president of North Strand Gardeners' Association, current volunteer for National Wildlife Federation
Family Married, Robert, five children, seven grandchildren
Military None
E-mail/Web site nancyedelman@mac.com
Joe Eritano
Age 66
Address 255 Evergreen Lane
Occupation Retired business man
Education Graduated GMI
Civic and political experience Past president of the Briarcliffe Acres Association, chair of the Briarcliffe Election Commission, varied committees within the Town of Briarcliffe
Family Married, wife Pamela, four children
Military None
E-mail/Web site era255@aol.com
Dennis Herron (i)
Age 59
Address 214 Cabana Road, Myrtle Beach
Occupation Semi-retired, work at Lowes in North Myrtle Beach
Education Gannon University
Civic and political experience Incumbent, has served the last two years on Town Council
Family Married, wife Kathy, two grown children
Military Six years U.S. Army Reserve
E-mail/Web site dennisherron@hotmail.com
Joan Kelly
Age 65
Address 222 Myrtle Lane, Myrtle Beach
Occupation Business owner
Education MBA - Wake Forest University
Civic and political experience None
Family Married, husband Allen, three children, seven grandchildren
Military None
E-mail/Web site joan_kelly@allenkelly.com
Gary Pell
Age 58
Address 310 Ocean View Drive, Myrtle Beach
Occupation CPA
Education BS/BA business degree from West Virginia University
Civic and political experience Was delegate relations officer to the White House for conference on small business, member of First Presbyterian Church in Myrtle Beach, on board of Myrtle Beach YMCA, member of West Virginia University Foundation
Family Married, Jayne, three children, two grandchildren
Military None
E-mail/Web site garypell@sc.rr.com
George Peterson
Age 62
Address 240 Center Drive, Myrtle Beach
Occupation Retired U.S. resident engineer
Education Associate Applied Science - certified degree in civil engineering from the State University of New York, attended Penn State University
Civic and political experience 30 years of public service in federal and county governments
Family Single
Military Vietnam Veteran U.S. Navy Reserves
E-mail/ Web site None
Henry J. (Hank) Santicola Jr.
Age 71
Address 246 Dogwood Lane, Myrtle Beach
Occupation Technical supervisor for Sevenson Environmental
Education Attended University of Colorado and The Ohio State University
Civic and political experience Member of Water Environment Association of South Carolina
Family Married, wife Marrianne, three children, one grandchild
Military U.S. Army
E-mail/Web site hjsanticola@aol.com
Abigail Stewart
Age 55
Address 25 South Gate Road
Occupation Retired, was a partner in a Health Care Software Design Firm
Education Bachelor's in math and computer science, MBA in financial analysis from the University of South Carolina, Certified Master Gardener through Clemson University.
Civic and political experience Volunteer for the town of Briarcliffe Acres as the landscape coordinator and the Webmaster of the town's Web site
Family Married, husband Don, two children
Military None
E-mail/ Web site abigailst@yahoo.com
Ken Corbett (i)
Age 52
Address 145 Cabana Road, Myrtle Beach
Occupation Attorney
Education BA, College of Charleston, JD, Campbell University School of Law
Civic and political experience Served in state House for four years, attends St. Andrew Catholic Church, served on Town Council for two years
Family Married, Laura, four children
Military None
E-mail/Web site tofba@aol.com
Q&As
Johnnie Bellamy
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease agreement. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. Briarcliffe possesses a zoning law that the church is currently violating with the cell tower and the limo service on the church premises. Trading a five year lease for the cell tower allowance is not an option. Storing the limo behind the church or covering up the limo sign is not an option. The zoning law is very clear and we cannot allow exceptions to enforcing current the ordinance.
Regarding the lease: the Church office was added to the Church by a generous Briarcliffe Acres resident. She specifically stated that the office would be utilized for the Town's exclusive use. At that time, the Pastor stated that if the Town wanted to make a donation for upkeep, it would be viewed as a gift and the amount would be based on the Town's decision -”Nothing is expected.” However, commencing with the past council, the Church requested an increase in this “gift” allowance and continues to increase this gift yearly. The continuous financial increase was not the original intent of the agreement. I propose that this issue be resolved through a formal mediation process.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. I would only contract work with utilization of garbage trucks that are small enough to maneuver the roads of Briarcliffe without damage to the roads. Until last year the Town's previous long time garbage service used sufficient size trucks for Briarcliffe roads and did not damage them. I understand that Briarcliffe has an underutilized strategic road maintenance plan in their files. I would reference and refine the original road plan; have all the roads surveyed, prioritize road repairs and develop a five year plan for repairing/re paving based on the most need. If we trim some items from our budget, we could accomplish this repairing/re paving project without raising taxes or requiring the residents to pay for their own garbage collection, which is a recent proposal from current Town Council. I understand from reading recent Town Council minutes, that the current Town Council voted to postpone submitting an application for Federal Stimulus money after receiving a letter inviting the town to apply for the money. The postponement exceeded the due date for the application and the town was never considered for the stimulus money. The money could have been used for town improvements to security systems, sewer upgrades and road improvements. The council allowed the opportunity to be lost for the citizens of Briarcliffe community. Briarcliffe consists of a community of retirees who could have utilized the assistance during these difficult economic times.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. Generally residents of our community want to keep Briarcliffe Acres as natural as possible. What we do not need is individual council members writing ordinances that take our rights away. That includes being told how many trees we should have on our property, required to gain permission to remove any of the trees on our property, nor being fined and or jailed for “weeds or other rank growths of vegetation that exceed 12” in height nor fined to be fined $500.00 per day without warning. These “nuisance ordinances” recently implemented by current town council define absurdity beyond rationale.
The residents of Briarcliffe do not want to clear their lots of trees. Briarcliffe is a “forest” of trees and we all prefer to keep its appearance that way. That appearance is what makes Briarcliffe unique in the Grand Strand.
Nancy Edelman
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease agreement. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. As reported in town meetings, the Town Council is working in the spirit of cooperation and good neighbors to resolve all issues between the Church and the Town. It would be inappropriate to comment on ongoing contractual matters.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. The town is in the process of resurfacing the roads as funds allow. Trucks and vehicles of all kinds, including garbage trucks, construction flatbed trucks, cement trucks, UPS trucks, etc, have impacted our roads. Creative problem solving will be required in the future for the repair and maintenance of town infrastructure with our limited funds. Town taxes are based solely on property taxes, which this council has not increased over the past two years.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. My work on the Landscape, Lake, Habitat, and Stormwater Committees reflect my commitment to the conservation and improvement of our beautiful natural environment in Briarcliffe Acres. Programs have been put in place to improve the water quality of our lakes, marsh, and oceanfront and to improve the appearance of our town medians.
Briarcliffe was the second community in the state of South Carolina to be certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Community Wildlife Habitat. I am committed to preserving the beauty and sovereignty of our town as a single-family residential community.
Joe Eritano
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease agreement. What is our take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. Priority number one- I would not do anything that could put our zoning into jeopardy. We want to be a good neighbor, but we cannot jeopardize our zoning by allowing the cell tower and limo service to continue as a commercial operation out of this location in violation of our zoning ordinances. As for the church lease, church officials made a commitment to the town in 2001, when a resident made a large financial gift to the church. I would expect the church officials to honor their commitment.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. We have ignored this issue for far too long. A thorough study by a competent group should be completed prior to another penny being spent. To do otherwise is unacceptable. We must insist on competitive bidding. We can no longer accept the same individual representing the Town with the same company being hired. We cannot do all that's needed at once, we must prioritize our spending in order to get the most for our limited funds. But first, get these 10 wheel garbage trucks off our streets. Our roads were not constructed for vehicles of this size and weight!
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. By enforcing existing ordinances and by implementing an ordinance that requires a referendum by the residents prior to any zoning change. I believe this would fulfill the vision of Kenneth C. Ellsworth a founding father of Briarcliffe Acres, as described in Dorothy Green's Prolongation of a Vision.
Dennis Herron
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease agreement. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. There have been and are continuing negotiations between the Church and the town trying to best resolve these issues for all parties concerned and it would be inappropriate to comment while negotiations are ongoing.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. Many of the cul-de-sacs are narrow and were never built to carry the weight of today's trucks. The current council initiated a program last year to update and repave the town roads. To date two of the cul-de-sacs have been widened and rebuilt and I would like to continue this program as we can allocate the funding.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. By preserving the sovereignty of the Town of Briarcliffe Acres as a strictly single family residential community. By continued focus on protecting and maintaining the natural beauty of our landscaping, our marsh, our fresh water lakes and our beachfront.
Joan Kelly
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease agreement. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. It is my understanding that when the church was built, money was anonymously donated to provide for the space for the town to meet. If that is the case, that agreement should be honored. The zoning issues should be resolved. The Verizon antennae is definitely a zoning violation and needs to be removed. I'm concerned that the town is setting precedents that could create further issues in the future. I think it is also worth investigating having the church become a part of North Myrtle Beach as opposed to a part of Briarcliffe Acres. That may resolve the zoning issues.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. A long term plan and budget needs to be prepared to resolve all major capital expenditures.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. The most important aspect for preserving the character of the town is to protect our single family zoning. I think a referendum should be put for a vote by the residents of the town requiring a majority vote, (60% or 70%) of the residents before the zoning could be changed. As it currently stands, the planning commission can make a recommendation to the town council to change the zoning to allow condos, etc.. A majority vote of the council could then change the zoning in the town.
Gary Pell
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease agreement. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. The Mayor and Town Council are on the right track to resolve this issue. We need a negotiated win, win for the church and the town.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. This damage to our roads is isolated to a few areas, and I would work to improve those areas and discuss with our provider the use of lighter weight trucks in those areas. If the problem persisted, I would consider cancelling our contract.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
I have pledged to protect and preserve the character of our town as it exits today - single family homes only, and would not support zoning changes or development of any kind without a full referendum of our residents.
George Peterson
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease agreement. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. The church, county and Verizon created this mess, let them fix it. The church is in violation of town zoning laws and what looks like U.S. IRS laws as well. The town cannot be seen as complicit in any way. I have suggested to council in an open meeting that they take no action at this time with regard to the cell tower, but rather go to the church with the proposal that they accept de-annexation and return to the unincorporated area of Horry County.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. We collect road fund money each year as part of our budget, but do not have a routine maintenance plan for how it will be spent. In fact, for three years. 2005, 2006, and 2007, no money was spent on road project(s) in Briarcliffe Acres according to town records. Why? Because council was busy with its attempts to get some kind of sewer project done because a few property owners in the Ocean View area wanted one. As usual, malaise Briarcliffe Acres was not among those local governments that received money from the federal stimulus program because it did not do due diligence to submit a simple request for any project(s). Repair and/or resurfacing town roads would have been an easy project to get on the list if the town council was doing even the slightest appearance of doing their job.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. One of the attractions of Briarcliffe Acres, to those of us who live here, has been the town's consistent lack of commercial zoning. We all wanted to live in a community that was free of commercial clutter and restricted to R-1 [single-family] zoning… I would recommend amending the town charter that would restrict zoning in Briarcliffe Acres to R-1, two story habitable buildings, 35 feet height limitation (exclusions standing) from natural grade, single-family residences, etc., all of which are current law. Purpose being that only the town residents by way of a referendum will have control of these vital characteristics which make our town unique.
Henry J. (Hank) Santicola Jr.
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. It's one of two examples that set a dangerous precedent of zoning issues for the town of Briarcliffe Acres. We have to sit down without attorneys and negotiate and come up with some resolution to get it resolved in three months. The concept would be to do what the majority of citizens want by polling the citizens before action is taken.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. I would negotiate with waste management or the garbage company for smaller trucks to stop the damage. The council missed the opportunity for stimulus money that could have been used for the roads.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. I wouldn't. When you object to anything in town, you're called negative. If it was not for some “negative residents,” the nuisance law would have stayed as written and passed. I would preserve the town by not doing needless pruning and cutting of shrubs. The nuisance law has called for a $500 a day fine for a violation. Why was this type of law passed to begin with? Now they are going to rewrite the law, but only because some “negative residents” have pointed out the intrusion into our property rights from this law.
Abigail Stewart
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease agreement. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. Regarding the issue of any violations of our ordinances, the town needs to maintain good ordinances and enforce them. Clearly one cannot run a business in this Church School Community zone. Some people have claimed that the cell tower in the steeple would constitute a business which would be a violation of town ordinance. I disagree with that. For example, utility poles and cables throughout our R-1 residential zone do not constitute a business. It is not a violation to have a bus and a storage building in that CSC zone. However there are some genuine issues here. Commercial signs may have been used in this zone, are not allowed by ordinance, and should not be tolerated. Approval of changes of utility services must follow proper procedures.
Regarding not having a signed lease agreement, the town and the church are actively engaged in negotiations. I have not been part of those but I understand how necessary they are to arrive at a solution agreeable to both parties.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. The town has had a plan for improving the roads for many years but has not been financially capable of executing it at a pace agreeable to some residents. This has to be worked a step at a time by prioritizing the road issues and careful budgeting.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees, and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. Briarcliffe Acres is characterized by one acre lots, single family dwellings, no businesses, and ample trees. I would preserve all this by maintaining the sovereignty of the town and by ensuring that zoning is not changed. We need to do whatever we can to encourage and maintain the vegetation of our town.
Ken Corbett
Q. Last year, the town accepted a five-year lease agreement with the Risen Christ Lutheran Church at 10595 U.S.17 N. to continue to rent office space at that location, but did not agree to terms requiring the town to no longer see a Verizon stealth antennae, a bus used by the church, or a storage building as an issue or violation of the town's ordinances. As of today, the church has not signed that lease. What is your take on the issue, and what should be done to resolve it?
A. The town and church have been in discussions related to the contractual issue. I'm confident we will be able to resolve that to the satisfaction of the town and the church in the near future.
Q. Residents have said roads in Briarcliffe Acres have been damaged because they cannot support the size or weight of garbage trucks that come into town. What would you do to get roads in the town improved?
A. There's no proof garbage trucks are causing damage to the roads or what's causing the roads to be damaged. A lot has been that roads have not been properly maintained over the years. I'm looking forward to the new council coming with suggestions on how to properly maintain the roads so they will not deteriorate.
Q. Briarcliffe Acres is known for its forested lots with various varieties of trees and its large pricey homes. How would you preserve the character of the town?
A. It is a very beautiful town that has remained a beautiful town because people who live here are generally nature-loving people who respect the natural environment in the town. And as long as we protect the peaceful environment that we have now and respect the natural surroundings, I don't see the need to take any actions to disrupt that.
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