Island discontent overflows at St. John's Water Co. meeting

JOHNS ISLAND - More than 100 residents of this deeply divided rural island turned out Monday to decide whether to replace board members of their local water company, which plans to build a 30-inch waterline that some say is way too big. In a narrow result, St. John's Water Co. incumbents Bud Pulliam, Bill Melton and Howard Kraus narrowly prevailed over challengers Sam Brownlee, Thomas Legare and Julia Grant. The incumbents received between 109 and 111 votes each; the challengers each received between 87 and 92 votes. The company is owned by its 3,854 members, and because its regular monthly meetings are not open to the public, Monday's annual meeting offered a chance for waterline opponents and supporters to let off steam in each other's presence. And that they did, with board members and audience members often interrupting the speakers. At one point, a board member implored, "Please don't stand up and pick at this board." "We understand people don't want development," added board member Joseph Hall of Seabrook Island. "We don't issue the permits to build. We just respond to them." To that end, St. John's plans to build a new 30-inch-diameter waterline over 12 miles, from James Island across the Stono River and along River Road to Bohicket Road. The new line would meet peak summer demands, ensure firefighters have enough water pressure and serve future developments already allowed under current zoning. Opponents say the line is much bigger than needed and would help fuel urban sprawl across the southern, more agricultural end of the island. The Coastal Conservation League, which is suing to stop the line, says a 24-inch line is enough. Board members gave no indication that they're budging on the size. The company distributed information saying a 30-inch line is needed to meet future demands. The planned waterline was far from the only controversial issue. Residents of Morris Acres complained that their water pressure was too low and said the utility should increase the size of the 2-inch line that serves that subdivision. Others, including Grant and Brownlee, questioned why the board does not let residents observe its monthly meetings. Board Chairman Guy Buckner explained, "We can't have 3,800 people in our board meetings. We'd never get anything accomplished." Audience members also asked whether the water company was interested in getting into the sewer business. Buckner said there has been some discussion to that effect but that the possibility of sewer service remains "in limbo." The prospect of a large new waterline ó and possibly sewer service on its heels ó clearly bothers some on this rural island struggling to keep dense new development at bay. One man in the audience said he understood the good intentions behind the 30-inch line, "but as my old Baptist preacher used to say, 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.' If you build it, they will come." "They're going to come anyways!" another audience member said. "Not if they can't get water," the man replied. The entire debate occurred after St. John's members had cast their ballots for board members. The customers cast their votes as they entered into the foyer leading to the board room, and that also didn't sit well with some. "Did you ever see democracy where you vote before they introduce the candidates?" Brownlee asked. The board also presented details of its $2.1 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year and of its $13.2 million in assets. Also, its 2004 testing for lead and copper showed those metals were within state and federal guidelines, so the utility's next sampling is planned in 2007. The attendance was so high that the meeting began 15 minutes behind schedule because the lines to vote were long. And some were getting impatient, including a man who said, "We want to get out of here and vote tomorrow, you know."

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