Kiawah Island mayor, 2 council incumbents re-elected

KIAWAH ISLAND--Mayor William G. Wert was re-elected Tuesday, as were two incumbents who sought to remain on Town Council. About half the island town's voters turned out for the election that decided who would hold the mayor's office for the next two years and who would hold the four councils seats for the same period. Also, in a non-binding referendum, voters rejected extending council and mayor's terms to four years. According to unofficial returns, Wert received 370 votes to challenger Richard T. Bennett's 262. Bennett was also one of two councilmen who did not seek re-election. In the council race, incumbents G. Steven Orban, with 415 votes, and Donald McIver, with 381 votes, were re-elected. Joining them on council will be newcomers Charles Lipuma, who garnered 374 votes, and Alan L. Burnaford, with 352. Narrowly missing election was Diane Z. Lehder, who received 344 votes. Ron Ritchie gathered 281 votes. Some election winners said they joined together and campaigned as a team. Orban said they generally agree that the island is being governed properly and that town government should continue working with the island's developer. McIver said the election "answers the questions. Kiawah is doing fine and we are going to stay the course." Wert, 65, a retired vice president of General Electric Co., said the campaign was long and arduous, and said he won with the help of a fine campaign staff. He said about 40 volunteers helped him. "I am looking forward to continuing to improve the quality of life for the people of Kiawah," Wert said. "I look forward to another great two years." Wert said results of the referendum convince him that term limits are dead for now. He said he would have asked council to take action on the referendum if the vote had been 60 percent in favor. In the referendum, which also sought island sentiments on a proposal to stagger elections, 313 voters said "no" and 245 said "yes." The unofficial turnout for the election was 655. The town has about 1,380 registered voters, according to election officials.

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