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ScribeBy: DENESHIA GRAHAM Of The Post and
Courier Staff
Originally Published on: 12/04/02
In a race dominated by the controversial short-term rental debate, islanders chose a majority of mayoral and Town Council candidates Tuesday who favor the practice in the island's mostly residential parts.
Even so, voters also elected two councilmen who wanted to ban short-term rentals. Those councilmen conceded Tuesday night, however, that the voters have put the issue to rest.
Bill Wert won the mayoral seat with 419 votes to opponent Eugene Kreuzberger's 331, according to unofficial results. Wert supports continuing rentals in areas zoned R-1, where most of the island's single-family homes are concentrated.
"Now the hard work begins," Wert said Tuesday night. "Now we have to really work to move Kiawah forward."
Kreuzberger, who opposes short-term rentals, said the issue played a major role in the race's outcome. Voters "don't want the issue reopened," he said.
Kreuzberger preferred to see the rental minimum extended from seven to 28 days after an undetermined period, which could be 8 to 10 years.
However, rental supporters argued that ceasing the practice would hurt property values while unfairly limiting owners' property rights.
Opponents argued that rentals commercialize the neighborhood and destroy a sense of community.
In April, Town Council voted 3-2 to allow the practice to continue with some regulations but no outright restrictions.
On Tuesday, voters chose two council candidates who supported short-term rentals and two who did not.
The top four vote-getters were incumbent Donald McIver Jr. with 494 votes, incumbent Leo Fishman with 491 votes, Richard Bennett with 439 and newcomer Steve Orban with 352 votes. Incumbent David Warner got 335 votes and Patrick Casey had 307 votes.
Fishman and Bennett supported the continuation of rentals while McIver and Orban opposed.
"The people of Kiawah want an end to divisiveness," Bennett said.
McIver and Orban acknowledged the rental issue is probably dead.
Fishman said voters made clear which direction the island should take.
"I don't think (the message is) totally overwhelming, but I think it's clear and well-defined," he said.
Kiawah Island Election Commission Chairman Gregory Wilson said voter turnout was high, with 771 of about 1,100 registered voters casting ballots.
Only full-time residents, reflecting 20 percent of all property owners, could cast ballots. The other 80 percent of property owners are part-time residents.
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