A Measured Start: Mayor’s Forum focuses on real issues facing Georgetown

By Karen Owens, Publisher

For residents looking for high drama or theatrics at the Winyah Auditorium last Thursday, the inaugural Mayor’s Forum did not live up to that threshold, which was a relief in my mind.

Photo credit: Andrew James, WPDE

However, it did provide Mayor Jay Doyle an opportunity to communicate his concerns and vision directly to his constituents while providing about a half-dozen residents who were willing to walk up to the microphone the ability to express their concerns about zoning, city growth, need for jobs, and rising costs among other things.

After allowing State Senator Stephen Goldfinch the chance to restate concerns he expressed at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce’s legislative breakfast a few weeks ago about recent impacts on the region’s timber industry, Mayor Doyle segued into his position that money was the #1 issue facing the community. From lost jobs with the IP and Liberty Steel closures and a lack of new industry to absorb those deficits to expensive housing and rising utility costs, he said Georgetown residents are having to travel elsewhere for work, or even worse, leave Georgetown all together.

He spoke with compassion and conviction about recruiting new timber product manufacturing, tier two shipbuilding suppliers and other opportunities to bring decent paying jobs for people who have called Georgetown home for generations. He wants to stem the tide of brain-drain that occurs when younger residents have to look elsewhere to find the careers that will not just support their families but also fulfill their professional desires.

Doyle also addressed concerns about the lack of parking in the historic district, flooding issues that have plagued the area and the antiquated technology being used at City Hall. He complimented the knowledge and experience of the city’s staff and departments, which as a former municipal employee myself, sometimes gets the brunt of criticism by people not willing to learn more before making uninformed comments by the watercooler or on social media about the abilities of city staff.  I’m not saying Doyle did that, but I have heard comments that many people thought he was “going to clean house” which is an often-used phrase when there is a change in leadership.

When asked about the zoning moratorium and what he hopes it will accomplish, Doyle expressed concern that other parts of the city were not included in the public comment sessions and town meetings held by the Waccamaw Council of Governments (COG), who shepherded the last update of the Comprehensive Plan, as much as the residents of the historic district had been involved. He’s simply looking for an opportunity to let people in the West End, Maryville, Willowbrook and other areas of the city provide input about their aspirations for the city’s future as well as concerns about needed improvements in their neighborhoods.

As one resident said during his time at the microphone, the Comprehensive Plan is a living document that is meant to evolve over time. If sections of the community didn’t get their fair allotment of participation, then including them doesn’t seem like a bad idea. But if they don’t step forward when provided the opportunity to voice their interests, then that would be a shame.

The mayor says he hopes to provide these forums the week before the monthly council meetings to give residents the ability to express their views and ideas without the time restriction that is inherent to public council meetings with multi-page agendas. And while most of the council were present to hear the dialogue, none chose to speak. Hopefully that will change in future sessions as trust and collaboration grow.

And collaboration with the county was a frequent topic brought up by the citizens. Fortunately, Mayor Doyle said he and City Administrator Scott Whittier were meeting the County leadership soon. That might be the most important step he can make for the betterment of the city – forging a spirit of cooperation that lifts both the city and county at the same time. Because as the old saying goes, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” and that’s something I think we can all get behind.

Georgetown City Council holds its regular council meeting on Thursday, February 19 at 5:30 pm in the Municipal Courtroom at 2222 Highmarket Street. You can review the agenda, which includes second reading of the proposed zoning moratorium.

You can watch the video from the Mayor’s Forum event via the City’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cityofgtown