We Are Neighbors Voting NO

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"We are voting no because this tax is not distributing funds properly, and it is not preserving green spaces. The Mark Clark Extension would destroy our beautiful marshes and trees. Living in Charleston for 12 years and being first-time homeowners on the island, we are concerned about the development and destruction that would occur on the charming rural island we are lucky to call home if this extension  built. We’ve been entrusted with this beautiful place by the generations before us and it is our duty to protect and preserve it."

"I've lived in Charleston my whole life and I'm very familiar with the traffic patterns throughout the entire area. I'm voting NO because it's obvious that the 526 extension project does not take the traffic problems seriously, and has not done its research. I've lived on Johns Island, James Island, West Ashley, and now live in Park Circle. All of these areas could easily be improved without a 526 extension, by using overpasses and better turning lanes and intersections to keep the traffic flowing. Another highway in Charleston will not help traffic. It will only get you to the traffic jam a bit faster. Traffic jams and car wrecks will be reduced by better designed roads that ensure continuous flow of traffic. They will not be reduced by creating one big, high speed road." 

“Voters have a right to know how $5.4 billion of their money is going to be spent, however, it appears Council does not want to provide that information —fearing voters will reject the tax.  Although it’s not clear on the ballot, voting against the transportation tax is also a vote against Greenbelt funds.  Council members need to remember they represent the voters of Charleston County, not the Chamber of Commerce, the road construction industry, the developers, and their associates.” 

"I am voting a solid NO on the 2024 referendum. Eight years ago, the County promised to fix our aging roads and infrastructure with the sales tax increase, and yet they have only completed ONE of the 10 projects! I have no faith that another increase will be used appropriately. I also have no faith that any of the funding will go towards the Greenbelt program or to bike-pedi lanes. The County needs to make good on their promise from 8 years prior! Until then, I will vote NO to both questions on the ballot."

“We believe that a better Charleston County means to preserve our marshes, wetlands and grand trees to the best of our ability while investing public funds into improving our existing roadways and intersections. Sea level rise and increasingly serious tropical storms mean that fixing flooding must also be of high priority. We can take commuter traffic off our roadways and lower CO2 emissions by properly funding public transportation. Spending upwards of $2.3 billion on the environmentally destructive Mark Clark Extension is not a good use of our public funds. What might a public transportation network for Charleston County look like with an infusion of $2.3 billion dollars?"

"I plan to vote no because the plan to extend 526 is antiquated and will cost tax payers billions of dollars. Dumping thousands of additional cars into a downtown area that often floods is crazy. The county needs to concentrate on fixing the flooding problems downtown and curbing development on James and John’s islands. The 526 “horseshoe” design will do nothing but cause more gridlock when there are accidents and at peak traffic times."