Who We Are

We were founded in 2024 by local community leaders, including:

• Jimmy Bagwell:  Former Mt Pleasant councilman and cofounder of Save Shem Creek.

• Jimmy Kerr:   Founder of local business Asset Management & Consulting Services.

• Charles Lane:  Founder of the ACE Basin Task Force, which was instrumental in conserving over 300,000 acres in the  Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin.

•  Hugh Lane:  Founder and Chairman of Charleston-based Bank of South Carolina.

• John Zlogar:  Chair of the Johns Island Task Force and publisher of The Johns Island Advocate.

In 2024, we opposed the proposed sales tax since it significantly underfunded transportation and land conservation efforts at the expense of a single large project that had questionable value.  Fundamentally, County Council was trying to force this project (the Mark Clark Expressway) upon voters.  Voters subsequently rejected the referendum by 61.4%. 

We now are in support of the 2026 sales tax since County Council  has taken the following steps:

• Roads:  The list of transportation projects was developed based upon extensive input from residents and the municipalities.  The County has ensured that the projects are spread equitably throughout the county and that there is adequate funding for them.

• Public Transit:  Adequate funding for CARTA has been restored.  This funding  is critical to the success of the Lowcountry Rapid Transit system.  This system will be the linchpin for transit oriented developments that will reduce traffic that results from our continued growth.

• Land Conservation:  The funding percentage for land conservation has been restored to its historical level.  There will now be sufficient funds to acquire parkland and to conserve land that will constrain sprawling development, protect ecologically and culturally sensitive areas, provide essential flood mitigation and water quality functions, and support rural livelihoods.

• Sidewalks:  Funding for sidewalks and multi-use paths has, for the first time, been explicitly called out for funding.  Keeping our children and others safe is now a key priority.

The biggest issue adversely impacting all of us is the hyper growth of the region.  This has led to significant traffic congestion, housing prices that are out of reach of teachers and first responders, and the destruction of our natural environment.

We can't stop people from moving here, but we can work to ensure that the things we value the most ... our culture and our environment ... are still here for future generations.   To achieve this, we have three key advocacy areas:

• Land Use: We advocate for zoning and land-use policies that embrace traditional settlement patterns and that don’t subsidize sprawl.  These policies must encourage transit-oriented and live-work-play developments, "missing middle" housing and walkable communities.  We also advocate to strengthen the rural zoning outside the urban growth boundary.

• Transportation:  Rather than simply moving cars through communities, we advocate for transportation infrastructure that safely connects our community for everyone.  This includes focusing on the most cost effective projects our community actually needs, on safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and on adequate public transit. 

• Land  Protection:    It would be hard pressed to find a county resident who wants “paradise paved over”.  We advocate for tax funds to be used to protect land through conservation easements and fee simple purchases.  Land protection is also part of a holistic approach to land use and transportation.  It reduces the amount of tax dollars needed for new and expanded roads.  Charleston County's Greenbelt Program has been an integral part of this effort.

You can contact us at  ABetterCharlestonCounty@gmail.com.