Bluffton mayor’s race Q&A. Two seek mayor’s office, here are answers to our questions
Two candidates are vying for the job of Mayor in Bluffton in the Nov. 7 election.
Political newcomer Joseph Casatgnino will face off against Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Toomer to succeed longtime Mayor Lisa Sulka.
The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette asked the two candidates a series of questions to gauge their opinions on the quickly growing town. We presented their responses in alphabetical order of their last names. Here’s what they said:
Joseph Castagnino
Occupation: Development Manager at T-Mobile
Family: Live with my wife Frida and my son Sean. We have been together since 2014.
Military service: No previous military experience
Political experience: Executive Committeeman for Precinct 4C (Beaufort County)
Relevant community involvement: Other than taking in the beauty of Bluffton and Beaufort County, I have been involved with our local school board and advocating for the protection of our children from adult-rated materials that are distributed in our schools.
Length of time living in Bluffton: Since July 2021
Q1: Is Bluffton’s recent rate of population growth sustainable? The benefits are clear, larger economy and more tax revenue but what are the unintended consequences on the horizon and how would you address them?
No. In 2005, the population of Bluffton was 3,391, and now we are at 40,403. I do not believe anyone feels that this is responsible growth by any means. You cannot responsibly grow the population of a town 12-fold in just under 20 years and feel that is an accomplishment.
If you look at the trajectory that Bluffton has been on over the last few decades, that is the path we will continue to go down if we elect the same people to run this town. If you elect the same people, it will be more of the same.
We need simply stop allowing land and parcels of property to be sold to developers that will build communities that will overburden our infrastructure and our schools. More growth, more selling out our land, more development. We need to stop what is happening here, and we need to save what is left of Bluffton before it’s too late. We are at the limit, and if developers want to build in Bluffton, then there should be increased expenses to them to do so, which would go towards our infrastructure, schools, etc.
Q2: Should the town have a role in ensuring affordable housing? If yes, how do you envision that getting done?
No. While I understand this has become a “high cost” area, the government should not be involved in housing. That goes for the federal government, state government and local government. I believe that is another program that will hurt the residents of Bluffton and Beaufort County. I also feel that it will increase taxes to the point where it will be less affordable for the residents that already live here. Any “affordable housing” program needs to be funded by someone, and that someone is always the taxpayers.
I fully understand and agree that housing in this area has become increasingly high, but government has no place in housing regulation. Don’t they regulate too much already?
If you think that government getting involved in “affordable housing” is a good idea, I encourage you to look at cities around the country that have implemented this. It has failed the residents of those areas at the expense of moving more people to that location. Its time to protect the residents and families of Bluffton, not create a cycle of development and increased taxation.
Q3: Is it the town’s responsibility to maintain the environmental sustainability of the May River? If yes, what needs to happen in the next four years to ensure that outcome?
Yes, now I believe it has become the towns responsibility.
And that is a result to the over-development of this town and the area. We have pushed Old Town as a tourist destination as well. Once you reach a certain point of population density and visitors, you increase the impact on nature and the resources in the area.
We first need to stop development, and then look at the impact to the May River and review options that would not impact our residents and taxpayers.
Q4: How can Bluffton avoid falling into the trap of mismanagement that continues to vex Beaufort County government leaders?
We cannot avoid that because we are already there. The plan moving forward needs to get back on track and on the right path. We cannot sustain the growth, strain on infrastructure and destruction of this beautiful area. I do believe that we need to also investigate some of the past decisions that have taken place and see if there were any unethical (or potentially illegal) decisions that were made.
The leadership of this town has recklessly sold land to developers at the expense of our greenspace, beauty and Lowcountry feel.
The residents of Bluffton are also feeling this in their wallets. Last year, there was a 1% tax added. More money taken from the residents during a time of recession. It was named the “Greenspace” tax. Make no mistake about it, that tax is a direct result of over-development in Beaufort County, and the biggest offender is Bluffton. I could be wrong, but I do not recall anyone from our town leadership speaking out against it. Maybe it is because their own decisions put us in the town and residents in this position.
Q5: Please name one leader from contemporary American politics, sports, the arts, or business that most closely resembles your leadership style.
I do not place politicians, athletes, or entertainers on a pedestal. I do not feel that my style resembles the style of anyone else. I also feel that my experience in my personal life and professional career has shaped how I am as a person and a leader. And those experiences are also different from everyone else. My “style” would be simple – The best leaders don’t feel they are leaders. They feel they are partners.
Q6: If you agree that some time at each council meeting should be set aside for public comment, is there a better way to manage it than the current process?
Yes. Absolutely.
As an elected official or an employee of this town, EVERY resident has the right to attend a meeting and speak during a meeting during the allocated time. I do not feel that residents should be silenced. Unfortunately, there are many recent examples where residents have been dismissed or silenced when a topic is “inconvenient” for our town officials. Public comment is designed to be time set aside for the residents to discuss their issues, concerns, objections, etc. If a resident takes the time to attend a meeting, then they have the right to be respected and heard. Remember, that person took time from their busy day or their family to attend the meeting, so that person should be given time to speak. The only way public comment works is when you allow the people you represent to speak, and that is not happening currently. Of course, if a person becomes abusive, makes threats, or becomes violent then this does not apply.
Larry Toomer
Occupation: Fishermen, Businessman
Family: Wife Tina of 35 years, 5 Children, 15 Grand Children
Education/military service: Graduate of Bluffton HS
Political experience: 3 Terms on Bluffton Town Council
Relevant community involvement: 4th Generation Fishermen, Co-Founder Bluffton Arts and Seafood Fest, Board Member Don Ryan Center, Committee Member May River Water Shed Action
Length of time living in Bluffton: Born and Raised
Q1: Is Bluffton’s recent rate of population growth sustainable? The benefits are clear, larger economy and more tax revenue but what are the unintended consequences on the horizon and how would you address them?
Yes it is sustainable, it is important to ensure Bluffton is a prosperous and sustainable place to live for our children and to do that we must grow. However our first goal must be to grow in a way that keeps our rivers clean, our small town charm visible, and our streets safe.
Q2: Should the town have a role in ensuring affordable housing? If yes, how do you envision that getting done?
Yes it should, but the only way that it can done is through public/private partnerships, the developers must have a stake in providing affordable housing for our workforce so our community may thrive.
Q3: Is it the town’s responsibility to maintain the environmental sustainability of the May River? If yes, what needs to happen in the next four years to ensure that outcome?
Yes it is the responsibility of town, we also must have the cooperation our county, state, and federal governments in that matter. I want to see our town on a sustainable sewer system in the next 4 years to limit any runoff into the May River.
Q4: How can Bluffton avoid falling into the trap of mismanagement that continues to vex Beaufort County government leaders?
I believe we must rely on the voters first to elect men and women who want to serve the town and not their own self-interest. As elected officials we must always be willing to work together and listen to our community, my job is to represent the people’s interest and act on their concerns.
Q5: Please name one leader from contemporary American politics, sports, the arts or business that most closely resembles your leadership style.
Ronald Reagan has always been a hero of mine, not only his way of communicating with the people, but how he was always willing to work with his friends across the aisle for the betterment of our nation. I think we need leaders today who see people they disagree with ideologically as friends and not enemies.
Q6: If you agree that some time at each council meeting should be set aside for public comment, is there a better way to manage it than the current process?
We need Public Comment, it is an integral part of our civil process. I so value hearing from citizens on the issues they care about in town. If they think we can do public comment better, I’m always open to suggestions!
