Well, elections are over and over the next couple of weeks our newly elected mayors and councilmembers will be taking their respective positions and our communities will once again start focusing on what is important. It will be interesting to see, as in all of our communities, there have been surprises that will change the dynamics of our local city councils. I am speaking with many of the newly elected, and I wish them nothing less than a smooth, successful transition.
Well, elections are over and over the next couple of weeks our newly elected mayors and councilmembers will be taking their respective positions and our communities will once again start focusing on what is important. It will be interesting to see, as in all of our communities, there have been surprises that will change the dynamics of our local city councils. I am speaking with many of the newly elected, and I wish them nothing less than a smooth, successful transition. I also hope that those already in office accept the people’s decision and do the same for the newly elected in our cities. After all, the people have spoken and that needs to override any political or personal barriers that might get in the way of being an effective governmental body.
But for Santee, it is not over yet. They will swear in its new mayor-elect John Minto and councilmember-elect Stephen Houlahan, but that will mean that they still have Minto’s city council seat to fill.
This process is not expected to start until January and they have a couple of options. The city can hold a special election, or they can go through the process of appointing someone to fill the seat. The cost of holding a special election is extraordinary, and in some cases this might be the answer. But it is my hope that the city will decide to go through the appointment process. It seems to be the most fiscally responsible thing to do, and with Minto’s council term up in two years, people that are not satisfied with the selection will have the opportunity to place someone else in that position.
If appointment is the case, I am anxious to see whom the city will be looking at to fill the vacant spot. With Santee’s rapid growth, it is imperative that it is someone that understands fully the impact of existing and upcoming residential projects, and a step further, what could happen to the future of residential growth in Santee. With the expansion of Prospect Avenue and the aerotropolis in the planning, it also needs to be someone that understands what it takes to bring new jobs into Santee, and keep them there. And lastly, but just as important, the person that fills that seat needs to understand the mentality and state of the city, its residents and the people that do business there.
Santee is unique in nature. On the outskirts of our backcountry, there is a large pull for those looking for the accommodations for daily life, and pleasure, yet without the feel of a big city. This can be said about most of our East County communities, but the rapid expansion of Santee over the past two decades is staggering and the city is having enough trouble keeping up with all of the new residents and the good things they bring, and also the problems more residents make for Santee’s existing population. Anyone that lives in Santee, works in Santee or even commutes through Santee knows that the city has well outgrown its current venues for travel. The SR 52 is a place to avoid at any cost for the most part of the day and the State Highway 125 leads right into the heart of Santee’s busiest area for commerce. Residential and business growth and the traffic problems it has created is not a new problem for Santee, but it is still an existing one that must be addressed.
So just when you thought it was over, Santee still has a decision to make. Appointments, depending on the list of candidates of choice can be a long and arduous task. Days of questioning, then the time it makes to come to a consensus on who will fill the vacant seat. It is my hope that Santee makes this process as quickly and easily as possible. That way they can get back to work with a full council that will balance the decision making process. It is also my hope that Santee does not choose a special election for this council seat. For the short amount of time, it is a fiscally responsible decision. And as I said before, if the people do not like the choice, it can be fixed within two years. And two years will be here before you know it.
