The great political writer and comedian of the 20th century, Will Rogers, once said "people are down on what they ain't up on."

Within the last two weeks, Mr. Joe Bustos and Mr. Gary Santos, both former Council Members and both previously failed candidates for the Office of Mayor, took the town to task for the widening of US 17 from the Isle Of Palms Connector to Wando High School. Why they "ain't up" on the project I have no idea, since they both participated in planning and discussion about this project during their time as Council Members. Mr. Santos alleges lack of progress. Well I'm not sure if he has noticed the 3,000 foot long sound wall we're building to protect nearby citizens from both construction and traffic noise. Sure looks like progress to me. If you live on the other side of the wall, I'm sure it sounds like progress to those residents. If he had chosen to remain "up" on this project since his departure from Council, he would know that just last week we secured the remaining $20 million to complete the entire project. As he suggested, we could have gone to the State Infrastructure Bank for the loan at 5.2% interest. Instead, we bid the loan package and for our efforts received a 2.89% interest rate, saving the Town over $3 million over the life of the loan. If Mr. Santos had inquired, he would have learned that this project will be let before the end of the year. You see, we married this project with the I-526 overpass project to save money and to expedite both projects for the Town. Seems like progress to me.

He also complained that Acting Mayor Kruger Smith missed an opportunity for funding through Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS). We could have played the bulldozer role a couple of years ago with CHATS, but we would have alienated all the members of CHATS and South Carolina Department Of Transportation (SCDOT), and probably with little success.

The Berlin Meyers Parkway in Summerville had been on the books for years, and it simply was their turn for funding. If Mr. Santos was present for the meeting, I'm quite certain it was one of the few times, if not the only time he attended a CHATS meeting during his 13 years on Council.

What Gary really "ain't up on" is that we're in the business of building relationships here for the long term and not taking credit and "pot shots."

As for Mr. Bustos, his allegation that the town is inappropriately taking the money from the School Board to widen US 17 makes little sense.

He knows full well that all of our Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funded projects, including those he voted on as a Council Member, use School Board funds as well as Town and County Taxes during the life of the TIF. For instance, as I recall, Mr. Bustos was one of the strongest proponents for buying the Shem Creek property for $6 million using TIF funds, a third of which are School District taxes. Mr. Bustos also knows full well the impact that Wando High School traffic has had on US 17 North over the last five years. Some 4,000 car trips daily are attributed to Wando High School. I think it's very appropriate that a portion of TIF funds associated with the Charleston County Schools is used to improve the carrying capacity of this road. The road project will directly benefit Charleston County School District schools and their customers (our children and parents).

The issue is safety, efficiency and jobs for commerce. There is no reason for him not to be "up" on this. In fact, I remember Mr. Bustos once stating that we needed to abandon our Hungry Neck Boulevard project and allocate all our resources to US 17.

Well maybe I don't give these former Council Members and political opponents enough credit. Perhaps they are "up on" these projects but chose, for political reasons, to deny their understanding and knowledge of the details. Within the next two and a half years our residents will enjoy the benefit of a six lane US 17, a greatly improved Johnny Dodds Boulevard, an overpass at I-526 and Hungry Neck Boulevard, a new frontage road from Ivy Hall Subdivision to Park West Subdivision, a new roundabout at Long Point Road and Needle Rush Parkway, and a connector for Porcher's Bluff Road crossing US 17 to Highway 41.

And we've accomplished this with great partnerships with Charleston County, the SCDOT, the State Infrastructure Bank, and even the US Government. The result? Great infrastructure and no tax increase for our residents.

We're "up on" our roads!

Billy Swails

Mayor

Town of Mount Pleasant