Ron  Denton, architect, NCARB, graduated from Clemson University in 1984 with a BS in Design and a Master of Architecture degree in 1989 where he spent one semester studying in Genoa, Italy.

Denton is currently the chairman of the planning commission and has been on this committee for four years. Before that he was on the construction code board of appeals for eight years.

Denton has lived and or worked on the island for 16 years with his wife, Karen, and 15-year-old daughter, Alexandra.  

 He has been a small business owner for the past 17 years and  he started his business on the Isle of Palms.  

He has been an architect for over 200 projects on the island, including new homes and renovations.  

He has been married to his wife Karen for 18 years and they have a 15 year old daughter named Alexandra.

He can be reached at rjdentonarch@yahoo.com or 886-9330.

1. What is your number one concern for the island and how would you address this concern?

2. If elected, what three goals do you hope to accomplish for the City of Isle of Palms?

•Ron Denton

Other candidates will tell you that their main concern is the short term rental houses and mini hotels encroaching into the neighborhoods. These issues are very important and they are an emotional rallying call. We are dealing with these issues now in the Planning Commission. But  they are presently not the island's main concern since the real estate market is down and the livability court is working.

The main concern of the island is the debt we now have from the new safety building, the new fire station 2, the new recreation center, the beach renourishment project and the purchase of the marina. Our revenues are down from previous years and we are compelled to provide a high level of service to our community.

1. Pay down the debt amassed over the past few years and curtail frivolous spending.

2. Organize parking along Palm Boulevard by establishing safe parking designations along with a bike lane. The cost of these improvements would be paid by visitor parking passes. This would also encourage the island’s guests to park in the commercial district where the benefit is two-fold: less congestion along Palm Blvd. and more customers for the businesses.

3. Find a balance between the livability of our permanent residents and the rights of the rental property owners. I do not own any rental properties and feel that I can be an honest broker to find common ground and lasting solutions.