Date Published: June 20, 2006   

James Island votes to incorporate for 3rd time

The Associated Press

For the third time in less than two decades, James Island residents voted Tuesday to incorporate.

Now James Island will once again try to beat an expected legal challenge from the city of Charleston.

With all precincts counted, 3,068 people voted to incorporate and 1,078 voters were opposed, The (Charleston) Post and Courier reported.

"It's about the best day of my life," said June Waring, a James Island Public Service District commissioner who was active in the incorporation effort.

When the votes were counted, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley reiterated the city's intention to sue to keep James Island from becoming a town.

Legal action by the city resulted in two previous James Island incorporations being dissolved by the courts, once in 1992 and again in 2004.

"We'll do what we said we would do if the vote went this way," Riley told the Charleston newspaper. "We feel it has several legal defects, and we feel obligated to pursue them."

At issue is money and taxes - and control.

Proponents see incorporation as a way to check the expansion of Charleston on the island. A large portion of the island is already in the city limits of Charleston.

Opponents argue taxes will increase as much as 37 percent for property owners.

The new town will comprise the area that was unincorporated Charleston County, with basic municipal services provided by the James Island Public Service District and the county.

Turnout Tuesday was 35 percent, compared to 14 percent turnout in Charleston County last week's primary elections.

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Information from: The Post and Courier,