James Island - A special election has been scheduled for Aug. 29 to select a mayor and four council members to lead the new town, which was issued a certificate of incorporation Thursday afternoon.

This is the third time a town has been formed on James Island, with the previous two incorporations having been reversed by court challenges. A new state law cleared the way for the latest attempt, and on June 20 voters decided by a 3-to-1 margin to again form a town.

Mary Clark, who was mayor of the town during its last incarnation, accepted the certificate of incorporation from Secretary of State Mark Hammond as a cheering crowd looked on in the mostly vacant strip mall storefront that has served as Town Hall.

"Isn't it great to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Clark told the 50 people assembled. "Welcome to the town of James Island once again."

As voters in the new municipality prepare to elect a government, Charleston is preparing a legal challenge to the latest incorporation. Mayor Joe Riley has repeatedly expressed confidence that the new municipality will meet the same fate as the others.

Charleston's city limits extend in a patchwork across much of James Island and onto Johns Island, and the formation of a town prevents its nearly 20,000 residents from potentially being annexed into Charleston.

Many town supporters blame the Riley administration for the large amount of development that's taken place on James Island and the accompanying traffic problems and loss of open space. They have argued that a locally elected government can better regulate growth in the areas that aren't built out.

"I hope the rain today will cleanse away all the bad things that have happened to James Island, and that we will go forward as a strong and vibrant town," state Rep. Wallace Scarborough, R-Charleston, said at the event Thursday.

Scarborough and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, were instrumental in crafting the new law that allowed James Islanders to take another shot at creating a town. Scarborough said that he and McConnell are discussing potential legislation aimed at allowing Charleston residents on James Island to leave the city and join the town.

Though the town's incorporation certificate has been issued, the town has no powers until officials are chosen in the Aug. 29 election. Officials will be elected at-large, so all registered voters in the municipality will have a chance to select a mayor and all four council members.

Those planning to vote in the election must be registered with Charleston County by July 29.

If you run

The filing period for candidates for mayor or town council opens July 14 and closes at noon July 28. Filings will be accepted at the law office of Bonum Wilson III, 924 Folly Road.

There is a $350 filing fee for mayoral candidates, and a $200 fee for council candidates. Those elected will serve for two years without pay.

Contact David Slade at dslade@postandcourier.com or 937-5552.