Town of James Island to reincorporate for a fourth time at 12,000 people (Update: April 24)

Image by Free James Island Supporters gather for a town organizing event.

Update March 3: Plans are moving ahead for James Island to incorporate again and a a Referendum for Incorporation is set for April 24.

If the referendum passes, then the Special Municipal Election for Mayor and Council will be on July 31, 2012.

First reporting: After the Town of James Island was disbanded following a successful legal challenge to the methodology used to stitch together sparse neighborhoods, town supporters have gathered enough signatures for a fourth incorporation attempt.

And the town is taking more measured steps this time around.

Instead of forming as big of a town as possible at the start, organizers plan to only incorporate a core area that will be resistant to legal challenges. In this way any future legal volleys will likely only diminish future annexations by the town and not lead to the dispersion of the whole town.

"Past annexations have cut through the Town of James Island, so we must initially reincorporate with a population of 12,000—about 2/3 of its past size," wrote supporters on the organizing Free James Island website.  "This is much larger than the City of Folly Beach and about the same as the City of Beaufort.

"Legislation has been filed to allow annexation elections in neighborhoods that cannot be included now.  It is essential that the initial incorporation be secure from legal challenge, but it is our goal to include everyone as soon as possible."

There is much more detailed information about the plan, upcoming stages, and financial details on the webpage update.

Upcoming organizing events:

  • BBQ Fundraiser on October 16th: Free James Island will hold a BBQ on Sunday, October 16,from 2 to 6 p.m. Come to beautiful Clark Sound at the Sloane's residence, 1155 Eaglewood Trail—right off Ft. Johnson Rd., next to the Soccer Field. Smoky Oak is providing BBQ and all the fixins. There will be live music and a jump castle for the kids. Tickets are $10 and kids under 10 are free. Contact board members Carter McMillan or Leonard Blank for tickets and information. Special thanks to Smoky Oak and the Sloane family.
  • Yard Sale and Bake Sale on November 5th: Free James Island will hold a yard and bake sale on Saturday, November 5th from 6 a.m. to noon. It will be at Town Hall on the corner of Camp Rd. and Dills Bluff. Donations will be accepted on Saturday, October 29, from 8 a.m. to noon. Contact board members Inez Brown Crouch or Leonard Blank for more information. 

 

There is a detailed map of the planned incorporation attempt.