Position StatementsTerry ConwayTC_24cdc40e-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2aCandidate for election to the Hilton Head Island Town CouncilVoters in the Town of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina_24cdc738-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a_24cdc882-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2aResponsible StewardshipResponsible Stewardship of our beautiful Island home. Deliberate Development/RedevelopmentDeliberate Development/Redevelopment of all aspects of the Island.AirportUpgrade the Hilton Head Airport by lengthening the runway to 5000 feet._24cdc95e-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a1The Hilton Head Island Airport is a vital part of the Brand we call Hilton Head Island. It needs to be upgraded to help the Island remain competitive with other resort destinations. If we lose this edge, we move ourselves to the second tier of resort locations. The runway does not need to be lengthened to 5,400 feet. 4,800 feet to 5,000 feet, accompanied with proper tree maintenance, will serve all commercial and most general aviation needs for many years to come, and may prove attractive to other commercial carriers who cannot service our area because of equipment or profitability issues now. The Hilton Head Island airport, at 4,300 ft. has the shortest runway in the country accommodating commercial air service. Key West, FL has a 4,800 ft. runway, and is regularly serviced by United Airlines Express with small (50 passenger) jet aircraft. The 5,400 foot option provides access to less than 250 corporate jet flights per year and affects fuel load more than anything else. These aircraft can use a 5,000 foot runway, but are limited in fuel load which would allow longer non-stop flights. The landing fee argument for general aviation aircraft is a red herring. Fewer than 10% of commercial airports now impose landing fees, and these are the very large airports where small aircraft can be a nuisance and a safety risk when interspersed with large jet aircraft. _24cdca08-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2aBasic Role of Government_24cdcabc-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a2 Town Council OperationsPreserve the Town Council's current mode of operation under the guidance of a long-range plan that is reviewed each year, but is not easily changed._24cdcb70-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a2.1Town Council currently operates under the guidance of a long range plan that is reviewed each year, but is not easily changed. This provides needed stability and ensures that town governance is not unduly swayed by reactions to conditions that may be more based on expediency than adherence to a long term vision. This status must be preserved so that Government can provide the proper long term vision for continued stewardship of our island home.Economic DevelopmentPartner with the community in a shared vision of where we are going and how we are going to maintain facilities and amenities that continue to attract the desired permanent residents and seasonal visitors._24cdcc24-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a2.2Town government must partner with the community in a shared vision of where we are going and how we are going to maintain facilities and amenities that continue to attract the desired permanent residents and seasonal visitors. Redevelopment Plans[Ensure that] redevelopment plans [are] in place that allow new capital to revitalize some of our aging buildings and update the general appearance of some of our “first impression” areas._24cdccec-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a2.2.1Redevelopment plans must be in place that allow new capital to revitalize some of our aging buildings and update the general appearance of some of our “first impression” areas.Public Safety[Foster] a true sense of public safety for all of our residents and visitors._24cdcdbe-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a3Residents of Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaVistors to Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaPerhaps the most important area for Town Government in its role of Responsible Stewardship is the promotion of a true sense of public safety for all of our residents and visitors. Specific potential trouble spots in this issue are:McMansions[Address] the affect that McMansions have on beachfront neighborhoods. _24cdce90-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a3.1The affect that McMansions have on beachfront neighborhoods. A house full of young people in a former family neighborhood can cause significant disruption to the rest of the residents. 12 bedroom homes are not in the best interest of an Island community that does not like to be compared with Myrtle Beach and some of the areas of the Outer Banks of NC.Bars[Ensure that bars close at a reasonable hour.]_24cdcf76-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a3.2Bars that never seem to close also are counterproductive to a feeling of public safety. Newspaper reports of late night violence fueled by alcohol, drugs, guns and knives do great harm to the “Brand” we are hoping to maintain.LightingMonitor [lighting] conditions and strike the proper balance between ambiance and security._24cdd052-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a3.3Our low light island ambience offers both advantages and disadvantages. We all love to look at our beautiful night sky with little intrusion of street lights and other light sources. But at the same time, these conditions can contribute in difficulty in navigating our streets and also provide cover for inappropriate behavior of some of our residents and visitors. We need to monitor these conditions and strike the proper balance between ambiance and security.InterdependenceFoster the idea that everyone on the island, permanent residents and seasonal visitors alike are inextricably bound together in nearly all aspects of their lives._24cdd23c-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a4Residents of Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaVisitors to Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaInterdependence of residents and visitors – One Island: We need to foster the idea that everyone on the island, permanent residents and seasonal visitors alike are inextricably bound together in nearly all aspects of their lives. The retirees help support housing values, provide tax revenue to support our schools and public services, and frequent our restaurants throughout the year when most of our visitors are no longer here. Our working families employed in the tourism industry provide the full range of facilities for our hundreds of thousands of visitors each year through hotel and timeshare management, golf course operations, restaurants, water sports and many other recreation facilities. Their children attend our schools and generate a dynamic atmosphere benefiting all ages. And of course, our seasonal visitors provide a huge benefit for our economy and atmosphere. While Saturdays on the Bridge can be a trial, we really need to acknowledge that that traffic represents a lot of cash flow to all of our island facilities._24cdd34a-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2aProperty MaintenanceChange our focus from expansion to maintenance._24cdd458-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a5With Island build-out essentially complete, we need to change our focus from expansion to maintenance. Some of our “First-Impression” areas are beginning to look a little shabby. Some of this can be attributed to our current difficult economic climate, but not all of it. We all have a responsibility to maintain properties under our control in a manner that speaks to our commitment to offer a welcoming impression to all of our Island residents and visitors._24cdd566-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2aLand Management OrdinanceRevise the Land Management Ordinance._24cdd688-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a6Town Government needs to be more user friendly. The Land Management Ordinance needs to be revised so it encourages appropriate redevelopment and continues to protect the Core Values that brought us all to our Island Paradise. The LMO needs to be written in plain language so the ordinary citizen can understand and navigate its guidance. _24cdd7aa-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2aCustomer Service[Ensure that the] Town Staff embrace embrace the tenets of Customer Service and [provide] helpful guidance for residents and business owners through the Town’s application process._24cdd8d6-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a7Town StaffResidents of Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaBusiness Owners in Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaTown Staff needs to embrace the tenets of Customer Service and develop a culture of helpful guidance for residents and business owners through the Town’s application process._24cdda02-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2aBusiness License FeesDevelop a more equitable vehicle for business licensing revenue than fees based on gross receipts._24cddb42-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a8Business License Fees based on the Gross Receipts (Gross Revenue) of a business are a very unfair way to raise revenues. We should develop a more equitable vehicle for business licenses, perhaps utilizing a minimum fee coupled with an additional fee based on net income (revenue) rather than basing the license fee solely on gross revenue. _24cddc8c-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2aMaintenance Requirements[Ensure that mimimum expectations are applied to the maintenance of all properties.]_24cdddd6-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a9Property Owners on Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaTown initiatives designed to address the problems of deteriorating facilities and infrastructure should be applied in an even handed manner, using some basic standard criteria for acceptability. Gated communities generally have a fairly high standard of how properties within the gates should be maintained, but all properties should have some minimum expectation, regardless of type of structure or location on the Island._24cddf2a-d188-11df-ba4c-5d7e7a64ea2a2010-10-06http://www.terryconwayhhi.com/Position_Statements.htmlOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net