John's Priorities

During my time on City Council, I have worked to ensure our island thrives while preserving its unique charm. My priorities remain focused on residents first.

Protect Residents’ Quality of Life

Our Island is a truly special place—blessed with a beautiful beach, amazing restaurants, a vibrant community, and endless opportunities for fun. It’s no wonder visitors come from near and far to experience the charm of our Island. While I welcome and celebrate tourism, I believe we must also protect the rights, freedoms, and quality of life of our residents. As the surrounding population grows, we face increasing challenges with parking, traffic, and the rapid rise of short-term rentals. Without thoughtful action, these pressures could disrupt the peace, character, and livability of our neighborhoods.

I believe we can find a healthy balance—where visitors, local businesses, and residents all thrive together. I am committed to leading and supporting initiatives that make this possible:

Traffic Flow Reform: Implement smart, creative solutions to keep vehicles moving safely and efficiently.
Palm Blvd Upgrade: Enhance safety, accessibility, and flow along this key roadway.
Visitor Parking: ALWAYS protect residential neighborhoods from visitor parking.
Family-Friendly Branding: Promote and brand Isle of Palms as a welcoming, family-oriented destination.
Short-Term Rental Solutions: Maintain a balance between rental opportunities and permanent residency.
Neighborhood Preservation: Support policy decisions that protect the quiet, family-friendly character of our residential areas.
Tourism Impact Management: Use data-driven strategies to maximize tourism’s benefits while minimizing disruption for residents.

Provide Effective Governance

I believe City Council’s primary role is to create thoughtful strategies and effective policies that address our island’s long-term needs. By planning ahead, we can anticipate challenges and address them before they become urgent, rather than reacting to crises. The City Administrator and staff implement these policies under the Council’s direction, and I believe residents should have a strong voice in shaping our community—encouraging active participation through voluntary advisory groups.

I’m committed to using modern technology for data collection, informed decision-making, improved operations, and clear communication—keeping residents updated on Council decisions, tracking progress on key projects, and ensuring the City runs efficiently. Building strong connections beyond the island, especially with the state legislature, is also a priority to secure resources and support. I am dedicated to:

Proactive Policy Making: Provide the leadership to develop proactive strategies to address potential issues, prioritizing long-term benefits for the community.
Accountability to Residents: Ensure every policy decision is transparent, clearly explained, and justifiable to those most affected.
Resident Involvement: Encourage participation on voluntary advisory groups to give residents a direct and meaningful role in shaping city policy.
Improved Technology: Invest in modern systems and digital tools that streamline city services, enhance operations, and make it easier for residents to access information.
State-Level Advocacy: Build strong relationships with state legislators and the Governor’s office to represent Isle of Palms’ needs beyond the island effectively.

Safe Communities: The Foundation of Quality of Life

Public safety is the cornerstone of a thriving community. I support giving our first responders the resources, staffing, and technology they need—while ensuring laws are enforced fairly and consistently to protect everyone. My priorities for public safety include:

Active Policing: Enforce all laws—big and small—to keep our community safe and orderly.
Fully Staffed Departments: Maintain well-trained, fully staffed police, fire, and emergency response teams.
Modern Technology: Equip first responders with the latest tools to respond quickly and effectively.
Transparent Crime Data: Share clear, timely crime statistics so residents stay informed.
Emergency Preparedness: Strengthen planning and response for hurricanes, flooding, and other emergencies.

Ensure Management & Fiscal Responsibility

With many years of experience as both a CEO and CFO, I know how to balance budgets, set smart priorities, and achieve results without waste. As a council member, I will safeguard taxpayer dollars while making strategic investments that will keep our community strong for years to come. I support:

Responsible Budgeting: Fund essential services while eliminating unnecessary spending.
Strategic Investments: Focus resources on projects with clear, measurable community benefits.
Financial Transparency: Publish clear, easy-to-understand budget reports for residents.
Long-Term Planning: Prioritize sustainable solutions over short-term fixes to save money over time.
Smart Technology Use: Implement modern tools for better financial tracking and analysis.

Protect Our Natural Resources

The beaches, waterways, and green spaces of Isle of Palms are its greatest treasures. I believe preserving them is both an environmental responsibility and an economic necessity, that's why I support:

Beach Preservation: Advocate for renourishment and erosion control projects.
Water Quality Protection: Support measures to reduce pollution and maintain clean waterways.
Responsible Development: Ensure new construction and renovations meet high environmental standards.
Community Education: Partner with local organizations to promote conservation awareness among residents and visitors.