Talking Turkey with all five mayoral candidates
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
As Folly Beach heads into another election, the conversations around town have been lively—sometimes a little too lively. With five candidates vying to replace longtime mayor Tim Goodwin and six more hoping to earn one of three open City Council seats, voters will have plenty to chew on when they head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Since our October issue, which featured a large Election Preview, there have been two different forums held—one by the Folly Association of Business and another by the Folly Beach Civic Club, each featuring a mayoral-focused forum and a City Council-focused forum. That’s not to mention the yard signs, the mailers, and the battles on social media. At this point, most voters have an idea of who the candidates are and where they stand on the issues that are important to them. So, for our November issue, we decided to take a more light-hearted approach, focusing less on squabbles and more on stuffing. Rather than rehashing campaign talking points, we asked each candidate to join us for a Thanksgiving-themed Q&A that celebrates the spirit of gratitude and community that makes Folly, well, Folly.
So, before you cast your vote, pull up a chair at our virtual Thanksgiving table. You’ll find out what each candidate cherishes most about our community, what local “turkey” they’d like to carve up, which historical figure they’d invite to dinner, and—perhaps most revealing of all—what dish always earns their vote at Thanksgiving.
Politics aside, this issue is a reminder that we’re all on the same island, sharing the same beach and the same sunsets. And that’s something we can all be thankful for.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
What about our community are you most thankful for?
Folly has an amazing sense of community. It’s incredible how many clubs, organizations, and volunteer groups thrive here. What stands out most is how welcoming and open people are to building connections, helping one another, and finding ways to make our island stronger together.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
The simple answer is water. Addressing flooding, storm-water and all of the issues surrounding that will be my top priority.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
Hank Aaron. When I was a kid, Hank Aaron was larger than life. Sitting down to talk baseball with him, and hearing firsthand about the challenges he overcame, would be truly remarkable.
Lastly—and most importantly—what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving that always gets your vote?
Has to be turkey and dressing with a large serving of gravy. Then a big nap.
What about our community are you most thankful for?
I am most thankful my wife and I bought a lot here on Folly Beach in 1984 and built our home in 2004. I am blessed to be able to jog on the beach most mornings, and relaxing on the beach is a bonus! I am thankful for our friendly town, where we all come together and respect each other’s goals and opinions.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
The biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now is trying to bring the island back together again. I plan on carving it up by “resetting” the Thanksgiving table.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
If I could invite one person to Thanksgiving dinner, Jesus would definitely have a seat at the table because He always speaks the truth, always speaks with love and doesn’t “ruffle feathers.”
Lastly—and most importantly—what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving dinner that always gets your vote?
The one dish at Thanksgiving dinner that always gets my vote is the turkey and dressing!
What about our community are you most thankful for?
When I arrived on Folly Beach 15 years ago I was welcomed into this vibrant and diverse community. The demonstration of kindness and generosity encouraged me to become involved in clubs and City boards. Therefore, I became Vice Chair of the Park and Recreation Board, President of the Civic Club, and was a member of several organizations. My gratitude for being a community member culminated in me becoming a City Councilor in 2020. Becoming a City leader and working with Council colleagues and a well qualified Staff provides me an opportunity to personally and professionally express my thankfulness and contribute to the betterment of Folly Beach.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
The “turkey” in the City that needs “carving” is our tendency to create labels to identify community membership. These various labels are described as the following: on or off the island, 4% or 6%, east or west side, and pro cap or anti cap. Although it is human nature to describe entities, at times this may prevent our community from building relationships, promoting understanding, and strengthening our sense for community. City leadership must purposefully and diligently work to overcome these challenges and ensure that common ground is sought by including all aspects of our community.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
I would invite Ruth Bader Ginsberg (RBG) to the dinner. My selection of RBG is because I believe she represents many values that I admire. Her mother encouraged her to be independent and well educated. She overcame gender discrimination and became an advocate for gender equality. In 1993 she successfully transitioned her social advocacy and intellectual skills to the Supreme Court until 2020. During our dinner I would learn from her and ask her about my favorite quote: “Whatever you choose to do leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.” (RBG)
Lastly—and most importantly—what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving that always gets your vote?
Just one…turkey and stuffing prepared by my sister Jan!
What about our community are you most thankful for?
I am most thankful for the incredible blend of traditions and honest friendliness found within our Folly community. Seeing and hearing about the multi-generational families who built this island. Seeing residents and visitors of all ages – from toddlers making sandcastles to kids surfing, to fishermen on the beach and in the marshes, to visitors taking that first breath of vacation, to those having a drink or walking the pier, to seniors walking together and celebrating 100 year birthdays, to neighbors watching out for each other as we come and go. It’s what has made me fall in love with fun, funky, friendly Folly.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
It’s moving the Sea Level Rise, Infrastructure, Senior Transportation, and Safety Action Plans forward to take action with a sense of urgency. These plans address so many of our community’s key concerns and need to be implemented as soon as they’re approved so our community can benefit from them. My leadership style is to instill and drive an action-oriented results-driven culture within both the City Council and City management teams. I’ve done this successfully within the teams I’ve led before and plan to implement that style of urgency and “getting things done in a timely manner” right away.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
I would invite an incredible European Leader: Ms. Kaja Kallas. She was the first female Prime Minister of Estonia, the country of my family’s heritage. Now, she has been promoted into larger roles like Vice President of the European Commission. Her family overcame being sent to Siberia by the Russians for a decade. She is incredibly talented. What I most admire is her smart, calm, practical, logical approach. It would be great to hear about all she has had the privilege to discuss in her European leadership positions.
Lastly—and most importantly—what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving that always gets your vote?
Well, stuffing from inside the bird has always been my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. Making it with my grandmother using her stuffing recipe that came from the first cooking show on TV called “Television Kitchen” in 1956 is a sweet memory. Since moving south to Folly, I’ve grown to love the southern tradition of oyster dressing for Thanksgiving. It is the incredible blend of oysters and spices to add that unique, delicious seafood touch to the turkey. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
What about our community are you most thankful for?
That the community acts as one big family and has a laidback atmosphere. Maybe not right now, but we’ll get back soon.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
Balancing the budget is the biggest annual turkey. It’s a six-plus-month process incorporating long/short-term plans, strategic goals, forecasted revenue, annual expenditures, and so much more. We have always strived to find new revenue streams, improve city services, cut wasteful spending, prevent tax increases, and raise reserve account emergency funds, and that will continue. Everyone has ideas on spending money, but we really have to focus on raising it.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
This year’s Thanksgiving invite, I’d probably go Abraham Lincoln. He’d have great stories and probably some pretty good advice on healing a fractured community. If he’s busy, Lucille Ball.
Lastly—and most importantly—what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving that always gets your vote?
Granma’s dressing. Hands down.
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
What about our community are you most thankful for?
I’m most thankful for the 2,600-plus pretty cool people who call Folly home. We’re a collection of folks from here and from all over, with all kinds of ideas and different perspectives, and somehow it all blends into something great. Folly’s a melting pot of friendly, caring people who look out for one another, and let’s be honest; a few other colorful characters just to keep things interesting.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with, and how do you plan on carving it up?
Our biggest “turkey” is flooding and drainage—definitely a meal-sized problem. We can’t eat it all in one Thanksgiving, but Folly 2050: Planning for Water gives us a pretty good diagram for carving up this beast. It’s going to take time, patience, and a little Folly grit. Steady and constant, that’s how we’ll get it done.
If you could invite one person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would it be and why?
I’d pull up a chair for my dad. He passed while I was still in college, 45 years ago, so we’d have a lot of catching up to do. I think he’d be proud of many things, especially of how my mom carried on for 43 years without him. He was a true family man and would get such joy hearing about his eight grandchildren and dozen-plus great-grandchildren
What’s the one Thanksgiving dish that always gets your vote?
I vote early and often when it comes to Thanksgiving! The turkey, potatoes, peas, corn, and buttered rolls all make a strong showing, but my top choice every year is dessert. Specifically, my number one choice is apple pie with vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the Thanksgiving meal. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyful holiday ahead!
What about our community are you most thankful for?
Our welcoming community of neighbors and friends enjoying Folly’s beautiful NATURAL RESOURCES! Pristine beaches, vibrant marshes, robust trees and a plethora of wildlife! Our challenge will be to keep it that way!
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
Where do you start! Is it a growing lack of civility and collaboration among those ‘factions’ seeking different goals? Is it outside ‘influencers’ that are not interested in ‘community’ or resident quality of life, and will never actually live here? Is it CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES? ‘Carving it up’ is a tough nut to crack. My solution is to remain optimistic and positive for the entire Folly community. Respecting opposing views by listening and communicating in a constructive way, not through insulting anonymously behind a keyboard. Keeping a proactive stance regarding climate change is an ongoing priority for me and the city!
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
If Mother Nature were actually a real person, I’d pick her just to see what her plan is for the planet! Otherwise, I’d love to sit with Teddy Roosevelt—a pioneer, patriot, preservationist, naturalist, and ‘walk softly but carry a big stick’ warrior! Then ask him what he thinks about our cultural direction in the age of AI, robotics, and materialism!
Lastly—and most importantly—what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving dinner that always gets your vote?
In addition to the obvious main course of turkey and dressing, I’ve always been partial to sweet potatoes with melted mini-marshmallows! Of course, the pumpkin pie is mandatory too!
What about our community are you most thankful for?
Our gorgeous beach and marshes — it’s like our own little piece of heaven! Folly is the most unique beach in the southeast. As a CofC and MUSC alum, I’ve been coming here for forty years. When I was finally able to retire and move here full-time, the friendly and compassionate locals welcomed me with open arms. I’ve always loved all of our cool shops and restaurants, and never fail to make new friends wherever I go. I’m perfectly content never leaving the island because I have everything I need right here. There’s no better place to live on the East Coast!
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
The biggest “turkey” we’re dealing with is short-term rentals. It’s a tough topic, but we need to talk about it openly and honestly. We all love our island, but we also want to make sure that everyone has a fair chance to own and invest here. We need to find a balance between allowing people to rent out their homes — whether it be short or long term — and protecting everyone’s property rights, while also protecting our quality of life with sound policies that benefit the entire island. Folly shouldn’t be an island of haves and have-nots.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
Albert Einstein, a true genius of the 20th century, was known for his deep love and compassion for all people. His brilliance as a scientist didn’t stop there; he became a fierce advocate for civil rights and social justice. Growing up, I heard stories from my dad about him during his time at Yale after World War II when Dr. Einstein taught astrophysics. As a guest at the Thanksgiving table, I imagine he’d listen attentively, thoughtfully answer questions, and foster meaningful conversations between generations. He gets the first plate!
Lastly—and most importantly—what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving dinner that always gets your vote?
Forget the bird. There’s no dish that brings together the best Thanksgiving dinner finale like banana pudding! That’s where the true magic happens.
What about our community are you most thankful for?
Our community spirit, we help each other on a day to day basis but we really pull together during difficult times.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
Tidal Flooding. It can not be solved by building up one lot because the water just moves to a neighbor’s lot. Projects need to be planned to include an entire neighborhood. The first neighborhood to be carved on should be Tabby Drive.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
Benjamin Franklin! He was an author, printer, publisher of Poor Richard’s Almanac, statesman, ambassador to France, scientist and inventor. He invented something that’s still used today, the lightning rod.
Lastly, what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving dinner that always gets your vote?
I know the holiday season has arrived when I see cranberry on the table.
What about the community are you most thankful for?
I am thankful for Folly’s uniqueness. We are not like any other barrier island community.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
Our biggest “turkey” is our latest division and distrust. I plan to engage with reasonable and intelligent folks from both sides of the divide to devise a system for managing STRs that is as unique as Folly and is right for our City. It can be done.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
Ben Franklin is one of my biggest heroes. Scientist, inventor and statesman; he thought “outside the box” and created solutions to untangle some big political divisions of his time. Without his efforts there would be no America. I also credit him with being the inventor of kitesurfing; when he was a teenager he used kites of different sizes and configurations to pull himself on small “rafts” back and forth across a river.
Lastly, what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving dinner that always gets your vote?
Oyster dressing combines my wife’s Native American roots with my Anglo heritage in a beautiful and tasty way despite our people’s divided history.
What about our community are you most thankful for?
I’m thankful to be part of a community that genuinely cares. This election has introduced me to so many wonderful people who love Folly Beach for different reasons: the surf, the music, the turtles, the beach itself, and the lifestyle. Folly is loved by both residents and visitors in a way that’s truly unique.
What’s the biggest “turkey” our city needs to deal with right now, and how do you plan on carving it up?
We need to put the STR cap debate behind us so our community can feel united again. I support keeping the cap in place, but it’s clear we need to do a better job educating people about how it actually works. For example, many don’t realize there’s a hardship clause or that inherited properties owned before the cap can still qualify for an STR license. With more awareness, and perhaps some thoughtful reform, we can move past the division and refocus on what really matters: beach renourishment, infrastructure, and community.
If you could invite one historical person (dead or alive) to Thanksgiving dinner, who would get a seat and why?
Bono. It’s kind of a nerdy answer, but I grew up listening to U2 and I’ve stayed a fan ever since. As I’ve gotten older, I really admire the way he shows grace and kindness while still living life to the fullest. He’s made a real difference in the world but still comes across as down-to-earth and genuine. I think someone with that kind of heart, who truly cares about people, is special and something we should all strive for. Plus, I think he’d have some wild stories to share over dinner.
Lastly, what’s the one dish at Thanksgiving dinner that always gets your vote?
My mom always made a cranberry apple crisp — simple, tart, and the perfect complement to turkey. That, and a sweet potato casserole with a pecan topping, are my favorites.
