Here are Issues that Peter Believes Are Important to Residents

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The number one priority of any city government is public safety. Our city has seen its share of violence in downtown Charleston, including the riots in 2020, the 2022 shootings on upper and lower King Street, the murder of a college administrator’s husband during an early morning walk, and countless other examples of violence throughout the city. We need a mayor who understands what it takes to keep us safe. I will work hand-in-hand with the police and others in the city to ensure the resources are there to protect citizens.

As a federal prosecutor in the 1990’s, I helped form and run the violent crime task force that targeted violent and repeat offenders. I am the only candidate that has the experience and knowledge to address and resolve serious crimes in the City of Charleston. 

As the chair of the Public Safety Committee over the last four years, I know what it will take to keep us safe. I am running for Mayor because I have a real plan to keep us safe:

  • Increase funding and use grants for CPD to ensure they have the resources, officers, and training they need in their day-to-day work. As Chief Reynolds said in August 2022, “The residents of the City of Charleston expect and demand the best police department possible.”
  • Increase police interaction with neighborhoods residents
  • Ensure an efficient and effective municipal court system
  • Direct engagement with the solicitor’s office and federal prosecutor’s office to ensure Charleston Police Department cases are fully prosecuted

The cost of living has skyrocketed, and too many people are being driven out of Charleston. Teachers, firefighters, police officers, medical personnel, and hospitality and tourism workers should be able to live in the city where they work.

In my first year in office, we will create and implement a comprehensive plan to increase workforce housing options to meet our current overwhelming demand. As mayor, I will:

  • Create a task force of nonprofits, government agencies and businesses leaders to make tangible recommendations on current and future development options
  • Ensure all housing options have access to grocery stores, pharmacies and public transportation, eliminating food deserts
  • Utilize all federal and state incentives to build affordable housing options
  • Set annual five- and ten-year goals for housing growth and affordability
For too long, we have been promised a plan to reduce flooding in Charleston. I believe no city, including Charleston, should flood on a sunny day, nor should so many in our city live in fear of the next big thunderstorm or tropical event flooding our family rooms and bedrooms. With the right leadership, we can finally make progress on this issue and protect our residents. As mayor, I will:

  • Defeat the current plan submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, known as “the 3×3 wall,” that would adversely impact our ability to develop solutions that work locally
  • Identity immediate funding for the Calhoun West and Church Creek Basin Flooding zones
  • Expedite the review and implementation of plans for alleviating so-called “sunny day” flooding zones and areas that suffer from flooding during normal rain events
  • Create and find more options for storm surge protection during tropical events

As Charleston grows and continues to become a leading international destination, we must be doing more to put the quality of life of our residents first. I will prioritize what makes Charleston so great – our residents – by:

  • Implementing, without delay, the most recent recreation study plan
  • Increasing and protecting green spaces, parks and outdoor recreation facilities
  • Planning a multi-use sports park to host regional and state sporting events, as well as providing practice facilities for local recreational sports
  • Building a major aquatic center for local and regional use
As Charleston grows, we need to ensure we put our citizens first. As we had under the legendary leadership of Mayor Joe Riley, we need to focus on the future of our economy, quality of life, and infrastructure needs all as one. As Mayor, I will never “pass the buck” – you will know I am involved in all major projects.

We need our mayor to run an efficient, effective city government if we are going to solve the problems we face. Once in office, I will execute a top-to-bottom review of all city departments to find ways to streamline the services each department provides to our citizens, re-organize any departments lacking needed structure, and ensure city government is focused on the essential city services you come to expect. We will audit current permitting review boards dividing applications into small and large projects, and we will ensure the permitting office is open for a full business day. In short, I will restore customer service to your government and put you first.