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Awendaw, SC -
There is a face off at the polls in Awendaw. This election day will be the first time folks in the tiny town have a choice in the race for mayor.
Samuel Robinson is the new guy running for mayor in Awendaw. He is challenging Williams Alston, the only mayor Awendaw has known since it became a town in 1992.
“The current mayor has been in office and unopposed for approximately sixteen years,” Robinson said. “In these sixteen years there is a degree of comfort that has led this town down a dangerous path.”
Robinson has served on town council since 2007 and he says he disagrees with how the town has handled growth in the past few years.
“There hasn’t been a tract of land that this town hasn’t welcomed,” he said.
There have been at least six tracts of land prepared for development. Those parcels of land could potentially hold more than 2,000 homes.
“We need to wake up and understand what is happening in this town. None of this huge building boom that is coming here will benefit us. There is no need for the citizens to deceive themselves that these homes will be built for them,” Robinson added.
Mayor William Alston says he wants to maintain the town’s rural character, while managing growth with some light industrial areas and residential communities. He says that combination is the key to Awendaw’s future. Robinson disagrees and says the town cannot afford that much growth.
“Does Awendaw have a police force, a garbage truck or any facilities to accommodate these communities,” asked Robinson.
Those questions may not have answers for years to come, but they are questions Sam Robinson wants to tackle head on if he is elected.
Mayor William Alston was not available to do an interview for this story.
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