Aiken City Council candidates for Districts 1 and 3 were invited to take part in an online forum composed of twenty questions submitted by Aiken Chronicles readers. This is the third and final online forum published by the Aiken Chronicles this election season.

As stated to the candidates, the goal of the written, online forum is to provide time and opportunity for thorough and thoughtful consideration of issues of concern to area residents. The hope is to contribute toward a better-informed electorate, an enthusiastic voter turnout, and a healthier democracy. 

Candidates Kay Brohl (unopposed District 3 incumbent) and DeMarcus Sullivan (District 1 candidate) did not respond to the questions. Below are the responses provided by District 1 incumbent Gail Diggs.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES: WATER, SEWER, ROADS

What more can be done to address potholes and conditions of roads? 

Gail Diggs: The city is responsive & proactive on city owned roads. Most roads in the city are SCDOT’s responsibility.

Should City residents and business owners be told that there is nothing that can be done for mainline breaks, leaks, and sewer backups because those pipes are just too old? Should our norm be running the faucets until the water clears up, if ever? 

Gail Diggs: They are not told this. Running faucets are not the norm.

Do you think it is sound policy for the Aiken’s leadership to invest in expanding the infrastructure to I-20 and beyond while the existing residents and the existing infrastructure are wanting for solutions to the longstanding deterioration and deficiencies that have long gone unaddressed?

Gail Diggs: We are addressing both. We will always have to balance growth and maintenance.

Much of the city’s spending on infrastructure derives from Capital Project Sales Taxes, which are approved by voter referendums. What backup plan do you propose if voters reject the next round of one-percent sales tax?  

Gail Diggs: Funding sources change: however, our priorities are our priorities. We will adjust and make the most of the resources available. 

GOVERNANCE AND CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT

Are you in favor of a process that would better enable citizens to request and receive public hearings? If so, when should a public hearing involving an independent committee, as allowed by city ordinance, be held? 

Gail Diggs: We have not had this ever come up or had such a need.

How would you improve the lines of information and communication to ensure that the voices of citizens and experts will be given as much, if not more, weight as the voices of the developers and real estate speculators?  

Gail Diggs: I will always strive to do what’s best for Aiken. What’s best may come from both citizens and developers.

To avoid future conflicts of interest, should the city hire an attorney on staff, (as is the case with the Aiken County Government), whose only client would be the City of Aiken? 

Gail Diggs: Both approaches can be successful. Both have pros and cons.

Can you explain the relationship between the city and the Aiken Corporation? Are you willing to look at ending the City’s partnership with the Aiken Corporation and cease being its primary source of funds?  

Gail Diggs: Aiken Corporation is a tool, and we want to use the best tool for any given job. I am willing to consider our options.

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS 

Do you think it would be reasonable for the city to amend the square footage requirements in existing zoning to accommodate the Aiken County Homeless Coalition building a tiny village? 

Gail Diggs: This will require more study. I am in favor of a tiny village that includes resource programs to assist the occupants and help them come out of homelessness. We need to make sure our citizens are housed in a safe structure in compliance with building codes.

Do you know the difference between affordable housing and low- income housing, and do you think the City of Aiken housing market is hostile or hospitable to low- income seniors, single parent families, veterans, and disabled persons? 

Gail Diggs: The government defines affordable housing “as any home, rented or owned, in which costs comprise less than 30 percent of the household monthly income. Public (low income) housing is owned/managed by the government which evaluates your expenses and income.” The City of Aiken continues to partner with community development corporations, local banks, and agencies that offer affordable homeownership programs, as well as develop creative ways to strengthen and enhance the quality of life for all citizens in Aiken.

What, specifically, do you think needs to be done to address the needs of Aiken’s homeless population, and do you see support of the Salvation Army emergency shelter and soup kitchen on Park Avenue as part of this? 

Gail Diggs: Yes. I do. Agency partnerships should be formed and work together to acquire funding sources. 

Given the definition of a slumlord as “an unscrupulous landlord who extracts profit by renting properties in ill repair without regard for codes, tenants and neighborhoods, while exploiting poor people with limited choices,” do you think the City of Aiken could or should take a proactive approach to slum lording by enacting a rental registry ordinance, as many cities across America have done, to provide checks and balances in the landlord-tenant relationship and to, in the bigger picture, help prevent deterioration and blight in residential areas, Crosland Park being a prime example of this?  

Gail Diggs: The City of Aiken already has an ordinance in place for Rental Registration in which landlords that own one or more rental properties within the City limits must register with the city. This program is intended to be used as a contact list in case of an of an emergency or if substandard conditions and city code violations have been discovered.

DOWNTOWN AND HISTORIC DISTRICT

What lessons have you learned from the failed Pascalis project?  

Gail Diggs: Because some will jump to the worst conclusions when all information is not presented, it is extremely important to share as much information reasonably possible in a timely manner.

How should the city manage the balance between preserving historic character and structures vs. the demands by economic development to demolish historic structures?  

Gail Diggs: Carefully and reasonably! A cost/benefit analysis is always a good idea.

How can City leadership best support our small business owners, who feel they are being pushed out of the downtown by rapidly rising rents?  

Gail Diggs: The Free Market determines rents. Not Aiken City Council.

GROWTH

What should be done to prevent Aiken’s northside, east side and west side repeat the mistakes that created the Whiskey Road corridor? 

Gail Diggs: It’s already been done! It’s called a bypass.

What would you propose to protect the interests of owners of residential and business properties which are threatened by inappropriate, and often non-conforming construction proposals? 

Gail Diggs: Work within the existing system.

THE EQUINE INDUSTRY

Do you think horses are important to your District? If so, why? 

Gail Diggs: Of course. They are a huge economic contributor.

Do you think horses are important to Aiken’s economy and its culture? If so, what do you plan to do to protect and promote the industry? 

Gail Diggs: We need to keep the zoning in place. This industry is thriving as things are now.

Should Aiken’s horseman be represented in City government? 

Gail Diggs: All voters should be represented. The City of Aiken has an Equine Commission. Each council member appoints members from the horse community to the commission.

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Map showing District One in light blue. Click here to explore the City’s district location tool.