The headline for Bill Bengtson's story in The Star last week was "First reading approval goes to controversial Gardner's Landing." Living in a subdivision that went through a controversy some years ago, I asked the mayor and City Council, "Regarding your vote on the proposed Gardner's Landing development in the RiverNorth area, if you were a resident of RiverNorth, would your vote remain in the affirmative? Why?"

Wrinkles received answers from Mayor Lark Jones, Councilpersons Ken McDowell, Pat Carpenter and Jason Whinghter.

Mayor Jones: My vote is not based upon where I do or do not live. It is based on what is best for North Augusta as a whole, considering a number of factors, some of which include the effect the decision has on surrounding property owners, the private property rights of the petitioning landowner and the appropriateness of the landowner's request. In this instance, the owners of RiverNorth chose to build in a subdivision bordered by a major highway on the west (Gordon Highway), two of the heaviest industrialized uses in North Augusta on the North (Augusta Concrete Block Company and TTX Railroad Car Repair), a major interstate highway on the east (Palmetto Parkway) and the Savannah River on the south with commercial buildings and warehouses on the Georgia side of the river. Between RiverNorth and the apartments will be a single-family lot subdivision with homes (although price was not discussed) I assume will be in the $300,000-and-up range. This will be an ideal buffer between RiverNorth and Gardner's Landing. I doubt Gardner's Landing will be visible to few, if any, RiverNorth residents and if it is, it won't be nearly as bad as all the much-less-desirable things which currently border the subdivision. I do not believe the proposed projects will have any detrimental effect on RiverNorth. To the contrary, in RiverNorth, which is 15-or-so years old and only about 10-percent built out, the new single-family subdivision, the City's purchase of the old adult bookstore property for $900,000, the reworking of the interchange at the tune of $4 million and the Gardner's Landing project are shots in the arm which may create some interest and activity which will help RiverNorth. Many of the residents of RiverNorth have stated they were on the "wrong side of the tracks." These recent events will help eliminate "the tracks" and make the entire area better for RiverNorth and all of North Augusta.

Ken McDowell (the only "no" vote): I chose to vote against the proposal in its form as presented due to the fact that we had two developers at odds on how to proceed. I do not feel that it is the job of City Council to serve as a mediator in a dispute between two developers over a project that obviously has issues. I attempted to table the vote to allow the developers an additional two weeks to resolve their differences. My motion failed for lack of a second, so obviously no one else agreed with me. I would like to add this: Our job on the council is not to represent one area, be it RiverNorth or Hammond Hills. Our job is to support what is best for the City as a whole. I understand that many in RiverNorth are against what they see as a project that could damage their property value. I am no expert in development, but I share their concern. I am not convinced that this project is truly a "luxury development." It is still very hard for me to take anything as "luxury" that does not provide elevators. As an "over 50" adult, I have no interest in climbing at least three flights of stairs every day just to get to my home, or take up groceries, even for a view of the river. I think there may be others who share my opinion. While the developer states that this development is aimed at "young professionals," I fear that there are not 260 plus "young professionals" ready to rent an apartment on the river. I fear that if there are not enough "young professionals" to cover costs, then rent will be lowered and it will become traditional transient rentals.

Pat Carpenter: I felt that most of the residents that were at the meeting were in agreement with what was being presented. There are a few problems to be worked out. Mr. Simkins and Mr. Sanders are to meet to discuss this. Also, we decided since this was of such importance, we would only have one reading of the ordinance. Nothing is completed until the third reading. I will continue to listen and do what I feel is right for you and this community.

Jason Whinghter: I don't view the question of whether I live in the neighborhood or not as relevant to how I voted. I vote based on whether or not a project is beneficial or detrimental to the city as a whole, not how it would affect me personally.

Our thanks to the four elected officials who took the time to answer a question many residents asked.

Wrinkles does have one "curiosity" -- Are all votes on issues determined to be good for the "City" or the "people"?

"The important thing in this world is not where we stand, but in what direction we move." (Goethe)

E-mail mradacj@aol.com/803-279-8704