Charlton wants one more shot
Last Updated on 11/21/2008
Published on 8/31/2008
Written by Scott Harper
Charlton describes himself as a man who "always has to be active" but he wants to start to focus more of that energy on his grandchildren Taylor and Ron Charlton Jr.
On the wall of his office is a big calendar filled with at least two -- and often more -- meetings and appointments he has each weekday. Some of the weekends are pretty full as well.
"People don't realize the amount of time that goes into this. When you have 8,500 constituents in your district, it's a lot of work. But it's work that I enjoy," Charlton said during an interview Thursday. "I want to start spending more time with my grandchildren."
Since being elected to council -- especially after the 2000 election -- Charlton has been the subject of blogosphere fodder from people commenting on his political and personal life.
Charlton said he has no problem talking about the political issues but when asked about some of the personal matters, Charlton responded by simply saying those are "family matters" and he will not talk about them.
His opponent, James Sanderson, told the Georgetown Times last week he also wants to keep the conversation focussed on the political issues.
Looking back
When asked about his three terms in office, Charlton said he is most proud of the way he and his fellow council members "straightened out" the budget.
"When I got on council, the budget was based on anticipated revenue. We did not have a reserve fund. The Sheriff's Department was underfunded and ... they had brown cars and black cars, they had blue cars. They had cars that were tore up," Charlton recalled.
He said council put a budget in place that includes a 90-day reserve. The Sheriff's Office now has its own budget which, he said, has brought major improvements to that department.
Charlton said his original platform was job creation because the county's main industries at that time were Georgetown Steel and International Paper.
Charlton -- who was council chairman at the time -- said he and council brought Gov. Jim Hodges and S.C. Secretary of Commerce Charlie Way to Georgetown for a three-day summit.
After touring the county, Hodges and Way said 80 percent of businesses wanting to locate in the state wanted a building already built.
"We knew we didn't want businesses scattered all over and we don't have an Interstate. We knew that Highway 521 was a link to I-95" so the Industrial Park was built near Andrews, said Charlton.
The county purchased 900 acres of land and then requested money from the state to build the first spec building.
"They awarded it to us," said Charlton. "That was a major step to get that Class A Industrial Park."
Another accomplishment Charlton discussed was the implementation of an 800 MHz radio system for all emergency personnel. Before the new system was built, there were many times law enforcement, firefighters or EMS workers were in areas of the county where their radio signals were too weak to be heard by Central Dispatch.
Now, Charlton notes, crews can talk to anyone anywhere in the county as well as the rest of the state.
Job creation
Council has taken steps to bring jobs to Georgetown County but, according to Charlton, luring industry is not as simple as Sanderson makes it seem.
"You can't just call the Economic Development Commission and say we want an industry in Georgetown. You are competing with the other 45 counties for those businesses," he said.
Georgetown County has some obstacles -- or issues as Charlton called them -- in its way when it comes to securing industry. Those include:
* Affordable housing
* Transportation
* Traffic. "If they have a lot of trucks, they want to be close to an Interstate," he said.
Those types of things, according to Charlton, hinder the county's chances of getting industry.
Sanderson is president of the local steelworkers union. Charlton was asked if union presence in Georgetown County hurts the chances of getting new businesses. At first he deferred the question to the county's economic development director but then repeated what he said he was told by Hodges and Way during their summit.
"Charlie Way said there would be industries we would not even send to look at Georgetown because of the heavy union presence," he said.
Charlton said he is not anti-union and has himself belonged to unions when he worked various jobs in his younger days.
"My family was steelworkers and coal miners in western Pennsylvania ... The unions brought a lot of safety into the mines," Charlton said. "There's is a good side to the union if you are working. They can sometimes be a hindrance if you are trying to get industry in."
The next four years
"I want to see the quality of life improve in Georgetown County," Charlton said when asked about his goals for his final term if he is reelected.
On a list provided by Charlton, he states he plans to work on trying to bring more affordable housing, better parks and recreation and road and street improvements.
The better parks are part of the Capital Improvement Plan and will be built over the next 15 or more years.
Although Charlton supports the plan, he voted against it because it comes with a tax increase. He said he has never voted to raise taxes and will not do so in his final term.
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Ron Charlton is the best councilman we have had. He is always looking out for our best interest. He cares about this town and its' people. And as for his family matters, that is not politics. He deserves our respect and prayers. Vote Ron Charlton - one last time! Posted by michaele my bell on 10/31/2008
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i personally think that some people need to get their heads out of there behinds.. you all ask and want the truth but when its handed to you, you back away like a bunch of cowards.. seriously i know you might be dealing with the devil.. but dont talk about subjects, accuse and asks questions if you cant handle the answers.. im tired of the run around.. we have been lied to and hid for a long time, i guess history will keep repeating itself. this post better make it as well.. or i want to know the answer as to why.. freedom of speech, i might not live in that small town but im most definitly a part of it :-) Posted by nicole charlton on 10/18/2008
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check out citizensreport.com Friday for the truth about all the rumors and lies that you all know :-) Posted by Truthteller on 10/8/2008
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Yeah Ron would would make a good officer, he is a great liar and knows how to manipulate people very well! Just ask me his daughter he denies and my sister we'll tell you what a wonderful and honest father he never was! Posted by Roni Kinsinger on 10/8/2008
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Ron is a jerk and those documents are nothing compared to what I know. He has another child out of wedlock that lives in Georgetown County that he denies everyday. A child that has nothing and watches his family drive around in Escalades and Hummers. He is not a descent man, what you see is a front. I know the real Ron Charlton. HE IS A JERK! Posted by KN on 9/27/2008
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Dear Candidates Debate???, Are you kidding me? You want the Georgetown Times to moderate a debate? I personally know of several people who have attempted to point Scott Harper in the direction of some rather interesting information regarding Mr. Sanderson, however, Mr. Harper neither replied to any email or wrote any article. The problem with small town politics and small town newspapers is that personal relationships trump the truth and fact. While I am extremely interested in hearing both Charlton and Sanderson debate some of the issues, I do not believe the Georgetown Times, nor any of its employees would be a suitable candidate to serve as a moderator of such a debate. I don't know why I just typed all this--it will will never see the light of day on this site. Posted by NoTrustInGeorgetownTimes on 9/10/2008
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I can't wait for the other stuff to get out about Ronnie boy Charlton. The out of wedlock and screwing around on his wife will be pale in comparison. I just can't wait. Posted by Can't wait on 9/9/2008
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Everyone knows about this useless garbage you are talking about, my God it happened in 1989! Do you democrats want to know who he pushed down in school also? How far back are you trying to dig? Maybe if he were a crack smoker you would like him? What a bunch of hypocrites! As for being "made public" it already is, this is Georgetown you geniuses! Everybody already knows! I will tell you what, lets let the votes talk. Ron will win then what you gonna say? It was rigged? James Sanderson has cost this county more jobs than anyone and you are going to get him elected? GOOD LUCK! Posted by MT on 9/9/2008
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No one ran against the immoral Ron Charlton last election when the documents were floating around unreported. I noticed you are using Marty's initials too. Why don't you admit Ron is in trouble if this gets public? And yes it will be made public. Posted by Not MT on 9/8/2008
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You are one sad person MT. You apparently have no morals like Charlton. Welcome to the land of the Sunset Lodge. Posted by Informed on 9/7/2008
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I knew about those docs the last election and so did most of the people I know. He still won. If you didn't know you were an uninformed voter. Sorry but it is true. I still intend to vote for him because he is better than Sanderson. Posted by MT on 9/6/2008
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Please tell us when you believe those documents were made public. They have never seen daylight and the Georgetown Times has never bothered to report this news. Posted by URWrong on 9/5/2008
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There will be more. Stay tuned. Ron has a varied past and present. Posted by Informer on 9/5/2008
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Those docs you posted are from 1989. Do you have anything more current? This was brought out at the last election and he won. How do you know what the man was making almost 20 years ago? Posted by MT on 9/5/2008
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This guy seems to think fathering children out of wedlock while still married with kids is a lark. Then he pleads poverty and won't support them. Disgusting! Details below. Can you say "John Edwards on Steroids"??? http://user5164.hugehost.net/images/birthcerts.pdf http://user5164.hugehost.net/images/courtdocs.pdf Posted by Informer on 9/5/2008
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I know James Sanderson will agree to debate Ron Charlton. Maybe if the Georgetown Times would pursue this idea and get it televised a debate will happen. Keep your fingers crossed. Posted by Hannah on 9/3/2008
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yeah a debate would be good though I doubt Mr. Sanderson would agree to it. As for change please remember that change is not always good. I still think Mr Charlton is the better choice. Posted by LOL on 9/2/2008
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What if the Georgetown Times agreed to moderate a live debate on Ron Charlton's TV station Channel 22 between Ron Charlton and James Sanderson? Let's say around 8:00PM on a Tuesday night. The citizens in District 2 Georgetown would clearly see the difference between the two candidates. What would cause either candidate to refuse? James Sanderson fighting for change and Ron Charlton satisified with the current direction, High unemployment,Illegal Aliens,soaring taxes & out of control. Let's see if this will happen. Posted by Candidates Debate??? on 9/2/2008
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Georgetown County voters in the second district will vote for change and elect a person who stands up for them. I for one endorse James Sanderson for County Council and encourage everyone who cares about the future of Georgetown to vote for James Sanderson. James Sanderson is a proven leader and stands up for the people. I look forward campaigning for Mr. James Sanderson. Posted by Walter on 9/2/2008
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God help us if James Sanderson ever gets elected to anything. He has run more jobs away from Georgetown County than anyone. Ron is honest, smart, hard working and in it for the right reasons. The choice is crystal clear, Ron has earned the respect of the entire community and James is James. Posted by Sel on 9/1/2008
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Ron is a great example of an individual who puts his time and efforts into improving the lives of his fellow citizens. He is a businessman who actually understands how a business works. Mr. Sanderson wants jobs but the fact is that his anti business/tourism bias prooves that he does not have the experience or mental capacity to understand how the real world works. Ron is in it for us, James is in it for James. Posted by Chuck on 9/1/2008
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Georgetown County unemployment has jumped during 2008. The rate is back over 8% yet Ron Charlton is saying he wants to create jobs. What jobs has Ron created? NONE! This is just a hollow statement like so many others from Charlton. James Sanderson will help bing jobs here. Vote James Sanderson. Posted by Concerned resident on 9/1/2008
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I know Ron and James. Both are good men. The difference between the two is the jobs issue. I know that James will address this issue. I won't vote for someone who is tired and doesn't care no more. Ron has stated that this is last term. If he is re-elected he want have the desire to represent the citizens. I will be voting for James Sanderson. He has the commitment and dedication in representing people. He does speak out. That's what we need. Posted by Windsor Plantation Resident on 9/1/2008
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Ron Charlton is one of the finest men that I know. He will continue to serve with passion and dignity. Ron, we will see you win again. Posted by Just wondering on 9/1/2008
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I support Mr. Charlton. He is the best choice in my opinion. Posted by LOL on 8/31/2008
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Our millage has gone up drastically over the last eight years. Ron has voted for every budget. If that is not enough for you (whoever you are) he voted to increase tiping fees at the landfill. He voted to increase road use taxed on our cars. Heck the list goes on and on whoever you are. Posted by Ron lied on 8/31/2008
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Can you tell us the tax hike he voted in favor of whoever you are since you seem to know? Posted by Go Ron! on 8/31/2008
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