Q&A with David Ames, Hilton Head Town Council candidate

Name: David Ames

Age: 72

Education: Princeton University (Bachelor’s Degree), University of Pennsylvania (Master of Fine Arts)

Family: Married to wife, Nancy, for 49 years with two daughters Lindsay and Krissie.

Office: The Town of Hilton Head Island Council Ward 3 incumbent

Challenger: Ryan James McAvoy

Why are you the right candidate for Town Council?

I offer my professional background and training in community planning and environmental stewardship, plus my 44 years of service and commitment to making the island a special place for its residents and guests. In addition, I have the historical perspective to contribute in a significant way to the upcoming vision for the future of the island.

The town is facing an unprecedented shortage of tourism workers. Should the town help? If so, how?

The town needs to lead in solving this shortage because it threatens business investment, quality of service for both residents and guests, and therefore, the quality of life for residents and the quality of experience for guests. If not the town, then who? It is the town’s responsibility to identify threats to its well-being and solve them. The town’s vision for the future will undoubtedly underscore this threat and raise it as a key priority to tackle and remedy. Today, we see transportation and housing as two ways of making an impact.

Town is mulling whether to build an arts campus. Should it? Please explain your answer?

The simple answer is there isn’t enough information to make an informed decision at this time. In a few months, the town’s Venue Committee Report will make its recommendations and shed light on the appropriate role of the town. I believe the arts have been and should remain an important contributor to island life and its reputation. I am an enthusiastic supporter of the arts and see great potential in promoting our island culture and history, as well. We should continue seeking ways to exploit their combined potential.

The town is considering the annexation of Bay Point Island. Do you support this proposal? If so why?

Bay Point isn’t even on my radar at this time because of hurricane recovery. And, once the aftermath of the hurricane is behind us, there are higher town priorities that will demand attention and resources. The town has not begun its analysis, which will be exhaustive. So, it is premature to be asking for an opinion. But, when it’s time, I will be looking very carefully at the scale of the project and all its details. I expect my background in resort and environmental planning to play a role in determining whether this makes sense.

This story was originally published November 2, 2016 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Q&A with David Ames, Hilton Head Town Council candidate."