Bluffton Town Council candidate profile: Larry Toomer
Age: 55
Office: Bluffton Town Council
Number of years living in the area you seek to represent: 55 years
Family: Wife, Tina; five children: Larry Jr., George, Jessica, Jackie and Jamie; six grandchildren
Education: High school
Current occupation/employer: Owner, Bluffton Oyster Co. and Bluffton Family Seafood House
Employment, military and volunteer history: Volunteer: Lowcountry Community Church; South Carolina Seafood Alliance; S.C. Shrimpers Association; Parks and Leisure Services softball coach; advisor on panels for the state Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Health and Environmental Control and Sea Grant Consortium
Public offices held: None
Unsuccessful bids for public office: Bluffton Town Council 2006 election
Other prior political and government experience: None
Key endorsements you've received: None at this time
Contributions: $2,465.98
Expenditures: $563.18
Highest contributor: Eugene K. Cashman, Jr. ($1,000)
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for me because I have an overall understanding of the needs and desires of our community. Having spent a lifetime in Bluffton, I have seen the good and bad changes and have heard the voices of the people around me. Being the owner of two small businesses in downtown Bluffton, I have the privilege of seeing a lot of people and hear their concerns about our town on a daily basis.
What are the three most important issues you would address if elected?
- Protecting the May River is obviously in my best interest and my workers best interest. I employ more than 50 people that depend on the health of the river. It is also a must for Bluffton - people come here and people stay here because of the beauty of our small town and pristine waters.
- We have gone to great strides in our stormwater management plan, however, there are still thousands of homes yet to be built in Bluffton that have already been approved under the "old plan." I want to make sure everyone is in compliance so that future development adheres to our new plan. Otherwise my No. 1 issue is useless.
- Our children are the future. Open space, recreational space and parks are vital to families and community growth. This would include parks for our animals as well. More open space means less runoff - again this is important to No. 2 issue.
Preservation of Old Town Bluffton and its merchants; distribution of accommodations tax money; parking issues
What specific steps would you take to make government more open and accessible to the public?
I will personally be available to answer questions or take questions as I always have in the past.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime (felony), been disciplined by a professional licensing board or had an ethics violation filed against you?
No
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your federal, state or local taxes?
No
Are there any personal details about yourself that voters would be interested in knowing?
I feel that Bluffton's past, present and future is in our hands - my deepest desire is for the new and young people of Bluffton to have the privilege to experience the same way of life that we have had.
This story was originally published October 25, 2013 at 12:32 PM with the headline "Bluffton Town Council candidate profile: Larry Toomer."