Hilton Head Island Mayor candidate profile: Joe DuBois
Age: 36
Office: Mayor of Town of Hilton Head Island
Number of years living in the district you seek to represent: 4
Family: Partner, Alison Yurco; three stepchildren 16, 14 and 12
Education: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, The Citadel; law degree, University of South Carolina School of Law
Current occupation/employer: Owner, Naert and DuBois LLC
Employment, military and volunteer history: Member, S.C. Bar Association (2003-present); member, Georgetown County Habitat for Humanity (2009-2010); mentor, Hilton Head Island High School Raising the Bar program (2010-2011); volunteer, S.C. Bar Young Lawyer Division community law week (2011-2014); coach, Island Recreation Association youth basketball (2012); volunteer, Main Street Youth Theater (2014)
Public offices held: None
Unsuccessful bids for public office: None
Other prior political and government experience: Summer intern, town of Summerville department of engineering; Judicial law clerk, state of S.C.; practiced law for 11 years in S.C.
Key endorsements you've received: None identified by name
Campaign contributions: $1,242
Campaign expenditures: $890
Biggest contributor: La Isla Magazine, $587
Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent?
I am a principled proponent of honest, open government. The fact that I have yet to hold an elected political office makes me a "political outsider" in the best sense of the words. I am beholden to no one for political favors. I entered the race for mayor with a genuine sense of responsibility and passion for helping to make Hilton Head a better place to live, work, run a business, raise a family, enjoy the environment and visit as a tourist.
What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How?
1. Responsible tourism -- We must protect visitors from dishonesty and fraud, especially concerning timeshares. One solution would be the enactment of a municipal timeshare ordinance, such as the one I am proposing, modeled after one recently enacted in Charleston. Also, we must attract new visitors to the island and create an island experience that keeps them coming back. This goes hand in hand with supporting honest local business, allowing them to thrive in support of the tourism industry.
2. Sustainable development -- We need to prioritize the rejuvenation of existing structures over new construction that radically changes the aesthetics of our island. Through careful planning, including significant community input for any new development projects and emphasizing environmental preservation, we can resist the trend toward the "Myrtle-ization" of Hilton Head. Additionally, through island-wide improvements to infrastructure for public works services and affordable housing initiatives we can create a sustainable, self-reliant community.
3. Economic preservation and promotion -- Through the elimination of wasteful and unnecessary spending, using basic principles of transparency and competitive bidding, as well as through maintaining real-estate property values through the protection and promotion of the town as a high-value community, we will maintain balance between a healthy budget and a quality place to live and work.
What other issues do you see as important?
Airport extension; preservation of native islander history; Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce audit; University of South Carolina Beaufort expansion; excellence in public schools; Island Recreation Center improvement; Cross Island Parkway issues
What specific steps will you take to make government more open and accessible to the public?
Have you ever been convicted of a crime (felony), been disciplined by a professional licensing board or organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details.
No.
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, had your mortgage foreclosed, or been delinquent on your federal, state or local taxes? If so, please give the details.
No.
Are there any personal details about yourself that voters would be interested in knowing?
My work as an attorney has prepared me for dealing with community issues of all types. I am experienced in fields as diverse as construction, business, real estate and property law. It is necessary for me to educate myself quickly on a wide variety of subjects on a daily basis to represent my varied clients. I am a professional trouble-shooter.
This ability to adapt and learn, while remaining open-minded and fair, makes me the perfect outsider-candidate to deal with our island's unique concerns from a fresh perspective.
This story was originally published October 24, 2014 at 8:01 PM with the headline "Hilton Head Island Mayor candidate profile: Joe DuBois."