MOUNT PLEASANT — Linda Page, John Burn, Elton Carrier and Dr. Craig Rhyne were elected to Town Council on Tuesday night.

In unofficial results, Page had 9.9 percent of the vote, Burn had 9.6 percent, Carrier 8.4 percent and Rhyne nearly 8 percent. A few provisional or challenged ballots remain, but they are not enough to affect the outcome, said Marilyn Bowers, director of the Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration.

“That’s exciting news. I had no idea. Sounds like I won,” Page said. She owns Page’s Thieves Market and Page’s Okra Grill. She is president of the South Carolina Auctioneers Association, a real estate agent and a personal property appraiser.

Burn is the owner of Hughes Equipment Rental and Party Rental. “It’s awesome. We worked hard and I had a wonderful group that supported me,” he said. “It’s an honor and I will do my best for my town.”

Rhyne, a surgeon, said he was surprised, humbled and excited. “I’m just happy that I can give back and serve the town that I grew up in and love so much,” he said.

Carrier, a retired senior vice president with First Federal of Charleston, was not immediately available. David Kent, broker-in-charge and owner of The Real Buyer’s Agent, was close behind at 7.5 percent of the vote.

The town has 44,607 registered voters. The council seats are elected at large. Nineteen candidates competed for the four seats.

Poll workers described voter turnout as light to moderate. At Christ Episcopal Church, Lyn Calahorrano said she cast her ballot for her list of favored council candidates that she had scribbled on a yellow Post-it note. She and her husband, Jose, supported Howard Chalmers, Carrier, Ted Summerford and Kent for council. Whether a candidate was a town native was an issue, but the primary factor was conservative values. “Who someone is at the core is who someone is under pressure,” Lyn Calahorrano said.

Chalmers campaigned late Tuesday afternoon outside Wando High

School. He introduced himself and shook hands with people heading inside to the polls. Reflecting on his campaign, Chalmers said, “I’m very glad I did it. I had a blast on the campaign. I’m very tired.” He received 5.9 percent of the vote.

Chalmers, 37, a software design manager at Blackbaud, hoped to convince voters that his experience managing people and technology projects made him qualified to tackle the challenges facing the town. But he wasn’t making any election predictions. “With 19 candidates, I have no idea,” he said.

About 20 percent of 1,733 eligible voters had cast ballots at the school as of about 4:30 p.m., officials said.

Mount Pleasant Town Council Results

Voter Recommendations

A local group of conservatives from the Tea Party Organization, 9.12 and members of the Charleston GOP met and interviewed candidates for local races. They have made the following recommendations for local offices which we support.

These candidates have been identified as conservative candidates for these local non-partisan elections. We are asking your support of these individuals through volunteer efforts or cash donations. Please pick one and help them get elected.

Download the attached list and get active. This list is not all encompassing and there may be other conservatives. We expect the voters to become informed about the candidates of their choice. (The List)

Where: Brickyard Plantation Clubhouse
When: Thursday, October 8, 2009 7:00-8:30pm
Hosted by Ron & Margie Hemingway

Curtis, Chalmers, & Palmer

A couple of weeks ago, I was out on the new pier at the Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park taking some pictures for the campaign, when I started talking with a couple of gentlemen who were on their way out to fish. They were interested in hearing about why I decided to run for council, and Penny snapped some pictures while we were talking. There were some good candid shots and a couple of nice posed pictures. At one point, the rods got tangled up, and we had a time getting them sorted out, which resulted in fairly a comedic moment. During the time we talked, I learned a bit about Mr. Curtis and Mr. Palmer, their families, and their love for their town; and they learned a little about me, my desire for my boys to grow up on and around the water, and my vision for the future of Mount Pleasant. It was a great afternoon.

Chalmers for Council

I am running for Mount Pleasant Town Council because our town needs energetic leadership and a commitment to preserve the family-oriented quality of life that we enjoy.  I will utilize my experience managing people and technology projects to confront the challenges facing Mount Pleasant over the next four years.

Mount Pleasant is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, and as such, I expect it to continue to grow. We must prepare for and manage that growth guided by a focus on the services that Mount Pleasant residents have come to expect and on the cultural and historical resources that add so much to our quality of life. As a member of Town Council, I will look for creative ways to continue our economic and community development efforts while reducing traffic congestion and ensuring that our existing small businesses recognize their importance to the town.

Thank you for visiting the site, and I appreciate your support on Tuesday, November 3!