Council leader probing threat claimOfficials also contacted FBI about developer By Prentiss Findlay (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Officials also contacted FBI about developer Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott said he will look into allegations by county election board Chairman Dan Martin that Planning Commission member Robert E. Miller Jr. threatened Martin and directed a racial slur at him. "I read with interest what occurred and transpired. I had heard rumblings of it previously," Scott said. The Post and Courier reported Martin's allegations and Miller's denial Saturday. Martin, who said he contacted the FBI last week to discuss Miller, alleged that Miller threatened his career unless he reinstated Miller's wife, Jill Miller, as county election office director. She abruptly resigned her $61,000 job on Nov. 17, 2004, after a closed-door evaluation. "If I can verify the conversation, then we have something that we can address. I'm going to make no assumptions at this point," Scott said. Scott said he had spoken with the county administrator to learn about the procedure for handling the situation. "I would say that there's an informal investigation at this point," he said. Scott said he had spoken with Martin but not with Miller. Miller did not return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday. Miller said on Saturday in response to the story about Martin's allegations: "I did not call him. Jill walked out of that election thing that night. We just turned the page." Miller said his wife, who was election office director for about a year, was unhappy because the election board micromanaged the operation, which she wanted to run like a business. Someone sent a letter to Martin purportedly from the county legislative delegation chairman demanding that Miller's wife be reinstated as election office director and that the election board resign. A copy of the letter provided to The Post and Courier has Miller's name, fax number and the time and date at the bottom of three pages. "I didn't do it, and I didn't send it out. I'm not even sure what it is," Miller said. State Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, said Miller sent him a copy of the letter and demanded that he sign it, but Limehouse refused. "That's pretty much what happened," Limehouse said. Limehouse has said the letter was a fake. Miller has said that he raised up to $15,000 in campaign funds for new Mount Pleasant Town Council members Ken Glasson and Nick Collins with the understanding that they would vote in line with Mayor Harry Hallman on major projects such as the Central Mount Pleasant retail and housing development. Campaign disclosure forms show no contributions from Miller under his name for either candidate. Collins and Glasson, who were elected Sept. 19, voted against Hallman on the Central Mount Pleasant development, which was approved 5-2 on May 17. Hallman had no response Tuesday to Miller's statement regarding his fundraising for Collins and Glasson and his expectations of them on the Central Mount Pleasant vote. "I wish everybody well, but I don't plan to comment," he said. Councilman Joe Bustos said, "I think the mayor owes the council an answer. He's been very quiet." Bustos said he contacted the FBI to ask it to take a look at Miller. Central Mount Pleasant is a project of McAlister Development and Greystar Real Estate Partners. The developers released a statement Tuesday that said in part: "Mr. Miller called a member of the Central Mount Pleasant development team multiple times during the approval process at times leaving voice mail messages with offers to discuss what he described as political challenges facing the project. Those multiple calls offering to discuss the political process were the only contact we had with Mr. Miller. We did not accept Mr. Miller's offers." Former County Council member Charles Wallace said he re-appointed Miller to the Planning Commission in 2002 at Hallman's recommendation. That year, Miller was elected Planning Commission chairman, Wallace said. Glasson said someone offered him a $250,000 bribe and threatened his political career to influence him to vote against the development. Collins said someone told him his political career was at risk if he voted for the project. Collins and Glasson said the FBI told them not to identify the individual. Miller has said that he didn't threaten Collins or Glasson but told them that the project as approved violated the town comprehensive plan and that it would result in a five-fold increase in traffic. He said he urged them to send the project back to the Planning Commission, which had recommended denial in a 7-1 vote. Save Hungry Neck Corridor LLC filed suit against the town on July 9 to stop Central Mount Pleasant. "We want to know if there is a comprehensive plan law or not. It's never been tested," Miller said Saturday. Miller said it was not his place to say who is behind the suit. In South Carolina, the identity of individuals in limited liability corporations is not revealed in papers filed with the secretary of state. Miller was a Charleston County Planning Commission member from 1986-1997 before being re-appointed in 2002. He owns Miller Development Group Inc. on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. He has been involved in the development of Carolina Park, Brickyard Plantation, Hobcaw Creek Plantation, Marsh Harbor and River Reach. Hallman has credited him with turning the golf links at Patriots Point into a first-class course. Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com. |
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Posted by Mayor on August 22, 2007 at 5:02 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by bluecap on August 22, 2007 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gee, I can remember when Mont Pee was a fun place with small and honest government. Now it's yuppietown where the only things that matter are growth for the sake of imagined prosperity and growing government power. Mont Pee can kiss the right cheek of my *%$#!. (Rileytown has claimed the left cheek.) All of my spending is now done in unincorporated Charleston County and North Charleston - places where individual rights are still respected. Damn the tourists and the rich carpetbaggers!
Posted by Kerry on August 22, 2007 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obviously Shem Creek is not the only thing that stinks in Mount Pleasant.
Every one of the public officials who had any dealings or conversations during the past ten years with Miller should be investigated. I am sure there is something lurking beneath all of the surface scum.
Miller might be a jerk, but he is a private businessman, so he has an excuse for his behavior, both past and present.
What is the excuse of the elected officials (Limehouse, Glasson, Collins, Bustos, Hallman etc.) for allowing this guy to gain so much influence in the first place. Oh yeah, that's right his money was green.
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bluecap, I have lived in M.P. all of my life, and I am not one of the contributors to the dung heap that has grown over here. I agree with you totally. When, it can be arranged, my family and I are out of here. Any suggestions on a good place to move?
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kerry, it is called pay off, dear. It is that plain and simple. The mayor does nothing because he is taken good care of, and the maybe 3 decent council members that we have are either just plain outnumbered, or they have no backbone. The corruption is green in color and spreads very wide.
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor, I think you must really be the mayor since you want to have the party at T-Bonz. Unless, maybe you have seen what I and many others have.
Posted by Wayne on August 22, 2007 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hawneena,
My wife and I have resettled in the upstate so if you are looking for a nice place to observe the shenanigans in the Charleston area, we recommend this area. The housing prices here are much lower, the climate is rather nice and there are plenty of opportunites for recreational, educational and other lifestyles available.
It is very interesting to watch the events occuring in Charleston, North Charleston and Mount Pleasant from a SAFE distance! It is also less stressful when the Carribean music begins to play on the Weather Channel, and the big storms begin to spin up.
I wish Tim Scott a great deal of luck in his investigation! I met him in church when we lived in the Charleston area and I can attest to Tim's honesty and integrity. Charleston need more guys like him and less guys like Riley and company.
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wayne, We have definitely considered the upstate, maybe the Greenville/Spartanburg areas. I am so glad to hear that you and your wife are happy up there. Best of luck to you both.
Posted by Kerry on August 22, 2007 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome back to Mount Pleasant flyboy68...the New Jersey of the South.
Posted by protagonist on August 22, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Scott's delayed indignation of Miller's alleged threats toward Martin is laughable.
He's been well aware of Miller's approach to dealing with the opposition through threats and intimidation.
Where was Scott's elected official scorn when Miller, as his Planning Commission chair, was shoving Carolina Park through County while supposedly being paid by the developer? Did Scott protect the interests and welfare of all Charleston County, including the town by approving the development? Maybe he was scared of Miller back then and now that it's cool, he's come out of the closet?
Another reason for Scott's silence until now might he has been indebted to Miller and the Mayor for some work they did for his little church in Mt. Pleasant.
Posted by MSB on August 22, 2007 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hawneena.....Now your hubby and me have talked about this several times. You need to join us....low crime rate....low cost of living....friendly people...low % of minorities....biggest problem here is the damn labor unions and the mine companies.
One other little problem....no port....so J would have to retire......not a bad idea anyway!
You know ya'll are welcome anytime!
Posted by MSB on August 22, 2007 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry flyboy....wrong Miller. This guy couldn't hold Walt Sr.s jock strap. This guy is a punk....
Posted by manonthestreet on August 22, 2007 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If this guy is so influential then why in the heck did this central mt. pleasant thing fly through town council? I think miller might be nothing more than a distraction. Who are the real power players in Mt. Pleasant? Anybody know?
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at noon (Suggest removal)
manonthestreet, yeah, we know. Just read between the lines, buddy.
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MSB, don't know any J, and L has never worked for the port.
Posted by MSB on August 22, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well....I thought I knew who you were.....I guess I was wrong.
skkmcm@gmail.com
So, this is not "M"?? and you dont' have two girls and one boy, grown up??
Posted by MSB on August 22, 2007 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Flyboy.....I live around whom I want to live. And yes, that is one of the reasons I left SC. I got tired of people with an attitude of "You OWE Me". I don't OWE anyone a damn thing.
You got a problem with that?? Sorry....you live around whom you want to live around.
Posted by LJC on August 22, 2007 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By now all interested people knows Bob Miller’s standard responses to any queries on the threats subject.: Its all lies [ no matter how many people come foreward to say otherwise ]..
What I find interesting in today’s article is Chip Limehouse’s statements or inferences: Miller sent him a copy of the letter and demanded that he sign it, but Limehouse refused -and- the letter was a fake. This presents more questions that than it illuminates. Did Miller attach a note to the questionable letter saying it was a fake and wanted Limehouse to document that as a fact or what? The Post & Courier should have pinned down Limehouse on how he knows the letter was a fake and what did Miller want in having Limehouse signing the letter.
Posted by manonthestreet on August 22, 2007 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With all this talk of traffic and growth it occurred to me that it might be nice to be in the paving business in Mt. Pleasant. Anybody know any trustworthy paving contractors?
Posted by steve on August 22, 2007 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Miller, Limehouse, Hallman, Scott and Martin all stink of political waste. They are all in it for themselves and their party cronies. While we pay their salaries.
The hiring of Jill Miller was a gross affair - I should know. I video taped all the meetings about her hiring.
"She wanted to run it like a business." Ha! The only thing she should be allowed to run is a laundry machine. Oh, wait... I think that's what she was trying to do.
Posted by MSB on August 22, 2007 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm trembling in my boots, flyboy. I'll post whatever I feel is gemaine to the conversation. In this instance your race-baiting is just that....race-baiting. I won't bite. Why?? because I don't care enough about you or your race to get into a flamewar. Respect?? LOL....you EARN respect...it's not just given. You also earn respect when you do something noble or something that transcends the pettiness of day to day life. With the NAACP newest move....asking the NFL to allow dogkiller Vick to continue to play football just takes any respect for THAT organization and flushes it down the toilet.
Lot's of money in Mt.Pleasant.....where there is money there is perceived power.....where there is money and power there is theft, graft, lying, stealing and blackmail. It seems that Mt.Pleasant is just trying to emulate the city governments in the north. They are all about cronyism and shady deals. Stands to reason.....Mt.Pleasant is more than 50% yankee now. Those yankee's just want to feel at home....so they turn the local government into a sewer.
Reap what you sow and all that jazz.
Posted by Kerry on August 22, 2007 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Questions:
1) Can someone post the date of the next election for mayor and town council members in Mount Pleasant? (I know they somehow managed to extended their own terms recently)
2) Can someone let me know how to join or support the mysterious Save Hungryneck Corridor LLC? (At least someone is trying to control senseless growth that violates the comprehensive plan and it definitely is not the current members of town council)
3) Why did 5 council members vote to approve a project that was previously recommended for denial by the Planning Commission in a 7-1 vote? (maybe $250,000 was not enough for a vote against Central Mount Pleasant)
4) Do the citizens of Mount Pleasant have a voice in anything that happens anymore? (even the "letters to the editor" in the Moultrie News have made little mention of these developments lately...perhaps everyone is on vacation posing with their favorite paper instead of reading it)
5) Who will be running for mayor of North Mount Pleasant, East Mount Pleasant, Central Mount Pleasant, South Mount Pleasant, and West Mount Pleasant? (the future is closer than you think)
Posted by mostavidreader on August 22, 2007 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You should ask Mr. Miller how to give money to the LLC. Everyone seems to want to know the details of who and why. I would suspect it has little to do with curbing growth. According to the article above he approached the Central Mount Pleasant developers to help with the project. Did he come out against them because he did not get hired? How did he feel he had enought drag to stop the development?
Posted by Test2007 on August 22, 2007 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe I should move back to SW Virginia. Ooops I forgot, METH is taking that place over. How about Connecticut? Nah, the non minorities are killing families about there. Get over yourself. Do you honestly believe that you are safe just because there is a low percentage of minorities? And for the person who is AGAIN talking about bringing up the race card. What the heck is someone supposed to say to that? She basically said she wanted to move to a lily white community free of minorities. That, my dear is RACIST. Get over yourself. We can't even see logic anymore.
PS Dogfighting is a TRULY Southern activity and is something else that makes us look bad. Southerners of ALL races take part in that disgusting "tradition". So look in your own back yard before you throw insults around.
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kerry, not sure of the next election date, but we have at least 2 more years with these yahoos, unless someone leaves and they need to hold a special election. Don't hold your breath, and don't contribute to or join anything over here. You never know what you're getting into. Just a friendly word of advice from an "oldtimer". :)
Posted by manonthestreet on August 22, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another question: When you inform an elected official that you will end their political career, is this actually a threat? Its been awhile since I've read any De Tocqueville, but isn't this actually one of the primary checks and balances the citizen is capable of exercising on its government. Don't we restrain government power and excess by the choices we make when we go into that booth every november and pull the lever?
"I'm going to end your political career", is no threat; it is the essence of democracy. Enough he said/she said from the P&C. How about an in-depth look at the impact of these projects and how they are approved?
Posted by Kerry on August 22, 2007 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's see, at least 2 more years...
1)maybe they can get the smoking ban in Mount Pleasant finalized and in effect in that amount of time...nah, they will need to wait and see what other municipalities are doing.
2)maybe they can decide on what the new waterfront park will look like...nah, they will need more time to obtain "public" input to make sure it is COMPLETELY ignored.
3)maybe they will agree on saving Shem Creek...nah, too late for that, but may as well buy some marsh and a couple of docks at a ridiculously high price making another developer much richer in the process so he can build whatever he wants there anyway.
4)maybe they can mount an effort to improve the public boat landings...nah, that would affect the privately owned marinas and dry dock storage businesses they have already approved.
5)maybe they could fix the growing speed bump after the first stoplight at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge...nah, may as well wait and see if another new road will need funding before fixing any existing ones.
Posted by Kerry on August 22, 2007 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You better graduate from the 5th grade and learn to write and spell first flyboy68.
Posted by Kerry on August 22, 2007 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How will he find all of the answers to all of the problems in the South if he cannot locate the CAPS LOCK key?
Posted by Kerry on August 22, 2007 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard Barack Obama had opened a campaign office in Charleston, but did not expect him to show up on this forum as flyboy68 declaring a run for Mount Pleasant mayor. Did he conceed the Democratic Presidential nomination to Hillary already?
I must have missed it.
Posted by Kerry on August 22, 2007 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry Harpo, could not resist the temptation, but I see what you mean...one more before I quit though...
Maybe his real name is Ray Nagin.
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kerry, the smoking ban takes effect on Sept.1st. They hemmed and and hawed, but decided to go ahead, because they said that Mt.P. would become the ashtray for Charleston. Very conceited of them to think that people that enjoy downtown would actually flock over here just to smoke. What's really funny is that the ban affects Smoker Friendly. Now, I ask anyone, " if you don't smoke then why in the hell would you want to go in there?"
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just noticed that they removed mayor's post. I guess you can't express your honest opinion or make any accusations on here. At least he didn't threaten anyone with bodily harm. It doesn't matter if most people already saw it.
Posted by mdtpace on August 22, 2007 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Flyboy, here is a site for you to take a look at
www.gobacktoohio.com
Also, Hookedonphonics.com
Posted by gingerisler on August 22, 2007 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quite frankly, Mount Pleasant/East Cooper is one of the best places to live in the tri-county region. We have the best public schools in the County, the lowest crime rate, a great rec. department and the list goes on. It costs more to live here but you have to pay for your benefits. The advantages we enjoy are owed greatly to our outstanding Town Council members. Miller may be a jerk (unanimous around here) but our Council and Town are awesome. For people to suggest that we are all a bunch of corrupt and/or greedy Yankees I would say that you are suffering from the green envy bug.
Posted by hawneena on August 22, 2007 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Harpo, I said they removed mayor's comment. You-know-who is the one that threatened to eradicate MSB. I flagged his post twice and they finally took it off.
Posted by whycantitbebetterhere on August 22, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You couldn't PAY me to live in Mt. P! A whole lotta people trying to one up each other. May they all rot in traffic together.....
Posted by hawneena on August 23, 2007 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love you too, whycantitbebetterhere. :)