What is your local leader driving?By Warren Wise (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, June 21, 2008
In this age of nearly $4-a-gallon gasoline, elected officials say they are moving toward more fuel-efficient cars, but taxpayers still are paying a lot more to operate some big municipal vehicles. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley gets the gold star for driving the most fuel-efficient, city-owned vehicle. He drives a 2007 Toyota Prius, the hybrid that gets, on average, 46 miles per gallon. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey just bought an electric vehicle, a Tomberlin E-Merge that looks like a souped-up golf cart, but he can't drive it from his home near Park Circle to City Hall because it only goes 25 mph and can't be driven on roads with speed limits over 35 mph. His city-owned 2008 Saturn Outlook gets a paltry 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway, but Summey said the city got the Saturn for free for two years, so it's saving the city money. "What made this one more economical is that it was furnished by Saturn for two years at no cost," he said. "They thought it would look good for an executive to be driving it. It saves the city money." Mount Pleasant Mayor Harry Hallman has a city-issued 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, but he is not driving it anymore after recently disclosing that he has symptoms associated with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, Town Administrator Mac Burdette said. Mount Pleasant is analyzing its fleet to move to more fuel-efficient vehicles as soon as possible, Burdette said. "If other cities and towns aren't doing this, they are crazy," he said. Summerville Mayor Berlin Myers and part-time Goose Creek Mayor Mike Heitzler are not issued government cars to drive. They drive their personal vehicles. Charleston County Administrator Mack Canterbury drives a county- issued 2001 Dodge Durango that gets about 12 miles per gallon in the city and about 16 miles per gallon on the highway. "Upon his employment, Canterbury asked if there were any cars within the county's existing fleet that were under-utilized. Staff did some research, and the car was chosen from within the Public Works Department's fleet. Fuel costs are offset by the fact that the county did not have to purchase a new vehicle," said Jennie Davis, public information officer for Charleston County. The county has invested in some hybrid cars and is looking at more fuel-efficient cars for its fleet, Davis said. In Berkeley County, Supervisor Dan Davis just dumped his county-issued Crown Victoria for a 2008 Chevrolet Impala that averages about 17 miles per gallon in the city and about 27 on the highway. The county also is trying to move toward greater fuel efficiency, Davis said. "We are trying to put some hybrids in our motor pool. We are removing all the high-mileage vehicles as quickly as we can," he said. Dorchester County Administrator Jason Ward will soon have a more fuel-efficient car. He is getting rid of his county-issued 2001 Crown Victoria, which gets about 15 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway, and replacing it with a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid, which will more than double his gas mileage in the city and increase highway mileage to nearly 30 miles per gallon. "This is something we have been dealing with since gas starting going up two or three years ago," Ward said. None of the members of the Washington delegation that represent the area have government-issued vehicles, except for Congressman Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, who is driven around by a security detail in a 2007 Chevy Suburban because of his high rank in Congress as House majority whip. The gas guzzler averages about 13 miles per gallon in the city and about 19 miles per gallon on the highway. The two U.S. senators, Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, both S.C. Republicans, as well as U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., use public transportation or ride with staff members in their personal cars to get around Washington. Brown said technology has not yet caught up with the market. "The price of gasoline is bringing on a lot of creativity, but it takes a lot of production to make the cost justifiable," he said. Reach Warren Wise at 745-5850 or wwise@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 37 comment(s)
Posted by Slick50 on June 21, 2008 at 4:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe the City/County should be making fuel efficient cars part of their fleet. They also should consider reducing the number of vehicles being used as personal conveyances.
Posted by Neponset on June 21, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is good that the mayors are going green - I am trying to do the same. But one question: Are they using these cars regularly or are they just using them for PR oportunities?
Posted by Mayor on June 21, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you go by a new Prius today, it takes 10 years to make up for the price of the new car. Keep your old car and suck it up, baby.
Posted by Neponset on June 21, 2008 at 6:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayer
Just bought a new Camray and considered the hybrid, but went with the convential gas model, since the payback, extra weight, loss of usable space etc. didn't work for me.
Posted by JH09915 on June 21, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a North Charleston resident, and supporter of Mayor Summey.
Thinking about the traffic and landscape in North Charleston, could someone please tell me where in the hell he is driving this golf cart??
Posted by zoomru on June 21, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor Summey....... ??
Doesn't listen to radio? ...... He doesn't need to be in office then !! Mayor..you IDIOT !! You mean you don't listen to the Morning BUZZ?? No leader in their right mind would not have a radio on to get community FEEDBACK?? Oh ...I forgot you only listen to your campaign donors....they know what is best for us ALL??? Do you read EMAIL? DO YOU ANSWER YOUR PHONE???? How is North Charleston's fire hoses??? I think Ravenel needs to mosey on up your way and use more than the "B" word !!! Is your city making money off its trash...NO!! Go to www.startech.net and READ!!! Is your city making money off of OUR coastal winds...NO!! Go to www.superturbine.net you FOOL...and READ!!! Does your city have a MONEY MAKING mass transit.....NO! Google SKYTRAN and ponder the possibilities!!
Where is that energy going to come from??? Look at your trash?!!!!!!
Posted by RTC on June 21, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the cost of maintenance and repairs on these hybrids?
Mayor, you are correct. There was an article on MSN that said the same thing.
So, I need to sell my vehicle that is almost paid for, and go buy another vehicle to make more payments, have higher insurance and tax payments? All of this just to satisfy other people? Yeah, I drive an SUV that I feel safe and comfortable in, and I don't drive very much, so I fill up about every 2 mths. My gas mileage is not that bad at all.
This " green" crap is getting out of hand. I am all for protecting the environment, but some of this stuff is getting ridiculous.
Posted by FiscalConservative on June 21, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was going to buy a Prius but then I realized I am not a self-absorbed environmentalist. I talked to someone driving a Tahoe hybrid and told them it looked good but is it available without the word "hybrid" written in black letters across the side of it. They gave me the most puzzled look.
Posted by FiscalConservative on June 21, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
P.S. I would personally kill every polar bear in Alaska myself if that would allow us to drill in ANWR.
Posted by wm123 on June 21, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
$35,000 car billed to the taxpayers--
That's the same as filling up once a week at $4.00 a gallon for 8 years in a paid for SUV.
A hybrid may save the taxpayers money for gas for the mayors, etc. to drive around, but the expense of the new car just doesn't make sense. . .
Posted by Reader on June 21, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do the mayors even get cars on the taxpayers' money in the first place? They have their own cars, and they get paid a salary for gas like the rest of us.
Posted by Mayor on June 21, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They all should drive Hummers, because that's what they been giving us.
Posted by jifdeng3 on June 21, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FiscalConservative:
WOW, I have never heard of someone so ignorant. Do your research on the ANWR. First off, it is the responsibility of mankind to protect wild animals from mankinds interferance. Two, the reports that there is any kind of significant oil there. From what research I have done there could be less oil there than americans use in a year. What is that going to do? Plus, where the drilling would take place is above the artic circle. Its a logistical nightmare. Conservative estimates say 7-10 years before that oil could make it to market. While I am no tree hugger, I believe that we need to find new energy sources, oil will not last forever. My bet is hydrogen will be the future. We need to use corn for food and quit using it for fuel as well. You want to drill? Go coastal. Let the companies drill off the us coast where there is actually significant deposits and its eaiser and less expensive to get to. In that same breath, make sure the drilling companies are responsible and do not spew oil all into the ocean.
Posted by drp7773 on June 21, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jifdeng3:
Well said, and force the auto makers to make the battery and solar powered cars and sell them for a resonable price not gouge people all the automakers closing down these factories should be setting up these cars NOW..There is no reason we should not have cars on the market by years end. Come up with a plan to get rid of the existing cars so we dont have landfills after landfills full of oil leaking rusting engines and such. I am far from a tree hugger but come on common sense rules here and get off the corn it's for food......Get the windmills up for electricity every little bit helps and these are doable almost over night.
Posted by letstakeawalk on June 21, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"What made this one more economical is that it was furnished by Saturn for two years at no cost," he said. "They thought it would look good for an executive to be driving it. It saves the city money."
So let me get this straight - Summey doesn't realize that he is being used to advertise a vehicle that has poor economy, and North Chuck isn't getting a dime of revenue? Saturn has a brillant marketing team to get such high value advertising - an endorsement from local government - for free.
I'd also like to point out that if the City of Charleston were constrained to its traditional boundaries between the rivers, there would be no need for Riley (or the City) to even have an automobile. He could walk, bike, or even take a carriage anywhere his duties called him. Maybe he and Summey should swap; the Prius for the golf cart. Then they'd have vehicles more appropriate to their fiefdoms.
Posted by TheClick on June 21, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I bought a Civic Hybrid new in 2004 for $19,500. Routine maintenance costs are the same as a normal Civic. I get better gas mileage (49 mpg) than the EPA estimate, and I have spent $0 on repairs. I didn't buy it for style or image, I bought it because it uses less fuel than any other vehicle I could find.
And tripsa, how do you condemn the alleged environental damage caused by building hybrid cars and in the next paragraph advocate drilling for oil in a wildlife refuge? Also, how can you say that the life of a Hummer is three times longer than that of a Prius when the Prius has only been on the market for five years?
Posted by LowCountryCrime on June 21, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Will Jason Ward have flashing lights on his new vehicle?? Got to to warn those speeders, donchyaknow.
Posted by eatmorecollards on June 21, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope they educate the public on the hybrids,they may get better economy but I don't know about the maintenance cost. I think that to get the speed out of the electrical systems they will have to work on higher votage A/C current. I suspect there will be components in them that would have the potential to eletrocute a person if one were to go fooling around under the hood hooking up that tape player or your local shade tree machenic trying to tweak it some. It will be interesting to see what they will lead to tho.
Posted by moonpie on June 21, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey "ZOOMRU", North Chas has Noisette? They have a that crappy water front park! And an old naval base that should have been developed in Summeys life time!
Posted by jeff61 on June 21, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dorchester County Administrator Jason Ward will soon have a more fuel-efficient car.
He is getting rid of his county-issued 2001 Crown Victoria, which gets about 15 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway, and replacing it with a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid, which will more than double his gas mileage in the city and increase highway mileage to nearly 30 miles per gallon.
"This is something we have been dealing with since gas starting going up two or three years ago," Ward said.
Hummm
Maybe if he was not wasting gas floor boarding this crown vic to chase down ambulances maybe the car would get better gas milage...Just a thought
Posted by TheClick on June 21, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tripsa, I didn't say that we don't have a good history of drilling, i just thought your statement was a little ironic. I'm still wondering how you're coming up with the statistic that a Hummer is on the road three times as long as a Prius.
And all vehicles contain metals that are mined and smelted, whether it is nickel, lead, cadmium, chromium, etc. But nickel, like the rest, is recyclable.
I'm just curious as to why you're so resistant to an existing technology that can reduce our dependence on oil, no matter where it comes from (ANWR, Middle East, or South America). It should be common sense that we conserve a natural resource that will eventually be depleted.
Posted by TheClick on June 21, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
trispa - AGAIN - Where are you getting the data that a Hummer is on the road three times longer than a Prius? The Prius has only been in existance for about six years.
And does it make sense to abandon a proven technology because one nickel mine has a bad environmental record? Perhaps we should look for a different source of nickel.
Hybrids use less fuel than the vast majority of conventional vehicles. I'm tired of hearing people complain about the cost of fuel, foreign dependance, etc. when we're not using our existing technology to conserve. Drilling for more oil is only a stop-gap if we keep using it at the same rate.
Posted by jeff61 on June 21, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not sure NASA is testing Moon rovers anymore. I think everything is being sent to Mars. I believe the best source of nickel would be the slot machines in Vegas. Actually a Hybird will get no better gas milage then any other car currently being sold. The only advantage the Hybird has is in the city because the engine shuts off and improves the in city gas milage
Posted by jeff61 on June 21, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by jifdeng3 on June 21, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FiscalConservative:
WOW, I have never heard of someone so ignorant. Do your research on the ANWR. First off, it is the responsibility of mankind to protect wild animals from mankinds interferance.
I disagree. I think the animals should fend for themselves as they always have done. Those animals do not need that oil, we do. I say let those animals fight for it if they want to keep it.
Posted by TheClick on June 21, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ahh, you read it on the internet, it must be true. There may be some people who would argue with the author's "expected" lifespans of the Hummer and Prius. But not to digress...
You're advocating something we "should" do (drill for more oil) over something we can do (conserve oil by driving less using more fuel efficient vehicles, hybrid or otherwise, and changing the way we drive). I never said we shouldn't explore new sources of oil, but why not reduce what we use in the meantime? We'll have instant results and buy some time while we explore alternatives.
And jeff61, a hybrid gets better gas mileage than nearly every production car. City and highway mileage is better, as well as shutting down during stopping. And I didn't have to read an internet article to find that out.
Posted by TheClick on June 21, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Central Connecticut State University? Is that where Bobby Bouche played football? And don't worry, I beat the curve on CFLs.
Posted by TheClick on June 21, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't remember ever mentioning corn. In fact, corn as a source of ethanol for fuel production is widely known to be inefficient, and this coming from someone who grows and sells corn. But since you brought it up, there are biofuel alternatives that are viable. Just ask Brazil.
And I hate to rain on your parade, but some people have known for a little while that mercury is bad for people and the environment. So is gas. So is oil. So is lead. So is plastic. Just like anything that is bad for people and the environment, it needs to be handled properly. Fluorescent bulbs last longer and use less energy, that's not a theory. As long as people are responsible with used bulbs and recycle them, just like we should do our used oil, they don't present a problem.
Posted by TheClick on June 21, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since Brazil has never landed on the moon, their self-sufficient energy program is no good? I'm not seeing a connection.
I know you've heard the statistic that one gallon of oil will contaminate one million gallons of water. Why is it a good idea for every vehicle on the road to have at least a gallon of oil in it and the disposal of that oil is left up to the owner? I'm not against using oil, but this demonstrates that it's just not reasonable to take an absolute worst case scenario and use that to justify your arguement.
As far as disposal for CFLs, any solid waste convenience center in Charleston County and the Bee's Ferry Landfill Household Waste drop-off site will accept them for recycling...for free.
And I'm sure you remember, as a kid, your mom sticking a piece of glass full of mercury under your toungue when you didn't feel good. Mercury in homes is nothing new. A little common sense will go a long way.
Posted by captivated on June 22, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From 8:07 in the morning til 9:35 at night - tripsa, tripsa, tripsa. GET A LIFE!!
Posted by jeff61 on June 22, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tell that to the toyta dealer that was try to sell me a hybird. He admitted the Hybirds highway gas milage was the same as other current models and its advantage was in the city...so either he was lying for some reason or your a frigging expect on everthing
Posted by FiscalConservative on June 22, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am all about alternative energy but we will never get off of oil. And all of those who said it takes 7-10 years to get it running are right. That is an excellent point you made for my side. How much is gas going to be in 7-10 years? If we don't do something now that will be your argument in 7-10 years. What if we go to war with those oil countries or some other country does? Then where is our oil coming from.
Posted by jifdeng3 on June 22, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HAHA, Man I missed some good jabs at me. Ok, I am not a "enviro-whako" as tripsa seems to indicate. I guess you missed the sentence where I support costal drilling (limited though). And yes, the US has one of the best drilling records, and I mearly suggest keeping it that way. I believe we can meet our energy needs and be environmentally responsible. HOWEVER!!!! Oil will not last forever and we do need to look at alternative energy. I really can't see why people have some kind of issue with doing this or call people "environmental wackos" because of suggesting or supporting it. You post websites with your facts as if I have not looked at anything on the subject. There are websites on both sides of the argument, but the people who oppose are brainwashed. Well what about you? Maybe you information is brainwashing you? Oh never mind, I forgot. This is a political party issue. Since the right is always "right" it must mean Im a democrat and extremely left wing. Give me a friggin break. Im sorry some people have made poor choices in their lives and have to pay $150 to fill up their truck or SUV. BAD CHOICE. Why did you need it? Oh, its cushy and big. Who cares. I pay $42 to fill up and frankly Im not hurting at all. Im glad gas keeps going up because people are finally starting to realize that they don't have to be gas gluttons and that small cars really are useful. Its time for people in this country to quit thinking af youselves. We as a nation have so much greed. If we put this energy we are using for self pity into doing good for your fellow man then maybe this country wouldn't be going down the tubes.
Posted by cinnabar on June 22, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Clickhead...per your statement...
'I know you've heard the statistic that one gallon of oil will contaminate one million gallons of water. Why is it a good idea for every vehicle on the road...to justify your arguement.' Not to dispute your many bogus arguements, but it is a policy of your beloved SCDHEC and EPA to allow 15 ppm of O&G (thats oil and grease) in permitted discharges. Get your calculator and after some involved cyphering you may determine that around 16 gallons of oil is allowed in 1 million gallons of water(oil 7.48lbs/gl; water 8.34 lbs/gl) by regulators. Please review your science book from 8th grade, research your data, and take some aspirin. You latched on to that oil bs, consider your other propoganda.....
Posted by TheClick on June 22, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's good to see this topic has brought about some debate, althought the name-calling is somewhat detracting.
Ultimately, my point is this: Oil is a non-renewable resource. If we keep using oil, we will eventually run out. If we use less oil now, the oil we have will last longer. Why not explore some options for conserving our oil? The technology being developed is not perfect, but very seldom is technology perfect the first time around. Agreed?
And tripsa, you are the first person to ever call me a liberal. Don't let my views on this one topic lead you to stamp me with a liberal label. You'd be surprised if you dug a little deeper.
Posted by lou9 on June 23, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why does Clyburn need to be escorted on our tax dollars in a Surburban with a security detail, who I'm sure are driving in two more Surburbans. Who would want to pop a cap in his dumb a**? I guess this makes money for some more of his "friends" or "relatives"?
Posted by bigwhip on June 23, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All these elected, appointed, and employed crats should be driving an issued vehicle if needed,otherwise NOT. Every vehicle should have an entity logo on the side of the vehicle. Then you will see who is using the vehicle to go to games, shows,etc.
Posted by FiscalConservative on June 23, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by jifdeng3 on June 22, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its time for people in this country to quit thinking af youselves. We as a nation have so much greed. If we put this energy we are using for self pity into doing good for your fellow man then maybe this country wouldn't be going down the tubes.
Nice comment Comrade. P.S What about people who need these suv's, trucks etc to pull boats or for construction. Say hello to Marx for me.