James Island — Four candidates seeking two seats on the James Island Town Council used a League of Women Voters forum to make several recurring appeals: clarify which government responds to what, fix drainage and roads, slow large development, and improve town communications so residents know where to get services.

The candidates and moderator repeated practical details at the start: Raymond Owens, the moderator and co-anchor on News 2 Today at WCBD, told attendees that "Early voting started today and continues through October 31," and reminded voters that election day is Nov. 4.

Candidates framed the forum around how the town interacts with other jurisdictions. Michael Williams, a candidate, described a common complaint he hears while canvassing: "how gray how much gray area there is between the city and the county and the town. And the frustration with, you know, well, if I have a fire, who's coming to put it out? If I get robbed, who is is gonna come take care of me?" Williams said he would prioritize "intergovernmental communication and streamlining" to reduce that confusion.

Meredith Poston, another candidate, said she attended town and James Island Public Service District meetings as a reporter and stressed the council's role in local services such as speed humps and road projects. She said the town must "keep us the town we were created to be, to limit the big developments, to work on our roads, on our infrastructure, keeping local businesses at heart." Stan Kozakowski likewise emphasized communication and neighborhood outreach, saying he will work to "get communications with the residents, the city, the county, and get a more community atmosphere." Julia Drayton Crumlin prioritized neighborhood outreach and said she would begin with door‑to‑door contact and mailers to reach residents who do not use social media.

Infrastructure and flooding repeatedly drew candidate attention. Candidates urged the town to identify and prioritize stormwater, culvert and ditch work and to pursue funding and partnerships. Williams recommended creating an organized plan to "identify the top needs, whether it is flooding or storm water or drainage ditches or culverts" and to "aggressively go after solving those needs." Candidates also noted that federal funding priorities are shifting: the forum question referenced FEMA's change to the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program and asked how James Island should respond; candidates responded that the town should coordinate with the city and county, identify projects it can pursue on its own, and seek whatever grants remain available.

Development and trees were also prominent. Multiple candidates said they want to limit large developments and protect green space. Williams and Kozakowski both called attention to aggressive tree trimming by the power company (referred to in comments as "Dominion") and said the town should press utility and other agencies to reduce unnecessary tree loss. Candidates described the island as "fragile" and urged working with neighboring jurisdictions on approvals that affect James Island.

Candidates addressed constituent relations and civility. Several said they would maintain open lines of communication, respond to complaints and meet neighbors in person. On civic engagement, candidates urged residents to use the town's livestreams, attend meetings, and vote — repeated practical reminders after the forum that early voting runs through Oct. 31 and election day is Nov. 4.

The forum did not produce any formal actions or votes; it served as a candidate forum. Each candidate closed by reiterating long‑standing themes: communicate with residents, protect the island's character, and work across jurisdictions.

Votes at a glance: None — the event was a candidate forum and contained no council motions or formal votes.