692 Travers Ct.Charleston, SC 29412
the candidate who understands water and CHARLESTON Water System
Vote Wilson on November 4 to ensure that CWS stays strong
Kathleen Wilson, a Commissioner with knowledge and sound jud
Serving the community as a CWS commissioner
Kathleen Wilson is a 30+ year resident of Charleston. She leads a multi-faceted life with a large element of public service.
Charleston Water System is a public utility that mandates responsible commissioners, those who understand public money and the tasks that CWS commissioners must address. CWS has a very capable staff who handles the day to day running of the utility. Its commissioners are responsible for policy and fiscal issues. It is critical that commissioners have no agenda other than working for our ratepayers, in order to bring them safe, reliable water at the lowest cost possible, while remaining good stewards of our environment. How do we achieve that?
1. It is evident in our consistent AAA bond rating, from all three major rating agencies, that we are extremely good stewards of our ratepayer's money. They analyze with complete neutrality and we are considered to be elite.
2. We maintain a list of capital projects that anticipant our geographical area's needs. These project often take time to engineer correctly, fund and achieve, hence the long term thinking and strategy.
3. We have inherited systemic problems from now dormant sewer districts and are actively addressing those infrastructural items with bonded money as well as directly through our Capital Projects funding. A comprehensive listing of current projects is available on our website at charlestonwater.com
4. We maintain a very high quality of finished water, ready for distribution. We also meet or exceed all standards set by the SC Department of Environmental Services. For specifics, please go to des.sc.gov and permits and regulations and the water quality tab.
CWS water is of the highest quality and tested each day to ensure its quality.
ABOUT ME:
I hold a Bachelor and Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music and has spent over 35 years as a symphonic musician. I am also an adjunct faculty member at area colleges and universities. I have performed at over 6000 public and private functions and know the greater Charleston community extremely well.
In recent years, I have created a second career as a master instructor in aquatics at MUSC's Wellness Center. Working within the clinical programs and assisting in bringing participants back to better health is extremely rewarding. In general, working with members and non-members in the water and showing the benefits of aquatics adds another element to my love of the water.
In 2019, I was elected to Charleston Water System, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience gained through my 12 years as a city of Charleston councilmember. I have consistently had excellent relationships with my colleagues at CWS and city staff. These relationships are critical as we work to solve problems and develop a depth of trust that allows CWS to work quickly and effectively. My colleagues know that I do my homework and my word is good when I give it along with the ability to give sound reasoning on any issue.
I continue to believe in sound fiscal management, regardless of whether it is government, the for profit or non-profit sector or a public utility. I believe in providing essential core services for the lowest cost and rising to a standard better than it has to be.
I also believes in hiring the right people and learning from them.
I know water. It is safe to say that very few have the interest in keeping our water clean and safe than I do. I use it in many ways each day, I drink it, I swim in it and I advise others that it is safe.
My affinity for the water knows no bounds. I have spent 51 years going to swim practice, most of which in Charleston pools or open water around our area. I have international standing in marathon swimming for over 25 years now, completing many of the world's great swims and I was inducted into the SC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. I am also a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, a Liberty Fellow and was given the honor of running the anchor leg of the Olympic torch relay as it passed through Charleston on its way to Salt Lake City.
I created and direct the annual Swim Around Charleston with its national reputation as well as SwimCalm, a teaching program dedicated to adults with fear of water and who wish to learn to swim.
I have been married to Fred Wilson for 35 years and have two children, Christine and Robbie. Both are active duty members of the United States Navy, Christine as a helicopter pilot and Robbie in things that make mothers very nervous.
Why run for Charleston Water System?
Charleston Water System is a public water utility that maintains a AAA bond rating and works diligently to bring residents safe, reliable, clean and reasonably priced water for all needs.
Given my experience as an incumbent and the close association with my fellow Charleston Water System commissioners and staff, I have a deep understanding of this very well run utility and the importance of continuity and redundancy in key components of our service and infrastructure. In addition, I bring fiscal knowledge, with its responsibility and accountability, to the forefront.
CWS is in the water business only. The fees collected from customers and when needed, cash reserves, go towards maintaining a sound infrastructure and its core mission of providing an excellent product. We are not funded by any government source but work in close cooperation with our cities and counties each day.
United By A Common Goal
On a personal note, clean and plentiful water is a large part of my world. I spend hours in our water most days, training and teaching. I understand the critical need for an extremely well run utility, both fiscally and operationally. As Charleston residents, we want to know that our water is safe. We want to turn on our taps without thought and know that the product is the best it can be, surpassing most standards. I will ensure that these standards continue without the impediment of additional utilities and the responsibilities that accompany them.
We want to know that our source water is plentiful (we draw from the Bushy Park reservoir and Edisto River) and we are not jeopardizing our future by exceeding nature's capacity. I will ensure that we continue to keep adequate capacity for the future.
We want to know that our wastewater is treated thoroughly and released in a non-polluting manner back into the Ashley River so that we may continue to enjoy our waterways as we boat, swim, fish or simply sit by the water and know that CWS is doing its part towards maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
I swim and I put swimmers in these waters. I will ensure that CWS does their part in keeping our waters as clean as possible.
CWS keeps good relationships with community partners who share an interest in clean, safe water. I already have many of those same relationships in place and will continue to keep them strong.
I am an ideal commissioner, serving in a leadership role at CWS with my experience and interest in our water system on personal and professional levels.
Charleston Water System deserves a commissioner who understands its business model. It is water service only and achieving success through sound service and fiscal practices. This well run utility has provided our region with a high quality product for years as it seeks to educate the public and continually raise its own standards. It needs a commissioner who does have any agenda other than keeping a safe, plentiful water supply for all who live in our region and are served by Charleston Water System.
I stand ready to answer your questions or address your concerns at any time.
Please vote Wilson on November 4!
wilsonforcharlestonwatersystem
692 Travers Ct.Charleston, SC 29412