the candidate who understands water and CHARLESTON Water System

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 my belief that CWS is a water utility and must stay that way. It is not the responsibility of CWS to engage in the electrical business, the broadband business or research and development of alternate power sources such as wind, solar or tidal.  

Just because there is a provision in a state statute that allows it to assume any of these tasks does not mean that it is a wise endeavor.   It would be profoundly expensive and counter-productive plan to have the water company branch out into any other area of utility service.  Does this mean that I approve of the SCEG/Dominion deal?  Not in all aspects but the electricity flows into our homes on a reliable basis, do we really need to change that and have the water company build another system because of an archaic provision in a state statute?  NO.

How about other potential energy sources?  Like many, I hope that one day we have reliable and inexpensive alternate energy sources and to any private firm engaging in research and development of these sources, go for it!  It is not the responsibility of CWS to develop these.  Again, it is the water company and why undermine a well performing utility with a new mandate from its commissioners that CWS engage in research and development of alternate power?

Now, who am I?

I hold a Bachelor and Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music and  has spent over 30 years as long time principal harpist with the local Charleston Symphony.  I am  also an adjunct faculty member at the College of Charleston and Charleston Southern University as instructor of harp.  I have  performed at over 5000 public and private functions and know the greater Charleston community extremely well,

In 2005, I was elected to Charleston city council, a position that I held for three terms, 12 years.  I had excellent relationships with my colleagues on council and city staff.  They knew that I did my homework and my word was good when I gave it,  I always had the ability to give sound reasoning on any issue.  I will continue to display that level of trust with CWS. 

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. 

My affinity for the water knows no bounds. I have spent 45 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 20 years now, completing many of the world's great swims and 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 knows water. 

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 30 years this coming March 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 a three term city councilmember and the close association with Charleston Water System that it mandates, I  already have a deep understanding of this very well run utility. In addition, I bring  fiscal knowledge, with its responsibility  and accountability, to the forefront. 

CWS must bring its yearly reports and any bonding requests to city council as they occur. As a result, my knowledge of their operations and financial status have been detailed for many years.  I am ready to step in immediately and begin serving; there is no need for a learning curve or introduction period. 

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.  They are not funded by any government source but work in close cooperation with our cities and counties each day. 

I have many of those governmental relationships already in place via my time on city council. 

Again, CWS is not charged with development of any other public utility, such as an electrical grid or research and development of alternate power sources. It is water only.  CWS does not need to engage in mission creep nor does it need to dilute its resources by engaging in activities outside of our water system.

I believe it is unwise to promote these additional activities within CWS. 

 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 candidate to serve 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 from Day 1.  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 not confuse it with other utilities or their issues but rather wishes to keep 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 5!