Ken Glasson Minds Town's Budget

Mount Pleasant heads to the polls Tuesday, November 8, to fill four seats on the town council. Three incumbents and six challengers are running for the at-large posts. This week, Mount Pleasant Patch will profile all the candidates.

Ken Glasson came to the town council to keep a close eye on Mount Pleasant’s spending. Five years later at the end of his first time, he says the town is in solid financial shape, and he’s played a large role in that.

“My goals of being on council were to make us financially sound, which we are, and to continue with the great services we offer without raising property taxes, which we have,” Glasson said.

Read profiles of all the candidates.

It’s important the town move forward, Glasson said, and for him that means sticking with the current slate of councilmen, who he says work so well together.

“Having the baseline of experience being the second most senior councilman gives me an advantage over those who have never served,” Glasson said. “I don't need to hope to hit the ground running, I already am.”

There are three incumbents on the ballot and four seats up for re-election, so at least one new face on the council is inevitable.

“I would request from the voters to not return us back to the past council and look towards re-electing the incumbents and someone new who they feel is trustworthy and will add -- and not distract -- from focusing on the town,” Glasson said.

As the town moves forward, many predict it will face some financial struggles, but Glasson said the issues are insurmountable. He says a council panel, on which he sits, will soon present a plant to deal with an employee retiree healthcare funding shortfall.

“I have already brought one proposal to the town with a second proposal set for next week to resolve this issue,” Glasson said. “I am known on council as a problem-solver and not one to kick the can to the next council.

“I will work with staff to attack this issue and also to insure we keep our promise,” he said.

Glasson recently retired from the U.S. Marine Corp after 31 years of service. He now says he can devote even more time to his town council work. Glasson also sought the Republican nomination for Congress in 2010.

With even more focus now, Glasson wants to continue to serve his community.

“I have been dedicated to serving others my entire adult life,” Glasson said. “I did so first as a Marine and through my church, and now as a public servant on council with the goal of serving others and working to keep Mount Pleasant great.”

ABOUT GLASSON
http://voteken4council.org/
Age: 48
Personal: Married, one daughter and son
Education: Master’s degree in business management
Professional: Owner, Coastal Wealth Management; Retired Lt. Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
Previous elected office: In first term on town council.
Why he's running: “I came on the town council five years ago with the goal of using the (masters in business management) the Marine Corp paid for and using it. I’ve sat on the finance committee for the last five years. … The goal of having this community a AAA (credit rating) has never been achieved, but under my watch it will.”