Alex Turner
Government Transparency, Roads Funding, and County-wide Zoning are three of many issues that Inman resident Alex Turner wants to help implement if elected to Spartanburg County Council District 6 on Nov. 3.
Turner, a local beekeeper and volunteer firefighter, ran once before in 2022 but is making a second attempt because of a need to provide “honest, transparent leadership.”
“I am not a career politician, I am a problem solver,” he said. “What separates me is a lifetime of overcoming adversity, years of volunteer service, and a technical expertise that can fix what's broken. I will bring this same approach to county government.”
Turner outlined the following points:
• County-wide Zoning. Spartanburg County does not have traditional zoning that dictates the type of development for particular parcels, as found in many municipalities. Development regulations – such as building setback lines, buffer yards, landscape, and parking – are dependent on the proposed use.
While the county has implemented a Performance Zoning Ordinance for managing development in the southwest planning area, Turner said this measure does solve the bigger problem of landowners being able to build anything they want, wherever they want.
“The current data center issues prove we must improve zoning countywide,” Turner said. “ Major and minor must be defined along with many other details so there is no confusion about what can go where and the standards that go with them, such as setbacks, access, width and quality of roads, green space like older trees, detention pond sizes, and commercial chemical facilities beside residential areas.”
• More Roads Funding. Despite the county utilizing a 1% Capital Penny Program in the past two years toward repairing all 577 county roads and bridges by 2030, Turner said this step is only a beginning to all the work needed.
“The current 1% program only paves 88 miles per year,” he said. “A 20-year plan would keep construction crews working year round and finally start proactive repairs instead of reactive over budget crumbling infrastructure. My estimates are $150 million per year in asphalt for the 20-year plan.”
• Government Transparency. Like all other new candidates, Turner said this item is the most critical for numerous reasons, including Fee In Lieu Of Tax Agreements (FILOTs.)
“FILOTs are being abused to give our infrastructure resources to large companies that compete with local businesses at unfairly discounted tax rates,” he said. “Data centers and large corporations get these deals while our neighbors pay the price. FILOTs must be reevaluated.”
Turner further cited extending the life of the landfill beyond 50 years; supporting a $100 million expansion of the county detention center that is permitted for 588 inmates but is running 1,010 inmates; controlling the county’s feral cat population which he numbered at 30,000; and allowing citizens more than three minutes speak at council meetings.
“There are some dedicated people working hard to help, but the county must do more to share the load,” he said. “People want results, not promises. I intend to deliver because I value the reputation of my name.”
