Less than halfway into his term, Goldman has raised garbage fees, sewer fees, parking fees and property taxes. He's pushed through increases in health care costs for city employees. He's withstood noisy demands to create a new community center in the East End, holding out instead for a new police headquarters. He's threatened to close neighborhood centers to save money. Lately he's been talking about laying off police officers and firefighters.
Most politicians avoid tough calls whenever possible.
Often they appoint commissions or task forces to provide them political cover on difficult issues. But he's managed, ultimately, to persuade at least a majority of council members to go along with him. Throughout it all, the mayor has never minced words. He was characteristically blunt last week when he defended his latest budget proposals, including the police and fire layoffs, before a meeting of the Charleston Exchange Club. The only way to make up the budget shortfall is by cutting personnel.