Middleton Thanks Pay It Forward Charleston

Mayoral Candidate Agrees to Hospitality Shift at Local Restaurant

Charleston, SC – Pay It Forward Charleston hosted City of Charleston mayoral candidates for them to share their goals as mayor and their views on the issues and opportunities facing the hospitality industry. Candidates discussed affordable housing and livability, pedestrian and cyclist safety, public transportation and multimodal infrastructure, small business support opportunities including commercial real estate access and the Accommodations Tax, city infrastructure and flooding, workforce parking, public safety, King Street, and nightlife.

Candidates were asked by Hanna Raskin, food journalist and the creator of The Food Section, a James Beard award-winning newsletter providing eaters across the American South with the information and analysis they need, if they were willing to work a shift at a local restaurant before the election.

Charleston Mayoral candidate, Clay Middleton, said, “I take the challenge that organizers put out there to work a shift at a local restaurant. If elected Mayor, I will be engaged in various industries and causes within our city as I work alongside other members of the community doing what they do each day. These are things that I have done and will continue to do. ”

Pay It Forward Charleston is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. The Emergency Relief Program provides funding in the form of grants to those employed by or who own restaurants or bars or are employed by a restaurant or bar supplier who is faced with unforeseen financial hardship. Board Chair, Michael Shemtov, and Executive Director, Carrie Larson, asked if candidates would make a $1,000 contribution to this cause.

“Yes, I commit to donating $1,000 to Pay It Forward Charleston, especially since a payment plan is available. If elected Mayor, I will actively work with nonprofits and our philanthropic community that are closing the gaps, providing needed services, and leveraging their network to make our community Charleston Strong. I am extremely grateful to Pay It Forward Charleston and their staff, and organizers, for hosting the Pay It Forward Charleston forum, along with the sponsors that made the event possible including Lowcountry Local First, FAB, Charleston Moves, US Bartenders Guild-CHS, Black Charleston, and Les Dames d’Escoffier-CHS,” Middleton said.

The food and beverage Industry is the backbone of Charleston, contributing greatly to the 58,000 members of the city’s hospitality workforce. It is unacceptable that those who form the backbone of this city still struggle to find housing, parking, and a safe route home at night. Those who serve us — cook, clean, give directions, carry bags, open doors, etc. — make our city the number one destination city in the world. They deserve better. Our people are our greatest asset. As Mayor, Middleton is not going to forget that and will not do anything to put this industry out of business or people out of work. This includes not supporting a tipping minimum wage and being action-oriented to remove barriers and meet the demands of a growing city.

“As Mayor, I will establish the Office of Nightlife and Public Safety to improve safety, accountability, and communications. Develop parking alternatives, so that food and beverage employees do not have to pay an exorbitant amount to park near their place of work, expand access to affordable housing options so that those who work in Charleston can also live in Charleston, and create more local opportunities for residents to enjoy the flavors of Charleston,” Middleton said.

“There is no shortage of issues this industry and our city are facing. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities for us to solve problems, improve operations, collaborate, and truly create a city that works for everyone. I look forward to leading that effort as Mayor of Charleston.” Middleton said.

For more information on Middleton’s race to become Charleston’s next Mayor, visit www.claymiddleton.com.

For more information on Pay It Forward Charleston, visit www.payitforwardcharleston.org.

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Clay Middleton is a native Charlestonian who has dedicated his life to public service. A graduate of The Citadel, he is currently a Lieutenant Colonel serving as a Battalion Commander in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He served as Director of Business Services for the city of Charleston, where he led the Business & Neighborhood Services division. Previously, he served in the Obama administration and longtime aide to Congressman Jim Clyburn.