RINCON — Kevin Exley’s concern about the City of Rincon’s future didn’t end with his close loss in the Nov. 2, 2021, mayoral election.

Exley told the Herald on Friday that he intends to seek a seat on the Rincon City Council in 2023. He said his decision was spurred by the council’s inaction on issues that drove him to challenge longtime Mayor Ken Lee last year.

Lee edged Exley 437-420.

“It’s frustrating to know that we’ve got to ride out another three years (with Lee as mayor),” Exley said, “so my plan is to run for council because I want to run for mayor (in 2025). I want to give that back to the people.

“I want to give them the power back to make things happen. ... Hopefully, I will be able to sit on there with a bunch of guys and ladies who want to see a positive chance for Rincon.”

Exley clashed with Lee on multiple fronts during their 2021 race. In addition to challenging the mayor’s leadership ability, he said Rincon is a dangerous place to live for residents of Picket Fences, a subdivision with approximately 200 lots that is fronted by railroad tracks.

Picket Fences was developed without a second entrance as called for in a planning code update. Exley said no action had been taken on adding an entrance even though the council has budgeted $750,000 for one.

The situation remains the same post election, Exley said.

“They are still one train derailment from a catastrophe and how does this zoning get passed with a single ingress/egress when it clearly states it’s forbidden?” Exley asked the mayor and council in an Aug. 21 letter that he also sent to the Herald and other media outlets. “Your grade on this is an F.”

On Friday, Exley said, “There’s money there (to add a Picket Fences entrance). What is stopping us from moving forward? It just gets in there and it just stalls.”

Exley is also disturbed by morning vehicle congestion on Ga. Hwy 21 in Rincon. 

“I’m sitting in that traffic everyday and I just don’t feel good about it,” Exley said. “I feel like (southbound) traffic is going to be backed up to Fort Howard Road. With one accident, you are sitting (north of Goshen Road) right now.”

Exley, who resigned from the council two years after winning a seat on it in 2018, contends the City of Rincon isn’t working with other governmental entities to resolve immediate and future transportation concerns.

“ ... we’ve got to be able to get our people to and from work everyday,” he said. “We’ve got to have the infrastructure.”

Exley said another chief concern is the way the City of Rincon charges impact fees. He believes the current system is arbitrary and unfair.

“They city has been charging fees (according to) how it felt that day,” Exley said. “There’s no calculation there.”

Exley also called for a wage/benefits survey for city employees, more space for recreational opportunities and election transparency.

“I want to be out on the street right now telling them what we need to do because these issues are on the table,” he said.