During her opening remarks tonight, Councilwoman Mary Jean Davis thanked the Charleston Area Alliance for getting the word out to its members about tonight's public meeting with the US Army Corps of Engineers. HUH?

As a Charleston Area Alliance member (formerly the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce) for the past 10 years, I can honestly say I have never received a single mailing, e-mail, phone call, or carrier pigeon message from the "Alliance" regarding the public riverfront meetings - or the riverfront for that matter.

I did receive a mailing from them today inviting me to another Business After Hours function next Thursday evening - oh wait, that's the same time as the Sasaki Associates public meeting to discuss the riverfront...

Yes, the Alliance is certainly on the ball and in support of Charleston riverfront development...