THE BLUE HER N
Publication of the DeBordieu Colony Community Association “DCCA” www.debordieucolony.org
Community Happenings: DCCA Committee Updates
The importance of DCCA Committees, their respective chairs and members can’t be over-emphasized. These members are your friends and neighbors, and they volunteer their time and talent to benefit the community.
Long before an issue or vote comes before the DCCA Board, it has been thoroughly researched and vetted by DCCA Committees. Owners expressing a concern about an issue may become frustrated thinking their voice is not being heard, but the process is extensive which can be trying. It is important to give all the players a voice before a final decision is made.
One example of this is the newly-implemented Short-Term Rental Policy, Procedures and Guidelines. That policy resulted from homeowners’ concerns raised during the April, 2023 community survey. A special committee comprised of owners representing various opinions on the topic met to discuss goals and their implementation. That committee prepared a policy which was reviewed and ultimately adopted by the Board.
To follow is an update on each Committee and their ongoing projects: ARB – Ken Davis, Chair
DeBordieu is growing quickly and the ARB is tasked with approval of construction and renovation of homes. As of August 22, the Committee has 66 projects under review (23 new homes and 43 renovations), and 99 projects under construction (56 new homes and 43 renovations). There are 974 completed structures in the community with 1,214 being the total build-out.
Community Affairs – Mary Smith, Chair
The committee is looking to update the committee’s charter. The committee was originally organized to identify and monitor legislative and community issues that may impact the community. These issues include legislative and community issues which have economic, social and environmental significance to
DeBordieu. The committee has evolved into organizing other community events geared to DCCA residents, including researching opportunities for updating the community webpage content, and ensuring new owners are officially “welcomed” into the community.
Finance – Dan Roach, Chair
Finance reviews the community’s assets monthly while adhering to the Board’s policy of investing in financial assets with low levels of risk and volatility, while optimizing after-tax financial returns for this level of risk, and with maturities aligned to provide cash for known capital projects.
Grievance – Dwight Morris, Chair
Fortunately, this Committee only convenes when a grievance is filed.
Infrastructure – Hank Strickland, Chair
Infrastructure focuses exclusively on the community’s infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, etc.). The committee has taken over the work on the Luvan Multi-use Path as it transitions from a concept to a project in the making. The committee will continue meeting with engineers as the project goes through the state and local stormwater, building and critical area permitting process.
Legal & Regulatory – Jay Nexsen, Chair
The Board looks to L&R to review contracts, assist in drafting proposed policy documents, and the like. The updating of community governing documents (Bylaws, and Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) originally drafted in 1986 is being discussed.
Long Range Planning – Sassy Tugwell, Chair
This committee generally begins the process of researching new projects before handing it off to Infrastructure.
COMMUNITY BOARD BRIEFS
The following are highlights from the DCCA August 17, 2024 Board Meetings:
REPORTED:
• The DCCA and Club worked together to lower ponds in anticipation of TS Debby. The rain accumulation was much less than anticipated which means algae will most likely breed in the lower ponds. There was limited beach erosion as a result of the storm.
• The Board held a planning session in June to identify future projects and update new board members on ongoing projects.
APPROVED:
• The License Agreement with the Clemson University Foundation pertaining to the land within DeBordieu which is owned by the Foundation and used by Owners for boat/dry storage, to expand the area by approximately 1 acre for the same purpose.
• The G3 Engineering proposal to provide a drainage assessment of the existing stormwater system along Collins Meadow Road, not to exceed $14,000, to be paid from the Capital Account.
Approved Board minutes are available online at www.debordieucolony.org.
CodeRED Emergency Alerts
DeBordieu residents are encouraged to sign up to receive emergency alert information through the CodeRED (n/k/a OnSolve) notification system. This system helps our residents receive emergency notifications about hurricanes, power outages, severe thunderstorms and
To sign up for CodeRED alerts, visit our Resources/Forms, Maps & Other Documents page on the DeBordieuColony.org website for a fillable form and email us at dcaadmin@debordieucolony.org.
Community Safety Reminders
Our community has grown significantly in the past few years. We live here and we love it. Some of us have lived here for many years and witnessed the growth, and others are new to our beautiful community. Either way, we all want our families and friends to live safely and in harmony with each other. The following rules and regulations are in place to do just that.
Golf Carts: SC State law requires golf cart operators to have a valid driver license IN THEIR POSSESSION, and be at least 16-years-old. Operators must follow the rules of the road when operating the vehicle.
• Parents, DO NOT ALLOW UNDERAGE CHILDREN TO DRIVE A GOLF CART in DeBordieu Colony. This is illegal, even if the child is accompanied by a parent or adult. Reports of underage drivers may be made to the Gate (843.546.8520).
• DeBordieu Security Officers are tasked with enforcement of underage drivers. Anyone who appears to be 16 years or younger may be stopped and asked to produce a valid driver’s license. Citations may be issued if there is a violation.
• Operation of golf carts is limited to Daylight Hours Only , even if the cart is equipped with lights.
• Keep hands and feet inside the cart and no more occupants than the number of seats.
Share the Road: Be aware and share the road! Whether you are on two wheels or four, there is plenty of room for everyone to travel safely in DeBordieu Colony.
• Bicycles and Golf Carts traveling on roads have the same responsibilities as any other vehicle driver. Bicycles may not be ridden after dark.
• Please reduce your speed and be cautious while passing bicyclists/golf carts/pedestrians. We have a lot of young children traveling throughout our community, parents please consider bright shirts and helmets for children.
• Walkers and joggers, please walk facing traffic. Dogs : All dogs are required to be leashed, and controlled by its owner at all times. Remember, while you think your dog is adorable, your neighbor may not.
• Doggie bags are available at the Beach Club Access and Walkways No. 6 and 12. Please be respectful of your neighbors and clean up after your dog.
AROUND THE COLONY
DeBordieu-Prince George-Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E.
Mark & Buffie DuPuis, Bill Brabson
The last nest of our 2024 season was laid in Arcadia during TS Debby! All we can say is that was one determined mama loggerhead! Since that time no other nests have been laid. In August, once we have gone for two weeks without a nest, we can reasonably conclude, based on historical data, there will be no more nests. Thus, the DEB-PRG-HOB SCUTE nesting season officially ended on 8/21/24. While nesting is over, hatching season will continue until mid-October.
This year we had a total of 52 nests on our three beaches: 16 in Prince George (that includes Arcadia and Ocean Park), seven in DeBordieu and 29 in Hobcaw. Sea turtle nesting is cyclic, with some years having more robust nesting than others. Regardless of the number of nests laid, every season is meaningful in the effort to protect our sea turtle population.
We were delighted to have three volunteers-in-training receive their SC DNR certification this season: Louise Givens and Anne Predieri from DeBordieu and Mike Eberhard from Prince George. All three volunteers worked very hard, walking many mornings with different volunteers on our beaches and we are very proud of their achievement. They are now qualified to perform surveys on their own without another volunteer supervising them.
Coyotes have been active on our beaches, particularly on Hobcaw. This is the first DEB-PRG-HOB SCUTE season that coyotes have depredated newly laid nests before a volunteer was able to locate and protect it with a screen. Hobcaw restarted its trapping program following notification of the depredation issue and we are grateful for their efforts.
Thank you to all who have expressed interest in “all things sea turtles” by attending community inventories, following us on Facebook or asking a volunteer questions on their morning survey. We are also grateful for the support of the DCCA, the DeBordieu Club and the Ocean Park HOA for their assistance with the Georgetown County ordinance, “Lights Out After 10 PM”. Sea turtle conservation is a group effort and the help we receive from our many supporters is so appreciated.
A Turtle Tidbit: “Turtle Boil” Once hatchlings have left their shells, they spend approximately three days in the nest squirming on and off in unison. As they do this the hatchlings slowly rise to the surface of the nest. Finally, after three days, hatchlings sense the cooler temperature of the evening sand and emerge from the nest in a large group. This is known as a “Turtle Boil” because the hatching nest resembles a pot of boiling water. facebook.com/DeBordieu-Prince George-Hobcaw SCUTE
DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL ON DEBORDIEU COLONY
The DCCA has contracted with Southern Disaster Recovery (SDR), a firm that helps communities recover after environmental disasters, such as a hurricane.
The firm assists with disaster debris management services as more fully illustrated in the graphic on the right.
DEBORDIEU COLONY
181 Luvan Boulevard
Georgetown, SC 29440 www.debordieucolony.org
DCCA ADMINISTRATION DIRECTORY
Phone: 843.527.4436 Fax: 843.546.8704 dcaadmin@debordieucolony.org
Blanche Brown bbrown@debordieucolony.org
LSM, PCAM General Manager
Kelly Floyd ..........................kfloyd@debordieucolony.org
Executive Administrator
Linda Poplin ................... dcaadmin@debordieucolony.org
Member & Commercial Services
Architectural Review Board
843.527.5033
Meg Wilcox ....................... mwilcox@debordieucolony.org
ARB Administrator
Grounds Maintenance ........................843.436.0066
Hans Sapochak .............HSapochak@debordieucolony.org
Grounds Maintenance Manager
Community Safety “Safety & Security” ........843.527.4931
Mike Grabarz ...................mgrabarz@debordieucolony.org
Director of Community Safety
Sue Asbaty ........................... sasbaty@debordieucolony.org
Administrative Assistant
GATEHOUSE
Phone: 843-546-8520 Fax: 843-546-8532
2024-2025 DEBORDIEU COLONY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Karen Licciardello .................karendebordieu@gmail.com President
Wilson Lowery ...................... woodfather354@gmail.com Vice President
Dan Roach dan.m.roach@outlook.com Treasurer
Jay Nexsen jnexsen54@gmail.com Secretary
Ken Davis ................................... 1.ken.davis@gmail.com Ad Hoc
Dan Ellzey danellzey@gmail.com Director
Bill Fuller ..................................... bfuller57S@gmail.com Director
Dwight Morris ............................. winpkg.78@gmail.com Director
Mary Smith ............................... mbeausmith@gmail.com Director
Hank Strickland .................................. hhs4447@aol.com Director
Sassy Tugwell sassy.tugwell@gmail.com Director
Elise Wall elise.b.wall@gmail.com Director