THE
BLUE HER N
April 2016 Issue
Publication of the DeBordieu Colony Community Association “DCCA” www.debordieucolony.org
Message From the DCCA President
Dear Friends and Neighbors: It is hard to believe that it was 11 months ago that I received the honor of becoming President of the DCCA Board, and with the help of many, the community has survived my time in office. I will leave the Board in May after three years, and I will depart with a lasting appreciation for the men and women who serve our community on the Board and on the numerous committees. They have been inspiring. In any community, the challenge for those who serve is to balance the many divergent views of property owners who, not surprisingly, have a variety of different opinions and parochial interests. Some of you have heard me say that if we get four different opinions on an issue and choose one, we have made one person happy and convinced three that the Board doesn’t listen to anyone. In the three years I have been on the Board, proposals and suggestions have been welcomed and all have been discussed at the committee level; some have been adopted or have influenced decisions, and all are given consideration. As to be expected, many proposals are polar opposites of others received. Shortly after our annual meeting last May, our restored beach was dedicated after being completed on time and on budget. It was done just in time to protect our community – houses, roads and infrastructure – from the impact of Super Storm Joaquin, and today it stands ready and waiting for our numerous beach lovers. Following our beach restoration, a number of community members approached us and suggested that we formulate a long term plan for the beach which would include a way to spread out beach assessments so that property owners do not get hit so hard all at once. The Long Term Planning Committee and the Board have been working on such an approach, and a feasibility study of our beach was conducted by an outside expert. Following several
peer reviews of the study, we will share at our April Board meeting and our May annual meeting details of the study, as well as make a presentation on DeBordieu Beach possibilities, including a long term solution to preserve the asset which makes DeBordieu truly unique. As this is my last Blue Heron letter, I would be remiss in not mentioning what a pleasure it has been to work with the DCCA staff. I am sure that they are tired of seeing my face, but I will leave with a deep appreciation of their effectiveness and efficiency. Blanche has assembled a remarkable staff, and they work together smoothly and impressively for the good of the DeBordieu community. My thanks go out to each and every one of them for the support they have given me. Blanche continues to provide very effective leadership and her ability to see and seize opportunities to improve the community is impressive. From the positive comments I have received from government and regulatory officials whom she routinely deals with as well as leaders from other communities, I can report that her professionalism has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. In addition to the support I have received from Board and Committee members, as well as the DCCA staff, I want to thank the entire community for their support, their good will and good cheer. The last year has been an honor. Certainly there have been occasional disagreements, but as Dalai Lama said, “Disagreement is something normal”. Thank You Jim Christian
AR UND THE COLONY S.C.U.T.E.
Betsy Brabson and Robin Baughn During the winter months loggerhead sea turtles travel and forage in the warm currents of the Gulf Stream. As water temperatures warm, they swim back into our coastal waters. Mating usually occurs in March and April, then females come ashore in May - August to lay three to five nests during the season they are fertile. Eggs incubate in the sand for approximately 55-60 days before hatching July October, usually at night. Hatchlings then make a dash to the ocean and begin a swimming frenzy that takes them to the ‘great blue highway’, the Gulf Stream. At DeBordieu, we are getting organized for this much anticipated annual event. We have a dedicated group of volunteers, residents and non-residents, who eagerly gear up in early May with back packs and pool cues to hit the beach and search for turtle tracks. Once found, volunteers determine where the eggs are located then mark and protect the nests. On occasion, a nest may need to be relocated because it is laid too low on the beach or is in an inconvenient location.
Protect Yourself, Your Family and Community from Mosquitoes
1. Eliminate standing water in and around your home. • Empty items that hold water (buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, flowerpots, etc.) • Tightly cover water storage containers (rain barrels, etc.) so mosquitos cannot get inside to lay eggs. • Use mesh for containers without lids 2. Prevent mosquito bites by using EPA-registered insect repellent. 3. For more information visit: www.cdc.gov
DeBordieu Members “opt-in” with CodeRed
Since 2010, DeBordieu Real Estate has sponsored our turtle project and provided us with a website, www.debordieuscute.org. Each year we adopt a sea turtle that is outfitted with satellite telemetry. The CodeRed system allows DCCA staff to send emergency Click on the website to track our adopted turtle ‘Harold’s’ journey announcements to residents alerting them to a critical situation. through the North Atlantic gyre. DeBordieu members “opt-in” for CodeRed text messages by providing cell phone numbers and provider information. Members If you are interested in learning more about our project, DeBordieu have the option to “opt-in” to receive information via cell phone, & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E., there will be a meeting on Sunday, April texts or emails. Contact DCCA office for more information. 17 at 4 pm on the Blue Heron Deck at the Beach Club. If you have questions, call or email Betsy Brabson (843-546-9531, betsybrabson@gmail.com).
Homeowners Insurance Credit Available for FireWise Community Certification
DeBordieu Colony’s certification as a FireWise Community could earn residents a discounted homeowner’s insurance rate. Check with your insurance agent to see if you qualify. A copy of the 2016 certification is located on the DCCA website, www.debordieucolony.org.
Community ARB Reminders Thinking of adding a basketball goal, swing set, trampoline, sporting equipment or other types of play structures? Contact the ARB office, mwilcox@debordieucolony.org for the rules and submittal requirements. DeBordieu History: S.C. Department of History and Archives approved a historical marker at the entrance of the Old Carriage Road. This road was used by Waccamaw Neck families summering near the coast to avoid malaria.
REMINDER - Trashcans are not permitted to be stored (more than 24 hours) in a driveway or outside of the garage doors. Our Community Covenants require that outside trashcans be kept in the home’s designated outside storage area, (service court); completely out of sight from the road and neighbors.
Housekeeping Issues as I go out the door….. As I head out the door, I feel I must give a few reminders regarding what I will call community housekeeping issues. •
First, please be aware that our security officers are certified by SLED as full law enforcement officers while they are working in DeBordieu. This means that they have police powers here, and while none of us want anything but positive interaction between the officers and our property owners and their guests, it is important that the officers be treated with respect and receive full cooperation from all with whom they come in contact while performing their assigned duties.
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Still under housekeeping, it has been noted that there has been an increase in the number of doggie packages left on the beach. It may be that some consider pickups only important during our summer season, but we do have adults and children on the beach year round and we all need to respect our neighbors.
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Lastly, we are still seeing household trash being dumped in our recycling bins. As expected, it does not go unnoticed by our contractor, whose processing costs go up and of course they are passed on. Please dispose of your house trash appropriately.
Thanks for help keeping DeBordieu a truly special place. Jim Christian
SHRED DAY
Protect your identity and the environment
DATE: FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 TIME: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM LOCATION: Pavilion Mobile trucks will provide quick, confidential destruction of your documents while you wait. This service provided as a courtesy to DeBordieu residents by the DCCA.
Spring Fling Friday, April 8 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM At The Pavilion
COMMUNITY BOARD BRIEFS
Hosted by: Libby & Tom Moon and Sara & Kenny Michaels
The following are highlights from the DCCA March 18, 2016 Board Meeting
Spring Fling is a community event! Everyone is welcome!
Reported: • The Nominating Committee’s slate of candidates for election to the Board of Directors: Chris Bridgeman, Susan Davis, Bob DeVey and Greg Frost. •
“Shred Day” is scheduled for May 13 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Pavilion. This event is free to all DeBordieu residents who will be able to watch the quick and confidential destruction of their documents.
Approved: •
The 2016 insurance premium package including General Liability, Auto, Inland Marine, and Workers Comp Policy for 2016-2017 in the amount of $66,993 underwritten by Traveler’s Insurance.
• Clarification of the ARB Policy Lot Clearing Permit to include requirements, violations and penalties on the permit form. Approved Board minutes are available online at www.debordieucolony.org
$15 per adult/$5 per child (ages 5-15) with a dish $25 per adult/$10 per child (ages 5-15) without a dish Children 4 and under are free. Dish Categories: Salad,Vegetable, Pasta/Potato or Dessert. Each dish should feed 12-15 people. Reservations: Between March 1 and April 1. Call Danielle Pope at 843-527-4436 or email dcaadmin@ debordieucolony.org. Please indicate what dish you will be bringing as well as the full name of each person in your party. Payment: Pay in advance on club account or with personal check. Checks made payable to “Spring Fling” may be dropped off in advance to the DCCA Administration Office. RSVP Deadline: Friday April 1 * 72 Hour Cancellation Policy applies to this event
Spring has sprung…
Richard M. Kaminski, Ph.D., Director, James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science Spring has sprung, at least for wood ducks (Aix sponsa) breeding in DeBordieu Colony. Wood ducks, the state duck of South Carolina, are already nesting in wooden structures placed on wetlands throughout the Colony. These ducks are getting a jump on spring, which begins March 20, 2016. About 30 nest boxes were inspected February19-20, 2016 by Clemson University wildlife majors, who are enrolled in Clemson’s Creative Inquiry program and are serving undergraduate internships with the James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center. Mr. James C. Kennedy of Atlanta, Georgia established the Kennedy Center with a gift of $3.3 million in 2014 to endow the waterfowl and wetlands program in perpetuity at Clemson University and the Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science. The Institute and DeBordieu Colony are collaborating in ecological and management evaluations, including this wood duck nest box study. Southern populations of wood ducks, like those inhabiting DeBordieu, have a protracted breeding season, nesting from January through JuneJuly. However, the “early bird” may not always “get the worm.” Our earlier research on box-nesting wood ducks in Mississippi and Alabama revealed that hens hatching ducklings in March-May often lost offspring to a variety of predators, notably fish, snakes, hawks, herons, egrets, bull frogs, turtles, alligators, and mink. Indeed, predators and early spring persistent cold weather take their toll on ducklings. Imagine one-day old ducklings, weighing about an ounce, and jumping from a natural cavity or nest structure into cold water and having to swim to cover, only to fall prey to a bass or another predator hungry after a period of winter lethargy.
Surprisingly, our research has shown that hens that hatch and rear ducklings in June through summer recruit significantly more young into the fall population than ducklings hatched in spring. So, the “early bird doesn’t always get the worm,” at least for southern populations of wood ducks. Because these wood ducks have the propensity to nest multiple times each spring-summer, they may have greater probability of successfully fledging a brood than their northern counterparts with a shorter breeding season. This pattern of enhanced summer-time reproductive success by female wood ducks contrasts with adaptations for early nesting by wood ducks and other waterfowl breeding at northern latitudes. The 60 or so wood duck boxes now scattered about DeBordieu Colony are sound structures mounted on treated posts and equipped with a predator guard. The guard is a critical component; it prevents snakes and raccoons from climbing the post and gaining access to hens and eggs. However, proper location of nest boxes is paramount. Our research has revealed that boxes in wetlands placed adjacent to dense herbaceous or woody shoreline vegetation enable ducklings to seek cover immediately after nest exodus and increase their probability of survival. Importantly, boxes should not be placed under tree limbs that snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and cats can use to
access boxes and depredate hens and eggs. A pruning device or pole saw are useful tools to remove limbs overhanging boxes. Research shows that survival through about the first week of life is critical to survival to fledging. How do we know this phenomenon? Because, we placed tiny radio-transmitters on brood hens and ducklings and determined their movements and survival post-hatching. From lake and river sites, the broods often sought wetlands disjunct from these lakes that had dense scrub-shrub vegetation such as willow, buttonbush, and privet. This dense cover seemingly precluded red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) and other major predators from preying on ducklings.
So, what are optimal locations for wood duck nest structures on DeBordieu wetlands to maximize survival and recruitment of ducklings and hens into the fall population? Nest boxes should be placed over water, not dry land, and next to dense herbaceous or woody cover such as cattails, buttonbush, willows, and wax myrtle overhanging shorelines, where hens and ducklings can seek cover from bass and other predators and glean insects and other invertebrates from vegetative surfaces. Terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates are protein-rich foods for ducklings and critical to their plumage development, growth, and survival. You may have seen us erecting and moving boxes in wetlands. Our purpose was to place them in more optimal locations with brood cover as described above. Suboptimal locations, termed “ecological traps,” are along shorelines with manicured lawns and distant from rank shoreline cover. David Sapp’s crew is constructing additional boxes, which we plan to install along the shoreline of Bridge Pond with its dense shoreline cover. Also, you may have noticed the box placed in the wetland as you enter DeBordieu Colony from Highway 17. That pond, although it may contain an alligator, is connected to a swamp, which is indigenous nesting and brood rearing habitat of wood ducks, hence their name— wood ducks. We also installed additional boxes in this swamp east of the entrance on both sides of the road. These are ideal nesting and especially brood rearing habitats. How would we know if our nest box management program is recruiting ducklings into the fall population? We would have to replicate our research done in Mississippi and Alabama in which we placed radiotransmitters on hens and ducklings and monitored their movements and survival. Merely inspecting boxes for evidence of hatched ducklings (i.e., presence of egg shell membranes) informs us how many ducklings exited the box but does not reveal their fate after nest departure. We look forward to continuing the wood duck project this spring and summer, perhaps expanding it to examine duckling survival using radiotelemetry, and begin discussions with Ducks Unlimited for restoration and management of wetlands in DeBordieu Colony and surrounding properties. Please stay tuned for updates on our studies. We are indebted for DeBordieu Colony’s support and collaboration.
2016 DCCA Board of Directors Nominee Profiles Christopher “Chris” G. Bridgeman
Chris Bridgeman earned his Industrial Engineering degree from General Motors Institute, now known as Kettering University, and has lived in Michigan all of his adult life. Chris has over 40 years of industry experience with leadership and management consulting roles at General Motors, Electronic Data Systems, and A.T. Kearney before retiring in 2006. Chris has been active in community organizations in Michigan including President of the Ortonville Village Council, Chairman of the Brandon Township Fire and Police Board, and Chairman of the Ortonville Planning Commission. More recently Chris has volunteered at Tidelands Hospice, served on the DeBordieu Club Golf Committee, and is currently serving on the DCCA Long Range Planning Committee. Chris and his wife Cindy have owned property in DeBordieu since 1999 and built their current home in 2007. They have 4 sons and 7 grandchildren and split their time between DeBordieu and Ortonville, Michigan.
Susan N. Davis
Susan N. Davis holds a BSN from the University of Michigan. She held various nursing positions at the VA Hospitals in Ann Arbor and New Orleans, before teaching at the School of Nursing at Albany Medical Center and in the burn unit at West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh. She chaired the Founding Advisory Board of the Luzerne Foundation, was a board member and board president of the Children’s Service Center of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was a co-founder of the International Children’s Theatre Festival, served on the Board of Trustees of Wyoming Seminary, and the Luzerne County Library System Board. She is a board member of The South Carolina Maritime Museum, actively involved in the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, and a member of the Winyah Chapter of the DAR. Susan and her husband, Dan, live full-time in DeBordieu. They have 3 sons and 5 grandchildren.
Robert “Bob” DeVey
Bob holds a MBA with a concentration in health care from Northeastern University and a BS in Accounting from Albany University. He recently retired as interim CFO with Tatum, and before that worked as CFO at Sisters of Providence Healthcare System; CFO at Allegiance Health System; and as Controller at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He has served on boards of many non-profit community and healthcare institutions, as well as for-profit organizations. He currently volunteers his time at Hobcaw Barony and at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge’s turtle program. Bob grew up in upstate New York. He and his wife, Mary, have 3 children and 3+ grandchildren, and have lived at DeBordieu for almost eight years.
Gregory “Greg” Frost
Greg Frost graduated from Wittenberg University and Ohio Northern University School of Law. In Ohio, he served as an Assistant Licking County Prosecutor, was a partner in the law firm of Schaller, Frost, Hostetter, and Campbell, served on the Licking County Municipal Court, and on the Licking County Common Pleas Court. He is set to retire as judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in May. Greg has been President of the Licking County Bar Association, President of the Licking County Council of Boy Scouts of America, Editorial Board Member and Chairman of the Ohio Jury Instructions Committee, is on the Executive Committee of the Central Ohio Council of Boy Scouts of America, and served on the Board of Directors of the National Council on Alcoholism, and the Shepherd Hill Foundation. Greg is married to Kristina Frost. He has three children and eight grandchildren. The Frosts purchased a lot in DeBordieu in 1997 and built their home in 2004.
Mark Your Calendars!
DCCA Annual Members’ Meeting • May 7 at 10:00 AM @ Colony Room
The DCCA Annual Members’ Meeting is Saturday May 7, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the DeBordieu Clubhouse, Colony Room. The purpose of the Annual Member’s Meeting is to review the operations of the Association and announce the election of four new members to the Board of Directors for three-year terms.
• Personal commitment to attend board and committee meetings; and • Commitment to the overall well-being and interest of the entire community; • Enthusiasm to serve;
DeBordieu By-Laws require the Nominating Committee to consist of two existing Board members and three community members-atlarge. The 2016 Nominating Committee included Sandra Bethea and Dan Roach, representing the Board, and Bill Owen, Dick Rose and Dick Schwab as at-large members. The Directors’ terms expiring are Jim Christian, Mason Hogue, Marianne Mackey, and Carter Utzig.
Using the stated criteria over twenty members were contacted. Most of those contacted declined to be a candidate. There were several women who would like to have served but were not able to commit because of family obligations. We also had three members who declined to serve now but would like to serve in the future when they are able to spend more time in DeBordieu. There was also one self-nomination. We are fortunate however to have four candidates who had many of the skills the board will need in the future and who demonstrated their enthusiasm to serve our community.
Community members interested in serving on the Board were encouraged to contact DeBordieu Administration. Criteria used in the candidate selection decision included: • Career experiences and areas of expertise that correspond with those required for the Board and its committees.
The 2016 nominees for the four Director vacancies are: Chris Bridgeman, Susan Davis, Greg Frost, and Robert (Bob) DeVey.
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 AMS, CMCA General Manager
Kelly Floyd.................................. kfloyd@debordieucolony.org Executive Administrator
Danielle Pope........................dcaadmin@debordieucolony.org Member & Commercial Services
Architectural Review Board................................ 843.527.5033 Meg Wilcox.............................mwilcox@debordieucolony.org ARB Administrator
Grounds Maintenance....................................... 843.436.3333 David Sapp.................................. dsapp@debordieucolony.org Grounds Maintenance Manager
Community Safety “Safety & Security�................. 843.527.4931 Mike Grabarz........................ mgrabarz@debordieucolony.org Chief of Community Safety
Amanda Elliott...........................aelliott@debordieucolony.org Administrative Assistant
GATEHOUSE Phone: 843-546-8520 Fax: 843-546-8532
2015-2016 DeBordieu Colony Board and committee assignments
Jim Christian.................................... jimc174@gmail.com President Bill Bowles.............................. william_bowles@msn.com Vice President Jim Cooper............................. james.cooper3@gmail.com Secretary / Infrastructure Dan Roach................. daniel.m.roach@morganstanley.com Treasurer Sandra Bethea................................. sbethea2@sccoast.net Director Emerson Gower..................... emersongower@yahoo.com Community Affairs Pat Flinn.................................................plflinn@aol.com Director Mason Hogue..............mason.hogue@nelsonmullins.com Legal & Regulatory Marianne Mackey......................keswick60@hotmail.com Membership Doug Patton.......................... dougpatton365@gmail.com Architectural Review Board Mike Penland................................mpenland@kdallc.com Director Carter Utzig................... cutzig-BeachComm@sccoast.net Director