“THAT’S WHY I CHOOSE TO PRACTICE AT ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER.”
Dr.
Areli Saucedo Baza
- OB/GYN
SARAH LUM - POOLER, GA
During the second trimester of her pregnancy, Sarah began experiencing extreme fatigue and dizziness, affecting her ability to do her job or interact with her three year-old toddler. A visit with her OB/GYN, Dr. Saucedo Baza at St. Joseph’s/Candler, revealed dangerously low blood pressure.
Dr. Saucedo Baza provided some dietary suggestions and referred Sarah to a St. Joseph’s/Candler cardiologist, who found no serious underlying issue. The team continued to closely monitor Sarah as her condition improved. However, at birth, respiratory complications required her newborn son to spend five days in the hospital’s NICU. Having this specialized nursery and a broad team that provides lifesaving care throughout the entire pregnancy are major reasons Dr. Saucedo Baza chooses to practice at St. Joseph’s/Candler.
The O N L Y C H O I C E For
Early Childhood Education & Child Care
NECPA NATIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
THE ONLY 3 STAR QUALITY RATED CENTER IN POOLER!
ANGEL LEARNING CENTER is an accredited private preschool providing premier services for Pooler and surrounding areas. We partner with parents to build the right foundation for your child’s learning and for life.
BEST LEARNING CENTER
BEST PRESCHOOL
BEST CHILDCARE CENTER
CAMERA ACCESS
Through a partnership with "Watch Me Grow," parents have camera access to their child’s classroom. Each classroom has two cameras so parents can get a peek at their little one any time throughout the day. We believe in open access throughout the day, which gives parents piece of mind.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
With the Procare Parent connect, parents communicate with the teaching staff in real time to receive updates about classroom activities, program happening and photos of your child at play and learning.
GEORGIA’S QUALITY RATED
We have enthusiastically taken on the commitment to continuously enhance the support we provide to children and families. Our focus is on maintaining a culture of quality across all our programs, with Quality Rated playing a pivotal role. Our objective in achieving Quality Rated status involves not only meeting but surpassing a clearly defined set of program standards.
GEORGIA PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
We have been awarded a Lottery Pre-K program. The mission of Georgia’s Pre-K program is to prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond, and the first goal in National Education is that “all children will start school ready to learn.” We are proud to be part of this mission.
MEALS AND SNACKS
Healthy, kid-friendly meals and snacks are included with tuition. You can feel good knowing that your child has had a healthy breakfast including fresh fruit, a nourishing lunch and a satisfying snack before heading home for the evening.
ACTIVITIES
Our children get plenty of opportunities for activities and exercise. We have four separate playgrounds to accommodate all ages—from one-year to school age. Our regulation-size gym is used for games and other activities as well as an alternate playground when outside play is not an option.
Thank you, Pooler! We’re honored to be your #1 choice for Best Dental Group. Thank you, Pooler! We’re honored to be your #1 choice for Best Dental Group.
Don’t Let Your 2025 Benefits Go to Waste
Your Paid-For Care Expires on December 31st. Now is the Time to Plan.
Dear Neighbor,
All year long, you've paid your dental insurance premiums. You've earned your benefits. But here’s a fact many people forget: Most dental insurance plans don't roll over. Your annual maximum—the total amount of money your insurance provider will pay for your care—resets to zero on January 1st. If you don't use your 2025 benefits, you lose them. It's like leaving your own money on the table.
Life gets busy, especially as the holidays approach. That's why we're encouraging our patients in Pooler and the surrounding areas to think ahead. By scheduling your appointment now, you can beat the end-of-year rush and ensure you get the most out of the plan for which you've already paid.
By scheduling today, you get:
The Best Appointment Times: Choose a date and time that truly works for your schedule.
Peace of Mind: Know that your dental health is taken care of for the year.
No Surprises: We have ample time to help you understand your coverage and plan your treatment.
135 Goshen Rd Ext., Suite 251, Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 295-5406
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J. DelSUR Marketing Group is the publisher of Effingham Magazine, Pooler Magazine and Bryan County Magazine in South Georgia. We are a full service marketing agency with products that include print, digital and social media marketing.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Write and tell us what you think. Pooler Magazine welcomes all letters to the editor. Please send letters to Jan Southern at Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
Pooler Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea or photos to share, please submit ideas and material to Jan Southern at Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com. Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in the Pooler area will be considered.
CIRCULATION: Pooler Magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed to hundreds of locations throughout the area, as well as mailed to thousands of homes. The full magazine is available online at PoolerMagazine.com.
Views expressed in editorial or advertising do not imply endorsement by J. DelSUR Marketing Group.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
Best of Pooler
Welcome to our Best of Pooler 2025 issue – a true celebration of our community’s voice and the incredible people, places, and organizations that make Pooler and Chatham County so special.
This couldn’t have been possible without your votes and your recognition of excellence right here in our hometown. When you cast your ballots, you weren’t just selecting winners – you were celebrating the businesses, services, and community members who impact your day today lives.
In this issue, we’re honored to feature the inspiring story of Karima Burdette, featured on page 10. In her new book, Muslim by Birth, Christian by Choice, she shares her long road to discovering new places, about forgiveness and finding what truly matters in life.
On page 26, you’ll discover the heartwarming work of Extra Special People, an organization dedicated to building inclusive experiences throughout our greater Savannah area. Their commitment to ensuring everyone has a place to belong reflects a welcoming spirit where every person matters and every contribution is valued.
We’re also proud to highlight the Coffee Bluff Marine Rescue Squad on page 34, celebrating an incredible 66 years of volunteer service to our community. Their dedication to water rescues and unwavering commitment to keeping our families safe demonstrates the selfless service that runs deep in our area’s DNA.
These stories, combined with your Best of Pooler winners, showcase what we’ve always known: Pooler isn’t just a place on the map – it’s a community where people care, businesses thrive, and neighbors look out for one another.
Thank you for participating in our Readers’ Choice Awards and for being part of what makes Pooler the best place to live, work, and play.
Congratulations to all our Best of Pooler 2025 winners!
CEO/Publisher Pooler Magazine
Jan Southern
Daughter of Morocco, Disciple of Christ
Story by Gail Parsons
For years, Karima Burdette was searching; searching for peace, for love, for belonging—a sense that her life had meaning beyond the pain she’d carried for decades.
Born in Morocco, raised partly in France, and now living in Effingham County, her journey has spanned continents, faiths, and identities. Today, she stands not only as a survivor of childhood trauma and domestic abuse but as a woman transformed by grace, by conviction, and, most of all, by God.
Her story, now told on the pages of her book, Muslim by Birth, Christian by Choice, began far from the quiet community of Guyton, where she lives today.
“It's really about my testimony,” she said of the book. “I was Muslim, and for the longest time, for years, really, I was looking for a sense of belonging and purpose and looking for love and all these things in the wrong places.”
Karima was born and raised in Morocco. Like most in her country, she was born into Islam.
“Being Moroccan and Muslim, it was almost like it's together,” she said. “When you are born in Morocco, you are born into the religion of being Muslim. There is nothing else. That’s who you are, that is your identity. If you leave that religion, you are almost like… you're disowning your family.”
Even before she met the man who would later become her husband of 24 years, Karima felt the Lord tugging on her heart.
“I had people inviting me to church,” she said. “I had people give me a little Jesus card, which I still have to this day.
She didn’t grow up in a strictly religious household. Once she moved to France, Outside of Ramadan, her mom didn’t follow the religion, therefore neither did Karima
Still, Karima remembers asking her mother how to stay faithful to Islam while living in France with no strong Muslim presence or a mosque — how can she continue to be Muslim.
“As long as you're a good person, that's all that matters,” was her mother’s response.
That idea or being a good person stayed with Karima as she grew up and eventually moved to the United States at age 18, part of a hairstylist exchange program.
“I was chosen out of the blue in Paris to come to the US in an exchange program as a hairstylist with 24 other hairstylists,” she said.
What followed was a tumultuous chapter of Karima’s life. She entered a marriage that turned abusive — mentally, emotionally and physically abusive, to the point of her almost losing her life. Fortunately, she was able to escape that situation.
Later, she met another man, but the relationship lacked the commitment she needed.
“He didn’t want to get serious, and I felt like we need to just get away from that,” she said. “Since he won't get serious, I wanted to do something new.”
That new beginning came unexpectedly—at a YMCA in Savannah.
“We met actually at the YMCA on Habersham in Savannah,” Karima said of the day she met her husband. “We were both divorced, we fell in love right away.”
That relationship led to marriage, but it also marked the start of Karima’s spiritual transformation.
“He was a Christian, and that's when I became a Christian,” she said. “I didn't realize … before I met my husband, but the Lord was after me.”
She started realizing, slowly, that God had a purpose for her. Her life started to transform but the change didn’t happen overnight.
“When I became a Christian. I got baptized on that same day,” Karima said. “I remember getting out of the baptism going, ‘Okay, is this it? Is this what it means to be a Christian?’ My life did not change right away. I was still smoking, I was still drinking, I was still dressing up revealing, I still went to clubs.”
She and her husband would go out and have a drink, go dancing, then go home and go to church on Sunday.
“I didn’t really know the Word of God then,” she said. “I didn’t read my Bible like I should.”
That began to shift as she experienced the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
“It took years to really see the Holy Spirit and feel the Holy Spirit and feel his conviction on my heart,” she said. “And that’s when I started changing. I started putting stuff down — just putting sin by sin down. That does not mean I’m sinless. I am far away from that. I am still a sinner, and I am under God’s grace every day, and I will sin till the day I die, because that’s who I am, and that’s who we are.”
The Bible tells her that all have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God. But Karima now lives each day with purpose.
“I have to strive every day to be a better person,” she said. “That doesn’t mean I’m not gonna stumble. It doesn’t mean I’m not going to fall short, but I’m gonna strive every day to read His Word, to have a relationship with Jesus and to have his help with the Holy Spirit, to walk me through this life.”
Even more profound than the outward changes was the inward healing she experienced through forgiveness. She remembered sleepless nights filled with nightmares about the people in her life who had hurt her.
When she became a Christian, she forgave those people — not because she wanted to, rather because God asked her to.
“It was not easy,” she said. “You forgive, but you don’t forget. Through Him, I was able to forgive these people. And when I forgave them, that burden was lifted off my back, and I no longer felt this hatred towards them, this bitterness. Instead, I see them for who God made them to be. And I see that they were hurt people, and that’s why they hurt me.”
Today, Karima lives a very different life. She no longer smokes, drinks, cusses or dresses in the way she used to. The changes were all made possible because of the Lord’s guidance.
“He took all those things away from me and cleansed me, and I’m just a different person,” she said.
Still, sharing her transformation wasn’t easy, especially with her family. She was searching for the right way to broach the conversation.
“I did tell her eventually,” Karima said. “I said, “Hey mom, I just want to let you know, I became a Christian.’ She’s like, ‘What? No, no, no, no, no, you can’t be Christian. You’re Moroccan, you’re Muslim. That’s it.’ I’m like, ‘No, I am Moroccan. That is my origin. But I can be anything I want
to be. If I want to be a Christian, I could be a Christian or Buddhist, whatever I want to be’”
The conversation stirred emotion in both mother and daughter. She wasn’t sure how to explain it, partly because she didn’t fully understand it herself. As she contemplated the issue she began to realize that the answer lied in her relationship with Jesus.
“At the end of the day, when I die, my mother cannot save me,” she said. “My father cannot save me. My family, no one can intercede for me, but Jesus, he's the only one who can say, let her in. My mother cannot be there with me to say, let her in. That's my daughter. So therefore, she can't save me.”
She went to her mother and said, “Mom, I love you. I’m not trying to disown you. I’m not trying to be mean, but I found this God that loves me… who changed me, who gave me this peace that I’ve never had before.”
Karima told her she had found a father that I’ve been looking for. Her mother has come to accept her daughter’s conversion and they will often get together after church on Sunday.
“My prayer is that they see the Lord through me… not me, but him through me,” she said. “And hopefully, they’ll see that
he is the truth, and he is the life, and that they can give their life to Christ one day. That’s my hope.”
Karima’s journey from rejection to redemption, from religion to relationship, and from hurt to healing now serves a broader purpose. She wrote her story—her testimony—because she believes others need hope, too.
“I want to share that with the world,” she said. “Because we live in a world that’s full of hatred, and there’s a lot of people who are just really unhappy and depressed, and they’re all around us. I was one of them. I was one of those people with my makeup on and look my best and put a smile on and say, ‘Oh, I’m doing good. How are you doing?’ You know, I’d act like everything is good when it’s not.”
Now, when people read her book, they often share their own stories with her.
“Sometimes even worse,” she said. “They’re willing now to share their journey with me, because they’ve read about my story. But this is His story. I felt called to write it, and I felt called to share it.” ■
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Extra Special People (ESP) launched in Savannah in January 2025, building a foundation for transformative experiences for people with disabilities. Through social gatherings like monthly family dinners, 360 club programming and summer camp, they provide a muchneeded space for community and recreation for people with disabilities and their families. ESP supports families in Chatham, Effingham, Bryan and surrounding counties, giving participants of all ages joyous and memorable experiences that celebrate them for who they are.
“ESP is so multifaceted. There’s more to it than just getting together once a month because there is the programming: the afterschool program, Java Joy and the camps,” says Becky Brown, member of the ESP Savannah Champions Board. “There’s no age limit and it’s for all abilities.”
Family dinners allow guests to meet others who live with disabilities. When families walk through the doors, they are greeted with cheers and unrelenting joy by volunteers who are equally excited to be there.
Volunteers also assist with serving food, helping to carry plates for parents and clearing the tables after the meal. Each dinner is sponsored by a corporate donor who provides a catered meal at no cost to families.
360 Club events provide a few hours of respite for caregivers while giving participants a safe place to play and socialize with themed activities. Each participant is paired with a buddy: a volunteer who helps them enjoy the event to the fullest. In the fall, ESP plans to expand club events to encompass wraparound programming with afternoon enrichment activities like music therapy, arts and crafts and recreation.
Java Joy offers employment opportunities for adults with disabilities through its mobile coffee cart that can be booked for special events. In the greater Savannah area, the cart has made stops at Great Oaks Bank, BankSouth, Omega Construction and the Georgia Ports Authority offices, serving up coffee, hot cocoa and hugs.
This summer, children ages 4 and up will be able to attend two weeks of summer day camp in Savannah. The program serves kids who might not otherwise be able to go to camp, accommodating anyone who may need medications, mobility equipment or other supports. Children ages 8 and up have the opportunity to attend Camp Hooray, a week of overnight camp at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Ga. In the future, ESP will build its own universally accessible camp in Jefferson, Ga. to serve its participants, built on land donated by a supporter.
Club programs and camps are available for participants at a fraction of the cost of the for-profit sector by utilizing volunteers from local schools and churches. Scholarships are available to eliminate financial barriers that might otherwise prevent participation.
The Road to Bringing ESP to Savannah
ESP was originally founded in Athens, Ga. in 1986 serving 21 families. It then expanded into Atlanta and Rome in 2020. After nurturing the programs in these three cities, it was time to expand.
Anna Salter and Becky Brown were an instrumental part of making this expansion happen. As speech-language pathologists and co-owners of Coastal Pediatric Therapies, they recognized the need that the Savannah area had for the organization. They also visited the ESP headquarters in Athens and were blown away by what they saw.
“It’s pure joy, all the time, and that’s what these kids need,” says Becky. “These individuals need to feel loved and welcomed and included and supported.”
After a feasibility study that collected quantitative data that took into account the population in need of services, proximity to universities, a committed business community and volunteer base, and the ability to sustain inclusive programming, Anna and Becky had to begin the fundraising process for startup capital.
“Anna and I are speech therapists, not fundraisers, so we didn’t have a lot of experience in that. We started out going to businesses, and saying, ‘This is what we want to do. We want this for Savannah. We need this.’ But we didn’t have anything to show them except a video,” says Becky. “It ended up initially
being private donors that got us started: someone who had a child with special needs or knew someone who did.”
By the end of 2024, they had crossed the fundraising finish line. A preview event in November 2024 drew more than 60 families and by spring 2025, nearly 150 families had joined the fold.
Building the Team
While Anna and Becky were fundraising, Monicah Starr was teaching high school special education in Richmond Hill and operating Inclusion Avenue, a venture she founded because she saw the need for job opportunities for her students after they graduated. She discovered the Java Joy
The search for an executive director was a longer process, but ultimately Jennifer Wilkins was hired for the role. She previously worked in the nonprofit realm with unhoused individuals, but her most recent role was director of operations for Chick-fil-A Midtown, where she promoted excellence in customer service.
“I always knew that I would want to go back into nonprofit work,” says Jennifer. “On New Year’s Eve, I was thinking about what I wanted this last portion of my time in work to be like. And I really felt like I wanted to do something that was more legacy related.”
After praying for direction, she found two messages in her LinkedIn inbox just after the new year, both asking if she would be willing to have a conversation about ESP Savannah and coming on board as executive director.
“It was a very tangible answer to prayer for me,” says Jennifer. “I didn’t even know what ESP was at the time. Within an hour of observing and going through watching different videos, I was just in love with everything that they had going on.”
Jennifer accepted the job just before launch week in January and brings the same level of joyful hospitality to ESP that she championed for customers at Chick-fil-A.
“‘I’m always looking at what we did, how well we did it, and how much better can we do it moving forward,” says Jennifer. “I can look at things we do and say, ‘Wow, that was amazing, but how can it be even more amazing the next time?’”
Community Support
ESP currently has three full-time staff members but receives additional support through the efforts of volunteers from local schools and colleges who are matched with buddies when they help at events. In other branches, volunteers have built relationships with their buddies and their families over time, changing everyone’s lives for the better.
Students from St. Vincent’s Academy, Savannah Country Day School, Medical College of Georgia and Savannah College of Art and Design have built a foundation for volunteers for ESP Savannah and churches like Compassion Christian and Southside Baptist have provided space for club events.
Twelve local businesses have come aboard as corporate sponsors, pledging sustaining support for the organization’s mission. And ESP now has a physical location for office space and programming inside of Southside Baptist Church.
“We don’t do this because we can. We do it because we get to,” says Jennifer. “I hope as we grow as a team and as a family, that our participants and their families feel all the time that they are somewhere where they know they are cared for.”
Businesses and places of worship can support ESP by booking a visit from the Java Joy cart, sponsoring a family dinner or signing up to be a corporate sponsor. Anyone interested in volunteering with ESP’s programs can sign up at espyouandme.org. All volunteers must pass a background check and complete a volunteer training.
Families who want to enroll in ESP programs can schedule a new family meeting, where they will meet with an ESP representative who will get to know them and answer any questions they may have. ■
Coffee Bluff Marine Rescue Squad
Has Answered the Call for More Than Six Decades
Story by Stephen Prudhomme
For 66 years, the Coffee Bluff Marine Rescue Squad has answered the call on intercoastal waterways from Butterbean Beach to Ogeechee Cove. Volunteer members have helped individuals who were lost, ran out of gas with their boats, and in some of the most difficult and challenging cases, recovered drowning victims.
The names have changed over the years, but the commitment to serve remains as strong—frequently fueled by family tradition, a love of the water, and a desire to help those in distress.
The Coffee Bluff Squadron serves under the Coast Guard and Chatham County Marine Patrol and is one of six in Georgia and South Carolina. It has 30 active members, 25 of whom have boats they can use on rescue calls.
A Family Legacy of Service
Denis Robertson has been a member for 30 years, but he’s been connected to the squadron for his
entire life. Since he lives near the squadron building, Robertson doesn’t have far to go when his services are needed.
“I do it because it’s the right thing to do,” Robertson said. “I come from a long line of military. I’m doing something not everyone can do.”
Although Robertson’s father wasn’t a member of the squadron, his son said he knew some of the original members from all the times they came to rescue the elder Robertson when he ran into various problems while out on his “raggedy boat.”
Robertson said his mother would call the squadron when her husband didn’t come home by a certain time. “They got him several times,” Robertson said. “I’ve known some of the members since I’ve been a child.”
Origins of Service
Coffee Bluff has operated since 1959 and is the second oldest of the six squadrons in Georgia and South Carolina. Tybee is the oldest squadron, dating back to the late 1950s.
When two teenage boys went to Little Tybee Island to go camping and a storm was headed their way, concerned parents took two boats to the island to rescue the teens. That provided the impetus for Tybee Island Police Chief David McCutchen and a group of island residents to establish a marine rescue squad in January 1959; the rescue of the teenage boys on Little Tybee Island had highlighted the need for a rescue
squad given that the Coast Guard, with its larger vessels, could not provide assistance in all cases.
Later that year, a local lawyer who owned property on Coffee Bluff donated half of it to the city, which subsequently developed a park. The other half was designated as a site for a rescue squadron.
With the land secured, a group of men who were coworkers of the Tybee Squadron members at either Union Camp or BellSouth Telephone Company went about constructing the squadron building. They were Tony Strozzo, Tom Cooler, Jake Stanley, Bud Warren, Dub Phillips, Mike Love, Bob Parrish, and Harold Fountain. Calling on the experience of builders and masons in the fledgling squadron, they constructed the building that serves as its headquarters and features a floating dock.
Decades of Dedication
Joe Kreger is the third oldest member of the Coffee Bluff Squadron. Living in Rose Dhu, a community of some 50 homes, the 80-year-old joined in 1978.
“I enjoy the camaraderie and the guys,” said Kreger, who doesn’t own a boat anymore but goes out on calls to help satisfy the requirement of having two squadron
members onboard. “We’ve known each other for many years. We’re good friends. It’s a good organization.”
Kreger said he joined the group because he had a boat and wanted to help out. Calls would take an average of five to six hours, he noted. Nowadays, with cellphones, the average time is two hours.
What hasn’t changed is the squadron’s ability to navigate waterways with which the Coast Guard isn’t as familiar. “The Coast Guard doesn’t know the ins and outs of the marshes,” Kreger said. “We’re able to navigate at night. They take care of the ocean and we tend to everything else.”
Beyond the Waterways
The Coffee Bluff Squadron occasionally goes beyond the usual waterways to render assistance. Kreger said 15 to 20 squadron members have gone to Ossabaw Island following storms to remove downed limbs. They’ll even take to dry land, sending crews by trucks to Charleston with relief supplies and to help clean up in the aftermath of hurricanes. That spirit of altruism extends to the squadron brotherhood.
“You help each other out on and off the river,” Kreger said. “It’s a good feeling.”
Honoring Our Veterans
Kreger, Robertson, and their fellow squadron members also get a good feeling when they hold an annual fishing day and fish fry for 20 soldiers with longterm injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield in April. Held for the past four years, Take a Veteran Fishing allows these veterans to try and hook the big one and enjoy their catch as the featured entrée.
“It’s a big deal for us, and they really enjoy it,” Robertson said. “It’s low key. We don’t publicize it or do any advertising. They get away for a day. A lot of them have never been in saltwater or fished. They like getting away from everything. It’s neat to talk to these folks.”
Community Support
Speaking of food, the squadron holds an annual barbecue dinner fundraiser in April. Held at the group’s facility located at the end of White Bluff Road on the Forest River, the event sells over 2,500 dinners of pork, coleslaw, Brunswick stew, and a roll; members cook over 2,700 pounds of pork.
“We don’t charge for our services,” Kreger said. “The barbecue pays for our property.”
A Lifetime of Service
Another longtime member is Ronnie Hinley, 75, who has homes in Savannah and Effingham County. He joined in 1985, following his father, an original member, and a number of friends and acquaintances. Hinley said he’s made lifelong friends and enjoys the challenge of being a squadron member. Responding to many calls over four decades, one remains especially memorable.
Hinley and one of his sons went on a call with the Coast Guard and encountered radio communication problems. “The Coast Guard helicopter was hovering above our
boat,” Hinley recalled. “The Coast Guardsman was on the helicopter skids, and we were shouting at one another. That was interesting.”
Then there are the calls squadron members dread but recognize as part of the job. As a longtime member, Hinley, not surprisingly, has helped in the recovery of a number of drowning victims. “Those are somber events,” he said.
Hinley has answered the service call for much of his life, starting as a volunteer for the Southside Fire Department when he was 14 years old and continuing as a member of the Air Force during two tours in the Vietnam War. Joining the squadron allowed him to continue to help others as a member of a team.
“I like the volunteer stuff,” Hinley said. “We have good, hardworking people who get involved. You get called all hours of the night. You just get up and go.”
Hinley is a life member in more ways than one. Being a longtime member, he was awarded that designation. Then there’s his decision to remain with the squadron “until he’s not alive anymore.” Hinley adds, “They’ll put my ashes in a can and throw them in the river.”
The Most Difficult Calls
The most difficult calls for the squadron are recovering drowning victims. These include the victims of boat mishaps, plane crashes, and other incidents. For Robertson, one of these calls involved a family member. His first cousin, Ed Gross, drowned near Green Island in Ossabaw Sound in 2010 after his boat broke loose from the beach.
“I was happy to help recover his body for his mom,” Robertson said. “I hated that it was my cousin.”
Rescuing children is not as emotionally trying for Robertson. “When kids are involved you want to get there quick,” he said. “It’s very rewarding when you can rescue them.”
A Natural Fit
It was almost inevitable that Robertson found a home with the squadron. Along with his father being rescued several times, he grew up a mile from the squadron building, worked as a commercial fisherman for many years, and lives on the river. During his 30 years, Robertson has served as skipper, secretary, and beach master, the latter making him the first point of contact for the Coast Guard and local law enforcement; his wife, Teri, coordinates the disabled veterans fishing event and serves as communications officer for Marine Rescue Squad National.
“It’s a natural fit,” Robertson said. “It’s fun to do it. Occasionally it will get serious. I can call on these folks for anything at anytime. When the chips are down, they’re right there.” ■
“You help each other out on and off the water.”
BEST ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
Shelly Fickau | West Chatham YMCA
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Home Town Auto Care
BEST BABYSITTING/NANNY SERVICES
Camille Moore
BEST BAKERY
Small Cakes Savannah Quarters
BEST BANK
Queensborough Bank
BEST BANK TELLERS
Great Oaks Bank
You VOTED for the Best!
You told us the PLACES, PEOPLE and THINGS you love in the greater Pooler area, and we’re so proud to share the winners of the 2025 BEST OF POOLER with you!
BEST BAR Noble Roots
BEST BARBER Anthony Nelsen | Barbers of the Low Country
BEST BARBER SHOP The Cut Barber Shop
BEST BARTENDER Avery Hutton | Dave and Busters
BEST BATH AND BODY SHOP Buff City Soap
BEST BBQ Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q
BEST BOUTIQUE
Hello Retail Therapy
BEST BREAKFAST RESTAURANT First Watch Daytime Cafe
BEST BRIDAL SHOP That Dress
BEST BRUNCH First Watch Daytime Cafe
BEST BURGER
Sam Sneads
BEST BUSINESS CONSULTING
Penoja Analytics LLC
BEST CAKES
Cake Corner Bakery
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP
J.C. Lewis Ford
BEST CARPET CLEANING SERVICE
Diamond Carpet & Textile Services
BEST CATERER
Barnes BBQ
BEST CATERING SERVICES
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q
BEST CBD STORE
The Vape Store
BEST CHARITY EVENT
Special Kicks
BEST CHEF
Shahin Afsharian | Big Bon Bodega Pooler
BEST CHICKEN WINGS
Wild Wing Cafe
BEST CHILDCARE CENTER
Angel Learning Center
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
Barnes Family Chiropractic
BEST CIGAR/ TOBACCO SHOP
D.A.M. Fine Cigars
BEST CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Wesley Bashlor
BEST CLEANING SERVICES
Crystal Dust LLC
BEST CLOTHING STORE
Hello Retail Therapy
BEST COFFEE SHOP
Three Tree Coffee at the Porch
BEST COMMUNITY EVENT/FESTIVAL
Live Like locals Savannah
Mega Pop-Up & Farmers Market
BEST COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION/CLUB
Pooler Lions Club
BEST COMMUNITY SPORTS COACH
Angelina Grant
Pooler Karate, Krav Maga, and Jiu-Jitsu
BEST COMMUNITY SPORTS TEAM K-12
Coastal Crashouts 12u Baseball
BEST COMPUTER REPAIR SERVICES
DNA Computer Works
BEST CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Southern Structure Construction Company LLC
BEST CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT COMPANY
Yancey Bros. Co.
BEST COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Miller Dental Group
BEST COSMETOLOGIST
Elena Gorbunova | By Jessica & Co Beauty Lounge
BEST COUPLE
Becky & Ray Bashlor
BEST CREDIT UNION
Geovista Federal Credit Union
BEST DANCE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
Stacie New | West Chatham YMCA
BEST DANCE STUDIO
Savannah Dance Co.
BEST DAY SPA
Pooler Day Spa
BEST DAYCARE
Primrose School of Godley Station
BEST DENTAL GROUP
Godley Station Dental
BEST DENTAL HYGIENIST
Tiffany Rufol | Miller Dental Group
BEST DENTAL INSURANCE COORDINATOR
Hannah Smith | Miller Dental Group
BEST DENTIST
Dr. Julie Howard | Miller Dental Group
BEST DERMATOLOGIST
Georgia Skin and Cancer Clinic
BEST DESSERT
The Ice Cream Stop
BEST DRY CLEANER
Pooler’s Best Dry Cleaners
Thank you to our Sponsors
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BEST ELECTRICIAN SERVICE
Rushing Electric Co. Inc.
BEST EMT
Jonathan Alston
BEST ENT CLINIC
Coastal Ear, Nose & Throat
BEST ESTHETIC TREATMENT CLINIC
Pooler Day Spa
BEST ESTHETICIAN
Hanna Sydorchenko By Jessica & Co Beauty Lounge
BEST EVENT/PARTY COORDINATOR
Coastal Events Rentals
BEST EXTERMINATOR/PEST CONTROL
Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT
Sawaddee Ka Thai Cuisine and Pho
BEST FEMALE BUSINESS OWNER
Hannah Sikes | Full Bloom Salon & Dry Bar
BEST FENCING COMPANY
JDH Decks & Fences
BEST FINANCIAL SERVICES
Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union
BEST FIREFIGHTER
Taylor Pfohl
BEST FITNESS CENTER
Burn Boot Camp
BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
Brenna Jensen | Burn Boot Camp Pooler
BEST FLOORING COMPANY
Alpha Hardwood Floors
BEST FLORIST SHOP
A Special Touch Florist
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Chazito’s Latin Cuisine
BEST FRIED CHICKEN
Miss Sophie’s Marketplace
BEST FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Savannah Age Management Medicine
BEST FUNERAL HOME
Thomas C. Strickland & Son Funeral Home
BEST FURNITURE STORE
J. Patrick’s Furniture
BEST GARAGE DOOR COMPANY
Action Overhead Door & Supply, LLC
BEST GIFT STORE
Hello Retail Therapy
BEST GOLF COURSE
Crosswinds Golf Club
BEST HAIR SALON
Full Bloom Salon & Dry Bar
BEST HANDYMAN SERVICES
Southern Handyman Life
BEST HEALTHCARE FACILITY
ExperCARE Urgent Care & Primary Care
BEST HEARING HEALTHCARE
Audiology and Hearing Aid Services, LLC
BEST HOLISTIC & NATUROPATHIC PRACTICE
Stretch Zone
BEST HOME BUILDERS
Howard Premier Homes
BEST HOME DECOR STORE At Home
BEST HOME HEALTHCARE AGENCY
Magnolia Manor Senior Living
BEST HOSPICE ORGANIZATION
Hospice Savannah, Inc.
BEST HOTEL
Courtyard By Marriott - Savannah Airport
BEST HVAC SALES AND SERVICE
Total Services Heating and Air Conditioning
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
Naan Appetit
BEST INDOOR CYCLING STUDIO / INSTRUCTOR
West Chatham YMCA
BEST INSURANCE AGENT
Hammer Insurance
BEST INSURANCE COMPANY
PROPERTY & CASUALTY
Beach Insurance Group Inc.
BEST IT SERVICES
Gigabits | Computer Repair & IT Solutions
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Sushi Hana
BEST JUNK REMOVAL SERVICE
Wingman Junk Removal
BEST KIDS ACTIVITY
Pooler Karate, Krav Maga, and Jiu-Jitsu
BEST LASH BAR
By Jessica & Co Beauty Lounge
BEST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Corporal Jude Alberts
BEST LAW FIRM
The Horne Law Firm
BEST LAWN, GARDEN, & LANDSCAPE SERVICES
Pooler Plant Pick-Up Station
BEST LEARNING CENTER
Angel Learning Center
BEST LIQUOR STORE
Liquor Land
BEST LOCAL ARTIST (NON MUSICAL)
Georgia Girl Art Paint Parties
BEST LOCAL ATHLETE
Brianna Sewell - Top Gun
BEST LOCAL AUTHOR
Alycia Calderin
BEST LOCAL GUN & AMMO STORE
Armory Farm
BEST LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNER / DESIGN FIRM
Kerry Kavlie | The Citrus Home
BEST LOCAL PHARMACY
Apollo Pharmacy
BEST LOCAL SPECIAL EVENT VENUE
Crosswinds Golf Club
BEST LUNCH RESTAURANT
Chicken Salad Chick
BEST MAKEUP ARTIST
By Jessica & Co Beauty Lounge
BEST MALE BUSINESS OWNER
Carson Fortner
Pooler Karate, Krav Maga, and Jiu-Jitsu
BEST MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO
Pooler Karate, Krav Maga, and Jiu-Jitsu
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST
Christina’s Healing Hands Massage Therapy and Wellness
BEST MASSAGE THERAPY GROUP
Barnes Family Chiropractic
BEST MED SPA
Vitali MedSpa
BEST MEDICAL GROUP
St. Joseph’s/Candler Medical Group - Pooler
BEST MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Jean Goldthwait, LCSW | Shrink Savannah
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Los Bravos
BEST MILITARY VETERAN BUSINESS OWNER
Pete Castaneda | High Rank Tattoo
BEST MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES
Georgia Girl Art Paint Parties
BEST MORTGAGE GROUP
Queensborough Bank
BEST MOVIE THEATRE
Royal Cinemas & IMAX
BEST MOVING COMPANY
Two Men and a Truck
BEST MUSEUM
Children’s Museum of Pooler
BEST NAIL SALON
Orchid Nail Salon
BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Children’s Museum of Pooler
BEST NURSE
Yanti Wyant
Internal Medicine of Savannah
BEST NURSE INJECTOR
Raquel Welch | Vitali MedSpa
BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER
Jeanie Nguyen | Vitali MedSpa
BEST NURSERY / GARDEN CENTER
Polks Plus & Polks on the Go
BEST NUTRITION PRODUCT STORE
Fuel Up Nutrition
BEST OBSTETRICIAN & GYNECOLOGIST
Dr. Susan C. Mobley Greene, MD Memorial Health University Medical Center
We are so incredibly grateful to the amazing Pooler community for continuously trusting BY JESSICA & CO. BEAUTY LOUNGE. Over the years, it has been an absolute honor to grow alongside such a supportive and vibrant community. Your loyalty, kind words, and referrals have shaped our journey and inspired us to keep raising the bar in everything we do. We look forward to many more years of creating, connecting, and helping you look and feel your very best. Thank you for making us a part of your lives and allowing us to call Pooler home.
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Community Features:
• Within walking distance to Tanger Outlets
• Controlled-access community
• 24/7 emergency maintenance
• Resort-inspired swimming pool
• Poolside gas grills
• Outdoor firepit with social lounge
• Pet friendly
• Bocce ball court & more!
Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home: A Haven for Writers
Story by Katrice Williams | Photography by Kristen Medford
Flannery O’Connor (March 25, 1925 - August 3, 1964) was a nationally renowned essayist, short story writer and novelist, writing 31 short stories and two novels, along with a variety of smaller works. O’Connor was one of Savannah’s very own. To pay tribute to her legacy, her childhood home was opened to the public as a museum in 1999. Visitors to the home / museum can learn more about O’Connor, explore various elements of literature or just enjoy creating their very own literary space.
Mission
According to its mission, the museum “serves to continue the legacy of O’Connor while also serving as a community space for current writers. It is a hub or safe place for people to come and talk about the influence of O’Connor’s writing or just to explore literature in general. It is a place for guests to create their own stories.”
Janie Bragg
Janie Bragg is the executive director of the museum. Janie has enjoyed a profession in the museum world for many years, even prior to attaining her position at the O’Connor Home.
“I was already in the museum world, and I knew that I loved it. I care about history and literature and women’s studies and
archiving. It seemed like the perfect place for me to not only be surrounded by interests, but also to keep learning,” she says.
O’Connor Home
The home underwent restoration from 1989-2007 in order for it to masterfully reflect the Depression Era, a period in which O’Connor lived. She was born and raised in the home.
“We are very honored to be a place where people can come and have their own experiences that will shape them into not only curious people but writers,” Janie says.
Janie is confident that the museum is a wonderful reflection of Savannah's rich history. Many of the city's historical venues, museums and tours do not focus on the 20th Century time frame, but rather the 18th and 19th Centuries, leaving a void regarding such an eventful period in history.
“The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home is the only institution that focuses exclusively on the 20th Century time period," she says.
The Tour
Guests are able to immerse themselves into the unique settings of the Depression Era and feel as though they are taking a little glimpse back in time. Both guided and self-guided tours are offered to visitors depending on scheduling preferences. The tours offer a more holistic approach on O’Connor.
“We talk about Flannery as a writer and her stories, but we focus more on her as a person, particularly as a child. She spent her first 13 years there, so it’s truly her childhood home. It is a tour about a little Catholic girl who grew up in Savannah during the Depression,” Janie states.
By Cmacauley - This file was derived from: Robie with Flannery 1947.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. php?curid=16318378
Janie encourages people to take the tour, even if they know little or nothing about O’Connor.
“Anyone is welcome on the tour and will get something out of it. You certainly don't have to have done your homework before coming,” she says.
Peacock Guild
Since 2009, the museum has offered a writer’s workshop called the Peacock Guild, a professional writing cohort of individuals working toward being published.
“It's a really special place because it not only teaches people about the history of Flannery O’Connor, but it also serves as a meeting place for ideas and creative writing,” Janie says.
The cohort is made of both experienced writers and those who are works-inprogress, so all skill levels are encouraged to apply (must be at least 18-years-old). Various writing enthusiasts are welcomed to the community: authors, poets, playwrights, journalists or storytellers, to name a few. The writers have in-person meetings. They are able to receive feedback about their literary work from other writers there. They can work toward improving their literary work for publication while they may also gain various publication opportunities.
Literary Genre
O’Connor’s literary works are part of the Southern Gothic genre. Originating in the South, this genre often incorporates grotesque, dark and unsettling subjects into its themes. It is usually characterized by violent scenes or disturbing characters. It may often tackle issues related to morality, violence, etc. Similar themes are common in most of O’Connor’s works (i.e. “A Good Man is Hard to Find”).
“I think it’s brilliant; it’s not easy. It’s not always comfortable. She wanted to shock her readers; the point was to startle you … to make you a little bit uncomfortable so you would do some critical thinking,” Janie says.
O’Connor’s Legacy
Janie is intrigued by the life and legacy of O’Connor, especially understanding the courage and insight that O’Connor embraced during that era. It seems obvious that she was unafraid to deviate from the status quo. She was an author who encouraged other literary minds to think more critically and introspectively. Janie believes that O’Connor’s childhood experiences shaped her into the inquisitive, boldly unique, literary maverick she became.
“Flannery O’Connor is a really interesting person for her time period. She was devoutly Catholic her entire life; her religion influenced who she was as a person. I think she was unafraid to inspect every part of life and think critically about difficult subjects. Through her writing, she seems to be poking holes in everything: class, socioeconomics, religion. I think it’s admirable for a woman born in 1925 to be able to ask big questions and maybe shine light on difficult subjects,” Janie states.
O’Connor was diagnosed with lupus at a very young age which most likely impacted her overall perspective on life.
“If you read her stories chronologically, you see that after her diagnosis, there was an extra element of human suffering and this rich human complexity to them. It really deepened her stories. She didn’t sit back and quit. It served as a motivator for her to be the writer she wanted to be.
Some of O’Connor’s literary works reflected the very crucial periods she lived in at the time (i.e. World War II, Civil Rights Movement, etc.).
O’Connor died in 1964 during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. During that monumental period, she did not hold back with her writing regarding racial relations and the various dynamics present in the South.
“She shines a light on race relations in her stories. Her writings serve a purpose as far as being the place you can go to be dropped into a very specific time and place in this region of the country,” Janie states.
Goals
The museum currently serves guests four days/week. Janie looks forward to its continued growth.
“I would really love to see the house open five days/week soon, then six days/week. I would like for us to be able to be readily available to our community more often than we already are. That’s a big goal,” she says.
To make a donation, schedule a tour or learn more, please visit: www.flanneryoconnorhome.org or call: (912) 233-6014. ■
MICHAEL’S ROOFING, INC.
Proudly Voted Pooler’s Best Roofing Company
When you call Michael’s Roofing, you’re not just getting a contractor — you’re getting a neighbor. For more than 40 years Mike Cannon has built a reputation for honesty, quality, and unmatched workmanship.
Mike’s granddaughter, Marissa Carter, serves as the company’s Operations Manager.
“We are definitely a family operation,” Marissa says. “Mike’s personal crew is made up of his nephews, cousin, comrade, lifelong best friend, and his brother. Everyone I just named has been with him for 20-plus years. Our number one crew has been with us for 15-plus.”
Mike’s journey into roofing started when he was a child. His cousin, who owned his own roofing company, would pick him up from school and take him to job sites where he would pick up the trade..
“He started at the very bottom of this industry — the trash guy,” Marissa said.
Mike’s expertise grew, and when he started a family, he knew it was time to branch out. However, starting a company is not easy. He was fortunate to receive the same kindness that has shaped his business philosophy today.
“Mike was able to start this company because Pete Rowe, who was the owner of the former Rowe Supply Company, which is now SRS, was gracious enough to start Mike out on a line of credit as a kid who came from nothing,” Marissa said. “He took a chance on him and gave him that line of credit, and literally, the business just grew from there.”
Rowe Supply has since evolved into SRS Distribution, which remains Michael’s Roofing’s primary supplier to this day.
Their connection to the area runs deep — Mike has lived here for decades, and his children graduated from Effingham schools. That local loyalty extends to giving back.
In one recent case, Mike was alerted to a woman whose roof had deteriorated so badly that she was forced out of her home.
The only question Mike asked was, “What’s the address? I’ll be there in an hour,” Marissa said. “Within a week, we were putting the roof on.”
Mike charged nothing for his labor, and when he turned to his long-time supplier, SRS gave him the shingles he needed.
Faith plays an important role in Mike’s life and his business.
His favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,” appears on his vehicles, estimate sheets, and other company materials.
That commitment shows in the company’s daily operations. Mike, now in his 60s, still goes out personally to provide estimates. He puts his name and reputation behind every job, and personally trains his crew to meet unrivaled quality.
The people at Michael’s Roofing bring the same passion and care for the community and with storm season looming, Marissa says now is the time to prepare.
Their advice of homeowners:
• First and foremost, if you need roof work, make sure the company is licensed and insured. There should never be an issue with them providing the proof. “If you let somebody up on the roof who’s not insured, and they get hurt, that is detrimental to you as the homeowner,” she said. Beware of solicitors!
• Don’t ignore your roof; a little maintenance now can save you thousands of dollars later. Have leaf and tree debris removed from the roof. “Debris can actually trap water and hold it in one spot meaning that the possibility of leak just grew,” she said.
• If possible, trim branches that pose a risk to the house. “That’s a big one,” she said. “Do not have tree limbs hanging over your house. If a storm comes and knocks it down, there’s a 99% chance you’ll have a hole in the roof. Whether it’s a hole in your roof or a whole new roof, call us!”
It’s a philosophy Michael’s Roofing has lived by for more than four decades—protecting roofs, protecting families, and looking out for the community they’ve called home for years. “We don’t just work here,” Marissa says. “We take care of the people here.” ■
Full Bloom Salon & Dry Bar
An Eco-Friendly Luxury Hair Salon in Pooler
Experience beauty in full bloom at Full Bloom Salon & Dry Bar—the only certified sustainable salon in Pooler. With over a decade of expertise, owner Hannah Sikes leads a passionate, talented team whose strength lies in their unity and dedication to artistry. Each member brings unique skills to the table, ensuring every guest enjoys personalized care across the full spectrum of services: from expert blondes, balayage, and precision haircuts, to flawless spray tans, makeup, and event styling. At Full Bloom, the collaborative spirit, commitment to excellence, and focus on sustainability come together so you can look and feel your best—while supporting a greener future and enjoying an unforgettable salon experience.
9/17: Knowledge Now Luncheon - The Pulse of Healthcare 232 James B Blackburn Dr, Savannah
9/20: 3rd Annual Oktoberfest 1215 US- 80, Pooler
9/27: Art Walk 2025 200 Tanger Outlets Blvd Pooler
10/4: Wellness Days at Tanger 200 Tanger Outlets Blvd Pooler
10/18: Port Wentworth Fall Festival 317 Cantyre St, Port Wentworth
10/18: Fall Festival - Live Like Locals Savannah & Chatham County Parks & Recreation L Scott Stell Community Park
10/18: Polk’s Plus Fall Festival 807 US-80, Pooler
10/25: The Big Bash Car Show 200 Tanger Outlets Blvd Pooler, GA
HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE Flood Preparation Tips from the City of Pooler
The City of Pooler has areas that have a history of flooding in the streets, yards and on some occasions, water has reached levels entering garages and buildings. In most cases, as soon as tides change and pressure is relieved from the canal system, the flood waters in these areas subside. It should be noted that some areas in Pooler do experience some flooding even though they are not in the designated Special Flood Hazard Area.
Predictions are that this hurricane season, which runs June 1st to November 30th, there will be 19 named storms. Out of these, 9 could reach hurricane status with 4 becoming major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher intensity. We need to be prepared because hurricanes are unpredictable. Located 30 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, our city would experience some flooding from a Class 3 storm surge and severe flooding from a Class 5 storm surge.
There are several actions you can take to mitigate the flood hazard, including:
1. Know the flood warning procedures.
2. Prior to evacuating your residence, turn off electricity, gas and water in your home.
3. During times of heavy rainfall, monitor the level of water in the drainage way and stay tuned to radio or TV for possible flood warning.
4. Evacuate the flood hazard area in times of impending flood or when advised to do so by the police chief or fire chief.
5. Do not walk through flowing water as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
6. If your car stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.
7. Keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, unstable stream banks and storm drains.
8. Be especially cautious at night.
Many buildings can be protected against flooding by retrofitting. Retrofitting is changing an existing structure in some manner to help reduce flooding. Some retrofitting techniques are waterproofing walls and doors, adding waterproof fences (usually brick or concrete) with sealing gates and even elevating the building above flood levels. Emergency measures you can take during a flood which will help reduce property damage include:
1. Place furniture on beds, then personal items on top of the furniture. Anchor, secure or weigh down items which may float or move.
2. Move cardboard and newspapers to high ground. Otherwise, they may disintegrate and/or clog drains when the flood waters recede.
3. Put chemicals (insecticides, weed killers, those that give off heat, explosive or toxic gases when exposed to water) in waterproof containers and remove to high areas of the building.
4. Note that some flood protection measures may need a building permit and others may not be safe for your type of building, so be sure to talk to the City of Pooler.
5. Avoid backflow of sewer lines by closing off all sewer line entries into the house. If this is a somewhat regular occurrence during heavy rains, you may consider installing a backflow prevention valve on your sewer line. If you have a backflow prevention valve, be sure it is properly maintained. All appliances must be disconnected prior to re-establishing electrical service. Getting around debris or wreckage to get to electrical outlets after a flood may be difficult and perhaps dangerous.
City Staff can make site visits, upon request, to assist property owners with flooding, drainage, and sewer problems and to address any site-specific flooding concerns within the community. The service is provided at no charge. For additional information on flooding, flood insurance, flood zones, retrofitting, how to pick a contractor, obtain an elevation certificate, past flooding or environmentally sensitive area or wetlands, you may call the Planning & Zoning Department at (912) 748-7261. Free publications on how to protect your property are available at City Hall and additional information can be found on the City of Pooler’s website at www.pooler-ga. gov and FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov
All development in the floodplain (not just construction of buildings) needs local permits. Always check with the Building/Inspections Department before you build on, make substantial improvements, alter, regrade or fill on your property. A permit is needed to ensure that these types of projects do not cause problems with other properties. If you see building or work without a “permit sign” posted, contact the Building/Inspections Department at (912) 748-7261. The ordinance also requires that all substantial improvements to a building be treated as a new building. That is the structure must be elevated one 2 feet above the base flood elevation. A substantial improvement is when the value of an addition, alteration, repair or reconstruction project equals to or exceeds 50% of the value of the existing building. Substantially damaged buildings must also be brought up to the same standards. More information on the substantial improvement and substantial damage rules can be found in Answers to Questions about Substantially Damaged Buildings. Copies are available at Pooler City Hall. ■ For more information about flood risk in Pooler, visit www.pooler-ga.gov or call 912-748-7261.
