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VOLUME 17 ISSUE 22

JANUARY 26, 2024

Mayor of Kiawah Announces Resignation

BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection

I

t was a bittersweet start to 2024 when the mayor of Kiawah Island, John Labriola, announced his resignation, effective March 31 of this year, at the first Town Council meeting of 2024 on January 10.

Citing the change to the election cycle to odd years – therefore extending his term by one extra year to November 2025 – Labriola also noted the importance of having the new mayor serve longer than 12 months on the current agenda of issues.

Although Labriola admitted that he supported the change in the election cycle, he has decided to end his term early. The change was also supported

by Governor Henry McMaster, state legislators and supported by the entire Kiawah Island Town Council.

Labriola was elected to serve as mayor for four years in 2020. Before that, he served on Town Council from 2013 to 2015 and then was re-elected in 2015 to 2017. He served as mayor pro tem during his Town Council stints.

He said, “This decision has not been made lightly, but, after careful consideration, I have decided to end my term early. I thank you for the opportunity and honor of being the Mayor of Kiawah these last three and a half years. It has been a privilege to serve. I have learned a great deal during my tenure, and I am thankful for the (continued on page 3) support and collaboration

Addressing Pressing Issues A Q&A WITH TOWN COUNCIL C A N D I D AT E S

BY THERESA STRATFORD

D

For The Island Connection

ue to the resignation of former Town Council Member John Moffitt in October of 2023, a special election will be held to replace his position on January 30 at the Sandcastle, located at 1 Shipwatch Road. The polling location will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The two candidates are Alex Fernandez and Madeleine Kaye. The Island Connection conducted a Q&A with both candidates on some of the pressing issues that Kiawah Island faces now and in the near future.

Alex Fernandez What do you think is the biggest issue that (continued on page 8) Kiawah Island residents

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KIAWAH ISLAND SENDS DEMAND LETTER TO K I AWA H PA R T N E R S F O R C A P TA I N S A M S S P I T

BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection

I

t was in an early morning special call meeting at the start of the new year on January 3 that the Kiawah Town Council decided to issue a demand letter to Kiawah Partners as it relates to the 2013 Amended and Restated Development Agreement (ARDA) and Captain Sams Spit.

The meeting consisted of over two hours of executive session where no decisions or actions were made. Once the Council members were back, they all agreed that ensuring and protecting the pristine nature of Captain Sams Spit was a priority. They therefore approved the issuance of a demand letter to the developer, Kiawah Partners.

In the 2013 Amended and Restated Development Agreement, which has now expired after 10 years, Town Council specifically referenced Section 16F, paragraphs 8 and 9, and reiterated the Town’s rights pertaining to Section 33.

The demand letter from the law firm McCullough Khan Appel Attorneys at Law, specifically Ross Appel, was sent to Kiawah Partners’ lawyers at Walker Gressette Linton on Jaunary 8.

Mayor John Labriola said, “To say this is a complicated issue would be an understatement. We looked at the courses of action. One thing is crystal clear –- there is no disagreement – and that is to ensure the pristine nature of that piece of property. I don’t think there are any residents, Council members, community association members, whatever, that want to see anything happen to that piece of property.

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However, after saying that, it is complicated. Some of these issues go back to 2005, so we didn’t make decisions today.

There weren’t any real actions taken. We really were focusing on what course of action should be taken, and we settled on the issuance of a demand letter.”

The demand letter states: “Paragraph 13(B)(4)(b) of the ARDA states that the ‘Property Owner shall dedicate conservation open space as provided in Paragraph 16 of this Agreement.’ Paragraph 13(B)(4)(c) specifically identifies the Property as one of many ‘active or passive park sites and open space which have been and/or shall be dedicated to KICA in accordance with Paragraphs 15 and 16 of this Agreement.’”

It would be the intention of KICA to keep Captain Sams Spit undeveloped.

The demand letter went on to state the intention of the property if it wasn’t developed before the termination date of the ARDA, which was in December 2023. It says: “Paragraph 16(f) reads, in relevant part and with respect to the Property, as follows: On or before the Termination Date of this Agreement, Property Owner shall convey to KICA (for nominal consideration by quitclaim deed) such areas of highland, depicted in light green and cream on Exhibit 16.2, as are then seaward of the crest of the primary oceanfront dune, less only such areas/lots as may have been encumbered by easements or conveyed to third parties (homeowners, etc.). (continued on page 2) Prior to the Termination Date,

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Sams Spit (continued from page 1) Property Owner also agrees to restrict all remaining highlands not devoted to the uses or purposes authorized herein, to non-developable, passive green space by restrictive covenant recorded in the Charleston County RMC office. Property Owner shall grant an easement for any acreage not subject to Development, including such acreage as is to be conveyed, ultimately, to KICA. Paragraph 31 states that ‘[e]xcept as provided in Sec. 16(d) herein, all conveyances shall be tendered by the Property Owner so as to close during the duration of this Agreement.’ Despite the passing of the Termination Date, Kiawah Development Partners (KDP) has yet to convey and deed restrict the Property as required by Paragraph 16(f).

These obligations are mandatory and unconditional, as the above quoted language utilizes the word ‘shall’ and is expressed in non-contingent terms. The Town views KDP’s failure to perform as required by Paragraph 16(f) as a material breach of the ARDA. KDP’s position appears to be that its obligations under Paragraph 16(f) are somehow contingent on the ‘development’ of the Property. However, a plain reading of Paragraph 16(f) and the ARDA reveals no such contingency.”

The demand letter also noted some historical significance. “Under the Development Agreement by and between the Town and KRA (Kiawah Resort Associates) dated September 26, 1994 (the “Original Development Agreement”), the Property owner committed to conveying the entirety of the Property to KICA. The Original Development Agreement provided no development rights whatsoever with respect to the Property. Paragraph 16(g) therein reads as follows: The Property Owner commits to the permanent reservation of the tract of land known as Captain Sams Spit, shown in Exhibit 16.2 as active and/or passive open space, nature study or parks. Property Owner agrees to convey Captain Sams Spit to KICA, by quit claim deed by January 1, 2008; provided, however, that Property Owner may convey the eastern half of the spit to Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission prior to January 1, 2008.”

The demand letter also states that Kiawah Partners had from October 12, 2005 to December 4, 2023 to develop the Property as contemplated by Paragraph 16(f) but did not. “As such, the clear intention of the parties is for the entirety of the Property to be conveyed and deed restricted as set forth in Paragraph 16(f).”

Dolphins strand feeding.

The demand letter asks that Kiawah Partners performs as Paragraph 16(f) obligates them to. Lastly, it reads, “There can be no question that the Town has standing to enforce these terms of the ARDA. In fact, the Town has a duty to do so for its citizens. KDP (Kiawah Development Partners, aka Kiawah Partners) waived any and all rights to challenge the validity of its conveyance obligations under Paragraph 31.”

Council Member Bradley Belt added, “This is an issue of critical importance to the community. It has been and will continue to be. Everybody’s objective is to make sure that Captain Sams Spit remains in its pristine condition, as it is now untouched and undeveloped. We think that in pursuing our legal obligations and rights under the ARDA, as outlined, this is an appropriate first step in order to protect those interests. We haven’t made any decisions, but this is the appropriate first step. I support it.”

Council Member Russell Berner concluded with, “This was not even a hard decision. The Council was all on board to protecting Captain Sams Spit. Now it is getting down to how we do that. We were unanimously joined together.”

A response from Kiawah Partners to the demand letter was requested by January 15, 2024.

Kiawah Partners’ plan was to develop 50 homes on the 150-acre isthmus on Captain Sams Spit, which is located on the southern tip of Kiawah Island between the Kiawah River and the Atlantic Ocean.

The future development of this small piece of property has been argued in and out of court since 2009 mostly due to its fragile ecosystem and vital importance for local wildlife like the dolphins who strand

Civic Calendar TOWN OF KIAWAH

TOWN OF SEABROOK

PHOTO BY CHRIS ROXON

feed there.

In June of 2021, the South Carolina Supreme Court denied permits that Kiawah Partners so desperately needed from DHEC to construct a 2,380-foot steel wall along the neck portion that connects Kiawah to Captain Sams. These permits would have also allowed infrastructure like roadways, stormwater systems and utility lines.

That was actually the third time the state’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of protecting Captain Sams Spit.

Their first ruling against the development of 50 homes on Captain Sams came in 2014 when the state Supreme Court ruled against it because of “the complete loss of area held in trust for the benefit of the people.”

Then again in 2018, the Court ruled in favor of the public benefits for preserving the spit and at that time blocked the construction of a half-mile long bulkhead/ revetment on the Kiawah River.

Despite the rulings, in July 2022, the Kiawah Island Planning Commission approved a preliminary subdivision plat extension for one year. However, Kiawah Partners still did not move forward with any sort of development at that time.

Currently, the space for a road to Captain Sams Spit is underwater. The entirety of the property has also been completely underwater before – three times in recorded history, in fact, and most recently in 1949.

Captain Sams Spit has been identified by local environmental groups, like the Coastal Conservation League, as a place where local wildlife thrive, especially the dolphins that engage in a unique behavior called strand feeding. Many identified bobcats live on the property, as well as the unique shorebird populations that show up on the Spit every year to nest and feed.

K iawah Island Town H all 4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway Kiawah Island, S.C. 29455 Phone: 768-9166 Fax: 768-4764 Seabrook Island Town H all 2001 Seabrook Island Road Seabrook Island, S.C. 29455 Phone: 768-9121 Fax: 768-9830 lmanning@townofseabrookisland.org

Arts and Cultural Event Council Friday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

Planning Commission Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1:30 p.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

For more information, check out www.mylonews.com

Ways and Means Committee Tuesday, Feb. 6, 11:30 a.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

Utility Commission Meeting Wednesday, Feb. 21, 8:30 a.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Want to share this paper with a friend?

Digital flipbooks of each print issue can be found at www.mylolowcountry.com

Town Council Tuesday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

Town Council Regular Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2:30 p.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

Charleston County Council 4045 Bridge View Drive N. Charleston, S.C. 29405 843-958-4700

Op-ed articles and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Lucky Dog Publishing or its staff

Planning Commission Wednesday, Feb 7, 1 p.m.

Kiawah Town Hall

Planning Commission Wednesday, Mar. 13, 1:30 p.m.

Seabrook Town Hall

City of Charleston 75 Calhoun St. Charleston, S.C. 29401 843-724-3745

Johns Island Council Meetings are held at the Berkeley Electric Co-op located at 3351 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, S.C. 29455 Chairman Chris Cannon: 343-5113

January 26, 2024

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OP-ED

Thumbs Down on Up-Zone

K I AWA H C O N S E R VA N C Y O P P O S E S U P - Z O N I N G F O R H E A LT H A N D WELLNESS VILLAGE

BY JENNIFER WILSON WOODY

L

For The Island Connection

ike many Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns Islanders, the Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy, Inc. (Kiawah Conservancy) is strongly opposed to the proposed up-zoning for the Island Park Place Health and Wellness Village on Betsy Kerrison Parkway. The developer’s recently proposed changes offer only minimal reduction in scope and scale of the development and demonstrate no commitment to define which medical services and facilities will be provided.

The developer is still not listening to the community.

It has also come to the Kiawah Conservancy’s attention that the developer is putting pressure on Charleston County Council members (via a hired lobbyist) to approve this development. One Council member described this pressure as unprecedented.

The Kiawah Conservancy has long supported a balance of nature and development on Kiawah Island and within its environs. However, for the ecological health of our sea islands, we strongly oppose the rezoning of TMS # 203-00-00-048 and -053 (located on Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island) from Low-Density Residential (R-4) zoning to Planned Development (PD-187) for the Island Park Place Health and Wellness Village.

This ecologically fragile land must be protected.

Our concerns are as follows: • The proposed Island Park Place Health and Wellness Village development will create habitat loss and fragmentation of critical native habitats and wildlife corridors.

• As proposed, this development will fill up to two acres of critical wetland habitats. Mitigation efforts are not required to take place in the same area as the wetland loss and therefore will not provide a positive benefit to the area.

•

The expansive septic field required for the development will cause further groundwater and watershed contamination in an area that is already of critical concern.

• The impervious surface parking garage for 96 cars and surface parking for 461 cars will add significantly to the flooding in the area of Betsy Kerrison Parkway and contamination to the watershed.

• The up-zoning of these properties will be a springboard for future up-zoning to high-density development in this rural area further impacting the rural nature and native habitats that support both residential and migratory wildlife species.

• There is no need for this development with the fragile, rural ecosystem of this area, given the new medical facilities from Trident and MUSC that are planned for installation within the same locality.

We encourage all Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns Islanders to contact Charleston County Council members and submit their concerns regarding the up zoning of these properties.

We encourage all Charleston County Council members to vote in opposition to the rezoning of TMS # 203-00-00048 and -053 to ensure the ecosystem of this critical area on rural Johns Island remains healthy and vibrant for the wildlife species and community members that inhabit the area.

Learn more about the Kiawah Conservancy and how you can get involved in our efforts at kiawahconservancy.org.

Mayor Resigns (continued from page 1) with my colleagues. Our residents are the heart of this island, and I look forward to seeing the great endeavors you continue to foster and grow in the years to come.”

Town Council Member Bradley Belt recognized the mayor during the Town Council meeting by saying, “Prior to my running for council and every interaction we had then and subsequent thereto, I have found that you have handled the issues with extraordinary grace. You were always respectful to your colleagues on council as well as to all members of the community at every turn, and I think we should all be very grateful.”

Alex Fernandez also recognized the mayor during the public comments portion of the meeting. He said, “As a full-time resident, I am sorry to hear about your resignation. I personally want to thank you for your service. I am sure this was not an easy decision for you. I know these are difficult times, but we’ll

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January 26, 2024

Award-winning Art

KIAWAH ARTS, ETC. HONORS YOUNG LOCAL ARTISTS

BY MARTHA ZINK

For The Island Connection

A

rts, etc. has decided this year to bring more focus to their vision of promoting and bringing art to the students on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. The committee and board decided to feature the artwork of students on the cover of the tour book for the Kiawah Art and House Tour.

Each of the five schools partnering with Arts, etc. was asked to participate in an art contest and asked for drawings or paintings of houses. Angel Oak Elementary School, Haut Gap Middle School and St. Johns High School all chose to participate, and over 50 students submitted artwork.

The art works were judged by the Kiawah Art Guild, led by Mary Houston. This group looked carefully with a critic’s eye at each drawing or painting and chose a gold, silver and bronze winner at each school. The cover art work for the tour book was chosen from the three gold medal winners by the Arts, etc. board and the tour book designer.

The winning cover artist is Knox Pastorius, a fourth grader at Angel Oak. He wants to be an architect when he grows up, so this project fits perfectly.

Knox is a very talented 9 year old and has been drawing since he began school, preferring to use pencils to create realistic images from observation and imagination. He used his imagination in drawing “a house which I would like to live in, if I had a home in Kiawah. I wanted to design my future home,” he said. He is very grateful his art was recognized and chosen as the winner of the contest.

There will be a display of Knox’s drawing and all the submitted artwork at the Freshfields branch of First National Bank in March before the House Tour on April 5. First National is the presenting sponsor of the Kiawah House Tour.

Knox Pastorius.

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Kiawah Town Council Respectfully asks for your vote to represent YOU on the Kiawah Town Council Active participant in the community, allowing a deeper understanding of homeowner concerns and needs.

Firmly believes that the Kiawah goal of “Designing with Nature” must be implemented.

Cares deeply about Kiawah and will lead towards increasing its protection from the threats of flooding and rising sea levels.

Will insist that the ARB be composed of community members and supported by a professional staff.

Due to overwhelming demand, will propose that the Town provide recreation facilities, like pickleball courts, pools, and others, for its residents.

Will bring innovative solutions to manage the Town’s financials more efficiently.

Build stronger communications between TOKI and KICA to better serve the community.

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January 26, 2024

MYSTERY PLANT

A Prickly Issue

BY JOHN NELSON

For The Island Connection

“involucre” – a sort of wrapping – abundantly equipped with pointed, soft spines. LOTS of them. As the season wears on, the involucre’s spines harden, thus forming the recognizable burs. Of course, the burs will detach themselves quickly just as soon as some unfortunate critter runs through them, reattaching the burs to themselves instead. (The same thing will happen with obliging socks and trouser legs, so you need to be careful around this stuff.)

Clearly, the spiny burs make an effective means for this plant to get its seeds into new areas, often with the help of an animal. If you have ever tried to comb these things out of Fluffy’s fur, you will know what I am talking about.

A bur, once attached, is only going to get more deeply embedded in fur, often needing to be cut out (carefully) from a tender ear with a pair of scissors.

I have a theory that these burs sometimes are attached so deeply that they’ll never fall out on their own – and following the demise of a wild animal that might be carrying them, the burs would still be associated with its carcass.

In such a case, the seeds within the burs would benefit from the soil. But all that considered, keep in mind the burs also float, and this plant is commonly found in great numbers along sandbars of our larger rivers.

PHOTO BY TONY ADCOCK

By the way, those of you who are familiar with the paintings of John James Audubon will know his depiction of the now-extinct Carolina parakeet, a flock of them noisily chattering away in a patch of our mystery plant.

John Nelson is the retired curator

of the Herbarium at the University of South Carolina, in the Department of Biological Sciences. As a public service, the Herbarium offers free plant identifications. For more information, call 803-777-8175 or email johnbnelson@ sc.rr.com.

[Answer: “Cocklebur,” Xanthium strumarium]

H

ere’s a plant with a kind of midwinter brutal beauty: drying leaf stalks topped with a constellation of brown, spiny burs. This plant wants to spread itself around if it can, and it wants you (or your dog) to help.

This is a member of the sunflower family, and the botanists have determined that it’s a relative of the common ragweed. It is an herb that is widely distributed in North America, easily found throughout southern Canada and is in every one of our 50 states. It is an extremely successful weed, usually found on disturbed ground, agricultural fields, cattle lots, roadsides and places that are being excavated.

The plants get to be 2 to 3 feet tall, with lots of attractive, dark green leaves. Blooming takes place during the summer, and each plant produces a number of small, drab flowers. Male and female flowers will be produced on the same individual plant. (Such a plant is termed “monoecious” – another good example would be corn.) But it is what those female flowers develop into that’s really made a name for this species.

Each flower has a tiny inferior ovary (same goes for everything else in the sunflower family, by the way). As the ovaries grow, following pollination, they are ultimately covered up by a special

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January 26, 2024

Q & A (continued from page 1) face at this current time and how do you plan to tackle it?

The most important issues we presently face are the challenges with development of the Beachwalker parcels. These development projects will generate enormous pressure on our infrastructure, impact on our wildlife and cause significant effects to our tree canopy. The initial plat approval for these parcels occurred back at the October 2022 Planning Commission. The vote to approve the preliminary plan was five for, one abstain and one against. The question to ask is, why did the Planning Commission give its approval without property owner input? Now, a very thorough independent overview with input from the community is required before construction permits are issued. Additionally, serious errors have been detected with the large Cape project.

These need to be investigated by an independent person who will report to the Council on, one, how this error occurred; two, how to correct it; and three, how to avoid this happening again. I will continue to follow these issues closely.

What is the most polarizing issue, in your opinion, and how do you think you will handle both sides of the coin?

Clearly the most polarizing issue today is the future development of Kiawah. I believe that all property owners have property rights, but any future development must comply with our “Design with Nature” goal so that construction design harmonizes with the Kiawah brand and image, as well as applicable ordinances and regulations. A very good example of all sides working collaboratively is the Andell West development. The community objected to the preliminary plans because they weren’t in harmony with the Kiawah brand and image goals, but after several very serious meetings and discussions, a design was proposed that serves the interests of the Andell West developers as well as the interests of the property owners. Bravo! I will lead the charge for agreements where both sides win.

What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

There is no doubt that traffic has increased in line with new homes and will continue to increase with new developments to come. But the most serious issue we face today is the bottleneck at the KICA front gate. Vehicles going through the gate have increased 10% in the last 12 months. This is not solely a KICA issue but a problem for the Town as well. We need to get all the top minds together – engineers, board and Council members and management – and begin to think outside the box. Do we move the gate? Have a gate pass office prior to the gate? Build more lanes including, possibly, a lane for the right turn to Beachwalker? We need to put this working group together now. And we need to apply a sense of urgency and stop kicking this can down the road.

Please give us a little information about your history on Kiawah Island.

My wife, Gloria, and I first visited Kiawah in 2011, and it was love at first sight. We began bringing our two boys and their families here on vacation starting in 2012 and purchased our Turtle Villa in 2017. We decided to make this paradise our permanent home in 2019 and moved to our present house on Snowy Egret in 2020.

I have been semi-retired for several years, participating with my sons in a family business in Florida. I began to get involved in the community by participating in local events and, in 2018, was appointed to KICA’s Finance Committee. I served on the Town’s Audit Committee in 2021 and 2022 and was elected to the KICA Board of Directors in 2021.

Madeleine Kaye What do you think is the biggest issue that Kiawah Island residents face at this current time and how do you plan to tackle it?

There are four major issues facing Kiawah in the coming years. One is safety and security issues arising from increased traffic and development. The second issue is the preservation of Kiawah’s natural environment as the island approaches build-out and the Kiawah Island Golf Resort continues its development. The third is protection of the marsh as sea levels rise, and the fourth is ensuring that further island development does not jeopardize animal habitats or maritime forests.

My efforts on issue one will be directed at assessing the results of the ongoing traffic study, determining the best approach to alleviating traffic congestion at Kiawah’s first gate and determining whether there is a legitimate and pressing need for a Kiawah police force. My efforts on the second item will be focused on ensuring that

Madeleine Kaye.

Alex Fernandez.

all development occurs in full compliance with Kiawah’s zoning codes, ordinances and development agreements. For the third issue, I will advocate for expansion of the responsibilities of Kiawah’s intra-island committee, which is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the marsh. For issue four, I will work with the talented and knowledgeable staff at both the Town and the Kiawah Island Conservancy to protect two of the essential elements that drew us to Kiawah: our unique and precious environment and our commitment to the turtles, bobcats and birds whose land and water we share.

What is the most polarizing issue, in your opinion, and how do you think you will handle both sides of the coin?

Each of the four issues mentioned above has the potential to generate strong opinions. My goal will be to study each issue and communicate my position in an objective manner so that the community can see that I’ve been fair and thoughtful.

What is your opinion about the traffic problems in the area?

Unfortunately, there’s little subjectivity about the traffic situation on Johns Island and throughout the greater Charleston area. It's a fact that traffic has increased dramatically, along with residential development along Main Road, River Road and Maybank Highway. I think it’s shameful that little to no progress has been made on the very challenging intersection of Main Road and Highway 17 or on the I-526 extension. Additional traffic to Kiawah and Seabrook will be generated by the development of Seafields, the new MUSC facility and the development of Andell West next to Freshfields. I’m hopeful that the efforts of one or more members of the Kiawah Council to reach out to various representatives from the City of Charleston, Charleston County and Seabrook Island will result in joint action on some of these critically important traffic initiatives.

Please give us a little information about your history on Kiawah Island.

My first visit to Kiawah almost 40 years ago was a revelation. I arrived from the Philly suburbs with my 2-year-old daughter in a car seat. We passed through the first gate, and it was love at first sight. I bought my first villa in 2005, and bought my current home about 10 years ago.

I’ve served on Kiawah’s Planning Commission for the past three years and have been instrumental in drafting the Comprehensive Marsh Management Plan, the Beachwalker Zoning Initiative and a sweeping Tree Preservation Ordinance. From 2010 to the present, as a KICA volunteer, I’ve been a member of the ARB work group, which is charged with transitioning the ARB from a developer-owned to a community-led entity; a member of the Sandcastle Task Force; and, for 12 years, chair or co-chair of Kiawah’s “Our World” lecture series. For the past two years, I’ve been a member of the Marsh Management Task Force and served as chair of its communications sub-committee.

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Hilary Mahoney Beam, Realtor® Kiawah/Seabrook Island Specialist hilary.mahoneybeam@akersellis.com

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January 26, 2024

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Company’s Coming

Put in Park

January 26, 2024

THE DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE IS BACK

C A R S AT K I AWA H R I V E R G O E S O N I N D E F I N I T E H I AT U S

BY CAROL CRONK

BY IRENE BRELAND

T

For The Island Connection

For The Island Connection

he Charleston Symphony Orchestra League is restoring a tradition sure to amaze and inspire with a historic Charleston home reimagined as a Designer Showhouse. The 44th Showhouse is the circa 1803 John Rudolph Switzer home, located at 6 Montagu. It will be a spectacular union of historic restoration with current architecture, design, layout and finishes.

Talented designers are preparing designs for the imaginative spaces, all of which will be on tour March 13 to April 13.

The Showhouse will be open to the public on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for eclectic engagements, featuring esteemed musicians, local artists, culinary leaders and interior designers. Many of these intimate events will also include docent-led tours of the Showhouse. The CSOL’s popular SCORE Boutique will be open throughout the tour with PHOTO PROVIDED CSOLINC.ORG a distinctive, curated selection of gifts, wearables and household items.

The Blue Prints & Blue Jeans Bare Boards Party, scheduled for February 4, will feature the Showhouse before the designers begin installations, while the opening night party will kick off the tour on March 12. This elegant event will feature the Symphony Brass, the official ribbon cutting, bubbles and more. For additional information about tickets, visit csolinc.org.

All proceeds from the 2024 Designer Showhouse will benefit Charleston’s Symphony and music scholarships awarded to talented student musicians in the Lowcountry. The CSOL’s financial support to the Symphony allows the CSO to offer free or low-cost educational opportunities with a special emphasis on reaching Title I schools and underserved areas.

F

ellow enthusiasts, if you are reading this article, you have likely been an exhibitor, volunteer or spectator in the past at Cars on Kiawah or Cars at Kiawah River. As the organizers of these events, we are incredibly appreciative for your support over the years.

We share your interest in automotive history, design and creativity and have been proud to put on an event that displayed a wide variety of wonderful cars. One of the best aspects for each of us has been the opportunity to meet so many incredible people at the shows.

Producing these shows since 2016 has been a special experience for us.

However, it requires hundreds of hours to pull it off. There are a lot of moving parts: managing the website, social media and marketing; obtaining sponsors, vendors, and volunteers; making location and parking arrangements; arranging tents, security and food and beverage vendors; assembling exhibitor gift bags; determining show field layout; ordering signage and awards; managing the exhibitor applications; managing funds, making payments and keeping books and records needed to maintain nonprofit status; and much more.

We have reached a point where we are no longer able to commit the time needed to produce a quality show. As a result, we have made the difficult decision to put the show on an indefinite hiatus. We are hopeful that others will step up and produce an even bigger and better event. Thank you for your participation, enthusiasm and positive comments over the years.

From the Cars at Kiawah River Board: Lauren Binard Dave Rosato Irene Breland Bruce Stemerman Millie Horton John Wilson

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January 26, 2024

There’s a new boat club at Bohicket Marina

COME CHECK US OUT

BOAT CLUB • Offers the ultimate boating experience without the hassles of ownership • Experience the charm of the Lowcountry waterways, where boating dreams come to life • Take advantage of exclusive perks as a member of our Boat Club • Hassle-free boating lifestyle where we do all the work for you • Access reservations through our Custom App for easy bookings • Unlimited access with future reservation options as well as day-of opportunities • Access to the four sister locations throughout the Charleston area • A one-stop shop for all your boating needs BOAT RENTALS • Bohicket Marina offers the freedom of boating to all with our new Boat Rental fleet • Wide range of boats tailored to your needs and preferences, pontoons & center consoles • Perfect for both experienced boaters and beginners discovering a new hobby • Convenient online booking system for quick and easy reservations • Benefit from our professional staff’s expertise and personalized recommendations

bohicket.com

January 26, 2024

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Indulge Guilt-Free

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FORTYEIGHT – WINE BAR & KITCHEN ANNOUNCES 2024 DINING FOR A CAUSE

BY LOREN BEADLE

For The Island Connection

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I

sland Sport is excited to announce the Spring 2024 Dining For a Cause Tuesday evening dinner series at FortyEight – Wine Bar & Kitchen on Kiawah Island.

Starting January 30 and continuing through April 30, FortyEight – Wine Bar & Kitchen will feature a local charity each Tuesday evening. Guests can make a reservation on Resy anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. each Tuesday, and 50% of the revenues from their dinner(s) will automatically be donated to the charity.

The owners of FortyEight stated, “We are so pleased to be able to help support these wonderful charities in the Charleston area. Please come by on a Tuesday evening this spring and help us support them. You get a great dinner, and your favorite local charity gets a big check! And, if you can, please give directly to these charities using their websites.”

Here is a list of upcoming Tuesday dinner dates with the charity being featured: January January 30 - Fields to Families (fieldstofamilies.org) February February 6 - Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic (bifmc.org) February 20 - Backpack Buddies, Seabrook Island (backpackbuddiesseabrookisland.com) February 27 - Backpack Buddies, Kiawah Island (kiawahwomensfoundation.org) March March 5 – Pet Helpers (pethelpers.org) March 12 - Arts, etc. (kiawahartsetc.org) March 19 - Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (seaislandhabitat.org) April April 2 – AMOR Healing Kitchen (amorhealingkitchen.org) April 9 - Respite Care Charleston (respitecarecharleston.org) April 16 – Charleston Area Therapeutic Care (catr-program.org) April 23 - Sea Island Hunger Awareness – Blessing Basket (fightislandhunger.org) April 30 - Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach (olmoutreach.org) Island Sport was founded in 2005 with the opening of its first retail store, SeaCoast Sports and Outfitters, in Freshfields Village on Kiawah Island. As Freshfields Village and Kiawah Island have grown over the last 19 years, so has Island Sport. Now with nine retail stores and restaurants in two states, Island Sport operates a variety of retail concepts. For a list of its current retail and restaurant locations, please visit islandsportllc.com.

For more information about Dining for a Cause, visit fortyeightwinebar.com.

January 26, 2024

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January 26, 2024

Scenes of the Sea

MEET FEBRUARY ARTIST OF THE MONTH BOB LEFEVRE

BY BONNIE YOUNGINER For The Island Connection

B

ob LeFevre, a resident of Seabrook Island and Salem, South Carolina, retired from a successful career in business at the age of 55 to pursue his passion of oil painting. Since he was a child, he loved the water and everything related to it. It was natural that his paintings would depict scenes of life on and near the oceans and lakes he would visit throughout his life.

LeFevre’s painting career began when, at the urging of his 4th grade teachers, he was enrolled in private art classes. At this early age, he began to develop his perceptual skills as an artist, learning the fundamentals of rendering and depiction of values in a representational way.

Throughout his elementary and high school days, LeFevre continued lessons. He joined every art club and organization he could and began winning awards for his talents. One of these honors was a sculpture scholarship at a local academy; he enjoys sculpting and carving to this day. At the age of 18, he took private lessons from a retired sea captain in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where he painted his first clipper ship.

Following graduation, LeFevre elected to pursue a business career, knowing that he would eventually return to art. After 33 years as an

executive with Procter and Gamble and Pepsi and as an owner of The United States Playing Card Company, the artist retired to pursue his dreams of painting full-time.

Today, LeFevre maintains art studios at both his Seabrook Island and Salem homes. He was President of Seabrook Island Guild, which includes more than 100 members. He was represented by the Spencer Art Galleries in Charleston and maintains a gallery at his home on Seabrook.

He is driven to develop his skills to a higher level through life drawing lessons — including nine years at the Art Academy of Cincinnati — plein air workshops and teaching drawing and painting to teens and adults. For 14 years, LeFevre has been offering weekly individual and group art lessons to several Seabrook, Kiawah and Johns Island artists and always welcomes new participants.

If you are interested in lessons, please contact the artist at rodory@gmail.com or 513-237-4757. Please join the Seabrook Island Artist Guild for a reception to meet the artist and view his work on Tuesday, February 6 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Lake House. More information about the Seabrook Island Artist Guild can be found at seabrookislandartistguild.com.

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September 22, 2023

Sullivan’s Council member ‘extremely concerned’ about possible zoning exemption

FREE

VOLUME 17 ISSUE 19

Taking Charge of a Modern Era

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Christmas Comes Early for Conservation

SEABROOK SETS A PRECEDENT WITH ELECTRIC CARS

Residential Cleaning Services

BY THERESA STRATFORD

By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News

For The Island Connection

The Sullivan’s Island Town Council and those who attended its Sept. 11 workshop heard all about the history of Jasper Hall and the Sand Dunes Club, while the company that wants to turn the historic property into a private club apparently has revised its proposal. And an outspoken member of the Council is still “extremely concerned about the precedence of granting a commercial zoning exemption in a residential district.”

Dr. Mike Walsh, referred to by Mayor Pat O’Neil as “our resident historian these days,” spoke in detail about the property on Atlantic Avenue, which made its first appearance on the island as a military beach recreation facility, burned to the ground six years later and was rebuilt and re-opened in 1933. Meanwhile, Sullivan’s Island Bathing Company will now be offering nonmembers of the proposed exclusive club the opportunity to use the pool on a limited basis.

“Most recently, we communicated the Ocean Club’s plan to offer a community membership to island residents, which offers use of the family pool and poolside food service two designated days a week between Memorial Day and Labor Day, excluding weekends and holidays,” Sullivan’s Island Bathing Club Manager Shep Davis said. “We look forward to sharing additional new details about the club and exciting amenities and programming via our newsletter.”

“Town Council has posed additional questions about the Ocean Club, and our team is diligently gathering this information to share with Council in the coming weeks,” he added.

Following the workshop, Bathing Club team members Brian Hellman and Jim Wanless said the community membership idea was part of the plan they originally presented to the town. They said membership would cost $500 per year and that they would be at the Council’s Sept. 19 meeting to address the questions posed by Council Member Scott Millimet. O’Neil said that as of Sept. 13, that item was not on the Council’s agenda.

Sullivan’s Island Bathing Company wants to spend $30 million to renovate the property and charge members $60,000 to join, plus $6,000 a year in dues.

Millimet called the proposed zoning change “a very bad precedent.”

“Let’s just say, hypothetically, they were granted a zoning exemption. In two years, they decided to sell the club. We don’t have any control over what goes in next because we already granted the exemption,” he said. “What is critical is the request to operate a for-profit business in an area currently zoned as residential.

To me it opens a big old can of worms.”

Millimet said he wants to know how many similar (continued on page 2)

Four spots are open on the IOP Council The ballot has been set for the Nov. 7 Isle of Palms election. Eight candidates will be vying for four seats on the City Council, including incumbents Scott Pierce, Kevin Popson, Rusty Streetman and Jimmy Ward.

Also on the ballot are Tim Ahmuty, Elizabeth Campsen, Ashley Carroll and Brian Duffy.

The Island Eye News has posed some questions to the candidates that are important to the residents of the Isle of Palms. The answers provided

by Ahmuty, Campsen, Carroll, Duffy and Pierce begin on page 7. Popson, Streetman and Ward were given the opportunity to let their constituents know how they feel about these critical issues, but declined to do so. There will be a second set of questions in our October 8 issue, and a candidate forum Sept 28.

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T VFW Post 3137 on the Isle of Palms held a commemoration ceremony Sept. 11 to mark the 22nd anniversary of the terror attacks in New York City and the Pentagon. The ceremony started at 8 a.m., and a bell sounded at 8:46 a.m., the time the first tower of the World Trade Center in New York was hit. The bell was rung again at the time each plane struck its intended target. In addition, candles were lit in remembrance of the approximately 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attack on the United States. Left to right: Isle of Palms Councilman Rusty Streetman, IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds, State Rep. Joe Bustos, State VFW Commander Jim Fox and VFW Post 3137 Commander Bo Stallings.

Photo courtesy of Pamela Marsh.

Chief reports on coyotes trapped on Sullivan’s Island

By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News

At least three coyotes were caught in traps after an especially active six-month period for the canine predators on Sullivan’s Island.

Police Chief Chris Griffin told members of the Town Council at their Sept. 11 workshop that the animals had been captured between Station 25 and Station 28. He said coyotes had bitten or otherwise threatened dogs once each in April and June and three times each in July and August. In addition, the Police Department reported 12 sightings of or confrontations with coyotes between Aug. 12 and Aug. 27, including an Aug. 26 incident where a coyote attacked and dragged a small dog into the Maritime Forest.

“I’ve been here 26 years plus, and this is the most we’ve caught since we’ve been trapping them,” Griffin said. “Three in two weeks. I’m really happy with that. It’s not enough, but I’m happy with that. It’s a good start.”

He said eight traps have been set and that the trappers, who must be licensed by the Department of Natural Resources, have advised him that setting additional traps would be a bad idea.

“Too many traps is bad,” the chief said in response to a question from the audience. “I was the same way. Put out traps everywhere. But they said no; don’t do that. With too many traps, the scents are too much and it overwhelms them.”

Mayor Pat O’Neil cautioned local residents not to disturb the traps.

“Please don’t go out looking for the traps,” he said. “You’ll get your human smell all around them, and the coyotes will stay away when we want them to be enticed by whatever it is we’re using to entice them to the traps.”

Griffin added that “they’ll climb a 6-foot fence like it’s nothing.

They’re very smart. If you go back there looking, you can put your scent down.”

O’Neil said residents who encounter a coyote should call the nonemergency dispatch number at 843-743-7200. “If your dog Canva stock image. has been attacked, call 9-1-1 for that,” he added.

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he first step was taken to establish the first electric vehicle charging stations on Seabrook Island when the Mayor and Town Council members approved the installations at the November 28 Seabrook Island Town Council Meeting.

These would actually be the first and only EV charging stations on both Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island at the current time. The four Level-2 Universal EV Chargers will be installed in the parking lot of Seabrook Island Town Hall.

A Berkeley Electric Cooperative grant for $25,000 is mostly funding the charging stations.

Seabrook Island Town Administrator Joe Cronin explained, “I had some additional conversations with Berkeley Electric Cooperative, and they agreed to allow us to be the second recipient for a grant program they established a couple years ago. The first project was up in Goose Creek.

They provide up to $25,000 in funding for vehicle charging infrastructure. As of right now, there is no electric car charging infrastructure on Seabrook or Kiawah.”

He added, “We don’t want that grant money to go to waste, so we have continued to work with them.”

The charging stations would go at the end of the Town Hall parking lot. Cronin said that this (continued on page 7) has been a long time

NEW PROPERTIES ON KIAWAH ACQUIRED FOR PROTECTION

Janina Karluk 843.270.6688

BY JENNIFER WILSON WOODY For The Island Connection

T

he Kiawah Conservancy announced the receipt of conservation easements on four new properties this year. On December 5, the Kiawah Conservancy and the Limehouse family signed a conservation easement to protect 253 acres of marshland and four large hummock islands. This property was one of the last unprotected stretches of marshland along the Kiawah River and is the only remaining parcel of the former Mullet Hall

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Plantation.

Like all marshes, this land plays a critical role in the ecological health of the area by protecting against the effects of sea level rise and natural hazards. It is home to some of the most biodiverse wildlife habitats in the Lowcountry and holds historical and cultural significance, as the hummock islands contained within it were (continued on page 2) responsible for the production of sea

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January 26, 2024

Thank You!

Sea Islands HUNGER AWARENESS FOUNDATION

2023 Hunger Awareness Challenge

The Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF) is delighted to announce that YOU, our generous donors have met our $200,000 Matching Challenge, and YOU, have once again SURPASSED the Challenge with a Grand Total of $290,350.00!!! This includes all contributions, October 1st through December 31st, 2023, to the Foundation, in support of its fourteen (14) programs and partners. YOU, friends, neighbors, families, honorees, and dear ones in memoriam, continue to accept the challenge and help change the lives of your sea island neighbors. We appreciate all who gave with your heart and contributed in any way to help meet and surpass the 2023-24 SIHAF Hunger Awareness Challenge, making it possible for us to provide healthy food and clean water one meal at a time. It means so much to so many It means that we can grant more funds that our fourteen (14) local programs and partner organizations NEED to serve our more than 2500 neighbors who deal with hunger every day, via meals, groceries, and special programs, and provide thousands of pounds of produce to our Johns and Wadmalaw Islands families in need.

It means that we can provide more Microwave Ovens, Stoves, and Refrigerators to those who have NONE. It means SIHAF’s ALL-Volunteer Team can continue to serve our neighbors, efficiently and effectively, as recently deemed by the Secretary of State that 98.8% of all donations go directly to our mission of feeding the hungry and providing clean water to those in need.

It means that SIHAF’s Water Wellness Mission has conquered its list of those in need of clean water in their homes, many for the first time, and assure that those wells and filtration systems can be maintained, and future requests for wells, granted.

It means that with multiplying food costs and new applicants we need and welcome your CONTINUED support. Please help us reach our new neighbors and businesses to make them AWARE of our community’s responsibilities…all year long!

Thank You, to Michelle and Roy Waterhouse for printing and donating 1,000 of our trifold brochures to distribute to local businesses and make others more Aware of who we are and what we do. Please look for them and share them with others.

Thank You to our local publications for helping to make our community AWARE of our Challenge, and the needs of our community. Our sincere thanks to our loyal donors who continue their generous support of the foundation, its programs, and partners, throughout the year, through planned or annual giving, grants, and other gifts. Thank you again, to ALL who have met the challenge and their neighborly responsibility to help us continue to Provide Our Programs, Support Our Partners, and Provide Nutritious Food and Clean Water to our Sea Island Neighbors in Need in 2024. We appreciate your continued giving and your sharing this with friends, neighbors, and local businesses: Donate by Check Mailed to:

Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF) PO Box 268, Johns Island, SC 29457-0268

Via Credit or Debit Card at: fightislandhunger.org

SIHAF is a 501c3 non-profit organization - All donations are tax-deductible Anonymous Kelly Family Foundation Eric and Christine Strobel Bill and Pat Greubel Beyond Our Gates Foundation John and Carolyn Peterson (In Honor of Russell Owens) Paul and Joanne Hennessy Kiawah Cares Thomas and Denise Nudo Peter B. and Adeline W. Ruffin Foundation Buchanan Family Foundation Barbara Andrews Brian and Arlene Amery (In Honor of Jerry and Bonnie Kelly) Marlisa and Jim Bannister Joe Bauer David and Kathleen Bauhs Paul DePalma Barbara Johnson Kiawah Resort Associates Paul’s Family Foundation Anonymous Tom and Cheryl Boswell John and Sue Carpenter Peter and Mary Conway Law Offices of Donald Howe Steven and Denise Donohoe Ralph and Nancy Edwards Laurel and Hank Greer Randy and Rita Kramer John Strauch Robert and Suzanne Stebbins (In Memory of John Dolan, Chris Woods & Phil Curry) Tara Foundation Connie and Steve Andersen Joseph Liro and Joanne Hill Jimmy and Patti Addison

$290,350!!!

Diane and Andrew Allen Susan Buff Kathy Garber Philip Gillespie Rajan and Suman Govindan Maggie and Wayne Grzecki Charles and Deborah Harris Sue and Quentin Jackson John and Katherine Kotz Bob and Susan Leggett Patricia Linton George and Wanda Mackie Darryl May Larry and Tina Mayland Robert and Beverly Martin Brian and Laurie Nejmeh Eileen Rice Peter Rupert Patti Tully Wells Fargo Clearing Services Joe and Rebecca Wilson Michelle and Roy Waterhouse Geoffrey and Sue Woglom Charlie and Rose Septer Church of Our Saviour Anonymous (In Honor of Shirley Salvo) James Brown Joseph and Ronell Berttucci Tonya and Marvin Cavanaugh Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cooper Carmine and Arline DeGennaro Amanda Gregory James and Mary Hill Mary Jo Manning Robert and Linda Matthews Madeline Nesmith Melissa Newhall Rick and Debbie Ross Shirley Salvo

Barbara Sanders Robert and Susan Speziale John Snead Bill and Lou Walthall Jeffrey and Ellen Ward Helen Wright Paul Corkish J. McLaughlin Robert Davis Marvin and Charlotte Kelly Karen and Leonard Madoff Rebecca Parsons Lindy Small and Stephen Shapiro Bruce VanVoorhis Bob and Paula Adamson Robert and Ellen Alexander Ann Edwards Steve and Leslie Haines Paula Julg Gig and Bill Milowsky Cheryl and David Morley Susie and Andy Rush Anonymous Debbie Banecker Kevin Boyle Linda and William Hart Pat and Bill Huff Susan Lobell Julie Moore Sue Myrick Lois Rinehimer (In Memory of Ed Rinehimer) Dr. Stan and Carol Ullner Lee and Lori Newson Nancy Appel Sandy Lang Kristen Wilson Raymond and Stephanie Hamilton Anonymous

Barry and Lou Baucom Richie and Susan Bavasso Carolyn and Dennis Bernard Jill and Bill Boissonnault Rosemarie Booze William Breunsbach Lori Burns Patrick and Lora Connelly Sarah and David Craig (In Honor of Jada Phillips) Mary Jane Devins Carol and Richard Heilman Janet and Ted Fine Bernie Kennedy Gary and Kathy Kunkelman Ed and Lori Leary Diane Lehder Albert Linquist Vance Mann Michael and Amy Matthews Tom and Joyce Pinckney Alan and Peggy Todd Indigo Books Michael Green Ben Lever Michele Neelakantappa Anonymous Barry and Louise Baucom (In Honor of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Green) Eileen Burke and Leslie Sherman Wanda Carter Marilyn and David Kloepfer Shep McKinley Thomas Ranese Carol Johnson Lois and John Bush Wendy Holschuh Jane Marvin Kerry Stubbs

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January 26, 2024

OPINION REDDY OR NOT

Weaponization of Government

G

BY ROM REDDY

overnment is being increasingly weaponized against its citizens in so many ways that we have forgotten the concept of “we the people.”

We are being forced to forget that government works for us. The police powers being exercised by various government entities is frightening. They pull out the entire tool kit, including trying to pit citizen against citizen.

The latest is the land grab by SCDHEC/ OCRM. For waterfront properties, regardless of property lines – for which we’ve paid money and pay taxes – the state has historically had jurisdiction seaward of a setback line that is evaluated every seven to 10 years. Landward of that line is the property owner’s jurisdiction. The latest interpretation by unelected OCRM bureaucrats of this clear jurisdictional separation is that if a storm knocks out any waterfront property, they automatically have jurisdiction over your private property to the new eroded line – not just beachfront but any waterfront property. Say what?

We are a constitutional republic. In its simplest form, this means the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Both the 14th and Fifth Amendments clearly indicate that private property ownership and protection is one of the cornerstones of liberty. If we don’t have the ability to own and protect our property, the very tenets of freedom are threatened. Every homeowner has a right to protect his or her property, and government cannot take that away without buying that property for “just compensation,” defined by the U.S. Supreme Court as fair market value.

When it comes to waterfront properties of any kind, the state used to follow a strategy of “retreat,” which means that water and nature will do their thing, and, instead of fighting it, we retreat, and the government

buys up any private property that is impacted. That policy was changed recently to “hold the line,” as governments realized that with rising ocean levels, climate change and very aggressive water, there was no viable, economic way to keep retreating.

However, even though the policy was changed, the regulations were not.

Government now uses retreat regulations to threaten and harass citizens and take their land without compensation. Even the Isle of Palms has retreat regulations that do not let homeowners protect their property in any way from these dangerous waters and forces homeowners to suffer the consequences. Why is IOP the only coastal community that has an ordinance giving its government jurisdiction essentially over your entire property landward of the setback line? IOP bows to the OCRM land grab and supports its illegal and unconstitutional actions.

The result is a brewing disaster. In the last nine months, there has been massive property and beach damage. The government so far has spent 80% of its money and effort digging holes in the beach and scraping sand, which does nothing to renourish the beach and drags water into the holes and closer to the shore. Insurance companies are getting nervous, which will impact the availability and cost of insurance for the entire island.

Compare this to Florida, which looked at the same data and the ferocious damage caused by the water

and approved 50/50 matching grants to homeowners to build structures that protect their properties. Many of these structures are called terminal walls – versus seawalls – that remain hidden and covered by sand and landscaping and are maintained by the homeowner.

Government continues to maintain a dune system that supports natural habitat – and we all support that. The protective structures prevent property damage, are exposed only as a result of a catastrophic event and are covered up shortly after. This gets the government out of the business of managing the destruction of private property.

The results of the Florida strategy have been stunningly effective. This is how they shifted from retreat to hold the line and how government supports the protection of private property rather than working against it.

Our local politicians should understand the issues clearly and learn from others instead of hanging on to old regulations that are clearly producing disastrous results. This is not the time to pit citizen against citizen and divide us. We are one minor storm away from a home falling into the ocean. Once that happens, the boomerang impact on property values and insurance rates for everyone will be catastrophic. The focus should be exclusively on property protection and holding the line, not on exercising police powers using outdated regulations.

“Reddy or Not” is a periodic column representing the opinion of Lucky Dog Publishing owner Rom Reddy but not necessarily the opinion of the newspaper. In keeping with the paper’s philosophy of publishing all opinions, the publisher welcomes responses, which must be limited to 300 words and will be published on a space-available basis.

Tide Char t

We also offer FREE deconstruction services.

Date

High Tide

Jan 27 Jan 28 Jan 29 Jan 30 Jan 31 Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 6 Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 9

9:07am/9:28pm 9:41am/10:05pm 10:14am/10:41pm 10:47am/11:18pm 11:23am/11:58pm 12:03pm 12:43am/12:50pm 1:37am/1:45pm 2:39am/2:47pm 3:45am/3:52pm 4:49am/4:55pm 5:48am/5:54pm 6:44am/6:49pm 7:35am/7:43pm

Low Tide 2:42am/2:42pm 3:21am/3:51pm 3:58am/4:22pm 4:37am/4:54pm 5:18am/5:28pm 6:04am/6:08pm 6:58am/6:55pm 7:58am/7:51pm 9:03am/8:54pm 10:07am/9:59pm 11:07am/11:02pm 12:02pm 12:01am/12:53pm 12:56am/1:42pm

Hurricanes, storms, etc., are NOT included in tide time predictions and can be very different. Tide predictions are PREDICTIONS; they can be wrong so use common sense.

Source: saltwatertides.com

mylolowcountry . com

January 26, 2024

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ONGOING

January 26, 2024

around the islands...

WHAT: “Chicken and Biscuits” WHEN: Jan 24 - Feb 3 WHERE: Historic Dock Street Theatre MORE INFO: Broadway’s comedy Chicken & Biscuits hilariously portrays the Jenkins, the first family of their African-American church, navigating family, faith, and buried secrets as they attempt to eulogize their patriarch, wondering if the funeral will conclude with a burial, a wedding, or an all-out brawl.

WHAT: Museum Mile Month WHEN: Jan 1 - Jan 31 WHERE: Participating Museums MORE INFO: Explore Charleston's rich history and culture throughout January 2024 with the Museum Mile Month pass, granting access to multiple sites at a low price. Adult tickets are $35, children's are $10 for 13 different sites.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26 WHAT: Art Film Series WHERE: The Sandcastle WHEN: 3 p.m.

MORE INFO: Attend a screening of Big Eyes at The Sandcastle community center as part of Kiawah Island’s Art Film series. Directed by Tim Burton.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 WHAT: Sean Kennard Pianist WHERE: Church of our Savior WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

MORE INFO: This season, the Kiawah Island Arts and Cultural Events Council celebrates its 20th anniversary. Pianist Sean Kennard returns to Kiawah for this event.

WHERE: West Beach Conference Center WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

MORE INFO: American Idol Star Tristan McIntosh channels Linda Ronstadt’s prime with a superb backing band, offering a musical journey through chart-topping hits like “You’re No Good” and “Blue Bayou.”

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 WHAT: Quentin E. Baxter Presents Dan Wilson Quartet WHERE: Seabrook Island Club WHEN: 4 p.m.

MORE INFO: Join us for the second concert featuring Benedetto Guitarist Dan Wilson. Accompanied by pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Brandon Rose, and drummer Quentin E. Baxter.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 WHAT: First day of Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) WHERE: Downtown Charleston WHEN: 9 a.m.

MORE INFO: SEWE is making a comeback, offering attractions at 5 key exhibit locations in downtown Charleston. The event will feature the SEWE Fine Art Gallery, DockDogs®, Center for Birds of Prey demonstrations, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and and much more. Don't miss out on the exciting return of these favorites.

KEEPER OF THE WILD IS LOOKING FOR DONATIONS

We Love Wildlife

ANNUAL OYSTER ROAST RETURNS IN FEBRUARY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 WHAT: Opening day of “Proof ” WHERE: Queen Street Playhouse WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

MORE INFO: David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Proof explores the complexities of genius, love, and mental illness as Catherine, inheriting her father's brilliance, grapples with his legacy and her own stability.

WHAT: Young Contemporaries 2024 Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony WHERE: Halsey Institute WHEN: 5 p.m.

MORE INFO: 39th annual juried student exhibition hosted by the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. Celebrate the talented student artists at the College of Charleston, witness the presentation of generous awards, and find out the winners announced at 6 p.m. and on the @halsey_institute Instagram.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 WHAT: Chamber Trio Featuring Yuriy Bekker, Julian Schwarz, & Marika Bournaki WHERE: Church of our Savior WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

MORE INFO: Experience the harmonious synergy of these remarkable musicians as they explore a dynamic repertoire. Spanning well-loved classics and intriguing modern pieces, selections include Beethoven, Brahms, and Piazzolla.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

BY ELIZABETH ST. JOHN For The Island Connection

S

ave the date.

February 25 from 1 until 4 p.m. is the annual oyster roast to benefit Keeper of the Wild. Do you have any items you’d like to add to the auction? Donations of artistic and interesting items, as well as patron-sponsorship gifts, are actively welcomed right now.

Magnolia Plantation has a beautiful garden retreat on the banks of the Ashley River and once again is the gracious host for the fundraiser.

Freshly steamed oysters and delicious chilis, including a vegan chili, taste even better when accompanied by the sounds of guitar and friends laughing and chatting. Plus, the camellias will

WHAT: The Linda Ronstadt Experience with Tristan McIntosh

mylolowcountry . com

be in bloom – what a wonderful place to relax on a weekend afternoon.

Keeper of the Wild Wildlife Rescue and Sanctuary operates entirely on the contributions of its many friends. Specializing in mammalian wildlife rescue and rehab, the shelter is upheld by a large group of dedicated volunteers who are supported by professional staff.

Tickets are available now and are only $50. To purchase tickets for yourself or your special Valentine, go to keeperofthewild.org/oyster-roast.

For donations of items to the auction, please contact Suzanne Sortor, at Suzsortor@gmail.com.

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January 26, 2024

Kiawah Wines Coming Soon - March 2024!

We are pleased to announce the opening of a brand new store in Freshfields Village!

Your One-Stop Shop for All of Your Wine and Beer Retail Needs

From the same team that brought you FortyEight – Wine Bar & Kitchen and Kiawah Spirits In the space next to Kiawah Spirits formerly occupied by Coastal Footwear www.kiawahwines.com

info@kiawahwines.com

843.768.8488

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January 26, 2024

3278 PRIVATEER CREEK RD.

2238 CATESBYS BLUFF

3011 MARSH HAVEN

$6,700,000

$3,343,000

$1,839,000

Oceafront | Beach Access | 4 BR | 4.5 BA | 4,628 SF

Ocean/Marsh View | 5 BR | 4.5 BA | 5,186 SF

Golf View | 4 BR | 3F & 2H BA | 2,920 SF

2609 SEABROOK ISLAND RD.

1512 MARSH HAVEN

1107 SUMMERWIND LANE

$1,695,000

$815,000

Golf View | 4 BR | 3.5 BA | 2,644 SF

Marsh View | 2 BR | 2 BA | 1,397 SF

Golf View | 2 BR | 2 BA | 1,256 SF

2776 HIDDEN OAK DRIVE

624 DOUBLE EAGLE TR.

1393 PELICAN WATCH

$720,000

$644,900

$540,000

Golf View | 2 BR | 2 BA | 1,175 SF

Golf View | 2 BR | 2 BA | 1,161 SF

Beach Access | 1 BR | 2 BA | 906 SF

$755,000

WE SELL MORE PROPERTIES ON SEABROOK ISLAND THAN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED.

Standing: Tom Peck, John Halter, Amanda Benepe, Ryan Straup, Patsy Zanetti, Ingrid Phillips, Mary Ann Lloyd, Stuart Spisak, Joy Dellapina, Michelle Almeyda-Wiedemuth Seated: Pat Polychron, Chip Olsen, Stuart Rumph, Kathleen McCormack, Marc Chafe

seabrookisland.com | 843.768.2560 1002 Landfall Way, Seabrook Island, SC 29455 | realestate@seabrookisland.com Seabrook Island Club membership is required for ownership. Club amenity use is for Members and guests.

Lake House use is for Members, property owners, and their guests.