Pay hike for IOP employees might not require property tax increase
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
The new year will bring a substantial raise in pay for Isle of Palms employees, which might or might not require a property tax increase for island residents in fiscal year 2025.
At its final meeting of 2024, held Dec. 18, the IOP City Council voted unanimously to raise the salaries of fire and police personnel by an average of
14%, while the rest of the city’s employees will receive pay hikes of 7% to 7.5%.
The measure was passed after a presentation by Council Member John Bogosian, chair of the Administration Committee. Individual salary increases will be determined by City Administrator Desiree Fragoso, with input from department heads. The annual impact of the pay raises, $550,000 for salaries and a total of around (Continued on page 4)
Rain, high tides pummel IOP and Sullivan’s Island
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
Heavy rain and unexpectedly high tides combined to cause flooding, erosion and other storm damage to the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island Dec. 17.
On IOP, most of the impact of the storm was felt on the beach, both at Breach Inlet and along Beachwood East in Wild Dunes, according to City Administrator (Continued on page 8)
Power company to start trimming SI trees Jan. 2
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
With some Sullivan’s Island residents apparently still feeling the pain of Dominion Energy’s 2019 efforts to trim and eliminate trees that compete for space with the island’s power lines, the electric company is getting ready to repeat the process.
Mark Branham of Dominion Energy told members of the Sullivan’s Island Town Council Dec. 19 that work on trimming trees along 16 miles of overhead lines will begin Jan. 2. He said the project would begin at the Fort Moultrie end of the island and that the first phase would take eight to 10 weeks to complete. Dominion then will determine which palmetto trees, which he said are “a big safety and reliability concern,” will be removed.
Local resident Karen Byko spoke during the citizens’ comments part of the meeting, (Continued on page 4)
A Christmas present to the region
Sullivan’s Island comes through for Toys for Tots program
By Brian Sherman
For The Island Eye News
An array of town employees, Mayor Pat O’Neil, Council Member Jodi Latham, representatives from the military and the staff of Timmy Hayes Moving joined forces to load up 355 bicycles and 70 helmets for a trip to North Charleston Dec. 18, an initiative deemed by the mayor to be “Sullivan’s Island’s Christmas present to the region.”
Collected by the Sullivan’s Island Police Department as part of the Marine Corps’
Toys for Tots program, the bikes and other presents were delivered to children throughout the tri-county area on Christmas Day. The 355 bikes are nearly 100 more than were donated by residents, businesses and churches on and off the island last year.
“It was nothing short of amazing,” said Deputy Police Chief Glenn Meadows, who has run the program since he joined the Department in 2021. “We’re blown away.”
Meadows pointed out that the Police Department had lots of (Continued on page 6)
Town Administrator Andy Benke, left, and Police Sgt. Gary Erickson were among those loading up bikes Dec. 18 to be transported to North Charleston and distributed to children on Christmas day.
Access to the IOP beach was limited after the Dec. 17 storm due to damage to this Front Beach walkway.
Photo by Brian Sherman.
Photo by Della Watson.
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Tommy Hartnett will highlight first LENS Leadership Series program
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support program is about to launch an initiative that will give area residents the opportunity to get together for meaningful discussions about a wide range of important topics.
The LENS Leadership Series – “a forum for visionary leaders to connect and converse” – will get off the
Exchange oyster roast honors Bud and Cecily Stack
By Robbie Berg For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms Exchange Club will host its annual Bud and Cecily Stack Memorial Oyster Roast fundraiser on the scenic banks of Hamlin Creek on March 9.
Aside from the delicious single select oysters, chili and hot dogs, guests will also enjoy live music and beautiful panoramic views of the water. The event will also feature an online silent auction with several local items donated by generous businesses in the Isle of Palms and Charleston areas.
Tickets will be available at opexchange.org/ioproast in mid-January, for either 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The club is returning to its original format of typical stand-up oyster tables for both sessions. If seating is needed, two to three tables will be available. Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
There is an incentive to buy your tickets early: They are $50 per person in January, $60 in February and $70 in March. The fundraiser benefits The Exchange Club’s Youth/Scholarship Programs of Service Committees. Each year, scholarships are given to rising high school seniors with the money raised through this event. Last year, 11 students received a total of $21,000. In addition, Lowcountry youngsters are served through sports team sponsorships, Boy Scout awards dinners, ecological tours in the Lowcountry and other youth projects.
ground Jan. 9 at the IOP Exchange Club with a presentation by Tommy Hartnett, who served in the state House and Senate and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“LENS Whisperer” Ted Kinghorn, who, along with Jim Thompson and Sherry Welsh, will be running the program and lining up speakers, said Hartnett will talk for 20 or 30 minutes, followed by an open discussion among participants. He said the audience would be limited to the first 60 people who sign up to attend.
Plans call for a session of the LENS Leadership Series to be held from 6 p.m.to 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the first month of each quarter. That could change, however, possibly to accommodate a potential speaker’s schedule.
“We have to be nimble. We might call an audible,” Kinghorn said.
The April speaker will be freelance writer and author Prioleau
Alexander.
“We’ll have people from a broad range of interests,” Kinghorn explained. “It will be a platform for ideas, discussions, information and knowledge. There are so many interesting people and so many interesting topics in our community.”
He added that discussions will be nonpartisan and nonpolitical and that subjects that might be covered include education; transportation; history; culture and the arts; medicine; business; philanthropy; hospitality; the media; and athletics.
Kinghorn said potential speakers might include Barbara Melvin, president and CEO of South Carolina Ports and Tom Nolan, managing director of Wild Dunes Resort.
There is no charge to attend sessions of the LENS Leadership series.
“Whether we get 15 people or 60, we’ll have dialogue on something positive and thought-provoking that we think is valuable,” Kinghorn concluded.
City of Isle of Palms
opens application process for State Accommodations Tax Grants for Programs & Sponsorships
FY25 State Accommodations Tax Grant Applications Process: The City of Isle of Palms is accepting applications from organizations wishing to receive grants from the 2% state accommodations tax fund. South Carolina law allows for a 2% tax levy on the rental of all transient accommodations to help provide financial support to promote tourism and fund tourism-related activities in municipalities and counties within the state. Individuals staying overnight in hotels, motels, inns and vacation rentals pay 2% in addition to the statewide sales tax and any local sales and use tax applied to their lodging cost. State law establishes that funds from accommodations taxes must be used to attract and provide for tourists and must be spent on tourism-related expenditures.
Applicant Workshop: The City will host a workshop on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 10 a.m. The purpose of the workshop is to review application guidelines and criteria and assist potential applicants with completing the applications.
Application Deadline: The ATAX grant application must be submitted electronically to Nicole DeNeane, City Clerk, at nicoled@iop.net no later than 5 p.m., Friday, February 2, 2024.
Application: ATAX Grant Application available at iop.net.
Eligible Projects: Eligible projects include advertising and promotion, promotion of arts and cultural events for the attraction of tourists, construction, maintenance and operations of facilities for civic and cultural events, public facilities and visitor centers.
Application Process: Applicants must review the application approved by the local ATAX Committee available at https://www.iop.net/boards-commissions/ accommodations-tax-advisory-committee. Applications received by the deadline will be reviewed by staff for compliance with state law and these guidelines to determine eligibility. The applicants passing the initial review will be asked to make a presentation to the ATAX Committee.
Applicant Presentations: The presentations are scheduled for 11 a.m., March 12, 2024.
The ATAX Committee will meet on April 16, 2024, to make grant award recommendations to City Council. The recommendations will be presented to City Council for inclusion in the FY25 Budget.
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The event includes live music, an open bar, chef-curated food stations, and more. There will also be a special “Studio 71” lounge for guests to enjoy.
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Mayor-Elect William Cogswell announced the key members of his executive team. Staff backgrounds were provided by his team.
Pay hike
Continued from page 1
$1 million including benefits, overtime and other costs, was approved by the Council as well. Bogosian said about half that amount could be absorbed by the city until the 2024 fiscal year comes to a close at the end of June.
He added, however, that “going forward, as we look at the next budget cycle, we most likely are going to have to generate some revenue in our general fund to help pay for this – most likely some type of increase in taxes.”
A tax hike might not be necessary, said Council Member Jimmy Ward, who suggested that IOP use more of the money it collects in accommodations taxes to pay salaries and benefits for city workers.
“We have plenty of tourism, but we need to take care of our employees,” Ward said.
Fragoso pointed out that ATAX funds currently cover 22% of personnel expenses in the Fire Department and 17% in the Police Department.
“We have an opportunity to increase those percentages, maybe up to 30%. I would feel comfortable with that,” she said. “We always want to maintain the right balance and not leverage them too much because in the event that those dollars do go down, we are not going to get rid of the personnel that we cover with those. We have an opportunity to push a little
Trimming
Continued from page 1
encouraging Council members to “hold Dominion accountable for performing their work in a quality, sensitive and careful manner. … balancing the safety and reliability of the power grid with the health and aesthetics of the trees and our community.”
“I recall standing here in this very spot in 2019 as one of many residents expressing our outrage and our grief at the careless and overly aggressive cutting of our trees by Dominion’s hired contractor,” Byko said.
According to Branham, local residents will be notified in writing once Dominion determines which palmetto trees are to be cut off at ground level. Several Council members voiced their concern with exactly how the power company will communicate with property owners.
“I think the notification process is insufficient. A form letter just doesn’t raise my attention. I think if you’re going to cut down somebody’s trees, there ought to be a better system to alerting them to what’s going to happen,” Council Member Ned Higgins said.
Mayor Pat O’Neil asked if Dominion would provide “specific notice to the folks whose properties you’re going to have to go on, whose personal tress you’ll be cutting,” and Branham admitted that all property owners would receive the same generic notice.
The mayor told Branham that
bit there and still be in good shape.”
“That’s why our city’s tax rate is the lowest in the region, because we are able to leverage our tourism dollars for not only operational expenses but for specific projects that not only benefit tourism and visitors but clearly benefit our residential community as well,” she added.
The state of South Carolina charges a 2% tax on short-term rentals. Most of that money is returned to IOP, which can use 5% plus $25,000 for any purpose. The city sends 30%, now more than $1 million a year, to the Charleston Area Visitors & Convention Bureau and must spend the remaining 65% on tourism-related projects and activities.
Both Ward and Council Member Rusty Streetman agreed that all other possibilities should be explored before a property tax increase is considered.
The goals of the Administration Committee’s recommendations to the Council were to come up with a plan that creates a sustainable philosophy and structure for employee pay; achieves compensation for city employees that is competitive with the surrounding communities for equivalent responsibilities; and stays within the city’s current budget constraints or identifies funding to cover the salary increases.
Streetman and Council Member Scott Pierce served with Bogosian on the Administration Committee.
“we really do care about our trees here. I hope you’ll use some sensitivity,” and Council Member Justin Novak urged Dominion to “use as much care as you can.”
“They are part of our community, and they are an important part of our identity as a town,” Novak said.
Council Member Scott Millimet, possibly referencing Dominion’s trimming efforts five years ago, asked Branham “if we should expect to be shocked again.”
“I’m not sure everybody is shocked,” Branham answered. “It is shocking for some.”
“There’s a reason for that,” Millimet answered. “It’s because it’s a shocking amount of trimming.”
help assembling the bicycles, from other town employees and especially from Beach Service Officers Nehemiah Clarke, Kierah Beavins and Collin Livingston.
“Every member of the Police Department put together bikes, but Nehemiah, Kierah and Collin really stepped up,” Meadows said.
He added that the campaign could not have been successful without the help of his wife, Jennifer, and his daughter, Emma Kate, and Hayes, who made two trucks and a trailer, as well as his staff, available for the trip from Sullivan’s Island to North Charleston.
Marine Sgt. Adrian Smith, tri-county coordinator for the Toys for Tots program, was on hand for the third consecutive year.
“I look forward to every Christmas morning,” he said. “Bikes are the no. 1 thing that light up children’s faces. I’ve seen tears of happiness.”
WDMGA continues to battle prostate cancer
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
In the past decade, the Wild Dunes Men’s Golf Association has raised $1.6 million for the fight against prostate cancer – $850,000 of that during last year’s golf tournament and online auction. With the 2024 version of the event less than five months away, the organization is gearing up for what figures to be another successful year.
The 11th Annual WDMGA Charity Golf Fundraiser, which this year will honor Wild Dunes Director of Sports Jeff Minton, is scheduled for May 11 on the Links Course. The event is the largest single private fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
The silent auction will feature vacation trips and golf outings to Pebble Beach, the Dominican Republic, St. John, Sea Island, Bay Hill, Oakmont, Bull’s Bay, Country Club of Charleston, Kiawah, Deepdale, Montclair, Madison, Orangeburg, Cold Spring, Floridian, Hammock Beach, Congaree, Chechessee, Wild Dunes, Huntington and Garden City. Other items include dinners at some of the finest restaurants in the Lowcountry and “so much more,” according to Mike Muzzy, chair of the WDMGA’s Prostate Cancer Foundation Committee.
The weekend will also include a Friday night pre-event cocktail party at the Islander 71, which is located at the Isle of Palms Marina. The $50-per-person event is limited to 200 guests. To rsvp, email mike@ wdmga-pcf.org. To register for, donate to or sponsor the tournament and auction, visit wdmga-pcf.org.
The bicycles collected and assembled by the Sullivan’s Island Police Department for the Toys for Tots program were transported to North Charleston Dec. 18. Above: Left to right: Mayor Pat O’Neil; Marine Sgt. Adrian Smith, Toys for Tots tri-county coordinator; HMC Glenn Marasigan; Deputy Police Chief Glenn Meadows; and Chief Chris Griffin. Above right and right: Mayor O’Neil and Beach Services Officer Kierah Beavins help load bikes.
Photos by Brian Sherman.
Rain, tides
Continued from page 1
Desiree Fragoso, though the Police Department reported that several streets were impassable for at least part of the day. On Sullivan’s Island, Town Administrator Andy Benke said sand dunes were damaged, Thomson Park was “beat up” and saltwater might have harmed some vegetation in the Maritime Forest.
At the IOP City Council’s Dec. 18 meeting, Fragoso reported that the storm caused significant erosion at Breach Inlet, between 108 Ocean Blvd. and beach access 3A and in Wild Dunes, from 11 Beachwood East to 5 Dunecrest and around the Ocean Club. She said Collins Construction had already started removing debris and that city public works crews were doing the same near the Sea Cabins pier, part of which was washed away by the storm. She added that South Carolina Department of Transportation teams had been deployed to the island to help clear clogged ditches.
Fragoso said the city has been working with consultant Coastal Science & Engineering to determine if the Council will have to approve additional funds to help combat erosion. The Council already has delegated $300,000 for sandbags and $1.25 million to truck in and scrape sand.
“Needless to say, all of the sand that was moved in and scraped is gone,” Fragoso said, adding that many of the sandbags there were placed to protect properties near Breach Inlet were buried by the storm.
Sandbags for Beachwood East were expected to be deployed shortly after Christmas. Streets on IOP that were impassible for at least part of the day Dec. 17 include Palm Boulevard from 3rd to 5th; Carolina at Palm; 21st Avenue; Palm between 29th and 33rd; sections of Waterway between 21st and 23rd; the end of 25th Avenue; 13th Avenue; Driftwood; 27th, 28th and 29th avenues; Waterway between 31st and 41st; 31st Avenue; Lauden; Wills Way; Sparrow; 29th Avenue between Hartnett and Waterway; and 41st Avenue.
On Sullivan’s Island, Benke said a number of houses on the east and west end of the island had saltwater underneath them, on both the ocean side and the marsh side. He said the Fire Department responded to at least one call for a car that had stalled out and that a delivery truck “also got flooded out.” He said the water was “pretty deep” on both Bayonne Street and Marshall Boulevard. Other areas where flooding was a problem included Atlantic at Station 18 and Station 18-and-a-half; Back Street; Oceola; and Raven Drive.
it was passable,” Benke noted.
He told members of the Council at their Dec. 19 meeting that it would cost around $103,000 to clean up the debris on the beach, a necessity because the annual Dunleavy’s Polar Plunge is scheduled for Jan. 1.
“We see dock parts showing up. There will be three or four thousand people on the beach. A lot of those dock parts have nails and screws that are protruding,” Benke said.
He added that Thomson Park, located at Beach Inlet, might be closed for a while.
“DHEC will get involved. There’s some question about the rocks that are spread out all over the beach. I feel like those rocks came from right at the end of the pavement. DHEC thinks from the base of the bridge. I’ve invited them out to look at it. I think we’re going to have to get a permit to do that work there. I don’t know yet how quickly we can reopen that park.”
“At one point, I would say that on Jasper, between 30th and 31st, saltwater came across, but
Work is expected to begin in January or February on a $10-million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project that will transport 500,000 cubic yards of sand from the Intracoastal Waterway to the IOP beach and another 175,000 cubic yards to Sullivan’s Island. The sand has been dredged from the Intracoastal over the past 10 to 15 years and stored in areas along the Waterway.
Photo by Della Watson.
After the storm:
Lowcountry residents reflect and begin to rebuild
By Della Watson
For The Island Eye News
At first it seemed like an ordinary storm. But as heavy rains and high winds from a Dec. 17 nor’easter combined forces with the sea, residents of the South Carolina coast were met with historic flooding and the “highest nontropical tide on record.” The Isle of Palms, which has struggled with beach erosion and has remediation projects in the works, saw massive swaths of sand washed away. Floodwater lapped at doorsteps and spilled into pools. Many residents were reminded of Hurricane Hugo, the region’s high-water mark. After the storm passed, we spent a cool, sunny afternoon surveying the damage and gathering the stories of the people who define the character of the Isle of Palms.
All we want for Christmas: the rush to repair
We first encountered Mike, who works for Exclusive Properties, as he was fixing a beach access staircase near Front Beach. “[I’m] removing the broken deck, making it safe,” he told us. “Friday’s Christmas holidays, so a lot of check-ins. Just gotta get ’em safe for customers.”
As stark as the erosion was near Front Beach, the damage down the road was worse, he said. Near the southwest edge of the island, “the high tides and waves pretty much washed the docks and piers all the way back to the houses. Some of the houses’ swimming pools actually got washed out into the sand,” Mike said. He estimated 20 to 25 feet of sand dunes had suffered from erosion.
“About 20 swimming pools got washed out; a lot of docks washed around to Breach Inlet,” he added.
nor’easter we just had, of course it does damage the beach and pushes the dunes way back and it causes a lot of erosion, but it also does make for great waves,” said wetsuit-clad Hannah Floyd. “So it’s good and bad.”
Floyd lives in Mount Pleasant and has been surfing since the age of 7.
“I know whenever hurricane season comes, that’s when a lot of the surfers come out,” she said. “That’s why I came out here.”
“It’s been a great week; it’s been just like this,” she said, gesturing toward the water at Front Beach, where a handful of surfers were catching waves. “The calm after the storm, as they say: Glassy, not a lot of wind, perfect curls, perfect barrels. Yeah. Makes for good surfing conditions for sure.”
Protect and serve: but don’t fight Mother Nature
IOP Police Officer Dustin Griffin works the Front Beach beat. Also a veteran, he has earned some perspective on life, death and the power of nature. Working his first shift since the storm, he was taking in the scene as he made his rounds.
We left Mike to his work and set about finding other stories, not yet knowing that we would meet again.
The storm’s silver lining: surfers ride the waves
“Whenever there’s hurricanes, and like this
by Della
“My first impression is just, yeah, it hit us a lot harder than we thought it was gonna be,” said Griffin. “I know the entryway to the Windjammer was under construction because it got wiped out to the beach.”
“It’s just one of those, I think, [it’s] time to rebuild,” he said. “One thing you can’t fight is Mother Nature. All we can do is rebuild and keep moving forward.”
After a warm conversation, the officer received a call on his radio, and he quickly excused himself, not to fight Mother Nature but perhaps to come to someone’s rescue or fight a bit of crime, something more manageable than a storm surge.
Shop talk: tales of the flood
Nancy Lauseng had the scoop on the state of the island and photos from her own backyard to boot. Lauseng works at My Favorite Things, a local gift shop known for its 26-year-old talking parrot and its live hermit crabs in brightly painted shells. The shop is owned by Lauseng’s sister.
end of the island. “Around 3rd Avenue [the] swimming pools are all up. It’s a mess,” she said. “There’s marsh grass everywhere and pieces of houses, fences and it’s just a big mess down there.”
An Isle of Palms resident who lives on 22nd Street, Lauseng had her own storm story to share.
“We had water all the way up to our top step. We were afraid it was gonna come in the house, it was so high, but luckily we missed it by about 6 inches,” she said with a smile and a laugh. “Just barely. We kept checking to make sure: ‘Where’re we at?’ Luckily it didn’t get in our cars or in our house. Everything else it got in. All my husband’s tools in the shed – not sure if they’re gonna survive or not because a lot of it got wet.”
As she scrolled through photos on her phone, we noticed a brightly painted red and white shed submerged in water. This reporter couldn’t help but compliment the structure: “That looks like a nice shed.”
Her quick-witted reply: “Well it was.”
Family matters: father-daughter team documents the shoreline
Anthony and Parrish Dow came from Summerville to check out the scene at the beach. The storm hadn’t seemed too overwhelming back at their house. Anthony, who also works as a DJ, surveyed the damage to the pier by way of his drone while his daughter Parrish took photographs with her still camera. They explained that their shared interest in photography and documentation made for some good father-daughter time while Mom had a sandwich at the Windjammer. “[It’s] a family trip, to come out here,” said Parrish. “Just taking pictures.”
Lauseng confirmed Mike’s account of the
“It didn’t really hit us where we were at,” said the elder Dow with a smile and a shrug. “I mean, it’s crazy to think that if a hurricane comes, it’s gonna be really crazy. It’s (Continued on page 11)
Photo
Watson.
Photo by Della Watson.
Photo by Della Watson.
Photo by Della Watson.
Parrish Dow
Hannah Floyd
Dustin Griffin
The effects of the storm near Front Beach
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Full range of convenience store items and services for last-minute needs
After
the storm
Continued from page 9
gonna get messed up if that’s what that storm did.”
Anthony focused on his drone as he talked.
“That’s all I got out of it. I mean my family’s from Buffalo, so that’s not a storm, you know. It’s kinda like a rainy day,” he said with a friendly smile.
“I just think it was a lot of water in Charleston,” said his daughter. “From the videos I’ve seen, it was a lot of water.”
Even after the storm, the Dows thought the beach hadn’t lost its luster.
“I’m just flying a drone on Isle of Palms – that’s it,” smiled Anthony. “Just getting some good shots of the beautiful scenery.”
Sunset on the Isle of Palms: still pretty
We met up with Mike again near the 2nd Avenue beach access path. He stood on the edge of what remained of a swimming pool and monitored an excavator as it dug and moved sand. Decks stood askew; pool walls had been ripped away. The beach was marked with the tracks of heavy machinery and the defeated remnants of buried sandbags.
Everything we’d heard was true. The damage was just as severe as he and Nancy Lauseng had promised. The storm’s wrath was awesome in its ability to make humanity’s structures seem fleetingly fragile.
It will surely be a tough job to complete repairs before the holidays. The impact of this storm underscored the dangers of living on the edge, the need to respect and prepare for the power of Mother Nature. And yet, the island’s residents remained optimistic and resilient. Most homes withstood the flood; what was lost was being rebuilt. The ocean waves were indeed glassy and beautiful. Despite the storm’s damage, the sunset over the water was still a stunning sight to behold.
Sandbags and tire tracks near 2nd Avenue on Isle of Palms
A beach access path closed by the storm
Photo by Della Watson.
Photo by
Della Watson.
Dot Hoerr’s secret to longevity: get a dog and enjoy the ocean
By Ada Jenkins
For The Island Eye News
Isle of Palms resident Dorothy “Dot” Hoerr has celebrated an extraordinary milestone: her 100th birthday.
Born on Dec. 14, 1923, she is in rare company – a part of the miniscule .027% of the population with a triple-digit life span. In honor of the occasion, the community came together to arrange an eclectic gathering held in a beautifully adorned beachfront residence.
“It’s right on the ocean. It’s fabulous,” said a giddy Dot. “Oh my. They did up the whole house.”
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Dot fell in love with the Isle of Palms when visiting a friend she met in the Navy – so much so that her family bought the house she had stayed in, and that’s where she has lived ever since.
“I’ve been here 60 years. I’ve been here a
long, long time,” said Dot.
She recalled a time when there were no other streets in front of her residence, providing direct access to the sand dunes and the beach.
“You could just open the window and hear the ocean. It’s very different now, but we would just run out the door, go through the dunes and get to the beach. We always got sandburs though,” she laughed.
In the Navy, Dot was stationed in Washington, D.C, and eventually worked at the Pentagon. After moving to the Isle of Palms, she was able to continue her military career locally at the
Charleston Naval Base. During her tenure in the Navy, she engaged in a variety of roles.
“When I was in the training aid, we were building things for the guys on the ships and doing the paperwork and all that,” said Dot, adding that “We also did some photography and a little bit of artwork, so it was a fun job.”
In addition to also working in the printing and publications fields, she dabbled in graphic design, creating signage and window displays.
“It’s called ‘show card writing.’ We did them by hand back then,” Dot elaborated.
After two decades at the Charleston Naval Base, Dot finally retired.
“I put in my 20 years, and, when the time came, I left,” reminisced Dot. “And I’ve been sitting here since. I enjoyed my Navy service very much.”
Now Dot spends her days taking in and appreciating the unique and captivating community the Isle of Palms has offered her for the past six decades. In fact, she seldom leaves the island, saying she “has everything she needs right here.”
(Continued on page 13)
Dot Hoerr celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family members.
Photo courtesy of Jennie Pierce.
Dot Hoerr and her niece Sue.
Photo by Jennie Pierce.
Dot Hoerr during her time in the Navy.
Dot Hoerr
Continued from page 12
If Dot must venture beyond her street, she employs her own driving skills, proudly considering herself a “safe and careful” driver despite her age. Nonetheless, her preferred mode of transportation is walking, a daily routine she faithfully follows along the beach, which she said is a key factor in her longevity: “It’s from walking on the beach every day. I know it is.”
Through this routine, she has forged friendships with all the dogs in the neighborhood. Her newest friend, a Lab named Tucker, just moved in across the street.
“He’s so special,” said a cheerful Dot, looking over at the canine sitting at the end of her driveway. “He knows I always have treats in my pocket, so he knows to look for me.”
A longtime dog lover, Dot has has a special place in her heart for collies. She’s had seven of them and said if she had known she was going to be here this long, she would have brought another one into her life.
“Collies are stunning. I just love dogs. They’re great,” she said.
Dot shared her secret to a long and fulfilled life: “Get a dog, walk it on the beach, do your job and enjoy the ocean.”
38 years of service
presented
Duffy Jr. with a proclamation congratulating him for serving for 38 years as municipal judge for the town at the Town Council’s Dec. 19 meeting. Duffy, who is retiring from the position, has practiced law for 56 years and has served the community through the Charleston County Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar Association, the Hibernian Society and the Knights of Columbus. Though it’s not necessary to vote on proclamations, the Council chose to do so.
Upcoming race supports preservation of Morris Island Lighthouse
By Sarah Reynolds For The Island Eye News
The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission is partnering with Save the Light to host its annual half marathon and 5K on Feb. 3 on Folly Beach. Advance registration, which is required, ends Jan. 31.
The race supports the preservation of the Morris Island Lighthouse by Save the Light, a
grassroots nonprofit organization formed in 2000 to save the lighthouse from being lost to the sea. The half marathon and 5K races start and finish near the Folly Beach Pier. The half marathon is a run-only event, while the 5K is open to runners and walkers. Both races begin at 8 a.m.
Registration is available at CharlestonCountyParks.com. Fees are $65 for the half marathon and $45 for the 5K. Following the races, awards will be
presented and food will be provided for participants. Packet pickup will be available at the Tides hotel from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 2 and on race day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. The Tides will offer group rooms, subject to availability. Guests can contact the hotel directly at 888-528-0730.
To register for the Save the Light Half Marathon and 5K, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com, or call 843-795-4386 for more information.
Sullivan’s Island Mayor Pat O’Neil, right,
Judge John Lawrence “Larry”
Photo by Mandy Hawver.
Dot Hoerr and her friend Tucker.
Isle of Palms Recreation Department • January to May schedule
Free Social Clubs and Programs
Bark park
• Sunrise to sundown
• Newly renovated
• Large and small dog areas
• Rules are posted at the entrance.
Beach yoga
• Every Tuesday. 7:30 a.m.
• 25th Avenue beach access
• Yoga flow format for all levels of fitness. Bring a mat, towel and blocks.
Bridge social club
• Wednesdays. 10 a.m.-noon
• Tadpole Room
• Bring a friend and join in a friendly game of bridge.
• Equipment – treadmills, recumbent bikes and ellipticals.
Coffee with the mayor
• Friday, Dec. 29, Jan. 26 and March 29. 9 a.m.
• Magnolia Room.
Creative writing, grades 5-8
• Thursdays. 4:30 p.m.
• Minnow Room
• This club is currently at capacity. Waiting list option is available.
Fitness Court
• Sunrise to sunset
• Outdoor circuit training system designed for adults of all ages and fitness levels.
Game room
• Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Lobby and Tadpole Room
• Cards, dominoes, checkers, chess, board games and puzzles galore.
Gather & Knit
• Mondays. 10 a.m.
• Front lobby
• Knit, crochet, share patterns and learn.
Gymnasium
• Monday to Friday hours vary based on programming
• Saturdays - adult play 7:30-9 a.m. - Open gym 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Recreation Department programs and activities have priority.
Italian Language and Culture Club
• Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
• Minnow Room
• Meet and greet friends that share a common interest in the language and culture of Italy.
Keenager luncheon - covered dish social
• First Wednesday of every month, noon
• Magnolia Room
• Bring a dish to share, socialize and enjoy the entertainment.
Lending library
• Monday to Saturday
• Building hours – may be limited based on Recreation Department programs and activities
• Magnolia Room
• Books are loaned on an honor system
• Volunteers needed.
Mah-jongg
• Mondays. Noon
• Front Lobby
Outdoor basketball, pickleball and tennis courts
• First come, first served basis
• Pickleball and tennis courts have rules and open play times posted at the gate
• Courts have lights
• Sunrise to 10 p.m.
• Courts cannot be reserved
• Recreation Department programs and activities have priority.
Picnic shelter
• Sunrise to sunset
• First come, first served
• Shelter cannot be reserved
• Recreation Department programs and activities have priority.
Playground
• Sunrise to sunset
• Outdoor playground designed for children of all ages.
Pokemon Club, Ages 6-12
• Last Wednesday of each month. 4 p.m.
• Volunteer monitored. All skill levels welcome. Participants are required to bring cards.
Run Club, Ages 8-10
• Mondays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Volunteer organized club.
Sea Stroll & Learn
• 2nd Tuesday of every month. 7:30 a.m.
• 25th Avenue beach access
• Stroll with friends and listen to local naturalists as they share tidbits about South Carolina coastal animals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects and more.
Table tennis open play
• Thursdays. 10 a.m.-noon
• Friendly competition. All skill levels welcome.
Welcome Wednesdays
• Every Wednesday. 8 a.m.-noon
• Front lobby
• Slow down, grab a coffee, have a seat and join in the fun. Speaker series, various displays, vendors and highlights schedule will be announced soon.
For more details, visit IOP.net or stop by the Recreation Center front desk.
One Lucky Dog
Owner: Alec and Maryanne Chalmers.
Dog’s name: Moose, AKA: Anxiety Steve. Age: 7 years young. Breed: Jack Russel terrier Labrador mix. Favorite toy: Not really into toys. Unusual quirk: Nature watching. Vet: Banfield.
My name is Moose, and there are a million reasons why I’m a lucky dog – one being I survived the kill shelter and another is that I’m the lucky dog for one of my favorite times of year. I get to wear my elf costume. I can hear my mom pulling the boxes out, and, when I hear the first jingle of the bells, I know it’s that time of year when I get to help Santa and strut my stuff in some Christmas gear.
However, when it’s not Christmas, I share a lot of similarities with the elf on the shelf as well as with Santa in that I am always watching. I’m always on watch to ensure my family is safe; this helps in managing the household. I follow their every move, and, if something is off balance in one of them, I immediately offer comfort – sometimes in the form of lying on top of them or offering a comforting cuddle.
I know what my family is doing sometimes before they do. Their movements are letting me know if we’re going for a walk, to bed, it’s time to eat or whatever else arises. I pay attention, unlike my goofy brother, Murphy. I’m definitely the brains of the operation.
Another characteristic I share with Santa is the cookies. One time, my mom started to feed me cookies to help with my anxiety. Unbeknownst to her, they were loaded with fat, and my sleek physique quickly turned more round –like Santa. I understand the pressures of delicious cookies and what they can add to your life.
Happy holidays everyone.
If you have a “Lucky Dog” with a story to share, email me at LuckydogsIOP@gmail.com to set up a quick visit with you and your pup. Thank you • Katherine.
This plant blooms on a nearby beach path
By Mary Pringle • IOP Environmental Advisory Committee For The Island Eye News
Dune sunflower – helianthus debilis – is also known as beach sunflower or cucumber leaf sunflower. Its daisy-like flowers turn to follow the sun each day as it crosses the sky, just like the taller kinds of sunflowers. For several years, I have admired this plant – which is native to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts –because it is growing on my beach path, 7A on the Isle of Palms. I suspect that it was planted near a beachfront swimming pool there and has survived and spread without any care.
At the October meeting of the Charleston Natural History Society – our local Audubon chapter – Sharleen Johnson, the owner and founder of Native Plants to the People, did a presentation on Gardening for Wildlife. One flower she highlighted was the dune sunflower, and I realized that this is the plant that covers the ground and blooms constantly on my beach path. I have never had it in my native plant garden, but now I plan to get some from Sharleen and try it. You can visit her website at nativeplantsttp. com. If you contact her on the website, she can set up pre-orders and pickups of native plants specifically for island folks this spring when it is time to plant them. We are working with her to schedule one or more lectures this winter at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center, which will be announced in plenty of time to learn about and plan your native plant garden.
Dune sunflower is a perennial that can bloom all year, but sometimes in our area it is killed back to the ground if we have a hard freeze. Then it comes up again from the roots in the spring. It has been blooming since last spring and is still looking great now, even in December. It needs full sun to keep blooming well and tolerates salty wind and dry sandy soil with very little water.
Unlike some sunflowers, this one grows close to the ground and can spread up to 4 to 6 feet in diameter, making a dense ground cover – so we need to give it plenty of room to grow. We may also need to keep it in check if it gets too large.
When I was taking the photo, a blue long-tailed skipper was enjoying the nectar, as were many other native bees and butterflies. When the flowers fade, seeds form, often starting new plants. The dune sunflower provides food for birds, who love to eat sunflower seeds. Native Americans have ground the seeds and made a paste similar to peanut butter for snacking. They also used the flowers to make dye. It is a native plant well worth trying if you have the right conditions for growing it.
Photo by Mary Pringle.
Fitness Court adds to IOP’s menu of healthy activities
By Brian Sherman
For The Island Eye News
Isle of Palms residents and visitors now have one more opportunity to enjoy the Lowcountry weather while enhancing their health and quality of life by working out at the recently-completed outdoor gym at the IOP Recreation Center.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Fitness Court was held Dec. 15, but IOP Recreation Director Karrie Ferrell pointed out that the facility has been a popular destination for exercise enthusiasts since it was completed shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday.
“We have such an active community, with people running, biking and walking on the beach,” Ferrell said. “This gives them another outlet for fitness. We have the weather for it, and everybody likes to be outside. I think it was just important for us to be able to provide some more outdoor recreation opportunities.”
Partially financed by a grant from the National Fitness Campaign, the Fitness Court allows exercisers to leverage their own body weight at seven distinct stations – core, squat, push, pull, bend, lunge and agility – for a complete workout. According to the NFC, the Fitness Court was created for those age 14 and older and is adaptable for people of all fitness levels. A free app is available, both for iOS and Android devices, that serves as “a coach in your pocket,” the NFC’s Lindsay Valenti noted.
“They were looking for certain things, like where you are in the community and access to the community. They are trying to provide fitness opportunities in key locations that are accessible to everyone,” Ferrell said.
The grant from the NFC was approved in February, and work got underway in July.
Valenti pointed out that the NFC, which was established in 1979, partners with municipalities and schools “to build healthy communities.”
“We are excited to have the Isle of Palms join us in the journey to health and wellness as we make a positive impact building healthy infrastructure
Enhancing IOP’s Health
Among those demonstrating how The Fitness Court works were Cornett, above left, and incoming Fire Marshal Sean Harshaw, left.
across America,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of the National Fitness Campaign. “The Fitness Court, along with ongoing engagement in healthy lifestyles, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the community.”
Ferrell said the total cost of The Fitness Court was around $155,000 and that the NFC contributed $30,000 to the project in the form of a grant.
Ferrell pointed out that with the addition of The Fitness Court, the IOP Recreation Department will continue to be “a fitness and wellness hub for the island.”
Organizations can now apply for ATAX funds
By Chaundra Yudchenko For The Island Eye News
The city of Isle of Palms is accepting applications from organizations interesting in receiving grants from the 2% state accommodations tax fund.
South Carolina charges a 2% tax on shortterm rentals to help provide financial support to promote tourism and fund tourism-related activities in municipalities and counties within the state. Individuals staying overnight in hotels, motels, inns and vacation rentals pay 2% in addition to the statewide sales tax and any local
sales and use tax applied to their lodging cost. State law establishes that funds from accommodations taxes must be used to attract and provide for tourists and must be spent on tourism-related expenditures.
The city will host a workshop at 10 a.m. Jan. 12 to review application guidelines and criteria and help potential applicants complete the application. ATAX grant applications must be submitted electronically to City Clerk Nicole DeNeane at nicoled@iop.net no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 2.
Applications are available at iop.net.
Eligible projects include advertising and
promotion, promotion of arts and cultural events that attract tourists, construction and maintenance and operation of facilities for civic and cultural events, public facilities and visitor centers. Applications received by the deadline will be reviewed by staff for compliance with state law to determine eligibility. The applicants passing the initial review will be asked to make a presentation to the ATAX Committee on March 12. The ATAX Committee will meet on April 16 to make recommendations to the City Council, which will make the final decision on which organizations receive ATAX grants.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for The Fitness Court at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center Dec. 15. Left to right, IOP Police Chief Kevin Cornett; Council Member Katie Miars; Parks and Grounds Maintenance Supervisor Jason Erick; Recreation Supervisor Kelsey Marsh; Parks and Facilities Specialist Josh Key; Recreation Supervisor Aaron Sweet; Recreation Director Karrie Ferrell; City Administrator Desiree Fragoso; Council Member Rusty Streetman; and Mayor Phillip Pounds.
Photos by Brian Sherman.
Wild Dunes drops suit against IOP
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
The owners of Wild Dunes Resort apparently have lost interest – at least temporarily – in a legal challenge aimed at striking down five zoning ordinances passed more than a year ago by the Isle of Palms City Council that effectively terminated further development inside the gates of the Resort.
In a statement released Dec. 8, 2023, Lowe Senior Vice President Terri Haack announced that Lowe and Dart Interests had filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the suit, which had asked the Ninth Judicial Circuit to rule that the ordinances were “unconstitutional, invalid and ineffective.”
The ordinances, approved 7-1 by the Council at its Nov. 15, 2022, meeting, rezoned as a conservation/recreation district 12 parcels that make up the Wild Dunes Harbor Golf Course, as well as tennis facilities. The measures had the effect of reducing the maximum number of dwelling units and hotel rooms permitted inside the Resort from 2,449 and 350, the numbers agreed upon when the Resort’s planned residential development agreement was amended in 2016, to their current level of 2,119 and 297. The PRD was established in 1975.
IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds said he has no idea why Lowe and Dart dropped the lawsuit, though he did point out that they asked that the suit be dismissed without prejudice, which means they could eventually refile the suit. He added that without legal action, any further development in Wild Dunes would require a zoning variance from the IOP Planning Commission.
The statement released by Haack noted that “As owners of Wild Dunes Resort, Lowe and Dart Interests collectively have been productive members of the Isle of Palms community for more than 30 years. During this time, the resort has strived to be good stewards within the community. The Resort ownership group has decided that it is in the best interest of the entire community to dismiss the lawsuit against the city of Isle of Palms at this time. The Resort hopes that its longstanding relationship with the city will allow for positive dialogue in the future.”
Kevin Popson was the only Council member voting against the ordinances at the Nov. 15, 2022, meeting. Council Member Jan Anderson recused herself because her husband serves on the board of the Wild Dunes Community Association. Supporting the ordinances were Pounds and Council Members Blair Hahn, John Bogosian, Scott Pierce, Katie Miars, Rusty Streetman and Jimmy Ward.
Around the Islands
ONGOING
WHAT: GriefShare Recovery Seminar
WHERE: Great Hall, Church of the Holy Cross, 2520 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island.
WHEN: Every Tuesday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 9 through April 9, 2024.
MORE INFO: Sponsored by the Church of the Holy Cross, the seminar is free and all are welcome. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “Is This Normal?” “The Challenges of Grief,” “Grief and Your Relationships,” “Why?” and “Guilt and Anger.” To learn more and to register, call 678-523-8783 or email caryn.woodison@gmail.com.
WHAT: Home Economics for Kids
WHERE: IOP Rec Center.
WHEN: Mondays, 3-4 p.m.
MORE INFO: A six-week program, open to kids in grades K through 5, will set up participants for success on how to host a gathering, interact and mingle with others, set a table and comparatively shop prices to get the best deals. To learn more: IOP.net.
WHAT: Sullivan’s Island Story Share • January to December 2024
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island
MORE INFO: The Poe Branch Library is partnering with the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center to collect stories of Sullivan’s Island life, and we need your help. All ages are welcome to participate, and every month will feature a new writing prompt to guide your story. Stories can be as short as a paragraph or several pages. If your story features characters or memories of Sullivan’s Island, we invite you to share these at our Island Story Share sessions and add them to Battery Gadsden and the South Carolina History Room’s repository of island stories. Our first story session will be Saturday, Feb. 3. To learn more and get this month’s prompt, stop by the library or email poe@ccpl.org. Not an Island resident? We still encourage you to write and share these valuable memories with your families and come to our story shares to be a part of the audience.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29
WHAT: Coffee with the Mayor WHERE: Isle of Palms Recreation Center, 24 28th Ave. WHEN: 9-10 a.m.
MORE INFO: Join IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds for an informal coffee date to get to know him, discuss issues and ask questions. Learn more at IOP.net.
MONDAY, JANUARY 1
WHAT: Dunleavy’s Polar Bear Plunge to Benefit the Special Olympics WHERE: Dunleavy’s Pub, 2213 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: The plunge begins at 2 p.m.; activities start way earlier MORE INFO: Join the fun, wear your wackiest costume and take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean along with thousands of others who support the Special Olympics. To learn more: dunleavysonsullivans.com.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31
WHAT: Ring in the New Year with Islander 71
WHERE: Islander 71 Fish House and Deck Bar, IOP Marina WHEN: Party starts at 8 p.m.
MORE INFO: A special evening full of live music, open bar, chef-curated food stations, Studio 71 Lounge and more. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com.
MONDAY, JANUARY 1
WHAT: Dunleavy’s Polar Bear Plunge to Benefit the Special Olympics
WHERE: Dunleavy’s Pub, 2213 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: The plunge begins at 2 p.m.; activities start way earlier MORE INFO: Join the fun, wear your wackiest costume and take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean along with thousands of others who support the Special Olympics. To learn more: dunleavysonsullivans.com.
TUESDAYS, JANUARY 2 and 9 and SATURDAY, JANUARY 6
WHAT: Family Storytime
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 10:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Join us for stories, songs and rhymes that support early literacy. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
TUESDAYS, JANUARY 2 and 9
WHAT: Memoir Writing Circle WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 1 p.m.
MORE INFO: Join us to get your stories started. Write from a provided prompt for 20 minutes, then share for friendly feedback. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
THURSDAYS, JANUARY 4 and 11
WHAT: American Mah Jongg
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: Noon-2 p.m. (all levels) and 4-6 p.m. (experienced players)
MORE INFO: Learn to play the fun and fast-paced game of American Mah Jongg. If you have a 2023 card, please bring it. To learn more: ccpl. org/branches/Sullivans-island.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5
WHAT: After School Art Club for Teens and Tweens WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 4-5 p.m.
MORE INFO: Come hang out after school to experiment with different arts and crafts. Meetings every second and fourth Friday. Grades 6-12. No reservation needed. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
