PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON, SC PERMIT NO. 137 POSTAL PATRON
Since May 2005 • Volume 19 • Issue 16 • IslandEyeNews.com
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November 17, 2023
Referendum fails; two incumbents fall Isle of Palms voters say no to caps on short-term rental licenses
member Scott Pierce, finished first and second By Brian Sherman in the Nov. 7 election, while a pair of sitting For The Island Eye News Council members who were against immediate Following a contentious campaign, fought restrictions on STRs, Rusty Streetman and Kevin passionately in the press, through the mail, on social media platforms and at virtually every City Popson, went down to defeat. Political newcomer Ashley Council meeting for the “I’m positive we’ll continue to Carroll finished third among better part of a year, Isle eight candidates, while longof Palms residents rejected discuss it. I hope we will take time Council member Jimmy a referendum that would some time and not try to rush Ward retained his seat with have capped at 1,600 the right into writing an ordinance. ” a fourth-place finish. In the number of investor short• Ashley Carroll watershed commissioner’s race, term rental licenses on the Jeffery Forslund defeated Doug island. Hatler, 1,163 to 877. The victory for those who opposed restricThe votes have been counted and the refertions on STRs was somewhat muted, however: endum has been defeated – by a 1,393 to 1,163 Two candidates who supported the proposed cap, Elizabeth Campsen and incumbent Council margin – but it appears that the issue of short-
term rentals will still be on the table when the new Council convenes in January. “I’m positive we’ll continue to discuss it. I hope we will take some time and not try to rush right into writing an ordinance,” Carroll commented. “We need time to look at the data. I’m super curious to see how many people renew their licenses. We need to look at the data to see where our market is trending.” Pierce agreed that short-term rentals will continue to be an important subject on IOP. “As the two top vote-getters in this election were candidates that openly and fully supported a cap on short-term rental licenses, I believe that residents want the Council to continue to work on a solution that limits STRs,” he said. “The expectation seems to (Continued on page 6)
Connector Run checks presented
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News Toys for Tots was established by the Marine Corps Reserve to provide “a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas,” and, since 1947, it has distributed 652 million toys to 291 million kids. For the past three years, the Sullivan’s Island Police Department has done more than its share to support the program, collecting new bicycles and helmets for area youngsters who otherwise would probably have a lessthan-happy holiday season. After collecting 220 bikes in 2021 and another 262 in 2022, the goal this year is 300, according to Deputy Chief of Police Glenn Meadows, who got the town involved in Toys for Tots shortly after he was hired by the Police Department in 2021. This year’s campaign kicked off Nov. 1. “My wife actually brought the idea to me as a community relations event for the Department to run,” said Meadows. “She’s from Wilmington, North Carolina, and a restaurant owner there has run a big bike donation event
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Photo courtesy of SIPD.
Sullivan’s Island Police Department hopes to make holiday season brighter for area kids
Patrolmen Tyler Mahon, left, and Markley McGougan assemble bikes that will soon belong to area youngsters. every year. I thought it would be a great thing for us to try.” Meadows said donations of bikes and helmets come from area residents, businesses and churches and from people who live off the island and in other states as well. An islander who wishes to remain anonymous pays for 100 new bicycles every year. Some people drop bikes off at Town Hall, while others arrange to ship them there. Representatives of the Police Department also will meet (Continued on page 2)
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By Robbie Berg For The Island Eye News October is always a highlight month for Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant and the IOP Exchange Club, the hard work of volunteers and the dedication of runners culminating in awarding the proceeds from the IOP Connector Run to area child abuse prevention agencies on Oct. 26. This year was no exception. More than $112,000 was raised through our generous sponsors and registration fees from the 950+ runners. A total of $100,000 was distributed to local agencies, a new record in the 31-year history of the race. The city of Isle of Palms gave its $10,000 (Continued on page 4)
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