IOP Council OKs plan to protect beachfront
By Brian Sherman
For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms City Council has voted to accept one of four options offered by Coastal Science & Engineering and spend $232,000 or more to construct a berm aimed at protecting the beachfront threatened by erosion at the Southwest end of the island.
At its June 27 meeting, the Council agreed by an 8-1 vote that hiring a contractor to truck in approximately 6,400 cubic yards of sand and build a 6-foot-high, 20-foot wide, 1,430-foot-long dune near Breach Inlet would be the best way to keep the Atlantic Ocean from causing additional damage until a more permanent solution is provided by the U.S. Army Corps of engineers next year.
The near-unanimous decision –Council member Kevin Popson of-
fered the lone dissenting vote – followed impassioned appeals for immediate help from local homeowners, a lengthy discussion among Council members and a session behind closed doors with City Attorney Mac McQuillin.
According to State Sen. Chip Campsen, the state’s Beach Renourishment Funding Assistance Grant Program might be able to pay for half the cost of the project.
“I strongly encourage Council to apply for the funds should it choose to move the dune restoration project forward,” Campsen said in a letter to Council Members John Bogosian and
“This is a no-brainer for me,” Pierce said. “We’ve got an opportunity to fortify that (Continued on page 5)
Sandy is now an official Isle of Palms police officer
By Brian Sherman
For The Island Eye News
Patrolman Jonathan Sosner has now taken the oath of office with the Isle of Palms Police Department twice – for himself in June of 2022 and again this year, when he raised his right hand and repeated after Chief Kevin Cornett, then helped a fellow officer put her paw print on a document that made her an official crime fighter and people finder.
Sandy, a 2-year-old malinois/shepherd mix who was born in Hungary, was issued her badge and became an official IOP police officer during a ceremony July 6.
Sosner started traveling the road to becoming the handler for the IOP Police Department’s first canine unit 30 years or so when he completed his law enforcement training. Cornett requires
his newly-minted police officers to present an idea that enhances the relationship between the department and the IOP community. It wasn’t difficult for Sosner to come up with an appropriate concept.
“I’ve always been a big dog person, so it was a natural thing,” Sosner said. “I started researching the benefits of having a canine unit, and I really dug into it.”
Sandy and Sosner recently completed four weeks of intensive training at the Carolina Canine Academy in Pickens – which was paid for by a donation from local foundation Ansley’s Angels. Purchased with a contribution from an anonymous donor, Sandy will be used in several different aspects (Continued on page 3)
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
The seemingly never-ending battle about noise between Wild Dunes resort and homeowners who live near the Sweetgrass Hotel continued to rage on as the controversy approached its unofficial twoyear anniversary.
The Isle of Palms Council officially kicked the can a little further down the road at its June 27 meeting, deferring any action on a proposed noise ordinance and sending the issue back to the Public Safety Committee, which had recommended that nothing be done until city officials have the opportunity to take a look at the summary of a noise report being prepared by Wild Dunes Resort.
Meanwhile, the Council sparred over whether hiring a noise consultant would be helpful or a waste of taxpayer dollars, and a Council member, Jan Anderson, defended herself against charges that she shouldn’t be involved in the discussion about noise because her husband serves on the Wild Dunes Community Association board.
Al Clouse, who said the distance between his property line and that of the hotel is about the same as the stretch between the pitcher’s mound and home plate – it’s actually a foot-and-a-half more than 60 feet, 6 inches – claims he has been asking the city for some relief from the noise since July 2021. He (Continued on page 4)
Scott Pierce.
Sgt. Matt Storen, right, and Patrolman Jonathan Sosner help Sandy place her paw print on the paperwork making her the IOP Police Department’s newest officer.
Photo by Brian Sherman.
Photo by Scott Pierce.
This photo was taken June 23 at IOP beach access 2A, where people need to use a rope to travel up and down the path to the beach.
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Lots of good news, and maybe a little bit of bad news as well
Dear Island Neighbors,
With the confluence of more items than we’ve room for, hot days’ ambition levels and summertime attention spans, I’m not sure how this will work out, but here goes. …
Big return of the Fish Fry!
We had a spectacular return of the Fire and Rescue Fish Fry. Here is part of Chief Anthony Stith’s understated reaction: “WOW! What a turnout! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Chief went on to say it was the biggest turnout since the event started in 1948, and the contributions will help a lot with new radios and equipment for our volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad.
Thanks to Simmons Seafood on IOP, thanks to all of you who donated and thanks to all the volunteers who worked the event and who serve us all year long! And, hopefully, we can look forward to the resumption of the Oyster Roast – right, Chief?
Independence Day Golf Cart Parade and fireworks
Another island tradition was successfully continued on Independence Day. The Golf Cart Parade had 102 carts participating and a good number of bikes and bike riders – the rustiest of which were, in both cases, your mayor’s bike and its rider. Our islanders’ creativity was on full display with the variety of imaginative cart and bike decorations. The winners in the golf cart decoration competition were:
First place: Cathy Curtis (Theme: Cookout)
Second place: Christy and Andy Horwitz (Theme: Wimbledon)
Third place: Mary Ann Mackey and Kelly Murphy (Theme: Party in the USA)
You could see your group’s name here next year! Start planning now.
In spite of the weather-thinned crowd at the park, our Independence Day fireworks were a spectacular performance that pushed the envelope in creativity and design – at least in my view. Please let me know what you thought, and I’ll pass it on to the pyrotechnic folks who produced the show.
And now the bad news
One of the defining features of our island is our open approach to landscaping – or lack thereof – and the sense of continuity and casualness it can create. However, sometimes our vegetation encroaches on public sidewalks and SCDOT parking areas. When this creates problems for use of those spaces, our Maintenance Department folks will be obligated to clear it out. If you have such vegetation, please clear it from the public areas as soon as possible so that pedestrians and parkers may proceed unimpeded. We would prefer to have you trim it back with your careful hand so you can better integrate those spaces visually with your landscaping plan. But when it becomes necessary, vegetation that intrudes on these public areas will need to be cleared by our staff.
Hurricane season reminders
Of course, we are now about to enter the busy season for tropical storms and hurricanes. Please prepare for what you and your family will do when the inevitable storm impends. Hopefully, we won’t see this any time soon, but hurricanes can create situations where we have to limit access to the island to residents and property owners.
If you’ve been here for a while, you are familiar with our pink, bottom-of-the-driver’s-side windshield decals we’ve had for years. And you may even be sentimentally attached to them, but they will no longer offer access.
We now have hang tags which are required for return to the island if access is ever restricted. Resident-only re-entry hanging tags may be obtained at Town Hall upon the presentation of your driver’s license with your Sullivan’s Island address on it or a deed of ownership. These tags are for residents and property owners only – not visitors, guests, extended family, contractors or employees.
If you have not already done so, please get your hang tag and make sure you keep it where you can use it when needed. And visit bit.ly/SIPrepared for important emergency preparedness information.
Trash
talk
As a reminder, here is the info you need about garbage and trash pickup:
Household garbage (trash) is collected every Tuesday, with additional pickup on Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Trash cans may be placed curbside the night before but must be out before 7 a.m. on the day of service to ensure collection. Any garbage not in a trash can will not be collected. Do not mix yard debris or metal with household garbage.
Yard debris, defined as grass clippings, leaves, limbs, twigs, palm fronds or a combination of these things that is associated with routine lawn maintenance, is collected every Wednesday. Yard debris must be bagged in paper bags, and limbs must be cut to under 4 feet in length and 4 inches in diameter. Please keep piles under 5 cubic feet to expedite pickup.
And please do not cover your water meter with yard debris!
If you use a commercial service for your landscaping or vegetation clearing, they are responsible for removal of what they cut, and they should not leave it on the curb.
See you around the island!
Pat O’Neil, Mayor 843-670-9266
Twitter: @oneilpm1 oneilp@sullivansisland.sc.gov
Police officer
Continued from page 1
of police work, including tracking suspects, locating missing persons and searching for evidence and illegal narcotics. She actually started working with the IOP Police Department on July 1, and Cornett
with a degree in communications, explained that when his new partner finds something suspicious, such as marijuana, methamphetamines, heroin or MDMA, her behavior changes: “She stares at where the odor is coming from.”
pointed out that she helped her fellow officers find narcotics in two different vehicles during her first week on the job.
Sosner, who spent four years in the Marine Corps and graduated from the College of Charleston
Her sense of smell is useful in another important way. Sosner said she can track a scent for up to two miles, a valuable talent if a child is missing on the beach or if a criminal is trying to avoid being arrested. Cornett noted that earlier this year, a dog with the North Charleston Police Department canine unit was able to lead IOP police to a man who burglarized a home on the island.
To enhance the bond between dog and handler, Sandy goes home with Sosner every night. He said she gets along fine with his other dogs – Hank the Lab and Summit the huskie.
Sandy is not the first dog to be the centerpiece of an Isle of Palms Police Department canine unit. Cornett recently discovered an undated clipping from The Post and Courier – he thinks the article was published in the late 1980s or early 1990s – that tells the story of an IOP police officer named Bear.
who cast a vote on Facebook liked the moniker. Other options included Opie, Angel and Spirit.
So how did Sandy get her name?
Fifty-nine percent of the 556 people
“Our department is thrilled to welcome Sandy to our team,” Cornett said. “Police canines are an integral part of modern law enforcement, and Sandy’s addition will greatly enhance our ability to ensure the safety and security of our community. Her specialized training and unwavering dedication make her a valuable resource.”
Fire destroys Goat Island home
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
A home on Goat Island, just across the Intracoastal Waterway from the Isle of Palms Marina, burned to the ground July 7.
According to Fire Chief Craig Oliverius, the Isle of Palms Fire Department arrived on the scene at 7:48 p.m., 13 minutes after a passing boater reported the structure fire to Charleston County Dispatch.
The house at 3619 Buccaneer Road was a total loss, but Oliverius said firefighters from a large number of local departments were able to keep the fire from spreading into the nearby woods and threatening other structures. No injuries were reported, and Oliverius said no one was in the house at the time of the fire.
Assistance to fight the fire, located in an unincorporated area of Charleston County, came from several sources, including the IOP, Awendaw-McClellanville, Mount Pleasant, Dewees Island, Sullivan’s Island, Charleston and North Charleston fire departments. The Coast Guard, the IOP Police Department, Charleston County Rescue, the Department of Natural Resources and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department were on hand as well.
Oliverius said the IOP Fire Department remained on the scene until 11:13 p.m.
The IOP fire chief pointed out that help also was provided by local businesses and individuals.
“The public did a wonderful job by giving us room to work, Islander 71 provided meals for first responders, the new ownership group at the Marina helped us keep the boat landing clear, Dominion Energy removed electrical hazards and quite a few local residents came out to make sure we had water and that the firefighters were fed,” he said.
A home at 3619 Buccaneer Road on Goat Island went up in flames July 7.
Photo by Mic Smith.
IOP Police Chief Kevin Cornett, left, reads the oath of office to Sandy and Patrolman Jonathan Sosner.
Patrolman Jonathan Sosner talks with Gayle Brown following Sandy’s swearing in ceremony. A foundation established by Gayle and Eddie Brown helped pay for the training received by Sandy and Sosner.
Photo by Brian Shrman.
Photo by Brian Shrman.
Noise issue
Continued from page 1
and his wife, Roxie, moved into their current home in January 2019.
When Clouse approached the podium on June 27, it was the 16th time he had addressed the Council or the Public Safety Committee. He said he has called the Police Department “at least 40 times” to complain about the noise.
“The hotel is designed to transfer all the noise into a residential neighborhood. We are unwelcome beneficiaries of what the hotel emits,” Clouse said, pointing out that his neighbors also are concerned about situation. “It’s no fun when you go to bed at 9:30, with all the whooping and hollering going on. It’s like the inmates running the asylum.”
At the Council’s May 23 meeting, Terri Haack, senior vice president of Lowe, the company that manages Wild Dunes Resort, pointed out that the resort paid $943,000 in accommodations taxes and $1.4 million in other taxes in 2022 and that “these contributions will increase in future years.”
Former Council Member Randy Bell apparently isn’t buying that line of reasoning.
During the citizens’ comments part of the June 27 meeting, he noted that “the city’s percentage of ATAX contributions from the hotel itself is of little consequence to IOP residents that prefer quality of life over your commercial interest. ATAX dollars to the city pales in comparison to hotel revenues.”
Prior to the Council’s discussion on the noise ordinance, Anderson stated that she would not accommodate Clouse’s request that she voluntarily eliminate herself from the decision-making process.
“There has been a request that I consider recusing myself from consideration on the vote for the noise ordinance. In response to that, I have petitioned the South Carolina State Ethics Commission for an opinion,” she said.
The response from the Ethics Commission was “Even assuming one of these entities had an economic interest in the noise ordinance, recusal is not required.”
“I will continue to participate actively in our deliberations,” Anderson stated.
feeling as if we have opinions on what the noise level should be, but we have no one who can authoritatively tell us how that level of noise is used in other communities to control noise.”
City Administrator Desiree Fragoso said she had reached out to a noise consultant in Florida and that a full-blown study would cost the city between $20,000 and $40,000.
Blair Hahn and Rusty Streetman agreed with Anderson that the city should hire a noise consultant, but Katie Miars staked out her position on the other side of the fence.
“I’m not sure at this point what a noise consultant is going to do for us. I don’t think it would be very good money spent.”
A motion to send the proposed noise ordinance back to the Public Safety Committee passed unanimously, but not before Council members argued over the possibility of spending what might be up to $40,000 to hire a noise consultant.
• IOP Council Member John Bogosian
“We’ve been talking about this and talking about this. There are tons and tons of cities around the country that have noise ordinances. We have an attorney that can tell us what will stand up in court,” she said, adding that “I just feel like we’re trying to re-invent the wheel here. I feel like spending money to come up with another wheel is a waste of money.”
“I’m not sure at this point what a noise consultant is going to do for us,” said Council Member John Bogosian. “I don’t think it would be very good money spent. I suggest we get the Wild Dunes report and see if we can’t come to some consensus we can all live with.”
Anderson disagreed: “I would like to hire an expert who can guide us on the final crafting of our ordinance. Right now, Council members are
Streetman, meanwhile, voiced his opposition to putting any faith in the Wild Dunes Resort report.
“Just a word of fair warning,” he said. “When we get this report from Wild Dunes, is there going to be any credibility in regards to how it’s going to be perceived and received by this Council? Personally, I think not. I think we’re going to circle back to the same place we are now. At some point, we’re going to say we need to have some expert advice.”
Beachfront
Continued from page 1
end of the beach and protect our residents’ property and also improve the situation as far as public access. I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation. Let’s set a precedent that if any other part of the island ever faces this, we’re not going to sit up here and debate it for 10 hours.”
“I cannot do a more compelling story than the people that marched up to this podium and the letters that we’ve received on why we should be doing the full-dune restoration,” Bogosian added. “They said it all. This is what we do as a city. This is our responsibility, to manage the beach. I don’t understand how we can sit here and not say we support $116,000 to try to save our beach.”
Among local residents who spoke about the erosion issue during the citizens’ comments portion of the meeting were Cindi Solomon and Renee Reddy. Solomon pointed out that “This problem is not limited to a small number of homes. The only short-term solution is a contiguous wall of sand from Breach Inlet to at least Sixth Avenue, where the erosion has done so much damage.”
“Today this Council can show the entire island that it can be decisive when faced with a crisis that threatens a large group of residents,” Reddy said. “A bad precedent would be for the city not to take immediate action. The bottom line is that the south side of the island has no protection going into the hurricane season.”
Steven Traynum, president of Coastal Science & Engineering, pointed out that a major concern with the project approved by the Council would be that 50 to 100 trucks would be coming onto the island every day for two to three weeks to dump sand onto the beach. He said there probably would be times when the beach would have to be closed.
“With any of these projects, I’m concerned about the longevity,” he added. “If we put a dune in that’s 20 feet wide, there’s nothing we can do to design a dune to make it last longer than nature wants it to last. It could be a short-term fix. That’s living on the coast. You have that risk.”
Other options Coast Science & Engineering offered included dune restoration on only part of the shoreline, which would take a week or two, at an estimated cost of $134,000; sand scraping on some beachfront lots, which would take four to five days and cost around $30,000; and waiting for the Corps of Engineers to start work on a “beneficial use project” in 2024, where beach-quality sand previously dredged from the Intracoastal Waterway would be transported to the IOP and Sullivan’s Island beaches.
Council Member Rusty Streetman suggested that a viable option would be to encourage homeowners to pay up to $3,000 each to replenish the dunes in front of their homes.
“Even though we’ve lost sand, it seems we’re in a place right now, unless we have a serious issue with king tides again, that it’s holding its own,” he said. “I’ve seen that side of the island come and go many times. I think what we do is try to buy time. I don’t think we need a 1,500-foot berm.” Council Member Blair Hahn insisted that the Council meet in private with McQuillin before taking a vote. He reacted to the moans and groans from the audience when he called for the Council chambers to be emptied so he and his colleagues could retreat into executive session.
“We have to do things in a reasoned way because we’re spending money, people,” Hahn said. “Come on. We can’t do anything to break the law.”
Following the executive session, McQuillin explained that if the city created the berm, that’s where each homeowner’s property would end.
“If a pool washed away and we put a dune in its place, we couldn’t later put a pool on top of that dune,” he said.
“With the properties we’re talking about, it would be much more beneficial to homeowners to have scraping done without having the risk of losing their rights to the high tide mark in the future,” Streetman pointed out.
Photo by Scott Pierce.
The Isle of Palms beach is eroding near Breach Inlet.
There’s a new boat club at the IOP 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
• Brand new Center Consoles
• 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
• IOP Marina offers a unique combination of a neighborhood ambiance
• A one-stop shop for all your boating needs
BOAT RENTALS
• Completely revamped and upgraded marina facilities & services
• IOP 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
OPENING SOON: SHIP STORE
• Newly revamped and upgraded
• Start the day right with a delightful cup of coffee and a delicious breakfast at our waterfront café
• Mouthwatering lunches made from locally sourced ingredients, served fresh
• Full range of convenience store items and services for last-minute needs
IOP celebrates the spirit of the island
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms City Council has presented the prestigious Spirit of the Island award to a local resident who helped launch a partnership between the community and the Police Department and to the owners of a restaurant that provided free meals to public safety officers who responded to the shooting on the beach in April.
The award was presented at the Council’s June 27 meeting to Edward J. “Ted” Kinghorn and to two of the owners of Acme Lowcountry Kitchen – Bobby Simons and chef Charles Arena. Roger Tully also is one of the eatery’s proprietors.
The award recognizes an individual or organization that has “made significant contributions to the life and well-being of the isle of Palms.”
A former IOP councilman, Kinghorn is an
active member of the Exchange Club and helped create Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support, an organization whose mission is “providing law enforcement with support to strengthen community relations and improve public safety on the Isle of Palms.”
“Ted Kinghorn is a visionary. He has a talent for seeing the long view and is often ahead of his time,” said a letter of recommendation from former IOP City Administrator Linda Lovvorn Tucker. “He has the ability to garner consensus among people for the common good.”
“Ted is not about claiming the spotlight for himself. He is about shining light on fresh ideas and working smart to transform those ideas into realities,” she added.
Kinghorn also received support from Dennis McLendon, store director of the Harris Teeter grocery on the island: “Having known Ted for several years, I can say that his sense of community involvement, desire to help people and deliver a lasting, positive and generational impact on the community is unparalleled.”
Kinghorn was nominated for the award by Jim Thompson.
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen was nominated by Council Member Jimmy Ward, who pointed out that “in the aftermath of the ugly incidents on our beach on April
7, Acme stepped up and offered free meals to all first responders. It was truly a remarkable display of generosity and appreciation by Acme to our community. This was not the first time this company has come forward to support us in an extraordinary manner since it opened for business in January 2008. Acme has always offered generous discounts to Isle of Palms city employees.”
Former IOP Mayor Jimmy Carroll also provided support for the local restaurant.
“The owners of Acme Lowcountry Kitchen have always been there helping our public safety personnel with huge discounts on their daily meals,” Carroll said in a letter of recommendation.
The former mayor pointed out that when he and other island residents organized a Thanksgiving day meal and Independence Day hot dogs and hamburgers for the city’s fire and police employees, “Acme was always the only restaurant to bring more dishes, without having to ask. To me, that is what community is all about.”
Isle of Palms Mayor Phillip Pounds, left, presented the Spirit of the Island award to Ted Kinghorn at the IOP Council’s June 27 meeting.
Photo by Brian Sherman.
Photo by Brian Sherman.
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen owners Bobby Simons, center, and Charles Arena, right, received the city’s Spirit of the Island award from Mayor Phillip Pounds at the IOP Council’s June 27 meeting.
IOP Recreation Center will host college application boot camp
By Tammy Cox For The Island Eye News
The city of Isle of Palms Recreation Department is teaming up with Lisa Gastaldi, president of Low Country College Counseling, to host a college application boot camp designed to help rising high school seniors and their parents understand and prepare for the college application season.
The Aug. 1 session will deal with the application, personal statement and essay. On Aug. 8, the essay will be finalized, and, on Aug. 9, participants will learn about scholarships and financial aid. Sessions will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the IOP Recreation Center.
“College application season can be intimidating for students and parents, so we wanted to offer a little extra support for our residents and visitors.”
“In the first two hours of the program, students will begin their college applications, find a topic for their personal statement, write their college essay and understand the common application and next steps to submitting applications,” Gastaldi explained. “The third hour of the boot camp will be for parents and will include an overview of the financial aid process, federal student aid and the available state scholarships as well as outside scholarships programs.”
To register for the series, visit IOP.net. Students need to bring a copy of their high school transcript. Prior to the start of the series, participants will receive preclass assignments and prep details.
“College application season can be intimidating for students and parents, so we wanted to offer a little extra support for our residents and visitors,” said Isle of Palms Recreation Director Karrie Ferrell. “Lisa has worked in higher education for years, and she understands what college admissions and financial aid departments need.”
• IOP Recreation Director Karrie Ferrell
One Lucky Dog
Hi everyone. My name is Lottie, and I love my family and snacks.
I’ve been described as a lot of things: a catfish, due to my incredible talent as a certified, ‘snack sniffer’/cordless vacuum cleaner; a nurse, because of my natural nature to nurture everyone, including my older brother as he was preparing for his journey across the rainbow bridge; and a herding dog, due to my ability to keep one eye on each family member in the house – at the same time. If anyone is out of place or not accounted for, I become a detective. My dad and I watch “Blue Bloods” and eat my favorite snack, Cheeze-its. I hear the theme song and I jump. It’s time to hang with Dad, eat and maybe nap. But my favorite description is the sweetest dog in the world.
My journey has been filled with nice humans since I was dropped off in a strange place, so I want to be nice, too. My family saved me from a place where fur-friends entered but didn’t always leave. Thank cookies I look like the great Jedi knight, Yoda, because the celebrity resemblance is what made my mom fall in love with me.
She brought me to the house for a visit. When I met my dad, he wasn’t sure about me and vice versa, but we’re best friends now. Plus, Mom told him, “It’s OK. He’s just here for a visit.” Thank goodness my visit has lasted 11 years. If you see me cruising in the golf cart, Yoda ears in the wind, say ‘hi,’ and it would be nice if you offered me a snack.
Owner: Andy and Sarah Smith
Dog’s name: Lottie, AKA Lottie Pop
Age: 13
Breed: Dachshund mix
Favorite toy: Pink ‘oink-squeak’ pig
Unusual quirk: Smiles (with teeth) and lots of kisses. Vet: Dr. Caroline Weber in Columbia.
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.
Save on early registration for the Connector Run
By Robbie Berg
For The Island Eye News
You won’t want to miss taking advantage of the early registration fee for the Isle of Palms Exchange Club’s 2023 Isle of Palms Connector Run.
The annual event is planned for Oct. 7. Registration fees increase after July 31, so sign up now and save $10, enjoy the fun and, of course, show up at the after party. Your participation will help surpass last year’s donations of $74,000 to eight child abuse agencies, plus recreation centers, for a total of more than $92,000.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Michelle Priest at ioprun.com@gmail.com or call 843-814-4280.
November referendum possible on IOP short-term rentals
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
Isle of Palms voters might have the opportunity in November to decide whether the city limits the number of investor-owned short-term rentals on the island.
A special Council meeting was scheduled for July 11, where the Council was to take action –or not – on an ordinance proposed by Preserve IOP Now, a local organization that collected the signatures of 1,173 supporters – all of them residents of the Isle of Palms, according to Christine Donavan, who spoke in favor of the ordinance and turned the petition over to the city at the Council’s June 27 meeting.
The suggested ordinance would cap at 1,600 the number of licenses issued for “investment” short-term rentals – those that are not the legal residence of the owner. There would be no limit on licenses issued for STRS that are the legal residence of the homeowner.
On Feb. 28, the Council voted by a 5-4 margin against restrictions on short-term rental licenses.
Under state law, voters may propose an ordinance that doesn’t appropriate money or authorize the levy of taxes by presenting a petition with the number of signatures equal to at least 15% of the registered voters in the city’s most recent regular election. In November 2021, IOP had
4,553 registered voters, so the Preserve IOP Now petition requires only 683 signatures, according to Isaac Cramer, executive director of the Charleston County Board of Elections.
If the Council fails to pass the ordinance or passes it in a form “substantially different from that set forth in the petition,” the voters will decide. A referendum must be held between 30 days and a year after the Council takes its final vote on the issue. The Council has the option to call a special election if no regular election is scheduled.
Cramer said at the Council’s request, the Board of Elections will verify that signers are IOP registered voters and that signatures match.
“It’s all up to the Council what they do next. Once we certify, it’s in their court what the next steps are. I don’t hold an election until I get a directive from the Council,” he said, adding that he needs to know by Sept. 8 if the issue is going to be on the November ballot and that the certification process could take three to four weeks.
“I’m sure we will accept the petition and send it to the county for certification,” said IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds, adding that the Council could pass the proposed ordinance, craft a compromise or vote to schedule a referendum.
“If the Council rejects the ordinance or fails to act, that’s what triggers a referendum,” City Administrator Desiree Fragoso explained.
In addition to limiting investment short-term rental licenses, the
proposed ordinance would permit a license to be transferred to a family member, including a spouse, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, sibling-in-law, child, step-child, grandparent or step-grandparent. The license would not transfer if the dwelling were to be sold. Brian Duffy, president of Preserve IOP Now and a former Council member, said the license for a property taxed at the 6% rate would be able to be transferred to a family member only if it was titled in a person’s name, rather than as a corporation.
At the Council’s June 27 meeting, Donavan stressed that most of the people who signed the Preserve IOP Now petition “are not against short-term rentals.”
“We only want to maintain a balanced community,” she said. “The ordinance proposed would limit investment short-term rental licenses to 1,600, which amounts to 35% of our dwellings, and does not restrict full-time residents like myself from renting their homes up to 72 days per year.”
“If it’s true, as some argue, that we have no current or future problems, then this limit will never be a concern,” she said. “However, many of us believe that inaction in the face of the changing landscape of our state and nearby communities risks rapid commercialization of our island.”
“If you are unwilling to adopt this ordinance quickly, we request that you take all steps necessary to have this placed on the November ballot,” she concluded.
Council votes to ban e-bikes on the beach
By Brian Sherman For The Island Eye News
The Isle of Palms City Council has passed on second reading an ordinance that bans e-bikes and similar vehicles on the beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The restrictions don’t apply during the rest of the year.
The original ordinance, passed on first reading at the Council’s May 23 meeting, prohibited “electric-assist bicycles and any other mode of transportation that is propelled by a motor or any other battery-assisted devices, including but not limited to battery-assisted motorized skateboards or battery-assisted motorized mono-wheel skateboards” on the beach between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from May 15 through Labor Day.
However, Council Member Scott Pierce insisted that for safety purposes, motorized vehicles should be banned from the beach altogether during the busiest times of the summer season.
“Before 10 a.m., the beach is packed. There are lots of toddlers, pets and activities on the beach. Some of these vehicles can go up to 70 mph. I have seen them doing 40 mph on the beach. I don’t think they’re conducive with the high season,” Pierce said.
City Attorney Mac McQuillin suggested that the ordinance should include the reasons why motorized vehicles should be prohibited, such as safety issues, young children being on the beach and the fact that “these things can exceed 30 mph and present a safety hazard.”
Council Member Jimmy Ward cast the only dissenting vote against Pierce’s amendment and against passing the ordinance with the changes on second reading.
“A lot of this came up because of a few bad actors. My observation is that the ones who are causing problems are well under 16 years old,” he said.
By Katherine Berry
Isle of Palms started strong on the Fourth of July, with the annual Golf Cart Parade. Aside from water hazards flying in all directions, the parade was enjoyed by hundreds of locals and visitors celebrating America’s independence. The event grows each year, and this year was no exception.
An event that began 30 years ago with a few islanders walking two blocks, wearing homemade paper hats and carrying a boom box has grown to a whopping 329 participants this year, according to the IOP Police Department – and people meant business with their decorating.
Captain America celebrated by making an appearance, along with the Statue of Liberty, patriotic ducks, flamingos, eagles, alligators and turtles. There was definitely no shortage of creativity. The excitement was contagious – it was a fun way to celebrate our freedom.
Is
By Mary Pringle
For The Island Eye News
visitor from New York a sea turtle whisperer?
moonlight.
Is Meg Greiner a sea turtle whisperer? Every summer, she comes from Croton-on-Hudson, New York, and stays on Ocean Boulevard for the week of July Fourth with her family, which includes her father, her sisters and nieces, who live in the South Carolina Upstate. We first met Meg seven years ago on the night of July 4, 2016, during the Isle of Palms fireworks display – when the police notified the Turtle Team that a loggerhead was laying eggs on the beach amid the crowds of people and loud explosions. That year, Meg’s family was staying at 702 Ocean Blvd. The Isle of Palms policemen were holding blankets up around this large turtle, trying to calm her and keep people away while she laid her eggs.
Since then, Meg has come back regularly. Even though she arrives before hatchlings start emerging from their nests, she usually manages to either find tracks for us or even see a nesting female on the beach at night. This year, two nights before the fireworks, Meg happened to go out on the upper balcony of the large rental house. At around 11 p.m., under a full moon, she looked down at the surf and saw a huge loggerhead coming out of the water to nest in the bright
Happy Summer from the Isle of Palms!
Since Meg has been following our website at bergwerfgraphics.com and learning about nesting for seven years, she was well aware that people should quietly stay back from the turtle and not shine any lights, including flash pictures, flashlights or phone lights, because this might cause the turtle to return to the water without laying her eggs. Meg and her family also protected the loggerhead by keeping other beach-goers at a distance during the entire process, which lasted until about 12:15 a.m. Word must have gotten out in the turtle population that Meg was back because another loggerhead nested just a few doors south of her house, closer to 7th Avenue, during that same night.
Because of erosion and the danger of flooding in that south section of beach, both nests were relocated farther north on the Isle of Palms, where the dunes are safer. Meg and her family took part in that process early the next morning and even helped us carry our nest signs, screens and other equipment to the new nest sites. These are marked as nest #30 and nest #31.
We always look forward to the middle of the season when our friend Meg is here and wonder what she will find next.
July
Source: saltwatertides.com
Meg Greiner, center, in a pink shirt, helps the IOP Turtle Team do its job during her visit to the island. She is surrounded by members of her family, who also vacation on IOP each year.
Literary series event celebrates summer reading
By Angela May
For The Island Eye News
The Wild Dunes Swim Center will host a summer event for families with young readers July 28, a celebration of the importance of reading and an opportunity to beat the summer heat.
The Islanders’ Big Al Birthday Party, slated from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., will feature poolside games, an inflatable pirate ship, crafts, snacks, a book signing and more. The event is part of a seasonal literary series, a partnership between Wild Dunes Resort and bestselling author and Isle of Palms Resident Mary Alice Monroe.
Big Al, one of the most fearsome and beloved characters in the New York Times bestselling middle grade series “The Islanders,” is throwing a pool party in celebration of the paperback release of “Search for Treasure,” written by Monroe and Angela May. Al is inviting all young readers to attend, and he’s bringing along his pal Mr. Gator, the star of the picture book “Mr. Gator Hits the Beach,” written by Julie McLaughlin and illustrated by Ann Marie McKay. Barnes & Noble will have signed books available for purchase, and the authors and the illustrator will give special readings and sign books.
About the books
Search for Treasure - Jake Potter is on Dewees Island for another summer at his grandmother’s house on the remote island, where there are no roads, cars or stores. His latest adventure with his best friends, Macon and Lovie, is a mission to find buried treasure while battling some unwelcome guests of both the two- and four-legged variety. On their biggest quest yet, they realize that the treasures they really want in life were with them all along.
Mr. Gator Hits the Beach – Boredom encourages Mr. Gator to accept a surprise invitation to vacation on Bulls Island. But while he’s traveling up the Intracoastal Waterway, Mr. Gator meets Lilly, the loggerhead sea turtle.
Intrigued by her talk of the ocean, Mr. Gator follows Lilly to the Atlantic, but trouble awaits.
Author and illustrator bios
Mary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of nearly 30 books, including the beloved Beach House series and Lowcountry Summer series. Monroe has also written picture books and a middle grade fiction book series called “The Islanders.” She is an active conservationist and supports numerous conservation-focused organizations, including the South Carolina Aquarium and The Leatherback Trust. She lives in Isle of Palms, which is a source of inspiration for many of her books.
Angela May is the New York Times bestselling co-author of “The Islanders” and “Search for Treasure.” She is a former award-winning television news journalist who helps promote great books and share important community stories as a media specialist. May is a South Carolina native and lives in Mount Pleasant with her family.
Julie McLaughlin grew up in the Lowcountry enjoying the beaches and creeks each summer in Pawleys Island. A retired elementary school teacher and a member of the Coastal Conservation League, she now enjoys sharing her love for the coastal region and its wildlife through her stories for young children and the young at heart.
Ann Marie McKay has been painting and studying art off and on ever since her childhood. A retired English teacher, she is now pursuing a second career as an exhibiting artist and an illustrator. She has painted Mr. Gator in all three of his Lowcountry adventures.
Tickets are $20 per child, age 3 and up, and adults get in free. Every ticket includes a $5 book coupon. To purchase tickets online, visit bit.ly/ Bigalparty. If you have ticketing questions about the summer literary event, contact clubline@wilddunes.com.
A pretty good return on a $250 investment
By Carol Antman For The Island Eye News
Economic ruin was predicted when the railroad industry left Stratford, Ontario, in the 1950s. But one man, Tom Patterson, had a visionary idea: a Shakespeare Festival. He approached the city for funding, and, with a notable lack of vision, was granted the whooping sum of $250.
Undeterred, he built a concrete thrust stage and covered it with a tent. On July 13, 1953,
Alec Guinness starred in the title role of “Richard III.” It was the start of an astonishing new chapter in Canadian theater history that now
produces months of performances each summer and is North America’s largest classical repertory company.
Stratford is only a threehour drive from my hometown of Detroit, so I’ve been there several times. After crossing the border at the Blue Water Bridge, the road is lined with miles of farmland and colossal wind turbines. It’s a land the Stratford Festival honors as a “beautiful territory which has been the site ... of storytelling for many thousands of years.” Before every performance, these ancestral guardians are respectfully recognized, and their tribes’ names recited.
adjoining tables. It was a happy surprise that the exchange rate benefited dollars.
The town itself is quaint and very walkable. Our charming Airbnb was perched above the shops on the main street. My sister Barbara and I picnicked on the rooftop and walked everywhere. The restaurant scene is quite sophisticated, with ethnic cuisine, farm-to-table menus and prix fixe meals. We were lucky to land at Elizabeth, a petite jewel of a place where we enjoyed watching the chef wield his blowtorch as we reviewed the waygu meatballs and scallop succotash with
The festival’s programming for 2023 includes 13 plays performed from April to October, and popular works often are held over. They range from Shakespeare classics such as “King Lear” and “Richard II” to “Rent,” “Frankenstein Revisited” and more.
Antoni Cimolino, the Festival’s artistic director, explained: “New plays examine who and where we are at this particular time; the classics remind us that we’ve been here before, that our present experience is part of a larger pattern that can be wonderful or profoundly disturbing.”
In 2019, I came to the Festival with my mother, and we laughed ourselves silly at “Little Shop of Horrors,” followed by a more elevated afternoon with “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” This summer, Barbara (Continued on page 17)
Advisor
Dimi
The cast of Monty Python’s “Spamalot.”
Stephen Jack-Torkoff as King Richard.
Photo by David Hou.
Photo by David Hou.
and I chose “Spamalot” and “Grand Magic.” It was a wonderful combination that left us with so much to talk about. Was “Spamalot” pure nonsense?
“It is nonsense with a point,” David Seljak writes in the program notes. “It asks us to challenge all of the serious things that serious people take seriously – including serious theater.”
The irreverent high jinks, nonstop dancing and stupendous singing created a bubble of happy ridiculousness. When the audience joined the cast in singing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” I felt the dust of everyday concerns blow away.
The themes of “Grand Magic” kept us talking for days. As the venerable George Costanza said
in “Seinfeld,” “It’s not a lie if you believe it.” The play enchantingly explores the idea of confirmation bias, a theme as relevant today as it was when Eduardo De Filippo wrote in Italy after World War II. Cimolino described that as “a time when the supposed bedrock truths and realities of Italy’s fascist era were exposed as tawdry lies and delusions,” and Italians grappled with redefining who they were and how they would avoid being fooled by demagoguery. The play asks, “Do we choose the illusions we live by or do those illusions choose us?”
Today there are four theaters in Stratford, including the magnificent 77,000-square-foot
Tom Patterson Theatre on the banks of the Avon River. Surrounded by lush perennial gardens, it includes an intimate 600-seat venue, a rehearsal hall, presentation area, lobbies and lounges. It’s apparent that the festival has surpassed Patterson’s vision. It generates $140 million in economic activity, attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year and employs more than 1,000 people, including aspiring and seasoned actors who take on multiple roles. There also are programs for teachers and filmmakers, youth camps, intensive seminar weeks and university courses that foster new talent – not a bad return on a $250 investment.
Worship w/ Holy Communion Sundays, 10 a.m.
AA Meetings Mon, Fri and Sat, 6:30-8 p.m.
Pastor Phil Clark St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Around the Islands
ONGOING
WHAT: Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew Litter Sweeps
WHERE: Check in at beach access by Coconut Joe’s
WHEN: 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Mondays; 7 a.m.-8 a.m. Wednesdays
MORE INFO: Volunteers help for at least 30 minutes. Supplies provided. Enjoy discount at an IOP restaurant afterward. No advance registration –help when you can. Follow us at facebook.com/IOPCleanup.
WHAT: Community meditation
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: Thursdays at 9 a.m.
MORE INFO: Outdoors, under the oaks – weather permitting; indoors on colder or bad weather days. Free. To learn more: iop.net/recreation.
WHAT: Yin yoga
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
MORE INFO: Yin Yoga is a beginner-friendly yoga class targeting deep connective tissues and joints and focusing on fascial release and brain health. Beginner class but challenging with limitless benefits. $40/ month; $12 per class. Instructor: Kathy Berry. To learn more: iop.net/ recreation.
WHAT: Dog Obedience
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: Mondays, June-December. Kinderpuppy, 5:30 p.m.; Puppy Junior High, 6:30 p.m.; Canine Good Citizenship, 6:30 p.m.; Tricks, 7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: iop.net
ISLE OF PALMS SUMMER CAMPS
Soccer Shots • July 31-Aug. 4
Get Your Spike-On Volleyball • Aug. 7-10
Gymnastics • Aug. 7-10
Cheernastics • Aug. 7-10
WHAT: IOP Farmers Market
WHERE: IOP Rec Center
WHEN: Every third Thursday, 4-7 p.m., June through October
MORE INFO: Featuring over 60 vendors, music, local farm-fresh produce, family friendly themes and activities and food trucks. To learn more: iop.net
FRIDAY, JULY 14
WHAT: Jungle Jim’s “Wild About Reading Balloon Magic Show” WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 10:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Jungle Jim combines balloon artistry, magic, comedy and improv to create an amazing experience for children. The audience is given a series of balloon adventure challenges designed to encourage them to be great readers. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
SATURDAY, JULY 15
WHAT: Kids DIY Theater
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
MORE INFO: Drop in and enjoy a different set of puppets or flannels every Saturday in July. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
FRIDAY, JULY 21
WHAT: Rad Retro Games Day
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
MORE INFO: Are you ready for some old-school entertainment? Drop in to play board, video, outdoor and word games popular in the ’80s and ’90s. Fun for all ages. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
SATURDAY, JULY 22
WHAT: Ice Candle Making for Teens
WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 11 a.m.
MORE INFO: Find out what happens when you pour hot wax over ice in this fun experimental craft.Grades 6-12. Registration required. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
THURSDAY, JULY 27
WHAT: Pinckney Family Roots, Branches and Legacy in the Lowcountry WHERE: Edgar Allan Poe Branch Library, 1921 Ion Ave., Sullivan’s Island WHEN: 10:30 a.m.
MORE INFO: Learn more about Charles Pinckney, Eliza Lucas Pinckney, the Gullah Geechee men and women they enslaved and the crops they grew to make Charleston one of the wealthiest cities in the entire world. Registration requested. To learn more: ccpl.org/branches/Sullivans-island.
THURSDAY-SUNDAY, JULY 27-30
WHAT: Twist & Turns
WHERE: Sullivan’s Island Baptist Church WHEN: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: Twists & Turns is a fantastical celebration of games of all kinds. Classic tabletop games, video games and more. Dinner will be provided. To learn more: sibc.church.
SATURDAY, JULY 29
WHAT: IOP Beach Run
WHERE: Front Beach, IOP WHEN: 8 a.m.
MORE INFO: There will be a 5K run/walk and a 10K run. Register at raceroster.com or the IOP Recreation Center. To learn more: iop.net or 843-886-8294.
WHAT: LENS water safety program
WHERE: Sullivan’s Island Elementary School WHEN: 10 a.m.
MORE INFO: Sponsored by the Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support program, the event is free. Coast Guard instructor Susan White will provide a fun, informative and practical 60-minute program, which will include interactive instruction and a docked boat experience. To learn more: email Kinghorn.Ted@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 and AUGUST 8
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9
WHAT: College application boot camp
WHERE: IOP Recreation Center
WHEN: 3:30-5 p.m.
MORE INFO: The IOP Rec Department and Lisa Gastaldi, president of Low Country College Counseling, will host the event to help rising high school seniors and their parents understand and prepare for the college application season. To learn more: iop.net.
