December 7 edition

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DECEMBER 7–13, 2023

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PRESORTED PERMIT NO. 97 BEAUFORT, SC 29902

COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY

AG takes over Greenway investigation

Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone in Okatie, July 6, 2023. File/ Tony Kukulich/Post And Courier

By Tony Kukulich The Post And Courier The Office of the Attorney General is taking over an investigation of Eric Greenway, the former Beaufort County administrator who was fired last summer. The State Law Enforcement Division and the Public Integrity Unit, a team of prosecutors and senior investigations run jointly the by the solicitors of the First and 14th circuits, had been leading the investigation into potential political corruption by Greenway. The decision by Attorney General Alan Wilson follows a request by 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone that Wilson

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impanel a State Grand Jury to assist with the investigation. “This investigation would benefit from the use of the State Grand Jury, as it is an investigative grand jury equipped to issue subpoenas and compel sworn testimony in or-

SPECIAL ELECTION

der to discover public corruption,” Stone wrote in his letter dated Nov. 28, adding that the state grand jury has broader investigative powers than county grand juries. Wilson replied Dec. 4 stating that, after a review, his office will take over all prosecutorial actions related to the case. The response gives no indication as to whether Wilson will impanel a State Grand Jury. “In general, we never confirm or deny what matters might be before the State Grand Jury, unless and until it issues an indictment,”

SEE GENERAL PAGE A4

Q&A with Cromer, Sutton By Delayna Earley The Island News The Island News presented the two candidates in the special election for Mayor of the City of Beaufort — Phil Cromer and Mike Sutton — with the same six questions. Along with a brief background on each, here’s how each candidate responded: Phil Cromer From: Charleston, S.C.

City of Beaufort Mayoral candidates Phil Cromer, left, and Mike Sutton, right, took to the stage on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Performing Arts Center in a forum hosted by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce. Delayna Earley/The Island News

Time to choose

Beaufort Mayoral candidates face off over tough questions By Delayna Earley The Island News City of Beaufort Mayoral candidates Phil Cromer and Mike Sutton took to the stage on Monday, Dec. 4, at the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Performing Arts Center and answered pressing questions about how they would handle hot button topics if they were elected as Beaufort’s next mayor. The event was hosted by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and was organized by interim CEO and President Megan Morris.

The two candidates are running to fill the vacant mayoral seat in the city after Stephen Murray resigned from the position on Sept 15, 2023, with a little more than a year left in his term. Cromer and Sutton have each served for two terms on the City of Beaufort’s council and Sutton previously ran against Murray for the mayoral seat and lost. Sutton is a retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard and is currently the owner of Sutton Construction which focuses on restoring historic properties in the Beaufort area,

Special Pull-Out Holiday Gift Guide

according to Sutton. He also currently serves on the Historic District Review Board and Building Board of Appeals. Cromer is currently retired, but previously he has worked as a town manager in Ridgeland and Port Royal and as a risk management consultant for the Municipal Association of South Carolina. More than 100 concerned citizens came to watch the candidate forum to help get answers to questions

Education: Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from University of South Carolina, Master’s in Public Administration from College of Charleston, Associate Degree in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute of America Job: Retired Age: 73 years old Political Career: 8 years on Beaufort City Council Been in Beaufort: Phil Cromer is not originally from here but has lived here for quite some time. Cromer has experience in local government as he worked as town manager in Ridgeland and in Port Royal. He retired from City Council in Winter 2022. 1. Why do you want to be mayor of Beaufort and why do you think you’re the best person for the job? Why should people vote for you? Well, the reason I want to be mayor is that I care about the future

SEE FORUM PAGE A9

SEE QUESTIONS PAGE A8

FAITH

SPORTS

INSIDE

Menorah lighting set for Thursday in Waterfront Park.

Erickson’s proposal would replace SCHSL with legislators’ own governing board.

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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–7 State News A8–10 Arts A11 Sports B1, 3 Education B2

VISIT THE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Live animals Fun exhibits Free Admission

OPEN: Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm Sat: 10am-4pm | CLOSED: Saturday, December 23rd 310 Okatie Highway | (843) 645-7774 | PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org

Health Voices Military Directory Classifieds Legals

B4–5 B6–7 B8–9 B10 B11 L1–8


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December 7 edition by The Island News - Issuu