January 13 edition

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Happy Birthday, Beaufort!

COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY

State Ethics Commission finds City could have conflict of interest

LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN

LOLITA HUCKABY

PRESORTED PERMIT NO. 97 BEAUFORT, SC 29902

From staff reports City of Beaufort Department of Community and Economic Development Director David Prichard must recuse himself from any decisions related to any proposed projects involving 303 Associates, according to an opinion issued Jan. 4 by the State Ethics Commission. On Dec. 30, City of Beaufort At-

torney William Harvey requested an informal opinion from the State Ethics Commission as to whether there was a potential conflict of interest for the City when considering development projects from 303 Associates. Prichard’s Department of Community and Economic Development considers all new projects in

the City of Beaufort. His wife works for 303 Associates, although not in a position that is affiliated with the development side of the business. The State Ethics Commission staff released an informal opinion on Jan. 4 that Prichard should recuse himself on any matters involving 303 Associates. “Mrs. Prichard’s job duties or ti-

tle at 303 Associates is immaterial,” the letter from Ethics Commission Counsel Courtney Laster said. To alleviate any perception of conflict of interest, the architects contracted by the City to write staff reports on projects that come before the city’s design boards will

SEE ETHICS PAGE A4

BEAUFORT YOUTH IN AVIATION

S

BEAUFORT o what do you get to celebrate a 311th birthday? Mayor Stephen Murray shed a bit of light on the event this week during his presentation at the inaugural 2022 Friends of the Beaufort Library Book Sandwiched In. (If you didn’t get to attend, you can watch it on the Friends’ Facebook.) Murray reviewed the book Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity by Minnesota landuse planner and author Charles Marohn, Jr. who contends local governments need to focus more on being financially resilient rather than trying to be “all things to all citizens.” Murray, who’s been mayor 13 months with 35 more to go, conceded the author didn’t provide complete solutions, just like he (Murray) acknowledged he doesn’t have all the solutions but made it clear he spends a lot of time thinking about it. For those new to the area, or unaware of the city’s accomplishments, Murray pointed to the Commerce Park, located north of the city and home now to nine industrial operations with construction of a new 64,000 square foot spec building underway. He listed the city’s Digital Corridor, a business incubator located on Carteret Street open to technical entrepreneurs looking for start-up space. Then there are the city’s efforts, along with economic development folks, USC Beaufort, Technical College of the Lowcountry and the U.S. Department and Defense on the new South Coast Cyber Center. The cyber-security training facility, to be located in the former Bridges Prep School building on Boundary Street, aka the old Boys and Girls Club, aka the old Yankee bar, got a recent boost with a $450,000 grant for scholarships.

SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A6

Harriston Holmes, far left, and James Atkins, far right, flank the first four kids in the Beaufort Youth in Aviation Program. Submitted photo.

Aim high

Program hopes to build self confidence, introduce St. Helena youth to careers in aviation By Amy Coyne Bredeson As a boy growing up on St. Helena Island, Harriston Holmes would often run outside or to the nearest window when he heard the engines of Beaufort County Mosquito Control’s DC-3 approaching.

Holmes was fascinated with aviation back then, and that fascination continues today. Now he is grown with a family of his own and wants to share the world of aviation with the next generation. The 1997 Beaufort High School graduate returned home after

earning his bachelor’s degree in health from Voorhees College. After coaching basketball for Lady's Island Middle School and Beaufort County Parks and Leisure Services, Holmes realized he needed to make more money for his family. He thought back to when he

was a kid and how much he loved watching the airplanes soar above his home. “It rekindled an old flame of aircraft,” Holmes said. He did some research and

SEE AVIATION PAGE A6

Indivisible Beaufort marks Jan. 6 anniversary

About 50 members of the Beaufort chapter of Indivisible rally in front of Beaufort City Hall to support democracy, the January 6 Select Commission, and to honor those who died as a result of the January 6 riot on Capital Hill. Photo by Jeff Evans.

By Mike McCombs “Democracy, not Insurrection” was the singular message on everyone’s sign as around 50 or so members of the Beaufort chapter of Indivisible gathered for a vigil and demonstration from 4 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 6 along Boundary Street in front of Beaufort City Hall. According to an Indivisible release, the event was “in remembrance of the 2021 attack on the

NEWS

MILITARY

INSIDE

Conservation easement secures largest unprotected property in St. Helena Sound.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visits Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–6 Business A6 Legal Notice A7 Arts A8 Education A9

Health Sports Faith Voices Military Directory

Capitol.” “We’re really here for three reasons,” Beaufort’s Jeff Baker said. “To support democracy, support the Jan. 6 Select Commission and to honor those who died (Jan. 6), the Capitol Police who were in service.” The Beaufort gathering wasn’t unique. More than 600 chapters of Indivisible marked the anniversary

A10–11 A12 A13 A14–15 A16–17 A18

SEE RALLY PAGE A4


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