34 minute read
Grades
from March 10 edition
Philip Saracin took this photo recently of low tide at Coffin Point. To submit a Lowcountry Life photo, you must be the photographer or have permission to submit the photo to be published in The Island News. Please submit high-resolution photos and include a description and/or names of the people in the picture and the name of the photographer. Email your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com.
VETERANS OF THE WEEK JACK & JENNIFER SNIDER
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Beaufort’s Jack and Jennifer Snider, 61 and 51, respectively, joined the United States Marine Corps in Spokane, Wash., (1980) and Kings Bay, Ga., (1992), respectively. After Officers Candidate School (OCS), Jack went to Pensacola for flight training then to MCAS El Toro. Follow-on tours were with fighter squadrons at Beeville, Texas and MCAS Beaufort, where he commanded an F-18 squadron. He made deployments aboard aircraft carriers, including USS Enterprise (CVN-65), while operating offshore Iraq and Afghanistan. He has more than 300 carrier landings. He next served in Washington at the National War College and on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. He returned to Beaufort to command the Marine Corps Air Station. He retired in 2011 as a Colonel with 31 years of service. Jennifer completed Boot camp at Parris Island and became a Graphic Illustrator serving in Washington, D.C., at the Marine Corps Institute developing all USMC manuals and testing materials. She next served at Quantico as an OCS physical training instructor. She returned to Beaufort at Parris Island where she worked with recruiting and as a Drill Instructor. She finished her active duty in 2001 as a Staff Sergeant. Both Jack and Jennifer have continued to serve our area, Jack first working with Beaufort County schools and then for eight years with Marine Corps Community Services, which he now directs. Jennifer has worked as a Criminal Investigator for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.
Jack & Jennifer Snider
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
In support of Ukraine and its president
The Beaufort Republican Women’s Club rises in support of the people of Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” a Colonial commander exhorted his men as they primed their bodies and spirits against the British onslaught … near Bunker Hill … and rallied later by the choice, “Live free or die!” … to today’s “I need ammunition, not a ride!” said Ukrainian President Zelensky, countering offers “to leave the field of battle and 'escape.'" He did not fear the line of Russian steel, menacing, bogged down on the road to Kyiv – not by want of fuel but empty of God’s saving spirit and freedom’s words of truth.
During World War II, the courage to survive, and win, embodied by seven fighting men raising the Stars and Stripes on the barren hill atop of Iwo Jima, also uplifted and inspired the American people.
So too, today, by our prayers and America’s strategic support, may Ukraine’s government (like our post Civil War’s) “of the people and for the people not perish …”
Finally, in turn, may the Ukraine people’s and its President’s example of courage and strength revitalize our faith in our fellow Americans and our country, and that in and with God, nothing is impossible, even against an “unhinged Russian despot!”
– The Beaufort Republican Women’s Club
Standing for Ukraine, democracy, justice
We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and condemn the senseless aggression shown by Vladimir Putin and Russia. As we watch from afar while the people of Ukraine literally take up arms and fight for their democracy at the hands of oppressors, it should bring into focus our own struggle to preserve our democracy at home.
No, we have not yet reached the point of desperation the Ukrainian people currently find themselves staring down, but it is a stark reminder of how fragile freedom truly is. And let it be a call to action to ensure our democracy remains strong.
As Archbishop Desmond Tutu famously reminded us, if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. May the United States of America always fall on the side of justice.
– The Beaufort County Democratic Party
We can meet the challenge of rising seas
The Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) now says that the sea is rising three times as fast as the one foot rate of the last 100 years. We are told that the next 30 years will bring an average of another foot world wide.
Sea level is not the same everywhere nor does the sea rise at the same rate everywhere. Thus the Lowcountry may experience 14 or 15 inches of SLR by 2050.
We are not helpless in the face of this challenge. For sure it will be difficult. If you take a look at the NOAA report on the website, you will find that projections are in ranges not fixed predictions. In part those ranges reflect unknowns in natural forces. We are the big unknown. What will we do? If nothing, a lot of shoreline will be lost, our military bases will be compromised or moved and we will suffer 10 times as many damaging flood events. All because of rising temperatures that expand the water and melt the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica.
We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the rate of temperature increase and sea level rise. Every degree of heat and inch of water counts. Public policy can implement a market-based approach to deploy renewable energy and stimulate innovation. Let’s face this. With action at the federal level and commitment from everyday citizens, the next 30 years will bring the energy transformation we need.
First be informed. Take a look at the NOAA report. Then, as we do at Citizens’ Climate Lobby, write the President, call or write your senators and congressional representatives. Urge leaders at every level to take action. Don’t wait to see what happens.
– Tim Joy, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Beaufort
LEGAL NOTICE
TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE
Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-300, et. seq., NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intent of the undersigned Trustee to sell the below described Property at Public Auction on the 3/24/2022 beginning at 9:00 A.M..
The Public Auction shall occur at the Office of Bolchoz Law Firm, 6 Buckingham Plantation Rd, Ste B, Bluffton, SC 29910.
Property Description: Unit Number 222, Vacation Week 11, Designated Season GOLD Timeshare Interest consisting of 1 undivided 1/51 interest(s) in fee simple as tenants in common in and to the below described Condominium Unit, together with a corresponding undivided interest in the Common Furnishings which are appurtenant to such Condominium Unit, as well as the recurring (i) exclusive right every calendar year to reserve, use and occupy an Assigned Unit within Royal Dunes Beach Villa sat Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime (the “Project”); (ii) exclusive Furnishings located within or otherwise appurtenant to such Assigned Unit; and (iii) non-exclusive right to use and enjoy the Common Elements of the Project, for their intended purpose, during the Vacation Week or one (1) or more Split Vacation Periods (up to maximum of seven (7) days and nights) in the Designated Season identified above as shall properly have been reserved in accordance with the provisions of the then-current Rule and Regulations promulgated by Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Owners Association, Inc., all pursuant to the Master Deed for Royal Dunes Beach Villas at Port Royal Resort Horizontal Property Regime, duly recorded in the RMC Office for Beaufort County, South Carolina, in Record Book 698 at Page 940, as amended from time to time (the “Master Deed”).
Name/Notice Address of Obligor; Record Owner, if different from the Obligor; and any Junior Lienholders is as follows: DONALD J. HEISER TRUSTEE OF THE DONALD J. HEISER REVOCABLE TRUST , 1219 HAWTHORNE DRIVE E, WANTAGH, NY 11793.
The sale of the Property is to satisfy the default in payment by the Obligor/Owner of the obligations secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN as recorded in Lien Book 150 at Page 0136, records of Beaufort County, SC.
The amounts secured by the CLAIM OF LIEN, are Amount currently in default (including interest) $ 10,780.03
Costs
$ 744.49 Attorney Fees $ 350.00 Total Amount Due $ 11,874.52
Together with any and all additional dues, assessments, costs, other fees, and interest coming due and payable hereafter.
The successful bidder, other than the Creditor, shall be required to pay in cash or certified funds at the time of the bid. If the Creditor is the successful bidder at the sale, it shall receive a credit against its bid for the Total Amount Due. The successful bidder shall also be required to pay for Deed Preparation, Documentary Stamps, or transfer fee, and Recording Costs. This sale is subject to all taxes, liens, easements, encumbrances, assessments, and/or senior mortgage liens of record and the undersigned Trustee gives no opinion thereto.
An Obligor has the right to cure the default, and a Junior Lienholder has the right to redeem its interest up to the date of that the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 27-32-345.
King Cunningham, LLC, Trustee, by Jeffrey W. King, SC Bar # 15840; or W. Joseph Cunningham, SC Bar # 72655 P.O. Box 4896, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 (843)-249-0777
PAL PETS OF THE WEEK
Cat of the Week: Scruffy sees everything with his beautiful big eyes. He is a younger cat who enjoys play time but also chill time to watch birds. Scruffy would enjoy a home with another cat to play with. Scruffy is 9 months old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped. Dog of the Week: Fred is on the move! Fred was hit by a car at 4 months old. He now spends his days in his wheelchair or scooting around his room at our adoption center. Fred is eager to find his home with someone who goes on adventures. Fred is learning new skills and ways to navigate life every day. Fred is 9 months old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped.
If you are interested in adopting Scruffy, Fred or any of our other pets, call our adoption center at 843-645-1725 or email us at info@ palmettoanimalleague. org to set up an appointment.
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BEAUFORT As expected, the proposed Dunkin’ Donut shop on Lady’s Island isn’t dead as developer of the property says he’s going to appeal.
Graham Trask, during an online comment session this week with the County Council’s Natural Resources Committee, said he plans to appeal the decision last month of the county Zoning Board of Appeals which rejected his request for a variance to accommodate the proposed drive-through business.
The ZBOA, on a 4-2 vote, felt the development on that section of the Sea Island Parkway, across from Bill’s Liquor Store and Grayco, would negatively impact traffic.
The County Council has already given the first of three votes of approval to an ordinance change which would require drive-through businesses on major thoroughfares to have alternate entrances and exits.
Graham used his three minutes before the county committee to accuse the county planning staff of giving in to “transplanted elites” who only reflect a minority of local residents who said they felt the location was wrong for a drive-through business.
Not so fast my friends
LOLITA HUCKABY Looking out for the Penn Center’s historic trees
ST. HELENA ISLAND – Just as the latest citizens advisory sales tax committee begins discussions on what projects should be funded by a proposed new sales tax, one project on the county’s “to do” list generated some press last week because it related to … tree cutting.
During an update last week before County Council of proposed projects to be funded by past sales tax revenues, comments about the proposed sidewalk along Martin Luther King Drive, through the historic Penn Center raised red flags for some, including St. Helena Island District 3 Councilman York Glover.
Through years of planning and community meetings throughout the county, expansion of sidewalks are generally met with enthusiasm. But when the talks involved that stretch of Lowcountry highway, talks always came with the caveat, okay, but don’t even think about removing those trees.
Now with new planners, new county administrative staff and even a new County Council representative (Glover took over after Bill McBride retired in 2017), once they get to “putting pen to paper,” it’s hopeful the public message will be the same: leave those trees alone.
Harris Teeter update
BEAUFORT – Could there be a glimmer of hope for the Harris Teeter aficionados who are longing for a Lady’s Island store? Maybe so.
Beaufort City Manager Bill Prokop announced last week, during a Community Associations meeting, that he’d been in contact with the Salisbury, N.C.-based grocery folks who said they were “back on track with construction to start later this year.”
Who knows? Still could happen. For the record, the public information folks for the company still have “no comment.”
Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and former reporter/editorial assistant/columnist with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today, Beaufort Today and The Robesonian (Lumberton, N.C.). She can be reached at bftbay@gmail.com.
Woodward again announces candidacy for County Sheriff
From staff reports
Veteran county law enforcement officer Joey “JoJo” Woodward Jr. announced Saturday he is running for Sheriff of Beaufort County.
Woodward made the announcement at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center in front of a crowd of family, friends, and members of the law enforcement community.
“I am standing here today as I did four years ago because I still believe there is a better way to be sheriff of Beaufort County,” Woodward said Saturday morning. “Currently, our sheriff’s office is experiencing historic manpower shortages, soaring costs, low morale and rising crime. A stronger, more focused sheriff can address these problems.”
Under the current sheriff, more than 50 officers have quit, leaving the department with too few road deputies and a top-heavy administration, Woodward said.
“Not only is that dangerous for the remaining officers, but it’s unsafe for Beaufort County residents and visitors,” he said. “The current sheriff can’t fill those positions because no one wants to work for him.”
Woodward touts his recent experience as a Career Criminal Unit investigator with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to consistently work across jurisdictional lines. He took the job with 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone after resigning as a Captain in the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 to run against Sheriff P.J. Tanner.
“Any cop worth their salt will tell you that criminals don’t abide by municipal or county lines,” he said. “Having those working relationships with law enforcement throughout the entire judicial circuit is a major plus and one I will continue to use as Beaufort County sheriff.”
Woodward also co-chairs the Lowcountry Human Trafficking Task Force. In January, Woodward, along with several other members of the law enforcement subcommittee, were recognized by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for their work on a minor sex trafficking case.
Woodward has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience. He served as captain with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and oversaw the Southern Enforcement Branch.
Woodward was born in Charleston and was raised in both Beaufort and Jasper counties. Woodward joined the Hilton Head Island Fire Department in 1984 and graduated from the South Carolina Fire Academy.
In 1986, he began his law-enforcement career with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and graduated from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy in 1987.
In 1991, Woodward went to work for the Hardeeville Police Department as patrol and drug interdiction officer before returning to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office in 1992. Woodward was temporarily assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency office in Beaufort from 20002001. He returned to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office in 2005, was promoted to lieutenant and served as commander for the Beaufort/Jasper Multi-Agency Drug Task Force.
We’ll get through this together.
Join us BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 2nd Wednesday each month from 6 - 7 p.m.
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Beaufort Medical Plaza
989 Ribaut Road, Beaufort • Classroom 350 (3rd floor)
Hearing the word “cancer” can change life in a big way and the journey that begins with that diagnosis may feel overwhelming, isolating, and involve an overpowering rush of emotions. These free support groups for patients dealing with cancer will be facilitated by a licensed master’s level social worker to ensure that each patient is not alone during such a difficult time in their life. You’ll find a safe space to discover how to navigate this journey using healthy coping skills while creating a network of support and compassion.
To register for a free support group, scan the QR code, or go to BeaufortMemorial.org/SupportGroups. For more info call Kianna Reese at 843.522.7328.
County, Hargray bringing broadband internet service to rural Beaufort County
By Tony Kukulich
Beaufort County is partnering with internet service providers to expand the availability of high-speed internet service to all county residents.
“Right now, we estimate that 95 perent of the county has high-speed internet,” said Chris Ophardt, Beaufort County public information officer. “That 5 percent that’s left is north of the Broad River, the St. Helena and Seabrook areas, those rural areas.”
Broadband for Everyone, a joint initiative between the county and Hargray Communications, was designed to provide broadband internet service to the county’s unserved and underserved communities.
“We’re working with the county and state to determine the best areas where we can invest, including seeking funding to subsidize some portion of those costs, to bring broadband to them,” said Rich Knoll, director of business sales at Hargray Communications. “Ultimately the goal is to bring fiber services to areas that don’t receive minimum speeds today.”
According to Ophardt, the push to expand high-speed service was, until recently, left primarily to private corporations and market forces. There was little government involvement in the effort at any level. The COVID-19 pandemic changed that.
With people forced to work and attend school from home, the availability of high-speed internet service became critical for families in ways it had never been before. Local governments across the country were pressed to help expand service, but the cost to do so was prohibitively high. For example, the cost to bring broadband service to every resident of St. Helena is projected at $8.5 million.
For the internet service providers, expansion into rural areas with low numbers of customers is often financially untenable. In the wake of the pandemic, the federal government stepped in to make funding available through a variety of agencies to state and local governments.
“All of this is a partnership between the government and private corporations,” Ophardt said. “For us here in Beaufort County, we’re helping Hargray, Comcast and Spectrum, because we have all three (service providers) in the county, apply for grants through (the American Rescue Plan Act), through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the state, to get money to do these projects. We’re giving them data. We’re giving them expertise. We’re giving them endorsements. The money gets awarded directly to those companies. They build out, and we’re supposed to make sure they’re doing that.”
In 2021, the county helped Hargray secure a $765,000 grant from the Rural Broadband Grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce. That grant was used to expand service in portions of Seabrook, Lady’s Island, Okatie, St. Helena Island, Bluffton and Daufuskie Island. The county and Hargray plan to apply for a grant from the USDA to offset the cost of expanding high-speed internet service to more of St. Helena Island.
“It is an exciting time for Beaufort County,” said Patrick Hill, assistant county administrator Communications and Information Technology. “Residents in all areas, especially rural and older communities, will be wired into the commerce and educational resources of the internet.”
Not all of the funding is coming through government grants. Late last month, Knoll presented a $20,000 check to the county to be used for service expansion efforts on St. Helena Island and in Sheldon.
“We had some marketing dollars that we were able to allocate from our business side to Beaufort County to help with their residential initiative that we knew was very important to them,” Knoll explained.
As Beaufort County works with local broadband services providers to expand coverage to underserved areas, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) is conducting a broadband internet survey. The data collected through this survey will assist ORS in determining the need for residential high-speed, fiber-based internet in and around the community. Residents are urged to participate in the survey because funding will be allocated to counties based on survey results. Residents without high-speed internet can use local libraries to fill out the survey.
The survey takes about 15 minutes, and participants must be at least 18 years old. To complete the survey, visit https://bit.ly/ineedinternet.
Tony Kukulich is a recent transplant to the Lowcountry. A native of Wilmington, Del., he comes to The Island News from the San Francisco Bay Area where he spent seven years as a reporter and photographer for several publications. He can be reached at tony.theislandnews@gmail.com.
Burton man killed in his yard
From staff reports
An autopsy revealed that a man found dead in his yard was a homicide victim.
The man, identified as 55-year-old Steven Whitlock of Burton, died as a result of gunshot wounds. The wounds were discovered by pathologists during the autopsy conducted two days after Sheriff’s Office deputies received the report of an unresponsive man in a yard on Franklin Drive in Burton.
Deputies and Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services responded to the location Saturday afternoon, March 5. According to a press release issued by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s office, Whitlock’s death was believed to be suspicious at the time, but the cause was not apparent.
A forensic autopsy was completed March 7 at the Medical University of South Carolina, during which the gunshot wounds were uncovered and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Sheriff's Office investigators are searching for the identity of the person responsible for Whitlock's death. Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to contact Sgt. David Tafoya at 843-255-3430 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111, if wishing to remain anonymous and for possible reward.
Combined Arms Concert
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer-4 Tom Banner, left, leads his 282nd Army Band from Fort Jackson in the playing of the playing of the national anthem while Cpl. Dana Reminsky of the Parris Island Marine Corps Band sings Francis Scott Key’s Star Spangled Banner to begin the inaugural Combined Arms Concert on Saturday at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Officials with the Parris Island Marine Corps Band said they hope it could become an annual event. If Saturday’s standing-room-only crowd was any indication, they may get their wish. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
Summit
from page A1
ered topics that ranged from cyber crime and phishing threats to building a cybersecurity ecosystem in the Lowcountry.
“Sometimes folks think that cybersecurity, cyber defense or these high tech, highly skilled jobs have to happen somewhere else, and we can’t be successful with them in Beaufort County,” said City of Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray, who is vice chair of the South Coast Cyber Center. “So part of the conference is bringing in nationally recognized partners and speakers and folks who are doing this work in other parts of the country to let folks know what’s going on, but also to plant some seeds that we can do the same things here and be successful in cybersecurity and cyber defense.”
The South Coast Cyber Center was launched in 2019 as a collaboration between the City of Beaufort, Beaufort County, the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB), the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL), the Beaufort Digital Corridor and the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation. Its mission is to establish the educational infrastructure needed to groom a potential cybersecurity workforce – including those exiting the military – and meet an increasing demand for cybersecurity experts.
“The world is moving extraordinarily fast, and cybersecurity is something we are dealing with in all our organizations,” Murray said.
Peter Reddy, executive director of Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, announced an education partnership agreement between his organization and the South Coast Cyber Center that is expected to bring a broad range of additional resources and expertise to the center.
“(The agreement) means that, to the extent they can afford to provide people, they can provide people to do some instruction in cybersecurity,” explained Warren Parker, Chairman and Executive Director of the South Coast Cyber Center. “They can provide excess equipment. They can provide expertise to advise us on how to do things. They have some programs in the K-through-12 arena in robotics that they can give us access to. They have some geospatial engineering programs that they can give us access to. Mostly, (they) have the ability to outreach to the civilian sector.”
The summit’s first presentation featured a team from the University of Notre Dame who developed a program that embeds students studying cybersecurity with the St. Joseph’s County, Ind., Cyber Crimes Unit. Students accepted into the program are sworn law enforcement officers and are referred to as student investigators, not interns. The student investigators conduct analysis of digital evidence recovered as part of criminal investigations, write and review search warrants related to the collection of digital evidence and testify in court proceedings as necessary. For all intents and purposes, the students are fully integrated into that county’s law enforcement system.
The program has reportedly eliminated a backlog in digital evidence analysis and reduced the timeframe for the review of new material to one to three days, a dramatic improvement over the weeks or months previously required to complete similar efforts in the past.
Beaufort County is running in a similar effort motivated by the success of the program at Notre Dame, said 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office Investigator Dylan Hightower.
Currently, three USCB students are working as interns in the Solicitor's Office examining digital evidence exclusively related to murder investigations. Unlike the program at Notre Dame, the USCB students are not sworn law enforcement officers.
“They have access to our case management system,” said Hightower. “They have access to multiple other tools in our office. They’re able to go in and review these digital assets. They’re able to go with the focus to monitor the digital asset and incorporate their knowledge from what they’re learning in school to how it’s actually used in the real world.
Nick Mesenburg, site manager at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort for Lockheed Martin, summarized the challenge of cybersecurity as he introduced McMaster.
“On the airplane side, we know our threats,” Mesenburg said. “Whether they’re coming from the ground or other aircraft, it turns into more of a technical challenge. It’s not a mystery. We know how to combat these threats to keep our service members safe. Cybersecurity is almost the opposite of that. It’s a constant and evolving threat … but, there’s also opportunity. We have the opportunity here to create that center of excellence to be that shining star for the State of South Carolina and the nation overall.”
Cybersecurity expert David Baker asks questions of Gov. Henry McMaster on how businesses can protect themselves Monday during the South Coast Cyber Summit hosted by the Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
Tony Kukulich is a recent transplant to the Lowcountry. A native of Wilmington, Del., he comes to The Island News from the San Francisco Bay Area where he spent seven years as a reporter and photographer for several publications. He can be reached at tony.theislandnews@gmail.com.
County Treasurer Walls announces re-election bid
From staff reports
Maria Walls, CPA, has announced the launch of her re-election campaign as Beaufort County’s Treasurer. Her campaign sent out an email Sunday, March 6. ”Defying the government stereotype is I am so passionate about breaking the government mold,” Walls said in a release. “My team and I have transformed Beaufort County’s Treasurer’s Office from a dilapidated bureaucracy to a service-centered, innovative leader in both the public and private sectors.” Walls, a Republican, has been Beaufort County’s elected Treasurer since 2015 after serving four years as Deputy Treasurer. Election Day for 2022 is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
According to the Beaufort County website, in addition to being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Walls’ background includes auditing and tax experience for both a multinational CPA firm and, upon her arrival in Beaufort County, a local CPA firm.
Walls and her office have won numerous honors during her time as Treasurer. Walls and her team have received awards such as a 2020 National Achievement Award, County Executive of the Year, and SCGOP Local Government Award. Walls is also a two-time recipient of Thomson Reuters’ Office Holder of the Year, the only recipient to be awarded this prestigious honor twice, which recognizes government officials who have achieved excellence in planning, leadership, and service.
According to the Beaufort County website, the Treasurer is elected by the voters of Beaufort County to administer the collection of taxes, the primary source of revenue for Beaufort County’s local governments and agencies. For Beaufort County Government and School District, the Treasurer also acts as the chief banking and investment officer.
Among the priorities Walls listed in her re-election announcement were safeguarding tax dollars, putting customers first and creating leaders. Visit www.WallsforTreasurer.com for more information about Walls’ campaign.
Maria Walls
RUN, FORREST, RUN
Filing for candidates seeking elected office opens at noon on Wednesday, March 16 and closes at noon on Wednesday, March 30. U.S. Senator Tim Scott is up for election, as are Governor Henry McMaster and all U.S. and State House members. County Council seats representing districts 2 (Paul Sommerville), 4 (Alice Howard), 6 (Joe Passiment), 8 (Chris Hervochon), 9 (Mark Lawson), 10 (Lawrence McElynn), and 11 (Stu Rodman) are up for election, as well as the Beaufort County Sheriff.
BEAUFORT CHARITIES OYSTER ROAST
Pam Hagan, right, searches for the perfectly roasted oyster during Saturday’s Beaufort Charities Oyster Roast at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal. Looking on, from left, is Joe Lee. Saturday was also Lee’s birthday. Photos by Bob Sofaly.
About 35-40 members of the Extra Mile Club were kept busy discarding oyster shells into bins during Saturday’s Beaufort Charities Oyster Roast at Live Oak Park in Port Royal. The school-aged volunteers gathered the shells and deposited them in the bins to be recycled later.
Gunfire erupts on Seabrook street
From staff reports
Homes and vehicles in Seabrook were struck by bullets during a shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon, March 6.
There were no reported injuries.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident that occurred around 2 p.m. on Stuart Point Road near Gillison Loop.
According to Maj. Bob Bromage, subjects were firing from the two vehicles involved; a black Dodge Durango and a black Honda Civic. Bromage clarified that there was no exchange of gunfire between the cars. At least three subjects were in each vehicle.
Following the shooting, the vehicles left the scene headed west toward Trask Parkway.
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office Emergency Dispatch at 9-1-1.
From staff reports
During the Burton Fire District’s 49th birthday celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 15, those who were selected by their peers to be the 2021 Firefighter and Fire Officer of the Year were recognized.
2021 Fire Officer of the Year
Captain Bobby Davidson was nominated for, and selected, as Burton Fire District’s 2021 Fire Officer of the Year. His colleagues describe him as dedicated to the service of others both on and off duty. They note his patience and continued training, which he readily shares with crews to ensure that they are operating safely and efficiently, and that our citizens receive the best services possible.
Captain Davidson is a member of the S.C. Firefighter Assistance Team, who assists with the mental health firefighters and their families across the re-
gion, and is also a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Hampton. This is not the first time Captain Davidson has been recognized for his dedication to others and his service. In 2010, he was selected as Burton’s Firefighter of the Year, and again in 2015 as Burton’s Fire Officer of the Year. In 2017, he was selected to receive the Citizenship Award from the South Carolina Firefighters’ Association, and in 2018 he was also selected as Beaufort Exchange Club’s Firefighter of the Year. Most recently in 2021, American Airlines recognized Capt. Davidson for Bobby preventing an emergency Davidson landing and helping to keep passengers and crew safe by calming a veteran passenger who was experiencing a severe PTSD crisis. In 2020 and 2021, he was member of a crew that restored a pulse to a person in cardiac arrest. An Air Force Veteran, Capt. Davidson also received the prestigious Order of the Maltese Cross award when he graduated the South Carolina Fire Academy in 2003.
2021 Firefighter of the Year
Firefighter Mauricio Gallego was nominated for, and selected, as Burton Fire District’s 2021 Firefighter of the Year. His peers selected him for his great attitude and his motivation for learning new things in everything from firefighting courses Mauricio Gallego to fire truck maintenance, and they state that he is always willing to jump in and help with any task.
Firefighter Gallego came to the United States from Bogota, Columbia, when he was only 10 years old. After retiring as a Marine Corps Warrant Officer, in which he participated in two deployments to Afghanistan and four deployments to the Pacific, he joined the Burton Fire District. Firefighter Gallego also received the prestigious Order of the Maltese Cross award when he graduated from the South Carolina Fire Academy in 2020, and was also a member of a crew that restored a pulse to a person in cardiac arrest.
From staff reports
To expand access to primary care services for local residents, Beaufort Memorial is adding a board-certified and broadly experienced internal medicine specialist to its team at Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine.
William P. Clare Jr., M.D., will join the practice later this month. He comes to Beaufort after 26 years of internal medicine practice in Charleston, most recently at West Ashley Primary Care, where he was a member of the Roper St. Francis Physician Partners network, and previously at Lowcountry Medical Associates. From 2018 to 2021 he served as assistant medical director at Roper Hospice in Charleston and earlier as its interim medical director.
At Lady’s Island Internal Medicine, Dr. Clare will work with adult patients to prevent, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illness, including among his professional interests and areas of expertise preventive care, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and palliative and hospice care.
The Charleston native earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from University of South Carolina in Columbia and a Doctor of Medicine from Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
“We are indeed fortunate to welcome an internal medicine specialist of Dr. Clare’s caliber to our medical staff,” Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley said in a release. “His experience and expertise, coupled with his patient-centered approach to the practice of medicine, will be a great benefit to his patients here.”
Dr. William P. Clare Jr.
Crash
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The Sheldon Fire District (SFD) was among the agencies that responded to the crash site. SFD Chief Buddy Jones said that the crash ignited a brush fire that grew to about 10 acres.
“There were areas it could’ve gone further, and there were areas it couldn’t because it was running into marsh and wetlands,” said Jones of the fire. “The plane was completely destroyed when it hit. It was on fire. The pilots were found probably half a mile, three-quarters of a mile from the crash site.”
Jones said there were approximately 25 firefighters on the scene from various agencies including the Forestry Service, Burton Fire District and the MCAS Beaufort Fire and Emergency Services. Firefighters exercised caution due to the potential hazards associated with a downed military aircraft.
“We kept our distance and foamed the plane,” said Jones. “When the crash rescue trucks got there they really foamed it. That’s what they’re designed to do. They’re made for aircraft firefighting. That’s pretty standard procedure. The Marine Corps crash crew from the air station does a fantastic job.”
According to Kristin Williams, Executive Director of the Beaufort County Open Land Trust, the jet went down on land protected from development. The crash, she said, was a prime example of why her agency and others work to conserve land surrounding military bases.
“It crashed on protected land,” Williams said. “It is Coosaw Plantation, which is protected with a conservation easement that we hold. It crashed on privately protected land, which is why we protect land against encroachment around our military installations. (This crash) is an example of why that is so important. Thank God everyone is ok, but imagine if that was a neighborhood. It really shows the importance of land protection.”
The Boeing-made aircraft was assigned to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 (VMFA(AW)-533), Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd MAW. A safety investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the crash.
MCAS Beaufort, which initially advised Thursday afternoon that for public safety, people should avoid the area, is asking for assistance from the local community. The air station is asking anyone who may have captured photographs or video of the aircraft before the crash, if they could please send their name and contact information to bfrt_ jpao@usmc.mil.
According to the U.S. Navy’s website, navy.mil, the F/A-18D Hornet, which entered into service in 1983, “remains the workhorse of Marine Corps tactical aviation and supports operational deployments around the globe. It will serve as the Marine Corps’ primary bridging platform to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter until its planned sundown in 2030.”
The crash is the third near MCAS Beaufort in recent years.
On Sept. 28, 2018, a pilot ejected safely from a Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II with VMFAT501 before it crashed on uninhabited Little Barnwell Island.
The crash was attributed to a defective fuel tube. The Marines’ fleet of F-35s was grounded until it could be inspected and the defective parts eliminated.
On April 21, 2007, during the final minutes of the Blue Angels’ performance at the MCAS Beaufort Air Show, Blue Angel No. 6 broke formation and the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet crashed 3 miles from the center of the Air Show.
Lt. Commander Kevin “Kojak” Davis was killed in the crash, which injured eight civilians on the ground and did extensive damage to private property. The crash was later attributed to G-force-induced lack of consciousness.
Mike McCombs is the editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
Tony Kukulich is a recent transplant to the Lowcountry. A native of Wilmington, Del., he comes to The Island News from the San Francisco Bay Area where he spent seven years as a reporter and photographer for several publications. He can be reached at tony.theislandnews@gmail.com.
