Axe throwing in Isle of Palms SC

By Brian Sherman for The Island Eye News

Members of the Isle of Palms City Council Public Safety Committee will soon review alternatives for restriping the IOP Connector bridge. Eventually, the Committee will present three options for the community at large to consider.

Public Safety Chair Jan Anderson reported at the Council’s June 28 meeting that the South Carolina Department of Transportation is nearing completion of Phase 1 of its study of the bridge and will provide the Committee with eight options. The Committee, which also includes Rusty Streetman and Blair Hahn, will choose three alternatives “for community review,” Anderson said, adding that she hopes to have a final plan by the fall.

Without input from the city, SCDOT restriped the bridge in March 2021, adding bike and pedestrian lanes on each side and reduced the center emergency lane from 10 feet to 4 feet, drawing the ire of several Council members and a large number of IOP residents as well.

Phase 2 of SCDOT’s study, now in its preliminary stages, will address traffic congestion on the Connector and the roads that feed into it, including Highway 17, Palm Boulevard, Rifle Range Road and Hungryneck Boulevard, along with the island’s hurricane evacuation plan.

In a related matter, a divided Council narrowly approved a motion to hire an attorney to review the constitutionality of two related issues: the restriping of the Connector and S. 40, legislation signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster in May 2021 that permits municipalities to charge for parking on state roads, but only with approval from the Department of Transportation. Sponsored by State Sen. Larry Grooms, the bill was heralded by the Charleston Beach Foundation, a group that was formed after IOP denied non-residents access to the island during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The motion to hire an attorney, considered after the Council emerged from executive session, was supported by Mayor Phillip Pounds, Anderson, Streetman, Kevin Popson and Jimmy Ward, while Hahn, Scott Pierce, Katie Miars and John Bogosian voted no.

Hahn later explained that he voted against the measure not because he doesn’t favor challenging the constitutionality of S. 40 and the restriping of the bridge, but because he “did not like the lawyer Brent found.”

IOP City Attorney Brent Halversen asked the Council to hire Miller Shealy, a professor at the Charleston School of Law. Shealy also has served in a solicitor’s office, in the office of the Attorney General of South Carolina and in the U.S. Department of Justice.

“I very much am in favor of giving Council what they need to understand the gravity of the situation,” Hahn added. “All of us want to hire a lawyer. This was about which lawyer to hire.”

In other action on June 28, the Council passed first reading of an ordinance that would put a referendum on the November ballot, asking residents if they would like to reduce the size of the Council from nine to seven members. There were three no votes, from Anderson, Ward and Popson. Ward said he would prefer to have the referendum originate from the voters rather than from the Council.

The Council also voted to extend the temporary suspension of enforcement of the plastic ban for businesses that have been impacted by supply chain issues. No business will be able to provide its customers with single use plastic bags at the point of sale. Ward, Miars and Pierce voted no.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCIV) — Isle of Palms hosted a public meeting Monday night with a new potential marina operator.

While their plans have caused excitement for some, they are sparking concern and questions for others.

Dozens gathered to get answers to unanswered questions on the future of the marina.

While some are still hesitant on what the future holds, others are optimistic. A new operator is the right choice in bringing the facility forward.

Michael Schuler, founder and CEO of Coastal Marinas, says his plans include putting Isle of Palms residents first, and giving them as much access to the water as possible.

This includes giving IOP residents priority access to slips and free parking at the marina.

"I have no reason to lease a slip to someone from Summerville, when I could lease it to somebody from right in this room," says Shuler.

He says he doesn't want to change anything that's already working, including keeping current water operations and staff.

"The vision is simple: maintain the island community character of the Isle of Palms, while investing time and resources to make responsible improvements in its operations over its course of time," says Schuler.

Rumors of possible dry-stack boat storage were addressed. Residents were assured no dry-stack storage would be put in place, but dry docking would be — something residents who lack boat storage at the marina are in favor of.

“I am in favor of anything that gives more access to the residents to the water, because really that is why Isle of Palms bought the marina in the first place," says IOP resident Bortie Twiford.

Still, others are concerned there's been lack of regard for public input and disclosure. Randy Bell says more information needs to be put into the lease agreement to prevent anything that goes against the will of IOP neighbors.

"We do not know what is current. What I want to see for the community is a thoughtful, deliberate, non-subjective, no ambiguity, everything in writing; what are we agreeing to?" said Bell, an IOP resident and former city council member.

Bell says he doesn't want to see what has happened with the current lease agreement repeat once again.

"We have concerns that what we have seen so far is vague and ambiguous, and the reason that we have issues right now with the current leases is, they are all vague and ambiguous," Bell says.

But others are hopeful change will be a good thing.

"The marina is our greatest resource for the island, so we should be taking very good care of it, and I think they are going to do a great job," says Paige Grimball, IOP resident.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — The Fourth of July is expected to be a busy time for popular beach communities in the Lowcountry!

Visitors from near and far are expected to travel to areas like Folly Beach, Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island to soak up the sun, relax in the sand and take in the holiday's festivities.

Below you can find special information on the three areas for Independence Day Weekend, as well as links to other helpful tips for visiting the beach this summer!

A fireworks display is being planned by the Folly Association of Business for Monday, July 4.

The show will begin at sundown and should be visible from anywhere in the community.

The pyrotechnics will be launched from 3rd Block West, with the parking and beach areas here closed from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Visitors of all ages are invited to attend.

The Folly Association of Business will conduct a beach sweep right after the display, as well as the following morning, to clean up any debris or trash from the event.

A golf cart parade will take place on Isle of Palms at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 4, with staging of the carts scheduled for 9 a.m. at 4th Avenue and Charleston Boulevard.

Golf cart operators are reminded that they must have valid driver's license, a permit from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and proof of insurance. Carts may be operated along a secondary highway or street within four miles of wherever the vehicle is registered, or from the ingress/regress of a gated community where the cart is registered. Golf carts may only be operated during daylight hours.

The City of Isle of Palms has a fireworks show planned for 9 p.m. that same night in the Front Beach area.

The show, sponsored by the city, will result in the closure of the beach between 21st Avenue to 13th Avenue at Sea Cabins starting around 6 p.m. so organizers can set up for the event. Visitors will be allowed to stay inside the Isle of Palms County Park area or behind the restrooms to view the show.

Officials are reminding residents and visitors that all other fireworks are strictly prohibited in the city.

City officials said there will be extra personnel over the weekend in anticipation of "a significant influx" of visitors.

A golf cart and bike parade will kick off the holiday on Sullivan's Island, with the event beginning at Sunrise Presbyterian Church and ending at Sullivan’s Island Elementary School. Those interested in participating in the competition must register at Town Hall through July 1. A limited number of registrations will be available at the starting line until 8:30 a.m. on the Fourth of July itself.

Those who do not register can join the parade after the registrants, but will not be considered in the judging.

Festivities will follow the parade and refreshments will be served while the winners receive their ribbons.

The town's Independence Day party at the park and fireworks will also return after a multi-year absence.

Attendees can gather at Stith Park starting at 5:30 p.m. and should bring a chair or a blanket. The Shem Creek Boogie Band will play music, and fireworks will start around 9 p.m. During the event, dogs will not be allowed in the park, and alcohol is prohibited.

Outside of the town's display, fireworks are not allowed on Sullivan's Island. Extra officers will be assisting with traffic and law enforcement throughout the weekend. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bike or walk to events.

By Barbara Harrington for The Island Eye News

Three years ago, an article appeared in The Island Eye News announcing that the Isle of Palms Exchange Club was constructing a pier and seawall “polishing its creekside gem to serve the community.” Since then, that vision has become a gratifying reality for the club as it provides water access programs to veterans, youth groups, first responders, military and others in the community.

The proceeds from numerous fundraisers and generous donations were sufficient to launch the project, but for lack of full funding, the length of the seawall along the parking lot of the property had to be put aside for a future Phase 2. Now, as we look along the bank from the end of that seawall, it is shocking to see how Mother Nature has sent her high waters to nip away at the shoreline. A conference with our engineers confirmed that Phase 2 had progressed from a wish to a need. We were advised that “the bulkhead was required to stop the erosion and stabilize the area, offering protection from the increasing tidal influence.” As well, they offered that the accompanying handrail and path would provide for safe passage to and from the building.

The time sensitive nature of the situation required quick attention before impending destruction from hurricanes, storms and tidal flooding would take its toll. We learned that the 3 feet of land already lost for us, as it had for other shoreline owners, remains in the domain of Poseidon – and OCRM (Ocean and Coastal Resource Management). With its mission in hand, leaders of the club set forth to engage our engineers for drawings and bids and began the process of allocating the club’s resources and reaching out a fundraising arm to its members and the community. Optimism is rising that with the continuing generosity of supporters, we will be able to see the flurry of construction this summer. So here we are, with stark reality to reinvigorate the vision. It is exciting to consider the transformation of the craggy overgrown and tenuous bank. The project of shoring up the shoreline includes the extension of the railing and a walkway. It won’t be something new for folks to stop by for a photo or a refreshing view of the marsh and sunset, but, with our polished gem, one can now imagine a stroll along the waterside, a welcoming bench for sitting a rail for leaning into the salt marsh breeze. Y’all come!

Those interested in helping us may offer a tax-deductible donation to the 501(c)(3) foundation of the Exchange Club: Isle of Palms Community Corporation, PO Box 131, Isle of Palms South Carolina 29451.

By Susan Hill Smith for Island Eye News

Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew and the City of Isle of Palms have introduced a playful solution to coastal pollution by adding an official “No Toys Left Behind Bin” at Front Beach. They encourage anyone who finds forgotten toys on the beach to add them to the bin so they can be shared and re-used by more families – with an expectation that they won’t be left behind on the beach again.

South Carolina Aquarium Conservation Programs Manager Kelly Thorvalson applauded the addition.

“Like all plastic debris, plastic toys left on the beach can get washed into the ocean and become a threat to marine life,” said Thorvalson, whose team supports Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew and other similar conservation groups across the state. “They cause problems if ingested by animals, leach harmful chemicals into the ocean, and break down into microplastics which are being consumed by zooplankton, tiny organisms that are the basis of the marine food chain.”

During 2021, IOP Cleanup Crew’s volunteers – along with other individuals and groups – collectively picked up more than 1,200 toys from the island’s beach, which they documented with the South Carolina Aquarium’s Litter-Free Digital Journal.

The new No Toys Left Behind Bin is located in a nook alongside a popular beach access in the 1100 block of Ocean Boulevard, between the outdoor showers and the building with murals celebrating ocean life and the Isle of Palms. The city recently opened up the space to the public after landscaping it with trees donated by former Isle of Palms Mayor Jimmy Carroll.

“The City is glad to see Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew use the space as a focal point for their litter sweeps and other conservation initiatives,” City Administrator Desiree Fragoso said. “The new toy bin is an excellent example of our collaboration and a fun addition to Front Beach as we all work together to keep the coast clean.”

The idea for the toy bin came from a similar effort at the Wild Dunes Resort and community beach. It is part of a trend that other coastal communities – including Folly Beach and Tybee Island, Ga. – have adopted as they grapple with an overwhelming number of forgotten beach toys that can quickly turn into litter and trash. The “Toy Story” movie characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear inspired the bin’s name.

The Firestone family on Isle of Palms provided the bin, which they repurposed from a shipping crate, and the sign was made with recycled materials by Zing Green Safety Products. Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew Co-founders Susan Hill Smith and Katrina Limbach created the rhyme for the toy bin sign, which Limbach designed:

No Toys Left Behind Bin

A home for forgotten beach toysPlease re-use and shareAnyone can add or adoptIf you clean up and show you care