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Volume 10 Issue 18
Sullivans Island

January 2, 2015

FREE

Isle of Palms

Goat Island Dewees Island

Mayoral
candidates
address island
issues

XI I

XI

I
II

X
IX

2014

BY JENNIFER TUOHY

ISLAND EYE NEWS EDITOR

he Island Eye News posed

the following 5 questions to
each candidate for Mayor of
Sullivans Island, Keith Blandford,
Patrick ONeil and Jerry Kaynard.
The election takes place, Tuesday,
Jan. 6. Polls will open at 7 a.m.
and close at 7 p.m. at Sunrise
Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle
Street.

III
I
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V

What plan would you propose

for managing the coyote
population on the island?
Patrick ONeil: I want our residents
to feel safe and to be safe. It is
critical that Town leaders provide
objective information and use
available expertise, without causing
unwarranted concern. Coyotes are
now found throughout the state
and country, in all types of terrain,
and they are considered a nuisance
in most areas. I support reasoned,
well-informed efforts to keep this
nuisance population down as far
as practical. The Town will soon be
getting consultation from the state
Department of Natural Resources
on how to approach this. We can all
contribute to the effort by reporting
any sightings and by eliminating
possible food sources (keeping all
garbage securely contained and
not leaving pet food out at night).
As a member of the Public
Safety Committee we have recently
revised our plans for addressing
this issue. We ask our residents to
report any coyote sightings to the
police so that we can have good

he Islands closed out 2014 with a strange

phenomenon. The morning of Dec. 26
thousands of starfish washed up on the
Isle of Palms. Likely the result of strong tides
and rough storms, the stranded starfish were

reclaimed by the ocean the following day.

For a visual romp through the rest of 2014
turn to page 8 for the Island Eye News' Year in
Review.
PHOTO BY ROBYN LEIGH, WWW. ROBYNLEIGHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Candidates continues on page 2

INSIDE THE ISLAND EYE NEWS

PAINTING
WITH
WATERCOLOR
PG 15

RIDING
WITH
STEINBECK
PG 19

RUNNING
WITH
CHARLIE
PG 19

2
Candidates continues from cover

Lucky Dog Publishing

o f SC, LL C
Publisher of the
The Island Eye News
and The Island Connection

Lynn Pierotti
publisher
[email protected]
Jennifer Tuohy
managing editor
[email protected]
Swan Richards
graphic designer
Lori McGee 614.0901
advertising executive
Sandy England
ad sales
[email protected]
Christian LeBlanc
social media
[email protected]
Steve Rosamilia
photographer

Contributors:
Dimi Matouchev
Sarah Reynolds
Meredith Nelson
Bob Hooper

Published by:
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Submit your letters to the editor to:
[email protected]
Future deadline: January 7 for
our January 16 issue

The Island Eye News, a wholly owned subsidiary

of Lucky Dog Publishing of SC LLC, is a free,
independent newspaper published every two
weeks and is for and about the Isle of Palms,
Sullivans Island, Goat Island and Dewees Island.
Copies are mailed free of charge to every active
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not necessarily reflect the opinion of Lucky Dog
News, or its writers.
All advertising rates are listed at:
www.islandeyenews.com under advertising.

information on the actual scope of the problem. For

residents concerned about the possible presence
of coyotes near or on their property, we can set
up game cameras to verify any activity and then
take whatever steps are necessary. The Town
can engage appropriate professionals to trap and
dispatch animals on Town property when needed.
Individual residents can also utilize professional
trappers on their property if desired.
Keith Blandford: Coyotes are a problem, but not
one that requires additional municipal employees.
If our current approach is proving unsuccessful, we
can refer to other communities who have achieved
great success in managing their coyote population
by partnering with reputable trapping companies.
Emulating these successful communities is a
model that would work very well on Sullivans
Island. It is important to remember, that we as
citizens do not have to ask the government or its
employees for permission to defend our property,
pets or family (See SC DNR website - http://www.
dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/coyote/). Personally, if a coyote
is threatening my familys safety I will take care of
it myself.
Jerry Kaynard: I have advocated for a more
aggressive action policy by Town Council since
this problem developed over a year ago. Coyotes
are no longer seen occasionally, but are reported
by residents as roaming through yards daily with
increasing boldness. My dog, Banjo, has been
attacked twice by coyotes. The number of coyotes
has increased and they have killed pets, rabbits
and other wildlife on the island. Twenty people,
including joggers, have been bitten by coyotes in
the Denver area.
I recommend that we adopt policies that have
worked in other communities including:
1. Education of residents to stop feeding coyotes,
intentionally or unintentionally;
2. place warning signs where coyotes have been
seen; and
3. reduce the coyote population by using best
practices that were tested and work in other
communities.
Coyotes are wild animals. They are dangerous
predators and will kill for food at any time. They
are territorial and will attack to defend their dens.

January 2, 2015
Coyotes represent a deadly threat to our beloved
turtlesthey eat the turtle eggs.
My opponent wants to study the coyote problem
for another year, which prevents our children and
pets from playing freely and safely in their own
backyards. Government has an obligation to act
when its residents, their pets and our guests are at
risk. We must provide a safe environment.
Do you think trees in the accreted land
should be cut or trimmed to allow residents to
have better views of the ocean?
Patrick ONeil: The protected accreted land is an
incredible resource for the Island and beyond. I
have said for years that as the owner of this land,
the Town should be a good steward and a good
neighbor. As chair of the Land Use and Natural
Resources Committee I have been at the forefront of
efforts to better manage this priceless resource. As
everyone knows, this is a consistently contentious
issue and efforts to address it have met with a
number of obstacles, but I am optimistic that we
can soon arrive at a workable and responsible plan.
I favor a scientifically based management plan
that will enhance the diversity and health of this
ecosystem as a whole, not just protect a favored few
species. While I dont believe we should sacrifice
this resource to provide ocean views, a sensible
management plan is not necessarily incompatible
with improved views in many cases. First, we
should get rid of non-native invasive species (e.g.
Chinese tallow, wisteria) that can crowd out native
vegetation and themselves impede views and
breezes. Second, as we encourage a diversity of
environments within the protected land, some view
lines can be improved for residents of neighboring
properties. Third, while I certainly do not support
clear-cutting, the plan to more aggressively manage
the band of the accreted land immediately adjacent
to private property should also help views.
Keith Blandford: Regarding tree management
on the accreted land, the question is, who would
be paying for the service? If the Town is already
borrowing money and paying interest on debt, as
well as proposing more government programs that
will require additional borrowing, how are we, as a
community, going to pay for yet another program?
Candidates continues on page 6

Civic Calendar

Recycle - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10 - Recycle

Isle of Palms
886.6428
www.iop.net

Advisory Committee
12 noon
1207 Palm Boulevard

Tuesday, January 6
Recreation Committee
9 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard

Monday, January 12
Real Property Committee
5:30 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard

Personnel Committee
10 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard

Wednesday, January 14
Planning Commission
4:30 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard

Board of Zoning Appeals

5:30 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
City Council Special Meeting
6 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard

Wednesday, January 7
Public Safety Committee
9 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Accommodations Tax

Public Works Committee

5:30 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Sullivan's Island
883.3198
www.sullivansisland-sc.com

Monday, January 5
Council Workshop
6 p.m.
2050-B Middle Street

Tuesday, January 6 & 13

Municipal Court*
5:30 p.m.
2050-B Middle Street
Wednesday, January 7
Coffee with the Chief!
Stop by for a chat about SI with Police
Chief Howard at his weekly coffee
"klatsch" with Island residents.
8:30 a.m.
2213 Middle Street
Thursday, January 8
Board of Zoning Appeals
6 p.m.
2050-B Middle Street
Wednesday, January 14
Coffee with the Chief!
See Wednesday, January 7.
Planning Commission
6:30 p.m.
2050-B Middle Street

* Bench Trials will be at a temporary Town Hall facility located behind the Fire Station, next to the Stith
Park (2050 Middle Street). Contact SI Clerk of Court directly at 883-5734 (Maria LoRusso) for payments
or questions.

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Candidates continues from page 3
Until the government learns to live within its means, we should not
contemplate implementing or increasing the scope of any government
programs, including the existing accreted land management program.
Jerry Kaynard: The Town has not yet adopted a management plan,
while the size of the accreted land has increased substantially with
unmanaged growth since 1991. Town Council has agreed to remove
15 invasive species, create two educational walking paths, conduct
periodic clean-up walkabouts, clear emergency paths and allow
adjacent landowners to clear their beach footpaths. Council has also
agreed to create a transition buffer zone between the accreted land
and adjacent landowners and remove myrtles which are overgrown
and overwhelming all other species.
Adjacent landowners constitute a neighborhood with specific
problems and needs. Council should be good neighbors and be
responsive to their needs. Public posturing should be replaced by
constructive suggestions. With about 200 acres of accreted land, we
can protect every kind of environment , ranging from mature maritime
forest to dune fields for bird nesting and wildflowers.
I have been designated as a negotiator by Town Council on the
accreted land and I have been talking to all stakeholders to seek a
compromise and a community consensus. I am against clear cutting.
I am for protecting Grand Trees, all Palmettos, and many other smaller
trees. I also recognize that scenic views and breezes are valuable
natural resources to be enhanced and preserved. Pruning, cutting or
limbing-up trees is recommended by experts as best practices as part
of a good management plan.
An understandable, two or three page plan can be presented to
Council and to residents for discussion and review within 60 days
and voted on within 90 days. My opponent has been studying this
issue for several years trying to draft a 200 page doctoral thesis
without any results. We can do better and we shall.
If elected Mayor would you vote to implement a paid, managed
parking plan for the island?
Patrick ONeil: I would support the right plan at the right time, and
as a member of the Public Safety Committee I have been active in
our efforts to develop that plan. The population of the tri-county

January 2, 2015
area is exploding. More and more people want to visit the beach,
but the Island is not getting any bigger. We must manage growing
pressures from traffic, parking and congestion. A program of paid
parking will at some point be a necessary component of such efforts,
particularly if the Isle of Palms implements such a plan. The purpose
is not to charge visitors for the beach, but simply to recoup some
of the increased costs to the Town of providing public safety and
other infrastructure required by growing numbers of visitors. Paid
parking can also be a way to slow down the increase in the numbers
of vehicles on the streets.
We also should look at other ways to reduce the numbers of vehicles.
One idea I am continuing to pursue is a live online traffic camera
showing current traffic conditions on the causeway. In addition to
giving useful information to our residents, on busy days potential
visitors might decide that the traffic conditions make a trip to the
beach seem less inviting.
Keith Blandford: When considering the paid parking issue, visualize
being ticketed or having your car towed when you park in front of
your own home. No matter what the government says at first, I am
certain that we locals will eventually be required to get decals for
ourselves, and even for people visiting our homes. Inevitably, it will
turn into yet another way for the government to squeeze money out
of residents. It will also require yet another paid government position
(or sub-contractor) to drive around and check cars and write tickets
or tow vehicles.
One of the motives behind the paid parking plan is try and
discourage visitors to the Island, and I do not believe it will be
effective. I completely understand the safety concerns associated with
the island traffic; however, this is not a function of paid parking, but
of infrastructure. This problem is serious enough to re-approach the
DOT and local road builders to start figuring out a way to solve our
access to and from the island. Paid parking is treating the symptom
and not the disease. We will need to be creative in our parking
solutions and should consider ideas like allowing private property
lots for parking, consolidated parking areas, etc. until a long term
traffic flow solution is developed.
Jerry Kaynard: I do not want to charge people to park at the beach.

www.islandeyenews.com

Candidates continues on page 7

January 2, 2015
improve communication with residents?

Candidates continues from page 6

Id rather see a plan that reduces the number of cars that come
to the beach. We are a popular destination and the number of
visitors will increase over time. State law requires public access be
guaranteed by local government. The Towns primary obligation is
to protect our residents and guests when crowds seriously threaten
health and safety. Explosive growth nearby has increased car traffic
causing congestion and more accidents. Crowds impede our fire,
police and first responders access for life-saving medical, fire, and
safety services.
I have engaged the Mayors of Mt. Pleasant and IOP in meetings
and discussions to implement a regional plan to reduce the number
of cars coming to our beach. I have suggested parking cars in Mt.
Pleasant with a trolley shuttle express to our beach. IOP is soon to
start a paid parking plan. We will be overwhelmed with cars from
IOP if we are not prepared to manage the increased traffic. I am
suggesting a regional solution, with county participation. I presented
this concept to CARTA. Officials will meet in January to discuss my
proposals. If a paid managed parking plan is part of the solution,
then I will vote to implement it.
Do you agree with the Towns plan to build a 9,500 sq. ft
Town Hall/Police Station? If not, what do you propose be
done about the Towns need for a permanent administrative
building?
Patrick ONeil: I definitely agree with the ongoing plans for this muchneeded building. As a member of the Public Facilities Committee I
have been involved in this effort from the beginning. The processes
of deciding where to place the building and of developing its design
have been carried out in numerous public meetings in conjunction
with professional consultation. We have an excellent architectural
team including Island residents, and have also received expert
volunteer input from Island design professionals. The space has
been winnowed down from a substantially larger initial estimate. We
have sought and received input from the public all along.
We will have a cost-effective and well-designed Town Hall that
will be a worthy addition to the Islands built environment and will
provide a friendly, efficient venue for serving our residents. That
is what citizens of any town expect, and certainly it is what ours
deserve.

Patrick ONeil: We need to do better. I have learned in my more than

13 years on Council that you can never do too much to get the word
out. I frequently send emails out to people on my list about Town
matters, and I encourage everyone to get on the Town e-newsletter
list.
Rather recently Council voted to streamline its processes of
enacting ordinance changes, by reducing the number of readings to
two (from three). I wish I could take that vote back. The result has
been that we significantly cut the time available for residents to learn
about impending Town actions in time to provide input. I support
returning to the requirement of three readings for ratification of any
ordinance change.
I also support video recording of our Council meetings and making
them available online. We should have the necessary hardware for
that in the new Town Hall and it will be a welcome addition. If elected
Mayor I would also explore other means of updating residents, such
as Twitter.
Keith Blandford: The municipal government has not communicated
with residents in a receptive or responsive manner. It is clear through
the process associated with the Elementary school that there was
inadequate discussion, and in some cases a total lack of procedure.
It was also very clear that many Island residents opposed the school
as it was conceived, and were not afforded adequate discussion. It
is very clear now that many of the concerns that were raised before
construction have turned into a reality that we all have to deal with
now that the structure is in place.
Frankly, I find it breath-taking how arrogant government employees
on all levels have become. I have heard many municipal workers
say things like Thats it, end of discussion, as though they were
monarchs, not public servants. We need to remind our government
employees that they work for us, not vice versa. Government on
any level does not create anything; the money that they have, they
receive from us. I believe that we should seriously consider and
review if our tax money is actually contributing to our quality of life,
or being squandered on pet projects and red tape that complicates
our lives and the lives of our family.

Keith Blandford:We absolutely do not need a new municipal

building. For a town of our size and nature, the idea is ludicrous,
ostentatious and unaffordable.
The Town is already paying interest on money that it borrowed for
prior activities, and will need to borrow yet more money to pay for
this new building. Incurring public debt for another generation to
pay is irresponsible, and in this case unnecessary.
If the current facilities are becoming too small to house our
government, then we need a smaller government, not a bigger
building.
We need to seriously review exactly how many people are necessary
to run government programs on this island. For a small island with
limited building and activity, how many Code Enforcement Officers
do we really need, if any at all? How much money have we spent
stopping household projects like tree houses and fences? The current
facility should be reviewed to ensure we are getting the best possible
deal, and we should continue to use this facility as it is appropriate
to our current circumstances.
Jerry Kaynard: Yes, I support the new Town Hall. Four years ago,
we discovered mold and rat infestation in the old Town Hall that
threatened our employees health. As Chairman of the Personnel
Committee, I led the effort to evacuate the old Town Hall and
move into temporary trailers. We lost valuable town records due
to flooding from Hurricane Hugo. I supported a new facility which
could also serve as a Command and Operations Center in future
storms. I supported the new location on Town property next to
the fire station. There are cost efficiencies in this location with
most town services grouped together. This new Town Hall has
appropriate size and scale, design, safety, efficiency and easy
accessibility.
My opponent argued for purchasing 1714 Middle Street for our new
Town Hall. However, that historic old gym building is partially below
grade and is in a single family residential zone. Town employees would
have to work in basement-like conditions, subjecting town records to
flood damage. Relocating the Town Hall to a single family residential
zone would have violated our strict zoning requirements that make
commercial activities in residentially zoned neighborhoods illegal. I
defended that residential neighborhood from commercial activities. It
was a bad idea and Town Council rejected that location.
Do you believe the Town has always done its best to keep
residents informed of its plans and provided enough time
and opportunity for input? If not, how would you propose to
www.islandeyenews.com

Candidates continues on page 7

January 2, 2015

CIVIC

Sullivans seeks regional solutions

to parking problems
STAFF REPORT

FOR ISLAND EYE NEWS

ullivans
councilmember
Jerry Kaynard is seeking
solutions to the islands
traffic, congestion and increasing
parking problems for the next
summer beach season. Car traffic
coming to the beach is increasing
due to explosive growth in
Mount Pleasant and neighboring
communities.
Kaynard, as Mayor Pro Tem,
has engaged Mayor Page of Mt.
Pleasant and Mayor Cronin of

IOP in a dialogue to find ways to

reduce car traffic and congestion
to our small beach community
seeking solutions rather than
waiting for the problems to
become unmanageable, Kaynard
said.
I am suggesting a direct,
express trolley shuttle from
parking lots in Mt. Pleasant
where beachgoers can leave their
cars.
Kaynard has elevated these

Candidates continues from page 6

Jerry Kaynard: The Town could do much better in communications
with residents by providing opportunities for participation.
The most valuable asset of any community is its residents.
We have so many bright, successful residents whose ideas can
improve our governmental services. I want our residents to be
involved in our town government.
We need to use every mode of communication to provide timely
and easily accessible information to residents. We have a website
but it is passive and could be more interactive. We could use
email for updates, meeting topics and agendas. I am committed to
Town Hall meetings,
forming
resident
advisory groups, and
surveys of residents
on town priorities.
I would have open
time with the Mayor
where residents can
weigh in on town
issues. This could
supplement
public
comment at Town
meetings, which still
is important so that
all Council can hear
resident opinions. In
this high tech world,
we can do better
to
hear
resident
ideas,
opinions,
and
constructive
criticism.

issues to a regional discussion

The State of South Carolina
by
presenting
these
ideas mandates
that
all
state
to Charleston Area Regional residents have equal access to
Transportation Authority where our public beaches. This shifts
he serves as the Sullivans Island a disproportionate burden on
representative.
small beach communities, like
At Kaynards suggestion, in Sullivans, to meet the state-wide
January, county and municipal needs for guests, he said. Since
officials will meet with CARTA the State of South Carolina owns
officials to review his proposals the public, paved roads on the
to reduce car traffic
to our community,
I AM SUGGESTING A DIRECT, EXPRESS
as a shared county
responsibility.
TROLLEY SHUTTLE FROM PARKING LOTS IN
The objective is
MT. PLEASANT WHERE BEACHGOERS CAN
to provide relief to
LEAVE THEIR CARS.
our
small,
beach
~Jerry Kaynard
community
from
congestion, traffic and
parking issues on peak beach island and the rights-of-way for
days with regional solutions roadside parking, SCDOT will
and resources supporting our play a key role in the formation
local efforts to manage these and implementation of paid
growing problems, which result parking plans on Sullivans
from increasing numbers of Island and on IOP.
guests from our neighboring
communities, Kaynard said.

Dont
forget
to
vote on Tuesday,
Jan. 6. Check www.
islandeyenews.com
for results and follow
us on Facebook and
Twitter.

www.islandeyenews.com

January 2, 2015

XI I

XI

IX

2014

January 29 - The islands woke

up to a smattering of "snow".
The storm that brought it cut
power and road access to the
islands for a short period of
time. (photo by Steve Rosamilia)

II

III
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I

IV
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January 1, 2014 - Thousands flock from around the area to ring in

the New Year with a bracing plunge into the Atlantic Ocean in support
of the Special Olympics. (photo by Steve Rosamilia)

February 17 - Members of the Confederate Heritage

Trust conducted a memorial service at Breach Inlet
commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Confederate
submarine H. L. Hunley sinking the USS Housatonic off
Sullivans Island. (photo by Steve Rosamilia)

www.islandeyenews.com