iving in a beach community tends to make us think we are perpetually on island time. Sometimes though, reality likes to remind us that we really do have schedules to follow. One such example is that time of the year when school buses and crossing guards, and backpacks and lunchboxes make their way back to the front and center of our daily lives. Love it or hate it, it’s that time of year again. After much discussion and deliberation, we finally decided the best f you like working with animals of all kinds and have ever thought about helping to keep them under control for the safety of all island residents and visitors, there’s a job opening to become the next Animal Control Officer with the Isle of Palms Police Department. The full-time position will not only fill a vacancy, but be part of an ongoing solution to keep a balance between humans and animals as IOP becomes more populous with both residents and visitors. “Our animal control officer has played an important role in our community,” said IOP Chief of Police Kevin Cornett. “Most people do not realize that this island is home for a lot of different types of animals, and some that are considered endangered.” IslandVibesIOP.com 5 NEWS L I IOPPD seeks to fill Animal Control Officer vacancy By L. C. Leach III About the Cover Back-to-school behavior By Laura Fogarty Part of the duties of the ACO will include: • Responding to calls for injured wild animals/birds • Responding to calls about alligators that have wandered into dangerous locations • Assisting with sea turtle activity • Helping protect endangered birds that nest on the beaches • Enforcing leash laws • Rescuing animals that have washed up on land or have become beached • Transporting stray animals to an appropriate facility • Reporting animal bites and suspected diseased animals to appropriate health officials • Educating residents as necessary about how to handle situations involving strange or exotic animals – such as coyotes, which have become a growing island concern “We have seen an increase in coyote activity this year, and have been working to find ways to best address the issues surrounding them,” Cornett said. “We have met and talked with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to try to find ways to address the coyotes.” To this end, handling coyote calls, sightings, trappings, and incidents will also be part of the new ACO’s duties. Hiring is currently underway, but Cornett said it could end at any moment, if the right candidate shows up. “The animal control officer plays a critical role in communicating with the public about the different animal-related concerns, like coyote mating season,” Cornett added. “They are expected to build relationships with many different organizations like the Turtle Team, Birds of Prey, SCDNR and the Audubon Coastal Steward team.” The qualification requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent, one year of experience in animal care and handling, advanced training through an accredited animal control/care institute, equivalent education and/or experience and possession of a valid South Carolina driver’s license. Qualified candidates are encouraged to visit the city’s website at iop.net/employment-opportunities and submit an online application. place to depict back-to-school vibes from the perspective of island children: the Isle of Palms Recreation Department playground. The quintessential backdrop of childhood development. Our photo session began under cloudy skies that soon opened up and drenched the entire playground before photographer Rachel Basye had even snapped her first picture. The pouring rain could not dampen our young models or their professionalism. We began shooting amidst the raindrops with clear umbrellas as impromptu props, but once the rain stopped, sunny skies prevailed and the aforementioned umbrellas were ditched. Our cover models were happy to slide down the wet slide, and hanging from the slippery monkey bars was a cheerful undertaking for this happy, cooperative group of preschool through middle school students. They pleasantly tolerated our seemingly endless directions of swapping out backpacks, books, and pencils to get the color scheme just right. Our back-to-school models were patient, kind and absolutely up for the task! Avee Jones, 11, is a rising sixth-grader. Avian Naylor, 8, will be entering third grade, and sister Kimberlyn, 10, is a rising fifth-grader. Kilby Cravin, 11, is also a rising sixth-grader, and younger brother Hank, 9, will be in the fourth grade. Kilby and Hank’s little sister Hazel, 4, will attend Miss Aimee’s Preschool on Sullivan’s Island for the new school year. How lucky to be a child growing up in this beautiful community, and how lucky to be the community represented by these beautiful backto-school kids! Pictured (from left) Kimberlyn Naylor, Hazel Cravin. Kilby Cravin, Avee Jones, Hank Cravin and Avian Naylor. Photo by Rachel Basye, Cooper River Photography.
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