Vol.2 Issue 6 June 2024 PROPOSED NOISE ORDINANCE RAISES EARS See Page 13 POLICE PARTNER WITH COYOTE TRAPPING COMPANY See Page 5 CITY BUDGET AIMS TO AVOID TAX INCREASES See Page 6 Photo by Tonya McGue Beach Behavior Keep our coast clean IFYOU KNOW BEAU Remembering Beau Hammond (Page 22) BEACHGOERS PREPARE Litter prevention checklist (Page 7) MERRY CLEAN-UP Beach Santa bags millionth piece of litter (Page 3)
O Whether you’re making vacation memories, planning a move, or looking for an investment... Nobody knows the Charleston Coast better.® Real Estate Sales 800.476.8444 | Vacation Rentals 888.250.8730 | dunesproperties.com “Vacationing to me means early morning runs on the beach followed by the best naps you can imagine, family game nights, extended bed times, and all the s’mores you can eat, sunset bike rides with mom and dad, and a bucket load of sea treasures to take home ....until next year.
3 IslandVibesIOP.com NEWS Hogue ‘Beach Santa’ hits milestone with 1M piece of trash collected By L. C. Leach III WE MAKE FINDING THE PERFECT PROPERTY A SEAMLESS PROCESS. Krista M. Swingle REALTOR® Brand Name Real Estate Charleston, SC Krista@PalmBIvdRealty.com Hugh Swingle IV Property Manager In Charge (843) 474-1200 PalmBlvdVacationRentals.com Responsive Results Driven Hands On oncks Corner resident Howard Hogue, commonly known as “Beach Santa,” has not only collected more than 1 million trash items along roadways, beaches, parks and boat landings since 2018, he has become the Lowcountry’s very own ambassador for cleaner beaches, cleaner living and a cleaner environment. “I often refer to him as our MVP,” said Susan Hill Smith, co-founder of the Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew. “Howard has been with us since we started in 2018 as an all-volunteer organization and he’s one of a kind. No one else comes close to touching what he has done with the amount of litter collected here.” In the past six years, the Cleanup Crew has collected and documented 180,000-plus litter items, utilizing thousands of volunteers. “Howard, who regularly travels from Moncks Corner to the island to pick up litter on his own, has more than 200,000 documented items in the Litter Journal for Isle of Palms during that same period,” Smith said. “And that's just a fraction of the million items he has documented across the Lowcountry. His numbers are really astounding." Should you ever encounter the tireless Hogue, you’ll probably have to run to keep up with him, as the M Continued on Page 8 5K & 10K Run/5K Walk 8:00am: $30-$40 Youth Fun Runs 8:30am: $10 ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES AT NOON JULY 24 Race Day Registration Opens at 7:00am at the Windjammer - Front Beach 1008 Ocean Blvd. Isle of Palms 2024 Beach Run SATURDAY, JULY 27
sle of Palms is an island paradise known for its white sandy beaches, picturesque sunsets, island activities that bring the community together and, of course, friendly residents. ee willikers! Summer has snuck up on us and beach season is here at last. Longer days and hotter nights aren’t the only things to be expected in our not-sosleepy little beach town. Summertime on Isle of Palms marks the return of many experiences on the island, both good and not so swell. I’m a glass half-full kind of guy -- preferably a summerish bev4 FROM THE CREW IslandVibesIOP.com I Island Vibes Vol. 2, Issue 6 June 2024 PUBLISHER BILL MACCHIO PUBLISHER@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM MANAGING EDITOR ZACH GIROUX EDITOR@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM ART DIRECTOR BETHANY LONG COPY EDITOR COLIN MCCANDLESS ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER JENNIFER BURKE JENNIFER@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM BRAND AMBASSADOR SONYA BUCKHANNON SONYA@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM PHOTOGRAPHY TONYA MCGUE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ANTHONY MACCHIO SOCIALMEDIA@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM DIGITAL DIRECTOR BRITTANY GEORGE BRITTANY@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM CONTRIBUTORS ISABEL ALVAREZ ARATA • RYAN BUCKHANNON • MARY COY LAURA FOGARTY • MAURICE FRAZIER BROOKE KAPING • CLARK LEACH • COLIN MCCANDLESS • PHILLIP POUNDS SUSAN HILL SMITH • ROD TURNAGE SALES REPRESENTATIVES STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM SARAH ROSE SARAH@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE BOSS DOG REGGIE DISTRIBUTION ISLE OF PALMS • WILD DUNES • GOAT ISLAND DEWEES ISLAND • U.S. POST OFFICE HARRIS TEETER • PUBLIX • ASHEVILLE/ HENDERSON AIRPORT • ALL SC WELCOME CENTERS Island Vibes is published locally by a team of independent contractors. Island Vibes is published 12 times per year by Islands Publishing LLC. 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Copyright © Islands Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction electronically or in print format without the expressed written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited and a violation of U.S. copyright laws. Content, including editorial, advertising or comments, that threatens, harasses or degrades others may be revoked or refused from print and online publication at the sole discretion of Island Vibes. Inquiries to: Island Vibes P.O. Box 22617, Charleston, SC 29413 publisher@islandvibesiop.com Editor’s Note G Publisher’s Note erage on a balmy day. So, let’s focus more on the positives and dwell less on the negatives. Trust me, there are a lot more pros than cons. For starters, tourism will be booming, which means hotels, short-term rentals, restaurants, surf shops and bars will be hopping with visitors. These accommodations tax dollars not only grow IOP’s economy and boost the fiscal budget but bolster the quality of life for residents. Summer is a time for small businesses owners, mom and pop, to expand their brand and grow as an entrepreneur. The possibilities are limitless and hopefully your busy season is endless. However, Southern hospitality does come with a price, especially when you live in paradise. The tax for this influx of commerce from day-trippers, vacationers and mainlanders comes at the cost of heavier traffic, longer wait times for service and fewer places to park your car and your beach chair. That being said, the beach is a privilege not an entitlement. Whether you’re coming or going, a resident or guest, be a good steward of our island. Enjoy it, share it and above all, respect it. The best way to summarize summer on IOP is through a beach analogy. You’ve built a beautiful sandcastle, but it’s too close to shore and high tide is approaching. Your options are to admire it while it lasts or waste the beautiful view being frustrated. Sandcastles aren’t made to last, but memories in the sand last a lifetime. The choice is yours. Choose wisely. In short, treat this summer like sand in an hourglass. Your time is finite, but how you spend it is what makes it precious. It’s all about perspective. Positively yours, Zach Giroux, Managing Editor What is sometimes overlooked though is the island’s greatest asset, which I call a natural gift. It’s a gift that affords visitors an atmosphere that allows them to create lasting memories. Each visitor leaves our island paradise with recollections full of smiles, sunsets and sunny beaches. Capturing these island memories is possible not only because of the natural settings, but also because the community that calls Isle of Palms home is full of people who care. Residents realize their community is a special place and they are fortunate to live here. If you’re a visitor and you’ve picked up a copy of Island Vibes, we want you to share these pages with your friends and family by reading our digital version at www.readIslandVibes.com. If you would like to stay current on what’s happening on Isle of Palms, we encourage you to follow us at www.facebook.com/ islandvibesIOP. This is a fun time of year and Isle of Palms is a great place to spend your leisure time. If you’re visiting, please be respectful and mindful of the people who do live here and if you live here, let’s make our visitors feel welcome. My buddy Reggie also wanted me to make sure that no visiting fourlegged family members get into any trouble when they go to the beach. He asked me to give you a link iop.net/beach/beach-rules to the City of Isle of Palms’ beach rules so everyone— human or human’s best friend — can enjoy it. Isn’t he thoughtful? Cheers! Bill Macchio, Publisher
or the June issue of Island Vibes, photographer Tonya McGue found herself on a friendly island rooftop overlooking the Isle of Palms Pier and Front Beach. A classic summertime view with umbrellas, beach chairs, picnics, beach blankets, swimmers and sunbathers, which got us thinking about how fortunate we are to call this amazing community home. Isle of Palms is consistently ranked among the top cleanest beaches in South Carolina, a distinction we work hard to maintain. Our beach cleanup crews led by Susan Hill Smith, the co-founder of the volunteer conservation organization Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew, do a f you own a dog, cat or other pet on Isle of Palms, be aware that it could easily be a victim of prey. Police have reported five coyote attacks on dogs so far this year, noting an increase over recent years. “However, in these cases, it’s our understanding that the dogs were off leash and either chased the coyote or ran towards the coyote,” said IOP Police Department Sgt. Matt Storen. Police Chief Kevin Cornett added that while more people are reporting coyote sightings and incidents, “we have not had any reported attacks on a human.” IOPPD and professionals with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources have suggested that the best way to handle an encounter with a coyote is with a healthy dose of caution. “Coyotes shouldn’t pose any more threat than any other wild animal that one might encounter,” said Jay IslandVibesIOP.com 5 NEWS F About the Cover By Laura Fogarty IOP police team up with trapping company to stave off coyote attacks By L. C. Leach III Butfiloski, a certified wildlife biologist with SCDNR. “Certainly, like any other strange animal, if you encounter one, the best course of action is to slowly back away.” To help maintain a balance between coyotes, humans and island pets, as of April the city has been working with Critter Control of Charleston to trap errant coyotes and remove them. “Keep pets on leashes going to and from the beach because the lures we use to attract coyotes will also attract dogs and cats,” said Critter Control owner Kevin Murphy. Murphy added that island residents should never approach coyotes on their own, given the risk of both physical injury and disease transmission. “Coyotes will forage in gardens for fruits and vegetables, knock over trash bins looking for meals and eat pet food that’s been left out overnight,” Murphy said. “And they can spread diseases like distemper, hepatitis, mange, rabies and tularemia.” Cornett stressed the importance of everyone, residents and visitors alike, being aware of their surroundings, especially when walking out to the beaches. “If you do come across a coyote, make as much noise as possible and make yourself seem bigger than the animal,” Cornett said. “The majority of the time this will scare the coyote away.” And as Murphy pointed out, these islands coyotes are not just errant or wandering in from the mainland. “They’re being born and bred right here in the islands and we’re thinking that some of them have interbred with wolves,” Murphy said. “We’ve already caught more than 15 over on Sullivan’s Island.” Murphy warned that if you should encounter coyotes on beaches, lawns or anywhere in neighborhoods, the best course of action is to “contact professional wildlife control.” “Since coyotes are largely afraid of humans, attacks are rare, but they do occur,” Murphy added. “And our coyote removal experts can offer tips on how to avoid contact with the animals in the future.” I wonderful job cleaning up litter left behind by visitors and locals alike. However, if each of us could make a concerted effort to prevent litter, the need for litter collection would be mitigated and our island would be the direct beneficiary of such efforts. Our beautiful city provides yellow trash cans at nearly every beach access path, along with bags for pet waste and signage reminding beachgoers not to smoke on the beach and to stay clear of the dunes and turtle nests. While our cleanup crews and our city do a wonderful job cleaning our beaches and raising public awareness, keeping our island clean is really the responsibility of each of us. We can all do our part to “leave only footprints, take only pictures,” if we would perhaps put just a little more thought into what we bring to the beach and what we do while there and upon leaving. Beach etiquette is the theme this month, but more than that, it’s a matter of how to preserve this pristine little island, the ocean and world around her. If we could all pick up our own trash and maybe —just maybe — one extra piece of litter; a beach bucket, a toy, a chair or a towel, we could stem the tide of pollution on our little slice of paradise and impact the world at large. Welcome to the island! Please be kind to her and to our beach community. Peace!
sle of Palms city leaders are already looking at alternate ways for meeting all budget projections, without having to increase future taxes. After much discussion, mulling over several options and trying to balance present costs with future debts, IOP City Council is set to approve a new budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The budget will include $29.1 million for projected revenues and $26.5 million for projected expenses. A required public hearing was held on May 28 prior to the regular council meeting and a second reading approval is slated for some time near the end of June. If there are no changes, the new budget as proposed will take effect July 1 with no tax increases – either operating or debt service millage. 6 IslandVibesIOP.com NEWS City budget aims to avoid tax increases By L. C. Leach III I at For Fashionable Tween Girls 2024 ® southernbelleschildren.com | 280 W. Coleman Blvd Mount Pleasant Leave Southern Belles with your children dressed in their Charleston Best! Located at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge 234 Mathis Ferry Road Suite 103 Mount Pleasant, SC SWEETGRASSCYCLES.COM SWEETGRASS CYCLES Sweetgrass Cycles brings a long history of excellent customer service and expert insight. Featuring new bikes, parts, and accessories as well as bicycle rentals and a first-class service department, Sweetgrass wants to be your one-stop bike shop. We offer road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and cruisers, as well as bicycles for kids. Open Mon - Fri 9 am- 6 pm & Sat 9 am- 5 pm 10% OFF NEW BIKE PURCHASE When you mention this ad Expenditures will include a number of projects, such as: • Stormwater collection system and drainage improvements • A portion of the beach nourishment through the Beach Preservation Fee • Undergrounding utility lines • Beach access paths improvements • New playground equipment for the recreation center • Large building/equipment purchases – including the design of future renovations for City Hall Over the past year, the city continued to grow its cash deposits, which totaled approximately $43.6 million at the end of March and includes $5 million in property tax revenue from Charleston County in 2024. "The city's finances are in good shape,” said councilman Jimmy Ward, CPA, licensed by the South Carolina Board of Accountancy. “And I believe we're on the right track with this budget.” But despite the large reserves and expected revenues, there are concerns it won’t be enough to cover all the city’s projects and its pending debt services without raising taxes at some point. “The general fund expenses are growing, but the general fund revenues on their own are not growing at the same pace,” said councilman Scott Pierce at the May 14 council workshop. City Administrator Desiree Fragoso pointed out that the city could consider taking on debt the following year for City Hall renovations and the purchases of garbage and fire trucks. “There’s a placeholder in future years of a 1 mill increase on the city’s debt service millage – but it’s not enough to cover the entire debt load,” Fragoso said at the April 9 workshop. “Based on the current estimates and the current value of a mill, we could be looking at an increase of 1.5 mills to cover one debt issue.” Since this possibility is related to a future year, it is predicated upon the amount that the city will receive in the general fund, including property taxes and tourism revenues in fiscal year 2025, plus any adjustments for reassessment. Fragoso added that the city will soon be going through a reassessment year, so the value of a mill could change. “We don’t know what the value of the mill will be. The current value of 1 mill is approximately $287,000.” The city has been awarded approximately $9 million in grants for projects in the last three years. “And we continue to actively work with our grant writer in identifying opportunities based on our 10-year capital plan and maximize it as much as we can,” Fragoso added.
ince summer of 2018, Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew has engaged thousands of volunteers in collecting more than 180,000 litter and debris items, as recorded in the Litter Journal of the South Carolina Aquarium’s Citizen Science app. Those who join us in our active calendar of litter sweeps – and those who pitch in on their own – should know with each item they collect that they are helping keep the island, as well as the ocean, healthy and beautiful. However, our end goal is litter prevention, not litter collection, and everyone who visits the beach on Isle of Palms can help us in that pursuit. WELCOME TO 214 CAROLINA BOULEVARD The modern beachy getaway you’ve always envisioned! This fantastic 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom home is well situated only a block from beach access and boasts an unbeatable three stories of living spaces designed for having it all at the beach. Made for those big family beach vacations, this home is the epitome of contemporary beach luxury, with stylish furnishings, a gorgeous pool and a luxurious oceanside vibe! 843-886-9600 | carrollrealtyinc.com 7 IslandVibesIOP.com OPINION Be mindful of what you bring to the beach By Susan Hill Smith IOP Cleanup Crew Co-founder S We can all look to the wise, simple advice attributed to 19th-century Native American leader Chief Seattle: “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” But the Litter Journal data documented for Isle of Palms tells us that a trip to the beach these days can get complicated and messy. Here are more specific ways you can be a part of the solution, not the pollution. Some might surprise you. FOLLOW BEACH REGULATIONS. The City of Isle of Palms prohibits glass bottles, alcoholic beverages and balloons, as well as single-use plastic bags, plastic straws and stirrers. Other prohibited items include coolers, cups and food containers made with polystyrene (Styrofoam). Smoking is not allowed on the beach or access LIMIT YOUR IMPACT HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTT. Remember, you can’t smoke on the beach, access paths or in city parking lots. If you light up on the commercial streetscape at Front Beach where smoking is allowed, use provided cigarette butt receptacles. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR STUFF. In addition to disposable items, we routinely collect left-behind toys, shoes, socks, other clothing and towels, as well as an occasional cell phone. DO A LITTER CLEANUP OF YOUR OWN. Collect at least “three for the sea.”You will probably want to do more. DISPOSE OF YOUR TRASH PROPERLY (if possible off the beach). The City of Isle of Palms provides yellow beach trash cans by most access paths. But the cans don’t have lids, and trash may overflow or escape as a result of animals, tides and weather. Try to throw your beach trash away at home or otherwise in a secure, covered receptacle elsewhere. paths, largely because of cigarette butt litter, which seems to be declining but is still pervasive with close to 6,000 documented in the Litter Journal for the IOP beach in 2023. PARE DOWN WHAT’S IMPORTANT. Only bring toys and other items that you can keep track of, and otherwise ask yourself: “Do I really need to bring all of this stuff?” LIMIT PACKAGING AND DISPOSABLE PLASTIC ITEMS. Rely on reusable items including bags, drinkware, food containers and cutlery. DON’T BRING JUICE BOXES OR POUCHES INTO NATURE. They require juggling multiple components that can turn into litter, including plastic straws, which are prohibited on the beach. The film wrappers for the straws also appear to get away from kids and parents easily – more than 1,800 were documented in the IOP Litter Journal data last year. The fact that they are a separate line item speaks for itself. BEWARE OF CHEAP BOOGIE BOARDS. There’s a relatively low-cost board on the market that’s covered by fabric on top and plastic mesh on the bottom. The cover can fray easily, exposing a crumbly foam. Please use stronger “slickbottom” boards or body surf instead. PACK SMART RENT STURDY CHAIRS AND UMBRELLAS IN ADVANCE FROM LOCAL VENDORS. If bringing your own, invest in items built to last.
8 IslandVibesIOP.com NEWS 73-year-old does litter sweeps every day of the year, including Christmas and all other holidays. Despite two heart surgeries in 2023, which forced him to take time off, he still did 409 litter sweeps. “I’m in cardio-therapy now from another attack on March 3, but I’m still making a sweep every day,” Hogue said, while cleaning up a stretch of beach near the IOP Front Beach pier on May 6. “Sometimes I find things like $20 bills, expensive jewelry, brand new fishing gear still in their packaging and the body surfboard. But on most of my sweeps, I collect beer bottle tops, twist ties, zip ties, pull tabs, sippy straw wrappers and cigarette butts.” In addition to IOP, Hogue makes litter sweeps of 22 boat landings and four public beaches in Berkeley County, two boat landings on the Ashley River and both roadsides and parks in the tri-county of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester as needed. “I like a clean environment,” Hogue said. “I’m a retired teacher, retired manager of a hardware store and former restaurant manager and I always had to keep a clean place in all my jobs. We need to protect the environment for the wildlife and for our generations to come.” On April 29, Hogue was honored by the IOP Cleanup Crew and the South Carolina Aquarium for recording his 1 millionth litter item since 2018. That’s an average of approximately 461 items per sweep – with a six-year total of 2,168 sweeps. Sporting a real white beard and his usual garb of a red tank top and swimsuit, it’s no wonder why Hogue has acquired the nickname “Beach Santa.” “So much of the litter that he collects would likely wind up in our ocean, lakes, rivers and water supply,” Smith said. “It's difficult to calculate the value of his volunteer service or to consider the scope of the problem we would be facing without his efforts.” In 2020, Hogue's example led the IOP City Council to ban smoking on the beaches. Ordinances also ban single-use retail bags, plastic straws and stirrers, Styrofoam coolers and containers and balloons. But at the height of summer season, when day visitors can range from 20,000-60,000, Hogue said beach litter is way off the chart. “On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being ugly, it’s about a 58.” “We’re starting to get a lot of teenagers, high schoolers, who are helping to become part of the solution,” Smith said. “This spring, several litter sweeps have had attendance of close to 100 or more volunteers – and I'm sure some people have joined us because they have heard of Howard." When asked how it felt to have collected 1 million litter items, Hogue simply replied, “I’m now working on my second million. My only wish is that more people would do their part to keep our beaches and environment clean because everybody can do something.” From Page 3 POINT, SCAN, CLICK Discover the Carolina Coast www.ExploreCoastalCarolina.com Tax Questions? CALL TODAY! 843.886.6218 James M.Ward, CPA, PC CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT 2207 Hartnett Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC ISLAND SOCIAL JUNE 12 5 - 8 P.M. WHERE: WHEN: Join us to celebrate our Isle of Palms community with good friends and positive vibes! Drink specials, live music and appetizers. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!
IslandVibesIOP.com 9 NEWS Former employee returns to manage Wild Dunes Resort By L. C. Leach III erri Haack has a knack for all things hospitality. After being away from Isle of Palms since 2007, she was recently lured back to the Wild Dunes Resort to take over operations as its new managing director. Her return comes after serving 22 years in different roles with Lowe Enterprises, a private real estate company headquartered in Los Angeles. “Terri has been an invaluable asset to the firm and has brought great value to our hospitality assets and relationships over the past two decades,” said Bob Lowe, co-CEO with Lowe Enterprises. “She began her career with us at Wild Dunes Resort, so in a way, this next move will be like going home for her.” Haack began her new position on May 6, but in many ways she didn’t seek the job, the job sought her. Lowe is part owner and managing partner for Wild Dunes and Hyatt operates the resort. “So when the Hyatt managing director left in March 2024, Hyatt asked me to become an employee to further my influence on the property,” Haack said. Haack then assisted Lowe and majority owner Dart with community and governmental issues for the next 18 months – representing Wild Dunes at IOP City Council meetings and sharing input regarding noise ordinances and short-term rental licenses. When the resort needed a new managing director, Haack was the most obvious choice. “While I was reluctant to leave Lowe, I am thrilled to be joining Hyatt.” From the beginning, circa 1978, Haack had no desire for anything but hospitality. Her ambition led to roles such as property general manager, managing director, senior vice president and president of the Los Angeles Terranea Resort, which she opened in 2007. “The hospitality industry grew into a lifelong passion during my humble first job at the old Stapleton Denver Airport in a food court at 15 and a half years old,” Haack said. “To be successful in the hospitality industry you must commit to be ‘all in’ and find joy to be of service when everyone else is on holiday.” Haack is now responsible for all Wild Dunes resort operations, two Hyatt hotels, vacation rentals, golf, spa, tennis, a conference center, all food and beverage, beach activities and anything else that happens to arise. With the summer beach season upon us, both visitors short-term and daily will range between 20,000-60,000 per day. While that might sound daunting to most people, Haack has her sleeves rolled up, a smile on her face and is enthusiastic about being back in a place that she never really left. “I don’t believe I would have done this anywhere else,” Haack added. “I love Wild Dunes and the City of Isle of Palms.” T 1620 Marsh Harbor Ln Just Listed! Matt DeAntonio | Carroll Realty, Inc. | 843.532.6288
ay was a dynamic month for our members and community and we extend our gratitude for your participation and support. Our members and attendees enjoyed burgers from The Windjammer and insights from Retired Maj. Gen. Michael Regner of Sullivan’s Island during our event on May 28. Additionally, the chamber actively engaged in the city’s Hurricane Expo on May 21. Throughout May, our community outreach efforts were centered on comprehensively understanding not politically driven, we do stand by the viewpoints of our membership on specific political issues affecting their businesses. Another question that arises pertains to whether we advocate for "more business." The answer is no. Our objective is to enhance the overall environment of our beautiful island in collaboration with the existing business community. It's a common misconception that the IOP Chamber solely advocates for increased business activity, traffic and development on the Isle of Palms. This perception is fundamentally inaccurate. June marks a celebratory period for the IOP Chamber as we pay homage to the island’s women of business. The remarkable contributions and achievements of our women business leaders are evident across every business sector, showcasing their leadership, innovation and resilience. IOP LENS Leadership Series will be on June 11 at the Exchange Club with speaker Barbara Melvin, president and CEO of South Carolina Ports Authority. We anticipate an engaging month filled with weekly highlights and business profiles, culminating with our June 25 speaker, IOP’s Jennifer Blake. Don't miss the fun and the insightful panel discussion featuring IOP's women business leaders. Additionally, June welcomes the return of the IOP Farmer’s Market, commencing on June 20. After its success in 2023, we anticipate another year of enthusiastic support for this beloved community event. We invite you to join us June 28 at the IOP Exchange Club from noon to 1 p.m. for our monthly meeting. Attendance is free, open to all and membership is not required. Bring a friend and let's collectively celebrate the remarkable women business leaders of our island. Stay informed about our community and the IOP Chamber by following @DiscoverIOP and @IOPchamber. Thank you for your continued support in making the Isle of Palms a world-class destination to live, work and play. We cherish being your neighbor! Chamber Notes Cheers to women business leaders of the island By Rod Turnage President, IOP Chamber of Commerce BUSINESS 10 IslandVibesIOP.com CREATING MEMORIES ONE VACATION AT A TIME FIND YOUR DREAM VACATION HOME AT WWW.ISLEOFPALMS.VACATIONS IOP Vacations M the needs and viewpoints of our residents, businesses and elected officials. We identified transparency, collaboration and clarity as key factors for fostering constructive dialogues in the future. Occasionally, inquiries arise regarding the political stance of the Isle of Palms Chamber of Commerce. Some inquire whether we align with specific political ideologies or publicly express opinions on political matters. It's important to clarify that the IOP Chamber is a 501(c) (6) organization, categorized as "a business league as an association of persons having a common business interest, whose purpose is to promote the common business interest and not to engage in a regular business of a kind ordinarily carried on for profit." In essence, we are a nonprofit business association dedicated to supporting local businesses and our community. While we are
ummer 2024 is here! There are still times coming over the IOP Connector or driving around Isle of Palms that I’m reminded of how blessed we are to live on this beautiful island. What a great place to live, work and play. Community engagement is key to any good, well-functioning municipality. Over the past two and a half years, the city has been focused on enhancing the number of opportunities for residents to get involved, Thank you for the opportunity to serve! See you around the island. Phillip Pounds, Mayor IOP 843-252-5359 ppounds@iop.net receive alerts and submit service requests on their phones and ongoing improvements to the city website. I have also met a lot of you during the Coffee with the Mayor events held on the last Friday of every month in different locations around the island and during my weekly scheduled Mayor’s Office Hours. Additionally, we have an Ad Hoc Volunteer Committee tasked with developing recommendations regarding beach preservation policies and funding. All of these opportunities have been valuable and instrumental for residents, business owners and the community to provide ideas and suggestions for new programs, initiatives and priorities for council to consider. Thank you for taking the time to provide your input. We will continue to look for opportunities that allow for increased community engagement. connect with the city and provide input on various topics. Some examples include the Accommodations Tax Taskforce; the shortterm rental listening sessions; the Community Enrichment Taskforce; an open forum with the new marina operator; public forums to gather feedback on the Wild Dunes zoning ordinances; an open forum with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to share details regarding the upcoming Beneficial Use Beach Project at Breach Inlet; an open forum to discuss the Wild Dunes Shoal Management Beach Project; upcoming community listening sessions to gather feedback about livability and tourism management; surveys to seek feedback on the different potential configurations for the IOP Connector; the implementation of Sunnie - the AI-powered web and text chat platform where folks can Mayor’s Message Community engagement, open forums a priority for city projects By Phillip Pounds Mayor, Isle of Palms CIVICS S IslandVibesIOP.com 11 Mark & Lisa Mitchell Mark: 843.847.7980 | Lisa: 843.864.4601 Just Sold 8 Frank Sottile Lane Sold for $2,565,000 Just Sold 6 Forest Trail Court 1 Sold for $1,685,000 Just Sold 23 26th Avenue Sold for $3,590,000 Price Improvement on Isle of Palms! 2301 Palm Boulevard | 6 beds, 5.5 baths, 4248 Ft2 | Offered for $4,795,000 Recently Listed & Sold by Mark & Lisa Mitchell, Realtors® We would love to add you to our list of happy buyers and sellers! Listed by various MLS participants. Under Contract 3 Morgans Cove Drive Offered for $1,675,000 Beautiful Ocean Views!
CRIME Stinky business This past month, the local constabulary noted that marijuana possession topped the charts again, making us wonder if South Carolina might one day embrace the Green Monster and legalize the "stank." Should this day come, officers might pivot to penalizing green trash cans, an arguably stinkier adversary. Not joking about toking While Mary Jane enthusiasts were frequently nabbed, the number of DUIs was halved, suggesting perhaps some folks are learning not to toke and drive. However, drivers should remember to keep those limbs inside the car and steer clear of the curb, unless they're angling for a quick detour to Leeds Avenue via a police escort. Fighting the law In an unsuccessful bid for an MMA-style victory, one local misunderstood the rules of engagement and tried to claim the title by assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and causing a public disturbance. Unfortunately, the only title belt awarded was a pair of shiny handcuffs, leading straight to a not-so-spacious square ring — also known as a jail cell. Young, wild and underage The youthful spirit of rebellion was alive and well, with several minors caught possessing alcohol. Remember young folks, you might be tried as an adult at 18, but you are still too young to toast legally. Suspended and unsurprised Recurrent themes included individuals driving on suspended licenses — some for the second or third time. These repeat offenders earned the not-so-coveted title of habitual traffic offenders. Party poopers Lastly, the usual noise complaints trickled in from those not invited to the local shindigs, their FOMO manifesting as calls to the authorities. If only invitations were as abundant as the fun being reported! 12 IslandVibesIOP.com By Detective Dusty Dunes WINNERS AT LOSING GAMES The following incidents were obtained from the Isle of Palms Police Department Media Log Reports. This is a parody of real criminal events that took place between April 15 through May 13. Names of individuals and business locations have been omitted out of respect and privacy. Stay safe, stay legal and next month, we'll finally crack down on those nefarious green trash cans. While this may have seemed like a slower month than usual, remember summer is around the corner and we can always count on the next three months of shenanigans to fill up the next few editions. POLICE BLOTTER
13 IslandVibesIOP.com Living and Selling the Lowcountry Lifestyle 2021-2022 Sales volume $94,000,000+ IOP RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE www.iop-residential.com 1100 Palm Blvd. 2C Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Amy Rogers REALTOR OF DISTINCTION amy@iop-residential.com 843-824-4892 As seen on NEWS Proposed noise ordinance raises concerns over life-work balance By L. C. Leach III sle of Palms will soon have a new noise ordinance, at least temporarily. Despite doubts expressed by both residents and city council members, it is hoped that the new measure will at least serve as a starting point toward a workable solution to enforcing island-wide noise levels. “We’ve been at this a long time,” said councilman John Bogosian during a city council workshop on May 14. “We’ve talked about this in listening sessions and numerous other forums where people asked for enforced regulations and enforced livability and this is an attempt to do that.” If passed by the council as intended, the noise ordinance would take effect July 1 and remain in place on a trial basis through Dec. 31, 2024. During that time, all island zoning would have to comply with the following decibel levels: • SR1, SR2, SR3 – 65 decibels in daytime hours • GC1, GC3, LC, PDD – 70 decibels in daytime hours • All zones – 55 decibels at night The levels were recommended by members of the IOP Planning Commission, based on comparisons of island noise levels at times when there were a lack of complaints and an abundance of complaints. “They didn’t want to set it at a number where they felt that just ‘life’ (such as morning traffic) would be triggering a violation,” said Douglas Kerr, director of IOP Building, Planning and Zoning. Bogosian also recommended splitting PDD (Planned Development District) areas into two separate parts: a residential zone at 65 decibels and a commercial zone at 70 decibels. As for Front Beach, an area of excessive noise zoned as GC2 (General Commercial), Bogosian recommended putting in testing monitors for six months, then obtaining noise readings and using the data to determine decibel levels going forward into 2025. “Some people want much lower (levels), some want it unrestricted,” Bogosian said. “But I think this is a good place for us to begin.” However, members of the community and council indicated that while they support an enforceable measure, the one under consideration has almost no chance of lasting past the trial run. Terri Haack, the new managing director of Wild Dunes Resort, requested a 75-decibel level for the areas of the Sweetgrass Inn and the resort core because of events that require a higher sound level. Resident Randy Bell objected to residential areas having to conform to commercial noise standards, instead of the other way around. Councilwoman Elizabeth Campsen said that 65 decibels is too much in line with commercial use areas. “I think we do have a challenge with noise and I would like to see us address it. But it feels like we just don’t have the votes for anything I would deem reasonable. Maybe not doing something is better than doing something that’s not a good idea.” Councilwoman Jan Anderson disagreed, saying that even if the proposed ordinance did end up failing, it would allow everyone to see where changes are needed. “What we are trying to do is establish noise ordinances that can be enforceable. So please give us six months to test out what we have and we’ll go forward from there.” I
dog accessories, gourmet dog foods, in-home vet services, pet snacks and more. There will also be pet crafts, with water-soluble paints for dogs to dip their paws in to render their own ‘Paw’-blo Picasso masterpiece. The Farmer's Market will host musical performances from the Blue Plantation Band, who play bluegrass, country, folk, rock, ‘80s and more. They performed last year and are back by popular demand. People are welcome to bring lounge chairs and sit and enjoy the entertainment, said Cox. Isle of Palms Fire and Police departments will be on site as well to answer questions from the public. “It’s an event that brings people together,” noted Cox. “It’s a great way to celebrate our island. A low cost for families and it helps support our local vendors and our local food trucks.” The IOP Farmer's Market will be held every third Thursday through October from 4-7 p.m. Admission is free and open to everyone. Vendor registration is available to anyone in the Charleston area. repare to have your dinner and shop for it too as the Isle of Palms Recreation Department launches its Farmer's Market & Food Truck Jam series on June 20 featuring fresh produce, food vendors, live music and more. IOP Rec Center Assistant Recreation Director Tammy Cox, who coordinates the event, said there are more than 80 vendors scheduled for June. “It’s been growing every year,” stated Cox about the Farmer's Market, which is now entering its fourth season. The Food Truck Jam is a new addition this year that aims to provide a cultural cuisine experience, serving up local flavors and dishes from around the country and the world. Last year there were only one to two food trucks per event, but those numbers have increased to nine food 14 IslandVibesIOP.com COMMUNITY IOP Farmer's Market to feature food truck series By Colin McCandless P trucks and two food vendors in 2024, running the gamut of fare from Lowcountry staples, lobster and mac and cheese to Polish, Thai and Greek. Cox further noted that the specialty food category has tripled this year, encompassing a smorgasbord of items such as cookies, nuts, pimento cheese, beef jerky, freeze-dried candy, ice cream and organic honey. They have also added more craft and artisan vendors, with people selling their wares including woodcrafts, jewelry and clothing. Additionally, there will be free kids’ activities like face painting, balloon art, fairy hair and a hula hoop station. And the Farmer's Market hasn’t forgotten your four-legged fur family either. Pet vendors have expanded from three to eight this year with Photo by IOP Recreation Department Buckhannon Brothers, Inc Making Bathrooms & Kitchens Beautiful Since 1997 Licensed Residential Builder Tile Installers Call us today for a quote 843-224-0667 Whether you are buying or selling Winslow is your island specialist! Winslow Carroll Carroll Realty Inc 843-886-9600 4 53rd Ave. 4 bedrooms | 4 baths | 2,652 sq. ft. LOOKING FOR YOUR DREAM HOME? 7 Driftwood Ln. 4 bedrooms | 4.5 baths | 4,124 sq. ft. 11 Tabby Ln. .48 Acres | Deep Water Dock
ou won’t find many more beautiful backdrops for a race than the Isle of Palms Beach Run. The annual race is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 27 at Front Beach by The Windjammer. The IOP Beach Run, presented by the City of Isle of Palms and coordinated by the IOP Recreation Department, has been running since 1998. About 400 people participated 15 IslandVibesIOP.com IOP Beach Run ready to take stride By Colin McCandless Y in the 2023 event and they anticipate anywhere between 300-450 participants this year, which has been the average turnout, according to IOP Rec Department Recreation Supervisor Aaron Sweet. The 5K and 10K races, along with the 5K walk, will begin at 8 a.m. while the Youth Fun Runs start at 8:30 a.m. All events are held entirely on the beach at low tide. The start and finish lines are located on the beach behind The Windjammer. For the 10K, the halfway turnaround point will be around 56th Avenue. The Youth Fun Runs differ in length depending upon the ages of the children participating. They include a 100-yard dash for ages 4 and under, a half-mile for ages 5-8 and a 1-mile race for youth 9-14. The Youth Fun Runs head in the opposite direction of the 5K and 10K and have volunteers stationed at flags to monitor the run and ensure every kids’ safety. Entry is $10 and each child receives a T-shirt, a ribbon and a free ice cream coupon redeemable at TCBY in Mount Pleasant Town Centre, according to Sweet. All runners and walkers will be timed. An awards ceremony will be held behind The Windjammer immediately following the conclusion of the Youth Fun Runs to recognize overall male and female winners and the top two male and female runners in each age category. Sweet said that what sets this race apart from others in the area is its longevity and the unique setting. “During low tide on the beach and early morning, there’s not too many of those around.” He added that it’s more low-key and less crowded than some other local runs. “It’s not a huge, overwhelming event.” Parking will be available in the IOP Municipal Parking Lot B on Pavilion Drive. Parking passes will be included in the pre-registered race packets or provided race day morning at Lot B. “We’re hoping for a good turnout and good weather,” added Sweet. To register, visit raceroster.com or swing by the IOP Rec Center. Photo by IOP Recreation Department COMMUNITY IT TAKES TEAMWORK, CREATIVITY AND PASSION Vol.2 Issue 6 June 2024 PROPOSED NOISE ORDINANCE RAISES EARS See Page 13 POLICE PARTNER WITH COYOTE TRAPPING COMPANY See Page 5 CITY BUDGET AIMS TO AVOID TAX INCREASES See Page 6 Photo by Tonya McGue Beach Behavior Keep our coast clean IFYOU KNOW BEAU Remembering Beau Hammond (Page 22) BEACHGOERS BE AWARE... Litter prevention methods (Page 7) MERRY CLEAN-UP Beach Santa bags millionth piece of litter (Page 3) www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | FB & Instagram @CharlestonWomen Women Business Leaders Ann Edwards A Forever First Lady in Charleston Build this Dream Together Summer is Hot Business Scorching Professional Looks Area Artists Achieve: From Paintings to Productions CHARLESTON ENTREPRENEUR EDITION Summer 2024 JOIN OUR TEAM! Part-time or full-time sales professional position available to tell the stories of our digital and print products To learn more contact Stacey McLoughlin at Stacey@MountPleasantMagazine.com or call 917-208-5633 Cooper River Photography by Rachel Basye Portraits, Art & Real Estate www.cooperriverphotography.com
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island’s cause. “It became infectious,” said Perlson. “The whole community rallies around this thing.” Perlson, too, has a personal connection with prostate cancer. Cantor Israel Goldstein, who he described as “like a second father to me” and a mentor, died from prostate cancer. “That is one of my motivating factors to give.” Perlson said being part of the single largest private fundraiser for prostate cancer is “tremendously gratifying.” Besides serving as a diamond sponsor, Perlson and his wife sponsored the music, Charleston bluegrass band Dallas Baker and Friends. While most individuals fortunately survive prostate cancer, thousands still die annually from the disease, which primarily impacts older men. “So we need to find a cure,” added Perlson. in April for his outstanding contributions over the past decade-plus supporting the PCF charity tournament. Minton served as the honoree for this year’s event, during which the city presented the official recognition. “That’s pretty cool,” said Minton. The golf fundraiser bears special significance to Minton, who lost his Left to right: Murray Small, Heidi Kaloupek, Terri Haack and Jeff Minton. Golfer Jeff Jensen gets creative on the greens at the WDMGA’s annual PCF Golf Fundraiser. early one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The Wild Dunes Men’s Golf Association has sought to make a positive impact by supporting those researching a cure. WDMGA’s annual PCF Golf Fundraiser held May 11 at Wild Dunes Resort raised $620,000 to bolster the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s life-saving prostate cancer research. The figure was made possible thanks to a generous match from an anonymous donor. Now in its 11th year, the event has raised approximately $2.2 million, which goes directly to funding prostate cancer research. It has grown to become the largest single private fundraiser for the PCF in the world. Wild Dunes Director of Golf and WDMGA committee member Jeff Minton was part of the initial group of men who helped launch the fundraiser in 2013, along with his father, Bob. Isle of Palms City Council recognized Minton by proclamation 19 IslandVibesIOP.com N Wild Dunes golf fundraiser rolls in donations for prostate cancer research By Colin McCandless father to prostate cancer in December 2014. Bob played in the 2013 tournament and was able to attend the 2014 event. The inaugural fundraiser featured around 60-70 golfers and raised about $10,000. “It just started progressing every year since,” remarked Minton. In 2024, 260 people participated. “It’s pretty incredible how Wild Dunes, they’ve taken it and obviously a lot of our members are impacted by it,” Minton added. “So it hits home for a lot of people. Not just my father, but a lot of other people who we’ve lost because of it who are members.” Mark Perlson, a WDMGA committee member and diamond level sponsor whose accounting firm Perlson LLP contributed $10,000 to the cause, said the fundraiser “has taken on a life of its own.” Both Perlson and Minton credit WDMGA chairman Mike Muzzy with taking the PCF fundraiser to another level and making it the COMMUNITY
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