economy. Curriculum participants learn the basics of utility policy and administration, and the legal authority municipal utilities have to operate and serve new customers. • Public Safety Policy and Administration. This area focuses on responsibilities related to public safety, such as police, fire and municipal court policies and operations. Next year, Pounds will preside over quarterly board meetings as well as the annual meeting of the ASCM, determine a focus of the board, provide guest speakers for meetings and assist with organizational training. “My primary goal is to continue to provide a safe place for mayors to share experiences, build relationships and provide educational opportunities,” said Pounds, only the second IOP mayor elected as ASCM president since Mayor Dick Cronin (2009-2017). “The whole idea is for them to have a supportive structure to assist in their day-to-day roles.” But for the moment, Pounds admitted that, “It’s always nice to be elected and recognized by your peers.” 10 IslandVibesIOP.com I 1517 Palm Blvd., Suite A Isle of Palms, SC Open 7 Days a Week 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Tuesday: Steak Night Wednesday: Live Music Sunday: Lobster Night Weekly Events This family owned and operated venue is sure to please all. Enjoy your morning Macchiato with a fresh omelet or shrimp and grits from The Refuge’s Morning Tide menu. Follow up with us in our dining room, where we also serve fresh, local food for lunch and dinner. A night at The Refuge wouldn’t be complete without one of our signature cocktails concocted by our in-house mixologist. Planning a special event in Isle of Palms just got easier with our customized catering services available at The Refuge. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite for lunch or a memorable evening of dining, let us be your refuge. Pounds becomes second IOP mayor to be elected ASCM president By L. C. Leach III NEWS t didn’t take long for Isle of Palms Mayor Phillip Pounds to get noticed beyond the Lowcountry area. Despite being only in his third full year as mayor, Pounds was recently elected by his state peers as president of the Association of South Carolina Mayors (ASCM), an affiliate of the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) that represents the state's 271 incorporated cities and towns. Pounds has been involved with the Association of SC Mayors since his election as IOP mayor back in 2021, according to Casey Fields, MASC manager for municipal advocacy. “We are a voluntary membership – and our members attending the business meeting unanimously voted him in.” Pounds’ achievement and recognition came not just because he is a state mayor, but due to time spent learning how to be a better elected leader. For example, he graduated from the MASC Institute in February 2023 after completing an Advanced Institute curriculum program. All participants must complete four of the six courses, which include: • Advanced Advocacy and Intergovernmental Relations. Municipal elected officials must educate members of the General Assembly on how bills impact their cities and towns. • Advanced Budgeting and Finance. Topics focus on governmental accounting, annual audit, budget management and debt management. • Advanced Leadership and Governance. Participants learn how to develop a bold vision for their hometowns and how to develop sound public policy to carry out that vision. • Advanced Municipal Economic Development. This area concentrates on how to identify a municipality's unique assets, promote them, develop strategic partnerships and use available tools and incentives to encourage private sector investment and job creation. • Municipal Utility Policy and Administration. Most state municipalities own and operate utility systems that are critical to their community’s
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