IslandVibesIOP.com 4 Free speech is a cornerstone of American democracy and plays an integral part in how society functions. It ensures that we the people can express our ideas, challenge the status quo and debate peacefully. The assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 was not only a national tragedy, but it was also a poignant reminder of why we as a country must fight to uphold such liberties. The First Amendment also lays the foundation for community journalism. Freedom of the press allows newspapers like Island Vibes to empower local voices, hold leaders accountable and foster trust between residents and reporters. Without this protection, journalists would not be able to report on local issues ethically or impartially. Every month our newspaper comes out we exercise these rights. With Election Day only a month away, Isle of Palms candidates are voicing their stance on city matters and residents are debating who to vote for. Island Vibes is fortunate to provide a platform by hosting weekly interviews The pride of Isle of Palms, SC today, tomorrow and always. Island Vibes Vol. 3, Issue 10, October 2025 PUBLISHER BILL MACCHIO PUBLISHER@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM MANAGING EDITOR ZACH GIROUX EDITOR@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM ART DIRECTOR BETHANY LONG ART@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM COPY EDITOR COLIN MCCANDLESS BRAND AMBASSADOR SONYA BUCKHANNON SONYA@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM PHOTOGRAPHY RACHEL BASYE COOPERRIVERPHOTOGRAPHY.COM DIGITAL MANAGER ALLYAH HARRAR ALLYAH@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ALYSSA FRANCO THEDIGITALTOUCHCHS@GMAIL.COM WEB EDITOR GEORGE CONKLIN CONTRIBUTORS RYAN BUCKHANNON • MARY COY • LAURA FOGARTY • ALLYAH HARRAR • L.C. LEACH III COLIN MCCANDLESS • KIMBERLYN NAYLOR PHILLIP POUNDS • SARAH ROSE • ALEX STONE SALES REPRESENTATIVES STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM COLLEEN KASSNER COLLEEN@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM PAUL SMITH PAUL@ISLANDVIBESIOP.COM SHARI SEBUCK SHARI@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 • CVS • FOOD LION ASHEVILLE/HENDERSON AIRPORT ALL SC WELCOME CENTERS DIRECT MAIL VIA US POST OFFICE Homes on Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island Affluent neighborhoods rotated monthly Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Asheville, NC Buckhead, Druid Hills, Decatur, Atlanta, Georgia 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 FROM THE TEAM Publisher’s Note Editor’s Note Freedoms worth fighting for with candidates on the Isle of Palms Podcast. Below are a few of the questions that I’ve asked as host of the podcast: • What has motivated you to run for council? • What are your top priorities for the island, if elected? • What are the most pressing issues facing the island and how do you plan to solve them? • How would you describe your style of leadership? • Why should residents vote for you instead of other candidates? Remember folks, early voting is Oct. 20Oct. 24 and Oct. 27-Oct. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check charlestoncounty.org/departments/ bevr/voting.php#early-voting for specific early voting locations. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Polling locations will be at Isle of Palms City Hall and the IOP Recreation Center. Follow along with our election coverage at IsleOfPalmsPodcast. com. For all your island news, visit ReadIslandVibesIOP.com. Positively yours, Zach Giroux Editor Happy birthday to us! October’s issue marks our two-year anniversary of publishing Island Vibes. As I’m writing these words a smile is spreading across my face. I’ve been publishing stories and putting out publications about this awesome island for nearly 40 years. This is primarily why six months prior to publishing the first edition of Island Vibes, my island friends, many of whom I’ve known for decades, were frequently calling me about publishing an Isle of Palms publication. Often these calls were from the same island friends and residents repeating the same request. The flood of calls was very humbling to say the least, but they also piqued my curiosity. Where there’s smoke there’s fire. In doing my research, it became clear that an Isle of Palms-specific publication was wanted and needed. My love for the island began in 1979 when my son Drew and I lived in this special island community. After Hurricane Hugo slammed into the Carolina coast my heart cried as I went back with a small publishing team to document the chaos and destruction this devastating storm caused. Documenting the damage Mother Nature wreaked upon Isle of Palms was my first journey using words to talk about the island. Scan our Hugo Magazine QR code to read the digital pages of these historic documents. As you thumb through this issue in print or digitally at www.ReadIslandVibes.com, it will become apparent that this is our election issue. I have a request please: before you vote, study and research the candidates on the ballot. Include everyone. Pertaining to incumbents, study how they voted and watch the recorded city council meetings to see who said what and why. For new candidates, study how they’ve contributed to the Isle of Palms. Have they been on committees or volunteered in some way to make the island better? The Isle of Palms is a wonderful place to call home, so spend some time researching the people who are running for office to learn who will help improve your home. Happy birthday to us and thank you for the best gift of all which is reading Island Vibes. Positively yours, Bill Macchio Publisher
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