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VOLUME 18 ISSUE 13
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SEPTEMBER 20, 2024
Warming to the Idea S T R AT E G I C P L A N F O R S T. J O H N ’ S F I R E DISTRICT MARKS A NEW ERA BY THERESA STRATFORD
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For The Island Connection
special guest gave an eye-opening presentation to the Public Safety Committee members with Seabrook Island on August 20. That special guest was Fire Chief for the St. John’s Fire District Ryan Kunitzer, and he was presenting the District’s recent strategic plan outlining the next five years through 2029. The plan involved many community meetings, which gave the Fire District team the feedback they needed to highlight their priorities. The main goals for the plan include: • Effectively recruit qualified candidates and retain skilled and committed personnel to meet the growing needs of the District. • Establish metrics to determine reach, engagement and effectiveness. • Design and maintain a professional career path that fosters an individual’s development. • Effectively procure and maintain District capital (continued on page 2) resources. EDITORIAL
DISCUSSIONS ON DRONE REGULATIONS CONTINUE
Road Project Woes LEAGUE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST I-526 EXTENSION
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For The Island Connection
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BY LILY ABROMEIT
he Coastal Conservation League has launched a "Save Our Sea Islands" campaign to stop the I-526/ Mark Clark Expressway Extension project, set to be funded if the Charleston County Special Sales and Use Tax referendum passes this November. This campaign initiative aims to protect Charleston’s most treasured resources—including our Sea Islands, our Stono River, our historic settlement communities, our access to public land, our viewsheds, and our Lowcountry way of life—from the devastating impacts of this proposed highway extension. “The I-526 extension isn't just another road project; it’s a direct threat to our environment, our communities and the essence of Charleston’s Lowcountry,” said Faith Rivers James, Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation League. “We are committed to opposing this project because it puts too much at risk—our homes, our heritage and our future. Together, we must protect what makes this place (continued on page 3) truly special. We must fight to save
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BY THERESA STRATFORD t’s a bird! It's a plane! Wait a minute – no, it’s just a drone. It used to be that unidentified flying objects might be aliens visiting us from another planet. It also used to be that annoying buzzing sounds were pretty much limited to a neighbor’s obnoxious leaf blower or lawnmowers in the distance. Nowadays, you can add drones to the list of nuisances, along with potential UFOs. Who knew that the Christmas gift you got your grandson last year was more than just a toy? Although they may have some benefits, according to Jeff Davis, a licensed drone pilot and resident of Seabrook Island, drones have some drawbacks too, warranting, in his opinion, a few local regulations. Davis gave a presentation to Seabrook Town Council on August 27 at the regular Town Council meeting. He is also a member of the Town’s photography club and operates a drone for both commercial and recreational use. “Many people don’t know about drone regulation, even people who own them,” he said. Davis recognized that the benefits of drones are the positive impacts they could have on wildlife in studying animal behaviors, real estate marketing, mapping, taking pictures of community
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events, conservation with monitoring erosion, environmental benefits and art sales. The negatives of drone use are privacy issues, noise pollution and obstructing views. Davis mentioned that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognizes certain guidelines related to drone usage. For example, for drones that weigh at least .55 pounds and are being used for recreational use, the FAA recommends that the pilot take the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Safety Test and that the pilot have a certificate in possession when flying. Pilots for commercial use drones weighing at least .55 pounds need to have an FAA license, be at least 16 years old, have a photo ID in possession and have a Seabrook Island business license. Drones for recreational use that weigh 55 pounds or more require a sUAS Safety Test and the certificate in possession while flying. They also must be registered with the FAA and must have their ID clearly labeled on the exterior. These drones must broadcast their Remote ID, which is a system that allows drones to broadcast their location and identification information to other parties while in flight, as well. (continued on page 2) Pilots for the 55-pound
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