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AUGUST 24–30, 2023
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Ethics investigations opened into 3 former, current County employees By Delayna Earley The Island News Former Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway and Deputy County Administrator Whitney Richland are currently being investigated by the S.C. State Ethics Commission after a complaint against each and evidence to support the complaints were submitted to the Ethics Commission in July 2023 by a Beaufort County resident who has asked not to be named in our news article. The same constituent also
filed a complaint against Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper, and according to letters received by Eric the complainant, Greenway all three complaints “contained facts sufficient to warrant an investigation.” In an interview with The Island News, the concerned citizen said the complaint filed against Greenway was regarding him allegedly
hiring his daughter, Andrea Greenway, to do graphic design work for the county without putting it out for bid or going Whitney through the prop- Richland er process to hire someone to do work for the county. “I don’t know if it was ever completed or if it was an aborted attempt like the blanket situation with [Whitney] Richland,” the person who filed the complaint
said. “But there was definitely talk of him hiring his daughter, possibly in relation to redesigning the Beaufort County logo.” The complainant continued to say that there was talk that there were contracts of up to $100,000 for that graphic design that were up for grabs. The complaint about Richland involves the alleged attempted purchase of 587 weighted blankets from a company called R&R Home, a company allegedly owned by Richland’s husband.
Beaufort County received an invoice from R&R Home in April for $35,644 for the almost 600 blankets and “Wellness (Eric Greenway)” is listed in the contact information on the invoice. Interim Beaufort County Administrator John Robinson confirmed in an article published by The Island Packet on August 9, that the weighted blanket controversy is under investigation. The complaint filed against
SEE ETHICS PAGE A6
Greenway will contest his firing Sept. 11 Terminated County Administrator will be paid until public hearing By Delayna Earley The Island News Eric Greenway’s requested public hearing to contest the termination of his contract with cause has been postponed until September 11, 2023 following the Special Called County Council meeting held on Monday night in Beaufort. “We have been informed that Mr. Greenway has asked for additional time for his public hearing to meet the law,” County Council Chairman Joseph Passiment said following the council members meeting in executive session during the meeting. “Therefore, the public Eric hearing that was Greenway scheduled for next Monday, the 28th, will not occur. It will occur at a future date.” At that point the hearing was postponed indefinitely and Passiment continued to say that the hearing would be scheduled at a later date and the public would be made aware of that date. On Tuesday, Aug. 22, Beaufort County Attorney Thomas Keaveny confirmed that the new date for Greenway’s public hearing is September 11. Greenway originally requested the public hearing in a letter
Kindergarten teacher Kristianna Valentine helps several of her students to create numbers using Play-Doh on Monday, Aug. 21, on the first day of school at Broad River Elementary School in Beaufort. Delayna Earley/The Island News
A return to class
Beaufort County Public Schools are back in session By Delayna Earley The Island News Public school students all over Beaufort County returned to school bright and early on Monday, Aug. 21. Families are still enrolling students, but the anticipated enrollment for the school year is 21,500 according to Beaufort County School District spokesperson Candace Bruder. “We look forward to a promising
year for our students, full of growth and student successes,” Bruder said. As the new school year begins, Bruder said that she recommends that all parents review and update their child’s emergency contacts to make sure that the information that the school district has is up-to-date so that they can respond effectively in case of any unforeseen circumstances, especially in light of the fact that in the past year
Beaufort High School has had a false active shooter situation reported and more recently received a bomb threat. “The district continuously refines our safety measures,” Bruder said. Beaufort County citizens are also asked to be aware and slow down as they come across bus stops and buses on the road.
SEE CLASS PAGE A4
SEE FIRING PAGE A5
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Clemson officials buzzing about invasive hornet found in Savannah.
Eagles improve to 2-0 with win over Pinewood Prep.
Carol Lucas: I’m asking Republicans, ‘Where’s the beef?’
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