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JANUARY 12–18, 2023
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LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
LOLITA HUCKABY
County Council votes to break with tradition
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BEAUFORT t didn’t take the Beaufort County Council 15 votes or five days of public debate to select a chairman and vice-chairman, but the group of 11 likewise managed to break tradition with their selection last week. The County Council, with four brand-new members, started 2023 off by re-electing Joe Passiment of the Sun City/Okatie area to a second term as chairman. While that turned out to be a unanimous vote, it was selection of a vice-chair where division occurred and tradition went by the wayside. It’s been tradition for the County Council members to elect a chair from one side of the Broad River and a vice-chair from the other. It’s not required by bylaws, it’s just something they’ve agreed upon for years. Forget that. The majority of council — six of them who represent the county south of the Broad River — voted to elect fellow Councilman Larry McElynn of Hilton Head Island as vice-chair, over fellow Councilwoman Alice Howard of the Beaufort-Port Royal district. Council veteran York Glover of St. Helena nominated Howard, pointing to the tradition of northsouth leadership roles. He also noted having Howard as a vice-chair, one of three females on the council, would demonstrate diversity. His argument didn’t work even though one of the SoB council members, Paula Brown agreed to break rank and not vote for McElynn. So much for diversity. Not that it matters, in our days of national respect for equality. In fact, very few Beaufortonians could tell you who the County Council chair — or vice-chair is, for that matter. Many probably can’t tell you their own Council representative. It will be interesting, and in fact, informative to especially to NoB county residents as the year proceeds to see how the new Council, with its SoB majority,
SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A7
PRESORTED PERMIT NO. 97 BEAUFORT, SC 29902
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Changes to CPO postponed until April St. Helena residents, leaders rally against gated community, golf course By Mike McCombs For the second time in five days, St. Helena Island citizens, local politicians, conservation leaders and others filled the County Council Chamber on Monday, Jan. 9, at the Beaufort County Administration Building hoping to speak out against a text amendment to the St. Helena Cultural Overlay Protection (CPO) zone. Though, no matter how County Administrator Eric Greenway and staff have framed the issue, particularly in comments to the County’s Planning Commission on
Thursday, Jan. 5, they are actually more specifically rallying to stop a proposed golf course and gated community on Pine Island and in St. Helenaville. Ultimately, Beaufort County’s Community Services and Land Use Committee decided Monday, Jan. 9, to postpone action for more research and discussion with the community. Chairwoman Alice Howard, who was also present at Thursday’s meeting, explained to the large crowd in attendance that the amendment was up for dis-
cussion, but that she intended to make a motion to postpone consideration of the item until the Committee’s April 10 meeting. “Item No. 12 is a proposal to amend the St. Helena Cultural Overlay Protection zone on St. Helena. When we get to that item,” Howard said, “I am going to ask for a motion to postpone Consideration of the item until our April meeting and to refer the matter to the Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee which we formed in November 2022 to study the existing ordi-
nance with our legal department and with other outside entities ... to suggest provisions which can be added to reinforce the overlay’s purpose and to improve the protection it provides St. Helena and the surrounding islands. “When it comes back from the CPO we will place it on our agenda and take public comment.” Vice Chair York Glover agreed with Howard. “I support Chairwoman Howard’s decision to postpone this
SEE ISLAND PAGE A4
After three years worth of effort by The City of Beaufort and the Historic Beaufort Foundation, the Woods Memorial Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Friday, Jan. 6. Bob Sofaly/The Island News
Woods Memorial Bridge added to National Register
From staff reports The Woods Memorial Bridge, the iconic swing bridge connecting downtown Beaufort with Lady’s Island, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Friday, Jan. 6. The designation gives the community an opportunity to protect the bridge and potential impacts on
Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District. With the designation, any federal undertaking regarding licensing, permitting, or funding requires a mitigating review by the State Historic Preservation Office and also requires public comment. “This designation is important for our City,” Mayor Stephen Murray
said in a news release. “With so few working swing bridges in the state, we need to protect the ones we have. The Woods Memorial Bridge adds to Beaufort’s character, distinction and beauty, and the National Register listing recognizes that.”
SEE BRIDGE PAGE A2
Restaurant Week begins in Beaufort, across South Carolina
From staff reports Once again, it’s time for Beaufort and the rest of the state of South Carolina to turn into a foodie heaven for Restaurant Week. This 11-day celebration — Tides to Tables here in Beaufort — that starts Thursday, Jan. 12 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 22, attracts
people from all over the country to come try the amazing culinary creations by South Carolina’s top chefs in the Palmetto State’s top restaurants.
Hundreds of restaurants statewide, including 10 in Beaufort and Port Royal, are offering special menu items, promotions, and incredible discounts. The event in Beaufort culminates with the third annual Beaufort Oyster Festival on Saturday, Jan. 21 and Sunday,
Jan. 22 in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The Beaufort Area Hospitality Association and Riverview Charter School are hosting a USATF Certified 5K Race on Saturday morning, Jan. 21, in downtown
SEE WEEK PAGE A6
ARTS
VOICES
SPORTS
INSIDE
At the Opera: Previewing “The Hours” by Kevin Puts.
Carol Lucas: Send in the clowns, there’s got to be clowns.
Beaufort Academy sweeps JPII, Holy Trinity.
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–7 Arts A8–9 Health A10–11 Local Events A12 Faith A13
Voices Military Sports Education Legals Directory
A14–15 A16–17 B1–2 B2 B3–15 A16