November 8
November 8
POSTAL PATRON LOCAL
NOVEMBER 3–9, 2022
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
PRESORTED PERMIT NO. 97 BEAUFORT, SC 29902
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
ELECTION 2022
Looking at the races
Dr. Annie Andrews, a Democrat and a pediatrician from Charleston running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC Dist. 1), held a press conference voicing her concerns about recent negative and personal attacks from Mace on Thursday, Oct. 27 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Bob Sofaly/The Island News
From staff reports Dr. Annie Andrews, a Democrat and a pediatrician from Charleston running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC Dist. 1), held a press conference Thursday, Oct. 27 at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort. Andrews came to town voicing her concerns about recent negative and personal attacks from Mace. She specifically took the chance to reaffirm her support for lowering the Social Security eligibility age to 55 years old, to work with the current administration to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, and uphold “women’s reproductive health care rights.” In a race that seemed so quiet for so long, likely because Andrews
didn’t face a primary challenge and didn’t have to campaign, this one has gotten louder and uglier as it has gone along. One candidate Nancy holds a press conMace ference or fires off a Tweet. The other accuses the first of lying. Then the candidates switch off. Joseph Oddo (Alliance) joins Andrews in the quest for Mace’s seat. Mace, the first female graduate of The Citadel, supports parents’ control over education, vows to stop
SEE RACES PAGE A10
EARLY VOTING Early voting continues through Saturday, Nov. 5. Voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are four early voting centers in Beaufort County: • Beaufort – 15 John Galt Rd, Beaufort, SC 29906 • Bluffton – 61B Ulmer Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910 • Hilton Head Government Complex – 539 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928. • St. Helena Branch Library – 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Rd., St. Helena Island, S.C. 29920. A reminder that voters will be asked for a photo ID when checking in to vote.
BOE elects Gwozdz as Chair Physician takes second turn as leader of board From staff reports Last week, the Beaufort County Board of Education elected veteran Board member Dr. Christina Gwozdz to serve as Board Chair in a special called meeting. The Chair position became vacant when the former Chair, David Striebinger, passed away unexpectedly. “I will miss David, my friend and colleague,” Gwozdz said. “I hope to honor his legacy with Dr. Christina continued sound de- Gwozdz cision making.” This is not Gwozdz’s first time in the Chair seat, having also served in this role from 2019-2021. “It is such a privilege to serve in this capacity as we as a Board remain focused on improving student learning and achievement in our public schools.” Superintendent Rodriguez appreciates the opportunity to once again serve the Board with Gwozdz in this capacity. “We look forward to working with Chair Gwozdz as a strong leader and district advocate.” Gwozdz has represented District 9 (portions of Bluffton and Pritchardville, and also Daufuskie Island) since January 2017. Her three sons
SEE CHAIR PAGE A5
Madison Hahn, Student Body President of May River High School, made her feelings known regarding the recent removal of 97 books from Beaufort County School Libraries during the public comment segment of the Beaufort County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday at the district office. Bob Sofaly/The Island News
Bring back the books Speakers overwhelmingly oppose school district’s removal of books at board meeting
By Mike McCombs Public speakers at Tuesday night’s Beaufort County Board of Education meeting made one thing clear – they don’t agree with the recent removal of 97 books from the school district’s middle and high school libraries. More than 20 of the 100 or so people
present at the start of the meeting at the Beaufort County School District Office in Mink Point spoke publicly, and just two were in favor of removing the books. Port Royal’s Peter Birchbach had read just four of the 97 books, but he said all four shared some qualities.
ELECTION
SPORTS
INSIDE
Two City Council seats up for grabs; Questions on the ballot; and more.
Beaufort brings its best, blows out Hawks for region crown.
PAGE A8–10
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–7 Election A8–10 Legal Notices A11 Health A12–13 Sports B1–2
“While these books are all very different, they all have some common elements,” Birchbach said. “They’re all well written, they’re all solid literature, they all examine complex topics in an intelligent manner, and they all explore
SEE BOOKS PAGE A6
Arts B3–5 Local Events B6 Faith B7 Voices B8–9 Military B10–11 Directory B12