Weekly updates, events and more from Mayor Billy!

Your Weekly News & Updates
You'll notice a new look to the newsletter! Stories have been abbreviated with a link to the full story at my website's blog or to the news source. I hope you find this helpful and encourage feedback. Thank you. BK.
Fire Chief Sammy Negron
to Retire Next Year 
 
Our fire chief is a good man. Along with that, he's an exceptional fire chief, a very good department manager, and an important part of this community. We wish him all the best. -BK

 
BEAUFORT- Port Royal Fire Chief Sammy Negron will retire Jan. 15, ending his 20-year firefighting career in the Lowcountry.
 
Negron said he is retiring to dedicate time to his family as he fights Multiple Sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with in 2005. He will continue to be a member of the team as a fire consultant to the city, Beaufort City Manager Bill Prokop said...

"I love firefighting and I love our brotherhood of firefighters," Negron said.

"This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right decision. I will continue to support the City of Beaufort and the Fire Department because there is so much happening, so much good stuff to make Beaufort a better and safer community." 



A Breath of Fresh Air: City Manager Does Bi-Weekly Reports 
 
City Manager Bill Prokop is very engaged with the city council and the public as the Chief Executive of the City. Prokop oversees our many active  projects.  He also learns with his ears and not his mouth.
 
During Regular City Council meetings (2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month - 7:00 pm at City Hall), Prokop provides updates to council and the public about issues on which he and his staff are working. -BK
 
The following is the most recent City Manager Report with my comments on each topic below.

City Manager Report 10/13/15

"Holiday Light Test - Please take a look outside and let us have your comments. Also, Mr. Mayor I would ask you to lead our drive to purchase enough new holiday lights to really make our downtown and waterfront park area look nice this upcoming holiday season. This can be done by people supporting our "Pride In Beaufort Program". We really need to replace some of the old and worn out lights that we have. Thank You."  BP

As you may recall, when balancing a tight budget for this year, we wrote into the budget a plan to which city and not city residents could contribute to make our city even more beautiful.  We createdPride of Beaufort.  In the meantime, if you would like to contribute to our campaign to raise donations for the new holiday lights please let me know and click above.  BK
  


Flood Relief Work in Columbia 
with St. John's Lutheran 

Public Announcement from Pastor Shannon Mullen of 
 St. John's Lutheran, Beaufort, SC

In every disaster, the challenge with sending supplies is logistics - getting the right items to the right people in a timely way. That is why we have not asked for supplies to this point. We now have the right people in the right place ready to hand out supplies!
 
The following list has been ASKED for. We will NOT take any supplies that are NOT on this list!

PLEASE Note:
  1. NO bottled water because they have enough and the water is about to come back on.
  2. NO clothes! Do not send clothes. Don't ask why, just don't send them!
  3. Items brought after the last drop-off time will probably be donated to Beaufort charities.
  4. IF you can bring your items in a medium size cardboard box or plastic tub, (for example, the size of a case of paper or liquor store box) that would be great! If your box is not full, we can fill it with items people bring that are not in boxes.
The List:
+   Canned food - with pop-tops ONLY!
+   Peanut butter
+   Laundry detergent (small or regular size - not the huge, heavy containers)
+   adult diapers
+   packs of NEW rags
+   bottles of bleach
+   new, empty spray bottles
+   mops
+   Toiletries in original packages - please, again, these items only:
toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads)
 
Drop off location:    St. John's Lutheran Church - at the trailer in front of the building
Drop off times:        Friday October 16 - 9 am to 3 pm
                                       Saturday October 17 - 9 am to 3 pm
                                       Sunday, October 18 - 8 am to 12:30 pm
 


 
Southside Boulevard in Beaufort to See Mile-Long Sidewalk Project Start in Winter
 
Since I have been Mayor it seems we have done a lot of planning and saving dollars to leverage against grants and intergovernmental funding to take care of significant infrastructure needs.  I have felt it has been years that we have waited and waited and waited and the citizens have been very patient.  Thank you. -BK

BEAUFORT - Southside Boulevard in Beaufort to see mile-long sidewalk project start in winter.

A mile of Southside Boulevard in Beaufort's Mossy Oaks neighborhood will soon have sidewalks to improve safety, especially for children who walk to school.

The "Southside Sidewalk" project includes constructing a sidewalk along the north side of the road from Ribaut Road to Battery Creek Road, approximately one mile. The work includes minor improvement to drainage, waterline relocations, grading, handicap improvements at all intersections, and landscaping.

"This is a relatively small project in terms of cost and scope, but a relatively large project in terms of what it means to the residents of Southside Boulevard and Mossy Oaks," Beaufort City Manager Bill Prokop said. "Future improvements to Southside Park will make this sidewalk a good investment." 




City of Beaufort Seeking Board and 
Commission Members

A smooth running city relies heavily on citizens who volunteer to serve on both regulatory and advisory Boards and Commissions. 

We are currently seeking members for the Zoning Beaufort of Appeals. Positions on other Boards and Commissions will be opening up this       winter and spring.

The ZBOA meets on the 4th Monday of month at 5:30 PM. The ZBOA hears applications for variances, special exceptions, and appeals from the decision of the zoning administrator. There are no special qualifications to serve on the Board other than being an interested city resident.

If you are interested in applying for the ZBOA, please download an application. Completed applications should be sent to Ivette Burgess, City Clerk at iburgess@cityofbeaufort.org.


Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics

In its second year, the Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics (ACTSO) is launching its 2015-2016 program to help Beaufort area students prepared to compete in local, state and national competitions. -BK

Message from Tonya Phillips, ACTSO-Beaufort Chair:

It's that time of the year again...When our high school students will have the opportunity to compete for college tuition. This academic challenge will have competition on the local level and cash prizes are awarded to the Olympians.  The 2015/16 Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics has began recruiting students. We hope you'll consider joining us. 

For Information, email Tonya J. Phillip:  tjphillips12@gmail.com


Events!


Mayor Billy Keyserling | Beaufort, SC | Email | Website
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