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Your Weekly News & Updates
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Thinking about the Future and Issues that Could Blind Side our Special Quality of Life . . . if we don't at least think about them.
I believe things in Beaufort are going well. We have a number of significant capital projects about to launch. Some might cause momentary inconvenience, but I feel certain that the past three City Councils, along with boards and commissions and those who participated in charettes, who have been planning them nave thought through them carefully and the end results will make Beaufort an even better place to live, work and accommodate visitors and our military partners.
That being said, I like to look ahead at issues that may loom if not for our generation the next. And I believe it is my responsibility to leave our hometown in the best possible position for the future.
Over the past year, I have been spending more time than usual in Charleston helping my friend of forty years, John Tecklenburg, who is running for Mayor. Over the course of this period I have seen much of the city I did not even realize is part of the City. We think of Charleston as the peninsula and do not think about other areas, such as vast areas west of the Ashely River and Daniel Island that make up about 75 percent of Charleston's population.
John and I, who share a deep respect for Mayor Joe Riley, have talked about the city's success in making downtown Charleston the world's most celebrated tourism destination. Yet the quality of life for residents on the peninsula and the outlying areas need attention. I was surprised to see parts of the city without sidewalks, street lights and neighborhood identities. I have seen the downtown cluttered with tourism traffic causing those who work in the city to struggle with traffic congestion.
I have no illusions that, other than our charm and beauty, Beaufort is like Charleston. Our mass and scale is much different and our challenges are also different. We will never be a Charleston and I have no illusions that we will be.
That said, the experience has me thinking about how Beaufort will grow as we will undoubtedly grow and I ask myself what we can learn from the experiences of other unique hometowns.
In this newsletter, I share stories about a number of issues we should be considering as we move forward to maintain our character while growing and making opportunities for the younger people who grow up here.
Among these issues are the use of Accommodations Tax, new to the area Uber transportation, Airbnbs which are similar to short term rentals, nuisance flooding, sea level rise, offshore oil exploration, our new fire chief and the many daily activities that are going on in our special hometown.
I hope you enjoy the read and that the new formate makes it easier for your to find what interests you without having to wade through stories that are of less interest.
BK
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Hilton Head A-Tax: How Others Do It
Over the past several weeks the City and our TDAC (ATAX committee) have be discussing the appropriate and legal use of taxes collected from accommodations often referred to as the bed tax. The City has in past years used all the funds for marketing to tourists outside of the 50-mile radius and paying the costs for services to our guests out of the City's general fund. In the 2015-16 budget, we signaled that some of the costs for making Beaufort a safer and better tourism destination would have to come out of the atax fund since the general fund was already stretched - a change in the way we have to do business. Some have argued that this is not a legal use of the funds. On the other hand, City Council has repeatedly cited other cities and counties that have historically used dollars from this fund to absorb tourism related costs. See this story about Hilton Head's use of funds as one example. BK READ MORE HERE |
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Airbnb: Another quality of life issue
As our small city grows and we hopefully continue to do an exponentially good job attracting visitors, we are likely to face some of the growing pains that other cities seem to be struggling with. When in Genoa Italy, I had the good fortune of staying in a spectacular Airbnb. That said, we did not stay with a family as the gorgeous restored building from the 1700's was a rental apartment or what might in Beaufort be called a short term rental. We had no way of knowing if the space had been "approved" and if so to what extent. Was it licensed? Inspected on a regular basis? The reality is it was likened to a luxury suite in a hotel. It was truly delightful but not what I understood Airbnb to be. READ MORE HERE |
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Nuisance flooding due to high tides likely to persist
One can argue about the causes, whether we are talking about 1, 000 year storms, 500 or even 10 year storms. The reality is that our state has been hit hard and it will not be the last time. As the lowcountry experiences more rain, flooding and when they coincide with unusually high tides, low lying areas like ours have challenges. This is not something we can fix today, but it is worth talking about. And thankfully the Beaufort Port Royal Rising Sea Level Task Force has some answers they are taking to the city's neighborhoods. BK Nuisance flooding due to high tides likely to persist
THE POST AND COURIER / BO PETERSEN
Researchers knew this year would bring more nuisance flooding from high tides. They didn't know how much more, and what they've seen so far is disconcerting. READ MORE HERE |
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Offshore Drilling At the Ballot Box
Beaufort stepped out front in opposition to offshore exploration and drilling. As I met with other Mayors, and got their support through resolutions, I never believed the issue would be embraced so quickly and passionately as it seems to have in Georgetown. Furthermore, watching municipal elections in Summerville, Mt Pleasant and Charleston, it appears that many South Carolinians are becoming more and more concerned about managing growth, something not new to Beaufort County or it's municipalities. BK
Clean Sweep for Drilling Opponents in Georgetown City Elections
For Immediate Release
The anti-drilling candidates endorsed by SODA - Stop Offshore Drilling in the Atlantic - have defeated Georgetown City Council candidates who supported drilling. |
What if Uber Comes to Beaufort
While I am not aware that UBER has come to Beaufort, I find the following letter and the response by the City Manager to be something to think about. Should UBER come to Beaufort, which I would assume is likely as the company seems to be expanding exponentially, we are going to have to ensure the public is protected. BK Message from local cab driver William:My name is William. I am a cab driver in Beaufort County , SC. I have a question concerning Uber. My question is how is Uber allowed to operate without having to pay for the licenses and insurance we as cab drivers have to pay? READ MORE HERE |
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Veteran Beaufort firefighter Reece Bertholf named new Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Chief
Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Department Chief Sammy Negron has done a wonderful job managing our joint public safety effort. I have no doubt that the new Fire Chief, Reese Bertoff, will fill Chief Negron's shoes well and take us into the future as a strong manager. BK Longtime Beaufort firefighter Capt. Reece Bertholf is the new Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Chief effective Jan. 15, 2016. READ MORE HERE |
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Many Thanks to those who worked hard on the "Conroy at 70 Festival and Special Beaufort Weekend.
The Pat Conroy at 70 Festival was planned by a trio of co-conspirators, each in her or his way a friend, a colleague, a scholar, and an admirer of Pat Conroy.
The festival's co-chairs: Jonathan Haupt, director of the University of South Carolina Press; University of South Carolina Beaufort English professor Ellen Malphrus; and Catherine Seltzer, the author of Understanding Pat Conroy and a professor of English and of Women's Studies at the University of Southern Illinois Edwardsville and many supports created a hugely successful event!
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SC Arts Education Conference Returns!
I am very excited that the SC Arts Educators are returning to Beaufort this year. They were here two years ago. Last year they presented awards to the City of Beaufort, USCB and Robb Wells of the Chamber for making the event so successful that they would be returning this year. Hopefully our guests will be shopping, eating and more generating great revenue baring activities as the 250+ teachers convene over next weekend. One of the most interesting activities will be the Saturday night iron pouring event which is open to the public. BK USCB host the South Carolina Arts Education Conference November 13th- 15thREAD MORE HERE |
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United Nations Short Film Features Gullah and the Sea Islands
If you are interested in learning more about Gullah and the Sea Islands, you may want to watch UN's short film featuring Dr Herman Blake, Chair of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Corridor Commission, and Penn Center's Victory Smalls.
WATCH HERE
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Explore Fort Freemont Through Dennis Cannady's Fabulous 3-D Diorama
This is a wonderful gift to the people of Beaufort and our visitors. Thank you Friends of Fort Fremont and Dennis Cannady. BK
The Unveiling of the awe-inspiring 3-D Diorama created by Dennis Cannady at the St. Helena Library on Wednesday, October 28th was a huge success!
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History of Beaufort
Beaufort is so fortunate to have Dr Lawrence Roland and Dr Steve Wise who have, through their steadfast commitment and tireless efforts, produced a complete history of Beaufort. Any time you have an opportunity to hear them speak or read their writings you will find it well worth your while and you will have an even better understanding of our very special community. First there was one volume, then there was volume two and finally volume three is available. I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to hear them speak and read their books. BK |
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Calling all artists to submit artwork for billboards
READ MORE HERE
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'The Great American Trailer Park Musical'
'The Great American Trailer Park Musical' comes to Port Royal this week as relatively new traveling theater company aspires to make theater accessible. The show is at 8 p.m. Nov. 6 and 7 at The Shed, 809 Paris Ave., Port Royal. Tickets are $20 with discounts for students and members of the military. Tickets are available at the door and www.brownpapertickets.com. READ MORE HERE |
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Remember & Honor the Fallen
Sponsor a Wreath
National Wreaths Across America Day
Make checks payable to:
Wreaths Across America TM
P.O. Box 392
Port Royal, SC 29935
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Get Ready for Founders' Night
The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to host and present a family-friendly grand fireworks display for our community on New Year's Eve. Make plans now to include this as part of your annual tradition. Last year's event drew more than 3,000 people to Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to enjoy live entertainment, hot chocolate, refreshments and of course, fireworks! |
United Nations Short Film Features Gullah and the Sea Islands
If you are interested in learning more about Gullah and the Sea Islands, you may want to watch UN's short film featuring Dr Herman Blake, Chair of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Corridor Commission, and Penn Center's Victory Smalls.WATCH HERE
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The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Watch is Continuing it's Brick Sales to Raise Funds for Park Improvements. Please join me in helping them move this project forward.
Pigeon Point's Parks - Commemorative Brick Sale ORDER FORM
To raise funds for landscaping and other park amenities
Purchaser's Contact Information:
Name: __________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________Email: _______________________________
We regret that requests for specific areas for placement of bricks within Pigeon Point Park cannot be honored.
Please allow up to 12 weeks for placement of brick.
To be Printed on Brick:
(limit 15 characters per line including spaces, 3 lines)
BRICK #1
BRICK #2
If ordering more than 2 bricks, please use an additional form. All may be mailed together. (NOTE: Make a copy of completed form for your records.)
Make check payable to PIGEON POINT BRICKS. $37.50 per brick.
Mail completed forms to:
Pigeon Point Bricks 2211 Pigeon Point Road
For additional forms or questions,
- e-mail: rodmanmattingly@msn.com
- or call: 843.522.8203
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