WEEKLY UPDATES, EVENTS AND MORE FROM MAYOR BILLY!
Wreaths Across America Ceremony - Volunteers Needed

Remember & Honor the Fallen through 
National Wreaths Across America Day  
 
On Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 12:00 pm (noon) at the Beaufort National Cemetery, wreaths will be placed on graves to honor veterans. This is open to the public and help to place the wreaths on the graves, shortly after the brief ceremony, is requested.

 For more information, contact Ron Voegeli at (843) 812-2796 

Your Weekly News & Updates
Calendar of Events 
in and around Beaufort!
On Agenda for next Tuesday's Council meeting. Come learn and let us know your thoughts.  Please!

NEWS RELEASE
City of Beaufort will consider key Carteret Street property for parking, redevelopment, expanding 'downtown'

For immediate release / Thurs. Dec 10, 2015
Contact: Bill Prokop, Beaufort City Manager, 843-525-7000

In response to one of the principal recommendations of the city's Blue Ribbon Parking Task Force, the Beaufort City Council on Dec. 15 will consider giving the city manager authority to negotiate the purchase of 1.14 acres at 500 Carteret Street to provide over 75 additional parking spaces in the downtown area.

READ FULL NEWS RELEASE HERE

Report from City Manager Bill Prokop

As I wrote several months ago, I reported that City Manager Bill Prokop provides updates on City activities at our regular council meetings.   The following is the most recent. BK

City Manager's Report to City Council  December 8, 2015

READ REPORT HERE 

I have been watching this group over the past few months and am happy to see they are making headway in their endeavor thereby bring fresh ideas to Beaufort. 

What they promote is working elsewhere and it can work here if we give it a shot. If you have the time, consider taking part in this event to learn more.  BK

NEWS RELEASE 
Local Money Talks Coalition Hosts a Dynamic Team for Local Economy Presentation that is "Running on Local"!!!

Local food. Local fuel. Local finance. All these popular new ideas can help us build a more resilient local economy, and that means an even better community in which to live.

On Monday, December 14th, from 12:00 to 2:00PM at the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) Bldg 23, 921 Ribaut Road Beaufort, SC, Local Money Talks is hosting "Running on Local," another great FREE program to move us forward in that direction.

Library News Hot Off the Press!

Check out the latest Beaufort County Library Newsletter HERE.

Link to the Newsletter Archive HERE.  
 

Advanced Technology Center

It was a happy day at Battery Creek High School and should be a happy day throughout the county as the  School District unveiled the first of what will likely be high school advanced technology centers.  The BCHS center features aeronautics, welding, culinary and agronomic components. 

I would suggest you take the time to take a tour as I believe this initiative will open up avenues to the future fall all students. BK


Arbor Day 

Every year on Arbor Day, City Landscape Designer Liza Hill organizes one or more special tree plantings in collaboration with the Garden Clubs, families who want to memorialize a lost one and school children.  The center piece of this year's celebration was the planting of a tree in the Waterfront Park.  It was planted adjacent to a tree that will soon die and have to be removed.
 
Thanks to the Garden Clubs and our school children for investing in our hometown. BK
 

Police Department at Full Force

As a feature of the  first Council meeting of the month, the city manager will introduce new employees to the City Council and the public. The first presentation was this week.
 
For the first time in several years, the police department is working at full force with all positions filled with active and competent officers.  Normally it takes as much as a year to train and prepare a new officer. We are fortunate that Chief Clancy was able to recruit veteran officers ensuring quality service more quickly and with less expense.  

Note the officers who were introduced to council on Tuesday evening:

Officer Eric Hayes, Officer Robert Fritz and Officer Brandon Zuraw

Deferred Infrastructure Maintainance

We are very fortunate to not face the misfortune and in some cases tragedy that our neighbors suffered during the recent torrential rainstorms. Beaufort had some damage at the Pigeon Point Boat Landing and at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Because our staff was quick to seize the opportunity, we will receive FEMA grants to cover the repairs. (Note the state takes a fee of 25% of the grant.) 

That said, the storms, the threat over time of sea level rise and torrential rains pose a challenge to our infrastructure. We are doing our best to stay ahead of the infrastructure curve which, of course, bares huge costs.  BK

SC floods' damage: $12 billion, economists say
State Newspaper / By Roddie Burris

READ ARTICLE HERE



The Pink Dolphin is a wonderful gift for your child or grandchild or even an adult friend!

Order your copy of The Pink Dolphin HERE.

Have you read the story of The Pink Dolphin? This enchanting tale was written by eight-year old Beaufortonian Thomas McDermott-Post after a conversation with his friend Mayor Billy about the challenges in getting a community to work together.

Order your copy today and have it in time for the holidays!
Shop Local

This is THE time of year when we can do ourselves and local merchants a huge service. Since many of our  businesses generate the lions share of their business during the holidays and it appears they are well stocked, let's give them the first shot as we gather holiday gifts.  Over the past few weeks, I have been exploring the holiday gift options they have prepared.  Like me, you may just be excited about what you find, the competitive prices and wonderful customer service at all of our businesses.

For those who worry about parking,  note that there is free two-hour parking (per vehicle) each day.  Meet me downtown and lets do some shopping! BK

EVENTS!
You may have missed the opening, but the show is still up in the lobby of the Center for the Arts.

Paul is my brother, but that is not why I am posting this announcement about a very interesting and inspiring presentation of photography.

The First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort will be holding their annual Nativity Celebration, Friday and Saturday, December 11 & 12, 10am to 3pm and Sunday, December 13, 12pm to 2pm. in the church fellowship hall located at 1201 North Street, (corner of North and Church St.). This is a beautiful display of 70+ nativities across the United States and around the world, all collected by members and friends. Made from banana leaves to oyster shells, wood to fine porcelain, and every medium in between, each one is unique in its own way. Admission FREE. Handicap accessible.



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!



Mayor Billy | City of Beaufort, SC  | Email | Website
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