News Briefs

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LOWCOUNTRY VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS, HILTON HEAD ADOPTED A WORKFORCE HOUSING PLAN, AND THE AREA’S SCHOOLS EARNED TOP SCORES. HERE’S WHAT MADE NEWS DURING THE PAST MONTH:

BELFAIR WEST

HILTON HEAD VOTERS ELECT NEW MAYOR

After a runoff on Nov. 22, Alan Perry was elected mayor of Hilton Head Island.

Perry defeated JoAnn Orsichak (55.9544.05 percent).

Orischak and Perry needed a run-off because of the tight Nov. 8 election, which saw Orischak defeat Perry but not receive at least 50 percent of the vote.

The voter turnout for the runoff was 27.25 percent.

Also on the island, incumbent Patsy Brison (Ward 2) and Tamara Becker (Ward 4) won. Brison topped Steve Arnold (54.89-44.75) and Becker defeated Kim Likins (54.4445.43).

NEW COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Elizabeth Hey won the District 10 Beaufort County school board seat, defeating incumbent Mel Campbell and Peter Kristian. Hey earned 38.12 percent of vote, Campbell received 26.37 percent and Kristian earned 35.07 percent. Rachel Wisnefski (District 7) and Carlton Dallas (District 8) won unopposed school board seats. In County Council races, Tab Tabernik won District 6 over Alphonso Small Jr., (67.90-31.94) and Tommy Reitz took District 11 over Cathy McClellan (65.04-34.94). Joseph Passiment (District 5), Paula Brown (District 8), Mark Lawson (District 9) and Larry McElynn (District 10) ran for unopposed County Council seats. Incumbent PJ Tanner retained his post as sheriff. He ran unopposed. Heather Galvin (probate judge), David Cadd (auditor), and Maria Walls (treasurer) ran unopposed. In Beaufort County, the voter turnout was 51 percent.

GREEN SPACE TAX APPROVED

Beaufort County voters approved a 1-percent Green Space sales tax to purchase land, conservation easements, and buy down density to slow and prevent development. The tax will begin in May. Officials estimated a penny tax will raise $100 million, with at least 40 percent coming from visitors and tourists. Exempted from the tax would be purchases of gas, medicine and groceries.

PLANS APPROVED FOR MID-ISLAND DISTRICT

Hilton Head Town Council OK’d the master plan for the proposed Mid-Island District. The Mid-Island District Plan, which includes a 103-acre property that will be a gathering place for residents and visitors, will serve as the basis for the implementation of redevelopment strategies. For more information, visit hiltonheadislandsc.gov/ midisland/.

TOWN OF HILTON HEAD AGREES TO WORKFORCE HOUSING FRAMEWORK

Hilton Head Town Council voted unanimously to adopt a Workforce Housing Framework, which includes allocating $1 million annually for workforce housing, beginning with the current fiscal year. The framework includes four pillars, with each having specific goals and strategies. The pillars include engagement and collaboration; planning; establishing a management program and policies; and providing a “consistent, sustainable, and multi-sourced revenue model for funding workforce housing initiatives and partnerships.” For more information, visit hiltonheadislandsc.gov/ workforcehousing/framework/.

SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTS NEW CHAIRPERSON

Christina Gwozdz was elected new Beaufort County Board of Education chairperson after a special called meeting. The position was vacant when the former chair, David Striebinger, passed away. She previously served as chair from 20192021. Gwozdz has represented District 9 since January 2017.

DISTRICT SCHOOLS EARN HIGH MARKS

The S.C. Department of Education and the S.C. Education Oversight Committee released the 2022 School Report Cards with ratings of Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, and Unsatisfactory. District schools at the elementary level that received an Excellent rating are Beaufort, Coosa, Okatie, and Red Cedar. Schools rated Excellent at the middle school level were H.E. McCracken and River Ridge Academy. Bluffton High School also received this top rating. A Good was earned by Bluffton Elementary, Michael C. Riley, Port Royal, Pritchardville, and River Ridge Academy. Schools rated as Good at the middle school level were Bluffton Middle and Riverview. Hilton Head Island and May River high schools were also designated with a Good rating. For more information, see the SCDE’s Report Card release at ed.sc.gov/newsroom/ news-releases/south-carolina-2022-report-cards/.

BEAUFORT COUNTY OFFERS SIGN-ON BONUS UP TO $7,500

Beaufort County Council approved sign-on and relocation bonuses for new hires in the detention center, emergency medical services department, and the sheriff’s office. The policy, effective for employees with a hiring date of Nov. 1 or later, will provide new employees with a sign-on bonus of $5,000, paid in two installments: $2,500 upon hiring and the other $2,500 after successfully completing a probationary period of employment. The policy also allows a $2,500 relocation bonus for eligible new hires. For more information, visit beaufortcountysc.gov/human-resources/index.html

RORY MCILROY WINS CJ CUP

Jasper County hosted the CJ Cup in Gillisonville, with Rory McIlroy earning the win. McIlroy closed with a 4-under 67 for a one-shot victory over Kurt Kitayama. He finished at 17-under 267, to win for the 23rd time on the PGA Tour.

HILTON HEAD HIGH WINS STATE TENNIS CROWN

Hilton Head High School’s girls won the SCHSL Class AAAA girls state tennis championship. The Seahawks defeated Greenville to claim the school’s first tennis crown since 2019. Emily Ruckno won the individual Class 4A/5A championship.

BELFAIR’S WEST COURSE REOPENS

The West Course at Belfair recently reopened following a $5.8 million, five-month golf course renovation. The project included a new irrigation system, re-grassing of greens, bunker renovations, as well as other projects to improve the award-winning course’s playability and aesthetics.