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THE LOWCOUNTRY WAS STRUCK WITH TORNADOES DURING SPRING STORMS, THE TOWN OF HILTON HEAD MOVED CLOSER TO AN ORDINANCE THAT’S BEEN A HOT TOPIC, AND A POPULAR BLUFFTON EVENT IS SET TO RETURN. HERE’S WHAT MADE NEWS DURING THE PREVIOUS MONTH:
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ALL SAINTS GARDEN TOUR
Beaufort County Council voted 11-0 to approve the funding plan and give the greenlight to the Hilton Head Island Airport Terminal Upgrade project. The estimated $55 million project will go up for construction bids in May. It will include approximately 43,000 more square feet for terminal space, three jet ways for passengers, new parking, security upgrades, a new baggage claim, a new grand hall and a four-lane passenger drop-off and pick-up area, the Town of Hilton Head said. The project should be underway by the end of the year and is estimated to be completed by mid to late 2025.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS
The first reading of the proposed Hilton Head short-term rental ordinance is on the agenda for the May 3 town council meeting. The ordinance addresses licenses, permits, fees and taxes; vehicles and parking; noise management; violations; complaint tracking and response; and trash storage and removal. Town staff recommends an annual fee be assessed for short-term rental permits.
BEAUFORT COUNTY APPROVES MILLIONS FOR EVENTS AND PARKS
Beaufort County Council unanimously approved nearly $5 million in grants to local organizations and park projects that will help with tourism and activities for visitors and residents. The approved projects include Whitehall Park Construction on Lady’s Island ($560,478); Hilton Head Island Airport Air Service Marketing ($30,000); Broad River Fishing Pier - Phase II - ($230,000); and Gullah Museum of HHI, Gullah Museum Migrant House Renovation Project, ($36,875).
The Hilton Head Island Town Council approved final reading of an ordinance that redraws the boundaries for the
island’s six Town Council wards. The new ward boundaries are effective immediately. The public can search for their ward by entering their street address into an interactive map on the Town’s website at hiltonheadislandsc.gov/redistricting. Search results will identify the resident’s ward and town council representative.
Colorado State University researchers expect an above-normal hurricane season. The forecast includes an expected 19 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).
SEA LEVEL IMPACT STUDY RECEIVES $300K GRANT
A two-year study called “Beaufort County Adapts: Sea Level Impacts Beneath Our Feet” has been funded by a grant of nearly $300,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Program Office to the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
“This study will better prepare us for what’s happening underneath our feet, below the ground, so that we can gain additional important tools for our kit to improve resiliency and combat the effects of rising sea levels,” said Rob Merchant, Planning and Zoning Director for Beaufort County.
The study will focus on small communities within Beaufort County that need targeted efforts to enhance their ability to withstand the impacts of sea-level rise on groundwater levels and underground infrastructure.
MAYFEST SET TO RETURN
Mayfest is back. The 42nd anniversary of the event, coordinated by The Rotary Club of Bluffton, returns 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 7. Bluffton Mayfest in Old Town Bluffton will feature more than 125 artists and food vendors. Admission is free. The featured artist is Kelly Logan Graham. Two stages — the main stage in Martin Family Park and a second stage on Bridge Street — will provide a variety of entertainment.
“Mayfest is the perfect way to start your summer,” Rotary Club of Bluffton president Dan Ciuffreda said.
RETURN OF THE ALL SAINTS GARDEN TOUR
The 33rd All Saints Garden Tour is set for Saturday, May 21. This self-guided tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. includes six distinctive gardens located on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton. There will be no lunch, boutique, or bake sale at All Saints Episcopal Church because of COVID concerns. Proceeds will support six local charities that support hunger, homelessness, literacy and/or aging. For more information, visit allsaintsgardentour.com or call 843-681-8333.
PREP FOR PRIMARIES
CANDIDATES FILE FOR ELECTIONS
The races are set for the Beaufort County elections. The primaries are June 14, ahead of November’s general election.
Incumbent Sheriff P.J. Tanner will be challenged by JoJo Woodward for the Republican nomination.
David Cadd and Willie Turral filed to run for the Republican nomination for auditor. Republican Heather Galvin filed for probate judge, and Republican incumbent Maria Walls filed for treasurer.
For the District 2 seat on County Council, incumbent Paul Sommerville (R) faces David Bartholomew. Marilyn Harris filed for the Democratic nomination.
For the District 4 seat, incumbent Alice Howard (R) is challenged by Josh Scallate and Ashley McElveen. In District 5, incumbent Joseph Passiment filed for the Republican seat.
In the District 6 seat on Beaufort County Council, Mike Covert and Tab Tabernik will vie in the primary for the Republican nomination to face Democrat Alphonso Small Jr.
In District 8, Republicans Paula Brown and John Zmarzly are competing for the nomination.
For District 9, incumbent Mark Lawson faces a challenge from Shellie West Hodges for the Republican nomination.
For County Council District 10, incumbent Larry McElynn filed for the Republican nomination. In District 11, incumbent Stu Rodman (R) faces a challenge from Tommy Reitz.
Statewide, Bluffton’s Lauren Martel will face Alan Wilson for the Republican nomination for state attorney general.
Republican candidate Bill Hager in District 122 will challenge Democratic state Rep. Shedron Williams. Republican Reps. Bill Herbkersman (District 118), Weston Newton (District 120) and Jeff Bradley (District 123) filed for their Statehouse seats.
Republican candidates Eric Erickson and Timothy Swain will vie for the District 121 seat. Democrat Michael Rivers Sr. is the incumbent.
For District 124, incumbent Shannon Erickson (R) and Barb Nash (D) filed to run.
For county school board, Terry Thomas (District 2), Richard Geier (District 4), Tommy Broderick (District 7) and Joshua Mathianas (District 8) filed to run.
ANDREW FARBMAN
The Lowcountry mourned the loss of Andrew Farbman, owner of Amigos Cafe Y Cantina in Bluffton, who was killed after he was struck by a car when walking on Spanish Wells Road on Easter Sunday.
A Hilton Head Island resident, Farbman, 62, was known for his business acumen and his friendly demeanor.
A devoted fan of the Grateful Dead, Farbman is remembered as a community friend who “never met a stranger.”
A GoFundMe page in support of the family featured an outpouring of love for Farbman, describing him as one of the “best human beings” anyone has ever met.
His daughter, Alexis, honored Farbman in a social media post: “He was everything that I’ve ever wanted to be and so much more,” she wrote. “He showed me what a real friend is like.”
