Local governmental agencies: Who does what?

By Lisa Sulka CONTRIBUTOR

There is a famous quote, “Do what you can, with what you got, where you are.” This sums up the role of each local governmental agency. The challenge for newcomers to Bluffton is figuring out which agency has responsibility or jurisdiction over each what component of your life. Understanding the role and the parameters of each government agency can be confusing, espec local government. the Town to have ownership. If a road or highway travels in the Town but also in the unincorporated parts of Beaufort County, jurisdiction must belong to the Beaufort County or the state (SC Department of Transportation.)

The Town of Bluffton Government is a limited services one and is responsible for the growth management (i.e., development plans, permits, master plans, etc.), natural resources protection, community events, public parks and open space and public projects (i.e., streetscapes, parks, sanitary sewer for communities which aren’t in a planned neighborhood) and economic development within the town limits, as well as our amazing Bluffton Police Department.

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Mark ially if a residents compares it to the local government from which he or she came. Just like families, each local government has a different way of “parenting” the community and depending on the resources and needs of that communities, those roles and parameters are different with each

In most cases, the Town has a voice, not a vote when it comes to decisions made by other governmental agencies. Town leaders feel it is among their responsibilities to represent their residents to other agencies when they are making decisions which may affect Bluffton residents. For example, which agency is responsible for what roads is a frequent point of confusion. The Town only “owns” about a dozen roads, most of them in the Historic District. The rule is a road must begin and end within the Town limits, for

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor

Bluffton Pharmacy provides Superhero care to its customers. They represent and continue to provide that personal smalltown care to all of their customers. Rob Vaughn is now the owner and as always with Bluffton Pharmacy, another Super-Hero has arrived. I went rushing off to California to meet our first grandchild and stayed for many months to help out, the last thing on my mind was medication. I was nearly out and I called Rob, and to the rescue he mailed my refills to me in California. And we think Amazon is special? Now in our lives we are battling cancer! The side effects from the infusions make it really tough! After checking with family physicians, a pulmonologist and receiving good news about his lungs, his coughing continues. In fact, for his age, my husband would be in great shape if he didn’t have cancer! But the coughing continued and was wiping him out everyday. So, who do I turn to for help, Rob Vaughn at Bluffton Pharmacy. He of course knows the drugs that could help but because of the infusions he calls the doctor treating his cancer. That afternoon, the cancer treatment center sent us to the emergency room. He had developed pulmonitis, one of the side effects from the infusions which could be deadly. In my mind, Rob Vaughn may have saved his life. My level of concern was obvious to him because he knows me, like a small town pharmacist. I’m extremely loyal to Bluffton Pharmacy, and discard the automatic refill programs my insurance companies try to force me to use, because they won’t be there to help me on Christmas Day!

While local agencies continuously work together to provide the best decisions for the community, the Town does not have authority for final decisions for major roads, streets, highways,or parkways (i.e., Beaufort County or SC DOT), schools (Beaufort County School District), water and sewer service (Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority), fire fighting service (Bluffton Township Fire District) or youth sports leagues (Beaufort County Parks & Leisure Services.)

Town staff members are available to help you navigate you to the correct agency for any specific concerns or issues. You can reach Town Hall at 843.706.4500.

Elizabeth Henry Bluffton, SC 29910

Editorial Policy

The Bluffton Sun welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be no longer than 250 words and must include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Email letters to editor@ hargray.com.