ARTS: Finalists named for 2021 Beaufort International Film Festival. PAGE A6
JANUARY 7–13, 2021 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
SC Officials: Vaccine for general public expected in early spring DHEC said slow rollout due to ‘logistics’ and unprecedented scale By Mindy Lucas A little more than 43,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine had been administered in South Carolina as of Sunday, Jan. 4, state health officials said in phone conference held with mem-
bers of the media earlier this week. That’s only about 38 percent of what the agency has already received in terms of available doses of the Pfizer vaccine. “Certainly our goal is to have 100 percent utilization if possible and as quickly as possible,” S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Interim Public Health Director Dr. Brannon Traxler said.
Getting shipments of the vaccine from the federal government is also taking longer than what was originally anticipatDr. Brannon ed. “It’s the first ulTraxler tra-cold vaccine we have used routinely in the United States, … so that does provide logis-
tical complexities, and we are also looking to do it on a massive scale, one that’s certainly planned for and exercised but rarely has had to be implemented,” she said. Logistics coupled with the state’s healthcare resources and ability to administer the vaccine is effecting the overall rate, but the agency was expecting to see that number increase “significantly” in the next cou-
ple of weeks. To help speed up the process, health officials are asking for everyone to “do their part” in helping to lower the spread of the virus. That includes continuing to wear masks, avoiding large gatherings or INSIDE See State Senator Tom Davis’ letter to Gov. Henry McMaster, A4
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BEAUFORT PRESERVATION MANUAL
Updating how we preserve City launches first effort in years to modernize historic preservation guidelines By Mindy Lucas For many years, the Beaufort Preservation Manual, often referred to as the Milner Manual, was considered the Bible of historic preservation in Beaufort. Part homeowners guide, part historical record documenting a city rich in architectural styles and features, the guide was, and still is, used by city staff and Historic Review Board members to evaluate projects in the historic district. But the manual, or rather its use, has been criticized in recent years by those who say it wasn’t meant to be the final word on preservation or development in the city. “It’s common knowledge that the Milner guidelines were never meant to be a Bible of how you can and can’t do it,” said Mike Sutton, who has long been involved with renovation and historic preservation in Beaufort both as the former vice chair for the Historic Review Board and Beaufort Redevelopment Commission and as the owner of a construction business. “It was meant to give guidance and best policy for how to do things,” he added. Written in 1979 with a supplement added in 1990, the guide was first contracted to provide guidance to its review board, after Beaufort earned National Historic Landmark District status. But over the years the guide has had the unintended effect of pitting developers and home builders against preservation-minded board members or activists in the community. That’s why many like Sutton, think it’s time to re-visit the manual. City leaders agree. After requesting and receiving proposals last fall, the city effectively awarded Pennsylvania-based John Milner Architects, Inc., the original authors of the guide, the contract to revise the manual in
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Beaufort County Council re-elects Chair, Vice-Chair
New County Council member Cunningham sworn in
From staff reports Beaufort County Council members re-elected Council Member Joe Passiment (District 6), as County Council Chairman on Monday.
Council Member D. Paul Sommerville (District 2), was re-elected as vice-chairman, as well. The chair and vice-chair are electJoe ed to two-year terms Passiment (2021-2022). Passiment was elected Chairman in March when former Coun-
cil Chairman Stu Rodman was pressured to resign. Rodman remains on County Council. Also on Monday, re-elected and newD. Paul Sommerville ly-elected members of Beaufort County Council were sworn in at 10 a.m., by the Honorable Marvin H. Dukes,
III, Beaufort County Master-in-Equity. New Council member Logan Cunningham (District 7) – who defeated Jody Srutek Logan Cunningham in the race for the seat of Mike Covert, who ran for state office – was sworn in.
WALK THE PLANK
SPORTS
INSIDE
“Pirates” of all ages jumped into the 59-degree water to start the new year at Port Royal’s Pirate Plunge.
See which area high school football stars made the 2020 All-Lowco Football Teams presented by Local Pie.
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Lowcountry Life A2 Legal Notice A2 News A2–4 Health A5 Arts A6 Sports A7–8
Councilmen Gerald Dawson (District 1), York Glover (District 3) and Brian Flewelling (District 5) re-affirmed their oath after their re-election. Beaufort County Council meetings are broadcast live on The County Channel at www.beaufortcountysc.gov and on Comcast Ch. 2, Hargray Chs. 9 and 113, and Spectrum Ch. 1304.
Education A8 Voices A9 Military A10–11 Directory A12 Classifieds A13 Games A13