OCTOBER 15–21, 2020 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
County Council doesn’t extend mask ordinance LOLITA HUCKABY
It’s alive! Whitehall decision heads to court
By Mike McCombs While there will still be mandatory mask requirements for commercial and public buildings in the municipalities of Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort and Port Royal, unincorporated Beaufort County’s mask ordi-
nance will end Oct. 24. The Beaufort County Council voted Monday evening not to extend its ordinance, which has been in place since July 3. The ordinance also required employees of retail establishments to wear
masks when dealing with the public. Seven of the 11 council members were in favor of extending the ordinance, but eight votes were needed for the extension to pass. Mike Covert, Brian Flewelling, Chris Hervochon and Stu Rodman
voted against the extension. Rodman, the former County Council chair, said mask policies should be dictated by individual businesses. Mike McCombs is the editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
ELECTION 2020
W
BEAUFORT hile there was much rejoicing last month when the Whitehall development plan was rejected by the Beaufort-Port Royal Municipal Planning Commission, that may be a little premature. Developers of Whitehall have filed an appeal of that decision which resulted in the denial of plans by a 4-2 vote. The majority felt like the developer had not presented a traffic plan to mitigate the increase in traffic expected to be created by the residential and commercial project. MPC members who voted against the motion to deny development plans for the 10-acre parcel warned it would be appealed. Is anyone surprised? Where the action is BEAUFORT – Absentee voting officially began Monday, Oct. 5 and county elections officials have been waving folks through the doors since then. As of Friday, the first full week of absentee voting in person at one of three county elections offices, 5,897 ballots had been cast. Another 7,283 absentee ballots have already been received in the mail. These ballots do not get opened or counted until Election Day. Election officers weren't sure how many to expect but the lines have been consistent and orderly, according to reports. Observers have reported the lines "seem" not as long in the early afternoon, but it's going to vary day-by-day, location-by-location. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 pm., Monday through Friday and on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Registered voters can go to one of three locations in the county – the Voter Registration and Election office on John Galt Road; in Bluffton at the county satellite office, 61B Ulmer Road; or on Hilton Head Island at the satellite office, 539 William Hilton Parkway. The last day for in-person
SEE COURT PAGE A3
WHO’S ON THE BALLOT?
A
A Special Local Candidates Issue
n often-used saying in politics is “all politics is local,” and no one knows that better than those listed here – in our special local candidates edition of The Island News. Many have spent a good part of their year campaigning and have already won their primaries. Others have recently ramped up their efforts as the General Election draws near. And what a year it has been. With a global pandemic to contend with, candidates have had to change the way they would normally campaign, whether it’s through virtual forums or digital “meet and greets” or drive-by events with candidates waving at a distance. So if you haven’t already voted in-person and are wondering who is on the ballot this election, use this edition as a starting point. After all, it’s your vote. Make it count. – Mindy Lucas
COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION DAY
18
Days to Nov. 3
3 Races to Watch
Among the area’s hottest races to watch this election is the City of Beaufort mayor’s race. Two self-employed businessmen, both with city council and other local government experience are vying for the mayor’s seat. How best to deal with development, work with regional partners and fund projects are at the core of their campaigns. Then there is the Beaufort City Council race. With two seats up for grabs, and six candidates, the race may come down to name recognition and who residents are most comfortable with. And last, but certainly not least, is Beaufort County’s school board race. In the past, the board has been criticized for a lack of communication with parents and teachers, and the closing of schools due to a pandemic may have exacerbated the situation, but some members say that is changing. It will be up to you to decide who will stay and who will go.
– Mindy Lucas
Meet The Candidates, Pages A8-A11
BURTON: VEHICLE FIRES ON RISE
EAGLES DOMINATE
Burton Fire responds to 2 house, 2 vehicle fires.
Beaufort overpowers May River in clash of region heavyweights.
PAGE A4
PAGE B1
INSIDE Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–5 Business A5 What's Happening A6 Health A7
Sports Outdoors Education Voices Classifieds Legals
B1–2 B3 B4–5 B6 B7 B8–11