OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2019 WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
ELECTION DAY
Port Royal holds candidates forum for town council and mayor’s races
MIKE MCCOMBS
Vote ‘Yes” for school bond referendum
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hen Beaufort County voters go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5 – I say when hopefully, rather than if – they will be presented with two questions, the second dependent on the approval of the first. These are the Beaufort County School District’s bond referendum questions. The bond would give the school district the authority to borrow money for capitol projects, including but not limited to building, expanding and renovating schools. The first question asks for the authority to borrow $290 million for district-wide safety and security upgrades, technology infrastructure upgrades district-wide, classroom additions at River Ridge Academy and May River High School, a replacement building at Robert Smalls International Academy, renovations at Beaufort Elementary and renovations and additions at Hilton Head Island Middle School and Battery Creek High School. The second question,
SEE VOTE PAGE A5
By Mindy Lucas Candidates vying for spots on Port Royal’s town council and for the mayor’s job fielded questions on everything from speeding on Ribaut Road to the future of the town’s shrimp docks at a forum held in Port Royal on Monday, Oct. 21. Hosted by the Beaufort League of Women Voters, the forum drew about 60 people to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on 11th Street, where candidates answered questions that were emailed in advance. Three candidates – incumbents Jerry Ashmore and Robert Landrum, along with newcomer Kevin Phillips – are running for two open seats on town council, while Joe Devito is challenging Mayor Pro-Temp Mary Beth Gray-Heyward. Gray-Heyward was unable to attend Monday night’s forum due to a conflict in her schedule, according to the league. Candidates were given five minutes to introduce themselves and say what, they believe, are the key issues facing Port Royal.
cling, affordable housing and the preservation of the local environment, he said.
Time restraints were strictly enforced by the League of Women Voters during the Port Royal Town Council candidate’s forum Monday night. Here, a volunteer with the LWV holds up a STOP sign at which each candidate must stop speaking even if in mid-sentence. Photos by Bob Sofaly. example for his kids. He serves on the Northern Beaufort County Regional Plan Implementation Committee and as vice chair of Port Royal’s emergency planning committee. The shrimp docks are important to Port Royal Jerry and the need Ashmore to promote smart growth is another important issue, he said. “The two key words for me are parking and traffic,” he
Jerry Ashmore Ashmore, a 19-year employee of The Greenery, said he is running because he wants to give back to the community and set a good
said. “We have to keep our eye on that.” The town’s budget is also something council members need to be judicious with, and the need to be “forward thinking” when it comes to the town’s comprehensive plan coming up in 2020. Robert Landrum A USC Beaufort history professor, Landrum said the four themes that describe his service are an environmental sensibility, an advocacy of smart growth, the effective use of his seat to serve the
needs of citizens and a miserly steward of tax money. “I’ve been a parsimonious steward of your money,” he added. Landrum wants to preRobert serve the arLandrum ea’s quality of life and the things that visitors come to the Lowcountry for since it is the basis of our economy, he said. The council’s job is to pay careful attention to traffic, parking, sewer, trash, recy-
Kevin Phillips Phillips, an attorney, said he was drawn to the practice of law for the opportunity it provided in helping people every day. He serves on the board of the YMCA and also Kevin works for the Phillips South Carolina victim’s assistance network, a nonprofit which provides free legal services to victims of violent crime. “I believe in service and have dedicated my career to it and dedicate my free time to it,” he said. Issues that are key to him include responsible growth, quality of life, traffic and sidewalks, or expanding the town’s walkable area. Joe Devito A retired utility manager for BJWSA, Devito has 20 years of experience with Port Royal’s Joe p l a n n i n g Devito commission among other area planning and development boards.
SEE RACE PAGE A5
Friends of Beaufort County Library sale set for weekend It’s all about recycling and the love of libraries. The annual fall Friends of the Beaufort County Library book sale is this weekend – Friday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 3 – offering thousands of used books with sale proceeds going to support the Scott Street, St. Helena and Lobeco libraries. The books come from donations given to the Friends throughout the year by individuals wishing to see their books passed on to others. The sale takes place in the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and runs from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Fri-
WANT TO GO What: Friends of the Beaufort County Library book sale When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Where: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park Cost: Free For more information: FriendsoftheBeaufortLibrary.com
day; 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday. A special opening for Friends of the Library members only takes place from 9 until 11 a.m. Individuals can join the
organization at the gate for $25. “Times may be challenging but individuals are still donating books to the Friends library sale so that we can pass the bargain of a good book along to others,” said Deb Chevas, cochair of the organization’s book sale committee. The sale will include not only books from a variety of topics but music, movies and children’s books as well. There is also a silent auction area as well as tables for “rare and collectibles.” The city of Beaufort is a co-sponsor of the sale. For more information, go to FriendsoftheBeaufortLibrary.com.
Left: Three-year-old Lillian Veronecherard seems to show an interest in John MacDonald’s mystery novel “A Tan and Sandy Silence” during 2018’s Friends of Beaufort Library book sale at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Lillian thumbed through a few pages and returned the book, according to her mother Katie. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
WOOING POTENTIAL PARENTS
STATE CHAMPS Beaufort Memorial to offer Birthing Center tours, car seat safety check.
BA volleyball claims the SCISA Class 1A title.
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INSIDE Lowcountry Life A2 News A2-4 From the Front A5 Health A6 Voices A7 First Friday B1
Schools B2 Sports B2 Around Town B3-4 Legal Notices B3 Home Finder B5 Classifieds B7
ABLE FOUNDATION'S 3rd ANNUAL FALL BAZAAR KID ZONE ARTS & CRAFTS RUMMAGE SALE RAFFLES Want to join the DSN team? Look for our booth!
Fun for the entire family! BEAUFORT COUNTY
NOV 2
9
AM
to
3
PM
rain or shine
DISABILITIES & SPECIAL NEEDS 100 CLEAR WATER WAY OFF CASTLE ROCK ROAD
ACROSS FROM RECYCLE CENTER
Entertainment ‘Tux’ the Clown Aunt Pearlie Sue Fellowship Concert Choir Line Dancing by Lynn The Tin Cup Band
Pony Rides for the Kids