SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 2, 2019
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Cunningham hosts town hall in Beaufort
U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
By Mike McCombs U.S. Representative Joe Cunningham (D), a freshman Congressman representing South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, held a town hall meeting Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce. Members of the public were invited to ask questions, share their priorities, and voice their concerns. Here’s a summary of the first few questions, along with Cunningham’s responses:
What is your message to law-abiding, responsible gun owners? Are you going to take our guns? You’re talking to a responsible gun owner here. I grew up around guns, I grew up with guns. I’ve got my concealed weapons permit. As far as my position, I’m not proposing confiscating any weapons. That’s not something that’s part of my platform, that’s not something I’d advance. Don’t confuse what you may see on CNN or other channels
with how I stand. I think we can have common-sense gun safety legislation. I think background checks are something we ought to exercise. I think we can have common-sense gun safety measures and also respect the second amendment at the same time. And I don’t think that guns should be falling into the hands of criminals or those that are so mentally unstable that they should not have firearms. The House of Representatives has already passed at
least two pieces of legislation that respect the second amendment and also make an effort to make our communities safer. I think when children go to school, parents ought to rest easy about them going to school, or when they go to church or they go to a movie theater. And that’s what this is all about, making people feel safe and making sure we respect the second amendment, as well. Because, like
SEE TOWN PAGE A3
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Dispute over Warsaw Island boat ramp, road erupts into class action suit, community upheaval By Mindy Lucas A few years before he died, Charles Gardner’s father, Leroy, deeded Charles the land where he now lives in a modest, red-brick house at the end of Warsaw Island Road. The oldest of five children, Gardner grew up just down the road in a three-bedroom, one-bath wooden house the children shared with parents, Leroy and Ardelle. For as far back as anyone can remember, the Gardners and the Taylors, have lived on the land and on the island, long before a road was built to the mainland. In the summers, the family would fish or row over to Dataw to pick vegetables or farm the land. In the winters they would hunt, pick oysters or butcher hogs. Nearby, roads such as Gardner Drive and Willie Gardner Road still carry the family name. Now the main road, and the only road on or off the island, Warsaw Island Road splits the land into equal halves before it turns slight-
ly to the right and winds its way toward the northeast corner of the island and the Gardners’ property which overlooks Jenkins Creek. There, the county road, which wasn’t paved until 1996, turns into a private, 30-foot dirt road that ends at a boat ramp. Despite only being a short distance from the Gardner’s home and an extended driveway that once veered off to the family’s garage, the road and boat ramp have been used for years by many in the community who rely on the access its provides to the creeks and rivers beyond. It was, and still is, considered as much a part of the road system to those who live and work on the sea islands, as the road itself. “Before the road came across to Warsaw, that was the only way people used to go to church or go shopping,” said Gardner. Before Charles took it over, Charles’ father maintained the road and ramp, often acting as an unofficial custodian of a place that
Ed Atkins shows a copy of a legal document showing ownership of the disputed parcel of land to Charles Gardner, left. Gardner says the land is his. He says he pays the taxes on it but can’t get any help regarding the current dispute with a man who appears to be homesteading on the property. Photo by Bob Sofaly. served the community as much as his own family. In fact, as far as anyone knew, the road belonged to the Gardners.
But now the road has been closed and the use of the boat ramp halted. A dispute over who actually owns the road and ramp
has erupted into a legal battle and class action lawsuit.
SEE ROAD PAGE A4
SC shellfish season set to open Saturday The 2019-2020 season for recreational harvest of shellfish (clams and oysters) in coastal waters of South Carolina will open one-half hour before official sunrise on Saturday, Sept. 28. The recreational shellfish season will remain open through May 15, 2020, unless conditions warrant extending or shortening the season. In the event of another hur-
ricane, major rain event, or pollution spill, shellfish beds may be temporarily closed by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). It is important for harvesters to check with DHEC to verify whether any closures are in effect. This information is available at 1-800285-1618 and can be viewed on the DHEC website. DHEC will use these resources and your
EAGLES VICTORIOUS
local newspaper throughout the year to announce temporary closures due to unusual rain events or spills. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources maintains State Shellfish Grounds for commercial and recreational harvesting of clams and oysters. Twenty Public Shellfish Grounds and 13 State Shellfish Grounds are managed exclusively for recreational gath-
ering. An additional 52 State Shellfish Grounds are managed for recreational and commercial harvest. All state-managed grounds are posted with boundary signs. Recreational harvesters should obtain updated Public or State Shellfish Ground maps at the beginning of each season, as areas open to
SEE SEASON PAGE A3
BEAUFORT UNDER THE BIG TOP
Shellfish season typically runs from Oct. 1 through May 15. This year, the season is opening a few days early. Photo by Erin Weeks, S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
INSIDE
BHS volleyball picks up a region victory with a sweep of Colleton County.
Zerbini Family Circus spends four days in town.
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Lowcountry Life A2 Death Notices A2 News A2 From the Front A3-4 Business A5 Sports B1
Voices Around Town Arts Food What To Do Directory
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