Since May 2005
PRESORT STANDARD
Volume 6 Issue 11
Sullivan’s Island
Part Councilman, part ‘Ironman’
BY MEREDITH POWELL
T
here is much more to Ralph
Piening than his devotion to
his duties as a Councilman
for the City of Isle of Palms. His
personality shone from the moment
I sat down to speak to him and I
quickly discovered that he is one
of the most ambitious 53-year-old
men I have ever met.
It could have been the $575
non-refundable registration fee or
the 16 weeks of intensive training,
but I believe the real reason Ralph
persisted in the Louisville Ironman
Competition on August 29 is
because of his inner strength. He
had the urge to do what he thought
he could not do, to prove he could
succeed.
He had an initial reason to doubt
his commitment, though. How
many of us would choose to wake
up at 5 a.m. for weeks on end?
Though Ralph did not actually have
to change his diet much, how many
of us would be willing to adjust
our lifestyle for the achievement of
one day? Although Ralph is built
like a runner, his training focused
mainly on endurance. Even with
his previous marathon experience,
and even after completing a half-
Ironman, Ralph was still concerned
that he might be in over his head.
These Ironman competitions
are no joke. Competitors in the
Louisville Ironman first swam for
2.4 miles in the Ohio River, then
biked through the countryside
for 112 miles, before finishing the
race with a 26.2 mile downtown
Visit from the manatees PAGE 10
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CHARLESTON, SC
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FREE October 1, 2010
• Isle of Palms • Goat Island • Dewees Island
run. Ralph remembered being very
impressed with the preparation and
how smoothly the entire operation
went. Volunteers manned water
stations every 10 miles of the
bike portion and every mile of the
running portion of the race. There
were cops to block traffic and EMS
to help those in need.
In this particular event, there
were men and women of all ages
from all 50 states and 31 countries.
Of course, the winners were
professional athletes and finished
with a time of eight and a half hours,
but others, like Ralph, were ecstatic
to complete the race. His 14 hour
48 minute time was well below the
allotted maximum time of 17 hours,
and with 840 of the 3000 dropping
out before crossing the finish line,
Ralph was definitely pleased with
his accomplishment.
Having made some new friends,
Ralph crossed the finish line to
receive his medal and t-shirt, and
walked into the arms of his number
one supporter, cheerleader and
wife, Coby.
“It was an unbelievable
experience,” he recalled. “I can’t
even begin to describe it.” When
asked if he would consider doing
another, Ralph simply replied, “I
sure am.”
Ralph Piening lives with his wife,
Coby, on the Isle of Palms and serves
as a Town Council member. For more
information on his experience, contact
him at rbpiening@yahoo.com. Councilman Ralph Piening races toward the Louisville Ironman Triathalon
finish line.
Inside Island Eye
Hurricane cookies PAGE 12 Santee saved! PAGE 18
2 October 1, 2010
Sullivan’s Island Council – September 21
Citizen’s Comments
Jeri England, Head Librarian
at the Edgar Allan Poe Library,
thanked the town for the recent
makeover of the Edgar Allan
Poe Library. England informed
Council that Donald Henderson
has been appointed as the
new Executive Director of the
Charleston County Library
System, and informed Council
that Henderson would be
speaking at the Poe Library on
Tuesday, September 28. For
those who cannot make it to the
event, and may have questions
for the new Executive Director,
they can email Henderson at
Letusknow@ccpl.org.
Tom DeMille of the Charleston
Kitesurfing Association also
spoke before Council in regards
to the rules and regulations for
watercraft on Sullivan’s Island.
(See Charleston Kitesurfing
Association article on pg. 5)
Elections to boards and
commissions
Following an executive session,
Councilmember Jerry Kaynard
motioned that they should make
their elections for boards and
Civic
commissions which had been
deferred during the previous
meeting. Council approved and
elected the following members:
Tree Commission - Mr. Nat Rod
Jr., and Planning Commission -
John Winchester, Aussie Geer,
and Chauncey Clark.
Council member Pat O’Neil
motioned to find an appropriate
way to thank several past
employees, and other council
members stated that they
should be sure to acknowledge
the work of Dr. Robert
Thompson, Alice Paler, Leo
Fetter and Tom Hiers for their
service to the town of Sullivan’s
Island. Council approved the
motion unanimously.
Approval of CARTA
budget change
Howard Chapman, Executive
Director of CARTA, gave a
presentation to Council of the
revised FY 2011 CARTA budget
as of September 13,2010. Since
some changes were made in
the previously agreed budget,
Chapman is required to speak
before the councils of all of the
municipalities which CARTA
serves in regards to these issues.
www.islandeyenews.com
CARTA had a $1.4 million
shortfall from the proceeds of
the half cent sales tax, and a
committee was formed to look
more deeply into routing issues
and fare structure. The revised
budget cut back on expenses
by a little less than $1.5 million
and includes funds to pay back
interest and principal on a line
of credit which will keep CARTA
current with its contractor. This
is the first time that CARTA
has revised a budget and had
to come back and present the
changes to their areas of service.
Council approved the CARTA
budget changes unanimously.
Resolution authorizing
establishment of a
Managed Parking Plan
Mayor Smith read the resolution,
which basically states that it
is “the desire of the Town to
proceed with confirmation of the
economic viability of a managed
parking plan.”
“This is the first step in
determining whether it makes
sense to do managed parking,”
said Councilmember Madeleine
McGee. “We need to proceed
through a logical investigation
of the options. We need to meet
with DOT and make sure it’s
something we can do, then
look for possible vendors who
can do this, and learn from
other cities what they’re doing
and how we can implement
it." She continued, point out
that this process will need to
be followed by a request for
qualifications, a request for
proposals, then an ordinance
and a detailed business plan.
"At the very earliest, this is
something we could implement
by next summer," said McGee.
"The system must be done in
a way that reflects our island
character. We want to look
at decals, passes and online
services, and it would be
managing the parking island-
wide, as that makes the most
sense. The income generated
must completely go to improving
access. We want to do this in
a way that is visibly compatible
with our historic nature and
that has the least impact.
Also, we have to make sure the
system can be easily amended
if it does not work. Finally,
see SI Council on page 3
October 1, 2010
SI Council from page 2
we want to encourage greener
transportation.” O’Neil reiterated
that this is not a done deal
because the resolution passed.
“There’s still a lot of work and
tweaking to be done,” said
O’Neil. The resolution passed
unanimously.
Town on its way to becoming
Certified Local Government
Administrator Andy Benke stated
that the town’s application for
the Certified Local Government
program was approved, and
the next step is to have it sent
to Washington. "If they don’t
deny the town, then we become
a Certified Local Government,"
said Benke. This certification will
help the town protect historic
structures on the island.
Attorney’s Report
Town Attorney Larry Dodds put
in a request for a fee simple title
for lot 6 on 2429 Atlantic St for
the trustees of the Manigault
will. The town had originally sold
the title for the sum of $300. The
fee simple title was approved.
Planning Commission report
Hal Curry, Chair of the Planning
Commission, requested to have
a public hearing in regards to
suggestions for Overlay Districts
1 and 2. Council member Buddy
Howle motioned to approve and
Council approved unanimously.
The public hearing will be
held during the next Planning
Commission on October 13 at
6:30 p.m.
Isle of Palms
 Recycle - Wednesday, October 6 - Recycle
886-6428
www.iop.net
Tuesday, October 5
Real Property Committee
Meeting
8:30 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Personnel Committee Meeting
5:45 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Wednesday, October 6
Municipal Court
10 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Accommodations Tax
Advisory Committee
11 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Public Works Committee
Meeting
4 p.m.
1303 Palm Boulevard
Administrator’s report
Town Administrator Andy
Benke notified Council that
the town’s last DHEC rating
was “satisfactory,” which is
the highest rating given out by
SC DHEC. He also reminded
Council that the Hood Law Firm
filed a civil complaint on the
behalf of four residents, and that
the town had appointed the Hair
Law Firm to respond to this.
Since that time, the Hood Law
Firm sent the Town an amended
complaint, which we was
discussed in executive session.
Secondly, Benke informed
Council that Charleston County
will be giving a presentation
on their Urban Entitlement
Program. A public hearing on
the Urban Entitlement Program
will be held for residents of the
Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s
Island on October 19 just before
the regular council meeting at
6:00 p.m. in the Sullivan’s Island
Civic Calendar
Thurday, October 7
Livability Court
5 p.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Public Safety Committee
Meeting
5:30 p.m.
30 J.C. Long Boulevard
Tuesday, October 12
Board of Zoning Appeals
5:30 p.m.
1301 Palm Boulevard
Wednesday, October 13
Municipal Court
10 a.m.
1207 Palm Boulevard
Planning Commission
4:30 p.m.
1301 Palm Boulevard
www.islandeyenews.com
3
Town Hall. Benke also informed Lucky Dog Publishing
Council about the MS Walk, o f SC , LL C
Publisher of the Island Eye News, The
which will be held on March
Island Connection and The Folly Current.
4, 2011. The walk will involve
nearly 200 participants, and will Lynn Pierotti
pass through Sullivan’s Island publisher
to Fort Moultrie. Benke notified lynn@luckydognews.com
Council that the Weather Bug
data gathering equipment that Kristin Hackler
was housed at the Sullivan’s Fire managing editor
Station is no longer supported kristin@luckydognews.com
by Channel 5. The estimate to
Swan Richards
repair the equipment is $1,000
senior graphic designer
and the council is looking for
swan@luckydognews.com
sponsors to assist with the cost.
Ellie Smith
Ways and Means graphic designer
Committee report
Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Perkis Lori Dalton
informed Council that the town sales manager
would pick up the cost of a new 614-0901
engine for the fire and rescue lori@luckydognews.com
boat, and reimbursed the Fire
Department for the $11,000 Mary Ellen Bennett
loan. He notified Council sales
that in the Water and Sewer maryellen@luckydognews.com
Department is running about
Blake Bunch
reporter
see SI Council on page 4
Meredith Powell
reporter
Gabrielle Christensen
intern
•
Contributors
Anne Anderson
Chas. County School of the Arts
Chas. Horticultural Society
Kathleen Doherty
Dr. Lucas Cole
Dr. Bill Cromer
Geri D'Italia
IOP Exchange Club
IOPNA
IOP Rec. Dept.
Dimi Matouchev
Dr. John Nelson
Mary Pringle
Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
 of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
Sullivan's Island 843-886-NEWS
883-3198
www.sullivansisland-sc.com Submit your letters to the editor to:
info@luckydognews.com
Tuesday, October 5 Future deadlines:
October 6 for all submissions
Municipal Court
10 a.m.
1610 Middle Street The Island Eye News, a wholly owned subsid-
iary of Lucky Dog Publishing of SC LLC, is a
Tuesday, October 12 free, independent newspaper published every
two weeks and is for and about the Isle of
Municipal Court
Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Goat Island and De-
10 a.m. wees Island. Copies are mailed free of charge
1610 Middle Street to every active mailbox in our coverage area
and are also available at area businesses and
SI Bicycle Committee by subscription to non-islanders. Subscriptions
6 p.m. are $39/year for non-residents.. Contributions
1610 Middle Street of information, pictures and articles are wel-
comed and are used according to space limita-
Thurday, October 14 tions and news value and cannot be returned
except by special request. Op-ed articles and
Board of Zoning Appeals letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect
7 p.m.
the opinion of Lucky Dog News, or its writers.
1610 Middle Street
All advertising rates are listed at:
www.islandeyenews.com
under “advertising”.
4 October 1, 2010
SI Council from page 3
$48,000 better than last year,
and sixteen beach signs were
purchased at a cost of $24,000
out of $30,000 which was
allotted for beach maintenance.
Lastly, Perkis stated that a little
less than $1.3 million in CDs
would be coming through this
Thursday and would be rolled
over into one-year CDs. The old
CDs were coming in at 1.3% and
the new ones at 0.6% for the six
month CDs. The one year CDs
are 1%, “So it’s almost double,”
Perkis pointed out. He also noted
that they would have to budget
for the lawsuit; $10,000 needed
to be paid just to get the lawyer
up to speed. “Since they’ve [the
complainants] widened the scope
… we’re going to have legal bills
significantly higher than what
we budgeted for,” said Perkis,
“so we have to look into some
projects which we might not be
able to do. We could have fixed
the tennis courts just with the
first bill we paid Brady Hair.”
Town Audit report
Larry Greene performed a
financial audit on the Town of
Sullivan’s Island and passed
around the results, which were
also on Power Point slides. He
talked about the results of the
audit and gave the highlights
of the Town’s finances, noting
that the town was given an
‘unqualified opinion’ status,
which means that the town
followed all accounting rules
appropriately and that the
financial reports are an accurate
representation of the town’s
financial condition. Greene noted
that the General Fund is now at
Island Information
Sullivan’s Island
Town Hall
843-883-3198
1610 Middle St.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon-Fri
www.sullivansisland-sc.com
Police: 883-3931
(non-emergency: 883-9636)
Fire: 883-9944
Dog Laws
May 1 – September 30:
5 a.m. – 10 a.m. off leash
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. no dogs
6 p.m. – 5 a.m. on leash
October 1 – April 30:
5 a.m. – noon, off leash;
noon – 5 p.m. on leash
Beach Laws
Permits needed for bonfires,
parties and boats on beach.
No alcohol, fireworks, glass
containers, golf carts or
vehicles allowed on beach.
Litter fines up to $500.
$3.3 million, which represents
a little less than 100% of
the town’s annual operating
expenditures. He further
informed Council that the town’s
overall financial condition looks
healthy, but they may need
to improve on cash flow for
enterprise funds. Challenges
exist during the slow economy
and the impact will be felt on
future revenues and expenses.
Personnel Committee report
Councilmember Jerry Kaynard
informed Council that there
is one position available in
Maintenance and one position is
available in the Fire Department.
He also noted that the town is
on schedule to switch over to the
state employee health plan on
October 1.
Fire Committee report
Chief Anthony Stith informed
Council that Fire Prevention is
October 6, and a parade will be
Isle of Palms
Town Hall
843-886-6428
1207 Palm Boulevard
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon-Fri
www.iop.net
Police: 886-6522
Fire: 886-4410
Livability Officer: 886-8282
Dog Laws
April 1 – September 14:
5 a.m. – 8 a.m.
September 15 – March 31:
4 p.m. – 10 a.m.
Dog owners must have leash
in hand, have their dog under
voice command and must
clean up excrement.  At all
other times, dogs must be
on leash and under complete
control, even in the water.
Beach laws
No professional photography,
fireworks, vehicles, bonfires,
glass, or alcohol.
www.islandeyenews.com
held that will start at 4:30 p.m.
on Isle of Palms and end at the
Fire Station on Sullivan’s Island
around 6 p.m. There will also
be a jump castle, pizza, and
entertainment.
Real Estate report
Council member Pat O’Neil
spoke to Council about getting
more parking spaces on Middle
St. during the last meeting, and
it didn’t look like it was going to
work out to eliminate parking on
the south side of Middle street
- the beach side - and going to
angled parking on the park-side,
as the street is not wide enough.
However, they are discussing
how to recapture the space near
the fire hydrant. O’Neil also
stated that they are waiting
to get a revised quote for the
baseline survey of the old bridge
area. The surveying company
is scheduled to complete the
survey work soon, and the
Mount Pleasant Land Trust
is preparing deed restriction
agreement documents. On
Monday, October 4, Council will
discuss the final draft of the
accreted land management plan
received from Coastal Science
and Engineering.
Police Committee report
Chief Danny Howard stated that
Labor Day was a little busy,
Lawsuit impacts
Town’s budget
BY MEREDITH POWELL
The lawsuit over Sullivan’s
Island accreted land has been
gaining quite the following,
garnering both media attention
and citizen inquiry. The Town
of Sullivan’s Island is equally
as concerned with what the
lawsuit means for its future. At
the next Town Council meeting
on October 4, the public is
invited to attend and observe
the discussion about this
pressing issue.
Councilman Mike Perkis,
the Way and Means Committee
Chair and Water and Sewer
Committee Chair, clarified that
“The Town has received an
estimated $100,000 in annual
legal fees from our attorney, as
well as $25,000 to $35,000 in
Town expenses.” The expenses
for the Town, which include
hiring employees to begin
gathering specific information
from Town documents starting
in 1991 to present day, and the
legal expenses will undoubtedly
affect the overall budget for
2011.
“South Carolina law requires
a balanced budget,” Perkis
pointed out, and unfortunately,
with the added expenses
but nothing out of the ordinary
occurred. He further spoke
about electronic control devices,
and how his department has
completed training on them,
which was conducted by the
Charleston Country Sheriff’s
Department.
Ordinances
Second Reading, Ordinance
No.2010-08, An Ordinance to
Amend the Sullivan’s Island
Code of Ordinances by Adding
Chapter 27 – Franchise Fees –
Granting Consent to Application
for Franchise Fee for Cable
Service and Setting Franchise
Fee. Second reading carried.
First Reading, By Title Only,
Ordinance No. 2010-09, An
Ordinance to Amend Chapter 5,
Building Sections 5-78 and 81,
of the Ordinances for the Town
of Sullivan’s Island, relating to
flood management. First reading
carried.
First Reading, By Title Only,
Ordinance No.2010-10, An
Ordinance to Amend Chapter 20
Water Supply Section 20-7-A,
Section 20-7-B; Section 20-12-1
to Allow a Dock Only a Meter for
the Purpose of Supplying Water
Only to Those Lots with a Dock
and No Residential Structure.
First reading carried.
from the lawsuit, the Town is
forced to discuss the items in
the budget which they might
have to postpone or eliminate
altogether. There is talk of
postponing the renovations
to the tennis and basketball
courts, as well as eliminating
the Fourth of July fireworks
display. During the summers,
garbage pick-up is normally
increased to twice a week, but
may have to be bumped down
to once a week. And during
the busy times on the island,
the Town’s addition to their
police force for extra help and
protection may have to be
decreased, as well.
Even though the Town and
its residents are faced with this
dilemma, perhaps there are
options. Council will be very
pleased to hear the public’s
comments during public
hearings, which will hopefully
begin early next year.
For more information, please
attend the Town Council
meeting on October 4 at 6 p.m.
at Sullivan’s Island Town Hall or
contact Mike Perkis at 883-9388.
October 1, 2010
Keeping balance between beach boarders and bathers
C H A R L E S T O N K I T E S U R F E R S O F F E R H E L P, G U I D E L I N E S T O B E A C H V I S I T O R S
E
arlier this summer, the
Island Eye News ran
an article in response
to the growing population of
kite boarders on the island.
More specifically, the article
focused on the safety concerns
of swimmers and “kiters” alike.
Some residents, especially
those who live near the popular
launching areas, have been in
contact with Town Council in
regards to this issue and in
response to their concerns, as
well as in response to our recent
high wind and hurricane activity,
the Charleston Kitesurfing
Association sent representatives
to speak during the Sullivan’s
Island Town Council meeting on
September 21.
Tom DeMille spoke before
council about how they are
informing the kite boarding
population, as well as residents
and beach goers, about the rules
and regulations surrounding any
water-borne activity.
DeMille stated that there have
been a few situations in which
kite boarders have assisted in
the rescue of stranded people
near the sandbar area. In
one situation, he and a friend
helped rescue a man whose
windsurfer had broken nearly
a mile offshore. He also stated
that he has helped bring in a
few children who were stranded
offshore and on the sandbar.
Some beachgoers may see these
kiters as a threat to their safety,
but the truth may be quite the
opposite. It is always beneficial
to have several sets of eyes in the
water, especially in high winds
and turbulent areas.
On the Charleston
Kitesurfing Association website,
BY BLAKE BUNCH
Kiteboarding is a popular pastime on the islands, and most kiters work hard to abite by
island rules.
Chucktownkiting.org, the
association provides a segment
dedicated to the local regulations
on Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s
Island. The team also provides
pamphlets listing this pertinent
information to any kiter they
see on the beach. It is brightly
colored, and most of the locals
keep them in their kite bags.
Information on the pamphlet
and on the website includes
details such as the locations on
www.islandeyenews.com
Sullivan’s Island where kiters
can launch and when (kiters can
only launch between Stations
28 and 30 year-round, and
Stations 12 & 19 during the off
season of September – April).
One restriction, which DeMille
brought up, is that kite boarders
are not to ride within the tidal
pool at Station 28 ½, and on the
Isle of Palms you can only launch
on Station 1 or 4 between Labor
Day and Memorial Day. One
5
restriction that is upheld on both
of the islands is that kiters must
remain at least 100 yards from
the water’s edge. Kiters must
also stay at least two kite lengths
away from any swimmers within
the area.
The site also offers some
“unofficial” courtesies, which
they believe will enhance the
beach experience for all parties
concerned. This not only reiterates
most of the legal restrictions of
kite boarding on the island, but
provides this advice for beginners:
“Don’t launch on a crowded
beach if it is your first time; seek
professional instruction.”
One problem that the Town of
Sullivan’s Island, as well as the
Kitesurfing Association, share
is the issue of enforcement.
Although there have been no
reported incidents of blatant
disregard for the rules, it could
remain difficult - with no signs
posted on the beaches - to
ensure that everyone follows
these rules. Luckily, the
response from the kite boarding
community has been positive.
Most who utilize the launch
areas do it frequently, and tend
to know what to do and what
not to do around these areas.
Hopefully, this discussion
between the Charleston
Kitesurfing Association and
Sullivan’s Island Council will
help to resolve any future issues
and help maintain a happy
balance between beach visitors
and kitesurfers alike.
For more information
on kiteboarding/water
sport guideline,s go to
Chucktownkiting.org
6 October 1, 2010
There’s an overlay for that
O V E R L AY S F O R S U L L I VA N ’ S C O M M E R C I A L D I S T R I C T S
T O B E D I S C U S S E D D U R I N G O C T. 1 3 M E E T I N G
T
he Town of Sullivan’s Island’s Planning
Commission has been busy lately making
changes to the Community Commercial
District document. Planning Commission
Head, Hal Curry, and other members are
proposing a few of their ideas for changes to
Council, but there will be a public hearing on
October 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Sullivan’s Town
Hall in which citizens are invited to attend and
encouraged to share their input.
There is an overlay district being considered
for two separate areas: District 1, consisting
of the lots between Middle Street and Jasper
Boulevard from Station 22 ½ to Station 22;
and District 2, consisting of the lots between
I’On Avenue and Middle Street from Station 22
to 2019 Middle Street and 2120 Middle Street.
The overlay district would allow for new zoning
to be placed over existing zoning in these areas
and would help the Town’s specifications
in terms of all types of future construction,
designs, and uses of the land.
There are many conditions for the potential
overlay districts. According to the document,
District 1 would require “all houses to be built
in the residential portion of the overlay district
[to] be reviewed and approved by the Design
Review Board [and] there must be provisions
Civic
BY MEREDITH POWELL
for off-street parking for a minimum of two
vehicles in the residential portion of the
overlay district.” Among a few other important
requirements are the building heights, which
include a 20 percent reduction on all lot sizes,
equivalent to a maximum of 30.4 feet.
Not only are these suggestions conducive to
consistency with the south side of the same
block (half commercial and half residential),
they also provide a buffer from distractions
and noise between each section. While the
Planning Commission has seemed to address
every concern, there is still room for potential
revision from the public’s comments.
District 2’s conditions include both the
commercial construction on Middle Street
lots and the residential construction on I’On
Avenue lots. According to the document, on
Middle Street, “sidewalks must be provided and
approved by the Design Review Board whenever
commercial buildings are constructed [and]
buildings which might be constructed on the
commercial half of a lot in Overlay District #2
may have a maximum of two residential units
on the upper level.” Aside from many other
changes, some regulations will stay the same,
like “buildings which might be constructed on
the commercial half of a lot will be required
to adhere to current
zoning ordinance
regulations as
to size, setback
www.islandeyenews.sc
heights, etc.”
The I’On Avenue lots’ special condition’s list
is a little shorter. The document recommends
changes like, “Water and Sewer easements
[to] be incorporated in the final plat for split
zoned lots, to conform to requirements
outlined by the Town,” but does warn height
and building elevation for houses constructed
“will be determined later in order to achieve
consistency with commercial buildings in this
district.”
The Overlay District 2 has been created
with high hopes of fixing the current scattered
development pattern. The low-impact
commercial portion would provide advantages
to the Town and residents, like enhancing
“potential services, appearance, and tax
revenues for the Town.”
In actuality, both districts have been
designed with the community in the forefront.
These ideas are all geared toward promoting
low-impact developments and designs into an
atmosphere that everyone can appreciate.
The public hearing to discuss consultant
recommendations and the concept of an
overlay district, as well as citizens’ comments
,is scheduled for Wednesday, October 13, at
6:30 p.m. at Sullivan’s Island’s Town Hall.
The full document is available online at www.
sullivansisland-sc.com. For more information,
contact Lisa Darrow at 883-5744 or ldarrow@
sullivansisland-sc.com.
October 1, 2010
Sullivan’s Island resident runs for Lieutenant Governor
I
n a country that is consumed
with partisan politics, it is
quite difficult to break the
vicious cycle that is the political
game. Our state’s public
education system has been
near the bottom of the barrel
nationally over the last few
decades, unemployment rates
are getting higher each day and
there is a massive polarization
between political affiliations.
This obviously has had a major
effect on the way things are done
in the Lowcountry and the state
of South Carolina.
I recently spoke with
Charleston native and current
Sullivan’s Island resident Ashley
Cooper, who is running under the
Democratic Party for Lieutenant
Governor of our state. He was
raised in West Ashley, and used
to spend his summers on the
Isle of Palms. He currently lives
off Middle Street with his wife,
Hartley, their daughter Caroline
(7), and son, John (3 ½ ).
Although this is his first bid for
AN INTERVIEW WITH ASHLEY COOPER
BY BLAKE BUNCH
public office, Cooper has a very
impressive background legally
and politically. After he graduated
from Clemson, Cooper attended
the University of South Carolina
School of Law and practiced law
for several years in Greenville
before US Senator Fritz Hollings
brought him on as his staff
lawyer. Six months later, Cooper
was offered the job of Legislative
Director for the senator. “This
gave me the opportunity to travel
all over South Carolina and really
work on issues around our state,”
said Cooper. “Whether it was a
research project with Clemson
University, the Savannah River
Site in Aiken, or strengthening the
security in the Port of Charleston,
all these things allowed us to
make progress for our state.”
When asked why he decided
to venture into public office,
Cooper said, “I felt like I had a
strong enough background, but
the major thing is that, unlike
many other candidates, the day I
announced my candidacy, I said
www.islandeyenews.com
that I’m not running to serve a
party, or any ideology, I am here
to serve the state.”
Another topic of interest for
Cooper is the state’s recent
financial issues. “We lead the
nation in unemployment and
we’re at the bottom of the well in
regards to per capita income. I
just feel like we need some new
ideas in Columbia, because the
status quo is not getting things
done. Every week I try to talk to
an entrepreneur and ask them
‘Would you help me develop a
meaningful economic platform?
Will you be willing to help us
solve this problem’?”
In terms of the difficulties
of running as a Democrat in
a largely Republican-leaning
state, Cooper replied, “The
challenge has been, for me,
to reach out to Democrats,
Independents, and Republicans.
I think because I have been
someone who hasn’t seen the
importance of the party label. I
have a great group of bi-partisan
support, and that’s happening
all over the state. They see
that I’m not a career politician,
and that I’m more interested in
results rather than politics.”
Cooper also feels strongly
about our current public school
system and its low ranking
when compared to the rest of the
country. “I have been traveling to
schools, meeting with teachers,
and was just endorsed by the
SC Education Association, so I’m
very proud of that,” said Cooper.
“I don’t have any problem with
private schools, but at a time when
we’re not fully funding our public
schools, we can’t divert money
and send it to private schools.”
Another issue of concern for
7
SC Lieutenant Governor candidate and
Sullivan's Island resident, Ashley Cooper.
Cooper is the rapidly increasing
number of seniors in the state
and their future care needs.
“Today there are 600,000 seniors,
but that number is projected to
double by the end of the decade,”
said Cooper. “I think we need a 20
year strategic plan that focuses on
in-home care and transportation
issues. These things should be
affordable, and it would be my
job to make sure that our seniors
are taken care of.”
Cooper is very active in
energy law, and believes
that our coastlines should
be utilized for offshore wind
engineering. He recently talked
to the president of the GE
facility in Greenville, trying
to get the wheels in motion.
With so much offshore wind,
especially lately, this idea has
to make sense. Unfortunately,
as a state, we really haven’t
explored the alternative energy
route to its extent.
For more information about Ashley
Cooper and his candidacy for South
Carolina Lieutenant Governor, visit
www.cooperforsc.com.
8 October 1, 2010

Café Medley accomplishes a "latte" in two years

BY KRISTIN HACKLER

C
afé Medley owners Michelle and Michael
Harris are thrilled to be celebrating
their second anniversary on Sullivan's
Island. Taking up residence in a shop location
notorious for business turnover, this little
Café Medley Fall/Winter specials
Medley Mondays: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
We’re staying open just for you!
Two-fer Tuesdays
Choose two Special Menu items for $10
Wine Wednesdays
Wine Tasting from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and
10% off bottles
Take & Bake Thursdays
10% off take & bake pastas
“Float Your Boat” Fridays
$5 Adult Beer Floats & $3 Soda Floats
Sit & Sip Saturdays
$3 Wine Tastings ALL DAY
café has proven itself not only as a great place
for a cup of joe in the morning and a glass
of wine at night, it's also the unofficial local
gathering place for the island. On any given
day, one can walk by the café's spacious front
porch and spot at least one or two people to
whom they can give a wave or even stop to
share a light lunch or scoop of ice cream.
“We feel good about things,” said Michelle.
“What’s most exciting is that the coffee
business is really taking care of itself, and we
still have room to grow.”
Even though they're suffering a little from
the post-Labor Day blues, Michelle has been
happy to find that the café has a very strong
local following. year anniversary, Michelle and Drew are
“The tourists are fantastic and we get to hoping to show just how many different things
meet so many people from all over, but what’s Café Medley has to offer, and how they hope
neat is that we are starting to get regulars to expand on them in the coming years. One
from Old Village and Mount Pleasant on top idea Michelle is hoping to expand on is a fine
of our Sullivan’s Island following,” Michelle cheese plate selection to go with pre-dinner
smiled. drinks or to enjoy as an afternoon snack.
With the rapid approach of their second What is Café Medley to you? Is it your coffee
shop, your ice cream stop, your
knowledgeable wine vendor, your

A warm welcome to new IOP residents pre-dinner drink and appetizer

hangout, or a place to stop and
grab some take home pasta or a
BY KATHLEEN DOHERTY slice of homemade pie? The Harris'

T
he Welcoming Committee
of the Isle of Palms
Neighborhood Association
distributed their sixth round
of gift bags to new island
residents this past month. The
initiative gives the organization
an opportunity to welcome
new island residents and to
offer assistance in getting them
settled into their homes and the
community.
The committee was pleased
to deliver 13 welcome bags
packaged in Isle of Palms
Marina cooler bags to residents
who moved here over the
summer months. Committee
members enjoyed talking with
the new residents and getting
to know them. Some are second
homeowners who are moving
here permanently while others
left the island and are returning.Windjammer.
Many are new families with
children who are happy to find
an active and vibrant group
of neighbors. A number of
new residents inquired about
ways in which they could be
involved with the Neighborhood
Association, and subsequently
did participate in some of the
highway and beach cleanup
activities this month.
Thanks to the following island
businesses who graciously
donated discount coupons or
items for this iteration of our
welcome gift bag program:
Beach House Spa, Coconut
Joe’s, Hucks Lowcountry Table,
Island Beach Shop, Luke ‘n
Ollie’s Pizzeria, Isle of Palms
Marina, Morgan Creek Grill, Oli
Nah, Ted’s Dockside and The and son,Connor.
are hoping to learn what you think
Café Medley is to you and what you
The IOPNA appreciates their hope it will be in the future. Drop
generosity, as do our recipients. by any time to chat with Michelle
We hope our new residents or Drew. They would love to hear
make good use of the coupons from you and would also like to
“in the bag” as they get to know show you all the other things that
all IOP has to offer. Café Medley has to offer.
To celebrate two fabulous years
on Sullivan’s Island, Café Medley
will be hosting a birthday party on
Friday, November 12, from 4:30 –
7:30 p.m. The party will include
live music, a pie eating contest and
a chance to pre-order delicious
homemade pies for the upcoming
holiday season. The event is free
and all are welcome!
For more information on Café
Medley, visit cafemedley.com, check
out their Facebook page or call 793-
4055. Café Medley is located next
to High Thyme Restaurant at 2213
New residents Dawn and Chris Marquez, Middle Street, Sullivan's Island.

www.islandeyenews.sc
October 1, 2010 9

Sullivan’s Island O
n October 24, Roy contacting Karen Coste at 883-
Williams, a long-time 3310. Cost for the tour will be
island resident and author $25/per person. The tour will

Trolley Tour of the book Images of America:

Sullivan’s
Island, will
begin at 1:00 p.m. at Battery
Gadsden,
where ample
LEARN THE LEGENDS OF THE ISLAND lead a reprise parking is
of his popular available.
F R O M O N E O F H E R FAV O R I T E S O N S Sullivan’s Seating is
Island historic limited to 33
tour of homes persons, and
and buildings. if popularity
The inaugural demands, a
tour, held in second tour
2008, grew will be held at
to include an 4:00 p.m.
additional This event is
tour trip with sponsored by
many requests The Sullivan's
for a third. Islanders
A delightful speaker and Group, a grassroots organization
knowledgeable historian, Roy will whose focus is to protect open
share an intimate and accurate green spaces and to preserve
history of Sullivan’s Island from and promote the unique culture
the deck of a Charleston Trolley of Sullivan's Island. This tour is
as it winds its way through the one of many activities held by
island’s stations and streets. the Sullivan's Islanders Group
The tour will include The Coast throughout the year to enhance
Guard Station, the Poker House, the awareness of the beautiful
Atlanticville, the cannons, the ecology and fascinating history
Jr. and Sr. Officer’s Quarters, of our unique barrier island.
Porpoise Point, Brady’s Tavern, Further information about the
the Marshall Reservation, the Sullivan's Islanders Group can
Gold Bug Tree, the Wedding Cake be obtained by contacting Karen
House, and many more sites.  Coste at cscharlotte@bellsouth.
Tickets will go on sale October net, or Larry Middaugh at larry.
4, and may be purchased by middaugh@gmail.com.

www.islandeyenews.sc
10 October 1, 2010

Keeping our islands clean We're just browsing …

PROVIDED BY THE IOPNA PROVIDED BY CARROLL REALTY
Thanks to everyone who helped the Isle of Palms Neighborhood
Association (IOPNA) with this year's Adopt a Highway and Adopt a
Beach cleanups held on September 11 and 18, 2010!

Employees at Carroll Realty give some passing manatees a quick treat of fresh water.

O
n the morning of September
17, real estate agents
at Carroll Realty were
surprised to find some unusual
clients playing in the water at the
end of their dock. Two manatees,
The DeCapua family helps out with this year's Highway clean up. on a leisurely cruise through the
Sullivan’s Island Narrows, stopped

Upcoming events at by to enjoy a treat of fresh water

the Shriner Center
BY MEREDITH POWELL
On October 8 and 9, the Omar
Shrine Center is hosting several
events at their 176 Patriot’s Point
Boulevard location in Mount
Pleasant.
The main event is the Verle I.
Bohrn Smoking Pigs for Kids BBQ
Competition starting on Friday with
a “Wing Fest,” where teams will
be whipping up their best recipes
for chicken wings, with tunes
provided by a local DJ. Admission
to the event is free, but BBQ combo
dinners will be sold to the public
for just $5. The competition will
continue throughout the night to
earn one of the top five prizes on
Saturday. First place will receive
$1,000, second $700, third $500,
and fourth and fifth will receive
$200, each.
and some friendly back scratches
from Carroll Realty and Boathouse
at Breach Inlet employees.
The Omar Shrine Center Holiday
Craft Show will begin on Friday,
October 8, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
and will continue on Saturday
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be
local artists and crafters showing
and selling, and admission is free.
On Saturday morning, the
Motorcycle Poker Run will begin
at Shooter’s Bar and Grill of
Summerville on Old Trolley Road,
and after making a few stops along
the way, will ultimately end at the
Center. BBQ dinners will be sold
and the restaurant will donate its
earnings to the cause.
All proceeds will benefit the
Shrine Center and Hospitals. For
more information, contact Daryl at
303-4864 or Charles at 270-5055.

CHANGE
October 1, 2010
Ready to Run and Walk for the Child
IOP CONNECTOR BRIDGE RUN KICKS OFF ON OCTOBER 2
R
unners and walkers of
all experience levels are
invited to join in the 2010
Isle of Palms Connector Run and
Walk for the Child, a 5K/10K run
and 5K walk charity event. Now
in its 18th year supporting child
advocacy and the prevention of
child abuse in the Lowcountry,
this year’s run and walk across
the connector will take place
Saturday, October 2, beginning
at 8 a.m.
Racers may pick up their
race packets or participate in
late registration at the Isle of
Palms Exchange Club, located
PROVIDED BY THE ISLE OF PALMS RECREATION DEPARTMENT
at 201 Palm Boulevard on
Friday, October 1, from 11 a.m.
– 7 p.m. Packet pickup and late
registration will also be available
the morning of the event from
6:30 – 7:30 a.m. at the Isle of
Palms Public Safety Building.
Following the race, awards for
the 10K and 5K runs will be given
to the top three overall male and
female finishers, the top male
and female masters and grand
masters finishers, and the top
three male and female finishers
in 15 age categories.
The Isle of Palms Connector will
be closed to vehicles beginning
at 7 a.m. the morning of the
race. The event is presented
by Bi-Lo and other sponsors,
including City of Isle of Palms,
Town of Mount Pleasant, East
Cooper Medical Center, Warren
and Cindy Koontz, Waggoner
Law Firm, Appalacian Spring
Water, Clear Channel Radio
and Y102.5, The Windjammer,
Vitamin Water, Exchange Club
of Charleston, Isle of Palms
CPW, Beach House Spa, Carvel
Ice Cream, Charleston Neck
and Back, Health Source of
Mount Pleasant, Coca Cola,
Southeastern Insurance
11
Consultants, LLC and Sea
Coast Church.
The Isle of Palms Connector
Run and Walk for the Child
is organized by the Exchange
Clubs of Mount Pleasant and
the Isle of Palms, the City of Isle
of Palms and the Town of Mount
Pleasant. For more info, visit
www.IOPRun.com or call the
run’s info line at 886-8294.
12 October 1, 2010

Cookies vs. ‘canes

BY ANNE ANDERSON

H
PHOTO BY ANNE ANDERSON
arriet McLeod of Maine and unable to bake those
Dewees Island has cookies!
been baking (Go Away) Fast forward to September
Hurricane Cookies furiously 2010. Dozens of cookies have
this hurricane season! been baked, distributed and even
The cookies have their sold at the Labor Day Weekend
provenance on Dewees Island. Pig Picking on Dewees Island.
Harriet started baking them Earl threatened, softened, drifted
for the Aggie Gray ferry boat on by … Igor broiled, took a wide
captains in 1996 while helping to berth …
button up the McLeod house as Don’t ask! I can only report
hurricane warnings were issued the facts: cookies baked, cookies
and evacuations threatened. shared, hurricane goes off
That year it became apparent somewhere else. What I do know
that every time she baked these is not to question the magical
special cookies, the approaching aromas of caramel and chocolate
hurricane would veer off and wafting across windswept
avoid the Lowcountry coast. oceans. Yum!
As the years rolled on, Harriett
has doggedly made the cookies
in advance of every
Lowcountry storm ( G O A W AY )
watch or warning,
and each time HURRICANE COOKIES
the storm just …
went away; except Gourmet caramel, pecan, chocolate
once. The back chunk cookies. Messy, like a
side of Hurricane hurricane.
Floyd smacked
Powerful gris-gris against
into Dewees Island
tropical storms
while Harriet was
With secret ingredient guaranteed to Harriet McLeod shows off a recent batch of her magical (Go Away) Hurricane cookies.
vacationing in make hurricanes go away!
14 October 1, 2010
Friday, October 1
Surf Seining on Isle of Palms
Gain a new perspective on
creatures of the surf zone at
the Isle of Palms County Park.
Anchovy, pompano, kingfish,
stingray, crab, and even a squid
have shown up in our net. Pre-
registration required. 4 p.m.-5
p.m. Course # 23560. Ages 6 +. $9.
To register, call 795-4386 or visit
www.ccprc.com.
Saturday, October 2
IOPNA Oktoberfest
Free and fun! Join your Isle of
Palms neighbors for bratwurst,
knackwurst, beer, and live music
from The Knuckleheads. Sides
compliments of Acme Cantina.
6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the IOP
Exchange Club, 201 Palm Blvd.
Outdoor Movies at the Mount
Pleasant Pier
Bring the whole family to enjoy
a free movie on the great lawn
at the Mount Pleasant Memorial
Waterfront Park and Pier!  Movie
www.islandeyenews.com
begins at sundown (approx.
8:15 p.m.). For movie listings,
visit www.ccprc.com/movies or
call 795-4386.
IOP Connector Run/Walk
10K and 5K run and walk over the
Isle of Palms connector. Organized
by the Isle of Palms and Mount
Pleasant Exchange Clubs, proceeds
benefit the local prevention of
child abuse and other child-related
programs. Registration is $35. For
more info or to register, visit www.
allsportscentral.com.
MOMS Club annual Thrift Sale
This sale features toys, books,
clothing, baby equipment, bedding,
furniture and more. Entrance is $1
and all proceeds go to Camp Happy
Days. Doors open from 7 – 11 a.m,
then re-open from 12:30 – 2 p.m
for 50% off sale. National Guard
Armory, 245 Mathis Ferry Rd., Mt.
Pleasant, SC 29464. For more info,
visit www.m2msale.webs.com.
Monday, October 4
Sullivan’s Island Accreted Land
Management Plan – Final Draft
Sullivan’s Island Council will
discuss the final draft of the
accreted land management plan
today during their Committees
of Council meeting at 6 p.m.
Copies of the draft are available
online at http://sc.coastalscience.
com/2253_2010-Aug. Sullivan’s
Island Town Hall, 1610 Middle
Street.
National Fire Prevention Week
October 4 - October 9
Tuesday, October 5
East Cooper AARP meeting
This month Patricia Wolman,
a registered dietician, will be
speaking on senior nutrition. 5:30
p.m. at the East Cooper Senior
Center (Card Room) on Van Kolnitz
Road in Mount Pleasant.
I s l a nd E y e C a l e nd a r
October 1 - October 15
Morgan Creek Sunset Cruise
Every Tuesday through October
26. From 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,
enjoy a cruise on the Palmetto
Breeze with complimentary
appetizers, cash bar (beer & wine)
and live music by Rene Russell.
Cruise leaves from Morgan Creek
Grill dock promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 adults/$15 kids. For
reservations, call Aqua Safaris at
886-8133.
Mindful Manners dog classes at
Sullivan’s Island Club
Cindy Carter, owner of Mindful
Manners Dog Training, will be
offering two dog obedience classes
at Under the Bohdi Tree, 703
Yew St., West Ashley. The puppy
manners class begins at 6:30
p.m. and the basic manners class
begins at 7:30 p.m. For more info,
visit www.mindfulmanners.net or
call 906-9997.
Wednesday, October 6
Fire Prevention Festival
and Parade
Enjoy a fire engine parade from
Isle of Palms to Sullivan’s Island
starting at 4:30, followed by a
fun and educational evening at
the Sullivan’s Island Fire Dept.
starting at 6 p.m. Lots of activities,
and free pizza and refreshments
will be served.
After School Adventures -
Climbing and Crabbing
Come enjoy the afternoon climbing
and crabbing at Palmetto Islands
County Park! All needed equipment
is provided. Pre-registration
required. Ages 6 – 12. 3:30 p.m.-
6:00 p.m. Course # 23607. Fee:
$12. For more info or to register,
call 795-4386.
Thursday, October 7
2nd Annual Bubbly and Brew
From 6 - 10:30 p.m. at the Omar
Shrine Temple in Mount Pleasant,
enjoy a live and silent auction,
music from Permanent Vacation,
food from High Thyme, Home Team
BBQ, Gullah Cuisine, and Glass
Onion, as well as champagne,
cocktails and craft beers. Tickets
are $50 in advance at www.
bubblyandbrew2.bbnow.org or $60
at the door.
Friday, October 8
“The Gold Bug” children’s
presentation
A special adaptation of Poe’s
story, set on Sullivan’s Island,
will be presented at the Fort
Moultrie auditorium at 7 p.m.
$5 per child, but adults holding
tickets for Saturday’s event can
bring children on Friday at no
charge. Call 881-3780 or at www.
creativespark.org.
THAT Big Book Sale
Hosted by the Friends of the
Library at the Gaillard Auditorium,
77 Calhoun Street, downtown
Charleston. The sale will be open
to the public on Friday from 9 a.m.
– 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5
p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. –
3 p.m. All books are half price on
Sunday. For more info, visit www.
ccpl.org or call 805-6978.
30th Annual Taste of Charleston
October 8 – 10. Featuring some
of the Lowcountry’s finest,
nationally recognized chefs as well
as their creations. The event also
features an Iron Chef competition,
wine and beer classes, an
art walk and live music. For
more info, please visit www.
charlestonrestaurantassociation.
com or call (843) 577-4030.
October 1, 2010 15
Monday, October 11 adults/$15 kids. For reservations,
Saturday, October 9 Columbus Day
call Aqua Safaris at 886-8133.
Trot for Tots Run/Walk
9 a.m. with start and Tuesday, October 12 Friday, October 15
finish lines at the Mount Pleasant Laurence Beall CD release
Morgan Creek Sunset Cruise
Hospital in north Mount Pleasant at Home Team
Every Tuesday through October
at U.S. Highway 17 and Faison Laurence “Luckyman” Beall
26. From 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.,
Road, adjacent to Wando High will be appearing at Fiery Ron’s
enjoy a cruise on the Palmetto
School. Register at www.active. Home team BBQ on Sullivan’s
Breeze with complimentary
com. Early registration is $25 Island to support the release
appetizers, cash bar and live music
before October 1 and includes of his CD. Show starts at 10
by Rene Russell. Cruise leaves
a T-shirt. Late registration is p.m. For more info, visit www.
promptly at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $25
$30. For more info, visit www. hometeambbq.com.
mymountpleasanthospital.com/
trots.
Edgar Allan Poe:
Back from the Grave
Enjoy short performances of Poe’s
writings in the dark corners of
candle-lit Fort Moultrie. VIP ticket
holders will also be able to attend
“The Absinthe Affair” at the home
of one of Sullivan's Island's most
successful artists. Advanced
tickets are $30 and VIP tickets are
$55.  To purchase, call 881-3780
or visit www.creativespark.org. 
Final Shaggin’ on the Cooper
event with The Coppertones
Dance the night away under
the stars at the scenic Mount
Pleasant Pier while enjoying live
classic oldies and beach music
performed by The Coppertones.
Gates open at 7 p.m. and music
starts at 8 p.m. Call 795-4386 for
more info and to purchase tickets.
Fee: $10.
SSC-Fall Surf Expo & Joe Hiller
Longboard Classic
October 9 & 10. At the Isle of
Palms County Park. Charity
event sponsored by Charleston
Watersport. Entry deadline is
October 3. Mail entry to SSC-
ESA PO Box 740, Folly Beach,
SC 29439 or bring to any local
surf shop by closing time on
the Sunday before the contest.
www.ssc.surfesa.org
www.islandeyenews.com
16
Fixing that pain in
your rear
BY DR. BILL CROMER
I I
f there was one thing I could
tell people to do that would
help improve their spinal
alignment immediately, it would
be to tell men to take their wallets
out of their back pockets.
Over my years of practicing
chiropractic, this one suggestion
has had more long term positive
effects on guys with chronic
lower back pain than anything
else. Biomechanically, a wallet
in your back pocket becomes
a shim. A “shim” is one of the
devises in the ramp family of
simple tools. In construction, a
shim is frequently used when
installing windows in a house.
Before a window is mounted
in a wall, it needs to be level
or the window won’t work very
well. When a carpenter puts the
window frame in, he checks to
see if it is level. If it is not - say
it’s a little lower on the right -
he takes a small bit of wood and
inserts it under the right side of
the window’s frame, raising the
right side until the frame is level
and plum. This small bit of wood
used to level the window frame
is a shim.
If you have a wallet in your
right back pocket as you read
this, it is acting as a shim,
raising the right side of your
pelvis. (You’re feeling the right
side of your pelvis jacked up by
your wallet now that I pointed it
out, aren’t you? Stop wiggling
and take the dang thing out.)
Your wallet is misaligning your
pelvis when you sit on it and
your butt needs to be level.
So, how does having an askew
pelvis lead to chronic lower
back pain? In adults, the pelvis
consists of three bones: the right
and left iliac, and the sacrum.
The iliacs, or hip bones, connect
on either side of the upside-down
triangular sacrum, or tailbone.
When you sit, these three bones
widen a bit to form a kind of tripod
which supports your upper body.
If the right side of this tripod is
higher than the other two parts
of the tripod, then the trunk of
the body, or torso, resting on
the pelvis would be leaning to
the left if you were sitting arrow-
straight. The reason you don’t
lean left with a shim under your
bum is because you are a living,
breathing organism and not a
plastic, nonliving model of a
living organism.
It is the difference of between
biomechanics and static
mechanics. Static mechanics
Health
is why a thing not alive stands
erect, like a table or a house.
Biomechanics has many of
the same principles as static
mechanics, but it is complicated
by the whole “being alive” thing.
Living things can structurally
compensate and adapt to
conditions affecting them (like
un-level left leaning) for survival.
When your wallet raises the
right side of your pelvis, your
torso compensates for that left
lean by bending to the right to
keep your head in the center of
your gravity. This is called The
Righting Reflex.
What connects your head to
your pelvis? That’s right, your
spine. It is the principle support
for your torso. If the torso has to
lean to the right to compensate
for the pelvic unbalance due
to the shim of a wallet in your
back pocket, it curves the lower
part of your spine (L4 and L5) to
the right. This approximates, or
crimps, the right side of those
vertebrae which can compromise
or “pinch” the spinal nerves that
pass between the vertebrae.
When you sit a lot, this constant
right-leaning compensation
irritates the heck out of the
nerves and they let your know
they are unhappy by putting you
in a boat load of lower back pain.
So put your wallet in your
front pocket, get those vertebrae
realigned by a chiropractor (like
me) and end that chronic lower
back pain. component in your ability
Dr. Bill Cromer is a chiropractor
and co-owner of Health Quest,
a lifestyle healthcare practice
which offers chiropractic services
in your home, office or on the go.
For more info, call 971-1000 or
437-1619. between nutrition and exercise.
October 1, 2010
What runners
“kneed” to know
BY DR. LUCAS COLE
liotibial Band (ITB) syndrome
is one of the leading causes
of knee pain that plagues
runners. The main symptom
involved with ITB syndrome is
pain on the outside part of the
knee.  Some other symptoms
associated with ITB syndrome
are a stinging sensation just
above the knee joint and swelling
of the tissue on the outside of
the knee. 
The ITB is a tendon-like tissue
that runs down the outside
part of the thigh from the pelvis
and attaches just below the
knee. This band is a crucial
component of knee stability;
however, friction over the very
structure it is designed to protect
causes the painful outcomes
mentioned above. 
At home, treatment for ITB
syndrome can help alleviate
see Knee health on page 17
Figure 1
IOP Rec offers new
Personal Training sessions
BY GERI D’ITALIA
W
e all know how hard to gradually increase their
it is to make lifestyle level of intensity as they
behavioral changes, become more confident and
but we also know that the efficient in their exercise
benefits certainly outweigh performance. Additionally,
the challenges. Nutrition is each week a health topic will
and always will be the key be discussed such as creating
a heart healthy environment
to burn excessive body fat. at home and in the workplace,
However, nutrition without strategies for success, staying
a proper exercise plan will connected to your personal
only get you so far. Reshaping goals and much more. Get the
your body can be achieved by results you deserve and share
creating a healthy balance the experience; join us
now! Call the
Exploring the concepts and Isle of Palms
laws of burning fat faster will Recreation
enable you to reshape your Department to
body and burn fat faster. register.
Join us at the Isle of Palms
Recreation Center for Semi
–Private Personal Training
Sessions (SPPTS). A SPPTS
is a much smaller and more
personalized form of group
training. The participants can
workout within their initial
level of training with
specialized exercises
specifically designed
Semi-Personal Training
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
New Session: October 5 – October 28
$64 residents/$69 non-residents
 Health
approach of physical medicine.
Knee health from page 16 This is a physical condition and
some of the symptoms and in in most cases can be resolved
some cases it can even eliminate with manual therapies.
the condition.  At home treatment In our office we have found
includes: that more stubborn cases of
1. Ice on the area of ITB syndrome respond well to
inflammation and pain K-Laser® therapy, deep tissue
(usually the outside of manual therapy of the ITB and
the knee) for 20 minutes.  muscles involved, assisted
Wait an hour to repeat, if stretching, and strengthening of
needed. supporting musculature.
2. Stretching of the band Dr. Lucas Cole owns and
daily and after running operates Cole Chiropractic Clinic
(Fig. 1) for 20-30 seconds, in Mount Pleasant. Along with
performing three being a chiropractic physician,
to five reps. Go ahead and Dr. Cole is a Titleist Certified Golf
stretch both legs even if Fitness Instructor, a Certified
only one hurts. Class IV Laser Therapist, and
3. Using a foam roller as self is the treating physician for the
massage to loosen up the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour
ITB. (Fig. 2) Championship.  He can be
If your condition doesn’t reached at his office at 416-8593
resolve with the above regime, or by email at carolinagolfdoctor@
then I suggest a conservative gmail.com 

Figure 2
18 October 1, 2010

“Santee” saved from Capers Island

BY MARY PRINGLE

M
Because its posterior end was
eet the newest patient sticking out of the water and
at the South Carolina the turtle was not able to dive,
Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital. Chad and his fishing companion
“Santee” was rescued in the realized that there was a problem
interior part of Capers Island on and pulled the large, very heavy
a creek called the Santee Pass turtle into their boat. Floating, for
by Chad Ferris, a fishing boat sea turtles, is caused by a build
captain who happened to spot up of gas inside the body cavity
this sub-adult loggerhead sea and is not a sign of a normal,
turtle floating and unable to dive. healthy sea turtle. Captain
The turtle at first appeared to be Ferris called the South Carolina
well-nourished and healthy, but Department of Natural Resources
a closer look showed that it was (DNR) while giving the turtle a

PHOTOS BY BARBARA BERGWERF

covered with tiny barnacles on ride to the Isle of Palms Marina.
the soft tissue of the head, neck The SC Aquarium Sea Turtle
and flippers, as well as leaches Hospital was notified by DNR that
and other parasites; a sign that a turtle was on the way and Kelly
it was not swimming around Thorvalson, Hospital Manager,
normally. called Barbara Bergwerf and Mary
Pringle, Sea Turtle Stranding &
Salvage Network members, about
the arriving turtle. Barb and Arturo Herrera SCDNR (left), boat captain Chad Ferris and Dale help carry Santee
to shore.
Mary met the sea turtle at the
marina and began writing up the Santee, her “vitals” were taken this animal in for help.
stranding report while waiting for and appropriate medications If you see an injured or
the staff from the DNR to arrive. were started. For now, Santee dead turtle, or any hatchlings
From there, Santee was will be watched and time will tell. wandering on the beach, please
transported to the Turtle This turtle was on a downward call 697-8733 or the police non-
Hospital. On arrival, the staff and spiral and if she survives, much emergency number at 886-6522.
the Aquarium Veterinarian, Dr. of the credit will go to Chad and
Shane Boylan, were waiting for his fishing partner Dale, who
Santee awaits treatment at the SC Aquarium. their new patient. She was named took the time to call and bring

www.islandeyenews.com
October 1, 2010
A C E L E B R AT I O N O F C H A R L E S T O N ’ S TA L E N T E D S T U D E N T M U S I C I A N S
F
rom Big Band and Swing
to Latin, Jazz and Funk,
music comes alive at the
11th Annual Jump, Jive & Wail.
Several of the area’s most gifted
high school musicians will be
featured during a special night
of live music, dancing, food and
fun activities, all to benefit a
good cause: the music program
Jump, Jive & Wail!
PROVIDED BY CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
at the Charleston County School
of the Arts.
Those attending this year’s
event will be treated to such
well-known favorites as “In The
Mood” and “Tenor Madness”,
beach music and shag tunes
such as “I Love Beach Music”
and “Myrtle Beach Days”, as well
as more recent hits by Norah
www.islandeyenews.com
Jones, Carlos Santana, The
Blues Brothers and Earth Wind
and Fire, among others.
Since making its debut in
1999, Jump, Jive & Wail has
grown to attract well over 1,000
people each year. The event
features a 24-member jazz
ensemble under the direction
of Basil Kerr, high school band
19
director for Charleston County
School of the Arts. Kerr has been
recognized as one of the leading
high school band directors in the
nation. The School of the Arts
Jazz Band and its members has
established a reputation as being
among the state’s best, having
earned numerous superior and
superior plus ratings, as well as
seats in the prestigious All-State
Jazz Band.
The event will be held
Saturday, October 16, from
7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the
Charleston Visitor Center bus
shed on Meeting Street. Tickets
are $20 in advance and $25 at
the door, which includes heavy
hors d’oeuvres, drinks and great
music. All ages are welcome, and
corporate tables are available for
interested businesses.
For more information, to buy
tickets or to make a tax deductible
donation* in support of Jump,
Jive & Wail, please contact Nancy
Mackey at 819-9468 or visit our
website: www.chasoabands.com
* SOA Band Boosters is a non-
profit 501(c) 3 organization.
20 October 1, 2010

find the twins answer: 5 & 6

Eye Spy

Do you know what this is?

Connor Geddings guessed last weeks Eye Spy! it was one of the
cannons at Fort Moultrie. The first one to send in the correct
answer for the Eye Spy will receive a coupon for a free ice
cream at Café Medley on Sullivan's Island.

Kids, send your guess for this week’s Eye

Spy to: info@luckydognews.com
or call 886-NEWS. Please include your
mailing address with your submission.
October 1, 2010
Apply now for the Youth of the Month award
T
he Isle of Palms Exchange
Club announces its yearly
Student of the Month/Year
award along with the Meeks/
Sotille Scholarship application
process. Winning high school
seniors and college students
will receive up to $2000 in
scholarships. We have had
PROVIDED BY THE IOP EXCHANGE CLUB
several students who have won
scholarships for all 4 years of
their college years. To apply,
please adhere to the following
guidelines:
Meeks/Sotille Scholarship:
• Must live on the Isle of
Palms or Sullivan’s Island,
or be a descendant of a
past or present member of
the Isle of Palms Exchange
Club.
• Must demonstrate
excellence in leadership,
community service and
academics.
• Must be hard-working,
involved in the community
and school activities.
• Must demonstrate good
sportsmanship, good
citizenship, and have good
attendance in school.
• Write an essay titled
“America’s Youth and
Community Service:
Shining the Light of
www.islandeyenews.com
Volunteerism”.
• Send a resume of their
activities during high
school.
• Write a short essay on
their goals and aspirations
for the future.
Fill out the application that
will be given to the applicant and
return it by December 6, 2010.
Youth of the Month/Year:
• Same guidelines for the
Meeks/Sotille Scholarship.
Students who receive the
Youth of the Month/Year award
will be honored, along with their
parents and siblings, at a monthly
IOP Exchange Club meeting, and
will receive a monetary award
along with a plaque for their
accomplishments. The Youth
of the Year will be nominated
to the South Carolina District
Exchange Club for the Youth of
the Year competition, and if they
21
win they will be nominated to the
National Exchange Club’s Youth
of the Year competition.
Students who win the Meeks/
Sotille Scholarship award will also
be honored during a monthly IOP
Exchange Club meeting, and will
receive a monetary award which
will be determined in January.
In 2009, the IOP Exchange Club
gave four $2000 scholarships,
one $1500 scholarships, and
several smaller scholarships.
For more information and
applications, contact Elizabeth
Grantham at 884-6798 or email
cainhoy@bellsouth.net
22
Celebrating the fall season in Charleston
The next couple of months
are some of the most active
for events, both indoors and
outdoors, in the Charleston area.
The weather is beautiful and
the parties are bountiful. Get
out and enjoy the fall season in
Charleston!
>>>
Moms help moms
with charity thrift sale
T
he much anticipated bi-
annual Mom to Mom Sale
is approaching!  This cash
only sale is set for October 2 from
7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the National
Guard Armory, 245 Mathis
Ferry Road in Mount Pleasant.  locally-based organization which
The doors will flood open at 7
a.m. and close at 11 a.m., and
then reopen from 12:30 a.m. to
2 p.m. for the 50% off sale of all
remaining items.  In past years,
this event has raised an average
of $3500 for charity.
Hosted by all three Mount
Pleasant MOMS (Moms Offering
Moms Support) Clubs, which is
a network of new and tenured
stay-at-home moms who
come together in friendship to
support one another through
the journey of motherhood.
The sale features toys, books,
IOP Connector Run and Walk
for the Child
Saturday, October 2
Now in its 18th year of
supporting child advocacy and
the prevention of child abuse
in the Lowcountry, the IOP
Connector Run offers both a 10K
and 5K. Packet pickup and late
registration will also be available
the morning of the event, from
6:30 – 7:30 a.m. at the Isle of
clothing, baby equipment,
bedding, furniture and more
from 100 different consignors
and vendors at amazing prices.
All proceeds from this sale
will go to Camp Happy Days, a
provides a comprehensive,
year-round support system
for children diagnosed with
cancer and their families. For
more information about Camp
Happy Days, please visit www.
camphappydays.org.
There is a $1 admittance fee
that also goes directly to charity. 
For more information about the
sale, please visit the new Mom
to Mom Sale website at www.
m2msale.webs.com. For more
information about MOMS Club
or to get involved, please visit
www.momsclub.org.
Palms Public Safety Building.
The Isle of Palms Connector will
be closed to vehicles beginning
at 7 a.m. the morning of the
race. For more info, visit www.
IOPConnectorRun.com.
IOPNA Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 2
Free and fun! Join your Isle of
Palms neighbors for bratwurst,
knackwurst, beer, and live music
from The Knuckleheads. Sides
compliments of Acme Cantina.
6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the IOP
Exchange Club, 201 Palm Blvd.
30th Annual Taste of
Charleston
October 8 – 10
One of the “Top 20 events in
the Southeast” according to
Southeastern Tourism Society,
the 30th Annual Taste of
Charleston will feature an
Iron Chef Competition on
Friday, October 8, at 6 p.m.
at the Culinary Institute of
Charleston’s Palmer Campus in
downtown Charleston; a Taste
of the Arts on Gallery Row from
6 p.m.- 8 p.m. on Saturday
evening, October 9, at various
art galleries in downtown
Charleston; and the Taste of
Charleston main event from
10:30 a.m. -5 p.m. on Sunday,
October 1, 2010
October 10, at Boone Hall
Plantation in Mount Pleasant.
For tickets and info, visit www.
charlestonrestaurantassociation.
com. Tickets range from $12 for
the main event - $40 for a three-
day pass.
Edgar Allan Poe: Back from
the Grave
Saturday, October 9
Don’t forget to grab your tickets
to one of the most spectacular,
spooky and original interactive
theater performances of the year!
Wander the flickering, candle-lit
hallways of Fort Moultrie and
follow the sounds of thudding
hearts, scraping trowels and
spine-chilling screams to the
next performance of several
of Poe’s best works. VIP ticket
holders begin the evening at “The
Absinthe Affair” at the home of
one of Sullivan’s Island’s most
successful artists, featuring
a lavish cocktail party with
signature absinthe cocktails,
an open bar, and refreshments
provided by Poe’s Tavern. 
Advanced tickets are $30 and
VIP tickets are $55.  Tickets
will be available on site for $40
regular and $65 VIP.  Purchase
by phone at 881-3780 or on-line
at www.creativespark.org. 
October 1, 2010 23

Events at the IOP Rec

Isle of Palms Recreation Center
www.iop.net
843-886-8294
Semi - Personal Training
Tuesdays & Thursdays     Mondays   Instructor: Susan Marrett
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Personal Training in small
group setting.
Space is limited to 6 people
New session: October 5
$64 residents/ $69 non
residents
Instructor: Geri D’Italia
BY KARRIE FERRELL
$8 per class/monthly rates Club sport. Rally provides friends and family.
available intermediate step between $25 residents / $30 non
Instructor: Dale Ellison pet obedience and obedience residents
competition. Instructor: Dana Brown
Kinderpuppy $90 resident/ $95 non-resident
Halloween Carnival
6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 30 
New Session: October 18 Soccer Penalty Kick Shoot Out 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Puppy training for eight weeks Tuesday, October 5 Costume Contest at 5:30 p.m.
to five months old. Learn basic 5 p.m. Jump Castles, Face Painter,
training skills such as sit, stay Register by Monday, October 4 Halloween Candy & More
and come.   Penalty kick accuracy test. Go FREE
$90 resident/ $95 non resident one on one against Ben Hull.
Instructor: Susan Marrett FREE

Total Body Challenge – Introduction to Rally Fit Smarts – Brain Games

Morning Aerobics Mondays Thursdays          
Monday – Friday     7:30 p.m. – 9:30 a.m. –
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. 8:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m.
Different challenge everyday New New
of the week. Classes include Session: Session:
boot camp style, core workouts, October 18 October 14 –
interval training, step and Dogs must November 4
resistance training.   complete Play games to
$7 per class / Monthly rates beginner level keep your brain
available training. Rally healthy and
Instructors: Pat Boyd & Angela class is the strong. Learn
Reinhardt newest mental aerobics
American that will delight
Zumba Kennel and dazzle
Mondays & Wednesdays
6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Fun dance workout

www.islandeyenews.com
24
2 0 1 0 M I L L A G E R AT E S A N D T H E U P C O M I N G C O U N T Y W I D E TA X A S S E S S M E N T
A
s Congress debates
extending the Bush-era
tax cuts, closer to home
the Tax Man cometh.
There will be a countywide
tax assessment in 2011 for all
properties in Charleston County.
This assessment is conducted
every five years, but the scheduled
2010 assessment was postponed
for a year.
No one wants to pay the
government, but monies
generated from property taxes go
toward essential services. About
36 percent of Charleston County’s
general revenue comes from taxes
generated from the appraisal of
real property, including the land
and any improvements made
upon it.
Heading the efforts to determine
fair property value is Charleston
County Assessor, Toy Glennon.
Her office will appraise the value of
about 170,000 properties for tax
purposes. The Assessor’s Office
Financial
The Tax Man cometh
BY DR. JAMES SEARS
does not calculate or send out
tax bills, as that is the function
of the Auditor’s Office. However,
the annual certified assessment
is the basis for the ad volorem tax
calculated by the Auditor’s Office.
How may tax revenue generated
from this assessment be affected
by the economic downturn?
According to Glennon, from
2003 through 2006, property
value increased, on average, 45%
in Charleston County, essentially
remaining “flat” since 2007. Thus,
she says, whatever lost ground
in value has occurred during the
Great Recession, many property
owners will still see an increase
in assessment from 2005.
To determine the assessed
value, the Assessor’s Office
first sets an appraised value,
which is then multiplied by the
appropriate assessment ratio. For
residential properties this is 4%
or 6%, depending whether it is a
primary or secondary residence.
www.islandeyenews.com
This results in an assessed value.
The actual real estate tax owed
is calculated by multiplying the
assessed value by the millage
rate. The 2009 millage rate for
Charleston county was 181 (or
18.1 cents per dollar of assessed
value) and there is a separate
millage rate for specific tax
districts.
Thus, an Island of Palms home
with a market value of $500,000
that is a primary residence (4%)
would have an assessed value
of $20,000. The millage rate for
IOP is 22.2, resulting in a total
of 203.2 mills or 20.32 cents per
dollar of assessed value. In this
example, property tax would
amount to $4064.
The 2010 millage rates will be
announced in October.
There are three different
approaches to appraising the
value of real property: Cost
Approach (dollar amount required
to replace the existing structure
October 1, 2010
less the value of the land); Sales
Approach (comparison of similar
properties recently sold on
the open market); and Income
Approach (income generated by
the property with multipliers
used to calculate fair market
value). The most common method
used for assessment purposes of
residential property is the Sales
Approach or Comparative Market
Analysis.
Whatever approach is
used, given the interest in
the government to raise as
much revenue as possible and
the competing interest of the
property owner to pay as little
tax as possible, there can be
disagreements as to the market
value.
The first step in appealing a
property assessment is to write
a “letter of objection,” in which
the homeowner identifies the
property (preferably using the
Taxes continued on page 25
October 1, 2010 25
Within 30 days, the Assessor’s with the five-member Board of valuation, a taxpayer cannot
Taxes from page 24
office will contact the property Assessment Appeals. prevail without establishing the
Parcel ID Number), along with owner for telephone or in- While the homeowner awaits valuation that he asserts.” (p. 26)
daytime phone number and person conference at a mutually a response from the Assessor’s I provided this property owner
original signature of the owner. convenient time. At that time, an Office (which must occur within with a detailed comparative
The deadline is typically 90 days assessor will provide information 30 days) the tax bill must be paid market analysis to establish an
from receipt of the assessment, about how the specific valuation if it is due. However, if a written objective basis for his contention
but the specific date is noted was determined. The property protest or appeal extends beyond of an incorrect valuation. As
on the assessment along with owner can simply listen or December 31, the taxpayer can a result, his appraisal was
an appeal form and mailing bring supportive material to the pay a portion of the tax equal to decreased more than $150,000
requirements. conference. 80% of the protested property tax and he saved about $1600 in
Using this form is not required Glennon says that this assessment. Interest, however, property taxes—less a small
nor is there a requirement for meeting may resolve the issue, must be paid on any additional consulting fee.
detailed reasoning for appealing as the homeowner may learn that tax due or on any refunds due In the spring of next year, the
the property assessment. But, assumptions about market values after review. Assessor’s Office will be launching
the more relevant information are bad or that the assessor might The last countywide an “information campaign,” to
provided, the quicker the appeal learn that all assessed structures assessment in 2005 saw about alert property owners of the
can be decided and the more likely are no longer on the property. 150,000 notices of assessed pending countywide assessment
an appeal will be approved—or at However, if there is no resolution, value sent to property owners. and its procedures. Value
least the assessed value adjusted. the property owner may file formal Slightly less than 6% (about increases for properties assessed
At minimum, the property owner written appeal within 30 days. 8,950) filed an objection with the in 2005 cannot exceed 15%. If
simply states disagreement with Owners who remain unsatisfied Assessor’s Office, but less than the increase is subject to this cap
the assessed value. with that decision can then file half of these (2.4%) resulted in (imposed by Article 25, Chapter
a formal meeting with a county 37, Title 12 of the SC Code), the
assessor. From those who were assessment notice must include
Breac h Inlet Tide Char t denied, ultimately 250-300 both the fair market value and
Date High Tide Low Tide property owners filed with the the value as limited by the 15%
Board of Assessment Appeals. cap.
Oct. 1 1:41am/2:20pm 7:50am/8:47pm While County Assessor Glennon This cap, however, is not
Oct. 2 2:51am/3:28pm 8:58am/9:51pm has seen “more people appealing applied to any additions or
lately,” the number of successful improvements to the property, or
Oct. 3 4:00am/4:32pm 10:06am/10:51pm appeals remains low, she says. if there is a transfer of interest -
Oct. 4 5:05am/5:32pm 11:10am/11:46pm Although property assessments as in the example above - within
Oct. 5 6:05am/6:27pm 12:10pm are done every five years, they are this five-year period. Thus, a
also triggered when a property property transferred from one
Oct. 6 7:01am/7:20pm 12:38am/1:07pm is sold or title transferred, spouse to another in 2010, even
Oct. 7 7:55am/8:11pm 1:28am/2:01pm improvements made, or a for a nominal sum, would be
property subdivided. subject to unrestricted appraisal
Oct. 8 8:47am/9:01pm 2:16am/2:54pm
This year, I consulted a at present fair market value. That
Oct. 9 9:38am/9:50pm 3:04am/3:45pm Lowcountry property owner assessed value is the basis on
Oct. 10 10:29am/10:39pm 3:52am/4:37pm in the process of an appeal. which countywide assessment
His assessment, triggered by a would occur in 2011. Therefore,
Oct. 11 11:22am/11:30pm 4:41am/5:29pm change of property status, had it would be possible that the
Oct. 12 12:16pm 5:31am/6:22pm significantly increased. The homeowner could see another
new assessed value, he believed, increase in valuation of up to
Oct. 13 12:23am/1:11pm 6:24am/7:17pm
was out of line with the sales of 15%.
Oct. 14 1:19am/2:08pm neighborhood properties. But, In preparing for the
the homeowner lacked specific reassessment, property owners
data to support his case. may want to view the information
According to the South recorded on their specific property.
Hurricanes, storms etc., are NOT included in the Carolina tax law, “A taxpayer is Simply go to the County’s website
predictions. Tidal current direction changes and tide time not required to use appraisals or (www.charlestoncounty.org) and
predictions can be very different. Tide predictions are
expert witnesses in the appeals then click Property Appraisals
PREDICTIONS; they can be wrong so use common sense.
process. However, it is incumbent under GIS on the main page. The
upon a taxpayer to prove his or
Source: www.saltwatertides.com
her assertions. In questions of Taxes continued on page 27
26
Should you worry about Bond “Bubble”?
T
hese days, many investors are focused
on the volatility of the stock market.
But if you own bonds, you’re probably
looking at a different picture. In fact, bond
prices have risen so much that there’s now
talk of a possible “bubble”. If this happens —
that is, if bond prices reach unsustainable
levels and then drop sharply — how should
you respond?
Before we consider the likelihood of a
potential bubble, let’s look at just why bond
prices have risen so much. The chief cause is
falling interest rates. When market interest
rates decline, the price on existing bonds
— which may carry higher rates — will rise.
That’s because investors, seeking higher
interest payments, will be willing to pay a
“premium” to purchase those bonds. Bond
prices are also being pumped up by the huge
infusion of cash into bond-based mutual
funds spurred, in part, by investors’ concern
over the stock market’s performance.
Now, let’s return to the issue of a potential
bubble. It’s almost impossible to predict
such an event, but some factors would
seem to lessen its likelihood. Although past
performance is no guarantee of future results,
bond declines historically have been less
frequent and less severe than stock plunges.
Also, while interest rates will rise eventually,
they appear poised to stay relatively low for
BY DIMI MATOUCHEV
a while. Furthermore, as investors remain
somewhat pessimistic about the pace of the
economic recovery, they may continue to be
leery of the stock market, choosing instead to
continue putting money into bonds, thereby
helping keep prices high.
Ultimately, though, even if a bond bubble
were to occur, it wouldn’t necessarily have
a major impact on your investment success.
Here are a few things to consider:
• Hold bonds until maturity. If you
buy bonds for the income they provide,
there’s typically no need to sell them
prior to maturity. No matter what
happens to the market value of your
bonds, you will receive the same
regular interest payments. And when
your bonds mature, you’ll receive all
your principal back, unless the issuer
defaults — an unlikely event if you
purchase “investment-grade” bonds.
• Build bond ladders. You can’t always
anticipate changes in interest rates,
but you can prepare for them by
building a “ladder” of bonds of varying
maturities. When market interest rates
rise, you can reinvest the proceeds of
your maturing, short-term bonds into
the new bonds being issued at the
higher rates. And when market rates
fall, you’ll still have the higher rates
www.islandeyenews.com
October 1, 2010
of your long-term bonds working for
you. (Generally speaking, longer-term
bonds pay higher interest rates than
shorter-term bonds; this is to reward
investors for the greater risk, and
built-in inflation expectations, of the
long bonds.) Be sure to evaluate the
securities held within the ladder to
ensure they are consistent with your
investment objectives, risk tolerance
and financial circumstances.
• Diversify. Of course, you don’t want
to invest only in bonds. Try to build a
diversified portfolio based on your goals,
risk tolerance and time horizon that
could include bonds, quality stocks,
certificates of deposit, government
securities, bond funds and other
securities. Keep in mind, though, that
diversification, while helping reduce
the effects of volatility, can’t guarantee
profits or protect against loss.
Whether or not we see a bond bubble,
these moves can help you — so give them a
place in your overall investment strategy.
This article was written by Edward Jones,
located at 1505 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms, SC
29451. For more information, please call the
Edward Jones offices at 886-9229 or visit their
website at www.edwardjones.com.
October 1, 2010 27

Taxes from page 25 The overall change in these specific tax districts and the county
from 2006 through 2010 (as of 9/20/10) are show in the table below:
mapping system allows the user to identify the property by address,
owner’s name, or parcel number. These data simply show
As everyone knows, the real estate market has changed since 2005. overall trends. In order to
As a general point of reference, year-to-year change in market values determine the market value
for residential properties since 2005 are shown in the figure below. of a specific property (or to
These data are based on single family detached homes sold through support evidence of an incorrect
the Charleston Multiple Listing Service. assessed value), a fair valuation
of a specific property requires
specific comparisons of similar
properties sold recently with
adjustments made based on
differences between the comparable properties and the subject
property. This can be done through an appraisal or a comparative
market analysis.
James T. Sears (property@searspartners.com) is an Accredited
Buyer Representative, Realtor, and licensed real estate broker with
AgentOwned Realty. His consulting group, Sears & Partners, provides
real estate analysis and services on a range of real estate matters,
from residential and commercial investments in the Lowcountry and
Latin America to property management to comparative market home
analysis or second opinions on home pricing and marketing.

For all but Isle of Palms, the greatest year-to-year percentage

decline occurred from 2008 to 2009 and all communities (as well as
the county) have shown increases in the median sales price from last
year to this (as of 9/20/10). The dramatic increase in median sales
price on Seabrook Island is also noteworthy and may be, in part, due
to the $31 million worth of amenities recently added to that gated
community.

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28 October 1, 2010

Gardens for gardeners

TOUR THE GARDENS OF HISTORIC MAZYCK WRAGGBORROUGH
PROVIDED BY THE CHARLESTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

T
he Charleston Horticultural Society welcomes
gardeners and garden enthusiasts alike to
their annual fall Gardens for Gardeners Tour
on Sunday, October 3, 2010.
This year, the focus will be Charleston’s
gorgeous Garden District, also known as
Mazyck Wraggborrough. Located downtown,
the area is off the beaten path and is largely
undiscovered.  Founded in the late 1700s,
Mazyck Wraggborrough was popular for wealthy
families seeking suburban living. Nestled among
the colonial and antebellum homes is a diverse
collection of gardens and garden styles.  The tour
will visit eight to 10 private gardens, including the
acclaimed parterre at the Joseph Aiken Mansion.
The tour will begin at noon and wrap up at 4
p.m. Tickets are $45/$25 for Horticultural Society
members. Advance purchase tickets available by
calling 579-9922. Tickets the day of the event can
be purchased at Charleston Visitors Center, 375
Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 20403.
The fall Gardens for Gardeners Tour is incredibly
important to the mission and fundraising efforts of the
Charleston Horticultural Society.  Through our tour
efforts we are able to provide resources, education
and inspiration to the Lowcountry community -- an
incredibly important part of the CHS mission.
The parterre at the Joseph Aiken mansion will be included on the tour.

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