Dear God, May this island be a sacred place for those of us who live here. May those who visit feel the peace and quiet as we do.
May His light shield this island from harm so we can grow strong in this community, a place of healing away from the loudness of the world.
My Island Friend and I went to the Town Council Workshop on Monday, March 3, 2014. I gotta tell you, I was a little wary about how we would be treated this time. Would they allow us to ask questions? Would they show respect to all islanders in attendance? Would they turn up the luke-warm love?
For starters we were greeted with Pat O’Neil handing us Mardi Gras beads and candy. Wow! It’s a party! I personally did not wear my beads-- they clashed with my fur. But the candy was yummy.
First and foremost, we were treated very politely. All smiley faces looking at us and the other islanders who were present. I started feeling a little tingly all over. “Could I ask a question?” my Island Friend asked. “ Absolutely!” was Mayor Perkis’ response. And so the meeting began. We were decorated, fed, smiled at, and invited to ask any and all questions. Something tells me that they have been reading my past Whiney Coyote articles. And that, my friends, is a very good thing.
So with all this governmental love, what could I be whining about today? Read on, Interested Islander, read on.
The Agenda for this Workshop was 48 pages long. There were well over 50 items on the agenda. I assumed that each council member would say something about his/her item for discussion. That would make sense to me, and it would allow all islanders present to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what’s happening in our town. But here is the part that confounds me - 27 of the 50 items listed on the agenda were completely skipped over by Town Council. Why would that be? If items are agenda-worthy, shouldn’t they be discussion-worthy as well?
Here are some interesting facts about Monday’s Workshop:
1. Town Council has plans to significantly change Stith Park. Mary Jane Watson stated that the Volleyball Court will be removed and replaced by a very large sandbox….yep, a sandbox. (As a coyote on the prowl, I do believe that will become my new feeding spot. Bring on the cats!)
2. Council member Watson stated that 2 arborists will decide that some of the trees in the park must be removed. Please go by the park when you have a minute. Red tagged trees will be removed; green tagged trees get to stay. I have sent an email to Mrs. Watson - several actually--trying to get the names of these 2 arborists and to find out who put the tags on the trees. No luck so far, but I am determined to find out. Mrs. Watson stated at the meeting that they want to grow grass in the park. Grass….Hmmmm. Amphitheaters need grass and space. But didn't Councilmember Hartley Cooper say that the Post and Courier article about the amphitheater was incorrect, and that the reporter just "got it wrong?" Could it be that Town Council is now calling the amphitheater a “performance lawn”?
3. Did you know that the Tree Commission was not asked to participate in this tree removal project? This Council already does not use its Planning Commission, or its Design Review Board, so how silly of me to think that they would include the Tree Commission in this desecration…oops!…I mean “project”.
4. Here’s another item on the agenda that interests me greatly: General discussion by Council regarding resident outreach and communication plan. That item was one of the 27 items on the agenda that was completely skipped over by Town Council. I have an email in to Pat O’Neil to find out what that means. Any guesses?
I’ll get back to you all when these council members get back to me. In the meantime, I want you to close your eyes and pretend that you can fly. Humor me. It’s a beautiful, sunny, warm day. Up we go. Let’s fly over to the Commercial District. Smell the barbecue cooking? Okay, now let your imagination be your guide:
Look down at the Commercial District. This Town Council wants to EXPAND it - all the way down to the Post Office. New cafes, businesses, congestion, parking struggles. If this occurs, these new businesses will be “topped” with 2 story condominiums for private residential buyers.
Let’s keep flying. Look over to the left. A new school. 500 students enrolled. 450 of them are transported on to the island. Watch out for those buses! Now look to your right. There is the new Taj Mahal, aka Town Hall. Squeezed into the park that has been significantly altered. No volley ball court. Just a hot, sandy box with cat scat in it. So many of the trees have been removed. But that “performance lawn” will be a beauty, won’t it?
Let’s keep flying. Down to Station 16. Let’s catch that tail wind and soar over the PROTECTED Maritime Forest. Look down, but do so at your own peril. Your eyes might fill up with tears, and you might lose your flight path. There, in the middle of this pristine forest, is a so-called “nature path.” Plans recently posted on the Town website call for a wide wooden boardwalk that will go all the way from Station 16 to Station 18--all the way to the Lighthouse. The planned boardwalk would be wide enough for vehicles to drive on it, with cantilevered benches, and viewing decks throughout. Just imagine the paper cups, the plastic diapers, and ziplock baggies! Maybe even a Port O Potty or two.
This, my friends, will be our future on Sullivan’s Island as prescribed by this current Town Council. My question to you is simple. How many of you are aware of these destructive plans for our island? Do you think these changes will be designed for you, the resident, or for the entertainment of visitors coming on our island?
We have already been informed that our taxes are going to increase. We are now paying more for water and sewer. And now this Council is trying to sell off town-owned properties which should never, never, never have been on the table for discussion in the first place.
Has this Town Council adequately informed its citizenry of its plans? Do you think you should have a vote on these “projects”? If you had a vote, would you vote in favor of these changes? Do you feel like you are being kept in the dark? Does information like this make you angry?
I vacillate between anger and deep sadness.
The website, Sullivan’s Island Community Impact, has a huge readership. Thank you all. There are so many of us who want to preserve and protect our precious community, and we hear from you daily. The next Town elections are still a year away. But we do not have the luxury of simply waiting until May of 2015 to get involved. Let’s take back our town!
Remember, “May this island be a sacred place for those of us who live here.” Thank you, Red Wood! I would choose to be in your foxhole any day. Or maybe that would be a coyote hole. Just sayin…
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