Since May 2005
PRESORT STANDARD
Volume 5 Issue 15
Sullivan’s Island
Celebrating Vets at SIES Remembering Fort Moultrie
F I
iling in one by one, students
from kindergarten to fifth
grade went out of their way
to wave or stop and say “thank
you” to the men in uniform resting
next to the stage in the Sullivan’s
Island Elementary cafeteria. It
was 1:30pm on November 11,
and the entire student body of
SIES was on hand to celebrate
Veteran’s Day with several local
veterans and a pair of very special
video guests.
The celebration kicked off
with a recitation of the Pledge of
Allegiance, followed by a beautiful
performance of The Star Spangled
Banner led by student body
president, Mackenzie Fowler.
The students then watched a
video created by the Veterans
Day National Committee called
“Honoring All Who Served”,
which was quickly followed by
a series of short speeches from
some of the Charleston area’s
most renowned veterans.
Captain (Ret.) Ned Forney
of the United States Marine
Corps, currently the Director
of Education at Patriots Point,
asked the students about the
word “service” and what it means
to help other people. “When men
and women go into the service,
they have to make sacrifices,”
said Forney. “But they are
protecting the greatest thing
we have in America. And what’s
Wando wins page 5
FREE
• Isle of Palms
Veteran's Day 2009
that?” He asked. The student body
shouted in response, “Freedom!”
Forney smiled and applauded
the students, reminding them
to thank soldiers for serving our
Country.
Captain Bill Walsh of the
United States Air Force Reserve,
315th Airlift Wing, and Chief
Meteorologist for Live 5 News,
engaged the students with tales
of his travels. Walsh described
how he helps to fly C-17s all
around the world to assist the
see SIES Veterans on page 10
Inside Island Eye
Island school page 5
US POSTAGE PAID
CHARLESTON, SC
PERMIT NO 437
November 27, 2009
• Goat Island • Dewees Island
'
t was a traditional family the Army servicing 155 millimeter
gathering on Sullivan’s Island. guns used to shoot 95 pound
Streamers hung from the projectiles more than 25 miles
doorway and laughter could be out to sea, Winter spent his tour
heard coming from the porch as of duty at coastal posts, starting
children’s feet thrummed across at Camp Pendleton in eastern
the bowed wooden stairs of the Virginia. His time at Fort Moultrie,
elegant old beach house. In the he said, was enjoyable.
sunroom, kids and grandkids “There was a bowling alley
slowly settled down into on one end of the island,” he
comfortable chairs to listen to explained, “and occasionally we
Grandpa Winter, who on his 90th would go down there and bowl,
birthday took a few moments to though the bowling balls weren’t
share the story of the time he was like they are today.” He made a
stationed at Fort Moultrie.
see Veterans on page 10
“Why did you decide to join the
Army?” asked his granddaughter,
Nyna Fabrizio, reading from a
list of “Questions for Poppa”
which she had carefully typed
out beforehand. “They drafted
me,” Winter smiled. “That’s a
pretty good reason.”
“What was your favorite part
of being in the Army?” she asked.
“Going overseas,” he answered.
“It was quite an experience.”
In fact, Winter spent several
months in New Caldonia, an
island west of Australia and
north of New Zealand and
mainly populated by its original
inhabitants, the Melanesian
Kanak, though it was settled
by France almost seventy years
before Winter arrived. Because Harold Winters returns to Fort Moultrie 53
of his skills as a mechanic in years after being stationed there.
Bridge closing specials page 22
2 November 27, 2009
IOP City Council – November 17, 2009
The Council welcomed new
council members Sandy Stone
and Douglas Thomas, and
Council member Dee Taylor
thanked them both for attending
his and Council member Carol
Rice’s last meeting.
Citizens’ comments
Former Mayor Clay Cable
addressed the Council in regards
to the new Consolidated 911
System. “When they established
the 911 system, we took the
option of having a dispatcher for
our two islands and the benefit
was that when a call came in, if
some old cuss like me dropped
the phone, they could find me,”
said Cable. “Recently, I woke
up with a high heart rate and
the new system did not have my
location, and they had to ask
me for all of my information.
The ambulance showed up, but
no firemen. They had sent the
firemen to the wrong address.
I don’t know who’s watching
that, but we need to be aware of
these things.” Mayor Cronin said
that they would look into what
happened.
Former Mayor Mike Sottile also
spoke, thanking both Dee Taylor
and Carol Rice for their years
of service on the Isle of Palms
Council. “It’s been a year since
I sat in these chambers, but I’m
here to thank two members of
this Council who served with
me for many, many years,” said
Sottile. “Without your leadership,
Carol, we wouldn’t have this
state-of-the-art Recreation
facility. And I never will forget
standing in Dee’s business in
1992 and trying to talk him into
running for Council. He did and
he’s been here ever since. His
leadership in Ways and Means
helped us to do what we needed
to do financially and because
of him, we have the wonderful
resources we have on the island
and I thank him from the bottom
of my heart. Both of you are a
great credit to the City of the Isle
of Palms.”
Special presentations to Carol
Rice and Dee Taylor
Mayor Cronin presented a framed
proclamation to Carol Rice, which
lists all of Rice’s accomplishments
during her eight years on
Council and concludes that the
City of Isle of Palms is grateful
for her service. The audience
gave a standing ovation. Chief
Buckhannon also presented
a parting gift to Rice of a “Get
out of Jail Free” card. The fine
print points out that it expires
December 31, 2009, and is not
valid on the Isle of Palms. Carol
Rice thanked everyone and noted
that public service is worthwhile.
“I really enjoyed it and I’ll miss
everyone,” she smiled.
Cronin then presented a
www.islandeyenews.com
proclamation to Dee Taylor,
listing his accomplishments
over the past 16 years, and
concluding that Dee Taylor
has been a Councilman of the
highest caliber, and that the City
of Isle of Palms is grateful for
his service. The audience gave a
standing ovation followed by the
Mayor presenting Taylor with a
large jar of jellybeans with the
inscription “A paperless tool, from
the City of Isle of Palms to the
Best Bean Counter Ever”. “Now
I’m speechless,” laughed Taylor.
He noted that in his 16 years of
service, he has served with 25
different Council members and,
jokingly, 1 ½ attorneys. “I just
want to thank everyone here and
my family,” he smiled.
Lastly, Cronin remarked that
he is asking for a sculpture to
be placed on the Front Beach to
be dedicated to the citizens who
have served on the City Council,
and would like to put both Carol
and Dee’s name on it once they’re
able to fund it.
Ways and Means
Council member Dee Taylor
reported that the Ways and
Means Committee met a few
hours before the day’s Council
meeting. Taylor read through
two items, both of which were
requested by Public Works
and both of which had been
approved by Ways and Means.
The requests were for $26,179.80
to be awarded to Godwin Pumps
for three pumps to pump storm
water from drainage areas during
excessive rain, and for an award
of contract to Jones Ford for
the purchase of a four wheel
drive Ford F150 in the amount
of $20,962 (not including sales
tax and the installation of rhino
bed lining) to replace a two wheel
drive truck. Both items were
budgeted and both costs came in
under budget. Both items were
approved unanimously.
Public Safety
Buckhannon noted that work
is still being done on the new
Public Safety building. One of
the primary concerns has been
the heating and air-conditioning
system. Testing has been done,
said Buckhannon, and it was
found that the system was not
receiving proper power. The
necessary adjustments have
been made and other detail items
on the punch list are still being
completed.
Requests for proposals are in for
the Civil Engineering project on
41st Avenue and Palm Blvd.. The
City received a broad range of
prices and Administrator Tucker
theorized that the more expensive
bids were from bidders treating
the intersection as a roundabout.
IOP Council continued on page 9
November 27, 2009
Sullivan’s Island Town Council
The Sullivan’s Island Town
Council held their regular
meeting on November 17 at
6pm. That meeting was preceded
by a public hearing at 5:45pm
regarding a proposed “Annual
Action Plan” by Charleston
County that was apparently
presented this past spring and
included the request of over $3
million in federal funds by the
County for various projects.
Accreted Land lockdown
After realizing the huge draw
which the Accreted Land
meetings are going to have,
the Council considered the
laborious task of hearing public
comments. The most recent
meeting which was scheduled
for November 10 had to be
cancelled and rescheduled
because so many concerned
Letter to the Editor...
A closer look at IOP rental facts
Dear Editor,
The recent article entitled “Isle
of Palms Rental facts” was
encouraging in that it is a good
sign that our city is making
an effort to collect and track
data related to short-term
rentals on the island. Having
this data at hand is certainly
important for identifying
trends and then making sound
decisions for managing this
segment of our housing stock.
The data presented, however,
reminded me of a favorite quote:
“Statistics are like bikinis. What
they reveal is suggestive, but
what they conceal is vital.”
A closer look reveals key factors
that are not addressed:
1) What about 3,000-4,999
square foot rentals? The article
addresses a) rental homes
over 5,000 square feet and b)
rental homes with six or more
bedrooms, but fails to report the
total number of rental homes
Recycle - Wednesday, December 2 - Recycle
Isle of Palms
886-6428
www.iop.net
Tuesday, December 1
Personnel Committee Meeting
5:45pm
1207 Palm Boulevard
Tuesday, December 8
Personnel Committee Meeting
5:30pm
1301 Palm Boulevard
City Council Special Meeting
6:00pm
1207 Palm Boulevard
 City offices for both islands will be CLOSED for the Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27
Staff Report
residents arrived that they
could not fit into the door of
Council chambers. A reason for
the huge turnout, Mayor Carl
Smith suggested, was a letter
printed in the Post and Courier
which suggested the Town might
completely level the area in favor
of sand dunes.
“That’s not going to happen,”
Mayor Smith said.
However, the biggest issue
for the Council was finding a
way to limit public comment
at the rescheduled meeting.
Their main point was that this
meeting is not a time dedicated
to public comment. “This is
not a public hearing. This is a
time for Council to meet with
the consultants,” Mayor Smith
said. “I think Council has been
generous. I have a problem
with 30 people saying the same
that have capacity of 12 or more
in rentals of 3,000-4,999 square
feet, which would include many
rentals that would be considered
mini-hotels.
2) Livability reporting was
woefully incomplete. Even
the City will acknowledge that
their first Livability Officer
neglected to gather complaint
reports made by police during
off hours (the Livability Officer
worked from 9am to 5pm). And
our local police will confirm that
they weren’t creating and filing
reports when they were called
out for livability issues such
as noise complaints. The net
result is that a large number of
complaints were not recorded.
How can we look to this data
to draw conclusions? We can’t.
Further, many residents simply
make the decision to not call the
police or the Livability hotline
- they just deal with it because
many of us simply don’t want
to call the cops. How do you
quantify that?
3) We need a long-term vision
for island development. I think
Civic Calendar
Wednesday, December 9
Planning Commission Meeting
5:30pm
1301 Palm Boulevard
______________________
Sullivan's Island
883-3198
www.sullivansisland-sc.com
Monday, December 7 Thursday, December 10
Committees of Council Board of Zoning Appeals
Meeting 7pm
5:30pm 1610 Middle Street
2520 Middle Street
thing.” Council member Pat
O’Neil pointed out that while
everyone has a right to express
themselves, not everyone has a
right to speak for an unlimited
amount of time at every public
meeting. Council member Jerry
Kaynard stated that it has been
part of their process to bend over
backwards so that everyone can
speak their minds.
In the end, they admitted that
a 30 minute public comment
section would be appropriate.
Coincidentally, it took all of 30
minutes for the Council to make
a decision about the public
comment section themselves.
The front beach property owner
group and The Sullivan’s
Islanders make up the two
main sides of the debate, as
see SI Council on page 4
it’s a fair statement to say that
our City’s current ordinances
do not provide a clear plan for
guiding how our island will be
developed over the next five,
10 and 20 years. Developers
see a set of rules that allows
for the construction of large
capacity rental businesses in
the neighborhoods. Residents
still view their neighborhoods
as residential. The continued
slowness of the economy means
that we are unlikely to see
many large capacity rentals
opening for business in the
neighborhoods in the near term.
But, as soon as the economy
picks up, we’ll undoubtedly
struggle once again with this
conflict.
Isn’t it wise to address this issue
now? We’ve studied the issue.
We’ve gotten citizen input. The
time has come to implement
fair and common sense rules
that will provide a clear vision
for future development on the
island.
Jeff Evans
Isle of Palms
Special Council (Accreted
Land)
6pm
2520 Middle Street
Wednesday, December 9
Planning Commission
6:30pm
1610 Middle Street
 under “advertising”.
3
L u cky D og Pu bl i sh i n g
of S C , L L C
Publisher of the Island Eye News, The
Island Connection and The Folly Current.
Lynn Pierotti
Publisher
lynn@luckydognews.com
Kristin Hackler
Editor
kristin@luckydognews.com
Swan Richards
Graphic Designer
swan@luckydognews.com
Ali Akhyari
Assistant Editor
ali@luckydognews.com
Lori Dalton
Advertising
lori@luckydognews.com
Chelsea Langan
Advertising
chelsea@luckydognews.com
•
Contributors
Michael Bronco
Chris Starr
Paul Robinson
Creative Spark
Jules Witcover
SCDOT
Dr. James Sears
Sullivan's Islanders
Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Submit your letters to the editor to:
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iary of Lucky Dog Publishing of South Carolina
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lished every two weeks and is for and about
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4 November 27, 2009
A bridge on the horizon development such as the “Old plan can be presented.
SI Council from page 3 Currently, the Council believes Dump” and the old Pitt Street
that the seven day closure Bridge area. He has been A path to safety
well as an estimated 80% of the
associated with the replacement working with the Mount Pleasant The Town, with a lot of help from
comments the Town has received
of the Ben Sawyer Bridge should Land Conservancy to research the Volunteer Fire Department,
according to Council member
begin on December 4 which the possibility of putting those has concluded a “test project”
Buddy Howle. Each group will
would prohibit boat travel. properties into a land trust. which involved trimming trees
have a dedicated five minutes
Vehicular traffic is expected to The next step is to provide and improving a public beach
in the public comment section
begin detouring through Isle of clear titles to the property. path. “I think it looks good
to speak. Mayor Smith expects
Palms three days later. However, However, not everyone is on myself,” Chief Stith said. Some
the front beach property owners
it was stressed that this date is board. Jerry Kaynard, who has trees were cut down, vines were
to have an appraiser, as well as
not set in stone and is subject been critical of the plan from clipped and the path generally
realtors prepared to speak on
to weather conditions and other the beginning, has suggested opened and cleared. The Town
their behalf.
factors. The new bridge has been that the plan gives away the is looking to continue improving
The Accreted Land meeting is
constructed at the old naval base Town’s interest in the property “emergency” beach paths next
rescheduled for December 7 at
and they won’t know for sure and that doing the same thing year in a similar fashion if the
6pm with a short Committees of
that the process has begun until with the 19-20 other parcels of cost is not too great.
Council meeting to precede it at
the barge carrying the bridge land that have been identified
5:30pm. Due to the high amount
leaves there. for possible protection could get Blue Ribbon School
of expected audience members,
A party to celebrate the 168 expensive. It was pointed out Mayor Smith recognized Christ
the meeting will be held at the
hour closing of the bridge has that there are two main avenues Our King Stella Maris School for
Church of the Holy Cross at
been scheduled and is expected for protection: easement and its designation as a “National
2520 Middle Street. While it is
to include a “fun run” and drum deed restriction. Through the Blue Ribbon School” with a
not required, anyone wanting
circle procession, according to conversation Kaynard instigated, resolution after attending a
to make a public comment is
Council member Mary Jane it was learned that an easement ceremony at the school. “I
“strongly encouraged” to register
Watson. However, because of provides stronger protection. A was very impressed by the
with the Town prior to the
possible complications with the deed restriction could simply school and the behavior of the
meeting.
tree lighting ceremony and the be overturned by the Town children,” Mayor Smith said.
uncertainty of the actual bridge Council and any future Council. He added that the school is the
A commercial threat
closing, times could possibly Additionally, the representative educational institution for many
“If you don’t pay, we’ll collect
change. Check with the Town for from the Land Conservancy island children.
it some other way,” Council
confirmation. admitted that many land
member Mike Perkis boldly
trusts have been failing lately. Oyster roast cools down
warned restaurant owners in the
Chlorine in the air If the Mount Pleasant Land The Volunteer Fire Department’s
Town’s business district.
In the wake of a chlorine gas Conservancy went under, the annual oyster roast, while
The Town and restaurant owners
leak at the Town’s water plant, property could potentially fall successful in raising money, was
have been enjoying a fragile
Greg Gress stated, “I’d like for into the hands of the State if significantly less successful than
cease fire as the restauranteurs
us to get away from gas”. While a “secondary holder” was not previous years according to Chief
have been paying the bill for
a gas leak is a relatively rare established through another Stith.
the Town’s police officers to
occurrence, the last one being land trust. Kaynard pointed “I guess it’s a sign of the times.
work “off-duty” during the late
about 15 years ago according out that the Mount Pleasant People got too much going on,”
night hours in the district.
to Fire Chief Anthony Stith, the Land Conservancy is a relatively he said. He stated that they went
According to the Council
price of chlorine gas is rising as young group. The Council was through 77 fewer large bags of
discussion, restaurant owners
more and more municipalities interested in looking at other oysters this year and half the
have developed a system where
move away from the gas as their ways to ensure the land would number of drinks.
they take turns reimbursing the
source for water purification. come back to the Town in the
Town for the extra hours that
Gress stated that the Town event the land trust failed. No Budget on track
are worked by officers. However,
needs to look at making some action has actually been taken, Council member Mike Perkis
the most recent restaurant
choices regarding the Water yet, to put the property into a stated the Town is “on budget for
whose turn it was to pay seems
Department in this regard in the trust. revenues”. A six month review
to have decided it does not want
next budget year. of the Town’s budget will be
to participate in the program,
Furthermore, as an additional Commercial District Plans conducted in December. Perkis
which has resulted in the Town
service, Gress announced A couple of Council members does not anticipate any problems
actually having to pay for the
that they would begin to warn and the Mayor met with Urban with the Town’s finances.
police force which itself is
delinquent customers when their Edge Studios, the consultants
requiring. This is what instigated
water service is getting ready to for the Commercial District A decade of service
Perkis’ collection warning.
be turned off. It’s “a service we Master Plan, on October 12, for It was announced that
Last year, the Town drastically
think we can provide,” he said. a continued discussion on the Christopher Wallace recently
increased business license fees
reverse-angle parking concept celebrated 10 years as a member
for restaurant owners on the
Mistrust land trust that has been holding the plan of the Sullivan’s Island Police
heels of complaints that the
Council member Pat O’Neil has up for several months now. Department. Chief Danny
commercial district was too
been leading an investigation The Town is expecting to hold Howard joked that while he was
noisy.
into protecting smaller parcels a public hearing in January of not rewarded with a cake, he
of public land from future 2010 in which a final draft of the might be recognized by working
over the holidays.

Ordinances
The Town ratified two ordinances
that have already passed the
three readings required. The
first was ordinance 2009-08
which increases the cost for a
dog license for people who do not
live on the island to $35. It also
increases the times that dogs are
allowed on the beach with and
without a leash.
The second was an ordinance
that changes business license
fees for rental properties. It
basically increases the fee for
busier properties.

www.islandeyenews.com
November 27, 2009 5

“Bravo!” to the Wando Island School

Marching Band accepting applications
H
By Chris Starr oly Cross Island School school while still enjoying the

W
on Daniel Island is now “pretend play” and “creative
ando band students and program does not excel because of learning” aspects of their age.
extended family members funding or birthright. It is a story accepting applications for
their new four year old program Each week they will study stories
were overjoyed with the about students who have learned from the Bible, letters through
11th place finals finish at the 2009 to pursue excellence because of a and the one year old program vocabulary, explore science,
BOA Grand Nationals marching shared vision that extends beyond beginning January 4, 2010. The nature, world culture, and learn
band competition in Indianapolis, the individual. This success is a Friday one year old class is a numbers and math concepts,
Indiana. The show, Beyond, was direct result of the educational special program for our littlest all in a loving environment. This
presented three times; in quarter- philosophy of Scott Rush and class meets Monday through
finals, semi-finals, and finals. the tremendous outpouring of of lambs (children must be one
by September 1, 2009). Children Friday, 8:45am – 11:45am.
This is the support from Tuition is $280 per month with a
first time that the Mount spend the morning enjoying free
$30 registration fee.
the Wando Pleasant play, story time, introduction
Marching community. to music and art, a snack, and   The mission of Holy Cross
Band, under Other bands outside Island School
the direction at Grand time. These (formerly
of Scott Rush Nationals Mother’s
and assisted 2009 may have children are
loved through Morning Out)
by assistant been more is to provide
directors technical, the process
a fun and
Sean McGrew but none of separating educational
and Lanie were more from their place for
Radecke, has passionate. parents and children to
participated Emotion learning how grow and
at the national level in a erupted from the 232 students learn in an
marching band competition. through the spontaneous and to play with
other little environment
The band recently placed fourth unified singing of the Wando alma that teaches
in the BOA Super-regional matter in the Indianapolis Hyatt friends. The
and practices
Competition in Atlanta, prior to Hotel following the announcement class meets the love of
Grand Nationals 2009. Island of the 12 finalist bands. Of course, on Fridays from 8:45 am – 11:45 Jesus Christ as a ministry of the
students participating in the most evident to the ten thousand am. Tuition is $70 per month Church of the Holy Cross. For
competition included Sam Evans, spectators and judges in Lucas more information, please contact
with a $30 registration fee.
Alex Francis, Mackenzie Hopper, Oil Stadium was the love woven Sue Cuthbert at 883-3586 or sue@
The four year old class (children
Robby Judy and Garret Visser. throughout the music performed holycross.net.
must be four by September 1,
The back story is even more on the field, generating memories
2009) will prepare children for a
amazing. The Wando Band for a lifetime.
successful transition into primary

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www.islandeyenews.sc
November 27, 2009
IOP Council from page 2
“If we’re able to accomplish the
goal of getting through them
all [requests for proposals] by
the December assembly, we’ll
hopefully have a recommendation
for you so we can go forward,”
said Tucker.
In terms of road work around the
island, the sidewalk at 21st Ave.
is slowly being replaced and the
repaving of 41st Ave. has been
delayed as the area needs some
infrastructure replacements.
According to Buckhannon, the
City of Charleston has requested
to become a part of the new
intergovernmental agreement
for the Charleston County
Consolidated 911 Dispatch
Center. Councilman Buckhannon
noted that an addendum would
need to be passed to accept
the City as a full participant.
Council approved the addendum
unanimously.
Furthermore, Buckhannon
noted that they are looking into
the Livability Hotline info being
placed on refrigerator magnets.
The City is looking into pricing,
but residents can print out a
replica at www.iop.net. The
Council also discussed the
possibility of increasing the dog
license fees to $10, noting that
Sullivan’s Island charges $25,
but no decisions were made.
Lastly, Buckhannon reported
that the Fire Department is
looking into changing the position
of Assistant Fire Chief to Fire
Inspector and the issue has been
moved on to Personnel. “We also
have some promotions in the fire
department,” said Buckhannon.
“Shaun Gadsden was promoted
to Captain; Engineer Richard
Hathaway was promoted to
Lieutenant, and Firefighter
Bill Pesature was promoted to
Engineer."
Public Safety
Administrator Tucker reported
that she and representatives of
the Isle of Palms met with the
Ben Sawyer Bridge construction
team and found that the timing
on the bridge’s closing is still
fluid, “but we’re looking at a
possible closing date of December
4,” said Tucker. “The reason we
cannot specifically say the date
is because much of the timing is
dependent on weather conditions,
where the wind is more of an
issue than rain.” The other
issue is traffic management.
Chief Buckhannon stated that
the City of Mount Pleasant will
be working with the SCDOT to
make sure traffic lights are set
for optimal traffic movement, and
the Mount Pleasant traffic squad
will monitor the lights, especially
during peak traffic times, and
will assist if needed. Isle of Palms
police will be doing the same on
the island. “It’s going to be a fluid
situation, so there won’t be an
officer there at all times,” said
Buckhannon, “but traffic will be
monitored closely.”
Tucker also noted that signs
will go up in anticipation of
the bridge closing. Visit www.
bensawyerbridge.com for the
most recent updates.
Public Works
Council member Bettelli reported
on the Public Works committee
meeting which was held on
Wednesday, November 4, noting
that the beach accesses have
been cleaned and the SCDOT
(Department of Transportation)
has been repairing pot holes on
the island.
In regards to the update on
the 54th to 57th Ave drainage
project, he noted that the
City’s engineer Dave Stevens
wasasked by the Lowe Wild
Dunes investors to determine
whether a line should be
relocated in anticipation of future
development. When Stevens went
back to the site for evaluation, he
found the line cannot be moved
because of infrastructure already
in place. “We’re continuing to
discuss the project,” said Bettelli.
Following discussions between
the architect of 2001 Waterway
Blvd. and the City attorney,
Director Pitts and Douglas Kerr,
the owners of 2001 Waterway
Blvd. are willing to dedicate
a drainage easement on their
property to the City. The decision
was made In light of the fact that
some portion of the neighborhood
storm water is going through
the drainage easement on their
property and, if there were to
be some kind of problem, the
City would not have the right to
access the property to rectify the
problem. Councilman Bettelli
moved to recommend to City
Council to accept the dedication
of the drainage easement. The
motion passed unanimously.
Lastly, Council member Bettelli
informed the Council that the
City has received $50,000
from the Charleston County
Transportation Sales Tax to
replace the Lauden Street outfall.
The project will increase the
size of the output pipe under
Waterway Boulevard to increase
the rate of water drainage during
heavy rains. Bids on the project
are due around the first of
December.
Recreation
Council member Rice reported
that the Recreation Committee
met on November 10, and
reported that the Recreation
Department had the Agency
of the Year award for North
and South Carolina. Rice also
reminded everyone that the tree
lighting on the Isle of Palms will
be held on Thursday, December
3, on the Front Beach at 6pm.
“We continue to gather the
email addresses of all of our
participants at the Rec. Center
for our new e-newsletter,” said
Rice, noting that you can sign up
at the Rec. Department. Recent
improvements at the Department
included the replacement of a few
rusted items on the playground
at no cost except for installation.
“In closing, I just want to say
that the staff at the Rec. is just
incredible,” said Rice. “It’s been
such a pleasure to be a part
of the Council. It’s like family.
Thank you.”
Personnel
Council member Piening reported
on the Personnel Committee
www.islandeyenews.com
meeting which took place
on Wednesday, November 4.
Piening noted that the recent
City elections had created
another vacancy on the Planning
Commission as Sandy Stone
has been elected to the Council.
PIening stated that the process
of selecting recommendations
to fill the two vacancies will be
postponed until the December
meeting. The December
Personnel meeting is scheduled
for 5:45pm on Tuesday,
December 1.
Secondly, Council member
Piening commented that
changes need to be made to the
Personnel manual as the City
has eliminated the Cost of Living
Adjustment (COLA) that has been
paid to employees in the past.
The Personnel manual will be
changed to eliminate references
to COLA.
Finally, PIening asked Council
to approve a new system which
will be used to evaluate the City
Administrator. The system uses
a rating qualification range,
which numerically rates the
management of the General
Fund. “If the General Fund is
3% under budget, the number
will be 5, 2% under budget the
number will be 4, budget neutral
is 3, 2% over would be 2 and 3%
over would be 1,” said Piening. “I
know this sounds cryptic, but we
cannot vote on these things in an
executive session. These have to
do with the management of the
General Fund and trying to come
in under budget.” The motion
passed unanimously.
Safety sweepstake winners
Safety Sweepstakes winners
for the month of October are:
Recreation – Nick Bako; Fire
Department -- Jason Smith;
Public Works – Kim Tapply and
Police Department – Sergeant
Derrick Ambas.
Real Property Committee
Mayor Cronin reported on
the Real Property Committee
meeting, which was held Friday,
November 6. During the meeting,
Marina manager Brian Barragan
reported that business at the
Marina has been brutally slow.
In fact, September was the worst
month since he became Marina
manager and the figures for
October are not yet available. He
attributed the downturn to lack
9
of transients that have visited
in the past. On the other hand,
Carl Pope of Morgan Creek Grill
commented that she thought
the restaurant was getting more
transient business than in years
past. Barragan also indicated
that he was planning to ask
the Fire Department to assist
him, with the Administrator’s
permission, in installing an
anometer and a web cam that
would show in real time.
Barragan also reported that he
had evicted a Marina tenant for
non-payment of rent and for
bouncing a check, and that the
Marina store will be closed for
several days starting January 10,
2010, to repair buckled floors.
Lastly, the Real Property
Committee discussed whether or
not to offer a temporary period
of relief to Morgan Creek Grill
in light of the difficult economic
climate. The Committee
discussed several alternatives,
including the possibility of
changing the monthly static
rent amount to an amount
based on season, but totaling
the same; adding language
giving the restaurant control
over the restaurant docks, and
adding language allowing for
the commercial utilization of
the restaurant docks for dinner
cruises. Mayor Cronin explained
the next step is to discuss the
issue with the Council, followed
either by another meeting of the
Real Property Committee or by
a recommendation to Ways and
Means.
Second reading of ordinance
2009 – 16 an ordinance
amending title VI, chapter 2,
article b, dogs, section 6 - 2 –
15(a)
This ordinance allows for the
changing of the hours during
which a dog is allowed on the
beach without a leash. Tucker
stated that the reason for the
change is to allow more time for
dogs under voice control to run
off leash on the beach during the
off season. The proposed off leash
hours are 4pm – 10pm from
September 15 – March 31.The
motion passed unanimously.
10
"Our Town"
opens in our town
T
he set is simple. A few
chairs, some tables, a ladder
or two, and a blank slate
background. As the play opens,
the Stage Manager quietly walks
out onto the stage and arranges
a few pieces of furniture before
informing the audience that
they are in the town of Grover’s
Corners, New Hampshire, just
before dawn on May 7, 1901.
When Thornton Wilder wrote
“Our Town” in 1937, his focus
was less on storytelling and more
on the portrayal of the human
experience. The set reflects this
through the lack of scenery;
the audience is encouraged to
both use their imagination and
focus their attention on the
character at hand instead of the
surroundings.
For Crab Pot Players Director
Jimmy Ward, this play is an
excellent opportunity to showcase
the talents of local actors, as well
as to perform one of his favorite
great American classics.
“Although it is a period piece,
the messages contained in
the play are still relevant today,"
said Ward. "I am fortunate to be
working with a talented cast and
dedicated crew, and we are having
a great time!”
Caitlin Armstrong, the Stage
Manager in “Our Town”, is excited
about her prominent role in the
play. “I’m sort of this omniscient,
transcendent narrator,” Caitlin
said, attempting to describe her
unique character. “At the start of
the play I feel people can relate
to me and I’m as comfortable as
an old shoe, but opinionated.
As the play progresses, I move
into some sort of other-worldly
character. Usually men play the
Stage Manager, but a female is
not out of place because it almost
seems wrong to tie this character
to a gender.”
Rehearsing two hours a day,
four days a week has been
tough for some of the actors,
but they are all excited and feel
that they are part of a great
team. “Jimmy Ward is brilliant,
dedicated and innovated. I have
the utmost respect for him, but
he has the worst jokes,” laughed
Caitlin. “Throw all that into one
"Our Town" continued on page 11
www.islandeyenews.com
SIES Veterans from cover
United States Military in global
mobility by moving troops, tanks
and whatever else is needed to
locations across the globe. “Never
take freedom for granted,” Walsh
reminded the students. “Serving
is my way of giving back to the
community and America.”
Finally, Sergeant First Class
Leo Fetter of the United States
Army Reserves told the students
about the days when he was a
student at SIES and how, after
retiring once, he returned to the
Army Reserves. Before closing, he
introduced the last speakers for
the event; Sergeants First Class
David and Shakeya Oliver of the
396th Transportation Company,
both of whom joined the class via
Ft. Moultrie Veteran from cover
circle with his hands about eight
inches in diameter. “They were
more like the smaller Italian
Bocce balls.”
He and his fellow servicemen
would often go shopping in the
downtown area, as well. “It was a
bit of freedom,” said Winter, “an
escape from the Army routine.”
It was also a little taste of the
Lowcountry for the New York-
born soldier. His first bite of
oysters was on the beach of
Sullivan’s Island. “I remember the
officers having an oyster bake by
the shoreline, and after they had
their party, the soldiers could
eat what baked oysters were left
behind,” said Winter. He, as well
as the rest of the soldiers, stayed
in one of the Officer’s Quarters
during their assignment, and
he still remembers watching the
ocean from the building’s wide,
slanting porches.
“Did you get any awards?”
asked Wynn Fabrizio, Nyna’s 11
year old older brother. “I did,”
said Winter. “I won an award for
my ability as a sharpshooter.”
Though he was drafted, Harold
Arthur Fredrick Winters comes
November 27, 2009
a live video feed from Iraq.
Pre-written questions were read
to the Olivers as the students and
members of the Oliver’s family
watched. Questions ranged
from “Why did you decide to be
a soldier?” to “What is the base
like?” and “Have you ever driven a
tank?” The Olivers answered the
students’ questions with smiles
and as the celebration wrapped
up, the family members were
given a chance to speak with the
couple directly over the video
feed.
As they left, the students again
thanked the veterans for their
service and shook their hands,
their faces glowing with pride
and honor at meeting a few of the
defenders of our Country.
from a notable family line of
soldiers. His uncle served in
World War I in France, and his
great grandfather was a member
of the 16th Calvary during the
Civil War; the regiment which
caught John Wilkes Booth in
Virginia shortly after he shot
and killed President Abraham
Lincoln. “My great grandfather
was offered either 1600 acres
out west, or $1600 and a horse
for his accomplishment,” said
Winter. “He took the money
and the horse.” The family still
treasures several items of Civil
War memorabilia, including
Winter’s great grandfather’s rifle
and sword.
Fifty-three years after Winter
was stationed at Fort Moultrie,
he returned to visit his family
on Sullivan’s Island and take
one more walk around his old
stomping grounds. “A lot has
changed,” he said of his return
visit to the fort. “It was hard to
recognize some of the old scenes.”
But still, he was happy to see the
old fort, and to see Fort Sumter
off in the distance. “It was a very
good experience for me,” he said.
“Fort Moultrie may have changed,
but the people haven’t. They’re
still very friendly.”
November 27, 2009
The Lone Ranger returns
S
ullivan’s Island resident
Bill Dunleavy, owner of
Dunleavy’s Pub, and his
wife Darragh Dunleavy recently
returned from a sailing trip aboard
Bill’s sail boat, Kemo Sabe - AKA
The Lone Ranger.
Originally from Block Island,
RI, Bill sailed south to the South
Carolina coast and moved to
Sullivan’s Island in 1982. Drawn
to the beauty of the Lowcountry
landscape, Bill relocated his
Boston Red Sox roots to the
South. “When I first arrived on the
island, there was only Mama’s Tea
House and the marsh. I opened
Dunleavy’s Pub in 1992 and have
happily resided on the island ever
since,” says Bill.
Bill sails a 41’ Hans-Christiansen
which he bought four years ago,
and has sailed it back to Block
Island every summer. When he
married Darragh two years ago,
Bill and his new wife sailed to
Block Island in June, then set
sail for the Caribbean in October.
This trip lead to a fifteen month
ocean adventure as he and his
wife sailed to St. Barts, St. Johns,
the British Virgin Islands and St.
Martin for an experience that
11
"Our Town" from page 10
big Crabpot and you’ve got a
by Paul Robinson winner."
they’ll never forget. “I love sailing, grilled wings, great burgers and Ward thanked the Recreation
and one of the funniest reminders half-off draft beers during their Center staff and particularly
that you’re an American is that happy hours. Dunleavy’s is also Norma Jean Page for their help
once you return to land, you the haven for Red Sox and Celtics in making the production come
always want a cheeseburger and fans across the island. alive. “I urge everyone to buy their
fries,” laughs Bill. tickets to the show as soon as
One of the many things possible, as our last production
that Bill enjoys about
sold out far in advance,” Ward
his sailing trips are the noted.
frequent visits of small
and friendly migrating “Our Town” will be performed at
birds. “They travel such the Isle of Palms Recreation Center
long distances that they December 9-12, at 7pm. Tickets
often land on the boat are $5 and children under 6 are
and stay for a while. free. Call 886-8294 for tickets.
They will come right up
to you and literally land
on your hand, not even
frightened,” says Bill.
“We feed them a little
and just try to help
them along the way.”
With the return
of the Lone Ranger
to Sullivan’s Island,
residents welcomed
back Bill and Darragh
PHOTO BY Daniel Prentice
as they walk through
the door of their Pub
located on Middle
Street.
Make sure to stop
by the Island’s favorite Too cheap to afford a parrot, Captain Bill Dunleavy sets
Irish Pub as they offer sail with a visiting sparrow. Actors rehearse at the IOP Rec Dept.
www.islandeyenews.com
12
Friday, November 27
A LowCANtry Holiday
From Friday, November 27 –
Monday, December 28, at the
South Carolina Aquarium.
Celebrate the holiday season with
your family at the South Carolina
Aquarium on a natural and festive
adventure. A very welcome guest
from the North Pole will make
special appearances in the Great
Ocean Tank at select Aquarium
dive shows each day from
December 1 through December
23. For more info, call 577-FISH
(3474) or visit scaquarium.org.
Saturday, November 28
Oysters on the Creek
Presented by Morgan Creek Grille,
come enjoy music by Triple Lindy
from 4 -8pm on the Grille grounds
by the water, oysters fire roasted
on our new oyster pit, $2 draft
beer, all you can eat local oysters
and chili for $15.
Wednesday, December 2
East Cooper Dementia Caregiver
Education and Support Group
This week, the support group
will feature Wendy Weisner,
owner/operator of Lowcountry
www.islandeyenews.com
Companions.  She will speak on
preparing for the Holidays and
how to manage and cope. From
9:30 - 10:30am at All Saints
Lutheran Church, 2107 Hwy.
17 North, Mount Pleasant.  November 27
For more information, please
contact Ginger at 810-5576.
Thursday, December 3
IOP Holiday tree lighting
Celebrate the season at the Isle
of Palms annual holiday tree
lighting event on the Front Beach
at 6pm on Thursday, December
3. Santa will help the City light
its spectacular 22-foot tree.  The
forecast calls for snow!  Live
entertainment and specials from
local businesses will be available.
Friday, December 4 jewelry, candles, glass, sculpture,
“The Nutcracker” Presented by
Becky’s Box of Puppets
10 a.m., G.M. Darby Building,
Mount Pleasant.  Featuring
nearly 30 puppets, including
some up to four feet tall. Groups
welcome.  Please make advance
reservations by calling 849-2061.
Tickets:  $3/child. Mount Pleasant
Recreation Department.  Contact
Tina Carter at 849-2061 or visit
www.townofmountpleasant.com.
Sullivan’s Island Holiday Fire
Station Lighting
Starting at dusk, or around
6:30pm, join the Sullivan’s Island
Council, Fire & Police Departments
for the annual lighting of the Fire
Station. Highlights include music
by the Wando High School Chorus,
beverages and snacks, and a
“special visitor” for the young and
young-at-heart.
IOP Friday Night
Hoops
At the
November 27, 2009
I s l a nd E y
Isle of Palms Recreation Center
from 6pm -8pm. Located at 24
28th Avenue. For more info, call
886-8294.
Saturday, December 5
“Artful Giving” at the Island
Gallery
Complete your holiday shopping
list while supporting both
Sullivan’s Island Elementary
and the local arts. Join us for
a fun night and choose from
a wide selection of pottery,
photography, paintings and more.
From 4pm-10pm at the Island
Gallery 2214 Middle Street,
Sullivan’s Island. For more info,
call 882-8005.
Holy Cross Holiday Market
From 10am – 1pm at the Church
of the Holy Cross on Daniel
Island. Locally made products
include hand-made jewelry,
crafts, paintings, photography,
woodwork, pottery, clothing, and
other specialty gifts. Auction Items
including a sunset cruise, a hand
crafted bed swing, golf lessons,
guitar lessons, and theatre tickets.
For more info, call 324-3168 or
e-mail acombs@horneguest.com.
The Isle of Palms Garden Club
Wreath, Bow, Gift and Garland
sale
Drop by the Exchange
Club for the
Garden Club’s
annual Wreath
Sale: 9am-4pm,
Saturday,
December 6
and 9am-
2pm, Sunday,
December
7. IOP
Exchange
Club 201
Palm
Blvd.,
Isle of
Palms.
Pre-
Try our new
7 days a
 November 27, 2009
y e Cale ndar
- December 12
orders accepted until November 16
by calling Betty Mathis 886-6363
or Scott Morris 886-4287.
19th Annual Reindeer Run
The Reindeer Run is a family-
oriented, pet-friendly 5k run/
walk through the lower peninsula
of downtown Charleston, SC. The
race begins at 9am and starts/
finishes at South End Brewery
at the corner of State and East
Bay. Runners are $28/$33
after November 21. Walkers are
$23/$28 after November 21. To
register, visit www.reindeerrun.
org, Half Moon Outfitters or Piggly
Wiggly.
Monday, December 7
Pearl Harbor/Remembrance Day
Sullivan’s Accreted Land
meeting
6pm at Church of the Holy Cross
at 2520 Middle Street. This is the
meeting which was rescheduled
from Tuesday, November 10, due
to turn-out. For more info, call
Sullivan’s Town Hall at 883-3198.
Wednesday, December 9
The Village Playhouse 5th
Annual Holiday Benefit Gala
Come experience “The Glamorous
Life…An Evening in the Old Village
at 7pm at Alhambra Hall. This
year’s Gala includes tastings from
top regional chefs’, unlimited
drinks, a silent auction and live
entertainment. Tickets are $40 for
individuals and $75 for couples
and can be purchased at The
Village Playhouse Box Office, by
phone at 856-1579 or online at
www.villageplayhouse.com.
“Our Town” opens on IOP
From December 9 – 12,
starting at 7pm,
the Isle of Palms
Recreation Center
and Crab Pot
Productions presents
“Our Town” by
Free appetizer with dinner
Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with any
other offer.
w "Island Time" menu
week from 3-7pm
13
Saturday, December 12 Charleston Ballet presents: The
Thornton Wilder at the
Recreation Center. Tickets Nutcracker
are $5 each and can be First Day of Hanukkah December 12 & 13 Gaillard
purchased at the IOP Auditorium, and December 19
Shake off a Blue, Blue Christmas
Recreation Center, located
at 24 28th Avenue. Buy with the King
Michael Viljac and the Elvis
at the N. Chas. Performing Arts
Center. Set in the streets of
them soon, they sell out downtown Charleston circa 1865,
quickly! For more info, call Tribute Band will perform the ballet has teamed with the
886-8294. your favorite holiday songs as dance programs and children of
performed by the King of Rock and the Dorchester 2 school district for
Thursday, December 10 Roll himself at the Glenn L. Jeffers
VFW, located at 1411 Stuart
this massive holiday production.
Chamber presents: Holiday This treasured classic is the perfect
Engals Blvd. in Mount Pleasant. remedy for the hustle and bustle
Business After Hours If you haven’t seen Michael Viljac
Soak in the sights, sounds and of the holiday season. Tickets may
performing as Elvis you are be at 723-7334 or at the CBT Box
flavors of the holiday season missing a fantastic performance.
among other area professionals Office at 477 King Street.
Tickets are $10 and may be
in Embassy’s beautiful atrium, purchased by calling 345-9084.
decorated with all the trimmings. 
Mix and mingle and jingle the night
away and make some great new
business connections! December
10 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Embassy
Suites Charleston - Historic -
337 Meeting Street. Cost: $20
Chamber member, $40 non-
member. To register visit www.
charlestonchamber.net.
Open Jam sessions at Seel’s on
Sullivan’s
Bring your acoustic instruments
and your talent for the first open
jam session at Seel’s Off the Hook
on Sullivan’s Island. Jam sessions
will be held weekly. All levels
welcome and encouraged! Hosted
by The Good Tenants, brother/
sister Jason & Marci Shore, and
Captain John Irwin of Fly Right
Charters. 7pm – until. For more
info, call 883-5030.
Friday, December 11
“Santa’s Christmas Party”
Presented by the Columbia
Marionette Theatre
The show starts at10am in the
G.M. Darby Building, Mount
Pleasant.  Come enjoy the fun
in this brand new show with
Santa, Jack Frost, an ice skater
and Frosty the Snowman.  Please
make advance reservations by
calling 849-2061. Tickets are 
$2 per person. Contact Tina
Carter at 849-2061 or visit www.
townofmountpleasant.com.
883-5030
2213-B Middle St,
www.seelsfishcamp.com
www.islandeyenews.com
November 27, 2009
Sullivan’s Island
lengthens dog leash
Staff Report
O
n November 17, the Sullivan’s Island Town Council ratified an
ordinance that extends the days and times that dogs are allowed on
the beach with and without a leash.
Ordinance 2009-08 was one of the latest fee increasing pieces of legislation
introduced by the Council. It was designed to increase the required dog license
from $25 to $35 for non-islanders. However, the ordinances introduction
sparked a small amount of interest among residents and non-residents alike
who offered some suggestions to Council regarding the ordinance. One resident
requested that Council also increase the times that dogs can be on the beach
so resident dog owners can take more advantage of the off-season, when
beaches are less crowded. A non-resident attending the meeting said that she
would be willing to pay more for a license if the times were extended.
Afterward, the ordinance was amended and extended the days that dogs
can “run at large on the beach area and RC-1” and when they can be on the
beach with a leash. The new calendar is as follows:
Dogs can be on the beach and RC-1 area without a leash from May 1
through September 30 from 5am to 10am. From October 1 through April
30, they can roam leash-free from 5am to noon. Dogs will be allowed on
the beach under leash control from 6pm to 5am starting May 1 through
September 30. From October 1 through April 30 they can be on the beach
under leash control from noon to 5am.
Furthermore, the Council added a section that gives a $2 discount on the
license fee to anyone who submits an American Kennel Club Canine Good
Citizenship Certificate, which is basically a proclamation that the dog owner
will act responsibly such as picking up their animal’s fecal waste.
The changes to the leash laws became effective on November 17 and
currently apply. Note that when dogs are allowed on the beach without a
leash, they are still expected to be under voice command and the owner must
have a leash on hand. Leashes are not permitted to be longer than 10 feet.
www.islandeyenews.com
15
E-Sullivan’s
Provided
R
esidents of Sullivan’s Island can now get
news from the Town through their email
inbox. The Town has partnered with
Constant Contact to provide e-newsletters, a new
and innovative way to reach out to residents and
visitors using modern technology.
Residents must subscribe to receive their
free e-Nnwsletter, which the Town will publish
approximately twice each month. The Town and
Constant Contact will not sell or share email
addresses, so a subscriber’s information remains
confidential. Subscribers can modify their email
address or suspend their e-newsletter service, at
will, directly through Constant Contact.
This newsletter service is another facet of the
Town’s comprehensive community outreach
efforts. This year’s new initiatives include:
• New Enhanced Town Website (launched
January 2009)
• Emergency/Public Safety Alert System
(launched August 2009)
• E-Newsletter Service (launched November
2009)
It is the Town’s hope that residents find the new
website, e-newsletters and Alert System useful
as we strive to provide timely information about
important news and events. For more information
and to register for any of these new services, please
visit the Town’s website: www.sullivansisland-sc.
com.
 Bad news for the news business
16
T
his is a very bad and sad time
for the newspaper business,
and not just because
circulation is falling, papers are
folding and reporters are losing
their jobs. A radical dumbing-
down of American journalism is
going on.
Competition for advertising
and citizen attention from the
Internet and cable television has
bred a new generation of multi-
tasking quasi-journalists engaged
in all manner of nonsensical
sideshows.
Reporters once had their hands
and their minds full ferreting out
and reporting the important news
of the day and carefully analyzing
their significance. Now too often
they are wasting their time, and
that of readers, with mindless
shorthand “twittering” of the
insignificant and absurd.
Many reporters on campaign
trails, instead of first focusing
on the story they are supposed
to be exploring and writing in
depth, are obliged to stand before
television cameras and offer off-
the-cuff summaries that in print
would be mere headlines.
The uneven phenomenon
of blogging, information and
thoughts whether of fact or fiction
delivered with little or no editorial
review, often comes from writers
with little or no journalistic
training or discipline. While some
have been positive contributions,
too many others are mere self-
serving rants.
All this is part of what now is
By Jules Witcover
known as “the new media”, which
in its best aspects brings new
and constructive voices to the
gathering and transmission of
news. But with it also has come an
excess of unproductive invective,
bias and outright propagandizing
frowned on for years by “the old
media” of traditional mainstream
journalism.
What brings all this to mind
right now is the inevitable but no
less regretted passing of more and
more old-school  reporters who for
decades have combined thorough
investigation and research with
earned personal credibility.
In the past couple of weeks, two
of the very best of “old media” who
were known for their relentless
digging combined with dedication
to real rather than feigned “fair
and balanced” news reporting
have passed from the scene.
A few weeks ago, the journalism
community was shocked by
the sudden death at 77 of John
Mashek, the longtime Washington
correspondent of such major
newspapers as the Boston Globe,
Atlanta Constitution and Dallas
Morning News, and of U.S. News
and World Report magazine. As
a fair-minded panelist for three
presidential or vice-presidential
debates, in each one he brought
perception and integrity to
these critical national political
institutions.
His passing came only a week
after the death of Jack Nelson,
the retired Washington bureau
chief of the Los Angeles Times,
www.islandeyenews.com
an intrepid investigative reporter
who earlier won a Pulitzer Prize
at the Atlanta Constitution, and
later at the Times made major
contributions to the Watergate
investigations and other
governmental wrongdoing.
Their journalistic styles were
different but equally effective.
Nelson was a fearless and at
times fearful pursuer of evidence
of corruption and injustice,
particularly during the civil rights
revolution in his native South.
Mashek was a thorough-going
acquirer of high-level sources
from Congress to the White
House whose own relentless
interrogations, always cloaked
in good humor and good will,
produced similar constructive
results.
The deaths of Nelson and then
Mashek followed only months
after the passing of a third “old
media” giant, reporter/columnist
Robert Novak, whose journalistic
inside scoops were legendary. For
Business of the Month
Managing Editor, Kristin Hackler accepts
the award from Erin Queen from JICHS. over the past year and a half,”
November 27, 2009
all his increasingly conservative
views, Novak combined the old-
time shoe-leather reporting
of Nelson and the exhaustive
accumulation of sources of
Mashek in the service of quality,
reliable newsgathering.
All three men, regardless of
personal political persuasions and
affiliations, were good friends in a
Washington political community
marked most of the time by robust
competition among aggressive yet
collegial news professionals.
In the intensifying era of
new journalistic technologies
and reporting techniques, the
passing of such men dedicated
to the perhaps more restricting
and inhibiting standards of the
older generations is inevitable.
But their departure from the
Washington political scene,
beyond the personal aspect, is
no less a loss to the tradition of
great, trustworthy reporting in
America.
O
n November 18, James
Island Charter High
School recognized
Lucky Dog Publishing as their
“Business of the Month” during
their monthly faculty meeting.
“We just wanted to show our
appreciation to Lucky Dog for
all of the help they’ve given us
said Greg Davis, supervisor
for The Odyssey, James Island
Charter’s school newspaper.
“They’ve put in a lot of hours
and we’re very thankful. We’ve
been able to put out some great
editions this year with their
help.”
Managing Editor Kristin
Hackler and Graphic Designer
Swan Richards accepted the
award and thanked the school
for their kindness, as well as
the students for all of their
hard work. “You have some
great kids and excellent writers
here,” Kristin said. “Thank you
so much, you shouldn’t have.”
The award plaque is now
hanging proudly on the wall of
the Lucky Dog Publishing office
located on Sullivan’s Island.
20 November 27, 2009

Holiday Landing the big one

Cover
Art Contest

Nell Smith (6) caught this beautiful 11 pound red fish on her first camping trip with her
Dad, Scott Smith and Bobby and Tanner Cummings.  After a great fight and a few
pictures, the fish was released to fight another day.

Design the front cover of the Island Eye News for the December

Poe Library events

18 holiday edition. Send your submissions to: info@luckydognews.
com. Mail them to: P.O. Box 837, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482. Or
just drop it by the office at 2205 Middle Street, Suite 202, Sullivan's

for December
Island. Submissiongs due December 9.

Eye Spy Come by and join us for delightful December activities, free for
everyone.
Do you know what this is?
Tuesday, December 8
Visit with Santa during story time from 10 - 11:30am
Bring your wish list along and tell Santa all about it.   
 
Saturday, December 12
Ms. Grace Dunbar will be on hand for “Do It Your Arts and
Crafts” from 10:30 - 12:30pm.
Ms. Grace will assist little ones in creating holiday craft gifts.

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. The first one to
send in the correct answer will receive a coupon for a free
ice cream at Café Medley on Sullivan's Island.

Congratulations to Lauren M,
who guessed last week's Eye
Spy: the sign on the IOP's Red &
White Supermarket . Send your
guess for this week's Eye Spy to:
info@luckydognews.com.
Vivek and Vinod Pandey pop by the Poe for a visit with “Pasta” the
Library Kitty. 

www.islandeyenews.com
November 27, 2009
The secret to great health: consistency, joy, and simplicity
O
n the eve of my first Hawaii
Ironman race, I sat in my
hotel room and watched
as the Dodgers MVP Kirk Gibson
hobbled around the bases in a
walk-off home run, putting the
Oakland A’s away in game one of
the 1988 World Series. It was a
home run, and a game that the A’s
would never recover from as they
went on to lose to the Dodgers in
five.
As I sit here now, I am thinking
of how much simpler life was back
then. Not just for a twenty three
year old up-start pro triathlete,
but for all of us. There was no
internet, no cell phones, and there
weren’t a gazillion TV channels
available at the click of a button.
When competing in triathlons,
we didn’t have any of the fancy
aero-bars or quick-release bike
pedals on our bikes that we have
today. Power Bars were largely a
novelty and hard to come by back
then. You had to know someone
who knew someone. My guy was
a bartender from south Philly
named George Altieri who, to this
day, is my best friend. George
and I trained together throughout
the eighties and into the nineties,
and George eventually went on
to win a National championship.
He always had a “stash” of Power
Bars and he’d give them out to
only a few. The only flavor back
then was malt-nut, so you just
took what George gave you.
Fitness wasn’t the boom back
then like it is today. When I first
walked into a health club to ask
if they’d be interested in hiring
a personal trainer, they looked
at me like I was from another
planet - or L.A. -which is where
most personal trainers were from
at the time. There were no spin
classes and elliptical machines
hadn’t been invented yet. Boot
camps could only be found on
Parris Island or in Quantico, VA,
and if you wanted to take a fitness
class, the choices were aerobics
and step aerobics. That’s pretty
much it. Today, there are so
many different types of classes
that I seriously can’t keep up.
And I’m in the business.
Today, Power Bar has
something like thirty flavors.
There are companies that sell
nothing but gels, powders, pills,
bars, and every kind of health and
weight loss product imaginable.
Stores like Wal-Mart and Whole
Foods dedicate entire aisles to
“health bars”. We’ve come quite a
Fitness
By Michael Bronco
long way from George’s stash of
malt-nut bars hidden in his hotel
room.
So, for me, the big question
is, “Why the heck are we getting
fatter and less healthy as a
nation?” Why is the average
participant in triathlons and
races getting slower? Over the
past twenty years there has
been a siginificant increase in
participation, technology, and
opportunity in fitness and racing
of all kinds, and yet we’re getting
slower…and fatter.
The top competitors are getting
faster, but not the average
participant. Don’t believe me?
Look it up. And it’s no secret that
we are gaining weight.
In 1988 South Carolina,
less than fifteen percent of the
population was considered obese.
Today, in spite of all the health
clubs, energy bars, diet aids,
and literally billions of dollars
that have poured into the fitness
and health industry, the obesity
rate in South Carolina is north
of thirty percent; and South
Carolina is not to be singled out
here. Only one state, Colorado,
has an obesity rate of less than
twenty percent. Twenty years
ago, only one had more than
twenty percent: Mississippi.
The U.S. currently ranks first
in the amount of money spent on
health care, but there are twenty
two countries healthier than
ours.
The current debate on how to
deal with the health care crisis
has the nation split completely in
half, and it has me scratching my
head. At what point do we realize
that it isn’t more money or even
better technology that we need
here; it’s more responsibility.
We’re unhealthy and fat because
we eat too much. There, I said it.
What I find curious is how
simple and easy it is to lose
weight, and yet people spend an
incredible amount of time and
resources trying to figure it out.
I’ve watched people spend an
entire year going back and forth,
up and down on the weight loss
yo-yo, only to end up right back
where they started – if not a little
heavier.
All it takes is one or two minor
adjustments to diet and yet,
as a society, we continue to fail
miserably at weight loss and
health in general. And many who
do manage to lose weight, do so
by starving themselves.
www.islandeyenews.com
But we aren’t entirely to blame
for this. And this is the point.
I have a client who works for
a big ad agency in Manhattan
who told me that they have teams
of folks who sit around all day
devising ways to make people feel
guilty for not participating in a
super-size mentality. We’re losers
if we don’t have bigger houses,
more cars, the prettiest hair, and
the best schools money can buy.
And when we go out to eat, it’s like
a frustrated chef once told me,
“It’s about more… with cheese.”
Quality is an afterthought. We
have television shows today that
are nothing more than contests
to see how much a guy can stuff
down his throat. And that is
celebrated?
No wonder our kids are fatter
than ever.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m no
curmudgeon. I love food as much
as the next guy- I just like to see
my feet. The trick is to strike
a balance. I live by the eighty/
twenty rule: Eighty percent of
the time I follow a really good
diet and then twenty percent of
the time I do whatever the heck I
want. I also don’t believe that life
was necessarily better back in the
day. I actually think it’s better
now. We just need to focus on
what works and not get distracted
by all the bells and whistles.
If you take a look at the last
twenty years in America, you will
notice a striking parallel between
the increase in obesity and the
decrease in happiness. Which
came first? I think less happiness.
Study after study shows that too
many choices can lead to stress
and anxiety. And let’s face it: we
have waaay too many choices.
Throw in an entire industry of
really smart people who dedicate
their lives to making us respond
to guilt and fear, along with a
culture that believes bigger is
better, and voila! There you have
it. Obesity and all that goes along
with it: heart disease, diabetes,
hypertension, low self -esteem,
and on and on.
The trick to finding happiness
is in the small things, not the big
ones. But we’re too busy plowing
ahead to ever see that the best
things in life are the smallest
and the simplest. Think back to
when you were a kid. What are
your best memories? I’ll bet it’s
nothing complicated.
So, what do we do? Well, for
starters we can walk away when
we are full and save the rest for
later. Just because marketers
thought it was a good idea to
double the size of a bagel in the
last twenty years doesn’t mean
we have to eat the whole darn
thing. I tell my clients to allow
themselves a second helping if
they agree to wait fifteen minutes
before digging in. Most often the
urge goes away. Another trick is
to close the kitchen after the last
meal and go for a walk.
21
And perhaps most importantly,
never allow yourself to get too
hungry. The absolute worst thing
one can do is to avoid eating early
in the day. Those who eat a good
breakfast are leaner than those
who do not. Another trick is to
always have a good source of lean
protein available.
But even if you do indulge
in the “bad stuff” on occasion,
it’s the amount that makes the
difference. And just how much
should we be eating? Add a zero
to your weight and you’ll have
roughly the amount of total daily
calories that you’d need to lose
a healthy amount of weight. So,
for example, if you weigh 150lbs.
you’d want to eat no more than
1500 calories per day. If you
find that you lose more than two
pounds per week, then you need
to add a little to your diet.
To paraphrase Ben Franklin,
“Spend less than you make and
you’ll be rich.” Or in this case,
eat less than you burn, not burn
more than you eat.
The basic tenet of any
successful endeavor, including a
healthy lifestyle, should include
these three words: Consistency,
joy, and simplicity. But you’re
not going to see or hear that in
popular culture because there is
no money in it. There’s nothing
to sell. Unfortunately, we are in
a cycle of eat hard-exercise hard
and it’s not working.
An old- time world champion
bodybuilder once told me that
you should leave the gym wanting
more and that you should never
feel beat up or hungry. And you
know what? He’s right.
Exercise done correctly should
not cause soreness and it should
never be a source of anxiety.
Relying on willpower to follow a
good diet and exercise plan is a
sure sign that something is out of
balance. And it can only last
for about three weeks – if you’re
lucky. Willpower needs to be
rationed very carefully. We just
don’t have enough of it. It should
be saved for the times when we
really need it.
Like when Kirk Gibson dragged
his old worn out body up to the
plate with two outs in the bottom
of the ninth and sent the ball
deep into the October sky. We
remember it because it was so
unlikely and so heroic.
But mostly we remember it
because it was so simple.
Michael Bronco is an experienced
personal trainer who has worked
with Olympians and NFL players,
as well as a contributor to such
publications as Men’s Exercise,
Exercise for Men Only, and The
Parrillo Performance Press. He
is the owner of Bronco’s Gym in
Mount Pleasant. For more info,
visit www.broncosgym.com.
 Bridging the Island celebration
22 November 27, 2009

Provided by Creative Spark

D
uring the week that the Ben Sawyer Bridge is
closed, residents of Sullivan’s Island will find
plenty to do without leaving the island.
Every day during the bridge closing, residents
can choose a local restaurant and take advantage of
special “Bridge Closing” prices.
On Sunday, December 6 (or the first Sunday
that the Ben Sawyer Bridge is closed for repairs),
islanders are invited to a big party in Stith Park next
to the Fire Station. Primetime Fitness will kick off
the festivities at 1pm with an all-ages fun run up
the Causeway. As the race ends, Adande drummers
will lead islanders to the top of the mound for a
community drum circle and photo opportunity.
The fun continues in the park with Elise Testone’s
“Slanguage” and the island boy band “The 3 Dudes”
performing in the bandstand and sponsored by
Home Team BBQ, a pie eating contest sponsored by
Seel’s, craft-making with Creative Spark sponsored
“Bridge Closing” specials
Enjoy the Ben Sawyer Bridge
Closing with local Sullivan’s
Island restaurant specials every
day of the closing. These specials
will become active the day of the
bridge closing (which is projected
to occur on or later than December

Bridge work
Work continues on the Ben Sawyer Bridge,
with a closing date set for no earlier than
December 6, 2009, but not between December
15 and January 3.  Half priced appetizers and $5
Photos provided by Julie Hussey/SCDOT
An image of the center pivot upon which the new bridge will
swing open and closed.  for the Arts.
by Dr. Cynthia Holmes Ophthalmology, jump
castles, s’more making sponsored by Southeastern
Spine Institute, face painting and more. The
entertainment is free. Other activities require a
wrist band purchase of $5 which benefits the Park
Foundation. Wrist bands are available at Sullivan’s
Town Hall and will be sold at the Fire Station the
day of the event. Please note that the event date
is subject to change, but will be held the Sunday
during the bridge closing, weather permitting.
An all-ages after party will be held at Home Team
BBQ with local favorite band “The Whisperjets”.
Many island businesses will also offer their
customers the option of adding $1 to their tab to
support the Sullivan’s Island Park Foundation. The
Sullivan’s Island Park Foundation is a private, non-
profit corporation formed in 1990 as a community
based response to the devastation of Hurricane
Hugo. Its purpose is the restoration, development,
and maintenance of the public park and recreational
facilities for the use of the public on Sullivan’s
Island. 
“Bridging the Island” is part of the Island Fun
series of events on Sullivan’s Island which is
sponsored by Bobby Cummings Financial Services,
Poe’s Tavern, Home Team BBQ, the Sullivan’s Island
Park Foundation, the Town of Sullivan’s Island and
produced in cooperation with Creative Spark Center
6, but not between December 15
and January 3), and will last the
entirety of the seven day, 168
hour closure.
Atlanticville
glasses of house wine, and
free kids drink with Kids Meal
purchase.
Café Medley
Order one of our new “Medley
Plates” (Mediterranean, Antipasti,
or Cheese) and get a glass of
wine for only $5!
Dunleavy’s
$6 burgers Monday – Thursday,
and 30¢ wings Monday – Friday.
Green Heron
All ice cream on a stick: buy one
get one free.
High Thyme
Daily food and drink specials.

Home Team BBQ

½ off wings on Sunday, 1/2 off
burgers on Monday and free kids
meals on Tuesday.

Poe’s Tavern
Buy a beer and get a half priced
burger.

Seel’s on Sullivan’s
Half priced tacos all week.

Station 22
$10 off a bottle wine or free
appetizer with the mention of the
ad in this paper.

Sullivan’s
Free order of homemade onion
rings with the purchase of a
dinner entrée. One per table.

www.islandeyenews.com