Andersen: Culture isn’t a variance
The debate over Pine Island and the Cultural Protection Overlay on St. Helena Island has become one of the most important land-use issues in Beaufort County.
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Voices
Opinion pieces, commentary, editorials, and columns that reflect community perspectives from Beaufort’s writers, thought leaders, and residents. This category provides a platform for voices shaping local discussion on issues, values, culture, civic life, and public debate in Beaufort and the broader Lowcountry.
Lowcountry Lowdown: Beaufort voters turn out for early voting
One highlight from last week’s news was the fact that a record number of registered South Carolina voters went to the polls on the first day of early voting and that held true in Beaufort County.
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Delaying the inevitable?
It is Saturday and this morning I have my coffee, my laptop, and a front-row seat on the on-going redistricting debate in the South Carolina Senate.
Delaying the inevitable? Read More »
Lowcountry Lowdown: Redistricting, ‘Pinky-gate’ rumors occupy state, county conversations
With the June 9 primaries rapidly approaching, the focus on political candidates builds just like the summer heat.
Honoring our fallen should be a year-round task
Soon, the gatherings and happenings of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, though still fresh on the mind, will be headed for our stack of memories, slowly fading. When the grill has been cold for days, any leftovers are likely already gone from the fridge, and those of us that enjoyed a long weekend on the water or out of town are home again and have spent several days back at work, it may seem like the time to look forward to the next holiday, our next celebration, our next vacation. Instead I want to linger on this one for a while.
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Great evil and what happens to the children
It is Saturday, and we have, at long last, rain; a lawn that is once again green; and I must admit this gives me some contentment.
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Carol’s not so-grand adventure
Let me start off by saying that I debated long and hard whether or not to write this particular column because it involves my pride as well as my judgment.
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The Weight of Public Leadership
Communities do not quietly move past situations involving children, trauma, and unanswered questions simply because official statements were issued months earlier. People remember how leadership responds when it matters most. Years from now, long after meetings end and officials move on, those signatures will still exist as part of Beaufort’s history. And one day, that little girl may read them for herself. That is the weight of public leadership. Those five signatures are not trivial.
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No bipartisan views in this paper
I recently moved to beautiful Beaufort, S.C., from Pittsburgh, Pa., in November 2025. While I’ve enjoyed settling into the area, I’ve been disappointed by the lack of balance in this paper’s Voices content.
No bipartisan views in this paper Read More »
re: Beaufort plastic ordinance
My more pressing concern is that our Recycling Centers only take Plastics No. 1 and No. 2, only bottles, jugs and jars. As you know, we are not allowed to recycle the No. 1 plastic food containers that a huge amount of the food we purchase is packaged in.
re: Beaufort plastic ordinance Read More »