By Lolita Huckaby
Port Royal residents celebrate the town
PORT ROYAL
You might have called it a “red letter day” on Saturday, with two ribbon-cuttings for a new public library branch, a restaurant and a very lively night of street music.
The coolish weather, in the low 80’s, was an extra treat that had hundreds of folks turning out and cheering progress.
The town welcomed the sixth branch of the county library system with a tribute to the late Mayor Sam Murray, who served on town council for 41 years.
A local couple opened their dream restaurant in a building that had sat empty on Paris Avenue for the past several months.
And the town-sponsored street music program on Paris Avenue provided free entertainment with New Orleans music.
It was just a win-win-win kind of Saturday.
Much better than the week past when the lead story in The Island News was the story of a 12-year-old girl who was accidentally shot in the chest by her cousin. The young victim is still hospitalized recovering from the gunshot.
The “tease” with which Mother Nature blessed the Lowcountry brought hope that fall is indeed coming. Just like the elections.
County administrator making his mark
BEAUFORT – The promise of autumn hasn’t done much for county operations, with the new administrator Michael Moore making his mark by firing folks.
According to The Island Packet, Moore, who began work on July 1, terminated three employees last month for visiting an area gun store during working hours.
The County Council, in announcing his employment, made it clear they expected big things of this man who certainly knew the challenge he would be undertaking. For example, the Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd (let’s call it HSB) management report has not been shared with the public or even Sheriff Tanner who’s asked to see it.
Multiple lawsuits face the county, including complaints from the county Treasurer Maria Walls and the Pine Island developers’ challenge.
Moore has got his hands full, regardless of the weather. At least he hasn’t had a hurricane to deal with.
FYI about Buc-ee’s
FLORENCE – Does everyone know about Buc-ee’s?
If you’ve traveled north on I-95 any time in the past year you’re bound to have noticed the latest … and largest … gas station in South Carolina.
What was described by a Post and Courier columnist as a “cavernous, critter-themed convenience store” has become a major economic driver for the Florence community since Gov. Henry McMaster cut the opening ribbon two-plus years ago.
But, and here’s the connection to Beaufort County, the County Council recently rezoned an additional 100 acres of farm land across the road from Buc-ee’s to accommodate future commercial development. And the residents of Back Swamp community didn’t want to see that expansion and they protested the rezoning.
Back Swamp residents were concerned, according to reports, their rural community was being destroyed.
The elected officials, on the other hand, saw more jobs, more taxes, economic development.
Most of you know how the story goes. The resident lost. The rezoning was done.
Just a little FYI if you stop to enjoy a brisket sandwich or use the world-class bathrooms
Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com.
