From staff reports
In Kevin Phillips’ mind, there was no other choice.
“It’s perfect,” the Town of Port Royal Mayor said of Beaufort County Council’s official resolution to name the Beaufort County Library System’s new sixth library location in the Town of Port Royal in honor of former Town of Port Royal Mayor Samuel E. Murray.
Located at 1408 Paris Avenue, the planned library will be the first for the Town of Port Royal.
Mayor Murray served as a member of Town Council for 18 years and as Mayor for six consecutive terms. While in office, Mayor Murray oversaw beautification projects, new infrastructure and expanded the small business community. Mayor Murray was also instrumental in kicking off the redevelopment of the port property.
“It’s wonderful that County Council could recognize Mayor Samuel E. Murray for his many years of service to the Town of Port Royal,” said Council Member Alice Howard. “His dedication to public education in Beaufort County and his commitment to public service to the Town of Port Royal helped make the town what it is today. Honoring his memory with this library branch will be a daily reminder of his legacy.”
“The Beaufort County Library is proud to have the opportunity to open a new branch library in Port Royal which will be named in honor of Mayor Samuel E. Murray,” said Lynne Miller, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees. “During Mayor Murray’s six terms he also saw to the redevelopment of Port Royal making it one of the jewels of the Lowcountry.”
“I think it’s perfectly appropriate. Mayor Murray was a very dedicated educator most of his career with Beaufort County Schools and gave three decades of service to Port Royal,” former Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray said. “I commend the County Council on quite an appropriate choice.”
Phillips said that it was Port Royal Town Councilman Darryl Owens who first suggested naming the library for Murray. The Town Council passed a resolution in support of the suggestion.
Beaufort County Council officially passed its resolution Monday, April 22.
The goal will be to open the Port Royal Branch Library location this summer.
