Dick Stewart to speak at LIBPA meeting
Dick Stewart was originally scheduled as guest speaker for the July Lady’s Island Business Professionals Association meeting but was unable to make it. But he has agreed to speak at the September 11 meeting, which is open to the public, and  will be held at 8 a.m. in the Beaufort County Realtors Association Headquarters in the Palmetto Business Park (behind BB&amp;T on Lady‘s Island Drive). He is the founder and managing member of 303 Associates, and he is the founder and managing member of a hospitality company that operates The Beaufort Inn and Grid Properties, LLC. Stewart has served as a member of Beaufort County Council as well as the board of United Way of Beaufort County, Chairman of the Board of Lowcountry Economic Network and the Coastal Carolina Foundation.
Some topics of discussion will include:
• What steps should be taken to promote economic development in Beaufort County?
• Will the adoption of a form-based code type of planning result in positive changes for the business community?
• What is your vision for northern Beaufort County at the end of this decade?

Sheriff’s deputies cleared in shooting
Solicitor Duffie Stone has cleared Beaufort County Sheriff’s Deputies Raymond Heroux and Kyle Strickland in the June 29 shooting of Johnnie L. Williams and Anthony O. Ancrum in the parking lot of Canal Apartments, 1700 Salem Road.
“After reviewing the SLED investigation, it is clear the officers acted appropriately,” said Stone. “I find no evidence of criminal wrong-doing on the part of either deputy.”
The suspect in the case, Johnnie Williams, was arrested and charged on August 17 with three counts of attempted murder, one count of child endangerment and one count of failure to stop for blue lights. His case will be presented to the Beaufort County Grand Jury on September 13.

County Emergency Management on Twitter
The Beaufort County Emergency Management Division has a new tool to keep residents and tourists informed. The Beaufort County EMD Twitter page was launched last week and has already been updating motorists daily on traffic accidents happening throughout the county. This Twitter page will now also be able to notify the public in the case of a hurricane, tornado, power outage, etc.
Informing those visiting or living in Beaufort County of any interruption into their errands or work schedule is now even easier with this direct link to the emergency management staff.

United Way seeking ‘40 Under 40’ leaders
With the goal of creating new energy and new leadership across the region, United Way of the Lowcountry is seeking 40 “emerging leaders” under the age of 40 to bring new passion and perspective to both the local United Way and to serving the community.
The group’s first 40-minute power lunch is set for Friday, Sept. 7 from noon to 12:40 at Nosh Restaurant in Bluffton. Orchid Paulmeir, Food Network star and local favorite, will be the guest speaker. Cost is $16.40 and anyone interested should RSVP to Bethany Marcinkowski at 843-384-9773.
“We’re excited  about this first ‘power lunch’ and the opportunity to share what we’re all about, what the commitment is, and why it’s important to engage our under-40 leaders in the United Way’s work,” said Courtney Hampson, chair of the Emerging Leaders committee.
“We want to design our own plan of how we can make a difference in Beaufort and Jasper counties through the United Way of the Lowcountry,” Hampson said. “Sometimes that’s through helping with fundraising, sometimes it’s through finding volunteers to help tutor in the elementary schools, and sometimes it’s bringing a fresh viewpoint on how to achieve certain results. We’re here to show that you can be involved, have fun, and do it all without neglecting family or career.”