Candlewood 195' Tower Comment

Mark wants people to be aware of the upcoming meeting: November 30 at Town Hall Original Candlewood Post Here

By the way, Park West is well aware of "this can happen to you." CCSD tried to ram the entire East of The Cooper Bus Transportation Facility inside our Development by hoodwinking mom, dad, neighbor, citizen and elected official ~ you name it, we were all surprised and then once we fought it -- the district miscontrued facts over and over and over again. It was a fulltime job simply to keep the record straight and the public informed in an upright manner. In doing national research, we found other school districts who did their "bus barns" straight up with real community meetings dedicated JUST to that issue, a very long time in advance. No money was wasted by those districts that chose to involve the community in the community decision! And those communities did not argue with the end result because they had input and agreement together before a bulldozer arrived.

Recently somebody said to me, "The school district developer was just doing his job."

No, school officials have an obligation to engage their communities and be honest and take in a variety of comment early and all along in the planning process. Schools are first and foremost about teachers, parents and children - if that isn't the definition of community, tell me what is! Together we should all decide what is the best plan for the district's residents and everybody impacted. After Park West defeated the bus lot, Mt. Pleasant's residents shifted gears and told the developer, "No, you come to us first and ask us how we feel about development projects. You talk to us (after blue ribbon committees) and you ask us what we feel is appropriate for our families, the school, the town et al."

The worst thing our town could do is allow the district to go back to "wink wink, don't tell 'em its coming and we'll get it done." I made the "at least they got nine letters" statement about your issue, Mark, because in our situation - WE GOT ZERO NOTIFICATION!!!! NOTHING. If we'd gotten ONE LETTER and more critically even ONE BUS LOT MEETING WELL IN ADVANCE then not one district dollar would have gone into the ground in preparation for a bus fleet in Park West. It took hours and hours of hard, FAST research by a handful of people to UNMASK the lies and reveal the truth.

Only after involving the town, county and state levels of government along with PW residents and MTP residents and elected officials ~ in a patient and lengthy process ~ did we get a work-stop order, the meetings and input we deserved. After ~nine months of meetings and negotiations we reversed that very poor, inappropriate, unsafe school district decision. There are a host of reasons (safety as the first but not only reason) why a regional bus transportation depot did not belong (NOR WILL IT EVER BELONG) at Cario Campus. It was a very poor decision for Park West and the Town of Mt. Pleasant.

I write all of this to tell Candlewood and all of Mt. Pleasant: "Park West knows and we understand!"

Best of luck and keep Park West Palazzo up to date on this issue.

Mark has left a new comment on your post "Candlewood Upset Over 195' Tower":

Thank you for reposting this. It's really disappointing that something like this can go up without any notification to folks other than adjacent lots. Hanging objects 200 feet straight up affects a heck of a lot more than adjacent lots! It can happen to you.

Please spread the word about the meeting on Nov 30th at the town hall to voice your opinion to the Zoning board.

Posted by Mark to Park West Palazzo at November 20, 2009 4:45 PM

COFC Observatory Public Forum Tonight

Observatory open to public
Friday, November 20, 2009

The College of Charleston's observatory and observation deck will be open to the public from 7:30-9:30 tonight.

The main 16-inch telescope under the dome will be pointed at an interesting object. Also, three or four 8-inch telescopes will be on the deck and will be pointed to planets and other objects in the night sky.

The event is free and open to all ages.

The college will hold a series of open houses in the Observatory on the third Friday of each month.

The observatory is located on the top floor of the Rita Liddy-Hollings Science Center located at 58 Coming St.

For more information, contact Chris True at 953-2031.

Rationing L'ego Waffles ....

What has our world come to? I'm working hard on my school projects right now so I admit to neglecting the news, my blog (meaning failing to post my typical 150 items per day). I guess I missed a rush on frozen waffles! In this article ~ the phrase "closed for repairs indefinitely" ~ call me overly "Cherokee researched out" but sounds like an irrational statement ... closed for repairs is by design a temporary situation. Is this a way of stating "people aren't eating so many frozen waffles and the lines are down in one plant but when we get the storm-ravaged plant up and running we'll meet the current need." Waffle Irons are fun ... we never purchased waffles growing up ... Do I need to get to bed before midnight tonight?

Kellogg : Eggo shortage to last until summer
Company says Atlanta plant was closed because of storm; Tenn. plant closed indefinitely

By DORIE TURNER
Associated Press
Thursday, November 19, 2009
ATLANTA -- Dear Kellogg: Leggo my Eggo!

Kellogg Co. says there will be a nationwide shortage of its popular Eggo frozen waffles until next summer because of interruptions in production at two of the four plants that make them.
The company's Atlanta plant was shut down for an undisclosed period by a September storm that dumped historic amounts of rain in the area. Meanwhile, several production lines at its largest bakery in Rossville, Tenn., are closed indefinitely for repairs, company spokeswoman Kris Charles said in an e-mail.

It will take until the middle of 2010 before shelves around the country are stocked at pre-shutdown levels, Charles said.

Already customers are noticing near-empty Eggo shelves on the freezer aisle.
Stay-at-home mom Joey Resciniti says she bought one of the last two boxes of Eggos at a Walmart in Cranberry Township, Pa., on Monday. The frozen waffles are a favorite of her 4-year-old daughter, Julia.

"We have eight of them, and if we ration those -- maybe have half an Eggo in one sitting -- then it'll last longer," said Resciniti, who blogs about being a mother. "I told my husband that maybe I need to put them on eBay."

Charles didn't know how long the Atlanta plant was shut down, but said that it's back at full production now.

The existing stock of Eggos will be distributed nationally based on stores' sales histories of the waffles, Charles said.

"We are working around the clock to restore Eggo store inventories to normal levels as quickly as possible," she wrote in the e-mail.

Eggo first hit the shelves in 1960, and its cult following grew in the following years. Kellogg started using the famed slogan "Leggo my Eggo" in 1972. For years, the waffles have been a staple for busy moms and college students looking for a quick breakfast.

This week, news of the shortage spread quickly on Twitter as shoppers reported not being able to find the breakfast food. Fans of Eggos lamented their scarcity on the waffle's Facebook page, which has more than 400 members.

Eggos also are made at plants in San Jose, Calif., and Blue Anchor, N.J.

Lets Grow Old Together ...

US Gov: Senior Resources For Aging

Aging population - a topic of interest for Town Council

New committee to begin work on impact of aging population on municipal services

By Martine Wolfe-Miller, PIOMOUNT PLEASANT, SC (November 18, 2009) –

Departing Mayor Kruger Smith recently appointed Council Member Thomasena Stokes-Marshall chair of the Advisory Committee on Aging Population and Municipal Service Impacts.

“This is a special committee whose commission will end upon completion of a report in June 2010, unless Town Council decides additional work is needed,” said Mount Pleasant Mayor Billy Swails.

Latest statistics from an August 2008 population data release from the US Bureau of Census indicate that the fastest growing segment of our population is of people over the age of 100 – followed closely by a cohort of people over age 85. By 2050, over half a million people in the United States will have attained centurion status, and one in four will have reached the age of 65.

These numbers and trends require that we plan for the future to meet the needs of the population base. This committee’s mission is to report to Council on the perceived and documentable impact of a significant portion of our population that is aging through the year 2030 on our municipal services.”The following members of the community were appointed to the committee: Thomasena Stokes-Marshall (chair), Wendy Weisner, Richard Snyder, Dr. Mason Smith, Dr. Rex Morgan, Tim Keane, Betty Gilbert, Charlie Carmody, Debra Whitfield, Jackie Gore, Ed Lee and Steve Snyder.

The initial meeting, scheduled to take place on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 pm, Town Hall Municipal Complex (Room 103), will be chaired by Council Member Stokes-Marshall. Dr. Jerome McKibben, a noted demographer from Rock Hill, South Carolina, will be present to review his demographic report on the population of Mount Pleasant. For additional information of the McKibben Report visit us online at www.townofmountpleasant.com under Announcements.

For more information on the Advisory Committee on Aging Population and Municipal Service Impacts, contact the Office of Public Information at 843.884.8517 or email your questions to publicinfo@townofmountpleasant.com.

First Tree Lighting At WaterFront Memorial Park!!!!

Save the date for new tree lighting ceremony!
Mount Pleasant to hold tree lighting ceremony at Memorial Waterfront Park Dec. 2!

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (November 18, 2009) – Mount Pleasant Mayor Billy Swails and Mount Pleasant Town Council will host a Tree of Lights ceremony at Memorial Waterfront Park on Wednesday, December 2, at 6 pm.

The 21 ft-tall tree, composed of nearly 600 Christmas lights and topped with a bright star, will make a remarkable addition to the park.“We invite children and parents to attend the first tree lighting ceremony at Memorial Waterfront Park to help us create a new tradition,” said Mayor Swails. “Santa will arrive on a bright red fire truck to listen to Christmas requests and distribute candy canes.

Entertainment will include local performers and a “Toys for Tots” drive will be held at 7 pm in the Cooper River Room at the Visitor Center. Bring your children and good cheer and help us usher the Christmas season into our wonderful town!”

For additional information on the tree lighting ceremony, contact Su McManus-Frost at 843.884.8517. For additional information on the Marines’ Toys for Tots drive, contact Shari Sebuck at Blackbeard’s Cove at 843.364.1198.

Being Intentional About Weaving Legacy

Weaving a legacy
Program helps sweetgrass basketmakers teach art skills to next generation
By Jessica Johnson
Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Post and Courier
Quantasia Habersham begins work on a second sweetgrass basket in Henrietta Snype's Next Generation program, a grant-sponsored project to keep the art of sweetgrass basket-weaving alive.

Avery exhibit
What: Exhibit opening/reception: "Sweetgrass: A Living Legacy of Family and Community."
When: 6-8 p.m. Nov. 19.
Where: Avery Research Center, 125 Bull St., Charleston.
Details: The exhibit featuring baskets and artwork from the Avery Research Center Collection and creations from Avery Next Generation project participants will be on display through May 15.
Over the summer, sweetgrass basket-weaver Henrietta Snype, 57, found out that the next generation can be hard to pin down.

Young would-be basketmakers spent weeks away on vacations, participated in organized sports and other activities. A wealth of electronics, including video games, cell phones and MP3 players, competed for the youngsters' attention. But somehow, 17 children managed to sit down and weave their first sweetgrass basket in The Next Generation project, a grant-funded program taught through The Avery Research Center for African-American History and Culture. The baskets made since the class began in April will be part of a sweetgrass exhibit, "Sweetgrass: A Living Legacy of Family and Community," at the Avery, opening at 6 tonight. Snype launched the Next Generation project with the idea that the twice-monthly lessons at the Avery Research Center, a division of the College of Charleston, would attract children from traditional basketmaking communities in Mount Pleasant. However, the workshop attracted students from throughout the area, including children of a Daniel Island doctor, a native of Africa. Deborah Wright, coordinator of special projects at Avery, said, "It's my understanding that people feared the art might die." Baskets were traditionally made by people living in the Mount Pleasant area between the neighborhoods of Four Mile and Eight Mile, the practice spreading with marriage. In 1999, Snype said, just 40 basket stands existed along U.S. Highway 17. Some weavers moved to the Charleston City Market and other tourist destinations, in search of better locations to sell their wares. Basket-weavers also found a new home in Mount Pleasant's Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion. Today, more than 70 stands are along the U.S. Highway today, thanks to an overlay district that protects them in the highway's right of way, but about 10 of them go unused, according to surveys by the town of Mount Pleasant. Snype of Mount Pleasant's Four Mile community remembers when as many as 150 weavers sold sweetgrass baskets from highway stands. Snype learned to sew watching her grandmother, Elizabeth Coakley Johnson, from the floor. It wasn't a choice. She couldn't play until the stitches looked right. Sewing a complete basket was forbidden until she wove a base with perfect coils. "One day you might need to do this to survive," Snype said her grandmother told her. "Now here I am surviving." Snype instructs students across the tri-county area through artist-in-residency programs, providing students with the basket's first coil and allowing them to weave the rest. Wright said Avery operates on a tight budget and gets a lot of its support from the community. Basket-weaving classes can be expensive and materials hard to obtain. A recent artist-in-residency program sponsored by Creative Spark for students at Sanders-Clyde Elementary students cost more than $1,500, counting supplies and teaching time. Snype said she has to ask the men to gather palmetto fronds and sweetgrass well in advance. You can't just order it, she said. Then she and her daughter, Latrelle Snype, weave a starter, the basket's first coil. Unlike her grandmother, Snype allows students to make minor mistakes, coaxing them to correct sloppy work immediately. At the recent Sanders-Clyde program, elementary students worked on basket coils for five days during 50-minute art periods. The weaving was part of an integrated curriculum in which students learned about South Carolina history. In the brochure "History of Sweetgrass Baskets," M. Jeannette Gailliard Lee writes that basketmakers passed the weaving knowledge from generation to generation, each artist developing an individual style. Snype uses tightly wound small coils in her basket, a characteristic she picked up from her grandmother.
Reach Jessica Johnson at 937-5921 or jjohnson@postandcourier.com.

MTP's FAMED CHRISTMAS PARADE "T-25"

25 Days Before Our Parade ... I have a Final Exam on the 14th so we'll see. If I have all my preparations done a bit early I'll be there! I'm the biggest fan so it'd be rough for me to miss it ...

The Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 13, 20095:45 - 7:15 p.m.Down Coleman Boulevard. More than 100 floats will march down Coleman Boulevard as the Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade set sails to the delight of thousands of residents and visitors. The parade will begin at 5:45 PM at the intersection of Coleman and Pelzer Drive. It will continue past Shem Creek to conclude at the Sea Island Shopping Center around 7:15 PM.

Need more information? Contact Martine Wolfe at (843) 884-8517.

Progress On MTP Hospital Site Gunshots

Oakland Park WalMart: How Wonderful ....

One Suspect Arrested, Another Wanted for Construction Site Shooting
Mount Pleasant, SC - Authorities say they have arrested one person and are looking for another in connection with a shooting that took place at a construction site in Mount Pleasant.On Monday afternoon, officers responded to 3500 Hwy 17 North at the construction site of the New Roper Hospital in reference to shots being fired in the area. Mount Pleasant Police Department charged Clayton Jefferson, 22, with assault with the intent to kill, while police are still looking for another suspect 20-year-old DeAngelo Coakley.

Officers say they met with the victim and discovered that he had an altercation with a group of men at the Walmart at Oakland Plantation and they had followed him back to the construction site. According to investigators, one of the suspects fired approximately seven rounds toward his vehicle, striking it twice. The suspects then fled the area. Authorities say there were two other suspects who were described as black males between the ages of 18 and 22-years-old.

The Digetel: B&N: Women Authors Book Sale

I never want to read another book for the rest of my life ... but don't let me discourage you! :-)

Center For Women hosting their annual Women Authors Holiday Book Sale

The Center for Women, in partnership with Mt. Pleasant Barnes & Noble, will hold its 3rd Annual Lowcountry Women Authors Holiday Book Sale & Signing

When: Sunday November 22 from 2 to 5 p.m.

This year’s location will be the former Tweeter space next to Bed, Bath & Beyond at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre.
Here’s more from the press release:
Over 50 local women authors will be on hand for you to meet and purchase copies of their latest book autographed – for yourself or to give as Holiday gifts. Nationally-known authors include Nathalie Dupree, Sue Monk Kidd, Cassandra King, Ann Kulze, MD, Mary Alice Monroe, Nicole Seitz, Anne Rivers Siddons and Marjorie Wentworth.

According to Jennet Robinson Alterman, Executive Director of the Center for Women, “Our Lowcountry Women Authors Holiday Book Sale & Signing gets bigger and better every year. The actual number of nationally and regionally known women authors who live in Charleston is extraordinary and their collective willingness to come out, meet their fans and help raise money for the Center for Women is amazing.”

A $10 donation at the door benefits the Center for Women. Refreshments will be provided by Chilis in Mt. Pleasant, Saffron Café & Bakery and Charleston Cookie Company. The event is sponsored by The Fig & The Vine Publishing, Arcadia Publishing, Skirt! Magazine, and Mount Pleasant Towne Centre.

Mount Pleasant Towne Centre is located at 1600 Palmetto Grande Drive.

It's Official ~ VC'S Been Cleared By COFC ~

Well, barring a last minute decision to drop out or to act like a normal college student and get rip roaring drunk before I finish final exams and just 'opps not wake up' . ~ barring any of that crazy stuff ~ I'm GRADUATING because I've Been Cleared!!!! The following notice hit my email box last week. Of course I have LOTS of writing and studying to do before I can say "Its OVER!" But the graduates around me ~ we were talking today and it just seems to have hit us THIS WEEK ~ITS REAL!!!! Next, I'll go out and find work, get married, buy my first home, have children ... wait ... I've done all that ... but I am prepared for a job! Can you believe it? After consultation with a professor or two, and my ten year old daughter who loves the hype and dresses and roses and pretty ceremonies, I have decided to be traditional and "Walk in May" on the Cistern. December graduates have a ceremony in the Carolina One Arena and after all of "this," I just cannot walk in a basketball stadium. I'm "local" meaning I'm not relocating the day after my last final and I've been watching Cistern graduation set-up procedures now for a few springs and thinkin "my day is coming ..." Yes and Amen! VC is finally ON TRACK!!! :-)

FALL 2009 GRADUATION STATUS NOTIFICATION

Congratulations!

You have been preliminarily cleared for Fall 2009 graduation. You are on track to meet all degree requirements if you successfully complete all course work currently in progress and any Incomplete or In Progress (I/IP) work from prior semesters (such as NSEP or INST).

Dear CRBJ: Are You Being Serious?

Tracking Governor Sanford

The Charleston Regional Business Journal has a new weekly feature entitled: "Governor Watch." Is this humor? CRBJ Staff posts the Governor's schedule or at least a main event from several days per week from his schedule!!?? Well, I guess if somebody tracks him he won't get lost again on the Appalacian Trail.

Governor Watch
Staff Report Published Nov. 16, 2009
Gov. Mark Sanford’s schedule includes the following:
Today:
Budget hearing on economic development, 2 p.m., Wade Hampton Building, Statehouse grounds.
Wednesday:
Monster.com grand opening, 3 p.m., 2701 Alex Lee Blvd., Florence.
Friday:
Boeing Co. groundbreaking, 10:30 a.m., location to be determined.

Planning Charleston's Future In Light Of Past

This was one of many topics tonight in my Historic Preservation class ... or, more generally, Charleston's current planning process and some rising concerns from the preservation sector ...

Will waterfront's past be part of its future?
ARCHITECTURE
By Robert Behre
Tom Ilderton walks around the scruffy parking lot near the State Ports Authority's passenger terminal and knows there's something special to be seen by peering over the edge.

Ilderton, a history buff whose father once leased a warehouse building nearby, knows this lot is built atop massive granite blocks, some of the most imposing remnants of Charleston's old waterfront. These blocks can be seen only along the edge of the old wharves: The top has been covered by gravel, asphalt, chain link fences and concrete parking stops. Ilderton estimates each blocks weighs about 5 tons, and the craftsmanship in their construction can be seen on their beveled edges as well as the occasional set of stairs (now blocked off) leading down to the water. "There's a lot of history here, and if we don't put some emphasis on it, there's a chance it will be eliminated," he says.

Charleston's granite docks near the State Ports Authority's passenger terminal are believed to date from the late 19th century. They are largely obscured today by gravel, asphalt, chain link fences and concrete parking stops. Ilderton is referring to the authority's new plans to redevelop and rejuvenate this 15-acre area. The authority recently hired Cooper Robertson & Partners to come up with a master plan. "I don't want to put any type of stumbling block in front of them because what they're doing is going to be great for the city," Ilderton says. "But this is an historic site, and some of it, if not all of it, needs to be protected."

The good news is that architect Jaquelin Robertson of Cooper Robertson is well aware of the granite features, which he calls "incredibly beautiful."

But improving access is only one of the goals here. Cooper Robertson also must figure out how to create a new passenger terminal that will be secure, efficient and cost effective and how to redevelop nearby property in a way that boosts the economy and gives residents and visitors someplace interesting to go. "We're trying to investigate the working waterfront and what was going on along the waterfront in various periods of time,"

Robertson says. "A number of preservation groups are really interested in that, so you could go out and, in 10 minutes or 20 minutes or an hour, get an understanding of the history of the waterfront. That's where the money was made." Robertson says it's too early to say how the granite piers may be incorporated into the final plan, "but people who know (Mayor) Joe Riley know that it's unlikely we would pass up opportunities to use good things."

What's interesting is how little is known about the wharves. State Ports Authority spokesman Byron Miller says they don't seem to be well understood or appreciated. "People who walk around them might not even notice them." The wharves likely were built after the Civil War, as the federal government finished up construction on the nearby U.S. Customhouse, though definitive information is hard to come by. The authority's records don't shed much light. Miller says a 1925 map shows a "Custom House Wharf" that includes two wharves directly across Concord Street from the Customhouse. The authority acquired this property from the federal government in 1959, 17 years after the authority was created in a land deal between the city and state. The wharves' construction likely was part of the Customhouse project. It's close and similar materials were used. The current parking lot even has some fence remnants that resemble the fence around the Customhouse across the street. As for the wharves themselves, it's unknown how much granite or other old material lies buried under today's parking lot. The wharves' past seems as fuzzy as their future.
Robert Behre may be reached at 937-5771 or by fax at 937-5579. His e-mail address is

rbehre@postandcourier.com, and his mailing address is 134 Columbus St., Charleston, SC 29403.

7 Shots Fired @ Roper Construction Site

CONCERNING! 7 shots ... thats bold!

Shots fired in Mount Pleasant construction site parking lot
By Andy Paras
The Post and Courier
Monday, November 16, 2009

Mount Pleasant Police are investigating shots fired at the construction site of the new Roper St. Francis hospital on U.S. 17 North.

About seven shots were fired from a 9 mm handgun. Two of the shots hit a truck parked at the construction site, said Capt. Stan Gragg.

Gragg said the shooting is still under investigation.

MTP Cheerleading Competition November 20

Enter by Nov.20 for Mount Pleasant cheerleading competition
Mount Pleasant Cheerleading Competition set for Dec. 5

Entries due Nov. 20

[MOUNT PLEASANT] – The Mount Pleasant Recreation Department (MPRD) would like to invite all area youth cheerleading squads to register for the 11th Annual Cheerleading Competition, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at the old Wando High School gym (1560 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant). Teams are required to enter the competition by Nov. 20.The main goal of the MPRD competition is to provide Lowcountry cheerleaders with a day of fun.

Squad entry forms are available at the R.L. Jones Center or online at http://www.townofmountpleasant.com/.

The event registration fee is $80 per team and fees are due with entry forms by Nov. 20. Squads will have the opportunity to compete in the following age divisions:Division A – ages 5-7Division B – ages 8-10Division C – ages 11-17Divisions are based on the average age of the team as of December 5, 2009. Squads entering the Youth Division must cheer for an organized recreation sports team. Squads must include original members that cheer throughout the season. Spotters and a 42x42-regulation mat will be provided, and the time limit for routines may not exceed three minutes. Each squad will be scored by a selected panel of judges on such criteria as projection, technique, use of floor, effective incorporation, overall impression and perfection of routine. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

A jump-off competition will also be held, and each squad may submit up to two cheerleaders to compete. Prizes will be awarded to the top three jumpers. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and all participants must have signed in by 10 a.m. Following registration, a coaches’ meeting will take place and open tumbling will be allowed.

The competition will begin at 10:45 a.m. Spectators are also invited to attend the event for a small admission fee of $5 for adults (ages 16 and older) or $4 for children. Children ages two and under are free. Coolers and outside food and drink are not permitted in the gym. Concessions will be available for purchase on-site. Old Wando High School is located at 1560 Mathis Ferry Road in Mount Pleasant. The competition will be held in the gym, located in the back of the school.

This is the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department’s 11th annual cheerleading competition. Last year’s event hosted over 140 cheerleaders.Additional rules for the competition as well as entry forms are available on the cheerleading webpage (see links below). For more information, contact MPRD Cheerleading Coordinator Anne Selner at 843-884-2528. Competition Schedule:*Times may vary for competition, and division times may be moved up on day of competition. Download the forms below for additional information on the competition.

9:00-10:00 a.m.: Team Registrations for All Divisions
10:00-10:45 a.m.: Coaches’ Meeting, Open Tumbling
10:45 a.m.: Competition Starts
Division A
Division B
Division C
Jump Off
Awards Presentation (Divisions A, B, C )

Candlewood Upset Over 195' Tower

If you don't follow town agendas ~ It all slips right on by ...

Towering issue
Safety, effect on property values are among worries
By Prentiss Findlay
The Post and Courier
Monday, November 16, 2009

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Candlewood subdivision residents are upset that the town allowed a 195-foot-tall communications tower to be built next to their neighborhood.
They worry the tower will cause their homes to lose value and that it could be dangerous in a hurricane.

"It's just a hideous monster. We've certainly got a whole neighborhood in an uproar," homeowner Mark Bevivino said.

David Freeman, a resident of the Candlewood subdivision in Mount Pleasant, stands in view of the new communications tower. Two residents of the subdivision are pursuing appeals of the decision to allow the tower on SCANA property near the neighborhood.

Bevivino and a neighbor each paid the $100 fee to file appeals of the town planning staff decision to permit the tower on SCANA property adjacent to the 130-home development off Mathis Ferry Road. The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the homeowners' concerns on Nov. 30, he said.

Karl Buckman, who lives adjacent to the tower, said he received a letter from the town advising him of the SCANA project that said he had 30 days to object to it. "It (the letter) really didn't come out and say how big and overpowering (the tower) was going to be. This was a total surprise," Buckman said. Buckman equated the tower to a 20-story building. Construction of the tower next to a South Carolina Electric & Gas substation on SCANA property happened on Oct. 20, he said.

SCANA met all the town requirements for the tower located on its Whipple Road land, SCANA Supervisor of Public Affairs Scott Grigg said. AT&T is renting space on the tower, he said. "AT&T had a need for additional wireless coverage in the Mount Pleasant area," Grigg said. The tower can withstand up to 130 mile-per-hour winds. Beyond that wind speed, the tower crumples rather than breaking off in one piece and flying through the air, he said.
But that's little consolation to Candlewood resident Rhonda Lincoln.

"Who's going to want to buy a house when that's the view that they'll see every day? We've got a group of people who are extremely upset about it and are willing to fight about it. This is just wrong," Lincoln said.

The Town Planning and Development Department approved the SCANA application to build the tower on land zoned for economic development. After its decision, the department notified nine adjacent homeowners in Candlewood, said Christiane Farrell, department director.

The nine homeowners had 30 days to register concerns about the project before a town permit was issued. None of the property owners contacted by the town responded, Farrell said. "We didn't hear anything," she said.

A telecommunications tower is allowed in an economic development zone if it does not pose a health or safety hazard. It also must not substantially detract from aesthetics and neighborhood character or impair the use of neighboring properties, according to town ordinance.
Farrell declined to discuss the aesthetics of the tower because that issue is one of the main points of the appeal of the department's decision to permit the structure. "That's probably one of the most subjective parts of that conditional use," she said.

Candlewood homeowner David Freeman said he plans to retire in the neighborhood where he and his wife raised three boys. He works in submarine communications for SPAWAR. "One day we heard some pile driving and the next day I came home and it (the tower) was up," he said. At first, the tower created a blinding reflection of sunlight, but in a few days its surface faded to a dull gray, he said. He worried that the tower, located across the street, will decrease the $250,000 value of his home.

Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com.

Kid's Event: Just Chill on December 6th

image from fingerfood.com

Just Chill's Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party

• Date: Sunday Dec. 6, 2009


• Where: Just Chill


• Time: 2 pm to 4 pm (parents are not required to stay- get some Holiday shopping done or catch a nap!)

• Register By November 30th: Must sign up by 11/30/09


• To Register: Contact Patrick- 843-364-0037 or visit Just Chill in Park West Cost


• Cost: $35/child to include kid's meal, Gingerbread House and supplies (House goes home with child)


• Sibling Fee: Sisters and brothers may share and make one house & cost is $20 additional child for sharing and meal


• Payment @ Registration

Note: Limited Houses

Chamber Praises MTP Wood Importer

The State Newspaper:
Chamber praises growth
Staff Reports

A wood importer in Mount Pleasant that saw its revenues more than triple last year has been named the fastest-growing company in South Carolina, according to the Capital Corp. investment banking firm.

Direct Source Imports, which provides wood products to the construction industry, took top honors in the "S.C.'s Fastest-Growing Companies 2009" competition.

Midlands-area businesses that made the Top 25 list were:
- Arnold Construction Corp. in Columbia at No. 2
- Dennis Corp., a Columbia engineering, surveying and construction management company, at No. 5
- Industrial Service Group, a Sumter provider of linings and coatings for power industry, at No. 10
- Rhythmlink International in Columbia, a manufacturer of neurodiagnostic and sleep accessories, at No. 15
Winners were announced Thursday at the S.C. Chamber of Commerce's annual summit in Charleston.
"South Carolina is home to some of the most innovative companies in the nation," chamber president Otis Rawl said.

S.C. companies competing for the award must have been in operation at least two years and have reported revenues of at least $3 million for the most recent reported year. Winners were determined based on revenue and employment growth.

Anglo-Cherokee War: This is Progress!!!

Todd, our three kids and one of my kid's friends journeyed to Cherokee North Carolina after school got out last June. We stayed on the reservation and spent 4 days/5 nights exploring the general area, taking in the outdoor drama "Unto These Hills," and a few hours at the excellent (scholarly) Cherokee Museum along with their accompanying village, true to the 1750s, which is a part of the colonial Cherokee period that I set out to study one year ago.

Since I no longer post updates to my "dead" facebook account, I know that Brad T., Margaret F., Becki B. and others will appreciate an update on my big undergraduate project for the history department at the College of Charleston. I have less than a month before I must turn in my entire project to Dr. Boucher. Actually, I committed to handing in the final rough draft of the entire paper by November 23rd, thus I have a little over a week left to work. Technically, I have until the last day of final exams in mid-December to implement any critiques Dr. Boucher and Dr. Poole toss my way after reading over my work.

To Date

I finished a comprehensive 26 page timeline on events specific to the Anglo-Cherokee alliance, the mid-1750s-1761 that includes the 3 campaigns of this war. In researching the Cherokees from this era I was unable to find a time line in existence (certainly nothing really good, let me know if you ever run into one!). Because there are 3 distinct campaigns and lots of complicated details, I decided to try to create one. Hmmm. My professor suggested that after graduation, I expand the one I completed to include more of my research. He suggested a completed product could be published for sale at a specific location. WE'LL SEE! I also have it in the back of my mind to tackle the wikipedia page someday because it needs "some MAJOR lov'n." Why not me, the girl next door?

On the actual research paper: I've written ~34 pages with about 15 more to complete my Bachelor's Essay. I've lightly maintained a bibliography over time so I'll be left with cleaning that up and being certain it is accurate. This weekend, after I post this note to my blog, I will produce ten pages on Campaigns II and III. Afterwards I have about five or so pages of conclusions /epilogue to be completed next week. (I have two other projects for other classes to do next weekend and over Thanksgiving).

This morning, I accomplished another major cleaning out and organizing of my research and its clear that I'm just about finished. That feels awesome!!!!!! I've been working on the Cherokees in one form or another for over a year. If I can finish up this last paper I might be considered for Departmental Honors ~ no guarantees ~ I'm at peace now for having taken the journey. Its been an incredible experience and while I don't have my eye on becoming a Historian on Native American topics ... its been an invaluable "in-fill" learning experience for understanding the Colonial Carolina time period overall. The best news is that "THE MESS" (numerous books and files et al.) on my study floor has shrunken down to something manageable. WONDERFUL! Its tangible evidence to my family that I am just about done!

The mess is down to "just about nothing." I'm actually beginning to believe that I can tackle the next level of history course successfully: My Masters Degree is the next step, but not until next fall!

HIS Radio, "Blanket Bundles" MTP Walmart SAT!!!!

Local radio station collecting “blanket bundles” to help the needy this Thanksgiving
Raymond Owens

Published: November 13, 2009

Local radio station collecting “blanket bundles” to help the needy this Thanksgiving. His Radio 100.5FM will be collecting the blankets at the Wal-Mart in Mount Pleasant from 10AM-2PM on Saturday. They sent News 2 the press release with more information. You can see that below…

____PRESS RELEASE BELOW___
November 13, 2009

• His Radio 100.5 is giving you a chance to feed and keep the underprivileged warm this winter
• WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2009 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• WHERE: Wal-Mart Supercenter: Mt. Pleasant (Proprietor’s Place—by Kohl’s)
• Join His Radio’s Mid-day host, Gary Miller

With the cold and damp winter weather predicted with the “El Nino” weather patter, this year will be even more crucial to make a difference to keep people fed and warm. Families and churches are coming together to give their “Blanket Bundles.”

His Radio 100.5 is teaming up with Hope Assembly of God’s Without Walls Ministry to collect “Blanket Bundles”…a blanket filled with canned goods & tied together to make a bundle. The blankets and the canned foods will go to “Without Walls” to distribute on Thanksgiving during their big event where they serve the underprivileged in the Charleston area.

The collection is taking place throughout the His Radio Network’s listening area: five locations at His Radio 89.3 in the Upstate of SC; 100.5 in Charleston; 91.9 in Savannah, GA & Hilton Head, and in five places in the Raleigh-Durham area. 13 locations in the His Radio Network will be collecting “Blanket Bundles” from people who want to make the winter more comfortable for others.

Looking So Forward To A Few More Lanes

US 17 widened to 6 lanes
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Town of Mount Pleasant is progressing toward final construction plans for the proposed widening of US Route 17 in Charleston County. US 17 would be widened from four lanes to six lanes for approximately 5.2 miles from the Isle of Palms Connector (SC 517) to Darrell Creek Trail.

The primary purpose of this project is to reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic flow, while improving traffic-related safety conditions and bicycle and pedestrian access.
The anticipated completion of Final Construction Plans is December and construction is expected to begin in February 2010, starting in the southern portion of the project near the Isle of Palms Connector.

The town continues to coordinate with the sweetgrass basket makers to discuss minor shifts in stand locations and vehicle access to the stands. Ten stands located within the SCDOT Right-of-Way have not been occupied during all site visits since October 2008.

These stands have been deemed abandoned and are proposed for removal prior to construction in February 2010.

The 10 abandoned stands located within the SCDOT Right-of-Way received a bright orange notice during the first week of November. The owner has 60 days to contact the town in regards to their sweetgrass basket stand. Notices will not be placed on stands that have been occupied at any point during the last year.

If you would like additional details on the locations of the abandoned stands or receive a notice on your stand, contact Paul Lykins, Project Manager at the Town of Mount Pleasant Transportation Department at (843) 856-3080.

I hear in Mr. Santos' statement: "I'll be running again." I expect he would! In two years, we have four incumbent council seats come up. Unless Ms. Thomasena-Stokes Marshall retires ... it would seem that four incumbents will challenge those who were bumped and want back on. The incumbents up are Paul, Thomasena, Ken and Nick. These individuals will have served SIX years rather than the normal FOUR years because MTP shifted their municipal election to November. Add to those candidates, any new people and we could have a good pool. Four incumbents plus 2 bumped (maybe) = 6 and add in others. Mr. Freeman runs in each TC election so that gives us ~ 7. I've heard that a handful of the candidates that didn't get in this go around will return ... I think we may already be hovering around 10 candidates in two years but of course a million and one things can happen in two years. Thank God we have two years to rest ... :-)
....................
Swails is official
Thursday, November 12, 2009
By Sully Witte
Moultrie News

Mount Pleasant’s new mayor and four town council members were sworn in Tuesday night in front of a standing room only crowd of family, friends and citizens. Acting mayor Kruger Smith, in an emotional farewell, led his last council meeting after serving the town for more than 27 years. He handed the reigns over to Billy Swails, the town’s 35th mayor. After his swearing in ceremony with his wife, children and grandchildren looking on, Swails called each newly elected town council person to the stage for their swearing in ceremony. Town Councilman Paul Gawrych was voted in as mayor pro-tem. He was elected to council in September 2002. He was reelected in September 2006. Gawrych is the Council representative for CHATS. Elton Carrier will chair the Finance Committee, while Gawrych will chair the Economic Development Committee and the Recreation Committee. Thomasena Stokes-Marshall will chair the Planning Committee; Nick Collins will chair the Public Works Committee; Ken Glasson will chair the Bids and Purchases Committee and the Fire Committee; John Burns will chair the Water Supply Committee; Linda Page will chair the Annexation Committee; and Craig Rhyne will chair the Personnel Committee. Town Councilman Joe Bustos, along with fellow council member Gary Santos also ran for the mayor’s seat. Bustos, who came in second in the mayoral race told the Moultrie News, “While disappointed with the results, we met many wonderful people and had many great supporters. Kathy (his wife) and I want to thank all of these people for their efforts on our behalf.” Santos told the Moultrie News, “It has been an honor serving the citizens of Mount Pleasant over the last 13 years. Contributing to the well being of our community has always been my goal and I have thoroughly enjoyed doing just that. I wish Mayor Swails and the new council all the best and fully support them in their efforts to continue moving our town in the right direction. He added, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the citizens who have supported me over the years and the town's staff who I have worked closely with as well. I will continue to be involved in the community and look forward to serving the citizens again in the future.”

P & C Offers A Thanksgiving Planner

I don't have to prepare a thanksgiving meal this year because friends who recently moved to Park West are preparing the meal and we are arriving to eat and relax! I am so excited about that generous gift in my final semester of full time school! The invitation inspires me to give thanks!

What is turducken? Huh?

Thanksgiving Planner
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thanksgiving Feast
Need help planning the Thanksgiving feast? For complete planning tips, recipes for turkeys and smaller birds and high-heat roasting, ideas for delicious side dishes and yummy pies, check out these stories from our archives.

• A plan for a super Thanksgiving, published 11/15/2006

• A bird, and a super Thanksgiving, published 11/15/2006

• From quail to turducken, holiday feast is sure to please, published 11/19/2008

• Sideshow, published 11/17/2004

• Favorite side memorable, published 11/19/2008

• Readers submit companion dishes for holiday or any time, published

• Perfection in pies, published 11/5/2008

Click Here For P & C Links To Aids Above

USL Students Conducted MTP Exit Polling

Local students learn about exit polling during the election

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
By Helen Ravenel

Pictured Above: Carter Falk (6th grade) and Lexie Thomas (7th grade) are

Lower Picture: Carter Falk (6th grade), Billy Swails, Ellie Thomas, Tyler Collins (7th grade) are shown here from left.University School of the Lowcountry in Mount Pleasant is committed to learning.

But the learning techniques are not the everyday ones most are used to.

Students have four days of school and one Learning outside of the Classroom day.

“Learning Outside the Classroom experiences are a fundamental part of our program. They are weekly, and they embody our believe that students learn best by doing — and the Lowcountry is a rich and varied classroom filled with exciting educational opportunities and passionate and talented individuals,” said University School founder and headmaster Jason Kreutner

Last Tuesday University School of the Lowcountry (USL) students conducted exit polling for the Mount Pleasant mayoral and town council races.

For the past three years that the school has been open, students have participated in exit polling on election day.

According to Kreutner, the school chose six precincts across Mount Pleasant in order to have a representative sample of the town as a whole.

“We garnered approximately 100 completed exit polls at each site (593 in all), and then we returned to USL to compile the surveys and make informed predictions about the races,” Kreutner said.

And, the students in grades 3-8, who were in “combined groups” were almost right on the money.

The students predicted Linda Page, John Burn and Elton Carrier would be the winning candidates.

The students were also correct that Billy Swails would be Mount Pleasant’s new mayor.

“The students did all of the work. They had been researching the candidates,” Kreutner said.

Students even offered to make Web sites for the candidates who did not have a Web site.

Town council hopeful Tom Reilly took the students up on their offer.

“This experience follows upon a similar endeavor we undertook last fall when we did exit polling across Charleston County for the 2008 presidential race. It was a great learning activity about mathematics, statistics, and the democratic process for us all,” Kreutner said.

At USL, Kreutner said there is a lot of mentoring.

In reference to the exit polling, the students were assisted by other students who had done it last year.

“We made sure they had practice before they went out on Tuesday,” Kreutner explained.

“Considering the accuracy of our exit poll for the results of the mayoral and town council races, I am confident that we have a good sense of what residents of Mount Pleasant are feeling about two questions we also asked them. We feel this way because our sample was not a general poll of adults but one of 580 registered voters who did vote,” Kreutner said.

1) Should the mayor of Mt. Pleasant be a full-time job, or should it stay a part-time job?

71.55 percent said it should be a full-time job

20.69 percent said it should remain a part-time job

2) What is the single most important problem facing Mount Pleasant today? That is, the one you would like to see resolved by your mayor and town council

Numbers do not equal 100 percent because some voters chose more than one. Instead, the % equals the percentage of voters who selected the issue.

46 percent traffic/transportation

22 percent Economy/jobs/unemployment

11 percent Education/schools

11 percent Taxes

7 percent Funding of municipal operations

6 percent Open/transparent government

6 percent Services for seniors/retirees

4 percent Environment

3 percent Crime

3 percent Recreation

(Helen Ravenel can be reached at helen@moultrienews.com.)

Etiwan Masonic Marks 150th W/Historical Marker

I can testify that quite a bit of effort by town staff and the HC stands behind the text of the Etiwan Masonic Lodge Historical Marker. One might be tempted to read this and think "what a half hour?" NO!!!! Try 150 years sorted, high points selected, facts verified, compressed, tossed, written, happy, unhappy, happy again et al: 8 people coming to an agreement on every single word, nuance, sentence, grammar, EACH COMMA .. months! Enjoy the dedication ceremony Mayor Swails, TC & lodge members.

As a side note: If you enjoy community service, are passionate about Lowcountry history, and like to research and write along with a team of similar individuals, Town Council is advertising for one (maybe two?) seats for MTP's Historical Commission. Each HC member selects markers to research followed by writing a draft text. Once the draft is submitted to the HC, it takes about three months together to move a draft into a final/approved marker. Contact the MTP clerk of council if this sounds interesting to you. Each seat serves a four year term.

Masonic lodge to mark historic milestone


Etiwan Masonic Lodge celebrates 150th anniversary with historical marker unveiling, re-dedication ceremony


By Martine Wolfe-Miller, PIOMOUNT PLEASANT, SC (November 11, 2009) –


Etiwan Masonic Lodge #95 will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its original charter with the unveiling of a historical marker and a re-dedication ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, at 438 Whilden Street.


Dozens of masons from neighboring lodges are expected to attend the ceremonies. Mayor Billy Swails and Mount Pleasant Council members, along with Masonic officials will unveil the historical marker. Following the marker unveiling and lunch, Barry A. Rickman, Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina, along with other members of the Grand Lodge, will conduct a ceremony symbolizing the cornerstone laying of the lodge building.


The ceremony will be open to the public and performed in the lodge hall. Commemorative gold coins will be on sale for $10.


About the historical marker
On November 18, 1859, a Warrant of Constitution was granted to Etiwan Lodge No. 95 by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina. The lodge organized under dispensation on February 19 and held their first meeting in Town Hall on March 4. The fraternity purchased its current lodge hall that same year for $500. The structure was built in 1835 as the original St. Andrews Episcopal Chapel. During the Civil War, lodge meetings were suspended. Mount Pleasant served as the Berkeley County Seat from 1885 to 1895, and some members traveled for two days to attend meetings. In 1913, members contributed funds to help organize a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The lodge has grown steadily from 67 members in 1908 to 203 members in 1945 and more than 350 in 2009. This marker was erected in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Etiwan Lodge No. 95 A.F.M.


For additional information about the Etiwan Masonic Lodge #95 and the re-dedication ceremonies, please contact Lou Mintz at 224-2865.

Neighborhood Alert: Coatbridge Cars Broken Into

Park West:

I want to alert you that several vehicles were broken into last evening and electronics stolen. It appears that the thieves were unconcerned about other items ~ merely focusing on electronics ~ including cell phones.

Locks were not a deterrent. Police reports have been filed in part by residents.

Please remove all your valuables from your vehicles in the evenings and lock your vehicles. Since Coatbridge was such an easy hit they might continue working other Park West/Dunes West neighborhoods.