Preserving Hilton Head

In the early ‘90s, Hilton Head Island had few public parks to speak of, let alone a wish list of a dozen or so potential parks the town wanted to build, or even much of a parks program.

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County orders codeless security gate entrances for emergency crews

All gated communities in Beaufort County have a year to install equipment that allows emergency crews quick access past the gates. The Beaufort County Council in October passed an ordinance to standardize how emergency personnel get into the private gated residential communities in the county. The law affects communities protected by an electronic gate that typically requires a passcode or an access card to enter.

The Town of Hilton Head Island already has a law requiring a standard method of gate access for emergency crews, and the county said it used the Hilton Head ordinance as a template for the new law.

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Restaurant icon Pierce Lowrey dies after battle with skin cancer

The Lowcountry lost one of its hospitality icons in October.

Pierce Lowrey, founder of the Lowrey Group, died Oct. 20 from skin cancer. Lowrey, 81, and his wife Bonnie operated the catering and restaurant company that runs Antonio’s, Boathouse II, CQ’s, Ocean Grille and Old Fort Pub. Lowrey is considered one of the business leaders who helped Hilton Head emerge as a successful world-class destination over the past 20 years, said Ann-Marie Adams-Arrington, executive director of the Hilton Head Area Hospitality Association.

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Gift to May River: A yearlong plan

Aswe make our gift lists this season, I ask you to add one more to your list: the May River. Like a matriarch of a big family, the river has been the glue of our culture, our traditions, our fun times, our industries and our cuisine. She is like a rich grandma who always gives the best gifts; it is her pleasure to do so. Yet, because of her abundance, we don’t know what to give her – sometimes, we take her for granted.

It is time we all pause and remember that, like a favorite relative, the river has been taken for granted and it is getting harder and harder for her to freely give. As more development, people and animals move into this area, we must take precautions and protections now to preserve her for years to come.

This is a crucial time.

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Master planning the airport

The town is committed to maintaining a safe and viable airport with private and commercial service on Hilton Head Island, and I was gratifed to learn that Delta Airlines is providing service to Hilton Head Island once again.

I was pleased when the Beaufort County-operated and managed airport was certifed last year for use by C-130 military aircraft in emergency situations. This offers great fexibility for our community in times of need.

I support the airport master plan currently underway which the town is helping to fund as a way to get at the facts and dispel the misinformation that has permeated the discussions about the airport for so many years.

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Art League wins public space in The Mall at Shelter Cove

The town has selected the Art League of Hilton Head Island as the nonprofit group that will take the new community space at The Mall at Shelter Cove.

The setting aside of a space dedicated to a community organization was a key provision in the agreement between the town and mall owner Petrie Ross Ventures to allow the construction of a stadium-seating movie theater. The owners have argued that the construction of the theater — which would be the first of its kind the island — is critical to the survival of the mall, which has seen an exodus of stores and shoppers in recent years.

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Brown, Raymond elected To Bluffton Town Council

Bluffton voters reelected Oliver S. Brown, an engineer with the South Carolina Department of Transportation who was first elected in a special election in 2008 after councilman Tommy Heyward died.

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BMW presenting sponsor of IJGA tournament

Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy announced BMW Southern Region as the presenting sponsor of the 2nd Annual Hank Haney Invitational to be held Nov. 13-15 at Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island.

The Hank Haney Invitational is an official event of the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) and regarded as one of the most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the United States. The event will take place at Harbour Town Golf Links and the Ocean Course, both within Sea Pines Resort.

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