health insurance agent in James Island

Two ballot questions up for vote in next week’s election have Charleston County residents split, with notable advocacy groups and community leaders loudly proclaiming their opposition.

Charleston County is seeking to extend a half-penny sales tax previously passed in 2016 to generate $5.4 billion to pay for large-scale infrastructure projects — including the extension of Interstate 526 across Johns Island. Almost half of all funds raised through the half-cent tax (about $2.3 billion) would go toward the interstate project, including more than $600 million to pay interest costs on a tax-backed loan worth $1.8 billion.

At an Oct. 15 Charleston County Council meeting, dozens of residents and local advocates spoke for roughly an hour during a special public comment period. Those who spoke against the sales tax pointed to its unclear language, the unfinished projects from the 2016 tax and grievances with the Mark Clark extension project as reasons to vote against the measure.“The county has already failed to pursue all but one of the projects from the previous sales tax,” one speaker said.

The new tax would also pay for millions of dollars of work that was supposed to be covered by the 2016 referendum. About 5% of the new tax’s revenue, or $282,223,000, would go toward “carryover projects” from the 2016 sales tax.

“Once more, we’re back where we started again,” another said. “It’s time to start from scratch.”Meanwhile, groups like Citizens for Safe Roads, a grassroots movement, support the referendum.

In its “Vote Yes” campaign, the group said: “The transportation sales tax potential distributions include billions for road improvements across Charleston County necessary to improve the safety of dangerous intersections; reduce response times for EMS, fire, police; improve hurricane evacuation routes; and reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.”

Altogether, the funds raised by the sales tax would be allocated to:

Opponents say lumping the massive Mark Clark extension project with other, crucial improvements is unfair to voters.

“Charleston County voters deserve to make informed choices when they head to the polls. They should not be forced into an all-or-nothing decision,” Coastal Conservation League Executive Director Faith Rivers James said in a statement. “Voters deserve the right to vote for preferred needed improvements — like Greenbelt and CARTA funds — without being forced to support the destructive and unnecessary Mark Clark extension as the priority project.”

Republican County Council member Larry Kobrovsky of Sullivan’s Island added that there’s no guarantee all of the projects funded by the new sales tax would be built, either, adding to the uncertainty of the measure.

“My fear is that we will jeopardize ongoing projects from the [2016] sales tax,” he told the Charleston City Paper in a previous report. “By lumping it all, we’re holding hostage all these other projects to 526.

“When people vote on this, they think the projects will be built,” he said. “This is just a fantasy. … There’s no guarantee we will have the money to finish these projects. How can we in good faith put out something that we don’t have the money for? To me, that wouldn’t be ethical or fair.”

A second question on the ballot would approve the issuance of up to $1 billion in bonds to the county payable from the new sales tax. If passed, the new sales tax would be active starting in 2027 and remain in place for no more than 25 years, or until a matching total of $5.4 billion in returning revenue has been collected.

Know your candidates before you head to the polls

Election Day may look a little different this year. Up to 140,000 Charleston County voters are expected to have voted before Nov. 5, according to county election officials, which will make it much smoother at the polls for same-day voters, projected to be about 80,000 people.Here is a list of all candidates in contested races who will be on Charleston Countyballots to help readers prepare to check the box when they arrive at their polling locations.

District 1 — Nancy Mace (Republican, incumbent); Michael B. Moore (Democrat)

District 6 — Duke Buckner (Republican); James Clyburn (Democrat, incumbent); Gregg Marcel Dixon (United Citizens); Joseph Oddo (Alliance); Michael Simpson (Libertarian)

District 20 — Kendal Ludden (Libertarian); Ed Sutton (Democrat, incumbent)

District 41 — Rita Adkins (Democrat); Matt Leber (Republican)

District 43 — Chip Campsen (Republican); Julie Cofer Hussey (Democrat)

District 44 — Brian Adams (Republican, incumbent); Vicky Wynn (Democrat)

District 15 — J.A. Moore (Democrat, incumbent); Carlton Walker (Republican)

District 80 — Kathy Landing (Republican, incumbent); Donna Brown Newton (Democrat)

District 110 — Tom Hartnett (Republican, incumbent); John Moffett (Democrat)

District 111 — Wendell G. Gilliard (Democrat, incumbent); Joe Jernigan (Libertarian)

District 112 — Peter Brennan (Democrat); Joe Bustos (Republican, incumbent)

District 114 — Gary Brewer (Republican, incumbent); Adrienne Lett (Democrat)

District 115 — J. Warren Sloane (Republican); Spencer Wetmore (Democrat, incumbent)

District 116 — Charlie Murray (Democrat); James Teeple (Republican)

District 119 — Brendan R. Magee (Republican); Leon Stavrinakis (Democrat, incumbent)

District 3 — Hayden W. Seignious (Republican); Rob Wehrman (Democrat, incumbent)

District 7 — Brantley Moody (Republican, incumbent); Sydney Van Bulck (Democrat)

9th Circuit Solicitor — David Osborne (Democrat); Scarlett A. Wilson (Republican, incumbent)

Sheriff — Kristin R. Graziano (Democrat, incumbent); Carl Ritchie (Republican)

Coroner — Frank Broccolo (Democrat); Bobbi Jo O’Neal (Republican, incumbent)

Treasurer — Mary Tinkler (Democrat, incumbent); Mike Van Horn Sr. (Republican)

District 2 — Carolina D. Jewett; Ed Kelley (incumbent)

District 4 — Kevin D. Hollinshead; Craig Logan

District 6 — Daron Lee Calhoun II (incumbent); Michele Leber; Samuel Whatley II

District 8 — Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson (incumbent); Michelle Faust; Charles Glover Sr.

District 1, St. James Santee — Thomas Legrant Colleton Jr.; Chayann Lashay Simpson; Marie Snyder-Facine

District 3, James Island — Sue McManus; George Tempel

District 4, Cooper River Area 3 — Lala B. Fyall; Jametta L. King

District 4, Cooper River at Large — Michael Garnett; Jametta L. King

District 9, St. Johns — Bill Antonucci; Pat Cline; Gertie S. Ford; Cedric I. Solomon

District 10, St. Andrews — Francis Marion Beylotte III; Joy Brown; Piare A. Powell

District 20, Peninsula — Downing Child; F.X. Clasby

District 23, St. Pauls — Blanche Bowens; Marvin Lamar Bowens; Tiffany Deas-Smalls; Elijah Hammer Dent; Damian M. Jones; Richmond Truesdale

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is reminding voters to double-check their polling locations ahead of the 2024 general election next week,as some locations in the county have moved.

Of the locations that have moved, one is in McClellanville, six are in Mount Pleasant, three are in North Charleston, one is in West Ashley and one is in Hollywood.

Charleston County residents can check their polling location and make sure their voter registration is up to date online at chsvotes.gov.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 5.

It’s not too late to vote early, but time is running out.

Voters can cast an early ballot at seven locations through Saturday. Early voting is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Polling locations:

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Published: Oct. 31, 2024 at 5:00 PM PDT|

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - James Island visitors and residents alike will have a new way to learn about the community’s history starting in November.

The town will launch “Voices of the Revolution,” an immersive driving tour on Nov. 10 from 2-5 p.m. at Fort Johnson.

The tour will include historic interpreters, refreshments, maps and details for downloading the free tour.

The new driving tour was made possible thanks to a $12,000 grant from the SC250 Commission, which was chartered by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2019 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the work our History Commission, town staff and community members have done on this project,” James Island Mayor, Brook Lyon, said. “This history tour is going to be a fun and educational experience for residents and visitors for years to come.”

The tour is narrated and produced by Evans Byrd, a native Charlestonian and certified history tour guide with more than 20 years of experience.

Additionally, historic figures are brought to life with the following voice talents:

Neal Kinard

A beloved local historian and storyteller, Neal Kinard has dedicated his life to uncovering and sharing Charleston’s rich history. His work often appears on local platforms, and he is known for his engaging presentations at the Charleston Museum and various historical societies.

Dominica Harrell

An advocate for cultural preservation, Dominica Harrell is the founder of the James Island Cultural Heritage Society. With a deep familial connection to the area, she has played a vital role in initiatives that honor the island’s diverse heritage through events and educational programs.

Tessa Spencer

A well-known television personality, Tessa Spencer is a news anchor at WCIV. With years of experience in broadcasting, Tessa brings her passion for storytelling and community engagement to the project.

Roger Gaither

A prominent artist and educator, Roger Gaither has exhibited his work throughout the Lowcountry.

Phillip Koontz

A talented musician and local performer, Phillip Koontz has shared the stage with various artists at renowned Charleston venues.

Bill Sharpe

A respected journalist and former anchor at WCSC, Bill Sharpe has reported on Charleston’s evolving landscape for decades.

Terry Bryant

A dedicated community leader, Terry Bryant has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of residents on James Island. Through her advocacy and civic engagement, she emphasizes the importance of community involvement in shaping the island’s future.

Kenneth Ursin

A cherished educator with over 30 years of experience, Kenneth Ursin has taught in various Charleston schools and is known for his innovative teaching methods.

The event and the tour are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit the Town’s website at jamesislandsc.us

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A science teacher at James Island Charter High School hopes you’ll help her provide her students with the tools to collect and analyze scientific data, specifically how sea level rise is changing our local environment.

Eve Kendrick believes her students could be the key to solving serious environmental problems in the Lowcountry.

“My students are very enthusiastic and passionate, and they’re full of life,” she says. “I want to capture and harvest that energy and maybe direct it toward some environmental stewardship through learning about different aspects of sea level rise in environmental science.”

Kendrick plans to encourage this stewardship through a real-world research project in the field looking into coastal freshwater streams. The project aims to document how sea level rise and saltwater moving further inland are transforming these freshwater environments.

“We’re going to be looking at insects, and using these insects as an indicator of how our streams are changing,” she says. “They’ll be able to process these samples on the streambed outside, and they’re really going to get a personal connection with these ecosystems that maybe wasn’t on their radar before as something really critical to monitor.”

Kendrick hopes to provide her students with the tools to carry out this monitoring through her project on Donors Choose is called "Too Salty! Sea Level Rise & Freshwater Environments."

She plans to buy nets, waders, sieves and other testing equipment to track how these delicate coastal environments are being affected.

“I’m going to partner with the Adopt-a-Stream organization in South Carolina, and so this data that my students will collect through my ‘Too Salty’ Donors Choose project, that’s actually going to go into a state database,” Kendrick says. “Scientists will be able to access it, and it’s going to allow my students to take ownership of the research that’s currently happening in our state.”

With your donation, you’ll be able to not only make an impact on students but also your local environment now and into the future, Kendrick says.

“We’re going to take all of our skills and take them outside so [my students] can actually get their hands dirty and wet and actually collect insects and process their own data,” she says. “I think that going outside and having a personal connection with the environment helps to encourage students to become lifelong learners. It also might encourage them to have some environmental stewardship as they move forward as adults and citizens in South Carolina.”

Kendrick also has a second Donors Choose project called "Interactive Biology and Data Analysis" that is designed to bring biology concepts to life through collaboration, realistic case studies and interactive labs. She plans to use basic resources funded through the project, including calculators and clipboards, to create a notebook documenting her students' problem-solving and analyses.

You can become a Live 5 Classroom Champion for these students by helping to fund these projects. All donations are tax-deductible. The Donors Choose organization collects the money, purchases the items and sends them to the teacher. That way you know your donation is used appropriately.

If you’re a teacher who would like their Donors Choose project featured on Classroom Champions, please email classchamp@live5news.com.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

When you load up the car with gas and press play on a new playlist, you're likely on your way to some outdoor excursion or small-town adventure. But here in South Carolina, our restaurants are good enough to warrant a day trip. That's why we're recommending a visit to Lost Isle in Johns Island, even if it means a few hours of driving time.

Just outside of Charleston, Johns Island is 84 square miles of land characterized by rivers, marshes, and abundant wildlife. Lost Isle blends seamlessly into this landscape, offering its visitors a hyperlocal Lowcountry experience.

Lost Isle is among the region's newest restaurants, and it's already made a name for itself after making The Restaurant List in The New York Times. It's tucked away behind a little white house. You'll follow a canopy of flora to a backyard garden, where you'll be seated under a beautiful canvas canopy complete with chandeliers. This outside-only dining space is perfect for a cozy meal under the stars, with the added benefit of seeing your food cooked just a few feet away.

Lost Isle is a "fire-to-table" restaurant, and local, seasonal ingredients are prepared over an open fire. Lead chef Josh Taylor grew up in Northern Georgia and incorporates familiar Lowcountry staples into his menu. And yet, it's the globally-inspired flavors that really make the plates shine.

The menu is divided into small plates, shareable sides, and mains, giving you a chance to share a handful of dishes with your group. Be sure to start off your meal with the whipped ricotta, served with charred tomato, herb oil, chili honey, and focaccia. Other popular orders include the curry braised collards and rire-roasted Georgia clams. The Harissa cauliflower steak is also highly recommended.

No matter what you order, be sure to pair your meal with something from the bar. There's an impressive list of house cocktails as well as beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Lost Isle on Johns Island? What were some of your favorite menu items? We'd love to learn all about your experiences there! For more information, including menus and hours, be sure to check out the Lost Isle Johns Island website. Lost Isle does not currently accept reservations, and they recommend arriving either early or late to secure a table. The restaurant is located at 3338 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC 29455.

Need a place to stay while you're exploring the area? Check out these unique vacation rentals in Johns Island, South Carolina.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The Mark Clark Extension Project has sparked conversation and debate among the Lowcountry for years, but an area less discussed in the plan would take away land from a county park.

The proposed extension on Interstate 526 would destroy 46.72 acres of the James Island County Park, including areas residents and visitors use. It would leave approximately 600 acres of the park would remain.

The Mark Clark Extension project would construct around 9.5 miles of new roadway starting from West Ashley through Johns and James Islands.

A large part of the I-526 project funding is dependent on the approval of a half-cent sales tax referendum that voters will see on the ballot next month.

If passed, the extension would take away James Island County Park’s current climbing wall, challenge, disc golf and archery courses, park headquarters building, public access to a creek, parts of the group camping area and over three acres of park wetlands.

“The James Island County Park is one of the gems of James Island,” Coastal Conservation League Communities and Transportation Project Manager Emma Berry says. “Those things will still be available with the construction of 526, but they will still be impacted. When you’re thinking about putting a four-lane interstate through part of the county park, even on the outskirts, we’re still going to have noise pollution and air pollution from that.”

Charleston Parks Director of Planning and Development Patty Newshutz says the recreation areas that would be taken away would simply be moved or replaced, except for the headquarters office and wetlands.

“We’ve known that there’s going to be some right-of-way acquisition since the inception and building of this original park; so we kind of stayed clear of that area and didn’t put any real major things into it,” Newshutz says. “We feel like the park will still look and feel the same. We’ve requested a very wide vegetative buffer between our remaining park land and the roadway. I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of visual impact.”

On top of the park’s land, the Mark Clark Extension Project would remove almost 40 acres of wetlands throughout Charleston County.

Residents would be taxed a half-cent sales tax for 25 years or until $5.4 billion is reached to be used towards road projects and improvements in the county with the top priority project being the extension of the Mark Clark Expressway.

“The viewshed is going to be impacted, and the things that are in that area of the county park are going to have to either move or just disappear completely,” Berry says. “In essence, it would be shrinking this amazing amount of green space that we have.”

Charleston County Council Vice Chairman Jenny Honeycutt says when discussing the James Island County Park losing land, it comes down to three important things: not having to relocate anyone by using the property, using a buffer area and connectivity.

“This is in the buffer area. This is not part of the park property that the public actually uses,” Honeycutt says. “So this part of the property, while it is part of the park, is really just the buffer, and it’s not going to impact park operations as much as I think people may think it will.”

The West Ashley Greenway, which would be a multi-use path for people to access, would also go through the park.

“One of the things that we feel is a benefit to us is that they will improve bicycle and pedestrian access for us,” Newshutz says. “There’s going to be all that included along the roadway, and then there’s going to be improvements that ripple down to our park.”

Despite varying opinions on the project, Charleston County residents will be voting on the half-cent sales tax referendum on Nov. 5.

Click here to read the ordinance and the ballot question.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.