The Town responded to the murder on Greenhill Road last summer by expanding the Island Sheriff's patrol by 50% and our coordinator, Sheriff's Deputy Sergeant Shawn James, has focused efforts on the "Down the Island" community. Sadly, we had a second murder this fall and just last week, two were injured in a shooting.
The Town's goal has been to deter criminal activity. The continued gun violence in the community shows that has not been fully effective. Still, there has been improvement. There has been strong cooperation by the community resulting in prompt arrests. The more recent murderer was soon arrested and the two shooters from last week were taken into custody after two days.
Mayor Tecklenburg has offered the help of the Charleston City Police. While most of the Down the Island community is in the Town, as usual, there are a few residents who had annexed to the City. Also, as usual, there are a number of new City developments on Dills Bluff and Fort Johnson bordering on the Down the Island community.
The Chief Deputy of the Sheriff's Office and the City Policy Chief are planning a coordinated effort with the Town's Island Sheriff's Patrol. I hope that we will develop a memorandum of agreement between the Town and the City so that we can deepen law enforcement cooperation on James Island.
The James Island Neighborhood Council is also working on the problem; Henrietta Martin represents the community on the neighborhood council. There are street captains throughout the community. They are working with the Town to target abandoned buildings and overgrown vacant lots. Not only are these unsightly, cleaning up the area is a matter of public safety.
The Town just completed a sidewalk project on Seaside Lane and is already obtaining easements to improve drainage. I strongly support a program of community improvement along with a commitment to continued law enforcement.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Vote Inez Brown-Crouch for JIPSD
Inez Brown Crouch has served our community for many years. She serves with James Island Pride, on the James Island Arts Council, and the James Island Historical Commission. She voted against the excessive 13% tax increase. She willing to work with the Town to limit the burden on taxpayers while maintaining quality service. She supports giving all residents of the JIPSD the opportunity to join the Town. Inez deserves your vote. Please return her to the James Island Public Service District Commission.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Abuse of Power at the JIPSD Commission Meeting
JIPSD Chairwoman Sandi Engelman and Vice-Chairman Donald Hollingsworth both refused to respect the first amendment rights of Alan Laughlin, a candidate seeking election to the JIPSD Commission in November.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:
The Chairwoman of the JIPSD, Sandi Engelman, and the Vice Chairman, Donald Hollingsworth have decided to impose censorship on citizen comments to prevent all criticism of any Commissioner or the Commission.
What is their rationale? The JIPSD rules of procedure which include:
There are two problems with this censorship. Most importantly, the JIPSD is an elected, governmental body fully subject to the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Any JIPSD rule that prohibits citizens from sharing concerns about the actions of a Commissioner or the Commission is unconstitutional.
However, the existing JIPSD rules do not come close to prohibiting criticism. Chairwoman Engelman and Vice Chairman Hollingsworth are violating the Commission's own rules as well as the U.S. Constitution.
To "berate" is to scold or criticize angrily. Even harsh criticism can be delivered in a reasonable and calm matter. "Impertinent" means rude or showing disrespect. Again, criticism may be provided in a respectful manner. "Slanderous" means false and malicious. A truthful criticism can never be slanderous.
What happened?
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.Like most governmental bodies, the James Island Public Service District Commission allows citizen comments at their meeting. This provides an opportunity for citizens to exercise their first amendment rights, specifically, the right to free speech and to "petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The Chairwoman of the JIPSD, Sandi Engelman, and the Vice Chairman, Donald Hollingsworth have decided to impose censorship on citizen comments to prevent all criticism of any Commissioner or the Commission.
What is their rationale? The JIPSD rules of procedure which include:
Rule 23 Purpose of Public Comment. It is the purpose of this agenda item to
permit the public to address the Commission, not to debate or berate the Commission or
its employees.
Rule 25 Decorum. Any person making impertinent or slanderous remarks orChairwoman Engelman and Vice Chairman Hollingsworth have interpreted these rules to prohibit all criticism of any Commissioner or the Commission.
who becomes obnoxious or disruptive while addressing the Commission may be barred
from further presentation before the Commission by the presiding officer.
There are two problems with this censorship. Most importantly, the JIPSD is an elected, governmental body fully subject to the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Any JIPSD rule that prohibits citizens from sharing concerns about the actions of a Commissioner or the Commission is unconstitutional.
However, the existing JIPSD rules do not come close to prohibiting criticism. Chairwoman Engelman and Vice Chairman Hollingsworth are violating the Commission's own rules as well as the U.S. Constitution.
To "berate" is to scold or criticize angrily. Even harsh criticism can be delivered in a reasonable and calm matter. "Impertinent" means rude or showing disrespect. Again, criticism may be provided in a respectful manner. "Slanderous" means false and malicious. A truthful criticism can never be slanderous.
What happened?
At the August meeting, Alan Laughlin was recognized for his three minute public comment. He began to address the Commission. He stated Commissioner Kay Kernodle was at the August meeting of James Island Town Council. As soon as he mentioned her name, Chairwoman Engelman interrupted and said that he could not criticize any Commissioner. Laughlin then began without using Kernodle's name, stating that a Commissioner had attended the August Town Council meeting. Engelman again interrupted stating that she would not allow anyone to criticize any Commissioner.
Alan Laughlin wasn't even given the opportunity to make any criticism, much less berate the Commission or be impertinent or slanderous. It was obvious that Engelman had a good idea what Laughlin was going to say, and she was going to prohibit him from speaking.
Alan Laughlin wasn't even given the opportunity to make any criticism, much less berate the Commission or be impertinent or slanderous. It was obvious that Engelman had a good idea what Laughlin was going to say, and she was going to prohibit him from speaking.
At the September meeting, Laughlin tried again. He prefaced his remarks by saying that he wanted to bring up a concern about the behavior of the Commission's official liaison to the Town at the August James Island Town Council meeting. Engelman told him that he could not criticize the Commission or any Commissioner.
Commissioner Kathy Woolsey stated that Engelman was violating Laughlin's first amendment rights. Vice Chair Hollingsworth said the Commission rules prohibit any criticism of the Commission. Commissioner Woolsey asked what rule states that no criticism is allowed and asked that it be read. Hollingsworth then read the rule 25. Since Laughlin hadn't done more than mention the Commission liaison, he had no opportunity to be impertinent much less slander anyone. Engelman said that Commissioner Woolsey was out of order and pointed to the sheriff's deputy at the back of the room and said that she would have her removed.
What grievance was Alan Laughlin trying to share with the Commissioners?
At the August Town Council meeting, Commissioner Kay Kernodle signed up for the Town's public comment period. She handed a letter to the members of Council and then turned her back and began to address the audience. I asked her to address Council. She refused, stating that she didn't want to address Council and wanted to address the audience. Rather than insist that she follow the Town rules, I just let her go on for her three minutes. She spent the three minutes thanking Mayor Tecklenburg for agreeing to adjust the City's boundary with the Town so that the new JIPSD fire station would be entirely within the Town. I thought she made a fool of herself with her impertinent behavior. I was just baffled that she failed to use this opportunity to request that Town Council agree to a boundary adjustment.
Alan Laughlin believes that Commissioner Kernodle's lack of respect for Town Council was inappropriate, especially because such behavior would never be tolerated at a Commission meeting. I imagine that is what he planned to say to the Commissioners at their August and September meetings. I think it is highly likely that is what Engelman expected him to say as well.
Surely, that is why she censored Alan Laughlin in clear violation of his first amendment rights. And her vice Chairman, Donald Hollingsworth, backed up her abuse of power.
Isn't it time for a change?
Commissioner Kathy Woolsey stated that Engelman was violating Laughlin's first amendment rights. Vice Chair Hollingsworth said the Commission rules prohibit any criticism of the Commission. Commissioner Woolsey asked what rule states that no criticism is allowed and asked that it be read. Hollingsworth then read the rule 25. Since Laughlin hadn't done more than mention the Commission liaison, he had no opportunity to be impertinent much less slander anyone. Engelman said that Commissioner Woolsey was out of order and pointed to the sheriff's deputy at the back of the room and said that she would have her removed.
What grievance was Alan Laughlin trying to share with the Commissioners?
At the August Town Council meeting, Commissioner Kay Kernodle signed up for the Town's public comment period. She handed a letter to the members of Council and then turned her back and began to address the audience. I asked her to address Council. She refused, stating that she didn't want to address Council and wanted to address the audience. Rather than insist that she follow the Town rules, I just let her go on for her three minutes. She spent the three minutes thanking Mayor Tecklenburg for agreeing to adjust the City's boundary with the Town so that the new JIPSD fire station would be entirely within the Town. I thought she made a fool of herself with her impertinent behavior. I was just baffled that she failed to use this opportunity to request that Town Council agree to a boundary adjustment.
Alan Laughlin believes that Commissioner Kernodle's lack of respect for Town Council was inappropriate, especially because such behavior would never be tolerated at a Commission meeting. I imagine that is what he planned to say to the Commissioners at their August and September meetings. I think it is highly likely that is what Engelman expected him to say as well.
Surely, that is why she censored Alan Laughlin in clear violation of his first amendment rights. And her vice Chairman, Donald Hollingsworth, backed up her abuse of power.
Isn't it time for a change?
Ethics Problems at the JIPSD
Conflict of Interest is a serious problem at the James Island Public Service District.
JIPSD Commissioner Kay Kernodle was found to be in violation of South Carolina Ethics law. She tried to have the JIPSD hire her husband to do legal work. The South Carolina Ethics Commission determined that by participating in the selection process and rejecting other applicants, she sought to narrow down the field to leave her husband as the only candidate. She claims that she did not intend to cause the District to choose her husband and that the other candidates were unsuitable. She admitted that no one would believe her, so she decided not to fight the charge.
Here is the consent order.
When Trent Kernodle was the only applicant left, Commissioner Kernodle must have known that she could not get away with voting to appoint her husband. With the Commission deadlocked 3 to 3, she instead voted to give up the Commissioners' role of voting for the General Counsel and instead turned the decision over to District Administrator Robert Wise. The District Administrator has continued to approve payments to the Kernodle Law Firm, funneling taxpayer money to Commissioner Kay Kernodle's family.
It is up to the voters of James Island to decide whether they want this kind of insider dealing on their Commission. Commissioner Kay Kernodle and her two allies who joined her in those votes--Commissioner Wilder and Hollingsworth--are up for election in November.
Isn't it time for a change?
JIPSD Commissioner Kay Kernodle was found to be in violation of South Carolina Ethics law. She tried to have the JIPSD hire her husband to do legal work. The South Carolina Ethics Commission determined that by participating in the selection process and rejecting other applicants, she sought to narrow down the field to leave her husband as the only candidate. She claims that she did not intend to cause the District to choose her husband and that the other candidates were unsuitable. She admitted that no one would believe her, so she decided not to fight the charge.
Here is the consent order.
When Trent Kernodle was the only applicant left, Commissioner Kernodle must have known that she could not get away with voting to appoint her husband. With the Commission deadlocked 3 to 3, she instead voted to give up the Commissioners' role of voting for the General Counsel and instead turned the decision over to District Administrator Robert Wise. The District Administrator has continued to approve payments to the Kernodle Law Firm, funneling taxpayer money to Commissioner Kay Kernodle's family.
It is up to the voters of James Island to decide whether they want this kind of insider dealing on their Commission. Commissioner Kay Kernodle and her two allies who joined her in those votes--Commissioner Wilder and Hollingsworth--are up for election in November.
Isn't it time for a change?
Saturday, September 22, 2018
How to Keep JIPSD Property Tax from Skyrocketing!
The Town asked the James Island Public Service District (JIPSD) to work with us to help limit the burden they impose on the property taxpayers in the Town. I believe this is especially timely since the JIPSD has increased its property tax by 13% this year and its long run fiscal plan includes an additional 10% increase. The JIPSD property tax is a significant portion of a homeowner's tax bill--a little less than 50% last year and likely to rise to a little more than 50% next year. Last year they collected approximately $3.5 million in the Town and plan to increase that to just over $4 million this year.
Right now, what the Town needs is a majority of Commissioners willing to agree to work with us to obtain a declaratory judgement. We need them to come to an agreement with the Town that they would accept if it were legal and then approve it conditional on a court decision on its legality.
What is the Town's proposal?
Much would remain the same. From the point of view of Town residents all that would change is that the property tax bills they receive for their homes, cars, and boats would decrease.
First, the Town proposes that the JIPSD continue to provide services just as it does today--fire protection, solid waste collection, and wastewater transportation. Most Town residents greatly appreciate the services provided by the JIPSD.
The JIPSD Administrator and Commissioners would continue to manage those services. The Town has proposed no additional authority by Town Council to review JIPSD management of any of its departments or its expenditures.
In my opinion, as long as the residents of the Town can vote for JIPSD Commissioners, there is no need for the Town to have additional authority over management of services or expenses. Town residents who have concerns about those matters should reach out to their elected JIPSD Commissioners and carefully consider who they support in the election this November and in 2020.
The Town is proposing no change in the fees the JIPSD charges to pay for wastewater collection and transportation. That is, the Town's proposal does not involve the monthly sewer bills many of us in the Town must pay.
So what does the Town propose to change?
What would change is the method by which the JIPSD funds the provision of solid waste collection and fire protection in the Town. In other words, what would change is the way that the residents and property owners of the Town pay the JIPSD for the provision of those services.
Rather than pay for fire protection and solid waste collection solely by property taxes directly levied by the JIPSD, residents and property owners in the Town would continue to partly pay by property tax but also would partly pay indirectly through their Town government using monies from the taxes, fees, and other revenues already collected by the Town.
What that means is that the Town would directly pay the JIPSD for a portion of the cost of fire protection and solid waste collection on behalf of its residents. The Town is open to paying the full amount at the beginning of the JIPSD's fiscal year in July, well before the property tax bills are sent out in October or due in January.
I believe that the Town could pay as much as $1 million per year, but the exact amount would be determined by Town Council as part of its annual budget process.
The JIPSD Commission could continue to set its millage as usual during its annual budget process based upon the cost of providing services in its entire service area. Town Council is not asking for any new authority to review or approve the tax millage set by the JIPSD Commissioners.
How would Town taxpayers benefit? The amount the Town pays for the JIPSD for services would be distributed to Town property taxpayers as a credit against the JIPSD property tax on the consolidated Charleston County property tax bill.
The amount of the credit for each property taxpayer would be calculated by the computers in the County Auditor's office when they print up the tax bills. The funds would be distributed in proportion to the appraised taxable property of each taxpayer in the Town's tax district. The Town would be responsible for covering the cost of the needed changes in the computer software in the County Auditor's Office. The County Auditor has always been very cooperative, but has always agreed with the Town that any credit or other change in the JIPSD property tax line on the bill must be approved by the JIPSD Commissioners.
The credit on each bill would be a subtraction from the amount charged by the JIPSD, and so would reduce the amount each taxpayer owes the JIPSD and the total amount paid on the property tax bill to the County Treasurer.
The amount that the Charleston County Treasurer receives from Town taxpayers would be less and the County Treasurer would pay a smaller amount to the JIPSD.
The JIPSD would receive less property tax revenue from the Charleston County Treasurer but they would have already received from the Town an amount of money that exactly compensates for that decrease. The total amount of revenue the JIPSD receives from the Town area would be unchanged by the plan. .
For example, if the plan had been implemented for this tax year, the JIPSD would receive 13% more revenue than last year because of the 13% increase in its millage. The taxpayers in the Town would pay less than last year because of the Town credit. With a $1 million payment from the Town to the JIPSD, there would be an approximate 20% saving for homeowners in the Town compared to last year.
If the JIPSD were to raise its property tax millage in the future, then property tax bills would rise for residents of the Town. The Town would not be able to always expand its credit enough to offset whatever millage increase the Commissioners find necessary. However, property taxes would still be less than otherwise because of the credit. For example, if the Town pays $1 million towards services and the JIPSD does enact the 10% millage increase included in its long run fiscal plan, then even after that tax hike, property taxpayers would still be paying slightly less than they did last year.
It is possible that future Town Councils will find it necessary to reduce the amount of the credit because of other needs and priorities. On the other hand, growing Town revenues could allow for a larger credit in the future even while the Town is able to expand other services. Most Town revenues automatically increase with inflation and growing real income. Because of the millage rollback required by state law, property tax revenues only increase with new development or millage hikes--not with rising home values.
Why the need for the declaratory judgement? No other municipality and special purpose district have used this approach to reduce the property tax burden. The legal justification is the South Carolina Constitution's provisions that allow local governments to share the costs of public services and also home rule provisions that require that the Constitution and laws of the state be interpreted in favor of the powers of local government. The key reason to use tax credits is that the South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that tax credits are consistent with the provisions of the South Carolina Constitution regarding assessment ratios and uniformity of millage. Tax credits are the most legally certain route to tax relief as long as any part of the JIPSD remains unincorporated.
The Town retained the Pope Flynn law firm to work on this matter and they are very conservative. They advise that before the Town and the JIPSD go forward with this plan, we obtain a declaratory judgement from a court to make sure that there are no legal problems.
So that is the next step. Working towards a declaratory judgement. For that to occur, the Town and the JIPSD need to come to an agreement that both would accept if it were legal, both Town Council and the JIPSD Commission must approve it pending a determination of its legality, and then we go to court seeking a declaratory judgement. Because the benefit of this plan would go to the taxpayers of the Town of James Island, I believe it is entirely appropriate for the Town to cover the full cost of the needed court action. At this date, there is no realistic chance that this could be complete before the property tax bills go out this October, but we can begin work for the 2020 taxes that will be billed in October 2019.
Most municipalities pay for solid waste collection and fire protection using a variety of revenue sources, including property tax. Special purpose districts, like the JIPSD, have more limited sources of revenue--property tax and fees. However, with some creative thinking, it is possible to overcome that restriction and avoid an excessive increases in the property tax burden in the Town while the JIPSD continues to be able to fund its services.
Right now, what the Town needs is a majority of Commissioners willing to agree to work with us to obtain a declaratory judgement. We need them to come to an agreement with the Town that they would accept if it were legal and then approve it conditional on a court decision on its legality.
What is the Town's proposal?
Much would remain the same. From the point of view of Town residents all that would change is that the property tax bills they receive for their homes, cars, and boats would decrease.
First, the Town proposes that the JIPSD continue to provide services just as it does today--fire protection, solid waste collection, and wastewater transportation. Most Town residents greatly appreciate the services provided by the JIPSD.
The JIPSD Administrator and Commissioners would continue to manage those services. The Town has proposed no additional authority by Town Council to review JIPSD management of any of its departments or its expenditures.
In my opinion, as long as the residents of the Town can vote for JIPSD Commissioners, there is no need for the Town to have additional authority over management of services or expenses. Town residents who have concerns about those matters should reach out to their elected JIPSD Commissioners and carefully consider who they support in the election this November and in 2020.
The Town is proposing no change in the fees the JIPSD charges to pay for wastewater collection and transportation. That is, the Town's proposal does not involve the monthly sewer bills many of us in the Town must pay.
So what does the Town propose to change?
What would change is the method by which the JIPSD funds the provision of solid waste collection and fire protection in the Town. In other words, what would change is the way that the residents and property owners of the Town pay the JIPSD for the provision of those services.
Rather than pay for fire protection and solid waste collection solely by property taxes directly levied by the JIPSD, residents and property owners in the Town would continue to partly pay by property tax but also would partly pay indirectly through their Town government using monies from the taxes, fees, and other revenues already collected by the Town.
What that means is that the Town would directly pay the JIPSD for a portion of the cost of fire protection and solid waste collection on behalf of its residents. The Town is open to paying the full amount at the beginning of the JIPSD's fiscal year in July, well before the property tax bills are sent out in October or due in January.
I believe that the Town could pay as much as $1 million per year, but the exact amount would be determined by Town Council as part of its annual budget process.
The JIPSD Commission could continue to set its millage as usual during its annual budget process based upon the cost of providing services in its entire service area. Town Council is not asking for any new authority to review or approve the tax millage set by the JIPSD Commissioners.
How would Town taxpayers benefit? The amount the Town pays for the JIPSD for services would be distributed to Town property taxpayers as a credit against the JIPSD property tax on the consolidated Charleston County property tax bill.
The amount of the credit for each property taxpayer would be calculated by the computers in the County Auditor's office when they print up the tax bills. The funds would be distributed in proportion to the appraised taxable property of each taxpayer in the Town's tax district. The Town would be responsible for covering the cost of the needed changes in the computer software in the County Auditor's Office. The County Auditor has always been very cooperative, but has always agreed with the Town that any credit or other change in the JIPSD property tax line on the bill must be approved by the JIPSD Commissioners.
The credit on each bill would be a subtraction from the amount charged by the JIPSD, and so would reduce the amount each taxpayer owes the JIPSD and the total amount paid on the property tax bill to the County Treasurer.
The amount that the Charleston County Treasurer receives from Town taxpayers would be less and the County Treasurer would pay a smaller amount to the JIPSD.
The JIPSD would receive less property tax revenue from the Charleston County Treasurer but they would have already received from the Town an amount of money that exactly compensates for that decrease. The total amount of revenue the JIPSD receives from the Town area would be unchanged by the plan. .
For example, if the plan had been implemented for this tax year, the JIPSD would receive 13% more revenue than last year because of the 13% increase in its millage. The taxpayers in the Town would pay less than last year because of the Town credit. With a $1 million payment from the Town to the JIPSD, there would be an approximate 20% saving for homeowners in the Town compared to last year.
If the JIPSD were to raise its property tax millage in the future, then property tax bills would rise for residents of the Town. The Town would not be able to always expand its credit enough to offset whatever millage increase the Commissioners find necessary. However, property taxes would still be less than otherwise because of the credit. For example, if the Town pays $1 million towards services and the JIPSD does enact the 10% millage increase included in its long run fiscal plan, then even after that tax hike, property taxpayers would still be paying slightly less than they did last year.
It is possible that future Town Councils will find it necessary to reduce the amount of the credit because of other needs and priorities. On the other hand, growing Town revenues could allow for a larger credit in the future even while the Town is able to expand other services. Most Town revenues automatically increase with inflation and growing real income. Because of the millage rollback required by state law, property tax revenues only increase with new development or millage hikes--not with rising home values.
Why the need for the declaratory judgement? No other municipality and special purpose district have used this approach to reduce the property tax burden. The legal justification is the South Carolina Constitution's provisions that allow local governments to share the costs of public services and also home rule provisions that require that the Constitution and laws of the state be interpreted in favor of the powers of local government. The key reason to use tax credits is that the South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that tax credits are consistent with the provisions of the South Carolina Constitution regarding assessment ratios and uniformity of millage. Tax credits are the most legally certain route to tax relief as long as any part of the JIPSD remains unincorporated.
The Town retained the Pope Flynn law firm to work on this matter and they are very conservative. They advise that before the Town and the JIPSD go forward with this plan, we obtain a declaratory judgement from a court to make sure that there are no legal problems.
So that is the next step. Working towards a declaratory judgement. For that to occur, the Town and the JIPSD need to come to an agreement that both would accept if it were legal, both Town Council and the JIPSD Commission must approve it pending a determination of its legality, and then we go to court seeking a declaratory judgement. Because the benefit of this plan would go to the taxpayers of the Town of James Island, I believe it is entirely appropriate for the Town to cover the full cost of the needed court action. At this date, there is no realistic chance that this could be complete before the property tax bills go out this October, but we can begin work for the 2020 taxes that will be billed in October 2019.
Most municipalities pay for solid waste collection and fire protection using a variety of revenue sources, including property tax. Special purpose districts, like the JIPSD, have more limited sources of revenue--property tax and fees. However, with some creative thinking, it is possible to overcome that restriction and avoid an excessive increases in the property tax burden in the Town while the JIPSD continues to be able to fund its services.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
James Island was VERY Lucky--Thank the Lord
In various areas near James Island, NOAA reported at least gusts of tropical force winds Friday night and early Saturday morning. However, as dawn broke Saturday, there was little damage on James Island and SCE&G reported only a handful of homes without power. I called JIPSD Fire Chief Seabolt early Saturday and he reported a quiet night.
The Town's public works director and I drove the major roads on James Island Saturday morning and found a dangerous power line very low on Grimball Road. It had already been reported, because the fire trucks arrived as we were calling it in. Otherwise, we saw no serious damage.
Early Saturday, the local forecasts were calling for approximately 3 inches of rain for the day. In the end, we had 1/2 inch from Florence.
Saturday afternoon and evening, I drove through every neighborhood in the Town and saw no serious damage. I could see a few places where fallen trees had blocked roads, but they were already cleared away. However, I didn't check every street.
Especially those who are returning from evacuation, please use the Charleston County website to report any serious damage.
https://www.crisistrack.com/public/charlestonSC/citizenRequest.html
The Town will be able to obtain that information from Charleston County EMD.
You may also call Town Hall at 843-795-4141 and leave a message with your address, phone number, and brief description of the problem.
We should all thank the Lord that our Island was spared again. Do not allow this to make you complacent. A Category 4 Hurricane coming ashore at Edisto or Johns Island would devastate James Island.
The Town's public works director and I drove the major roads on James Island Saturday morning and found a dangerous power line very low on Grimball Road. It had already been reported, because the fire trucks arrived as we were calling it in. Otherwise, we saw no serious damage.
Early Saturday, the local forecasts were calling for approximately 3 inches of rain for the day. In the end, we had 1/2 inch from Florence.
Saturday afternoon and evening, I drove through every neighborhood in the Town and saw no serious damage. I could see a few places where fallen trees had blocked roads, but they were already cleared away. However, I didn't check every street.
Especially those who are returning from evacuation, please use the Charleston County website to report any serious damage.
https://www.crisistrack.com/public/charlestonSC/citizenRequest.html
The Town will be able to obtain that information from Charleston County EMD.
You may also call Town Hall at 843-795-4141 and leave a message with your address, phone number, and brief description of the problem.
We should all thank the Lord that our Island was spared again. Do not allow this to make you complacent. A Category 4 Hurricane coming ashore at Edisto or Johns Island would devastate James Island.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Wednesday 5 PM Forecast -- Greater Risk for James Island
The 5 PM NOAA report shows a much greater risk for hurricane force winds in the Charleston area. The probability was 14% this morning and now has increased to 23%. The most likely time is Friday night and during the day Saturday, but there is also a substantial risk for Sunday.
The probability of some tropical force winds has greatly increased. It is now 82%. It is more likely to be mild, but a more severe tropical storm has a probability of 25% now.
Here is the link:https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIAPWSAT1+shtml/212431.shtml
Here is the section for the Charleston area:
18 is 1800 hours or 6 PM, and 6 is in the morning. Tr is my abbreviation for Thursday. The last three probabilities are found by subtraction.
The track didn't change much since this morning and still shows it going inland to our north. Still, it is getting a bit close for comfort. Some reports did suggest a less severe hurricane as it moves south. Let us hope.
The Governor's mandatory evacuation for James Island is looking more and more wise. While there is a small chance of heavy wind developing during the day tomorrow, it is very likely safe to leave now or in the morning.
The probability of some tropical force winds has greatly increased. It is now 82%. It is more likely to be mild, but a more severe tropical storm has a probability of 25% now.
Here is the link:https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIAPWSAT1+shtml/212431.shtml
Here is the section for the Charleston area:
18 is 1800 hours or 6 PM, and 6 is in the morning. Tr is my abbreviation for Thursday. The last three probabilities are found by subtraction.
 | |||||||
The Governor's mandatory evacuation for James Island is looking more and more wise. While there is a small chance of heavy wind developing during the day tomorrow, it is very likely safe to leave now or in the morning.
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