Oct 28, 2024 County Council

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CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY BUFORT COUNTY.

OH, MUCH DETAIL.

YOU MEAN TO STARTLE EVERYONE.

VERY SMALL FOREST ANIMALS OUT THERE.

I APOLOGIZE.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

MAY I, UH, CALL THESE,

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

UH, AND IF YOU WOULD, UH, STAND AND JOIN ME AT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION, A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO FLAG UNDER THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE OF OUR ALL.

THANK YOU, YOU WISE AND LOVING GOD.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.

WE THANK YOU FOR LIFE ITSELF AND FOR THE MEASURE OF HEALTH GIVEN US TO FULFILL OUR DUTIES.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE ABILITY TO BE INVOLVED IN USEFUL WORK AND FOR THE HONOR OF BEARING SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITY.

WE ASK AS A BODY, WE PROMOTE PEACE, ORDER, AND JUSTICE.

AND YOU GRACIOUSLY GRANT US THE WISDOM TO GOVERN AMID THE CONFLICTING INTERESTS AND ISSUES OF OUR TIMES, TO HAVE A SENSE OF THE TRUE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS, TO HAVE A KEEN THIRST, FOR JUSTICE, TO UNDERSTAND AND TO CLEARLY SEE WHAT IS GOOD FITTING AND APPROPRIATE, AND TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY EVEN WHEN THERE IS HONEST DISAGREEMENT AND TO HAVE PERSONAL PEACE IN OUR LIVES AND JOY IN OUR TASKS.

FINALLY, PLEASE HELP US TO ENSURE THAT OUR DELIBERATIONS HERE TONIGHT BENEFIT THOSE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN OUR EXTENDED COMMUNITY.

IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

AMEN.

MAY I WELCOME EVERYONE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT AND ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING, UM, REMOTELY.

WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULES TO BE HERE.

UM, SARAH, IS IT ACCURATE TO SAY THE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, POSTED, AND DISTRIBUTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT? YES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UH, MAY I HAVE

[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

THANK YOU MS. BROWN.

A SECOND.

I SECOND.

THANK YOU MR. GLOVER.

GLOVER, ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE AGENDA? SEEING NONE, I WILL, UH, THIS MOTION WILL PASS WITHOUT, UH, ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS? SEEING NO OBJECTIONS? THE AGENDA MOTION HAS PASSED.

SEEKING A MOTION FOR THE

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - August 26, 2024; September 9, 2024; September 16, 2024; and September 23, 2024]

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

THANK YOU.

I HAVE A SECOND, PLEASE.

I'LL SECOND.

THANK YOU, MR. DAWSON.

ANY DISCUSSION ON THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES? HEARING NONE, ANY OBJECTIONS? SO NO OBJECTIONS, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES MOTION HAS PASSED.

MR. MOORE, WOULD YOU JOIN US FOR YOUR

[6. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT]

UM, I HAVE A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT FOR MY REPORT.

UH, I'D LIKE TO FIRST START OFF WITH, UM, INVITING OUR BEAUFORT COUNTY EMS, UM, VIRGINIA MARSHALL TO COME UP AND SPEAK ABOUT OUR THIRD ANNUAL BEAUFORT COUNTY FIRST RESPONDER FOOD DRIVE.

SO PLEASE.

THANK YOU.

EVENING COUNSEL.

CHAIRMAN, MY NAME IS VIRGINIA MARSHALL.

I WORK WITH BEAUFORT COUNTY EMS FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS.

AND DURING THAT TIMEFRAME, I'VE BEEN PROVIDING 9 1 1 SERVICES TO RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT BEAUFORT COUNTY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE RECOGNIZED NOT ONLY IN THEIR TIMES OF EMERGENCIES WHEN WE GO IN FOR MEDICAL REASONS, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE NEED HELP IN OTHER CAPACITIES.

WE SEE THAT THEY'RE HAVING TO MAKE HARD CHOICES WHETHER TO PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLES OR TO GET THEIR MEDICATIONS THAT THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF, LIKE THEIR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OR DIABETES.

SEVERAL FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE BEEN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE OVER THE YEARS, UH, INDIVIDUALLY OR AS GROUPS ADOPTING FAMILIES FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE HOLIDAYS.

AND ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, AFTER SPEAKING WITH SOME OF THESE FIRST RESPONDERS AND WITH SOME OF THE LOCAL AGENCIES, WE PUT TOGETHER THE BEFORD COUNTY FIRST RESPONDER FOOD DRIVE.

WHAT THAT IS IS STARTING NOVEMBER 1ST THROUGH DECEMBER 13TH, WE ARE COLLECTING NON-PERISHABLE END DATE FOOD ITEMS THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE HELP OF BEAUFORT AND

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BOTH OF THESE AGENCIES HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEY ARE PROVIDING A LOT OF FOOD TO FAMILIES OVER 500 FAMILIES A MONTH FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOOD INSECURITIES.

SO I'M JUST HERE TONIGHT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION, AND JUST ALSO ASK THAT IF YOU CAN DISTRIBUTE THIS, SPEAK ABOUT IT AT ANY OF YOUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS OR ANY OF YOUR ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP US GET THIS OUT.

WE HAVE ALL THE, THE FIRE EMS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING THAT ARE PART OF BUFORT COUNTY.

AND WE HAVE OVER 21 DIFFERENT, UH, COLLECTION AID, UH, LOCATIONS, INCLUDING ONE UP IN THE VESTIBULE AREA HERE AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM? WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'LL OPEN IT FOR QUESTIONS FROM THIS BODY.

ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? MR. CHAIRMAN? I HAVE ONE.

IT'S RUNNING NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 13TH.

DECEMBER 13TH.

YES, SIR.

AND WE WILL DISTRIBUTE IT THE FOLLOWING WEEK TO THE TWO AGENCIES SO THAT THEY CAN ASSIST WITH KEEPING THEIR FOOD BANKS AND FOOD SHELVES STOCKED THROUGH THE NEW YEAR.

THIS IS THE, UH, SORRY.

THIS IS THE THIRD ANNUAL, UH, EVENT THAT YOU'VE HAD.

YES, SIR.

IT IS.

HAVE YOU HAD BIG SUCCESS IN YES, SIR.

UH, WE STARTED OFF SMALL THE FIRST YEAR LEARN, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A LEARNING CURVE, AND THEN LAST YEAR WE COLLECTED OVER 1500 POUNDS OF FOOD THAT WE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE TWO AGENCIES.

SO WE USUALLY STARTED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER IN THE YEAR, BUT DUE TO THE RECENT WEATHER, UM, ISSUES THAT OCCURRED IN THE UPSTATE AND OF NORTH CAROLINA, WE WANTED TO ALLOW THOSE, UH, THOSE FEW COLLECTIONS AND, AND, YOU KNOW, ITEMS THAT WERE GOING ON TO HAVE THAT FOCUS.

SO WE'RE STARTING OURS NOW, NOVEMBER 1ST, TO KEEP THE LOCAL AGENCIES AFLOAT THROUGH THE NEW YEAR, HOPEFULLY.

OKAY.

WELL, I HOPE, UH, WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN MATCH OR EXCEED, UH, WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE PREVIOUS THREE, UH, TWO.

SO, UH, THANKS VERY MUCH FOR DOING THIS.

ANY COMMENTS OR OBSERVATIONS? MY MR. CHAIRMAN, JUST ONE FROM HERE.

THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN.

THANK YOU, COUNSEL.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? CAN YOU HEAR ME? MR. CHAIRMAN? CHAIRMAN, CAN YOU HEAR ME, MR. SPEAKING? I, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

OH, SORRY, I DIDN'T SEE YOUR HAND UP.

DID YOU HAVE COMMENTS, MR. CHAIRMAN? IT'S FINE.

I JUST WANT TO ASK, UM, MS. MARSHALL, ARE THERE ANY DROP OFF LOCATIONS ON THE ISLAND ANYWHERE? UH, WE HAVE 'EM ON, UH, GLAS ISLAND HEADQUARTERS FOR ISLAND.

THEY'RE IN BLUFFTON, UH, CITY HALL.

PORT ROYAL HAS 'EM.

AND IF YOU, UH, CHECK YOUR PACKET, YOU HAVE A, A LIST THAT HAS THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, THE 21 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

WE'LL ALSO BE POSTING IT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND JUST ANY, UH, MEDIA OUTLETS THAT WE HAVE.

AND THAT'S WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE ALSO BEAVERT COUNTY'S GONNA BE DOING AS WELL TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.

OR I HOPE THAT THEY DO IT TO THEIR EMPLOYEES AS WELL.

AND, UM, ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS? OKAY, THEN.

THANK YOU.

I FIND ONE ON HILTON HEAD THEN.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

I'M SORRY, SIR.

HI.

UH, WE DO NOT HAVE, WE DO NOT HAVE ONE ON HILTON HEAD BECAUSE HILTON HEAD FIRE DEPARTMENT DOES THEIR OWN FOOD COLLECTION AT THIS TIME FRAME, AND WE DID NOT WANNA COMPETE WITH THEM.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, MS. MARSHALL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR MR. RES WITH HIS VOLUME THERE? IS THAT CONTROLLED WHERE HE IS THE TODD? JUST STAND BY A SECOND.

WE'RE I HAVE A LITTLE TROUBLE HEARING YOU REVERBERATION.

GIMME A COUNT.

WOULD YOU TOM, TOM? TESTING 1, 2, 3.

HOW ABOUT NOW? YOU MAY HAVE TO JUST SPEAK A LITTLE LOUDER UNTIL WE GET, OKAY.

VERY GOOD.

OKAY.

THANKS.

I SHOULD YELL.

I COULD YELL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

NEXT, UH, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR, UM, BUFORT COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, CAROLINE FURMAN, IF SHE'S HERE.

YES.

SO, UM, OUR DIRECTOR HAS BEEN NAMED THE, UH, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA OUTSTANDING, OUTSTANDING VETERAN ALUMNI.

UM, DR.

UH, CAROLINE FURMAN HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S OUTSTANDING VETERAN ALUMNI AWARD IS PRESENTED TO A GRADUATE, HAS SERVED IN THE US MILITARY WITH HONOR, DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES IN HIS OR HER PROFESSIONAL CAREER, AND SHOWN REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP THAT INCLUDES SERVICE INTEGRITY, CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP.

UH, DR.

FERMAN IS A NATIVE ERIAN, GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1985.

SHE SPENT 25 YEARS THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WITH GLOBAL ASSIGNMENTS THAT TOOK HER FROM HAWAII TO JAPAN TO WASHINGTON DC.

SHE HAS A MASTER IN ECONOMICS FROM JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, MASTER'S IN MILITARY STUDIES FROM MARINE CORPS COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE, MASTER'S IN NATIONAL SECURITY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES FROM THE MARINE CORPS WAR COLLEGE, AND A DOCTORATE IN LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION FROM ST.

THOMAS UNIVERSITY AS A WOUNDED WARRIOR.

UH, SHE HAS BEEN A PEER MENTOR FOR THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT, ASSISTING FELLOW WARRIORS IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY.

SHE ALSO SERVES A WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT WARRIOR

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SHE HAS PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL OPERATION ADVOCACY FLY-INS ON CAPITOL HILL AND THE FIRST WOMAN WARRIOR SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, DC LAST FALL.

IN THIS CAPACITY, SHE ACTIVELY ADVOCATES WITH OUR FEDERAL LEGISLATURES, LEGISLATORS FOR VETERANS BENEFITS, SUCH AS THE PACT ACT, MAJOR RICHARD STARR ACT, AND SEVERAL BILLS TO COMBAT, UH, VETERAN SU SUICIDE.

AS DIRECTOR OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR BEAUFORD COUNTY, UH, CAROLINE HAS EXPANDED THE BREADTH AND SCOPE OF OPERATIONS, INCREASING THE SPAN OF VETERAN SERVICES.

SHE HAS ESTABLISHED A VETERAN ADVISORY COUNCIL AND A BEAUFORD COUNTY VETERAN COUNCIL, WHERE SHE BRINGS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, NONPROFITS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE VETERAN POPULATION.

UNHEARD LEADERSHIP, THE DEPARTMENT HAS EXCEEDED ALL GOALS IN ITS FIRST YEAR, NOTABLY REDUCING THE UNTETHERED POPULATION BY 5% IN LESS THAN 10 MONTHS.

WE CONGRATULATE, UH, DR.

FURMAN ON THIS.

WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION AND FOR HER CONTINUED SUPPORT OF BEAUFORD COUNTY AND ITS VETERANS.

YOU CAN'T COME ALL THE WAY UP THERE.

NOT SAY ANYTHING EXACTLY.

.

WELL, IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO BE RECOGNIZED BY MY, UM, MY ALMA MATER, UH, USCI WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED, UH, WHEN I, WHEN I, UM, GOT THE NOTIFICATION SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.

SO THIS FRIDAY, I'LL, I'LL ACTUALLY ATTEND THE AWARD CEREMONY AND THEN THE HOMECOMING GAME ON SATURDAY.

SO, GO GAMECOCKS.

CONGRATULATIONS, CAROLYN.

A PICTURE.

PICTURE.

YEAH, I TOTALLY DID.

COOL.

WE'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE, UH, VIRGINIA ANN MCGOWAN AS VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICER OF THE YEAR IN THE BACK.

OKAY.

SO SHE WAS SELECTED SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, OR SCAC, VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICER, ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR FOR 20 20 23.

2024.

THE RECIPIENTS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR BEING THE BEST VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER IN THE STATE.

HER PROFESSIONALISM AND LEADERSHIP ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE BEAUFORT COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE, EXPANDING ITS BREADTH AND SCOPE OF SERVICE PROVIDED TO OUR VETERAN POPULATION.

MOREOVER, AND SINGLE HANDEDLY HELD DOWN THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE TRANSITION OF DIRECTORS BEING THE ONLY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER ACCREDITED TO PROCESS CLAIMS FOR SIX MONTHS.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEVOTED SERVICE TO BEAUFORD COUNTY, IT'S VETERANS, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT.

THANK, UM, I WANNA THANK DR.

CAROLINE FURMAN FOR NOMINATING ME, UH, FOR THIS POSITION AND, UH, OUR SOUTH CLIENT VETERANS ASSOCIATION FOR, UM, ELECTING ME.

I LOVE WHAT I DO.

IT'S WONDERFUL.

I DON'T WORK.

IT'S, IT'S A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

WE'LL GET A PICTURE.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO COMMENT THAT LAST FRIDAY WE, UH, HAD THE GRAND OPENING OF A SECOND, UM, VETERANS, UM, OFFICE SERVICE OFFICE IN, UH, BLUFFTON.

MS. TABER WAS THERE, AND THAT WAS A GREAT CEREMONY.

SO WE'RE GLAD TO SEE THAT.

AND WE'RE GONNA GET A NEW AWNING.

YES.

THAT IS ON ORDER.

OKAY, .

UM, NOW I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO, UM, SOME AWARDS THAT THE COUNTY RECEIVED THIS YEAR.

THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ARE SCAC HOST, A YEARLY AWARD LUNCHEON.

AND THIS YEAR, BEAUFORT COUNTY, UH, WON IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES.

SO I'M GONNA GO THROUGH THESE.

UM, THE FIRST ONE IS THE, UM, 2024 J MITCHELL GRAHAM BARRETT, LAURA MEMORIAL AWARDS, AND THESE AWARDS RECOGNIZE INNOVATIVE PROJECTS COMPLETED BY COUNTIES DURING THE PAST TWO FISCAL YEARS.

UH, WINNERS REPRESENT THE BEST QUALITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE, ATTENTION TO DETAILS, SERVICE TO CITIZENS EFFICIENT USE OF TAX DOLLARS, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

THEY DEMONSTRATE HOW CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING AND COLLABORATION CAN ACHIEVE IMPRESSIVE RESULTS AND OFFER NEW IDEAS FOR OTHER COUNTIES TO CONSIDER.

EACH PROJECT IS JUDGED ON THE WRITTEN ENTRY SUBMITTED VIA THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM BY THE DUE DATE, AND AN IN-PERSON, UH, PRESENTATION FOR A PANEL OF JUDGES ON THE COMPETITION DAY.

SO WE, UM, THE COUNTY RECEIVED AN HONORABLE MENTION FOR EMERGING LEADERS ANNUAL WOMEN'S CONFERENCE.

UM, DO WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE, HANNAH? YES, WE DO.

HERE THEY ARE.

I THINK YOU MAY RECALL THIS.

THEY WERE PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND, UM, THE WOMEN, THE BEAUFORT

[00:15:01]

THE PROGRAM IS EXPANSION OF BEAUFORT COUNTY EMERGENCY EMERGING LEADERS GROUP, ESTABLISHED IN 2021 TO SUPPORT CAREER DEVELOPMENT, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AMONG EMPLOYEES BY PROVIDING ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO PROGRAM STRIVES TO ATTRACT, DEVELOP, AND RETAIN EMERGING LEAGUE EMERGING LEADERS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

SO, CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU.

A COMMENT, IF YOU WANNA MAKE A COMMENT.

UH, AS WE SAID IN OUR PRESENTATION, WE'RE JUST REALLY FORTUNATE TO WORK FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY.

UM, NOT AT EVERYBODY IS AS FORTUNATE TO HAVE ALL THE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO APP PRAISE THE BROADCASTING DEPARTMENT.

THEY HELPED US CREATE A BEAUTIFUL VIDEO TO PUT INTO THE PRESENTATION THAT REALLY WRAPS IT ALL TOGETHER AND JUST TO BE EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY.

UH, REALLY FORTUNATE FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE.

UM, AS EMPLOYEES, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JARED AS WELL.

JARED REALLY, UM, KIND OF NUDGED US TO APPLY FOR THIS AWARD, WHICH, UM, KIND OF PUT VICTORIA AND I TO THE TEST AND KIND OF PUT US IN ROLES THAT WE WEREN'T USED TO, BUT WE, UM, GREATLY APPRECIATE, UM, THAT BOOST OF CONFIDENCE THAT HE HAD IN US, UH, CONFIDENCE THAT HE HAD FOR US TO GET THE JOB DONE AND FOR THE, UM, ADMINISTRATION FOR BEING THERE TO SUPPORT US.

CONGRATULATIONS.

GOOD.

OKAY.

NEXT.

UH, WE, THE 2024, UM, REGIONAL COOPERATION AWARD RECEIVED HONORABLE MISSION FOR COASTAL AREA COOPERATIVE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP ORE CHARLESTON, BERKELEY, AND BEAUFORD COUNTY COUNTIES.

THE, UM, SC SOUTH CAROLINA AREA COOPERATIVE WAS ESTABLISHED TO ENSURE RELIABLE 9 1 1 SERVICE ACROSS ITS REGION AND MEET PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS FOR CONSISTENT EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

FORMED UNDER A MASTER COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IN 2018 AND AMENDED IN 2023.

THE PARTNERSHIP INCLUDES BUFORT, BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, AND NORRY COUNTIES, THE CITY OF GOOSE CREEK AND THE TOWN OF SOMERVILLE.

THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES AUTOMATIC AND MUTUAL AID, DISASTER RECOVERY, RESOURCE COORDINATION, INFORMATION SHARING, AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION.

THE PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED BACKUP CALL TAKING AND DISPATCHING DURING EMERGENCIES, AND IT AIMS TO MAINTAIN 9 1 1 SERVICE CONTINUITY WITH THE INTEGRATION OF VARIOUS TECHNOLOGIES AND PROCEDURES.

SO, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE ANYBODY HERE FOR THAT ONE.

SO ANNA WILL PRESENT.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

AND NOW, UM, I'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER, UH, OF THE 2024 BARRETT LAW MOORE MEMORIAL REGIONAL COOPERATION AWARD.

THIS IS STRENGTH STRENGTHENING REGIONAL CORNER CAPACITY.

SO WE HAVE A CORNER HERE, DAVID, CHIEF DEPUTY CORNER, IT CHIEF DEPUTY CO.

OUTSTANDING.

SO I'M GONNA READ THIS AND NOW YOU CAN MAKE SOME REMARKS.

SO, BEAUFORT AND COUNTY CORONERS ESTABLISHED A FRAMEWORK FOR SHARING RESOURCES AND INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS AIMED AT IMPROVING DATA STANDARDIZATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COUNTIES SUPPORTED BY GRANT FUNDING.

THE INITIATIVE ENHANCES THE CAPACITY TO MANAGE MASS FATALITIES AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO OVER 630,000 RESIDENTS.

THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT ADDRESSES CHALLENGES SUCH AS INCONSISTENT DATA STANDARDS AND LIMITED INVESTIGATIVE RESOURCES, WHICH CAN DELAY DEATH INVESTIGATIONS AND THE ISSUANCE OF DEATH CERTIFICATES, PARTICULARLY IN CASES INVOLVING NATURAL DISASTER, THE OPIOID CRISIS OR MASS FATALITIES.

ON AUGUST 12TH, 2024, BEAUFORT AND CHARLESTON COUNTY SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION TO SCAC TO BE CONSIDERED ON, UH, SEPTEMBER 19TH, UH, 2024.

CORONER, BOBBY JOE O'NEILL OF CHARLESTON COUNTY AND CORONER, DAVID OTT OF BEAUFORT COUNTY, WENT BEFORE THE PANEL OF JUDGES AT UH, S-C-E-T-V IN COLUMBIA.

AND TOGETHER THEY PRESENTED A LIVE PRESENTATION TO THE JUDGES ON O OCTOBER 17TH, SCAC HELD THEIR WARS LUNCHEON IN COLUMBIA TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS OF THE AWARD.

AND BEAUFORT COUNTY AND CHARLESTON COUNTY AWARDED FIRST PLACE.

AND TOGETHER THEY RECEIVED THE BARRETT LOWER MOORE MEMORIAL AWARD WITH TROPHY GIVEN TO EACH COUNTY.

SO, CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK Y'ALL.

THIS IS A REALLY, REALLY BIG AWARD FOR CHARLESTON COUNTY AND BEAUFORT COUNTY, NOT JUST THE CORONER'S OFFICE, BUT OUR CITIZENS.

BEAUFORT.

CHARLESTON COUNTY STILL HOLDS THE ONLY OFFICES IN STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THAT HAS OUR PATHOLOGY ON STAFF, WHERE WE DO AUTOPSIES RIGHT HERE IN-HOUSE.

[00:20:01]

AND WE OPEN OUR COUNTIES UP TO SURROUNDING COUNTIES AROUND US.

THEY CAN COME TO US, OF COURSE, BUT, UH, I THINK THE CITIZENS, AND ESPECIALLY Y'ALL IN FRONT OF US TODAY, IS, UH, I'M VERY HAPPY TO HAVE RECEIVED THIS AWARD IN LONG CORNERS, UH, BOBBY JOE O'NEILL.

AND I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR SUPPORTING US IN THESE, UH, FINE THREE YEARS THAT I HAD, ALMOST FOUR YEARS SOON TO BE WALKING OUT THE DOOR.

SO, BUT THANK Y'ALL, MR. CHAIRMAN, MAY I MAKE A COMMENT? SURE.

HOLD ON.

YEAH, GO AHEAD.

I WANNA THANK YOU AND YOUR OFFICE, UM, FOR THE WONDERFUL JOB THAT YOU DID FOR MY NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR, JOHN MURRAY.

AND THEY WERE VERY, VERY APPRECIATIVE.

THANK YOU.

YOUR OFFICE IS INCREDIBLY PROFESSIONAL AND I WANNA RELAY TO YOU THAT THEY WERE SO IMPRESSED AND SO, I MEAN, I CAN'T TELL YOU THE COMFORT YOU GAVE THEM.

THANK YOU.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THANK YOU.

GOOD JOB.

SUBJECT TO ANY QUESTIONS.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.

THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? OKAY, THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT.

WE HAVE, UH, A NUMBER OF, UH, PROCLAMATIONS TO PRESENT, UH, COMING UP.

BEFORE WE DO THAT, I JUST WANT TO DO AN ADD-ON TO THE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.

THERE'S A REQUEST FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT AND THE BEAUFORT JASPER WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY TO ALL OF ITS CUSTOMERS, NOT TO RUN THEIR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ON OCTOBER 29TH AND 30TH, BECAUSE THEY ARE SHUTTING DOWN ONE OF THEIR WATER TREATMENT PLANTS AS PART OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AT THE PLANT.

SO THEY HAVE ASKED EVERYONE TO PLEASE TURN OFF THEIR IRRIGATION FOR THOSE TWO DAYS, IF YOU CAN REMEMBER TO DO THAT OCTOBER 29TH AND OCTOBER 30TH.

'CAUSE THEY DON'T EXPECT THAT IT WILL AFFECT THE SUPPLY OF DRINKING WATER THAT WE HAVE.

BUT OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, THEY'RE ASKING US, PLEASE DON'T WATER YOUR SHRUBS IN YOUR GRASS FOR THOSE TWO DAYS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING.

HAVE THE YOUNG MARINES UH, ARRIVED? I KNOW THEY WERE IN A DETOUR.

OH, YOU'RE HERE.

OKAY.

HOW MANY OF YOU ARE THERE? OKAY, GREAT.

OKAY.

I'M GOING TO,

[7. PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION FOR RED RIBBON WEEK- YOUNG MARINES - Vice-Chairman Lawrence McElynn]

THEN THERE'LL BE ONE RECOGNIZING OPERATION GREEN LIGHT.

THEN THERE'S ANOTHER ONE RECOGNIZING THE PENN CENTER'S HUNDRED AND 62ND ANNIVERSARY.

AND THEN THERE'LL BE ONE FOR THE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND COMMITMENT OF THE BUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE, UH, CONFERENCE, YOUTH AMBASSADORS.

I WILL NOT BE DOING ALL OF THOSE.

DON'T WORRY.

THERE'LL BE OTHER PEOPLE COMING DOWN THERE TO DO THAT.

EXCUSE ME.

I'VE BEEN ACCUSED OF TAKING MUCH, TOO MUCH TIME WHEN I DO THESE.

HE TALKS, EVERYONE SEEMS TO THINK I ENJOY IT SO MUCH.

.

YOU DO.

I DO.

YOU DO.

YES.

THIS, UM, THIS PROCLAMATION IS GOING TO BE PRESENTED TO AN ORGANIZATION, UM, FROM PARIS ISLAND, THE, UH, YOUNG MARINES ORGANIZATION.

EVERY YEAR, THEY'RE KIND ENOUGH TO COME HERE AND ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION, AND THEY ACCEPT IT BECAUSE THEY DO A GREAT DEAL OF WORK IN, UH, UH, TRYING TO HELP WIN THE WAR ON DRUGS BY CONDUCTING, UH, INFORMATION SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS.

AND SO WE GIVE THIS TO THEM, UH, EVERY, EVERY YEAR.

THIS PROCLAMATION.

THANKS.

THIS PROCLAMATION IS, UH, HAS BEEN ISSUED, SORRY.

THE RED RIBBON WEEK HAS BEEN CREATED AS A RESULT OF AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED BACK IN 1985, UH, WHEN A, UH, A YOUNG SPECIAL AGENT FROM DEA WHO WAS WORKING IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO, WAS KIDNAPPED AND KILLED BY, UH, THE DRUG TRAFFICKERS WHO WERE OPERATING, UH, IN THAT AREA.

UH, HIS NAME WAS ENRIQUE, UH, KAMAR.

THOSE OF US WHO KNEW HIM, CALLED HIM KIKI.

HE DIDN'T OBJECT TO THAT.

UM, SO WE KEPT CALLING HIM THAT.

UM, HE WAS WORKING IN GUADALAJARA BECAUSE DEA HAS, UM, SPECIAL AGENTS OPERATING ALL OVER THE GLOBE IN, UH, NOT ONLY THE UNITED STATES, BUT UH, OVER 60 DIFFERENT FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

AND, UH, THE TRAFFICKERS THERE LEARNED THAT HE WAS BEING VERY EFFECTIVE IN THEIR AREA, UH, ELIMINATING A VERY

[00:25:01]

SO THEY WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT HE KNEW AND WHO WAS TELLING HIM ALL THIS.

AND, UM, DURING THE INTERROGATION THAT OCCURRED, HE WAS, UH, TORTURED AND KILLED ALONG WITH HIS PILOT.

UH, I WAS WORKING FOR DEA AT THE TIME, AND I WAS DISPATCHED TO, UH, CALIFORNIA, UH, BY THE HEAD OF DEA TO ARRANGE FOR THE RETURN OF THE REMAINS OF, UH, AGENT CAINA.

AND, UH, I WENT TO THE MARINE CORPS BASE THERE, AND I SPOKE TO THE, UH, COLONEL WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE AIR STATION.

AND I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD BEEN DISPATCHED FROM WASHINGTON TO ARRANGE THIS, AND COULD HE HELP ME? HE WASN'T UNFRIENDLY, BUT HE WAS WONDERING WHY I ASKED HIM IF HE COULD HELP ME.

SO I EXPLAINED TO HIM WHY AGENT CAINA WAS DOING IN, UM, IN, UH, MEXICO.

I TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS A NATIVE OF CALEXICO, CALIFORNIA.

I TOLD HIM HE HAD BEEN A FIREMAN AND THAT HE HAD BEEN A POLICEMAN.

AND THEN HE WAS A SPECIAL AGENT WITH DEA.

AND HE STOOD THERE AND HE WATCHED ME, AND HE LISTENED TO ME, AND HE SAID, AND I SAID, I SHOULD ALSO MENTION HE'S A FORMER MARINE.

SO THE COLONEL STOOD UP, GAVE ME A QUICK SALUTE, AND SAID, I'LL HANDLE THE REST OF THIS SUN.

AND HE DID.

UH, THEY, UH, DISPATCHED THE C ONE 30 TO MEXICO, BROUGHT THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR, UH, TO MEXICO BACK TO, UH, THE AIR STATION, BROUGHT THE FAMILY, AND THERE WAS AN HONOR GUARD, UH, FOR THE RETURN OF AGENT KAMAR AND HIS REMAINS.

THEY STAYED WITH THIS, UH, THROUGH, UH, TRANSPORT TO CALEXICO, HIS HOMETOWN TO THE FUNERAL AND, UH, TO THE CEMETERY, AND DID A REMARKABLE JOB.

SO THIS PROCLAMATION, UH, THAT I'M GONNA READ, UH, RECOGNIZES WHAT HAPPENED AND THE FACT THAT REMAN WEEK BECAME RED RIBBON MONTH, AND WE CELEBRATE IT EVERY YEAR TO TRY AND SEND A MESSAGE THAT IF YOU GO TO YOUR CENTER FOR WISDOM, COURAGE, AND GUIDANCE, AND YOU HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM, YOU MAY FIND THAT WHEN YOU GO THERE, THERE'S NOTHING TO DRAW ON.

SO THEY ARE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM ABUSING SUBSTANCES THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO GO TO THEIR CENTER FOR COURAGE, WISDOM, AND GUIDANCE.

UH, WHEREAS COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA HAVE BEEN PLAGUED BY THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ILLICIT DRUG USE AND THOSE THAT TRAFFIC IN THEM.

AND WHEREAS THERE IS HOPE IN WINNING THE WAR ON DRUGS THAT HOPE LIES IN EDUCATION AND DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION, COUPLED WITH THE HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION OF ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE YOUNG MARINES OF THE MARINE CORPS, TO FOSTER A HEALTHY DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLE.

AND WHEREAS GOVERNMENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS KNOW THAT CITIZEN SUPPORT IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS IN THE EFFORT TO REDUCE THE USE OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS THE RED RIBBON HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS A SYMBOL COMMEMORATING THE WORK OF ENRIQUE KANA, A DEA AGENT WHO WAS MURDERED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND REPRESENTS THE BELIEF THAT ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND WHEREAS THE RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN WAS ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS IN 1988 TO ENCOURAGE A DRUG FREE LIFESTYLE AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN DRUG PREVENTION AND REDUCTION EFFORTS.

AND WHEREAS OCTOBER 23 THROUGH 31 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK, WHICH ENCOURAGES AMERICANS TO WEAR A RED RIBBON TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR A DRUG FREE ENVIRONMENT.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES OCTOBER 23RD THROUGH THE 31ST AS RED RIBBON WEEK IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN IN THIS SPECIAL OBSERVANCE.

SO CAN I INVITE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U MARINES TO COME UP? UM, YOU'LL SEE THAT THEY'VE GIVEN ME MY RED RIBBON ALREADY, AND I'VE BEEN, UH, I'VE BEEN WEARING THIS FOR, UH, 40 SOME YEARS NOW.

I'M HAPPY TO PRESENT THIS TO YOU.

AND, UH, ALSO TELL YOU THAT, UH, I HAVE FROM YOU A, A NEW DEA CHALLENGE COIN THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME JUST A WEEK OR SO AGO.

I THINK I GAVE YOU ONE ONCE BEFORE.

YES, SIR.

BUT THIS IS THE NEW MODEL.

THANK YOU.

AND I ALSO BROUGHT ONE FOR YOUR ESCORT, SO I'D BE HAPPY TO GIVE THAT TO HER.

OKAY.

YES, SIR.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? IT'S ALWAYS LOVELY TO SEE THE PUBLIC COME OUT AND, UM, JUST SEE THESE MEETINGS AS WELL.

UM, IT'S, IT'S LOVELY TO BE PRESENTED THIS, AND IT'S AMAZING TO SEE COUNTIES AND CITIES ALL ACROSS AMERICA STAND UP AND JUST REPRESENT THIS.

OUR PROGRAM STANDS FOR AGES EIGHT THROUGH THE COMPLETION OF HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S A BROAD RANGE, RIGHT? I'M 15 MYSELF, AND IT'S LOVELY.

IT'S, IT'S BEAUTIFUL THAT WE ARE ABLE TO COME TO THESE MEETINGS AND BE PRESENTED THESE, IT SHOWS THAT AMERICA'S YOUTH IS NOT FORGOTTEN AND THAT WE CAN STAND UP FOR

[00:30:01]

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

MY PLEASURE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

YES, SIR.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR COMING.

APPRECIATE IT.

IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

AS I PROMISED, I'LL NOT BE DOING

[8. PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING OPERATION GREEN LIGHT - Council Member David Bartholomew]

UH, THIS IS GOING TO BE, UM, A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING OPERATION GREEN LIGHT BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID BARTHOLOMEW.

IS THERE ANYBODY HERE ON BEHALF OF OPERATION GREEN LIGHT? IF NOT, I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND I'M HONORED.

TORE, OH, CAROLINA FURMAN, COME ON UP.

I TELL YOU, I AM HONORED TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION FOR OPERATION GREEN LIGHT, WHEREAS BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL HAS A GREAT RESPECT, ADMIRATION AND THE UTMOST GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THIS COMMUNITY IN THE ARMED FORCES.

AND WHEREAS BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL SEEKS TO HONOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE COUNTLESS SACRIFICES FOR FREEDOM BY PLACING THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY FOR THE GOOD OF ALL.

AND WHEREAS VETERANS CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, THE AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, CIVIL SERVICE, AND BY FUNCTIONING AS COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS IN 29 STATES TO HELP FELLOW FORMER SERVICE MEMBERS ACCESS MORE THAN 52 BILLION IN FEDERAL HEALTH DISABILITY AND COMPENSATION BENEFITS EACH YEAR.

AND WHEREAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000 SERVICE MEMBERS TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES ANNUALLY.

AND WHEREAS STUDIES SHOW THAT 44 TO 72% OF SERVICE MEMBERS EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT STRESS DURING THEIR TRANSITION FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE, AND THOSE TRANSITIONING FROM ACTIVE DUTY ARE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF SUICIDE DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR FOLLOWING MILITARY SERVICE.

AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ENCOURAGES ALL COUNTIES, PARISHES AND BUREAU BOROUGHS TO RECOGNIZE OPERATION GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS, AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL HEREBY DESIGNATES THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS A TIME TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICES OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM WHO ARE TRANSITIONING FROM ACTIVE DUTY.

AND IN OBSERVANCE OF OPERATION GREEN LIGHT, BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL ENCOURAGES ALL CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEANINGFUL TRADITION OF DISCIP DISPLAY GREEN LIGHTS IN THEIR HOMES OR BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE MADE PROFOUND SACRIFICES TO SAFEGUARD OUR FREEDOMS DATED THIS 28TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2024.

THANK YOU.

FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO THANK EACH MEMBER OF COUNTY COUNCIL FOR VOTING ON THIS, UM, PROCLAMATION.

UM, THE OPERATION GREEN LIGHT IS A VISUAL DISPLAY OF THE SACRIFICE AND, UM, SUPPORT THAT, UH, OUR VETERANS, OUR, OUR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY HAS HAS GIVEN THIS COUNTRY.

SO I THANK, I THANK COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THIS RESOLUTION, AND I THANK, UM, BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR SUPPORTING THIS INITIATIVE BY, BY SHINING GREEN LIGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.

I'LL PRESENT THIS TO YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THE NEXT TWO PROCLAMATIONS WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER YORK GLOVER, THE FIRST FOR A

[9. PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING PENN CENTERS 162ND ANNIVERSARY- Council Member York Glover]

AND THE SECOND ONE, UH, THE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND COMMITMENT OF THE BUFORD COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE YOUTH AMBASSADOR, DR. ADAMS. YES.

YES.

UM, THEY ON THIS SIDE HERE, SO WE'RE GONNA STAND ON THIS SIDE HERE.

OKAY.

YES.

UM, THIS IS A PROCLAMATION FOR, UM, THE PENN CENTER, UM, AND THIS CELEBRATION THAT'S COMING UP, UH, 162 YEARS, AS WELL AS THEIR HOW MANY YEARS OF HERITAGE? 40TH.

40TH, OKAY.

UM, PROCLAMATION BREEDS, WHEREAS IN 1862, THE PENN CENTER WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ACADEMIC SCHOOLS IN THE SOUTH, ESTABLISHED BY TWO NORTHERN MISSIONARIES, LAURA M TOWN AND ELLEN MURRAY TO PROVIDE A FORMAL EDUCATION FOR FORMER ENSLAVED AFRICANS.

AND WHEREAS FOR 162 YEARS, PEN SCENTING INC.

LOCATED ON ST.

HELENA ISLAND, HAS BEEN AT THE EPIC CITIC OF AFRICA, AMERICAN EDUCATION, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DESCENDANTS OF FORMERLY ENSLAVED AFRICANS LIVING IN THE SEA ISLANDS, KNOWN AS THE GULL OF PEOPLE.

AND WHEREAS THE SCHOOL CLOSED IN 1948, PENN BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN SITE IN SOUTH CAROLINA, WHOSE PRIMARY PURPOSE WAS TO SAFEGUARD THE HERITAGE OF A, OF A GULLAH

[00:35:01]

AND WHEREAS IN 1960S, PENN CENTER ASSUMED THE MANTLE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE BY USHERING IN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND SERVING AS THE ONLY LOCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA, WHERE INTERRACIAL GROUPS SUCH AS DR. MARTIN, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

AND THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AND THE PEACE CORPS, COULD HAVE SAFE SANCTION SANCTUARY IN AN AREA OF MANDATED DEGER SEGREGATED.

AND WHEREAS IN 1972, PENN ESTABLISHED THE LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO ASSIST NATIVE ISLANDS WITH ISSUES OF LAND RE RETENTION AND STEWARDSHIP THROUGH EDUCATION AND LEGAL SERVICES.

AND WHEREAS IN 1974, THE PENN CENTER RECEIVED RECOGNITION FOR NOMINATION FOR ITS OWN CAMPUS OF 17 HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND EIGHT OTHER SITES ON ST.

HELENA ISLAND AS THE NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK DISTRICT, ONE OF ONLY FOUR IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORIC DISTRICT SO NAMED.

AND WHEREAS IN 1994, PENN CENTER, OAKLAND, THE YORK W BAILEY MUSEUM, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, TO INTERPRET THE HISTORY OF PENN CENTER, AS WELL AS THAT OF THE GULLAH COMMUNITY ON ST.

OFF ST.

HELENA ISLAND.

AND WHEREAS IN 2008, PENN CENTER INC DEMONSTRATED ITS RESPONSIVE RESPONSIVENESS IN MEETING THE ONGOING AND IN, UH, INVOLVING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY BY ENTERING A UNIQUE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BEAUFORT COUNTY LIBRARY AND THE BEAUFORD JASPER HAMPTON COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SERVICE INC.

TO BUILD A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR LIBRARY AND HEALTH, UH, CENTER COMPLEX ON PROPERTY LEASE AND OR DONATED BY THE PENN CENTER.

AND WHEREAS JANUARY, 2017, PENN CENTER AND ALL THE HISTORIC SITES IN BET COUNTY WAS DE WAS DEDICATED THE NATIONAL FIRST RECONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL MONUMENT BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

AND WHEREAS THE PENN CENTER, I'M GETTING TO THE LAST ONE, UM, THE COMMEMORATES IN 19, IT'S IN 162 ANNIVERSARY IN 2004, IT HAS CONTINUED TO ENDURE BOTH AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT PROMOTING HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AS WELL AS A CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH THE SEA ISLANDS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL CELEBRATES PENN CENTER AT, AS ITS COMMEMORATES.

ITS 162 ANNIVERSARY AND IS DATED THE 20TH DAY, UH, OCTOBER THE 24TH, AND IT'S SIGNED BY JOSEPH F PASSMAN.

CHAIRMAN.

THAT'S A LOT .

I'D DEFINITELY LIKE TO THANK THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE PROCLAMATION AND ALSO ADD A NEW DESIGNATION.

UNESCO IN PARIS LAST WEEK ANNOUNCED, UM, THE PENN CENTER AS ONE OF THE 22 SITES, UH, AROUND THE WORLD.

THAT IS A SITE OR PLACE OF REMEMBRANCE OF, UH, ENSLAVEMENT AND THE SLAVE TRADE.

THERE ARE ONLY FOUR SITES NAMED IN THE, IN THE US AND PENN CENTER IS ONE OF THEM.

AND IT'S JUST A REMINDER THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY IS THE CENTER OF THE WORLD.

THANK YOU, .

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

AND, UH, MRS.

[10. PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND COMMITMENT OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUR CONFERENCE YOUTH AMBASSADORS - Council Member York Glover]

.

UH, I WOULD, I'M GONNA TURN THIS AROUND, SO I WANT Y'ALL TO BE HERE.

UM, AND, UM, WOW.

THIS IS, OH, I'M GONNA STAND ON THE SOUND HERE, BUT YEAH, YOU CAN STAND ON THIS SIDE OVER THERE.

OKAY.

UM, YEAH, THIS, THIS, YOU CAN LINE AROUND HERE.

YEAH.

UM, THIS IS A GROUP OF AMBASSADORS ALONG WITH THEIR LEADERS, UM, AND IT'S THE 40TH, WHAT IS THE 40TH YOUTH SECOND 32ND YOUTH CONFERENCE CELEBRATION.

UM, AND THESE ARE YOUTH ALL OVER BEAUFORT COUNTY.

UM, ANYMORE IT OKAY.

UM,

[00:40:01]

Y'ALL LOOK GOOD.

YOU REALLY DO LOOK GOOD.

UM, OKAY.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M WEARING MY T-SHIRT TODAY.

UM, IN SUPPORT OF THEM, UH, THEY GAVE IT TO ME.

SO I WORE ONE DOC.

NEXT TIME YOU GIMME ONE I WEAR, YOU'LL OKAY.

.

UM, THIS IS A PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS THE 2024 AMBASSADORS, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE BEFORD COUNTY YOUTH PLANNERS FOR THE BEFORD COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE.

AND WHEREAS THE 26 AMBASSADORS INITIALLY CAME TOGETHER IN MARCH, 2024 FOR THE INITIAL PLANNING SESSION FOR THE 2024 BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE, THE AMBASSADORS THROUGH TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES, BRAINSTORMING AND PRIORITIZING DECIDED A THEME, DON'T SNOOZE YOUR BAD HABITS.

AND, UM, THAT REALLY SUNK IN WITH ME, UM, BECAUSE I PROCRASTINATE A LOT, SO THAT REALLY HIT ME HARD.

OKAY.

UM, AND THEIR CONCERNS GENERATING THESE WORKSHOPS, TOPICS, SCHOOL SAFETY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND ASSAULT AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND WHEREAS THE AMBASSADORS MET MONTHLY FROM JULY, JUNE, 2024 TO SEPTEMBER, 2024 FOR TRAINING IN THE AREA OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND LISTENING SKILLS AND EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITIES AS LEADERS.

AND WHEREAS THE 26 AMBASSADORS COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO UPHOLD THE LIFE AND LIVE BY THE AMBASSADOR'S CREED, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL HEREBY PROCLAIMED, CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE THIS DAY, OCTOBER THE 28TH, 2024, THE BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE AMBASSADORS AS LEADERS IN THE COUNTY OF BEAUFORT, BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE YOUTH AMBASSADORS, DATED THE 28TH DAY OF OCTOBER OF 24, AND SIGNED BY CHAIRMAN JOSEPH F PASSMAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ON BEHALF OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE, WE'D LIKE TO JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

COUNCILMAN, UM, GLOVER AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL, THIS IS TRULY A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

NO, THIS IS NOT A ONE MAN SHOW.

EVERYONE YOU SEE HERE, THE IN HELENA ISLAND COMMUNITY, VARIOUS REPRESENTATIVES HELP US MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE EVERY YEAR.

OUR JOB IS TO EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND HELP MAKE STUDENTS MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS.

THESE ARE OUR FUTURE LEADERS.

OUR JOB NOW, OUR JOB NOW IS TO PREPARE THESE YOUNGSTERS TO REPLACE YOU GUYS.

THESE ARE OUR FUTURE LEADERS.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

AND I HAVE ONE OF MY AMBASSADORS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, THE BEAUFORT COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE.

THANKS YOU FOR YOUR HONOR, FOR THIS HONOR AND YOUR RECOGNITION.

THANK YOU.

EVERYBODY'S GONNA HAVE TO SCOOCH IN LIKE YOU LIKE EACH OTHER.

YOU CAN'T SEE ME.

I CAN'T SEE YOU.

SO FIND A WINDOW AND PUT YOUR FACE IN IT.

THERE'S A YOUNG LADY IN THE BACK.

VERY BEAUTIFUL.

PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, BIG SMILE.

THREE, TWO.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

THEY, UM, THEY BROUGHT THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, BUT HE DOESN'T GET PAID.

STAND UP DURING THE MARINE CORPS PRESENTATION.

THERE YOU GO.

, I HAVE A FEELING THAT YOU SERVED THERE.

JUST GONNA GIVE THEM A MINUTE TO, UH, FAVOR.

YEAH, THERE'LL BE MANY MORE SEATS AVAILABLE IF ANYBODY STANDING IN THE BACK WANTS TO SIT DOWN.

LOTS MORE SEATS.

[00:45:06]

GOOD SUGGESTION.

GREAT IDEA.

VERY NICE.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, I'M GOING TO, UH,

[CITIZEN COMMENTS]

UH, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD.

EVERY CITIZEN WHO IS INVITED TO SPEAK IS WELCOME TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK FOR THREE MINUTES ON THE TOPIC THAT THEY'VE, UH, THEY'RE GOING TO ADDRESS.

UH, WE HAVE A, UH, TIMER THAT WILL BE GOING AT 30 SECONDS.

YOU'LL HEAR A BELL.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.

THAT MEANS YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO WRAP IT UP, AND THEN YOU'LL GET ANOTHER SIGNAL.

WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD STAY WITHIN THAT THREE MINUTES.

SO THE FIRST SPEAKER I'M GOING TO CALL IS EDDIE ROGERS.

EDDIE, STILL HERE? ED.

ED.

EDIE.

EDIE.

SORRY.

EDEDIE.

YOU CERTAINLY ARE NOT AN EDIE, THAT'S FOR SURE.

I APOLOGIZE.

WELCOME.

AND, UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THERE'S NO EARTHLY WAY I COULD SAY WHAT I REALLY WANNA SAY IN THREE MINUTES.

SO I'VE GIVEN ALL OF YOU A, A REAL 90% MAYBE OF HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE TAX REFERENDUM, BUT I WANTED TO ADDRESS IT, AND I DREW UP A QUICK SUMMARY, AND I'LL TALK AS FAST AS I CAN.

BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I WANTED TO COMPLIMENT THE YOUNG LADY WITH THE PURPLE FLOWER ON HER SHIRT FOR GETTING UP TO THIS MICROPHONE SO EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM COULD HEAR HER.

I GO TO CITY COUNCILS AND I'VE BEEN IGNORING COUNTY COUNCIL FOR YEARS NOW.

AND, UM, I REPRIMAND THE COUNCIL AND EVERYBODY WHO GETS UP TO THE PODIUM BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THEIR MICROPHONE TO BE HEARD.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT, I'M SORRY.

OH, THANK YOU.

IT SADDENS ME TO HAVE TO TELL MY COUNTY COUNCIL AND SOME OF THE STAFF THAT I'VE LOST MY TRUST IN YOUR ABILITY TO DO THE BEST THING FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY.

AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO'VE JOINED ME IN THAT FEELING.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN SOLELY ON THE BROKEN PROMISES FROM THE 2018 REFERENDUM.

THAT WAS JUST ONE OF THE LATEST THINGS ADDED TO THE LIST.

WE UNDERSTOOD WHY YOU FELT THE NEED TO THROW IN 30 MILLION FOR LADIES ISLAND PROJECTS TO GET OUR VOTE, AND WE VOTED FOR THE TAX.

BUT YOU HAVEN'T KEPT YOUR WORD.

WE SIMPLY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN PUT A PRICE ON SOMETHING THAT HASN'T EVEN BEEN DESIGNED.

AND I CAN'T EMPHASIZE THAT ENOUGH.

IMAGINE TRYING TO BUILD A HOUSE WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT YOU WERE GONNA BUILD AND, AND, UM, GOING AND GETTING A LOAN FOR WHATEVER'S OUTTA MONEY ANYWAY, THE 2024 REQUEST IS A REPEAT OF THAT PROBLEM AS I SEE IT.

UM, THE LAW, STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT THE PROJECTS BE DEFINED SPECIFICALLY IN THE, UM, PAPER, IN THE NEWSPAPER.

I BELIEVE IT SAYS FOUR TIMES A CONSECUTIVELY, UH, WEEKS PRIOR TO THE REFERENDUM.

UH, HOURS IS SO VAGUE AND GENERAL AT, WHEREAS I CHALLENGE YOU GET, LOOK AT JASPER COUNTIES AND HOW THEY SPELLED OUT ALL THEIR, UM, PROJECTS ACCORDING TO THE LAW.

AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING THE SAME THING.

WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE MONETARY SHORTFALL FOR THE 2018 PROJECTS WAS CAUSED BY COVID AND INFLATION, BUT I SAY PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE IS WHAT REALLY CAUSED THE SHORTFALL.

PLEASE KNOW, WE, AND I'M, THAT'S AN EDITORIAL, WE, BUT I HAVEN'T REALLY SPOKEN WITH ANYONE WHO LIKED THIS IDEA.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS REFERENDUM I DIDN'T TODAY.

AND YOU WON'T REGAIN OUR TRUST UNTIL YOU GET THE HORSE IN FRONT OF THE CART.

AND BY THAT I MEAN, DO THE PROPER PLANNING, EXPLAIN THE PROJECTS TO THE PEOPLE AND PUBLISH TO THEM.

AND THIS IS A QUOTE IN THE NEWS, A NEWSPAPER OR GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE JURISDICTION AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

GET SOME ESTIMATES SO YOU CAN REALISTICALLY PRICE THE PROJECTS AND SHOW US SOME REAL INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

AND IF I MAY BE SO BOLD, I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THE COUNTY AND EACH MUNICIPALITY SHOULD DECLARE A MORATORIUM ON APPROVING NEW RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS ON UNTIL EACH ENTITY PREPARES A SPREADSHEET OF EVERY PROJECT ALREADY APPROVED TO BE BUILT.

SO WE CAN COMBINE THAT INFO AND COMPILE THE DATA NEEDED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE'RE GOING TO NEED NEW ROADS, NEW SCHOOLS, POWER GRIDS, WATER, SEWER, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

MS. ROGERS, I'M AFRAID THAT THE, UH, I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE TIMER, BUT THE SIGNAL THAT I HEARD WAS SO VAGUE.

I DON'T THINK THAT YOU HEARD IT.

OH.

SO I WOULD ASK YOU IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND.

I'M SURE YOU'RE RIGHT THAT I DIDN'T HEAR IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR IT EITHER, SO.

OH, OH, GOOD.

I COULD LEND YOU A ONE HEARING AID.

I APOLOGIZE, .

WELL, WE JUST WANT YOU TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO GET AHEAD OF THIS CONSTANT INFLUX OF NEW RESIDENTS, AND WE BELIEVE THAT IT STARTS