DI History - December 3, 2015

FIVE YEARS AGO
In the December 2, 2010 issue of the Daniel Island News, a recap of the end of the year meetings of DIPA and DICA was reported. Jimmy Bailey, the then Daniel Island Property Owners Association Vice President of Community Services, reported that after a slump in the economy over the past several years, the outlook for Daniel Island is very bright. “I’m not sure that the recession is over for our country or not,” said Bailey in his report. “…But I’m basically declaring it over for our association. We’re adjusting to a new normal and I actually think that’s really healthy. I certainly don’t want to go through a period like the last several years again, but some of the lessons learned can definitely carry us forward.” His reason for that forecast was the association’s operating on a leaner budget. By questioning expenses and long standing policies they were able to trim unnecessary expenses from the budget.
Daniel Island CPA Clyde Hiers provided part one in a 2-part series of the Ten Commandments for tax and financial planning.
And the centerfold listed all the happenings of the Holiday Festival coming up the next weekend. You will find a similar list in the centerfold of this issue as the tradition of the Holiday Festival continues this year.

TEN YEARS AGO
In the December 1, 2005 issue of the Daniel Island News the front cover and feature story highlighed island resident Mark Petyak and his medical miracle. While training in 2004 for a grueling October multi-sport adventure race, he suddenly began a terrifying descent into paralysis caused by a rare neuroimmunological disorder called transverse myelitis. It is as an inflammatory disorder that affects part of the spinal cord and causes altered sensation on both sides of the body, and weakness of both legs and sometimes the arms. Facing possible permanent paralysis and disability, Mark made a stunning comeback and is known to many on the island today as a coach at DI’s Crossfit Discovery.
In other news, Charleston Police provided crime tips for the holiday season. These tips are still useful today.
• Place your tree where the gifts will be less visible from outside. Thieves like window-shopping through your windows.
• Report persons or vehicles roaming your neighborhood, day or night so police may check them. They may be simply looking at Christmas lights, or they may be “casing” houses to burglarize.
• Make sure to keep doors and windows locked.
• Turn on outside lights at night.
If your family is planning to leave home for the holidays, take these extra steps:
• Call the police department to request a periodic residence check (“Keep-A-Check”) while you are away.
• Tell a neighbor you will be away so they can look out for the house, give them emergency and cell numbers to reach you, but don’t tell everyone you know you will be gone. People you don’t know might find out. Don’t leave notes for friends or delivery men.
• Have the neighbor pick up mail, papers, and ads, put out your trash can, and park in your driveway.
• Timers on exterior lights, interior lights, and TVs will help make it look like you are home. Don’t leave an answering machine message saying you are gone, in fact turning it off would be better.
• Double check all doors and windows, including second floor and basement. The doors should have dead-bolts; key locks for windows are also available.
• When you return, look around outside first. If you see any evidence of a break-in, do not go inside. Go to a neighbor’s house and call police. The burglars could still be inside.