DI News History - September 13, 2018
TEN YEARS AGO – Archaeologists search for artifacts on Daniel Island
In the September 11, 2008 issue of The Daniel Island News, Brockington Cultural Resources Consulting conducted archaeological work on the island, including the excavation of sites along the Wando River near Smythe Lake and on the Family Circle Tennis Center grounds. The firm was hired in the early 1990s by the Daniel Island Company to survey the island for historically important sites before construction commenced, as required by both the US. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of South Carolina.
“Preserving the island’s history goes a long way towards creating a community with a sense of place,” said Julie Dombrowski, former communications director for The Daniel Island Company. “This is why the island’s historical connections have been an integral part of our overall development plan, and why streets, parks and neighborhoods are all named within a historical context.”
Also in the paper were photos of the 2008 Scenes of Summer contest. Receiving over 100 entries, the photos that stood out were the ones with amazing clarity and detail, unique angle or composition, an emotional expression, or an unusual topic.
FIVE YEARS AGO – Daniel Islanders consider switch to Charleston County
A hot topic in the September 12, 2013 issue of The Daniel Island News was the issue of whether Daniel Island should remain in Berkeley County or be annexed into Charleston County. According to state laws, if residents want to leave Berkeley County and become part of Charleston County, 10 percent of the registered voters on Daniel Island have to sign a petition requesting to be annexed. In a published letter to The Daniel Island News, the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association Board of Directors wrote, “Since the earliest days of development on Daniel Island, one recurring question has surfaced repeatedly: What county should Daniel Island be in? The last time there were any organized annexation discussions was in 1999, when there were fewer than 200 homes on the island. Since then the question has really not gone beyond casual conversation.” The letter continued with, “While the school related issues are a community concern right now, this discussion is driven by a series of issues facing all Daniel Island residents. The Daniel Island Neighborhood Association (DINA) feels that the growing number of issues include but are not limited to taxes, basic county service delivery, school issues, and additional services needed. These questions and issues are important and will have such a pervasive influence on the future of our community. Therefore, we believe that it is now time to fully examine these issues in earnest.”
In the end, Daniel Island’s annexation petition to leave Berkeley County was withdrawn for a number of reasons, including the high cost of required land surveys and what some called “antiquated” state laws concerning annexation.