Letters to the Editor - August 13, 2020

Progress on community center continues

 

Much progress has been made with the construction of our long awaited community [recreation] center that is taking shape at Governors Park. The city has allocated over $9 million for this project. 

 

With a square-foot area of over 21,000 square feet, the center will include a basketball and volleyball court, fitness center, rooms for clubs and crafts. In addition, the main room can be divided or opened up for additional basketball or other activities. 

 

Another feature will be specialty day camps for children. 

 

The city representative has estimated October for the exterior completion and the end of December for the interior. 

 

While the center is open to all city residents, we will work with the recreation department to prioritize D.I. groups. Later in the year we will invite input to ensure time and space for our island needs. 

 

This is a project that we and our community have been working on for several years and are excited to witness its actual reality.                    

 

Frank Walsh

Marcia Miller

Co-chairs, DINA community center committee

 

Libertarian voice needed in local government

 

Greater Charleston residents are in near unanimous uproar in response to discriminatory and exploitative power grabs currently being pursued by Isle of Palms and Folly Beach, under the guise of coronavirus protection. Through emergency ordinances, IOP and

Folly limited beach access parking along state roads, funded by federal, state, and county dollars, to island residents. 

 

Both “cities” have also benefited from federal and state beach renourishment programs, protecting the coastal communities from rising water levels, storm surge, and erosion. The restrictions, given these are barrier islands, are effectively targeted bans prohibiting nonresidents from accessing the beaches; beaches which are held in public trust, for the benefit of all South Carolinians, with limitations on access by localities outlawed.

 

Looking at how this devolved, certain local leaders were allowed to act impartially to protect personal business interests, to the detriment of all South Carolinians, while others in power looked on. This led us to the point where those looking to restrict and divide are left unchecked. 

 

A Libertarian voice would benefit everyone whose rights are currently being violated, as the ideology is incompatible with such actions. The most fundamental Libertarian beliefs demand that no one use government power to harm or restrict individual liberties.

 

Everyone has the right to park along state roads and access a state beach. A Libertarian would defend those rights, not limit them to a lucky few. 

 

Please consider Libertarian candidates in your next local election. See sclp.org for more.

 

Alex Chapey

Daniel Island

 

Parking change successful

 

I would like to thank our neighbors on Bellinger Street here on Daniel Island for observing the “No Parking This Side” signs recently installed by the City of Charleston.

 

Passage is now much more easily possible without the fear of damage to someone’s vehicle. My wife observed a piece of fire apparatus actually having to back out one day because they couldn’t get through!

 

I know this seems like a small thing but it has made an enormous difference in the safety of driving on Bellinger Street.

 

So, many thanks, friends. Your observance of this signage is greatly appreciated!

 

Bob Sauer

Daniel Island