July 2003 - Month in Review HHI's State of the State Luncheon Gov. Mark Sanford visited Hilton Head to attend a State of the State luncheon. The Governor discussed various topics, including the budget, economy, education and a proposal to make highway lanes unidirectional during hurricane emergencies to facilitate more effective evacuaton. Famed lighthouse could be put up for sale In addition to the famous candy-striped lighthouse that has come to symbolize Harbour Town, most of the buildings and land that surround this well-known marina may be sold. The partnership that owns these holdings, Prudential-Bache/Fogelman, Harbour Town Properties, is part of the South Island Dredging Association, an organization that would like to obtain permission to dump dredge spoil into the Calibogue Sound. While some believe dumping approval could improve sale initiatives, the partnership's spokesman Mark King, president of Club Group LTD. (the property's management company) said sale timing will not be affected. Spending increase for Hilton Head The Town of Hilton Head has approved a $1.4 million spending increase for next fiscal year, which begins in July. This increase will raise Hilton Head Island's budget to $55.7 million, including salary increases for employees and monies for continued capital improvements. Due to reassessment delays, a tax increase was avoided. No rate increases for water Hilton Head No. 1 Public Service District will not increase rates for island residents in the district, yet will have more money at the end of the year. The new proposed $9.4 million budget indicates more than $758,000 in income beyond what the district wants to spend for the fiscal year 2003-04. About $2.6 million will be spent on salaries, and about $1.2 million on purchasing water. A proposed $2 million is included in the budget for the capital improvements plan. New fire hydrants, a change in water meters, and a water and sewer master plan are also included in the budget. Daufuskie residents must register carts In order to drive on the island's public roads, Daufuskie residents must now register golf carts - their primary mode of transportation on the 3 x 5 mile island - with the Beaufort County Sheriff 's Office. Registration is $5, provided the owner has a valid driver's license, proof of ownership and liability insurance. Disgruntled residents, who can only drive carts during daylight hours and within two miles of their homes, may also encounter insurance woes; some golf carts can be covered under homeowner's insurance or registered with auto insurance companies. Owners will need to verify coverage. Latinos team up with town for better park In a collaboration between the Town of Hilton Head and the local Latin American Council of South Carolina, a parking lot and picnic area will be built at Chaplin Community Park. The money for the new picnic shelter, with grills and tables to seat 30, and the parking lot will come from the capital improvement fund, though no budget has been decided. An exact location for the shelter has not been decided but will be convenient to the bathrooms, soccer field and parking lot. Construction will begin this summer. Bluffton wins award for housing Bluffton won the achievement award from the Municipal Association of South Carolina for its program of affordable modular housing. The homes, designed in Lowcountry style, competed against other municipalities with populations of 1,001 to 5,000. Economic development, public safety, public service and public work in the cities and towns were judged in the competition. The association will honor Bluffton at the annual meeting in Myrtle Beach this month. Folly Field to get sewer service The Folly Field area will get sewer service, thanks to a unanimous vote by The Hilton Head No. 1 Public Service District's commission. Each homeowner will have to pay nearly $7,000 for the installation of the system. Sewer lines will be put in while the roads are being paved in the area. The connection will include 73 homes on Periwinkle Road, Moonshell Road, Sanddollar Road, Ghost Crab Way, Seahorse Way and Starfish Drive. Dogs banned on beach have alternative Summer's here and so is the rule prohibiting dogs on Hilton Head's public beaches. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, animals are not permitted on the beach between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. A violation of this law carries a possible fine up to $500. An alternative, the Best Friends Dog Park, is in the corner of Chaplin Community Park. The park includes a sandbox to fill holes dug by dogs, trash pick-up on holidays and weekends and a Dogi-Dogi "poop station." Town wants to ban mammoth homes The Town of Hilton Head is once again taking steps to place size limitations on new construction in single-family home oriented neighborhoods. The proposed changes are intended to prevent mammoth homes, three and four story houses with large square footages, from "overpowering" smaller homes. Opponents believe that the town is overstepping its bounds. Charleston may ban smoking The Charleston City Council is looking to pass a ban on smoking in bars, restaurants, and public places. Smoking will be permitted in some hotel rooms and private homes under the proposed ban, however, outdoor smoking within 15 feet of an indoor area would be prohibited. Although the town's mayor supports the ban, he said it is important for the council to hear the public opinion. Some years have passed since the first proposed ban was vetoed, so council members felt it was time to try again, based on secondhand smoke research. Senate considers shelving minibottles The only state still using minibottles, South Carolina follows a law created in the 1970s to satisfy prohibitionists and prevent the state from requiring patrons to bring their own liquor to an establishment that could not sell alcohol - "brown-bagging." A dual measure in both house and senate would authorize a referendum that would add the "free-pour instead of minibottles" option to the November 2004 general elections. Opponents argue that by eliminating minibottles, the state will lose a 25 cent surcharge per bottle, $18 million annually, which helps fund drug and alcohol treatment programs. School officials hope to improve graduation rates Although 1,500 freshmen enrolled in the county's three public high schools four years ago, only 885 students graduated last May, according to the Beaufort County School District. The numbers do not reflect those that transferred to other schools, entered adult education programs or dropped out. Of the 459 freshmen enrolled in 1999 at Hilton Head High School, 333 seniors graduated this year. Officials said it is difficult to keep students interested in school when they could make $10/hour working. Some schools, such as Battery Creek and Beaufort High, have created small learning communities that keep students with the same teachers all year, which they believe will improve graduation rates. Governor approves DMV reform bill Citizens may encounter a whole new experience on their next visit to the Division of Motor Vehicles because of a new bill, signed by Governor Mark Sanford. The bill will establish the division as an independent entity that will be required to report directly to the governor's office. The DMV will provide driver records, pending registration information and more on its Web site this summer.