February 4, 2012

The Tides Hotel on Folly Beach and BLU Restaurant and Bar are teaming up with Save the Light for the annual Save the Light Half-Marathon
and 5K walk or run. This weekend’s event is in efforts to raise funds for the stabilization and restoring process the Morris Island Lighthouse.

“This is an event that supports a tremendous cause and has continued to gain in popularity.  We at the Tides are hoping to help turn this into a premier event for Folly Beach and Charleston runners,” states Ken Merkel, the Tides General Manger.

The run will kick off Friday night at BLU Restaurant and Bar with a pasta dinner special for runners and family members from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The Tides Folly Beach, the Official Event Host, has also created special room rates and packages for the event and will host a post race awards ceremony.

This USATF certified event starts and finishes near the Pier on Folly Beach at 8:30 am. The Half-Marathon is a RUN ONLY event while the 5K is open for runners and walkers. For registration and more information visit www.actioncarolina.com.

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PHOTO: Credit: Justin Morris, Follyhood.blogspot.com

Surfing is a sport that is closely tied to the location of the wave.  Here at Folly Beach, certain styles of equipment have long been believed to be well-suited to our locale.  Longboards and stubby fish will always be popular choices due to the less-than-powerful surf we quite often find as the only choice on the menu.  On Folly Beach, shops stock the type of boards that work well in South Carolina.

Compact shortboards have recently become very popular.

Board models including the Dumpster Diver, Sub-Scorcher, and Disco made a big entrance about two years ago.  These boards are described as a shortboard squashed into a package that is four to six inches shorter.  They’re tuned for performance, and most riders experience no loss of maneuverability.  In fact, many touring pros ride these boards in competition.  Viewed next to a standard shortboard, these boards are wider and flatter.  This means the board will paddle better and catch waves easily.

Local experts and advanced riders experimented with this type of board and almost everyone felt they were perfect for above average to excellent days on Folly Beach.  Over the last six months these boards have begun to trickle down to surfers of a slightly lesser skill level.  Intermediate riders are now riding compact shortboards on good days at Folly Beach and feedback is still positive.  If you find yourself less than excited about the eighteen and a half inch wide shred sled you have been riding, it may be time for you to pick up a compact shortboard that is five inches shorter and a half inch wider.

Surfboard designs can often be described as an extreme extension of a popular style of board or a hybridization between two types of boards.  Bob Simmons was a successful shaper who combined the width, thickness, and parallel rails of a longboard with the short height of a fish.  His most popular model, the Mini-Simmons, looks like a longboard that has been cut in half.  These boards were often called bars of soap.  For many years, a big square tail and twin keel fins completed the look of a board that could catch waves and cruise through flat sections like a longboard.  Of course, a board that is less than six feet long will be considerably more maneuverable than any longboard.

Recently, models such as the Plank, Dharma, and Turntable have added quad fin setups, wings, and other innovations to greatly increase performance.  If you will never be a longboarder and still want to have a great time in ankle-high slop, one of these boards may be perfect for you.

A third type of board that has recently seen a boom in popularity is known as a mini-longboard or mini-malibu.  Imagine cutting two feet from the middle of a nine-foot longboard.  Now change the fin setup to a thruster or quad.  The resulting board will paddle like a longboard and enjoy the maneuverability of something much shorter.  These boards are fun on even the smallest days.  This type of board, as well as beginner friendly fun shapes, are popular during wimpy, summer surf for much of the East Coast.

Is this the year you admit that you cannot do three turns on a gutless, two-foot wave?  Choosing a mini-longboard says you want to cruise down the line and ride more waves than the chumps around you.  You may run out and buy three boards to placate this article.  On the other hand, you may want to scream at this page for twenty minutes, or have simply stopped reading by now.  If you make it this far, I hope you surf better than ever before in 2012 and are excellent to each other.

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City Council

December 8, 2011

Work Session, 5 p.m.

Council met to discuss how to govern transient vendors in 2012, including food trucks, sidewalk art and jewelry stands, and rental companies. They struggled to define a transient vendors, bringing to light ‘brick and mortar’ businesses like the Sand Dollar that might have art for sale hanging from their walls outside. Another issue arises when brick and mortar businesses contract to allow another business to operate on their outside property, like a moped rental outside Black Magic Coffee.

“I don’t think it’s right for you to tell me that I can’t sell t-shirts and rocking chairs at Follywood if I want to, but I’m not going to have a mobile cart outside selling those things,” said council member and Planet Follywood owner D.J. Rich.

Council member Paul Hume stressed that transient vendor definitions needed to be defined, possibly with exceptions for brick and mortar businesses selling merchandise outside their building. He added that a company like Black Magic might say, “You’re allowing them to sell jewelry down in front of the Dollar in the day time. Why can’t we sell motorcycles to people who get all jazzed up on our coffee?”

Rich pointed out that transient vendors haven’t been a problem over the last few years, but that council is now trying to prevent an over abundance of them. Talk arose of grandfathering in existing vendors on Folly. Rich raised the possibility of a range of licenses so that the city wouldn’t be flooded with just one type of vendor.

Confusion continued, and Paul Hume said that if council couldn’t agree on what a transient vendor was, “then let’s go get a beer because we’re wasting our time.”

Mayor Goodwin pointed out a recent news story about the popularity of food trucks, saying “get ready, it’s going to get worse.” He suggested a ‘food truck park’ at 3^rd block west, where the vendors could maintain the bathrooms.

Rich said he felt like residents appreciate the ‘funky feel of something like a food truck’ that’s unique and different. Goodwin said that he personally does not want to see mopeds rented on Folly Beach. Rich said that any problems with moped drivers can be fixed with existing laws instead of a ban.

Zoning Administrator Aaron Pope told council that he just needs to know how many transient vendors the city wanted to approve, and how many of each kind, and that he would draft an ordinance.

Hume broke transient vendors down into three groups: rentals, food, and non-food sales. He suggested putting a number cap on each category.

Pope spoke of the problem with vendors in the past who argue that they’re not transient and don’t pay the fee, calling for legislation to enforce fees in the future. Pope said he would draft an ordinance for council to review.

Special Meeting, 6 p.m.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

Susan Breslin of 1113 East Arctic pointed out language in the Flood Plain package being presented that might be interpreted as allowing increased elevation in houses and asked council to amend that to not change the current rules.

Aaron Pope introduced five ordinances that together could lower Folly’s community rating system (CRS) score with the Insurance Services Office that regulates flood insurance. By lowering Folly’s score from 8 to 7 on the 1-10 scale, each person on Folly with a flood insurance policy could save $195 each year, totaling approximately $300,000 in annual savings community wide.

Ratings are determined every five years, and Folly is currently up for reevaluation. The auditor suggested several ways Folly could lower their rating to achieve the savings.

Council turned down a motion to approve the five ordinances in one package, instead choosing to consider each one individually.

Ordinance No. 34-11. Formalizes a requirement that nonresidential construction must be elevated no lower than one foot above the bass flood elevation (BFE).

Passed, all in favor.

Ordinance No. 35-11. Requires final plats of proposed developments to clearly indicated the BFE on their plans.

Passed, all in favor.

Ordinance No. 36-11. Requires homebuilders to sign a piece of paper acknowledging that they are not allowed to build habitable space below the BFE underneath an elevated house.

Eddie Ellis clarified that these areas could be finished off as “a dart board room, or lawn mower storage.” Pope said it couldn’t be habitable space. Ellis clarified that it could be a “boy’s night out room, or a man cave.”

Passed, all in favor.

Ordinance No. 37-11. Clarifies that a home that doesn’t meet flood code cannot be improved beyond 50 percent of the market value of the building for ten years without first bringing it up to meet flood code.

Pope clarified that the rule was previously one year and had been recently changed to three years. He said that FEMA requires a minimum of five years, and that the Folly Building Department had decided on a ten year requirement.

Rich suggested an amendment to lower the recommended time from ten years to five years. Goodwin pointed out that the ordinance relates to major work, suggesting that a house should be brought up to code regardless, whether it’s one year or 20 years.

“The ultimate goal of flood plain regulation is to bring the community into compliance,” said Pope. “The point of our whole program is to get all the buildings in the flood plain elevated. It reduces future claims and it reduces future loss of life.”

Council voted on an amendment to change the ordinance from ten years to five years. The amendment failed 4-3.

The original ordinance to change the requirement from one to ten years passed 5-2.

Ordinance 38-11. Changes construction standards to B zone regulations in A zone areas on Folly Beach, requiring breakaway walls at ground level.

Pope explained the difference in A zones and B zones on Folly Beach, and the building requirements about elevating above or at BFE and the allowance of breakaway or vented walls at ground level.

Passed, all in favor.

During council comments, Eddie Ellis said he’d found an old family bible and discovered that his great grandfather was the highway commissioner of Bath, New York. “It kind of runs in my blood why I know traffic circles won’t work,” said Ellis.

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By Stratton Lawrence

In a runoff election on December 22, Dale Stuckey narrowly edged Sandra Hickman for the space vacated on Folly Beach City Council by departing member Laura Beck. Stuckey won with a count of 216 votes, to Hickman’s 213.

The race’s close results cast new light on small but persistent hiccups in Folly’s voting system. In November 2010, many citizens of Folly’s second precinct waited for nearly two hours to vote after Charleston County delivered machines loaded with ballots for James Island instead of Folly Beach.

One year later, voting went smoothly for citizens in November’s council runoff election, but problems persisted in the counting of votes. Folly Beach’s Municipal Election Commission certified 578 votes as follows: Dale Stuckey 192, Sandy Hickman 147, Vernon Knox 129, Lewis Dodson 71, Alan Kleinfeld 39. Those numbers are sent to the S.C. Secretary of State and cannot be changed.

The issue arose when Charleston County presented its numbers, tallying slightly higher figures for each candidate as follows: Stuckey 214, Hickman 150, Knox 132, Dodson 73, Kleinfeld 42.

Folly Beach Election Commission member Retta Laurey says the discrepancy was due to absentee voters and voters on James Island not being added to the count.

The change in numbers did not affect the outcome of the election, but in the case of the closer runoff race, they more easily could have. That has particularly upset local resident Susan Breslin, a local watchdog of political and election affairs.

“An election ought to be accurate,” says Breslin. “If they had left out the absentee vote on Nov. 22, they could have certified Hickman as the winner.”

Mayor Tim Goodwin echoes the concern. “Whether it’s a one vote difference or a 200 vote difference, you want it to be correct, and that’s our responsibility,” he says.

The city has asked Charleston County Elections Board Executive Director Joe Debney to speak at the December 13 City Council meeting about the possibility of the County taking over the elections process on Folly Beach. With the city having just taken back 911 dispatch duties from the county, it’s likely that the proposal could incite debate.

“I want (Folly Beach) to make a decision based on what’s best for their residents,” says Debney.

Currently, the county provides workers and sets up machines, but does not certify vote totals on Folly Beach. Folly municipal clerk Mary Cunningham clarifies that if the County does take over the elections, candidates would still get their information from her, but that the county would handle money and the certification.

“I have been trying to get this changed for the past five years,” says Cunningham. “There are very few cities in the state that have not gone to this level.”

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By Dean Hutton

Editor’s Note: You may recognize Dingo’s name as the author of occasional poetry for the Current. After Hurricane Irene, he returned home to Folly Beach for a few weeks because he wasn’t able to reach the apartment he was renting on the Outer Banks, due to a new inlet being cut by the storm. He even helped me move to my new house on the 1400 block of East Ashley, where a hurricane could easily have the same type of effect. Here’s what happened when he returned to Hatteras.

Yesterday I had the great idea to go ride my bike to the new inlet, six miles up the beach, a forty-foot deep channel running from the sound to the ocean caused by Hurricane Irene’s seven-foot surge breaking the land barrier. With five-foot waves caused by a northeast wind swell and a 40-foot deep trench in the ocean, I reasoned that it ought to be breaking good, with long rights and lefts on both sides.

I waited until nightfall to mask my departure (and for the wind to die down too). I put some food, water, clothes, and my sleeping bag in a waterproof sack, drank a couple of beers, grabbed my board, put it under my arm and hopped on the bike. As I was passing a kiteboarding shop, I heard some loud music and knew instantly it was my good friend I have not seen since before the hurricane. We played some music and had a few too many beers, one song with the chorus, “Irene you whore, you screwed everyone in town.” Harmonica, guitar, and drums. It was a great jam. I left their house feeling really good and slightly tired, at about 1:30 in the morning. Everyone’s last words to me were something like, “Please, don’t die.”

There was still a northeast wind at about eight to ten miles per hour pushing against me, but I did not mind because it kept the bugs off, since I forgot that toxic insect repellent stuff. The moon was ducking in and out of the clouds and the stars were out along the completely deserted road, NC 12. I kept seeing these two field lights over the inlet at the end of the road, and at one point I was ready to jump in the bushes thinking it was a car. I found a small sand path to the beach about a mile before the inlet and figured it would do. There was a nice-looking sand trench right between two 20-foot dunes, and I could not have asked for a better spot to lie down. I crawled into my sleeping bag on top of the soft sand, and looking up at the stars above the swaying sea oats, I thanked God, and easily went to sleep.

I awoke at first light and was felling a little bit too dizzy to surf, so I went back to sleep in the shade of the tall dune. I awoke a couple hours later and decided it was time to go surf the inlet. I walked passed a couple of construction workers, and no one had a problem with me being there it seemed like, so, I snapped a few shots, drank some water, and paddled out.

I’m not going to lie; I was scared. There was some structure in the water which I did not want to hit, and who knows what else was submerged, not to mention the sea life going back and forth in the deep inlet from the sound to the ocean. The waves were really fun, and really weird. I have never surfed anything like it before. There were these steep drops, some barreled on the take off, and then the wave mushed out a little, but instead of losing power, the wave would still give you enough speed to do turns and ride for a little while longer. The sections on the waves were weird and very floppy, but fun to surf. It was an all around different wave.

After going over the falls on this wave in the first set, I was getting sucked back into the inlet and trying to paddle out of the rip. Suddenly, a school of little bait fish started flopping all over my back. These fish behind were chasing them, and the next thing I knew, I was in the middle of a feeding frenzy. All alone, waves coming, caught in the current with who knows what chasing the fish that are splashing all around me, and unseen debris in the water. I was freaking out and about to go back on the beach.

Then I paddled away from the rip and the fish and saw a nice left break in front of me. I couldn’t resist, so I paddled back out, trying not to sit on my board and stick my feet too far under the murky water. I caught a good wave on the next set and made the free fall drop in and pumped down the line. I went up to hit the section and then it fizzled out, but the wave kept going enough to do a floater and a turn on the inside.

It felt like I was surfing a river. I stayed out for about two hours, until the waves became inconsistent and mushy, even though the whole time I was spooked by the littlest ripples in the water. It was a fun, exciting session. I got out of the water and was still buzzed from the experience. I ate a squished banana and an orange for breakfast, downed it with some much needed freshwater, then took some shots with the camera and packed up my stuff.

I noticed a sign in the rubble that said, “Do not enter. Bird sanctuary,” and I figured I’d keep it. Big mistake. One of the guys who runs the place came up to me and told me I was trespassing, and if I walked away with that sign, it would be a felony. I then asked him what I should do the next time I wanted to surf that wave, and then his phone rang. He told me to hold on, but after ten minutes of waiting, I left, not thinking anything of it.

More than halfway through the journey back, I threw my bike behind a bush and walked an untouched path to go check the waves. I had to put on pants, a sweatshirt, and wrap my head with my tee shirt to avoid getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. I looked like a terrorist. If any planes passed over, I would have been radioed in, for sure.

The first thing I saw walking over the dunes was a slab — a fun, powerful wave with short punchy lines and mostly closeout barrels. There was nothing on the beach except for birds and miscellaneous trash-like dumpsters and refrigerators and pieces of docks and other driftwood. With nobody in sight, and no designated beach access, I figured I’d surf naked and leash-less. Why not? It felt good.

I was getting barreled and trashed and threw my fins out on a couple of trashy, small powerful waves breaking close to the beach. The waves were more fun than they looked. After a couple of drifts, I took a peach out of my sack, guzzled some water, and watched a couple of clouds form over the ocean. It was after 4 p.m., so I decided to go make my way to a break called ‘S-turns,’ and surf it before it became too late.

Right before I approached the construction area of the building behind ‘S-turns,’ a big, stern-looking man in his work outfit and a piece of steel in his hand stood in the middle of the road and stared at me. He then abruptly said, “Halt! Who goes there?! What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here. How did you get here?”

Then he asked if I was up at the inlet. I told him yes. He said, “Oh, they were trying to give you a ticket and then you ran away. I suggest you go back over the dunes where you came from.”

“Yes sir,” I said and then walked away.

“Hey I’m not trying to be a dick, but there are people with heavy machinery working here,” he said.

“No sir, you’re totally not. Thank you sir, good day, sir,” I responded, and then I walked over the dunes.

A man working a backhoe did not see me, and almost dumped (literally) a ton of sand on me. There was a spot with no beach and I tried to time the tide coming in but failed, and got my shoes and jeans soaking wet. I then noticed this somewhat outer sandbar pop up, as a result of pushing sand in. It was nearly perfect.

I watched a six-foot wave come in and barrel left and right and spit. I was too stoked to care about anything else. It was firing with nobody out. I didn’t care about a ticket or anything at this point. I had to surf, simple as that. It started to rain hard now, so I threw my semi-dry clothes in the waterproof sack and paddled out. I watched head to overhead lefts wall up and barrel right in front of me. Struggling against the current, I caught one and was covered for three seconds before it closed out on shallow sand.

On the next wave, I dropped in going left. The wave closed out as I did a hard, fast turn on the lip and proceeded to free fall. My feet were off my board, and then I magically stepped on my grip pad and landed it somehow. There were some right dredgers that I was too scared to take — the waves were heavy and closing out more and more. After about an hour or two of surfing, I took one in, snapped a turn on the section, and went to the beach feeling good, cold and tired.

There was a free meal at the community center that the Baptist men’s group cooked. I went into the air-conditioned room with my wet shoes, jeans and semi-dry sweater and grabbed a plate. They had spaghetti, bread, salad, and banana pudding for desert. I wolfed it down and then rode my bike home, past the rubble-filled streets. I took a hot shower and chilled out with my roommate Joey, watching old videos of Richard Pryor. This pretty girl from down the road came over too.

It was a great day and a good night, dream-like even.

You can read more of Dean’s writing at http://dingodiaries.wordpress.com/

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Happy Holidays! It is that time of year; the winter movie season is upon us. Like most years, Hollywood has saved some of the best (and worst) for last. This season brings with it something for all ages and persuasions.

In my book, the independent films seem to be leading the pack with multiple works that look as delectable as your mother’s home made pecan pie! Something I have been looking forward to for months is the mystery suspense drama, We Need to Talk About Kevin (December 9). Directed by Lynne Ramsay, this film stars two of my favorite actors, Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly. It is a gripping psychological thriller focusing on the dissident relationship between a mother and her son. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, it shines a new light on the idea of nature versus nurture. This film has already received rave reviews, from the stellar acting to the haunting story that you will not be able to shake — a must see!

Next, another film is working critics into a frenzy–the controversial NC-17 rated film, Shame (December 2). Directed by Steve McQueen (III) and starring some great talents–Carey Mulligan and Michael Fassbender, Shame is the story of a New Yorker, Brandon (Fassbender) who has a serious sex addiction. When his younger sister (Carey Mulligan) moves in, his isolated world spins out of control as painful memoires of their past rise to the surface. McQueen typically doesn’t miss his mark, having worked with Fassbender in his 2008 critically acclaimed film, Hunger. These two seem to make a great team.

Finally, one more independent film that should not be missed, if for no other reason than that the story is important, is The Lady directed by Luc Besson (December 2). Besson tells the inspiring true story of Burmese pro-democracy activist, leader and political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh). No the critics have not been too kind to this film, struggling with the slow pace, but this story about the Burmese peoples’ suffering needs to be on our minds, especially during the holiday season. It might be a tough one to get through, but you will be better off for being a witness to this story and this film. Burma VJ, an Academy Award nominee for best documentary film in 2008, began the education for me, so I look forward to learning more from Besson with The Lady.

Let’s go a bit darker with the horror films for the winter season. The Women in Black (February 2012) based on the book by Susan Hill has critics shaking in their seats! This creepy remake stars Daniel Radcliffe as a young lawyer that travels to a remote village, where he discovers a vengeful ghost that terrorizes the locals.  The Women in Black has a long history. It was first created into a film in 1989 and adapted into a stage play plus a TV movie. The stage play was so well received that it still plays today and is the second longest running play in the history of the West End. Sounds like a must see for the dedicated horror fan!

Another one to keep an eye out for is The Darkest Hour directed by Chris Gorak (December 25). This is the story of five “twenty somethings” who find themselves stranded in Moscow, fighting to survive in the wake of a destructive alien attack. The plot brings back memories of old Outer Limits/Twilight Zone episodes and that makes me excited. Emile Hirsch is among the cast and that can only bring good things!

On a lighter holiday note there are some wonderful heart-warming, romantic, comedic, and family friendly goodnesses out there to look forward to. The Adventures of Tintin 3-D (December 21) directed by Steven Spielberg is definitely one of them. Jamie Bell, better known for his earlier works as Billy Elliott in Billy Elliott, stars as Tintin, the fearless young reporter whose persistent search of a good story thrusts him into a world of adventure. This film is winning critics over with its incessant charm, visually stunning

3-D, and good “old fashioned” adventure fun that many say harkens back to the filmmakers past, but take that with a grain of salt — Super 8 was a bit heartless.

Still hanging with the kids is the heart-warming film starring Matt Damon, We Bought A Zoo (December 23). Acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe directs the true story about a single dad who decides his family needs a fresh start, so he moves himself and his two children to a zoo! Chock full of misadventures, this family and an interesting group of employees brings this zoo back to life. We Bought A Zoo is a lovely film that is perfect for family and friends.

Contact your babysitter (see below), put some leftovers in the microwave for the kiddies, and hop out and enjoy a great comedy for date night or even a cute romantic comedy. Jonah Hills’ The Sitter (December 9) looks like it has the potential to be a twisted, entertaining ride for adults. From director of Pineapple Express (need I say more) David Gordon Green, the film weaves the insane story of the world’s worst babysitter and the world’s worst kids on an overnight adventure through the streets of New York. The Sitter could fall apart, or maybe he’ll be invited back–we shall see.

On the opposite side of the comedic world, we have our romantic comedy for the winter season, New Year’s Eve (December 9). My mantra for films like this is, “why?” Why do people keep making films like this? It’s almost like they are destined for home rentals. Why don’t we just call it Valentines Day 2 and call it a day. Any movie that is this over-stuffed with celebrities and a seemingly pointless plot is just waiting to fail. Maybe I’m wrong on this one—we’ll see.

And finally, to speak to our action/adventure moviegoer, there are definitely some excellent films on the horizon for you! I, of course, have to start with Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (December 16) directed by Guy Ritchie. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) is back, and with a new criminal mastermind on the loose who just might have the upper hand. The evil Professor Moriarty is cunning and will definitely give Holmes a run for his money. The first was excellent, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for our favorite eccentric detective.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (December 16) directed by Brad Bird is another excellent action film for the season. Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt, but it seems IMF is not. Hunt and his rogue new team go undercover to clear the organization’s name. The trailer and other clips I have seen so far make me think this might be pretty entertaining. Cool stunts, a strong cast, and what seems like an interesting storyline makes me pretty excited. Sounds like an edge of your seat kind of flick.

That’s about it for me; see you at the concession stand.

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The five candidates for the open City Council seat, vacated by Laura Beck (currently running for Charleston City Council), met on Tuesday, Oct. 18 to answer the public’s questions and share their visions for Folly Beach at the Exchange Club’s meet the candidates forum. About 60 members of the community showed up, some asking pointed questions of the five citizens hoping to garner a seat on council. Although no clear winner emerged from the debate, the hot topic was certainly beach renourishment. Without a beach, invoked several candidates, there is no need to debate anything else.

Moderator Christopher Lewis began the meeting by offering two quotes. “Politics is the art of the possible,” he stated, quoting Otto von Bismarck, then recalling Tip O’Neill’s line, “All politics is local.”

Candidate presentation order was determined by a chance drawing. Dale Stuckey’s speech was first.

“I like to hear you laugh. I like to see you smile. I want to make you happy,” she said. “I want to listen, to hear what you have to say.”

Stuckey broke down the problems Folly Beach faces to two main issues: beach renourishment and sidewalks. She said she would work with congress to appropriate money for renourishment, and expressed support for sidewalks extending to second block on either side of Ashley Avenue. The candidate stressed her experience as chief counsel to the S.C. Department of Education and her track record of working with administrations of both political parties.

“My style is to sit down, talk about an issue, and reach consensus,” said Stuckey. “I have two objectives with this campaign. One is to win, and the second is to make friends.”

Sandy Hickman spoke next, citing the 50 of the 55 years she’s spent on Folly and her career as a radiation therapist. “I was raised to be accountable and responsible for all my actions. I think my time has come where I can give back,” she said, expressing a belief that citizens should always be able to call and voice concerns to council members. Hickman cited renourishment and the replacement of the Folly Road bridges as her big issues. “If I’m elected, I will work hard for the Folly family,” she said.

Alan Hickman told of his experience in managing non-profits, and said he chose to move to Folly two years ago because of its uniqueness. He said he would work to prevent big box stores and chains like Wal-Mart and Starbucks from establishing here. Hickman, who moved her from D.C.-area northern Virginia, cited the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon as his impetus to give back to the community, explaining that soon thereafter he helped organize sobriety checkpoints and car seat checks around Arlington.

Hickman, who has a degree in tourism administration, said he brings with him the ‘rare ability to manage small details while at the same time keeping an eye on the big picture.’ He wants visitors to Folly to respect the island in the same way locals do, adding that he’s not quick to give a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a question on an issue, instead choosing to operate like the crew of the Starship Enterprise, where a decision is made together before choosing a direction.

“It takes more than an individual to make a community happy and livable. I want to be part of that process,” said Hickman.

Vernon Knox spoke fourth, saying that he’d been to over 20 similar meet the candidate nights in his 28 years on Folly Beach. Knox was clear in his opinion that renourishment is the biggest issue facing Folly, trumping drinking on the beach, dogs, festivals, and noise on Center Street.

“Without renourishment there will be few visitors to support our commercial district, and no use for the Sea and Sand Festival, because without renourishment there will be no sand left to see,” said Knox. He added that it doesn’t matter what Wall Street or Washington does, and that all other issues can be democratically debated. “Without renourishment, we will all be upside down with our mortgages.”

Knox expressed confidence in the effectiveness of past renourishment projects, and cited his past experience as mayor in securing funds in 2005.

Lewis Dodson, the final candidate to speak, began by expressing his love for Folly Beach and the call that it’s had on him, moving back her twice after leaving to work on the Gulf Coast post-Hurricane Katrina. “I got as much enthusiasm when I woke up today as when I first moved here,” said Dodson, a co-owner of the Drop In Deli and Bar on Center Street.

Dodson spoke of a calling to public service, citing his police officer brother and his grandfather’s work as a mayor. He expressed a desire to “take the people’s will and apply it to society.”

“I’m young, but here’s a great opportunity to get somebody who is committed to Folly Beach,” said Dodson, adding that the five candidates running in a special election demonstrate the community’s love for the island. “I’ve got a clear, open, and capable mind that I can apply in this position.”

After the candidate speeches, the meeting broke for a 30 minute meet-and-greet and refreshment period. When it reconvened, emcee Lewis asked individual questions of the candidates, chosen from those submitted by members of the audience. A selection of these questions and answers are presented below, by council candidate.

Dale Stuckey

Would she extend hours of the FIDO off-leash dog program she spearheads?

If it goes well, yes, in the off season.

What are your ideas about controlling alcohol on the beach?

Stuckey said she does not want to ban alcohol on the beach, but wants to stop irresponsible drinking. She suggested requiring people under age 30 to carry their ID on the beach, and increasing police presence at the beginning of summer. “People will learn, like they did with the trash problem,” said Stuckey.

What laws on the books are out of date?

“The one that says you can ride a horse on the beach,” said Stuckey, citing the confusion in the current legal code, which spreads animal law ordinances throughout several sections. “We have to consolidate,” said Stuckey. “Repeal those that need repealing, amend those that need amending, and make sure the laws are understandable and enforceable.”

What is the best preparation you’ve had for sitting on council?

Stuckey cited her work history with the S.C. Department of Education, adding that she is a problem solver with critical and complex issues.

Sandy Hickman

How would you attract people to live on Folly Beach?

Hickman said that it doesn’t take much, but that it can be hard for people to afford to live here. She acknowledged a commercial debate on the rules of renting property here, and the diminishing number of full-time residents.

How do you legislate respect and consideration from each other as well as from our visitors?

Hickman said that she doesn’t think you can legislate respect, and that the answer is as simple as being respectful to others and inspiring them to respect you in return. “I think Folly in general is a very respectful community,” she said.

Hickman was asked how long she’d lived on Folly, and her experience as a public servant.

She cited her current position on the board of the Exchange Club, and explained that as a single parent and working full time she is finally at the point where she has time to give back.

Do you think the current mayor and council get along and are working well together?

“Most definitely. I think this is one of the better councils and mayors that we’ve had. I don’t see any problems,” said Hickman.

Alan Kleinfeld

What do you think is Folly Beach’s most serious problem?

“Just one?” said Kleinfeld. “Beach erosion is number one, and safety on the street.”

Kleinfeld was asked if the city should enforce the right-of-way for public parking ten feet from the road in front of houses, including clearing out homeowners yards in the right-of-way.

He responded that it depends on the cost, the time it takes, and who would carry out the work, adding that it would require an investigation.

Kleinfeld was asked when he registered to vote on Folly and if he voted in the last election.

“I registered to vote within 16 days of moving here,” said Kleinfeld, adding that he is a state constable in S.C. And was required to register to be one.

Vernon Knox

What is the worst mistake you made during your tenure as mayor?

Knox did not offer a concrete answer, but said he admits to having a bad attitude at times and has since learned patience.

Having previously been mayor for eight years, do you think there would be conflict with Mayor Goodwin?

“Absolutely not,” said Knox. “We worked well on the other side of things, in opposite roles.”

How will you use your past experience to achieve renourishment in an effective manner?

Knox again stressed the serious problem Folly faces, and talked about the difficulties in 1993 and 2005 and the necessity of going directly to Washingon, D.C. To secure funding. He pointed out that representatives from all over S.C. Own property on Folly Beach.

You were mayor from 1998 to 2006. What was your greatest achievement?

“2005 beach renourishment,” said Knox, immediately retaking his seat.

What do you hope to accomplish by serving again?

Knox said that when he left office in 2006, he felt he’d accomplished most of what he had campaigned on, in addition to blocking a strip mall and condos from being built where the Folly River Park is now located. He said that if beach renourishment is accomplished by 2014, “I won’t be back up here again.”

Lewis Dodson

Do you support more businesses locating on Folly?

“I’m a capitalist,” said Dodson, saying that he supports entrepreneurship and giving businesses a fair chance to survive.

How should the city address the safety of walkers and bicyclists?

Dodson said that he sees people driving at ridiculous speeds, and suggested speed humps or stop signs as a solution. “We don’t want to slow traffic,” he said. “But we want to get people to drive slower.”

Dodson was asked about how stringently existing laws should be enforced.

He spoke of the familiarity that came with the previous animal control officer, Mary Jane Inglesby, had with residents and their pets, and said that kind of enforcement is great to have. “I’m a firm believer in, ‘if you’ve got a law, enforce it,’” said Dodson. “Visitors need to be held accountable in exactly the same way that locals are.”

Dodson was asked to justify a vote for him.

“I come in without prejudice or bias. I love everybody, and I don’t have any enemies,” said Dodson. “I’m also coming into it with an open, capable mind, and I’m ready to work and get out there and apply myself to what needs to be done.”

When did you register to vote and did you vote in the last election?

Dodson explained that he moved back to Folly for the third time in 2008, and voted absentee that year. “Public service is an important part of a person’s character, and participating, even on the lowest level, just voting, is the most important,” said Dodson. He recalled driving 2.5 hours with a friend in college to vote in their hometown, despite knowing that each was voting for opposing candidates.

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It been a long time ago. Mr. Vanderhorse own half de islant and Mr. Schoolbread him own de oter half an em ain’t get along no way. Politics been de ting what start em. Mr. Vanderhorse been a good master. Mr. Schoolbread weren’t no kinda master tall. Him been kind standoffish nebber spoke to
nobody like dem Yankees. He hab Boobie him oberseer do all he talking and big Boobie talk plenty – keep de people all mix up. Boobie tink him ben sumpin, wear frock coat and talks and neber sho he self in field. Him try to act like he master and him been a joke. He had no education bout notin not de books, de field, or de woods. Nuf bout him. Oh he black almost as tar.
But was Freedman and him tink he be better den enybody.

Back to Mar Vanderhorse and Mr. Schoolbread. Only white people around who don’t talk no how. He been politics – Mr. Schoolbread were a some kina Royalist what mean he been for de king what live ober sea. Mr. Vanderhorse had not truck wit dis kind.  People tink ober hears dey have dey ownt country. Ain’t been no kinda argument on Kiawah – can’t had no argument when no dey don talk.

Mr. Schoolbread skints de field in him carriage. Carriage got kurtin al round keep out skeeters. Ebey day go to de beach. Ride up – ride back. Boobie ben he driver – good for somtin.

Mr. Vanderhorse hab him an overseer, and an oberseer him was know everything about de people, de crops, de cow, de hog, de jule and fish and hunt and bateau. Him ben a man strong as a mole, wise as owl. Him ben Moses. Moses tell Mr. Vanderhorse or anybody else what it was, das what it was.

Master don get long with master, oberseer don’t get long with oberseer. Master don talk to master, oberseer had plenty say oberseer. Das dey job. Hog get out and get in onst another corn patch – das trouble.

Eby body on Kiawah what sponsible for feed dey self and family had chicken for dey self an for protect dem chicken day hab gun. Ain’t been like dat ebey where but on Kiawah dey hab dem gun. People shoot coon, squirrel, rabbit. Some hab dog fo help em. Coon dog was de mos valuble. Moses hab two coon dog where de bes. Coon pass dey way de coon was tree and plenty eatin been guarantee. Moses been mos like Jesus, but ain’t give im lotsa fish but all de coon de people kin eat.

One night Moses and Boobie had a meetin talk about plantation busness. Dey bout through and Moses dog Rufus stick him nose in de air. Moses know what dat mean en tell Bobbie les go de dog catch scent.
Moses know Boobie him to good to eat coon think fas an tel Boobie him dog smell a big buck an effen dey hurry dey could cut em off at de spit. Eny way dey gets dere dey could finish talk bout plantation busness. Boobie ax Moses where de spit been and Moses tell him he been at de end of de island. By and by dey gets dere and de moon bena shine en dey sits down on a tall sand dune. Moses say here we own de spit. Boobie been a ride em wit Mr. Schoolbread evyday and him say No dis ain’t no spit. Dis her is a cape. I’s got it strait from Mr. Schoolbread das dis a cape. As a matt of factly dis is Cape Cahrles. Moses say well den we in de wrong place cause no smart buck is gona run out on no cape. Where he go? Swimmin in de ocean? Moses had nuf sperience wid Booobie dat ain’t no use to mess wit em.

Moses been keep he ear cock listen for him dogs, Rufus and Scrap. He know somin weren’t right. Ain’t been no kinda coon bark en never were de barks like a buck bark. Him cock he head en listen real close. Him say to he self I ain’t sure bout dis but Scrap is hangin back like him kinda scered. Scrap was bigger en Rufus more cautious than Rufus. But when coon jum from tree Scrap show Mr. Coon where he get him name.

Benna kina cold de la sob October. Moon been mos full en dogs Rufus and Scrap been of gwain de oder way. Give Moses and Boobie plenty time talk bout dem respective plantation and de problem of bein oberseer. Eby body hab weakness and Moses know Boobie weakness is drink. Ben cold. Boobie ain’t got notin own but he frock coat. Moses smart man he don’t understand why de white people ain’t talk to one another and he want find how Mr. Schoolbread tell Boobie dis was a cape. En how he ben Cape Charles. He figure Charles done got a town what he need a cape for. Well after bout an hour of discussion and two flasks of scrapiorn, Moses hear de dog. Mussa ben all de way to Sandy Point him think. Driven em hard now. He say he load he gun wit buck shot. Tell Boobie for be still and quiet effect de buck gwain to Seabrook got to come right by here. By en by dey hear somtgin ben plenty light could see all round den dey hears- Swoosh or somin like dat. Neiber man see a hair. Rus and Scrap bus oout de bush to righ between de two mean. Dey look at once another. Man look alt man. Dog look at Man and Dog look at Dog. Dey takes off barkin hard now. Moses axe boobie effect when he see – notin

Boobie say what he was come tween usn but I ain’t seen notin.

Moses say dat weren’t no buck dat somin else. Effen was a cat got to tree or swim now. Egen dis a spit he swim to Seabrook. Efen dis a cape he swim ot ober sea. Bout Dat time Moses hear what he wanna hear. Moses tell Boobie dey got em now he up de tree. Ain’t much tree been on de spit so easy find dis cat. Moses done figger him been a cat kin do what did, go right between two men and not be seed. Well been a simmon tree in October Simmon tree got no leaf. Moses tink dis gonna be easy when dey gets dere somin ain’t right. Rufus and Scrap ain’t been on de tree like dey sposed and dey wasn’t barkin no tree bark. Dey was growlin wouldn’t get close de tree but was goin round and round de tree wid a terrible growl. And ebey onst in a while when goin round jump back like dey was scared. Ain’t notin been in de tree least what dey could see. Boobie take for laughin say dem two sorry dog de cat done jump down en get way.

Moses study em hed. I tell you Moses was a smart man. He know him dog don lie- dem actin mighty strange. He know somin de tree jes couldn’t see em, was imbisible, dat what he was. What some ever was up in de top of de tree and be imbisible. Moses know dis wernt good. Him think what de day been – Oh Jesus de 30 October. Moses call he dog em dem ain’t been too happy. Dey want to go home en leave dis ting what de know ben in de simmon tree. Moses know he ain’t got but one day to do what he haffa do to protect him hands and Mr. Vanderhorse cattle. Moses know what was up dat simmon tree. Wernt to possum nor cat nor coon. But was a haint. And de next night the 31st of October dat haint was gonna get somin or someboby. De haint need only one eat on dat night an he ain’t care what he be cow or man. But man is easier cause he be sleep when him come in de window. Moses splain all this to Boobie – Boobie laugh.

Moses jump in his bateau, rows to Mullet Hall, wake up John Snipes en after telling Snipe what him situation been, Snipe give him Mr. Legare fastest horse. He got to get to Limehouse store and buy what he need and get back to Kiawah fore dark. Limehouse store been all de way cross de island nex to de ferry. Dem sells eby ting. Moses get back on Kiawah bout 3 o’clock. He happy he know he got what him need, to protect him people. He call all de people tell dem mus round up all de cow and bull an lock em in de barn – close em up tight – so tight rat can’t get in. Moses tell em get dese paint brush and paint all de sash roundst eby window and door on yunna house. Dis paint ben blue.

See haint got no use for eny ting blue – won’t corss notin blue. Nobody know why but tis so. Moses ain’t splain he self. Him don’t want to scare de peoples.
Boobie ax what was goin on. Moses tell him Kiawah in danger and him got plenty paint lef and what Boobie mus do. Boobie laugh. Boobie people see too and ax efen day could get some paint to protect dey sef. Come nite time Boobie house been de ony onst aint got de sash paint blue. Oh Jesus.
Bout midnite dey a terrible noise screamin en eby ting. De people look out en dey say de seed sometin cross de moon, had on frock coat. Nobody ever see Boobie gain.

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three-piece suits, button downs, and beards... Sol Driven Train keeps it classy

By Blake Bunch

The boys of Sol Driven Train know how to have a good time. Attend one of their live shows, and it will be rather challenging to keep a Cheshire cat grin from enveloping your jaw line. Their on-stage antics, varying personalities, and extremely obscure set lists provide audience members with a glimpse into a talented local band with a universal understanding of music. This is a band that is constantly on the move, and the fact that they call Charleston home, as well as promote the local music scene at large is beneficial to all island dwellers.

Over the summer, Sol Driven Train recorded Watermelon, an eclectic EP that tallies up to their sixth official release. “The Train” was touring heavily around the continental United States, but still found time to show their hard core fans some love. The Watermelon release party went hand in hand with Sol Fest, their first venture into holding a festival. Remaining a truly homegrown band, they hosted Sol Fest at the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms, and made sure to include some of their favorite acts on the bill. This is how the local music scene thrives, and Sol Driven Train is on the front lines.

With this music edition looming, it was only fitting to contact Joel Timmons (guitar, vocals) on the road to see what was in store for the following months.

BB: In lieu of your busy summer, what have been some of the band’s personal highlights?

JT: We had a blast this summer playing festivals and touring from Nantucket to Key West and out to Colorado. Two nights at The Windjammer with a bunch of our favorite bands from the Carolinas was a real highlight for us as well. Personally, I really enjoyed paddle boarding in the Keys, surfing on Nantucket, whitewater rafting in Colorado, and attending my brother’s wedding on the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Ward’s personal highlight this summer was visiting Mt. Rushmore and spending time with his nieces. Russell enjoyed spending time lakeside with his girlfriend in Wisconsin. Wes loved seeing Bruce Hornsby perform at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC, but Rusty’s personal highlight from the summer is a secret, and he won’t tell.

BB: Surely you guys love the summer time, but what does fall entail?

JT: After a little time off at the end of August and early September, we’re back on the road for the fall. I’m currently writing from inside the van, heading south on I-95 towards Washington, DC after a few nights out on Nantucket. Our fall tour will take us from the Northeast to the Deep South and back down to Key West for a four night run during the week-long Halloween Fantasy Fest. Meanwhile, we’re working on mixing and post-production for a new full-length release, due out in 2012.

BB: Where/with who did you guys record Watermelon? What was the driving force for putting out this EP? Really, what are some of the main benefits of getting an EP out there?

JT: We recorded the five songs for Watermelon, as well as ten more songs, at Charleston Sound with Jeff Hodges and Joey Cox. After three weeks in the studio earlier this year, we had fifteen songs recorded that we all felt good about. We didn’t want to release all fifteen on one album, so we took the oddball songs and put them on a summer EP. It was fun to use the EP as a sort of showcase of the diverse directions of where our sound is heading, and as a preview for next year’s full-length release.

BB: Sol Driven Train’s sound has evolved very much since the early days…. You guys still play straight up rock, but are constantly working with a Ska/Reggae/Calypso feel as well. How large of a role did the horn section play in this transition?

JT: I think our musical trajectory has veered at times more toward American roots music, emphasizing storytelling, musical simplicity, and vocal harmonies; and at other times toward a more world-beat sound with polyrhythmic percussion, punchy brass, and uplifting lyrics. Our capable rhythm section, along with the horns, allows us to visit those warm musical climates that stretch from New Orleans south to the Caribbean.

BB: You are extremely proactive about exposing younger local bands. Who are some of your favorites, or who has mentored you in the past?

JT: Some of our favorite young bands on the scene are Fowler’s Mustache, Gangrene Machine, The 3 Dudes, Sarah Cole and The Hawkes, Elise Testone, and Hey Rocco. We hope to make Sol Fest an annual event to introduce folks to the Lowcountry’s beauty and wealth of homegrown musical talent. Some of our musical mentors over the years have been Miller Asbill (Laing/Wando band director), Hazel Ketchum and John Holenko of Hungry Monk Music, Rik Cribb (Skwzbxx, The Cribb), Bob Smalls (djembe teacher at Creative Spark), and Mark Bryan (Hootie and the Blowfish).

BB: You have become a proficient banjo picker, is anyone else learning any other instruments?

JT: You’re very kind. Wes Powers (drums) is also working on the banjo, and Ward Buckheister (trombone, guitar) is learning the piano and continuing his advanced studies of the triangle. Rusty (bass) is learning to play the standup bass, and used it some during our recording sessions this year.

BB: How have you seen the Charleston music scene grow over the past few years? What is it in particular about the barrier islands that you see is a source of inspiration?

JT: There have been several bands to recently bring national attention to the Charleston music scene: Shovels and Rope, Band of Horses, and Need to Breathe to name a few. Also, the amount and diversity of local music venues has created an exciting scene where national, regional, and local acts are performing every night. I have to extend congratulations to The Pour House for bringing quality live music to Charleston for the past ten years.

Living on and around the barrier islands of South Carolina provides us inspiration through the intersection of natural beauty, exciting history, and rich cultural heritage. Like a shifting sand bar, our sound has changed with time, retaining a rawness shaped by wind, waves, and tide. We love the Lowcountry, and it is a wonderful place to call home.

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