In an old film, The World of Suzie Wong, a Chinese mother uses that very address to send a “letter of reference” to God to accompany the soul of her infant son who died: To Whom It May Concern.

Nancy Wilson died in her Sandbar apartment on Folly Beach last week. As a true “Follyite,” Nancy worked evenings at MUSC for years and spent time at the Crab Shack. She was often surly. She was an artist. She was fond of wine and in love with a guy named Roy. And she was my dear friend for decades.

During difficult times and across distances we’d often console ourselves that someday, as Rose would say, “when the work’s all done,” we’d be two old broads sitting in rockers and just watching the ocean back on the 10^th block east (where our house was before Hugo)– and grumbling. Nancy was just 63.

Nancy’s cousin and sister will be on Folly this Friday to collect her belongings. Later this spring, I hope to be back home to release her ashes to the sea on the pier. I hope to hear from anyone who’d like to participate in that.

You should have seen her back in her Bennington days. She was gorgeous–all legs and Farrah hair –and often surly. I’ll bring a picture.

Jason at the Crab Shack has my number.

Chris Marlow

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The good-ole-boy government system continues to have a decent foot hold on Folly Beach. No one is more aware of this than former mayor Bob Linville.

For years now, Mr. Linville has enjoyed disregarding the public right-of-way midblock easement at his 510 East Ashley Ave. property. This is a strip of land in the public trust, allowing for pedestrian access through the middle of a city block. In our case it is so that beach-goers can park on back streets and walk, without obstructing the road to the beach.

At mid 5^th block East there is a very nice dune walkover that directs you from the beach to the midblock right-of-way between East Arctic and East Ashley. However, at this point a pedestrian is stranded along the busy traffic of East Ashley due to a fence built across the right-of-way at 510 East Ashley.

The Planning Commission recently recommended to City Council that this and other right-of-ways be cleared for access. This Resolution 16-12 died on the council chamber floor because neither council member nor mayor would second the motion. The comments by Mr. Linville from the gallery reeked of self-interest: “Why are you picking on these easements?”

Well, Mr. Linville, in your case it’s because you continue to break the law. Your stance clearly reveals your attitude that the rules don’t apply to you and apparently Mayor Goodwin feels the same way since no code enforcement has been issued for this case.

What was that comment Mayor Goodwin made about everyone playing by the same rules? It’s time for our mayor to use the words of Ronald Reagan and say ”Mr. Linville, tear that wall down!”

Sincerely,

Jim Crow

520 East Huron Ave.

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First off, I would like to thank the “Tides” for the wonderful fireworks display during the “Flip Flop Drop”.  I would also like to thank Public Safety and the Fire Department for the use of the fire truck.

Having said that, I’m disappointed to hear the “Tides” is now saying they didn’t give the city permission to use the hotel to drop the Flip Flops, when, I understood, they had. Then two weeks before the event, they said “no”.

That’s the main reason we ended up using the fire truck.

Then, it’s my understanding, the Mayor was asked for special considerations in regards to some of our ordnances, in order for the “ Tides” to better enhance their “Guest experience”, as they call it (and other ordnances totally unrelated to the Flip Flop Drop), in exchange for “allowing” us to use Hotel for this event.

Sound familiar?

The Mayor said “no”. He wasn’t about to play “Let’s make a deal” when it comes to enforcing city ordnances. Good for him!

As it all turned out, I think the New Years Eve on Folly Beach, was a total success.

Don’t you just love it?

Jim Nicklaus

Editor,

Despite all the verbiage about giving guests a “great experience,” it’s clear that Weitz was holding the City up to break the rules for him — not only for Tides, but for his real estate business.  And the parking lot issue?  My understanding is that it’s not about removing sand from the lot (that happens all the time), it’s about taking 30 feet of active beach to put up a sand fence and build a dune so they won’t have the nuisance of having to clear the parking lot.  That stretch is heavily used for things like the half-ball tournament.

In the past, mayors have bent over backward (and more) for businesses and developers on Folly.  I’m glad this Mayor is making everyone play by the rules.

Susan Breslin

Editor,

I just read your article dated Jan 2, 2012 on “Dropping the Flip Flop” and it contains a major error.  I am Ken Hickman, who met with Ken Merkel initially on the Flip Flop drop from the Tides Hotel.  Charlotte Goodwin was also present at this meeting.  We met with Ken Merkel and his Maintenance Manager about dropping a flip flop from the Tides.  We reviewed the conceptual design.  Ken  Merkel asked if we could make it larger so that it could be seen as you approached Folly Beach.  We agreed to a design with two larger flip flops.  We toured the Tides and agreed on a location for the drop from the ninth floor facing Center Street.  We told Ken Merkel that we would submit this to council and ask for a variance so that people could be on Center Street during the drop with drinks in cups.  Ken Merkel thought that this was a good idea and would use it in advertisements for the Tides New Year’s party.  The plan was then presented to city council and variance approved.  We then order materials and started construction with the help of other Folly residents.   Thus, the plan was verbally agreed upon by the Tides management prior to presentation to City Council.

About a week before Christmas, Charlotte Goodwin, Jim and Kathy Nichols, and myself met with Ken Merkel at his request.  Mayor Tim Goodwin was also present at the end of the meeting.  Ken Merkel said they had some logistical concerns and that they may be able to work these out with some concessions that Avocet wanted from the city.  We then left, except for Mayor Goodwin who remained for a discussion with Ken Merkel.  It was very clear that this was not an issue totally about the Flip Flop drop and alternate plans were made.

It is a shame that Avocet used the Flip Flop drop to try and resolve issues with City of Folly Beach and that the Folly Current printed this article without obtaining all the facts from both sides.  You implied that Charlotte Goodwin and myself lied to City Council and I believe an apology is due.

Ken Hickman

The author replies:

I disagree that the story contains a ‘major error.’

This statement is true:

Their plan was to drop them from the 9^th floor of The Tides hotel, and Goodwin assured Council that she’d spoken with the hotel and gained their approval.

This is also true:

The Tides claims it never agreed to host the event in the first place.

The Tides clearly claims that they never agreed to it, as backed up by their comments. If the Flip Flop Drop planners understood that the Tides had agreed to it, even if they’re correct, that does not make the Folly Current’s statement that The Tides ‘claims it never agreed’ inaccurate.

I strongly disagree with any assertion that my story implies that Mr. Hickman or Ms. Goodwin lied.

Stratton Lawrence

Editor,

Like so many Folly land owners and lovers of the island, we came to the edge of the world to escape from the “real world” and enjoy a slice of life that hadn’t quite been caught up in all the political and irrational human behavior most of us wish would just go away and let us live in peace and harmony.

I read your article about the Flip Flop Drop and it becomes obvious again and disturbs me again that a writer has the power to influence his or her readers whether you gather all the facts relative to a story or not.  In this case, it’s apparent to me, as a Folly property owner and part time resident, that your story leaned towards implying that the Mayor of Folly and members of the City Council are disrespectful to the island’s taxpayers.

Your headline, “So what does it mean for the city when they feel like the mayor is disrespectin’? “  You are leading outsiders (and insiders) who read your story to believe that WE ALL feel the mayor is disrespectful and that’s not true. It just might be you who is being disrespectful–because you didn’t report the facts completely and therefore maybe not truthfully, discrediting others.  Reference the message sent to you by Ken Hickman. He was at the planning meeting for “the Drop” and he shared with you the real sequence of events and verbal agreements. The fact is, the largest island taxpayer is asking our governing body to make concessions which higher powers, (being our state government) considers illegal. Because our island leaders attempt to govern by the law, and with equality for all, you and others imply disrespect.  Truth is, most of us other tax payers would call that “the right thing to do”!

And as far as moving the sand that is encroaching on the parking lot, would the islanders really want to risk the agreement that is in place for beach re-nourishment by allowing select beachfront properties to do what they want? If the mayor and his council allowed this and it cost the island the re-nourishment agreement, they would all be called names worse than “disrespectin”.

Now switch to the other story within your story. You mentioned the overflowing septic system at 803 West Ashley. That septic system has been spewing raw sewage since it was installed in 2009 until the property was finally shut down by DEHEC in December of 2011.  If you as a reporter want to report the truth, interview Knights Septic Service and you will find that that system had to be pumped two times a week, and sometimes three, for months. During the Thanksgiving holidays 2011, it once again spewed raw sewage for hours to the witness of neighbors and Folly police. It was pumped dry one day, spewed again the next day and had to be pumped again the next day–AND it’s supposed to handle more than 800 gallons a day!  The largest taxpayer on the island represented and promoted that property and is aware of the frequency of violations, yet implies that city officials are “disrespectin“. Shame on them too!

How would you like to own the property next door?  Would you like your family and friends, kids and pets to be exposed to this? I don’t think so.

What does this have to do with the mayor and city council members and the real story?  I have attached a letter from DHEC which was delivered to the owner of this property and septic system which was managed (until very recently–that’s interesting too) by the largest tax payer on the island.  As far as I am concerned, they (Avocet) are guilty by association.  Even though the situation is dangerous, and deadly (raw sewage contains ecoli) and disgusting, the mayor, city council members, town administrators, and police, all aware of the ongoing situation, tried to work with the property owner and his property managers (Avocet) to alleviate the situation. Mismanagement, neglect and abuse finally caused the mayor and higher authorities, meaning DHEC to send the orders that you see, which has temporarily stopped the problem.  Look at the dates and frequency of occurrences.  How can anyone say that they (city officials) aren’t trying to be accommodating and “respectin“?

Bottom line is, stories like yours that aren’t fully researched and factually reported, have negative impacts on your readers and have damaging effects on the lives of others.  What a shame that the media has such power! And what a shame that that happy little island can’t just be a happy little island!

My bet is, you do care and you are a good writer, you just missed an opportunity to educate your readers how hard it is for elected officials to make tough decisions in order to govern for the good of the majority.

With all due respect,

Art Barber

Charleston Forge

Chairman/CEO

251 Industrial Park Drive

Boone, N.C. 28607

828.264.0100

www.charlestonforge.com

The author responds:

Mr. Barber,

Your letter repeatedly cites a headline that was not printed in the Folly Current or on the newspaper’s website, but at my personal blog, strattonlawrence.tumblr.com. This post was also linked to my personal Facebook account. That post, written as a description with a link to the story at FollyCurrent.com, read as such:

On Folly Beach, The Tides hotel and Avocet Properties are ‘big business.’ So what does it mean for the city when they feel like the mayor is disrespectin’? And should local government be bending (or flexing..) the rules for its top tax contributor? Do they even have the rules right? I take on those questions in a look at the back-and-forth in this week’s Folly Current.

It should be evident that ‘they’ refers to the Tides and Avocet, not to the people of Folly Beach. It almost appears as if you only read the one line you repeatedly quote, pulling it entirely out of its context. In the Folly Current’s opinion, the story, as published, contains no bias or slant in favor of the mayor, the city, or Avocet. We stand by our commitment to objective journalism.

Again, what you call a ‘headline’ is actually a dramatic misreading of a line, removed from its surrounding context, that was never published by the Folly Current.

Stratton Lawrence

I regret to inform you all that we have decided to stop the OCRM permitting process for the Christmas Tree Dune Restoration Project. This project has grown into something that is bigger than any of us anticipated, and the length of time it will take to send in a complete application, that has a chance of gaining approval, is too extreme. Instead, we will focus on completing the legwork and background information so that we can start the process earlier next season, hopefully turning in a quality application that all parties involved can get behind and support. I want to thank all of you for your help on this, and I wish I had some better news for you. I am currently talking to Budget Tree’s about using thier equipment to mulch the trees that the City has already collected so that “Plan B” can be set up. If anyone else would like to assist in this project over the next 11 months, please let me know.

DJ Rich

Folly Beach City Councilman

Co-Owner Planet Follywood

PO Box 1153

Folly Beach, SC 29439

Dear Editor

We would like to thank everyone for helping and coming out to support Follypalooza. The children had a wonderful time. All monies raised help with our cancer pateints on Folly. To date this year we have raised and donated over $6,600, before Follypalooza, to our Folly family with cancer. If you know of nayone on the island needing help please write Folly Angels, PO Box 1699, Folly Beach 29439 or call Flo at 412-1866.

Thank you,

Folly Angels

Editor’s Note: This letter came to our office sometime since Follypalooza and was either lost in the mail or lost in our own files. We discovered it this week.

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Whether it’s writing up a heated argument in council, an unfortunate crime, or a feel-good neighbor feature, my hope is that the Folly Current will promote transparency and objectivity as a media source. This is a community paper. It’s yours. Folly Beach’s citizens don’t agree on everything, and the Current reflects that. But, hopefully, voicing our concerns and opinions in this public forum will help us to understand each other.

We need a paper like the Current in the community. I hope you’ll support the paper by reading it, contributing to it, and sponsoring it with advertising.

I’ve committed to a few months working as the editor of the Folly Current while Lauren Dean takes some time for family and travel. I expect I may be here longer. However long my tenure, I will strive to make this a paper that you trust and believe in. And if you’re an advertiser, I hope that being with us helps get customers in your door. I’ll be doing everything possible on my end to make this a newspaper that you want to read.

See you on the beach!

Stratton

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I continued as editor of The Folly Current throughout this difficult period because of my dedication to the readers and my desire to make sure Folly residents knew what was going on in their city and, particularly, their city government. I don’t regret that decision; I somehow managed to get it all done.

But, in November I submitted a request for an indeterminate leave of absence effective January, 2011. I wanted to give the publisher of The Folly Current time to find a replacement for me and to hang on for a couple more weeks during the transition. I have enjoyed my year as editor of the Current and I leave with mixed emotions, but I am confident that Stratton Lawrence, who will be taking over as the new editor, will work hard to give you a quality newspaper and continue to provide you with the information you need as well as his unique perspective on the Folly Beach we all know and love.

I know my father would tell me that there’s not enough time left at my age to be a slave to deadlines. He always said that we are in this life for one purpose and one purpose only – to grow in wisdom and to learn to love. My children, grandchildren, siblings and friends will be my new priority, and I hope to travel and get involved with humanitarian efforts and learn everything I can. Wisdom doesn’t come just through knowledge, though. It requires time for contemplation and assimilation. I hope I will use my newly-acquired time wisely.

You’ll still see my by-line from time to time because old writers can never stop writing. I’ll still be here, and you can expect an occasional article from me about the important and very complex issues Folly Beach will be facing in the coming years.

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to serve you.

Lauren Dean

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A couple of months ago my husband and I were backing out of our driveway to go to our friends’ dock on Tabby Drive . We noticed a golden retriever standing on our drive looking very lost. He was a sweet dog with a large incision on his back still bearing stitches. We checked his collar and found a name tag with a Michigan phone number and a Folly Beach pet license tag. We called the number but got a recording. This was on a weekend around 6 p.m. Since we got no response from calling the number given on the name tag, we called public safety. We were connected to the dispatcher in North Charleston . She was very nice, took down the information, commented on how much she loved golden retrievers and said that she would have an officer contact us. In a matter of minutes Officer Hugley (I am not sure of the spelling) called my husband’s cell. He also took down the information of where we found the dog, all our contact information and was extremely nice. We still hadn’t heard anything from the owner and after watching the sunset, the dolphins and just enjoying the lifestyle of Folly, we proceeded back home. It was getting late so we gave the dog some water, a bed and bid him goodnight in the safety of our laundry room. About 12:30 a.m. our phone rang. It was a very relieved woman who was crying with joy. She said that she had been out driving since midnight calling and whistling for her dog. Just as she was giving up hope; an officer stopped her, inquired to see if she was missing a dog and gave her our contact number. She asked him if he thought it was too late to call and he wisely told her that we seemed to be nice people who were genuinely concerned about the dog so he felt that it would be fine. When she called I assured her that it was fine to come get her dog. We have two dogs ourselves and completely understood. I can tell you it was wonderful seeing her and her dog reunited.

I just wanted to relate this story to let you know that the system worked…and worked well. The dispatcher was wonderful.

Officer Hugley was absolutely wonderful. And, there is a very happy family…husband, wife, five children and one golden retriever who appreciate Folly’s finest!

Thanks,
Jane Word

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The family of Gene Mathes would like to extend our sincere thanks for all the loving thoughts, gifts and prayers. Our Folly Family is the BEST. May God bless you all and help us all to continue to be strong during this time of grief.

Michelle, Jim & Family

________________________________

Dear citizens of Folly Beach,

May we thank you a thousand times and just tell you how honored we feel to be part of this community.

September the 9th will always be in our memory as the night where a whole town came out to celebrate this dream of compassion together. You fired up our inspiration again and gathered our confidence to make the ‘Madaktari’ work in Africa a reality.

And it’s really not us doing this work. We’re part of a larger community, of people who are also heading in the same direction as us. Each with his own talent; helping out to help our families, our neighbors, our children, the environment and the animals.

Man, This whole island is packed with heroes!

There’s this beautiful African saying:

If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together.

Folly Beach, Here we go!
Dilan & Carin Ellegala

______________________________________

Dear Editor:

Isn’t it refreshing for a candidate to actually follow through on campaign promises? Our own Mayor campaigned saying he wanted to implement a system to notify residents of important issues they needed to know. Within a few short months of election, that system was in place! Not only is it in place and working well, but a grant was found to help defray the costs.

I am a full-time resident who works and doesn’t watch much TV – especially the news – and also doesn’t listen to the radio. Therefore, when the two calls came in to my home phone informing me of dangerous rip currents and office closures, I was “in the know.” One of my friends at Mariner’s Cay also told of getting a call informing of a power outage there. How great is it that the calls can be directed to everyone or just those who need to know!

So, I offer a heartfelt “thank you” to Mayor Goodwin for his good work and follow-through. Good job, Tim!

Chel Whaley
1638 East Ashley Avenue

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Congratulations on your election as Mayor of Folly Beach. As you and the new council members begin to address our community’s issues, I wanted to outline a community safety issue that truly deserves immediate attention.

My wife and I have been residents of Folly Beach since May of 2002. When we purchased our home in the 600 block of West Ashley Avenue, Folly was a much different place than it is today. West Ashley was only heavily trafficked during major holidays and a few high-season Saturdays in the summer. Pedestrians walking for exercise, families walking with children, joggers and bikers had “relatively safe passage” along West Ashley as cars seemed to obey the 30 mph speed limit and drove carefully around the pedestrians they encountered. Oh for the good old days . . . that was then and it is certainly not the case today.

My observations from daily walking, biking or driving are that West Ashley has become a road that is very unsafe for pedestrians. Throughout this summer, I have frequently observed cars, SUV’s and trucks zipping down West Ashley at speeds well over 30 mph and most often approaching 40+ mph. Everyone appears to be guilty of exceeding the speed limit – residents, day trippers, vacationers, building contractors and commercial vehicles alike. This summer I have witnessed cars passing bikers and pedestrians at excessive speeds even when oncoming cars are approaching. I have seen families walking in the roadway, with children and toddlers in strollers, to and from Center Street, three and four people abreast because cars parked on both sides prevent them from walking off the street.

Vehicles are not yielding the right of way to pedestrians. They blast by and barely slow down. The ability to see people in the roadway gets even more difficult at night due to a lack of overhead lighting. Throughout the summer I have discussed this issue with other residents and we all agree that something must be done. I am sorry to say that it took the tragic hit and run death of Gene Mathes to put my thoughts in writing to you.

If Folly wants to keep Folly “Folly” we must slow the traffic down so that residents and visitors alike can safely enjoy our island. I submit these ideas as possible solutions knowing some are low cost to implement and others may cost more. Some of these ideas may also be applicable to other areas on Folly as well:

1) Reduce the speed limit on West Ashley from 30 mph to 25 mph.

2) Repaint the pedestrian cross walks (that are badly faded) at each beach access point.

3) Post the cross walks with the state pedestrian cross walk signs that require cars to stop for pedestrians when in the walk ways (the posting could be done to correspond with the seasonal influx of tourists).

4) Add speed bumps at periodic intervals on West Ashley Avenue from Center Street to the County Park.

5) Add stop signs on West Ashley at 2nd; 3rd; 5th and 6th streets.

6) Eliminate parking on either sides of West Ashley from Center Street to 5th Street.

7) Enforce the speed limits, either with police officers posted on a regular basis or install “click it and ticket” speeding cameras for 24/7 enforcement.

Build a pedestrian friendly sidewalk on either side of West Ashley from Center Street to the County Park to insure that those on foot are assured a “safe” passage to town and the beach.

As we come to the end of a record breaking summer, it’s time to reflect on long-term solutions to the issues our community is facing. Let’s keep Folly “Folly” by slowing traffic down and improving the safety of walkers and bike riders. I urge City Council to consider these proposed solutions so we can improve the quality of life within our community for residents and visitors alike. If we act now, maybe we can avoid additional tragedy and loss of life in the future. Thank you for your consideration.

Regards,
Greg Deininger
614 W. Ashley Avenue

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I read the recent article in The Current about Marlene Estridge and could not agree with it more. I have known Marlene Estridge my entire life! I refer to her as my “Mom #2” as she has been very special to me and my family for over 50 years. My Dad was the Building Inspector at Folly in the late 50s and first met Marvin and Marlene at City Hall when he went to get building permits. That started the Neely/ Estridge friendship. My sister and I are the same ages as Butch and Billy (Marlene’s sons) so we have always considered them our brothers. Billy will kill me for telling you this, but he used to actually play Barbie dolls with me! Ah, the memories I have of us hanging out at Smoak’s Rent-a-Float, eating the best chili dogs eva’ at Pete’s, going to the pier (original pier) and seeing bands and riding the rides, going to the Exchange Club’s Oyster Roasts at the original library. I cherish those wonderful memories and Marlene is a part of them all! My family moved to Georgia in 1967, but we spent every summer and spring break at Folly, so our Estridge friendship continued and strengthened over the years.

After graduating from college, I packed up and moved back to the Edge and leaned on Marvin and Marlene as my surrogate parents, since mine were 300 miles away. Marvin would come to my rescue whenever I had household issues and Marlene fed me and my friends every weekend. Marvin died in 1982 and I practically moved in with Marlene. What can you say, losing Marvin was awful! But Marlene has managed to trudge on – through many trials and heartaches. Over the years, she saw me through my divorce and my Mom’s death. We’ve shed many a tear together, stayed up till the wee hours of the morning playing Rummikub, and traveled to International Fan Fair in Nashville, Tennessee.

She is ALWAYS there for me and I am so grateful for her unconditional love, strength and comfort over the years. She has been a pillar of strength and a part of the Folly Beach community for over 70 years. She is a friend to all, but I claim her as MY MOM #2.

Sincerely,

Mitzi Neely
P. O. Box 682

___________________________________________

Dear Editor;

I appreciate Mayor Goodwin’s concern for the complaints being made concerning golf carts on the roads. However, there are plenty of things to complain about happening on the roads, and I believe more problems can be attributed to other things on our roads than to golf carts. Some golf carts go too slow but so do some cars, while many go too fast. Some golf carts won’t pull over to let traffic pass, but we’ve all seen skate boarders and pedestrians hogging the road and refusing to get out of the way. Just because a few golf cart operators are impolite, let’s not pass more laws.

Golf carts provide a valuable function by keeping more cars off the roads, reducing parking problems, and are a ‘greener’ way of getting around. I think it would be great if every house had to have a golf cart for transportation on the island and cars were limited to access on and off the island. We’d all be safer and could sleep better at night (less noise), there would be more parking available, and you would actually be able to get around the island on weekends. I don’t think the traffic problems on East and West Ashley can be attributed to golf carts.

We cannot legislate respect for others, whether it’s with golf carts, cars, dogs, or anything else.

Ray Trine
313 West Ashley

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I recently read your article on golf cart use. Would you please verify what you consider a “main street”? We live at 11th and Ashley Ave. and many, many times we’ve seen golf carts driving up and down Ashley, holding up traffic. Many of the drivers are kids. Isn’t Ashley Ave. considered a main street as it runs north to south? I would appreciate you clarifying that for us homeowners. I have threatened to call the police, but the golf cart drivers say they can drive on Ashley, just not main streets. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ms. Shannon Cavanaugh

Editor’s note: According to Folly Beach City Administrator Toni Connor-Rooks, a “main street” is the same as a primary road. Only Center Street and Folly Road on Folly Beach are considered primary roads and all other roads are secondary, which means that golf carts are allowed to drive on them. Golf carts are also permitted to cross primary roads to reach secondary roads.

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