Shoreline of change

Escaping into solitude with shorelines of sand, pluff mud and reeds...

There are many reasons to visit, live, or linger in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. What I value most is her sultry way of letting me just be...to wonder and wander without limitation.

Port Royal, SC is a small village of almost nothing, but everything at the same time. We've seen a great deal of change in the economy of this small town through the financial market crash to being hit last year with a tropical storm and a hurricane. The village is about to undergo some big change this fall as a port redevelopment project gets underway.

I will mourn the loss of the "sleepy" nature of my village along the coast. The port project will bring commerce and activity as well as a great deal of visual/physical change to the village center. At the same time, I welcome what such a development will offer the community, her people, the market of opportunity, and perhaps maybe even my own endeavors.

Heading into fall I know change is afoot.
My remarks to town council related to the port property during the open public comment period in August 2017:

I served on the redevelopment commission for the Town of Port Royal for eight years and am quite familiar wth the port property, past and present. 

Historically, careful consideration was given to conducting charrettes to “take in” public opinion when the sale of this port was placed on our table to develop.

What seems evident to me in these public forums is that the citizens of Port Royal reflect back to that thoughtful process with great pride.  [As do I] It is a benchmark for many and a healthy one to leverage in the discourse or discussions related to the port.

However, even then we did not all agree about the future of the port nor will we all agree today in what is to come. It’s healthy discourse to disagree with so many diverse interests in one small town like ours, ONE THAT IS COOL.

In making decisions connected to this port as our designated body of decision makers, our council members have to make choices that serve those who will come along long after they and many of us are gone.

Please keep in mind that access is not only a public right of way but also in the opportunity to participate in the commerce and activity of this port. The jobs and commercial activity of what is to grow and thrive inside this port and in close proximity will have positive economic impact on our ability to enjoy both the land and sea of our community, ONE THAT IS COASTAL.

In terms of any land swap...

• don’t give away what improves our quality of life and existing views;
• do enhance what we see.

In terms of the existing dry stack...

• don’t overlook what could be done today to create immediate opportunity for economic gain;
• do weigh the future over the past.

The role of our members of council certainly includes sustaining long term growth and viability for our town, its residents and business owners. As such our assets should be configured so that they shine bright in this FAR FROM ORDINARY town.

Thank you.

A Universal pause

Gratitude. A guy runs a red light collides with my car at a busy intersection at 4 o'clockish.

A decent human. One with a heart. Apologizes profusely and asks if I'm ok as he acknowledges his error and the damage to my car (completely taken out of commission). He asks, "Do you have someone you can call?" I respond (no) but I honestly meant to say yes, but I was so caught up in my head asking the Universe why she delivered this pause, at this time, am I not suppose to be traveling today? (NO was clearly her answer).

I was immediately feeling the bruises to my chest and legs from the blown air bags and a bit in shock, but whole, able to get out of my car and walk away (as were the dogs). So I said it (no) out loud to the conversation I was having with the universe in my head, but immediately recognized the poor man hanging on this answer ladled across his guilt. "Everything happens for a reason and clearly we were meant to pause," I say. He was taken aback by this response and said "Wow you have a great outlook." I look down at my two dogs, who seem to be asking me "is this some entertainment stop I've cooked up for them while taking a drive in the car?" I simply smile "I'm standing upright, everything's ok."

Between the very nice citizens on the scene (a beautiful woman named Mary Beth who stayed with me until the police arrived) and police officers who saw to my safety and the heavy traffic with efficiency and humanity, the ride in the tow truck cab with Aaron who just happened to love dogs and made sure Bob waited with his courtesy van to get me home, I'm overflowing with gratitude and taking the edict of the Universe to stay put to heart. Seat belts and airbags are all they are cracked up to be, while I'm bruised, the outcome may have been very different had I not had both in play.