PRESORT STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID
FOLLY BEACH, SC
PERMIT NO 27
Vol. 2 Issue 10 Folly Beach’s Newspaper March 5, 2010 w FREE

Parking decals Exchange Club Oyster Roast

for renters FEbruary 28, 2010
By Lauren Dean
g o o d fr i e n
M ds
ayor Carl Beckmann has taken
full responsibility for the recent
problems experienced by Folly
Beach renters who were unable to obtain
parking decals. “I jumped the gun,” he
said, referring to a letter that was sent to
residents indicating that only property
owners would receive decals this year.
The letter was written by Buddy
Maupin, manager of City of Folly Beach
Parking Authority, but Beckmann
said he did edit it before it went out.
“I knew what I was trying to say,” he
said, "but I guess it came out wrong."
According to Beckmann, his intention
was to make sure that property owners
received the decals because they are the
ones who pay taxes. He said it would then
be up to the owners of the property to give
the parking stickers to their tenants.
Beckmann said City Council had been
talking about how to manage the decal
es
g oo d ti m
issue, which was getting out of hand,
according to Beckmann. He said that he
and the parking manager had looked at
some figures and there were more stickers
issued than there were residents on Folly
Beach.
“We had people with stickers who live
on James Island who were coming to the
g ood o y
washout to surf,” he said, adding that he
felt it was unfair for Folly residents to have
s ter s
to compete for parking spaces with people
who don’t live on the island.
Beckmann said he was not aware until
the February 23 City Council meeting
that anyone had been denied a parking
permit. He said renters have been getting
decals and that those who couldn’t get
them “didn’t check, didn’t call” about it.
Beckmann said a mass mailing would

see Decals on page 6

great day!

I
N
S
I
D
E Justin Burke page 11 page 10 Up In the Air page 14
2 March 5, 2010
Letters to the editor...
Dear Editor, that, even though they have been Folly
I am a member of the City of Folly mainstays for many years, have fallen into
Beach Parks and Recreation Committee, disrepair and are no longer habitable. I do
but my comments and questions are my want to know how another County Park
own as a voter and resident. will benefit the residents of Folly Beach.
It has come to my attention that Residents do not need more beach access,
the mayor may have committed the residents do not need parking places and
approximately $219,000 of Green Belt residents do not need beachside showers.
funding awarded to the City of Folly Also, in my opinion, residents do not
Beach to a joint real estate transaction need to be paying fees to use any park on
with the Charleston County Parks Folly Beach. Our city does need revenue,
and Recreation Commission to build a so I am eager to hear about the financial
beach park on E. Arctic Avenue at the benefit this potential transaction will
current location of The Front Beach Inn. bring us and what we would get in return
If this is true, my issue is not with the for such a commitment.
proposed park the County wants to build. It is confusing to me that Folly Beach’s
There are some benefits. It would bring us Greenbelt money might be used to
a lovely park space, and more parking for subsidize a County PRC project rather
tourists adjacent to the business district. It than using it to support the efforts of our
also will involve the removal of buildings own Folly Beach Parks and Recreation
Committee to identify
potential natural park
Photo correction: spaces which could make
Thanks so much to use of these funds. Giving
photographer Jason A.
away our Greenbelt money
Zwicker for taking these
undermines those efforts.
incredible shots of the
Save the Light Race on My questions are:
February 6. We were so Is this true? Has
thrilled with the pictures our Greenbelt money
that we forgot to give him been committed to this
credit in the last edition! transaction?
CITY OF FOLLY BEACH PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC HEARING
The Folly Beach Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the following:
a. Ordinance No. 05-10 - An Ordinance adopting the new rewrite
of the zoning code for the City of Folly Beach.
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
DATE: Monday, March 8, 2010
PLACE: Folly Beach City Council Chambers
2nd Floor of City Hall
21 Center Street, Folly Beach, South Carolina
Interested citizens are invited to come and give public testimony. If you have any
questions, call Toni W. Connor-Rooks, City Administrator, 843-513-1834.
www.follycurrent.com
What is the justification for committing
these funds to a County parks project
verses a Folly Beach project?
What would be the financial benefits to
the city and residents?
Are all council members fully informed
about this transaction and in support of
it?
Last Tuesday I read this statement at the
City Council meeting. The Mayor refused
any public discussion and was reticent
to even admit he had such a discussion
with CCPRC. I came away with these
questions largely unanswered. Council
members appeared to be uninformed
about this transaction and at least three
had not heard anything about it from the
Mayor. Yes, the Council would have to
vote to commit the Greenbelt funds to
a County Park purchase, but how could
they in good faith make such a decision
without knowing all the facts or any of the
facts surrounding this purchase and what
Folly Beach would get in return.
I think many residents like me are fed
up with the lack of communication with
and within Council. It is my wish that
current and future Council members will
take heed and support a more open and
transparent form of government. Let’s use
our votes to bring trust back to our City
Council.
Christine Wilkerson
317 W. Hudson Ave
Dear Editor,
Why has the Mayor and the City of
Folly Beach failed to take full advantage of
the benefits available to the City of Folly
Beach under the “American Recovery and
Investment Act” (ARRA)? ARRA included
new and expanded municipal bonding
authority which would significantly lower
the City’s borrowing costs.
The Mayor and the City of Folly Beach
have failed to take advantage of the new
‘Build America Bond’ program (BAB),
which authorizes any local government
to issue taxable BABs in calendar years
2009 and 2010 to finance any capital
expenditures for which they otherwise
could issue tax-exempt governmental
bonds. Either funding option would be
available to reduce the borrowing costs
to expand City Hall, to replace aging
garbage trucks at lower cost, and to acquire
clean-up equipment for the beach as well
as deferred fire-fighting equipment.
There are two types of BABs: one
offers a tax credit and the other a direct
payment to the issuer. The first is a Tax
Credit Option whereby Bond proceeds
must be used to finance a governmental
purpose for which tax-exempt bonds can
be issued. A taxpayer holding a BAB is
eligible to receive a tax credit equal to
35% of the amount of interest paid on
the bond. The second is a Direct Payment
see letters on page 3
March 5, 2010
Option. This type of BAB may only be
used for capital expenditures. It may not
be issued to refinance capital expenditures,
but may be used to reimburse otherwise-
eligible capital expenditures that were
paid or incurred after the effective date of
ARRA and that were financed originally
with temporary, short-term financing
issued after the effective date of ARRA.
The issuer of the bond will be allowed a
credit, paid by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury (U.S. Treasury), equal to 35% of
the coupon interest payable under such
bond.  (property owners) and unnamed local
ARRA included two additional types
of Bonds; Recovery Zone Economic
Development Bonds (RZEBs) and
Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFBs).
RZEBs are a type of taxable Build America
Bond that allows Folly Beach  to achieve
lower borrowing costs through a direct
payment option and has a subsidy rate
of  45% of the interest payable under such
bond. RZEBs can be used finance a broad
range of “qualified economic development
purposes” including public infrastructure
and facilities.
Additionally and with a single
designation of the City of Folly Beach as a
“Recovery Zone,” Recovery Zone Facility
Bonds would be available to finance
a broad range of depreciable capital
projects. A typical financing arrangement
for RZFBs would be for the City of Folly
Beach to issue conduit bonds for qualifying
businesses operating in its recovery zone
to fund commercial and other economic
activities. The deadline for the issuance of
these bonds is December 31, 2010.
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gold! He's looking for the perfect family to call
his own. Drop by and let Oppa show you what
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chip, fee.
Pet Helpers is located at 1447 Folly Road, James Island.
Hours: Mon – Fri from 11am – 6pm and Sat from 11am - 5pm.
Call Pet Helpers at 795-1110. Adoption fees: $125 cats & dogs (6 mo. or younger), $100 for 6 mo. or older. $55 for rabbits.
Includes spaying/neutering, shots, heartworm check, leukemia check, deworming, microchip, collar and tag.
 Christopher Marley
PO. Box 821
Folly Beach
Dear Editor,
After being denied a parking decal
because I do  not own the property in
which I reside, I did two things. First, I
researched all of  the 2009 City Council
meeting minutes in order to find evidence
of a vote on the issue; thus far, I’ve found
no record of a vote on the topic. Secondly,
I  discussed/questioned  several  residents
government members  about the new
policy to see how it had been posited.
The local residents that I spoke with
about this were definitely surprised  with
the new information concerning parking
decals.  The Council members, on the
other hand, were aware of the action, but
really didn’t have too much to say about
it. However, I will say that I was told that
the Mayor had taken it upon himself to
make this decision---nonetheless, this is
how bad rumors are started, especially in
the  realm of government and I do not
accept this notion as truth without giving
the Mayor a fair chance to respond.
According to the 2000  U.S. Census
Bureau, there are approximately 2,116
residents on Folly Beach. Of those
2,116 residents, 58.3 % are property
owner occupied units while 41.7% are
renters. The number of residents that are
non-property owners is a highly significant
proportion of the total populace here on
Folly Beach. Moreover, renters are a vital
component  of the local economy and its
establishments  that rely on  all residents,
Bearby Jean
Hey there! I`m 2 1/2 years old, kinda
independent, and very laid back. If
you`re looking for a mellow cat, I`m
your gal! I`m sweet and ready to get into
a permanent home! Come visit with me!
Spayed, vax, chip, fee
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Closed: Sundays and Holidays.
Visit www.pethelpers.org.
www.follycurrent.com
3
both property owners  as well as  renters
alike to keep their businesses running
during the off-season. 
Most municipalities do not pick and
choose which services to extend to residents Lynn Pierotti
within their district based on whether or publisher
not one rents or owns and Folly Beach lynn@luckydognews.com
should be no different. The refusal to issue
residential parking decals to some residents Kristin Hackler
in the local community  simply because managing editor
they rent sends out a negative message and kristin@luckydognews.com
almost appears to categorize them as 2nd
class citizens whose opinions/ideas do not Lauren Dean
matter. Many “renters” are also registered editor
lauren@luckydognews.com
voters and this issue could likely serve as
a catalyst, which brings more of them to
Swan Richards
the polls  and sparks a greater interest/ senior graphic designer
involvement in civic engagement.  swan@luckydognews.com
  Justin Rummage
113 W. Hudson Avenue Ellie Smith
Folly Beach graphic designer
The Current encourages letters to Lori Dalton
the editor! Please include your name account executive
and address. Send them to lauren@ lori@luckydognews.com
luckydognews.com.
Richard Brendel
advertising
843-478-0896
Welcome, new readers! richard@luckydognews.com
Welcome to the 987 new recipients
of Lucky Dog publications! Lucky Dog •
Publishing, publishers of The Island Eye
Contributors
News, The Island Connection and The
Mayor Carl Beckmann
Folly Current, is happy to announce
Ben Bounds
that we are now mailing directly to Brian Bunch
more than 10,000 island residents, with Megan Carroll
an additional 4,000 papers distributed David Stormer
throughout the islands. Thank you for
reading!
Published by
Lucky Dog Publishing
of South Carolina, LLC
P.O. Box 837
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
843-886-NEWS
Future deadlines:
March 10 for submissions.
The Folly Current, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Lucky Dog Publish-
ing of South Carolina LLC, is a free,
independent newspaper published
every two weeks and is for and about
Folly Beach. Copies are mailed free of
charge to every active mailbox in our
coverage area and are also available
at area businesses and by subscrip-
tion to non-islanders. Subscriptions
are $30 per year for non-residents
and are available by sending a check
to Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC, P.O.
Box 837, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482.
Contributions of information, pictures
and articles are welcomed and are
used according to space limitations
and news value and cannot be re-
turned except by special request. Our
editorial content is primarily dedicated
to the area of distribution; ad space
is open to all businesses who want
to reach the Folly Beach market.
Complete ad creation is $50, however,
changes of up to 30% of the original
ad are included at no extra cost. All
advertising rates are listed at www.is-
landeyenews.com under “advertising”.
Lucky Dog Publishing, LLC
Publishers of The Folly Current, The Island
Eye News and the Island Connection.
4 March 5, 2010
O
n April 6, Folly Beach voters will
choose three Council Members to
represent their interests for the next
four years. Seven candidates want your
vote and you will be bombarded daily with
campaign literature. Rather than add to
the rhetoric, I have sought to give you a feel
for who the candidates are as individuals so
you have a clearer perspective of why they say
what they say. To avoid bias, the interviews
are presented in the order in which they were
conducted. Ladies and gentlemen, I present
your candidates for City Council.
DJ Rich
Rich came to Folly Beach in 2003 and
“hasn’t looked back.” He was at Clemson
majoring in business management, but
was eager to get some “real work and life
experience.” His grandmother, Florence
O’Donnell, had been a Folly fixture for
years, operating the “Sanitary Cafe” on
Center Street back in the 1970s and Rich
spent much of his childhood here. “I
knew it was where I’d end up making my
home,” he said.
Rich was general manager at a
restaurant, but like most folks in the
food and beverage industry, he wanted
a place of his own. In 2005, he and his
grandmother took over Planet Follywood
on Center Street, where you can find Rich
most days if you want to talk politics,
which he’s happy to do.
Rich said he was becoming more and
more concerned as he watched a City
Council so consumed with in-fighting
that it couldn’t get any legislation passed.
“I was constantly having to watch what
they were doing in order to protect my
business,” Rich said. “It was time to either
put up or shut up.” So Rich threw his hat
in the ring.
It did not seem to Rich that Council
members were prepared for meetings.
“After a while you ask yourself, ‘If I’m
doing more homework than they are, why
aren’t I on the Council?’ It just went from
there.”
Rich said decisions are made too often
CIVIC
Council Candidates
by Lauren Dean
without public input. “Let’s get public
input before we hire consultants,” he said,
citing the recent traffic study that he said
cost taxpayers $40,000.
Trash and litter is a major concern for
Rich. He thinks Folly Beach should set up
its own recycling center, which he believes
would pay for itself within a short period
of time. “Why should we constantly be
begging County for more pick-ups and
more bins. Why should we let them come
out and make money off of us?”
Rich serves on the Accommodations
Tax Committee and received the “Good
Neighbor Award” in 2009 for organizing
“Follypalooza” and “A Taste of Folly”
to help Center Street businesses in the
off-season. He said he will bring common
sense and a can-do attitude to City
Council. Rich can be reached at 475-9787
or at planet_follywood@yahoo.com.
Paul Hume
Hume was living in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, but felt the lure of the sea. He
had been up and down the East Coast
from Florida to Virginia looking for the
right place to settle in. After one night in
a house behind what was then the “Purple
Pelican,” Hume and his wife leased an
off-season beach house for six months.
“That was 13 years ago,” Hume said, “and
we’re still here. It’s easy to get hooked on
Folly.”
Hume has served on the Planning &
Zoning Commission for six years and has
thought about running for City Council
for some time. He said what pushed him
over the edge was when Council was
discussing a smoking ban and one member
said “. . . there’s precedence for individuals
to give up their rights” for the collective
good.
“The answer to Folly’s problems is not
us who live here giving up more of our
rights,” he said. “We already have more
laws than we probably need. Whether it’s
parking or garbage or noise, we have the
ordinances. Enforce them!”
The “anything goes” attitude people
www.follycurrent.com
have about Folly could be changed using
a common-sense approach, according
to Hume. “Take litter, for instance,” he
explained. “What if we were to issue a
bunch of tickets one week-end and have
a story in the Post & Courier – “$72,000
in Litter Tickets Written at Folly Beach”
– or undercover cops issuing tickets for
littering?” He said it would not take long
for people to see the light. “We would
not have to do this over the long run.
Perception is reality. Folly would no
longer be considered the place where you
can get away with anything.”
Hume said not much can be done about
the 14,000 cars that squeeze their way
onto Folly Island on a summer weekend
short of putting up a gate. “We don’t want
to live in a gated community,” he said, “so
we need to come up with a way to deal
with the problem.” One of his suggestions
was to take two photos of violations –
one of the infraction and another of the
offender’s license plate – so when he shows
up in court he can’t wiggle out of paying
his fine.
Hume said he would bring to the job
his experience on the Planning & Zoning
Commission, a pragmatic, common-sense
way of looking at issues, and the ability
to help move things forward. Hume
can be reached at 588-2605 or humep@
bellsouth.net.
Susan Breslin
Breslin got to Folly Beach the way
most folks do – by accident. She came to
visit and kept coming back. In 1995, she
bought a house on E Arctic. Although she
worked for many years as a city planner in
New York City, Breslin pointed out that
she was raised in a small town and feels
very much at home in Folly.
Breslin said she is running for City
Council because the priorities of the City
are off-balance. “The needs and interests
of the residents ought to come first and far
too often are coming last," she said.
It troubles Breslin that Folly is losing its
sense of community. She said 80% of the
houses on Folly are assessed at 6%, which
indicates they are either second homes or
rentals. “I would like to bring more good
neighbors to Folly Beach by marketing it
as a place to retire or raise a family.”
She would go after policies unfair to
residents, such as parking permits only
for property owners, requiring residents
to purchase garbage containers from the
City, and charging excessive minimums
for water consumption. “Folly Beach is
full of small households that use only
one-third of the water they are charged
for and generate only a tiny amount of
garbage.” She said it is not fair to treat
them the same as vacation rentals that
make completely different demands on
City services.
Festivals on Center Street have become
a way of life on Folly and are sometimes
portrayed as necessary evils. Breslin
would reshape them so they are less of an
inconvenience to residents. She said these
festivals help only some of the downtown
businesses and they do not keep taxes
from going up. “Center Street businesses
don’t pay accommodations taxes,” she
said, adding that it is A-tax money that
keeps taxes down.
Another concern is lack of code
enforcement. She said it is distressing how
many good rules are not enacted because
Planning or Council members say “What’s
the point, it won’t be enforced anyway.”
She would hire an Enforcement Officer
to make Folly’s codes and regulations
meaningful.
Breslin said she would bring to the job
experience as a city planner, two years
on the Folly Beach Planning & Zoning
Commission, and a conviction that the
needs of residents are best served through
open government. “City Council doesn’t
even know what’s going on sometimes. The
City should be open about its business,”
she said. “The City belongs to us.”
Breslin can be reached at 588-3026 or
breslins@att.net.
Pennell Clamp
Clamp is a native South Carolinian
who bought a home on E Ashley 15 years
ago and now lives on Oak Island. “I
was retired and had a lot of time on my
hands,” Clamp said, “so I started sitting
in on Council meetings and saw things
going on I didn’t agree with.” What
bothered Clamp most during his three-
year observation period was the way he
saw Council throwing money around.
His research showed an annual budget
that had soared from $2.2 million in 2005
to $6.1 million in 2009. In the same time
period, Clamp said the number of City
employees increased from 21 to 56.
“I’m not a Conservative or a Liberal,”
Clamp said. “I’m a realist.” Clamp ran
his own business for 20 years and said
the City should be run like a business.
It should be effective and efficient and
there should be accountability. “City Hall
doesn’t sell anything or produce anything.
They have to rely on money coming from
taxpayers in order to exist. You have to be
prudent when you are spending someone
else’s money. You have to spend it like it
was your own money.”
An admitted “numbers freak,” Clamp
would go over the budget line by line,
something he said many Council members
neglect to do. “You can box me up and
send me to Bull Street if I ever vote for a
tax increase,” he said, adding that while
it’s not possible to foresee an emergency
that might necessitate a tax increase, “We
should turn over every stone and make
sure we’re lean and clean before we ever
see candidates on page 5
March 5, 2010
candidates from page 4
ask the taxpayers for more money.”
The fragile nature of Folly’s environment
and ecosystem concern Clamp, who
said there should be zero tolerance for
abusing, misusing, neglecting, littering
or otherwise disrupting the land, beaches,
waterways and marshlands of Folly Beach.
“There is no excuse for anyone not living
in harmony with our environment and
ecosystem,” he said.
Clamp, who currently serves on the
Board of Zoning Appeals, said he would
bring to the job a substantial business
background, a true interest in the
community, the time and inclination to
crunch the numbers, and a talent for good,
honest, debate. Referring to recent issues
with City Council, he said “We need to
work in harmony in the interests of the
2,200 people who live on this island.”
Clamp can be reached at 518-3620 or
pmc5242@aol.com
Laura Beck
Beck became a full-time Folly Beach
resident in 2001, but has family ties
going back three generations to great-
grandparents who lived on E. Cooper.
“I have history here and understand the
changes the island has been through,” she
said.
Beck is the only incumbent City Council
member in the race. She won a Council
seat in 2006 after serving four years on
the Planning & Zoning Commission
and wants to remain on Council to work
on issues such as the zoning rewrite, the
Sudoku
Solution on page 13
traffic study, and litter problems.
Work on the zoning re-write still has
a long way to go, according to Beck.
She said the City has yet to articulate a
vision of what the island should be. As
an example, Beck used a Hurricane Hugo
analogy in which the entire beach is wiped
out. “What do we want Folly to look like
if we have to rebuild? We don’t want a
cookie-cutter approach,” she said. “We
need to get creative and also make sure
proper design standards are put in place.”
Regarding the traffic study, Beck said
she relied on the advice and opinions of
the experts. She favors the traffic circle
at Center Street and Indian Avenue that
she said would make it easier for West side
residents to exit the island, a median on
Center Street to insure pedestrian safety,
and changing stop signs on Second Street
to provide for “an alternative method of
going from North to South.” Beck said
she would also change the direction of stop
signs at several E. Ashley intersections to
slow traffic on that street.
Folly Beach recycles at a higher rate
than most places, according to Beck, and
although she has not looked at the cost
issues, she said options to consider include
taking care of our own recycling, hiring
someone other than the County to pick
it up, or contracting for pick-up on the
summer weeks the County does not come
out.
Beck said what distinguishes her from
other Council candidates is her ability
to look at proposed legislation “through
the eyes of an attorney” and her status as
a parent with young children. “I bring
balance to Council. Parents and younger
Level: Easy
people have different issues and a different
focus.” Beck can be reached at 843-224-
1063 or dukesbeck@yahoo.com.
Bob Hatcher
Hatcher is quick to admit that his first
hurdle will be to convince Folly Beach
voters that he actually lives on the island.
While it’s true that he owns a house in
South Windermere, his home on E. Arctic
is his legal residence. In fact, Hatcher met
his wife there in 1947. “This is my home,”
Hatcher said. “What happens in Folly
Beach is important to me.”
Since he was retired and had the
time, Hatcher began attending Council
meetings and was frustrated at the lack
of communication. “I felt there were
things I could do to help wrap things up,
a better way of asking questions to prompt
thoughtful responses rather than the ‘Hey,
dummy, you’re doing it the wrong way’
attitude I saw.”
What concerns Hatcher most is that
Folly doesn’t have a set of current zoning
codes and ordinances. He said people are
reluctant to buy homes or invest in Folly
Beach because they don’t know what’s
going to happen. “Having a moving target
is not conducive to growth,” he said.
One of his strengths, according to
Hatcher, is his willingness to do his
homework. He has read the new Zoning
Ordinance -all 278 pages - and he reads
Letter from the editor . . .
Despite website information
outlining procedures for renters to
obtain parking decals, Susan Breslin
complained to City Council that she
knew of several renters whose requests
had been refused. The Mayor said
he knew of no renters who had been
denied permits. “That’s not true,”
Breslin said. “I know people who have
gone to get a permit and been denied.”
Beckmann said “Nobody who
Buddy (the Parking Czar) has turned
away hasn’t walked over to my office
and worked it out with me.”
“The residents of Folly Beach
should not have to petition the Mayor
to have their rights,” Breslin retorted.
Next up was Christine Wilkerson
who asked the Mayor point-blank
if he had committed Folly’s share of
the Greenbelt money (approximately
$219,000) to help the County buy the
Front Beach Inn property located on
E. Arctic Avenue for the purpose of
building a beach park and parking lot.
“Is this get the Mayor night?”
Beckmann asked, clearly feeling as
though he were under assault. “I have
not committed it. I have discussed it
with PRC.”
Wilkerson is a member of the
Folly Beach Parks & Recreation
Commission, so I guess it's not
unreasonable for her to expect her
committee to have a heads up on how
money allocated to Folly Beach for
parks and recreation will be used.
“When were you going to bring it
up?” Wilkerson asked.
“It won’t be tonight,” Beckmann
5
the budgets each year. “I can promise you
that when I sit down, I’ve read everything
that’s available because it affects me and
if it affects me, it affects the rest of Folly
Beach.”
The City does not do enough on a
day-to-day basis to insure that Council
members have the information they need
to make informed decisions, and it is
not doing enough to communicate with
its citizens, according to Hatcher. “You
hear residents talking, they’re unhappy
with this, unhappy with that, but they’re
actually frustrated because they don’t
know what’s going on.” He cites as an
example, the new Folly River Bridge,
which will have a huge impact on some
residents. “The City should sit down with
these people and say, ‘Hey, here’s what’s
going on.’”
Hatcher said he would bring a
substantial business background to the
job. He has a degree in Economics and
has managed budgets and the logistics of
managing resources to get the job done.
“Some members act like they’re running
for re-election at every Council meeting,”
Hatcher said. “I’m going to work real
hard to be an effective Councilman for
four years.” Hatcher can be reached at
588-2415 or roberthatcher@comcast.net.
Joel Flores
Not available for interview.
said, cutting her off.
The Mayor did say later in his
closing comments, “The Front Beach
Inn has closed, Parks & Recreation
(PRC) is involved in negotiating a
contract with the owner, and the
Greenbelt Money has not been
committed.”
What’s wrong with this picture?
What has happened to civility? Some
might say a City Council meeting was
not the proper forum for Ms. Breslin’s
and Ms. Wilkerson’s questions. Maybe
“Citizen’s Comments” means just
that – say your piece, shut up, and sit
down. But don’t we need to have an
opportunity for the honest exchange
of information? If not during Council
meetings - where everyone is present
in one room at one time - then where
and how do we raise our concerns
and get the answers to our questions?
Whatever the parameters, we need to
find an effective means and method for
doing this.
There has been a lot of hoop-la
recently over transparency and open
government, so I’ve had to think about
what that means. Citizen’s comments
become part of the public record, as
does anything said by the Mayor and
the Councilmen. Having a public
record holds government accountable,
and it also holds citizens accountable.
So that’s all good, but residents and
Council arguing with one another in
such a public and permanent exchange
doesn't seem right. I want open,
transparent government, you bet I do,
but I want it with civility. Is that too
much to ask?
6 March 5, 2010
Mayor addresses
after-hour 911 calls
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
On or about March 1, the Folly Beach
dispatchers joined other dispatchers
in Charleston County to form the 911
Consolidated Dispatch Center. Most
of you are aware dispatchers are to be
transferred; however, some of you were
not aware it would be as early as March 1.
Director of Public Safety Boatwright has
sent a letter addressing the 911 system:
what it will do, when to use it, and other
information which will be valuable to
keep for future reference.
The purpose of this letter is to assure
everyone that the most important aspect
of all of this is you and your safety and
well being, as well as the well-being of
your animals. I am committed to making
this transition as easy for you as possible
while giving you this reassurance: Your
needs, whether it concerns public works,
public safety or anything else have always
been and will continue to be my first
priority.
I know one of the major concerns is
our Folly Beach animals and what
will happen if help is needed after 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, and on
the weekends. I have met with Chief
Boatwright to ensure animal related
services after hours have been addressed
in a way which will be satisfactory to
our residents. All animal-related service
calls and non-emergency matters will
continue to be taken and dispatched
on a 24/7 basis. Citizens only have to
call the number they are accustomed to
calling for service, which is 588-2433.
After-hours animal related service calls
will be assigned to a Folly Beach shift
supervisor to ensure the appropriate
animal services response is taken. Animal
Services Officer Ralph Bryan, working
in partnership with Carol Linville of Pet
Helpers, will continue to build a cadre
of animal services volunteers so that “on-
call” assignments can be shared.
Letter from the Mayor
Good morning or good afternoon!
January and February have turned
out to be very busy months. I always
thought you slowed down during the
winter. However, not this year! We have
drainage projects being engineered
and in the works. I apologize for the
inconvenience at the Post Office, but
this is one drainage project that must
be done. This project, even though
on East Indian and 2nd Street, will
improve drainage from East Ashley.
We are also doing the engineering
around Red Sunset Lane and West
Ashley at 9th to ascertain if there can
CIVIC
Knowing you have other concerns about
this transition which you would like
to discuss, I am available to meet with
you during the week from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. For your convenience, however, I
am extending my weekday hours to be
available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and also
on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The
only dates and times I will be out of the
office are Saturday, March 13, 2010, and
March 15 – 18, 2010. When we meet, I
will do my best to address your concerns
and answer questions regarding the
transition of the on-site dispatchers to the
Consolidated Dispatch Center and any
other concerns you may have.
When Council and I first addressed the
911 Consolidated Dispatch in 2008,
there were several reasons we made the
decision to join other communities in
Charleston County and transition to a
Consolidated Dispatch Center: 1) the
dispatchers in the Center will be well-
trained; capable of relaying information
over the phone that could save lives; 2)
Folly Beach had a significant number of
turnovers in the Dispatch Department,
as many as nine in one year; 3) the calls
on non-emergency incidents will still be
handled ultimately by the Folly Beach
Public Safety; and 4) after a period of
three years, Charleston County will be
paying the entire cost of the dispatchers;
Folly Beach will pay nothing. This is
a significant savings for the City of
Folly Beach and during these times of
economic hardship, it is important that
the city make every effort to keep cost
at a minimum without sacrificing or
compromising the safety and well being
of our residents.
I look forward to hearing from you and
am hopeful this addresses some of the
concerns you may have.
Carl B. Beckmann, Jr.
Mayor of Folly Beach
be improvements done in that area.
Folly Gras was a great success. The
weather finally cooperated and we
enjoyed a wonderful day. The businesses
were satisfied, as were the residents.
March will be the great campaign
month as we vote on April 6. Please
listen to what all the candidates have
to say so you can make an informed
decision. Be very careful of “street
gossip,” as usually it is never correct. At
least not 100%!
Please vote on April 6 at Father
Kelly Hall.
Mayor Carl Beckmann
www.follycurrent.com
Folly Beach City Council
February 23, 2010
by Lauren Dean
Mayor Beckmann began the meeting
by handing out biodegradable trash bags
to be placed in dispensers at the walkovers
and passed out by the beach patrol. That
happy note was short-lived as residents
took the podium to put the Mayor on the
spot regarding parking decals for renters
and use of Folly’s Greenbelt money.
A resolution (R08-10) authorizing
the expenditure of $7,400 to install a
surveillance camera, drop box and security
phone inside the foyer at City Hall was
passed. The drop box is used primarily for
complaints or other communication from
the public and for the payment of parking
tickets. Discussion centered on the merits
of having the box and camera outside vs.
inside or whether they were needed at all.
The telephone is automatically linked to
the 911 dispatch system, according to
Chief Boatwright who said the phone
could be used as an “on the spot” means
of reporting emergencies and would be
particularly useful to people who don’t
have cell phones.
Councilman Dave Stormer challenged
passage of a resolution (R10-10) authorizing
a contract with Glick & Boehm for
engineering services on the City Hall
expansion project. Stormer questioned
what he referred to as a “secret, sweetheart
deal” and claimed that the contract dated
August 7, 2008 had been signed by Mayor
Beckmann, but had come to the attention
of City Council members only two weeks
ago and had not yet been seen by the City
Attorney.
“This contract was not one entered
into by the City of Folly Beach,” Stormer
insisted. He suggested that the contract
be sent to the City Attorney and the
Comptroller for “stringent assurance that
it is in the best interests of the City.” Of
particular concern to Stormer was the
stipulation that the architect would receive
8.25% of the construction costs, which he
said was out of line with other contracts
he had seen. The resolution was rejected
by Council.
The new Zoning Ordinance, which had
been scheduled for the February 23 City
Council meeting, had been scratched from
the agenda at the last minute. Council and
the Planning Commission had voted in a
joint session to put the ordinance on the
Decals from cover
go out to all postal box holders within
the week explaining the procedures
involved in order for renters to obtain the
decals. He said they must produce two
documents proving that they live at Folly
Beach. Acceptable documents include
a driver’s license showing a Folly Beach
address, a Voter’s registration showing a
agenda so it could receive first reading
and go to the Planning Commission for
public input before the election. However,
on February 22, three Council members -
Beck, Goodwin and Stormer – petitioned
to put the Zoning Ordinance back on the
agenda for the February 23 meeting, and
it passed unanimously. The Mayor said he
and the Planning & Zoning Commission
chairman decided not to bring the plan
forward at this time because of some
interesting ideas brought forth recently
that he said could result in significant
changes to the document.
“Let’s not make this a political football,”
Beck said. “What we have now is a
patchwork quilt. We need to hit the ‘save
button’ and continue to move forward
with this ordinance.”
“This ordinance is head and shoulders
above what we have now,” Stormer added.
“Let’s turn it over to the people and let
them have a stab at it.”
Goodwin said passage of the ordinance
would stop a moving target. “Sure it will
be amended when we get comments from
the public,” he said, “but we need to get it
in front of them for their input.”
The ordinance was sent to the
Planning Commission and will be up
for discussion at the March 1 regular
meeting. The formal Public Hearing
will be in Council chambers on March 8.
Residents are encouraged to attend both
meetings. Beck said since the ordinance
received first reading at the February
23 Council meeting, the same Planning
Commissioners who have worked on
the plan for the past three years will be
the ones to present the ordinance to the
public, and it will be possible to pass the
ordinance before the April 6 elections.
In other business, a resolution (R11-
10) approving the sole sourcing to B.P.
Barber for engineering services in the
relocation of sewer lines off the Folly River
bridge passed unanimously; an ordinance
(02-10) creating a Staff Event Planning
Committee passed second reading with
dissenting votes from Mayor Beckmann
and Councilman McCarty; an ordinance
clarifying the language on requests for
“open containers” (03-10) passed first
reading unanimously.
Folly Beach address, a lease indicating
the tenant will be a resident through the
end of 2010, or a letter from the owner
of the property stating that the renter
has permission to live at that address and
will reside there through the end of 2010.
The deadline for getting parking decals is
April 30, according to Beckmann.
March 5, 2010 7

www.follycurrent.com
 Folly Current Calendar
Saturday, March 6
ACA Introduction to Kayaking -Level 1
Let our ACA certifiedkayak instructors help
you learn a new skill at James Island County
Park. Using a variety of boats, this entry-level
course teaches you basic strokes and skills
to have fun on the water!  Pre-registration
required. 1-5 .p.m. Course # 22006. Age: 16 &
up. Fee: $42/$35 CCR Discount. 795-4386 or
visit www.ccprc.com.
Pet Support Team for Junior Volunteers
Pet Helpers Junior Volunteer Program, the Pet
Support Team, will meet at 2 p.m. Kids ages
6 to 11 are invited to join this group of young
animal lovers for a monthly meeting. Email
Christine Bush at cbush@pethelpers.org to
register for upcoming sessions. Pet Helpers is
located at 1447 Folly Road, James Island.
Sunday, March 7
Intro to Kayaking
Learn how to be safe and have fun in this
on-water kayak class.  Topics include: safety,
boat fit, getting in and out of your kayak
(gracefully), basic paddle strokes, and more.  Folly Beach Holiday Inn. Visit www.face­book.
$45 per person includes kayak and gear.  Call
Sea Kayak Carolina at 225-7969 to register.
Dogmore Stew Festival at Magnolia Plantation
From 1 – 5 p.m., enjoy a Silent Auction, Raffle
Prizes, Pet Fashion Show, Pet Vendors, Dog
Training Demos, Grooming Demos and more.
Tickets are $17 ($20 at door) and $10/children,
and include admission to the plantation, a
Lowcountry feast of  hors d oeuvres, Frogmore
Stew, and delicious desserts. For more info or
tickets, call 343-8063.
Friday, March 12
Coastal Exploration Series:
Birding in the ACE Basin
Tour the Bear Island Wildlife Management
Area with an emphasis on birding with Pete
Laurie, former DNR employee and writer for
S.C. Wildlife magazine. 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For more info, call 953-9354 or www.dnr.
sc.gov/marine/NERR/seminarseries.html.
March 6 - March 20
Cocktails for a Cause
Join Sea Island Habitat as they host an evening
of art, drinks and hors d’oeuvres for the 2010
Women Build Project.  Live music provided
Gary Pecorella. 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Robert
Lange Studio, 2 Queen Street in downtown
Charleston. Tickets are $50 each. Call 768-
0998 or log-on to www.seaislandhabitat.org to
purchase tickets.
Folly Beach County Park Bird Walk
Birding experts from Charleston County
Parks and the South Carolina Audubon
Society explore Folly Beach in this partnership
program. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.. Course #
22104. Age: 12 & up. Call 795-4386 or visit
www.ccprc.com.
The Festival of Ballycahill
Charleston’s first Irish Festival from March
12 – 17, throughout downtown Charleston.
Enjoy arts, crafts, music, talk and merriment,
including Bling from the Bog, Way with
Words, Greengraf 2010 and Bia Devil specials
at local Irish restaurants. For specific events and
more information, visit www.ballycahillfestival.
com
Saturday, March 13
SSC Points Contest #1: Washout
March 13 & 14. Southern South Carolina
District of the Eastern Surfing Association
points contest #1 at the Washout, Folly Beach.
Entry deadline is March 7. Mail entry to SSC-
ESA PO Box 740, Folly Beach, SC 29439 or
bring to any local surf shop by closing time on
the Sunday before the contest.www.ssc.surfesa.
org
2010 Tides of March: a Folly Festival of the
Arts & St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Saturday, March 13, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and
Sunday, March 14, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the
Folly River Park. Art and much more provided
by the Folly Beach Arts and Crafts Guild. Live
entertainment and performances provided by
Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina. For more
info, call Kerry Hupp at 345-8739.
Palmetto Pump & USA Climbing Competition
Climbers of all ages and abilities will enjoy
competing on these new challenging and fun
routes. No competition experience is necessary.  Wednesday, March 17
Space is limited, so register early and save. For
ages 4+. 8am-2pm. James Island County Park.
Fee: $30. 795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com.
“Murder Me, I’m Irish …”
Join the Women’s Guild of Our Lady of Good
Council at the “Shakin’ Shamrock Pub” for
a St. Patty’s Day celebration with a forecast
for murder. A traditional Irish dinner will be
served as participants try to solve the mystery.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each
and may be purchased after each Sunday Mass
or from members of the Women’s Guild. Fr.
Kelly Hall at 105 West Hudson Avenue, Folly
Beach.
Sunday, March 14
Daylight Savings
“Spring” those clocks forward one hour!
Surfing the Runway Beach Fashion Show
Surfing the Run­way will feature two eco-
friendly fashion shows, a silent auction,
signature cocktails, gift bags, and giveaways,
all benefiting Surfer’s Healing. 5:30 p.m. at the
com/surfingtherunway for weekly updates on
community donations, special appearances,
giveaways, and more.
Family Climbing - Family Belay Lesson
A great way to spend time together climbing
and learning new skills!  Children ages
4-13 will climb while parents learn to belay. 
Children ages 14 and up can learn to belay as
well as climb.  Pre-registration required. 1 p.m.
- 4 p.m. at James Island County Park. Course
# 22063. Age: 4 & up. Fee: $16/$13. For more
info, call 795-4FUN(4386) or visit www.ccprc.
com.
Monday, March 15
Ladies Night at the Climbing Wall
Come meet other local women climbers in
these fun activities and maybe even meet a new
belay partner!  Pre-registration is not required.
6 – 9 p.m.. Course # 21664. James Island
County Park. Fee: $12/$10 CCR Discount.
795-4386 / www.ccprc.com.
St. Patrick’s Day
After school Climbing and Crabbing
Come enjoy an afternoon of climbing and
crabbing.  We will learn a little about each
other and have some fun in the process!  All
equipment needed is provided. Meet at
Palmetto Island County Park. Ages 6 – 12. Pre-
registration required. 3:30pm-6pm. Course #
22091. Fee: $12/$10 CCR Discount. 795-4386
or visit www.ccprc.com.
The Charleston Art & Antiques Forum
Wednesday, March 17 - Sunday, March 21,
2010. Ticket are available online at www.
charlestonantiquesforum.org. To receive the
2010 program brochure, write The Charleston
Art & Antiques Forum; 36 Legare Street;
Charleston, SC 29401 or call (800) 926-2520.
Thursday, March 18
63rd Annual Festival of Houses & Gardens
March 18 – April 17, 2010. Guests can discover
the interiors and gardens of some of the finest
private residences in America during this
month-long festival. Each tour allows visitors
to explore eight to ten properties dating from
the American colonial period to the early 20th
century. For more information please call 722-
3405 or visit www.historiccharleston.org.
 
Saturday, March 20
First Day of Spring
Meet the Authors at Michelle’s Salon
Join us from 2-5 p.m. to meet several local
authors at Michelle’s Salon and Spa: Bill Noel,
author of “The Washout”; Gretchen Stringer,
author of “Hermie the Hermit Crab”; Douglas
Bostic, author of “Morris Island and James
Island History”; and Mark R Jones, author
of “Wicked Charleston.” Door Prizes and
Refreshments. For more info call 588-2566.
103 E. Cooper St, Folly Beach.
 
10
Maybe Rabies?
F olly B e a c h c li n i c off e r s f r e e i n fo
R
abies is a viral disease which attacks
nerve and brain tissue. In South
Carolina, wild animals account
for the highest number of reported rabies
cases, including raccoons, foxes, skunks
and bats. Rarely infected are rats, mice,
squirrels, rabbits and hamsters. To help
you identify the symptoms of Rabies and
how to handle potential infections, the
City of Folly Beach is hosting a Rabies
Clinic on April 3 from 9 a.m. – noon at
the Fire Department headquarters, located
in the 100 Block of West Cooper behind
City Hall.
How does it spread? Rabies is
transmitted by a rabid animal biting a
healthy one. The virus passes from the
saliva of the sick animal through the
wound into the healthy animal. It also
can be spread when the saliva of a rabid
animal enters an opening in the skin,
such as a cut or scratch.
What are the symptoms in animals?
Rabid animals appear to act differently
than normal, such as:
• Wild animals which seem to be
friendly or tame.
• Wild animals, which you normally
only see at night, seen in the
daytime.
• Pets which seem to have a hard time
walking, eating or drinking.
• Signs of excitement or meanness in
animals.
Don’t think that rabid animals can be
spotted easily because they drool or foam
at the mouth. This happens only some of
the time in the latter stages of the disease.
What are the symptoms is humans?
Early symptoms in humans include
irritability, headache, fever and
sometimes itching or pain at the site
of exposure. The disease eventually
progresses to paralysis, convulsions and
death. There is no cure for rabies.
Take steps for prevention. Vaccinate
your dog and cat. Pets are more likely to
be bitten by wild animals. Vaccinating
your dog and cat not only protects the
pet, but also protects family members
who come in contact with the pet. In
South Carolina, domesticated cats, dogs,
and ferrets must be vaccinated. Do not
allow your dog and cat to run free.
March 5, 2010
wHAT THE FOLLY?
Avoid strange-acting animals both
domestic and wild. Teach your children
to stay away from wild animals and
unknown dogs and cats. Make sure they
tell you if they are bitten or scratched by
an animal.
Don’t attempt to keep wild animals as
pets. There is no rabies vaccine licensed
for use in wild animals.
What to do if bitten by an animal
Immediately wash any wounds with soap
and water.
• Call your doctor and follow his
recommendations.
• Report the bite to your local
health department. The Health
Department may require
quarantining or testing of biting
animals for rabies.
• Do not kill any animal in such a
way that the head will be damaged.
The head must be in good condition
D
for laboratory testing.
o you recognize this image? It was taken somewhere on Folly Beach. If you
For additional information, contact know what it is, let us know at info@luckydognews.com and you could win a
your local health department. The Folly free medium one-topping pizza from Woody’s!
Beach Rabies Clinic is sponsored by The
Brought to you by Woody’s Pizza and Laura Olsen Photography
South Carolina Department of Health
and Environmental Control and Folly
Beach Public Safety. Everyone is invited.
Information and other services for you and
your pet will be provided.
PHOTO BY Laura Olsen Imagery/ www.lauraolsen.com
www.follycurrent.com
March 5, 2010 11

“Southern Son, So Far” Meet the author of The Edge

By Blake Bunch B o o k s i g n i n g s o n F o l ly B e a c h

S B
inger/Song writer throughout the album, ill Noel, author of the mystery
Justin Burke has with Lotti singing backing novels Folly, The Pier, and Washout,
manned numerous vocals and Sivilli lending will be holding book signings for
musical projects before, some electric guitar solos on his latest novel in the Folly Beach Mystery
namely Jupiter’s Garden, as tracks like “In the Garden,” series, The Edge, at four locations on Folly
well as several Rock/Funk “Free Love,” and “I Know Beach between March 20 and 26. This
bands consisting of close You Will.” Band of Horses will be Mr. Noel’s first appearance on
friends, but his new album front-man Ben Bridwell also Folly Beach since The Edge was released in
harkens back to an old throws in his range of vocals January.
sound. Familiar originals are in “The Rescue.”
In a review of Noel’s The Pier, The
given new life after years of The majority of the songs Clarion notes that, “Noel writes with a
performance refinement, and feature melodic instrument fast-paced, easily read style, with plenty of
new tunes invite fans back to accompaniments in an humorous asides … With his smarts nicely
the Folk/Blues roots which almost Southern ballad-type calibrated at the average reader’s level,
have helped identify Burke structure, though the album Chris provides a good-humored, engaging
as an island icon. is also peppered with several entry into the world of Folly Beach.”
While playing with rock tunes with classic Folly Beach is unique, the novels are
And according to a review of Folly by
Jupiter’s Garden and electric guitar feedback and quirky, and the locations of the book
Grand Strand Magazine, “For those who
occasionally with local band bluegrass progressions. signings are unique in the world of literary
enjoy reading local fiction, or just want
Dangermuffin, Burke’s The content of Burke’s endeavors! But then again, what’s normal
a beach read with a bit of a twist, Folly
performances have ultimately album should be familiar on Folly Beach?
should be right up you
led to funky renditions of Justin Burke. to anyone who has lived on alley.” Mr. Noel will be signing and discussing
Beatles tunes, as well as other the island, its overall style his four books at:
classic covers. In his inaugural album reminiscent of a combination of the Avett
“Southern Son, So Far,” Burke opens the Brothers, Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan • Michelle’s Salon and Spa, 103 E.
floor to island friends and musicians, all of and The Band album “Basement Tapes.” Cooper Street, Saturday, March
whom contribute to this grassroots album His live sets are always extremely positive, 20, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
of folk lyrics, bluegrass breakdowns and and this mindset definitely translates into • Piggly Wiggly, 1985 Folly Road,
organic mixture of Southern music. these well recorded studio tracks. Sunday, March 21, 1 – 4 p.m.
Although it seems that the use of so The subject matters of Justin’s songs • Lost Dog Café, 106 W. Huron,
many different instruments throughout are always soulful and optimistic, mainly Tuesday, March 23, 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
the album would set the stage for more dealing with the joys of living set to clean, • Bert’s Market, 205 E, Ashley,
elaborate compositions, the songs are emotive arrangements. On songs like “I Tuesday March 23, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
surprisingly concise and to the point. Know You Will,” and “Turn This Thing
Whether it involves keys or trumpet, banjo Around,” Burke unleashes this Dixieland South Carolina’s Folly Beach is
or mandolin, electric guitar or acoustic, sentiment: “Take me back to the good prominently featured in all four mystery
Burke and his plethora of musicians create old days, when I was young, I know you novels. For more information, visit www.
an atmosphere that is very relaxed, specific, will.” billnoel.com.
and indefinably local.
Dan Lotti and Mike Sivilli of
Dangermuffin are audibly visible
Bill Noel.

Folly Beac h Tide Char t

Chill & Grill
Tuesdays – John Woodward and Folly music Date High Tide Low Tide
Friends
Wednesdays – Kevin West
scene Mar 5 11:39pm 5:22am/5:27pm
Thursdays – The Hawkes
Sand Dollar
3/5 - Louis B project Mar 6 12:21am/12:30pm 6:16am/6:30pm
3/5 & 6 – Fat Alice
3/6 – Stereo Reform Mar 7 1:18am/1:26pm 7:14am/7:17pm
3/12 – Soul Captive
Folly Beach Crab Shack
3/13 – Dantes Camaro Mar 8 2:18am/2:26pm 8:14am/8:20pm
Sundays – Jamisun
3/19 – Po Ridge
Mondays –Open Mic Night Mar 9 3:19am/3:26pm 9:13am/9:22pm
3/20 – The Masker Band
Tuesdays - Trivia
Mar 10 4:17am/4:24pm 10:08am/10:20pm
Wednesdays – Dave Grunstra
BLU
Thursdays – Folly Beach Bluegrass Mar 11 5:09am/5:16pm 10:57am/11:11pm
3/6 – Calvin Taylor
Society
3/7 – Eric Penrod Mar 12 5:56am/6:04pm 11:40am/11:56pm
Fridays – Folly Dogs
3/10 – Graham Whorley
Saturdays – Sarah Smile Mar 13 6:38am/6:47pm 12:20pm
3/14 – Eric Penrod
3/17 – Elise Testone Duo Mar 14 8:17am/8:27pm 12:38am/1:57pm
Drop In Deli
3/20 – Ted McKee
Mondays – The Hawkes Mar 15 8:54am/9:03pm 2:17am/2:32pm
3/21 - Nickolai Svishev
3/9 – John Lee
Mar 16 9:29am/9:37pm 2:55am/3:05pm
Planet Follywood
Folly Brew Pub Mar 17 10:01am/10:09pm 3:32am/3:39pm
Fridays and Saturdays – Dan Clamp
 3/5        Miriam Allen
Mar 18 10:33am/10:42pm 4:09am/4:14pm
3/12      Eric Penrod
Surf Bar
3/19      Grit Biscuits 
Sundays – Dangermuffin
3/26      Howard Dlugasch  

www.follycurrent.com
12
by Lauren Dean
He must have been sitting close to
the door
A suspect who walked out on a $230
bar tab at the Surf Bar about 1:00 a.m.
on 1/21 has not been apprehended,
according to Folly Beach police. He and
a male friend were seen driving off at a
fast rate of speed in a white Ford pick-up
truck.
He seemed like such a nice guy
Police were called to the Holiday Inn
around 3:00 a.m. on 1/24 by a woman
who reported personal items had been
stolen from her room while she was
asleep. According to the victim, she had
met a man at Snapper Jack’s earlier in
the evening. After having some drinks
there, they went to her hotel room. She
stated she fell asleep about midnight
with the man in the room. When she
awoke around 3:00 a.m., the man was
gone. Also missing were the victim’s .22
magnum, $140 in twenty dollar bills, and
some costume jewelry. The victim didn’t
know the suspect’s name, but described
him as a white male in his late 20s with
a dark “military style” haircut and a
scar on his right temple from an “Iraq
war wound.” The investigating officer
asked for assistance from the staff at the
Holiday Inn, but they did not know
Police Reports
how to pull up the security footage for
the evening. No one at Snapper Jack’s
recalled seeing the couple in the bar that
evening. The handgun was entered into
the NCIC stolen guns file.
It’s a dog’s life
While investigating an alarm call on
Seacrest Lane about 3:00 p.m. on 2/14,
an officer was approached by a neighbor
about a white female wandering around
with a dog. The officer located the
subject, who was disoriented and could
not make a complete sentence. EMS was
called and the subject was transported to
MUSC. The dog was placed in the kennel
for his own safety.
Bang, you’re dead
A Folly Beach man told Public Safety
on 2/16 that his landlord “threatened to
put a bullet in his head and put him in
the grave” when he complained about a
leaky roof that hadn’t been repaired. He
said the landlord then got upset because
of the complaint and decided to evict
all his tenants. The victim said he had
not reported the threat at the time it
occurred because he was waiting for the
eviction hearing, but when he got there
the clerk rescheduled the hearing because
the magistrate was out sick. As the
landlord and the tenants being evicted
were walking out of court, the landlord
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pointed his finger at one of the tenants as
if it were a gun and he was going to shoot
her. The clerk saw the gesture and called
the Charleston County Sheriff’s office. It
is not known if anyone pressed charges.
Did he bite his ear off?
In another tenant/landlord fracas Public
Safety officers were dispatched to an E.
Hudson address on 2/19 due to a report
of a young man fighting an older man.
The officers could not locate the subjects,
but when they returned to the station the
victim was there, having been walked to
City Hall by the complainant. The victim
refused five requests for medical attention
and declined to press charges. Twenty
minutes later, officers were again called to
the E. Hudson address. Photographs were
taken of the victim’s ear and hands, the
areas that showed the most injuries. The
suspect is a tenant who was being evicted.
He was located and charged with Assault.
You want me to do what?
On 2/20 a victim came to the Public
Safety office to report a vandalism to
his vehicle. The victim said he had been
coming to work at Rita’s around noon
and made a wide turn into the parking
lot to avoid a puddle. Three young boys
between the ages of 15 and 17 were on
skate boards and they thought he was
trying to hit them. The victim heard
them yell a profanity suggesting that he
do something personal to himself, and
when he returned to his vehicle several
hours later a shorter version of that same
profanity was scratched into the left rear
door of his Chevy Blazer. The estimated
damage to the vehicle is $300. The
suspects have not been identified.
Got beer?
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on 2/20, a
white male was seen staggering across
Cooper Avenue toward Center Street
with a glass of beer in his hand. He was
coming from the direction of The Surf
Bar and the glass appeared to be the same
type used at the Surf Bar. The subject
had a strong odor of alcohol, his eyes
were red and glassy, he was unsteady on
his feet, and he was slurring his words.
March 5, 2010
He admitted taking the glass from the
Surf Bar but claimed not to know he
couldn’t drink alcohol in the street.
After returning the glass to the Surfbar,
the subject became argumentative and
uncooperative. He would not stand
still for the officer to complete his
paperwork. The suspect was arrested for
open container and disorderly conduct
and transported to Charleston County
Detention Center.
Was that Abraham Lincoln?
At around midnight on 2/20 Scott,
the bouncer at Snapper Jack’s, was
attempting to talk to a male subject
on the sidewalk, who appeared to be
intoxicated and was having trouble
understanding what was being
said. When the officer asked for his
identification, the suspect handed him a
five dollar bill. A woman who identified
herself as the subject’s wife came out of
the bar, but she was intoxicated to the
point that she rambled on and would not
cooperate. The officer offered to call a cab
to take them home, but at this point the
subjects began to use profanity, referring
to the officers as specific personal parts
of the body. A crowd was forming, so the
officers arranged for the cab to meet the
subjects at the Pantry. A friend – a sober
adult – showed up and offered to take
them home, so the cab was cancelled, and
both subjects were issued citations for
disorderly conduct.
Baby, it’s cold outside
Police received a call on 2/21 that
someone was trespassing at 205 E. Arctic.
When the officers arrived, they located
two subjects hiding in separate rooms
on the property. They admitted they
were not supposed to be on the property
and had jumped over a locked gate to
gain entry. One of the suspects was
cited for trespassing and released. The
other subject gave a wrong name but the
officers discovered he was misrepresenting
himself to avoid arrest. When his true
identity was discovered, he was arrested
on two outstanding bench warrants and
transported to the Charleston County
Detention Center.
March 5, 2010
follywood Insider
Folly Beach has the Blues
By Ben Bounds
S
till reeling from the tragic and untimely death of Mississippi Delta bluesman Lil’
Dave Thompson on Valentine’s Day, and reflecting on the success of this year’s
Lowcountry Blues Bash, it’s as good a time as any for us to turn the spotlight on
the Folly Beach blues scene.
As some of you may or may not know, Lil’ Dave Thompson was killed in an
automobile accident on Feb. 14, after playing a gig at Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ on
Sullivan’s Island as part of the Blues Bash. Although the club had arranged lodging for
Thompson and his band for that night, he told venue employees that he was worn out
from nearly two months on the road and was longing to get back to Mississippi.
“Dave was truly the most professional touring Bluesman and all around nice guy,”
Home Team BBQ Talent Buyer and GM Tony McKie said in a conversation with the
Follywood Insider this week. “I am lucky also to have called him a friend. Hosting what
turned out to be his last show leaves me with mixed emotions. He will truly be missed
by Blues fans everywhere.”
Thompson embodied everything that is the Mississippi Delta Blues. A throwback
from the old days with a new generation swagger, Thompson was always on-time,
friendly, courteous, grateful, and most importantly, he always brought his best to the
stage.
Although none of the venues on Folly Beach were officially involved in this year’s
Blues Bash, Follywood Productions and the Surf Bar hosted one “unofficial” event on
Feb. 14, which ran simultaneously with Thompson’s last performance just an island
inlet away, featuring The Eric Deaton Trio with special guest Davis Coen. Deaton
is best known for having joined North Mississippi Hill Country Blues legend Junior
Kimbrough’s back band as a bassist and sometimes guitarist when he was only 18.
When Kimbrough passed in ’98, Deaton found an immediate opening as bassist for the
Burnside Exploration with Garry Burnside, youngest son of Hill Country Blues legend
R.L. Burnside, and his cousin Cedric Burnside. He parlayed that into lead guitar roles
with both Afrissippi and Jimbo Mathus’ Knockdown South. He has since struck out on
his own with his new trio featuring Nate Robbins of Rockett 88 and Charles Gage of
Duwayne Burnside & Mississippi Mafia. Mathus’ new band, The Tri-State Coalition,
was also a part of the Blues Bash playing the Pour House on Feb. 12.
The show at the Surf Bar, which followed the overwhelmingly successful Folly Gras
Parade, was on-fire. Deaton & Co. kicked things off with a straight-forward electric
mix of classic blues standards and his own originals. Coen also chimed in with some
originals of his own, sharing the vocals with Deaton throughout the night. The Surf Bar
staff was highly complimentary of the performance and said it was “exactly the right fit”
for the bar’s post-parade party. Deaton and his band mates said they would spread the
Sudoku -solution
www.follycurrent.com
13
good word about both the bar and the island’s hospitality and good vibes from here to
North Mississippi.
The Surf Bar kept with the Mississippi music theme the following Saturday night
when they hosted local Alt-Country / Americana act Guilt Ridden Troubadour which
features Mac Leaphart and his partner in crime Reid Stone, former Daybreakdown
front man and Vicksburg, Mississippi, native. Stone’s musical roots and past touring
and recording experience in Mississippi led him to both personal and professional
relationships with each of the aforementioned artists, and the band’s set that night
seemed to take on a tone that was just a little on the Bluesy side.
Considering that so many of those tightly-knit Mississippi Blues musicians were all
in Charleston on the same weekend, and that it ended with such a tragic note, you
can bet that there were many heavy hearts traveling that highway from here to the
Crossroads. Please keep Lil’ Dave, his family and band mates in your prayers.
Ben Bounds is the owner of Follywood Productions on Folly Beach. Follywood Productions
strives to be the islands’ most dedicated event coordinating service, handling live entertainment
and promotion for local and regional artists, venues, festivals, fundraisers, universities and
special events.  For more information, call 408-6439 or email follywoodrocks@gmail.com
This is Follywood - This is The Edge.
U.S. Census Bureau
canvassing Folly Beach
By Dave Stormer
The Bureau of the Census will be canvassing Folly Beach beginning the
week of March 1, 2010. Census workers, City residents or people familiar with
the City, will be seeking to identify any “living quarters” and handing out a
2010 census questionnaire for the occupant. Living quarters are defined as any
place where a person does or could live.  The census workers will be knocking
on doors and giving occupants a census questionnaire to be returned by mail. 
They will be asking no questions except about the address of the living quarters.
When no one is home, they will leave the questionnaire on or near the door.
Your cooperation is encouraged for a number of reasons:
• South Carolina is expected to have a population increase sufficient to
add a member to the U.S.House of Representatives
• Population statistics are used by federal and state governments as the
basis for distribution of grants and services to municipal jurisdictions.
Planners use the results to project the changes that will be needed in
governmental services
• Businesses use the results to determine where and what products and
services will be needed in new areas.
The information gathered is confidential.  Census workers take an oath not
to disclose any personal information during their lifetime, or face a five-year
prison term. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
14
By Megan Carroll
W
ell, I feel that I have let you down. I put off seeing
“Up in the Air” until now. Why? I have no clue.
Maybe it was George Clooney, maybe I felt there
were more pressing films out there to see, or maybe it was all
the hype surrounding the film that put me off. All I can do
now is say,” If you haven’t seen this film, you should,” and I am
sorry for missing such a wonderful piece of cinematography.  places both out in the field, but his boss
 Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air” is a brilliant, simple film
that is superbly done. George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham,
a man who fires people for a living. Large companies pay
Bingham to transition people from their work life to an
uncertain future. He has the formula down to a science and
tries to make the transition a springboard to something better
in the people’s lives. The challenge for him is dealing with the
reactions of those he transitions out of work. Before the person
realizes what has happened, Bingham is back in an airplane,
staying in whatever hotel room his expense report offers.
  Bingham lives out of a small piece of black, carry-on
luggage. His little bit of joy in life is racking up rewards
points  through the airlines and hotels, working toward an
almost incomprehensible final total. He takes advantage of
those secret lounges at the airports and empty lines at the
hotels with the gold plaques  in front of them, continuously
traveling but never really connecting to the outside world. Not
surprisingly, he is single and disconnected from his family and
friends.  This is how he has chosen to live year after year and he
enjoys his hermit lifestyle; or so he thinks.  losing our humanity, our compassion and
 Bingham’s life of solitude comes to a quick end when he
finds himself with a traveling partner. An ambitious go-getter,
March 5, 2010
Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) feels that
the company could be more efficient and
could save a lot of money by conducting
firings in a live chat broadcast forum.
Bingham’s boss (Jason Bateman) puts him
in charge of showing Keener the ropes and
makes it clear that this will be Bingham’s
last dance. 
  Reitman, who has also done
excellent films such as  “Thank You for
Smoking”  and  “Juno”,  nails it again. His
films are simple with engaging storylines
and smart, witty banter between the
characters. “Juno” is definitely my favorite,
but “Up In the Air” is a close second!
 As I said before, there was a lot of hype
around this film. A lot of the praise focused
on the actors’ stellar performances, but it
also spoke to what was going on in our
society in regards to the massive corporate
layoffs. I feel this film will become a classic
because of its real focus, and it’s perspective
on the importance of human connections.
In a world that is consumed by text
messaging, emails and podcasts, we are
sympathy. This idea of a world disconnected
is something to ponder. 
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