Archive for November, 2008

The Keynote Speaker was Major General James E. Livingston, Medal of Honor Recipient

Major General James E. Livingston, USMC-Retired and Medal of Honor Recipient Speaking  at the Hilton Head Island Veterans Day Ceremony, November 11, 2008.

Standing Room Only at Veterans Park

Hilton Head Islanders more than filled  Shelter Cove Veterans Park to celebrate Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11.  The keynote address was given by Major General James E. Livingston USMC-Retired, a Medal of Honor Recipient.  Major General Livingston’s address and his Medal of Honor citation are presented in full in this blog post. 

The Parris Island Marine Band played the National Anthem, America the Beautiful, a Service Song Medley, Semper Fidelis and God Bless America.  Two FA-18 Hornets from the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station flew over in commemoration.   

Two FA-18 Hornet aircraft from the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station flew over in commemoration of Veterans Day.

The event Chairman was Al Wattay, Retired Navy Commander.  The program was presented by the Military Veterans Coalition of Hilton Head Island, American Legion Post 185, the Military Officer’s Association of America, the U.S. Navy League – Hilton Head Island Council and the Town of Hilton Head Island. 

The colors were posted by American Legion Post 185 and the Hilton Head High School NJROTC.  Retired Army Veteran Don Shea read the poem ‘Where the Poppies Blow’.  The Eleventh Hour Bell was rung by George McKnight, USAF-Retired with remarks by U.S. Navy veteran Gene Sullivan.   A Commemorative Wreath was placed by Captain Barbara O’Brien, U.S.Navy veteran, Dorothy Shea, Commander, Legion Auxiliary and escorted by Robert Warden, USCG veteran.

 Many Elected Officials Attended

Commander Wattay introduced elected officials who attended that included State Senator Tom Davis of Beaufort, State Representative Richard Chalk of Hilton Head Island; County Councilman Stephen Baer; Town Council Members Ken Heitze, Bill Mottel, John Safay and and Hilton Head Island Town Manager Steve Riley.   Mr. Riley’s son Paul recently graduated from Army Ranger school.  Paul was wounded in Afghanistan in April 2004 and received the Purple Heart.  Paul Riley will deploy for a third time to Afghanistan next month. 

The Parris Island Marine Band played at the Veterans Day Ceremony on Hilton Head Island, November 11, 2008

Those Who Serve Are Like a Family

Retired Navy Commander Al Wattay said, “The connection among those who have had the honor of serving is a connection as strong as family relationships, in many cases.  To others who are here to show respect and to honor those who have served our country, both living and past, I and all the other veterans here applaud you for not being ashamed or reluctant to express your appreciation.”

Veterans stand as their service song is played by the Parris Island Marine Corps Band

Distinguished Military Guests

Commander Wattay introduced the distinguished military guests in attendance:  “Our featured speaker Major General James E. Livingston, who I will introduce more thoroughly later in the program; Major General John P. Monahan, USMC Retired; Major General Francis Simon, currently the Probate Judge for Beaufort County; Brigadier General Robert McGarry, United States Army, Retired and a past President of the Hilton Head Island Military Officers Association; Rear Admiral William Pendley United States Navy, Retired; Rear Admiral Samuel Cummins, a relatively recent arrival on Hilton Head Island, a former Navy fighter pilot and World War II Veteran;  Colonel Jerrie Barkie, U.S. Army, Retired, a former Mayor of Hilton Head Island and highly decorated veteran of World War II – one of the few who can still wear his active duty uniform;  Colonel Brad Brinegar, USMC. currently the Commanding Officer of Marine Air Group 31 at Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station; Mr. Skeet Von Harten, Colonel, USMC Retired, formerly a Military Veteran of the Year for the State of South Carolina, highly decorated for his service while on active duty and now serves on the Beaufort County Council.  Mr. Von Harten was very instrumental in having the Parris Island Marine Band perform for us today.”   The audience showed their appreciation with applause.

We Endeavor for an Honorable World Peace

Commander Wattay said, ”The foundation stones on which a great nation is built is derived from the blood and sweat learned of purpose, sacrifice, tolerance, bravery and discipline.  Let us remember how men and women set aside their civilian pursuits and often sacrificed their lives to serve their nation’s cause,    defending the freedom of mankind and preserving our precious American heritage with their minds and their hearts as well as with their bodies. 

We recognize their service to our country and her cause does not end with the termination of military service.  We continue our endeavors in behalf of an honorable world peace with a feeling of profound gratitude to God and to the men and women who gave their lives as their part of the cost of this noblest of causes. 

Out of blood and sweat we have learned of purpose, sacrifice, tolerance, bravery and discipline.  These are solid foundation stones on which a great nation is built.   In our continuing quest for an honorable world peace, we must cultivate these virtues.” 

Veterans Day Defined

At 1100 hours on 11 November, 1918 after four years of conflict, an armistice went into effect that had been signed five hours earlier by the Allies and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now known as Germany, ending the hostilities of World War 1 - The War to end all wars.  A year later, President Woodrow Wilson issued an Armistice Day Proclamation recognizing with gratitude the heroism of those who served and those who died in the cause of peace, justice and to free the world of future tyranny.  But it was not until 1938 that the United States Congress would officially recognized 11 November thereafter known and celebrated as Armistice Day. 

After World War II, it became very apparent that with so many new veterans who served and sacrificed as did those from World War I, a change to the name of this special day of recognition was in order.  With the assistance of many Veterans who fought in World War II together with those who sacrificed in World War 1, it was recognized that a change was in order.  With the assistance and urging of many veterans organizations, in 1954 the United States Congress changed the name of this day to Veterans Day to honor this country’s veterans of all wars past, present and future. 

Until 2004 Veterans Day was observed but not as a legal holiday in Beaufort County.  Through the urging and efforts of Veterans groups such as ours, the VFW, the Order of the Purple Heart Association and with the cooperation of the Beaufort County Government, Veterans Day became a fully recognized legal holiday for county employees and public school children recognizing more than 17,000 Veterans living in the County starting on November 11, 2004. 

Something Many Here Have Heard Before

Commander Wattay said, “A veteran, whether active duty, regular, retired, National Guard or Reserve, man or woman is someone who, at some point in his or her life wrote a blank check to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life.  That is an honor, but sadly, there are far too many people in this country who no longer understand it. 

To quote Dean Brellis, an NBC war correspondent from his 1967 book The Face of South Viet Nam: ”Those who do not battle for their country, do not know with what ease they accept their citizenship in America.”

For the many veterans here today, who like myself are aging into or are already in the autumn of their years, from the book 11th Month, 11th Hour, 11th Day by Joseph Persico:  ”The passage of enough years would eventually erode even the most jagged memories.”

And finally, Captain Griffith of the Welch Fusileers, in reference to World War 1, but applicable to veterans of all conflicts has written:  “The sorrow of losing comrades who did not survive the war has turned into the sorrow of those who did survive it…..and whom we have outlived.”

The Medal of Honor Citation for Captain Livingston

The Medal of Honor

“The President of the United States in the Name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to Captain James E. Livingston, United States Marine Corps for services as set forth in the following CITATION:  For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Commanding Officer, Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam.  On 2 May 1968, Company E launched a determined assault on the heavily fortified village of Dai Do, which had been seized by the enemy on the preceding evening isolating a Marine company from the remainder of the battalion.  Skillfully employing screening agents, Captain Livingston maneuvered his men to assault positions across 500 meters of dangerous open rice paddy while under intense enemy fire. Ignoring hostile rounds impacting near him, he fearlessly led his men in a savage assault against enemy emplacements within  the village.  While adjusting supporting arms fire, Captain Livingston moved to the points of heaviest resistance, shouting words of encouragement to his Marines, directing their fire, and spurring the dwindling momentum of the attack on repeated occasions.  Although painfully wounded by grenade fragments, he refused medical treatment and courageously led his men in the destruction of over 100 mutually supporting bunkers, driving the remaining enemy from their positions, and relieving the pressure on the stranded Marine company.  As the two companies consolidated positions and evacuated casualties, a third company passed through the friendly lines launching an assault on the adjacent village of Dinh To, only to be halted by a furious counterattack of an enemy battalion.  Swiftly assessing the situation and disregarding the heavy volume of enemy fire, Captain Livingston boldly maneuvered the remaining effective men of his company forward, joined forces with the heavily engaged Marines, and halted the enemy’s counterattack.  Wounded a third time and unable to walk, he steadfastly remained in a dangerously exposed area, deploying his men to more tenable positions and supervising the evacuation of casualties.  Only when assured of the safety of his men did he allow himself to be evacuated.  Captain Livingston’s gallant actions uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service.” 

Major General Janes E. Livingston, USMC-Retired and Medal of Honor Recipient delivers the keynote address at the Hilton Head Island Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11, 2008.

“Courage and Greatness”

Before Major General Livingston’s address, Commander Wattay introduced him as one of only four Medal of Honor Recipients who live in South Carolina today.  Commander Wattay said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are in the presence of courage and greatness.  Please stand and welcome Major General James Livingston.” 

Major General Livingston’s Address

Major General Livingston first expressed his appreciation to the organizers of the event and then for the opportunity to speak on this occasion.  He asked the audience to acknowledge the veterans who were present: “Our World War II veterans, our greatest generation; the Korean Veterans and those who survived the horrendous conditions in Korea; the Vietnam veterans, Desert Storm veterans and the newest, greatest generation who is fighting the war against terrorism.”  He thanked the service of ”all of the wives and mothers who stayed home and kept the home fires burning” and he made special recognition to Skeet Von Harten who he said had played a special part in his life.   

The Commerative Marker at the Veterans Park on Hilton Head Island.

In the year 1776, an event occurred for the first time in the history of the world.  A group of educated men, fueled by philosophical concepts, a sense of purpose and justice, and a desire to create a nation of free people, declared their independence from the greatest military, economic and political power in the world.   

Ladies and Gentlemen, it was a collection of volunteers and militia and later a standing military force that secured that freedom and which maintains that legacy today.  Since the first shots of rebellion, South Carolinians such as Francis Marion have fought for freedom.

Since our nation’s inception,  our veterans have been the vanguard of our defense, and the preservers of our freedom, and for their patriotic service, past, present and future we as Americans  should give them our eternal gratitude. 

After gaining our independence, the spirit of freedom and independence carried our nation through many wars and conflicts, from the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, Civil War and Spanish-American, South Carolina’s sons were well represented and also fought in Nicaragua and China in the early 20th Century.  Over the last two centuries, many South Carolinians have shed their blood and helped secure the world from fascism, communism and totalitarianism.  South Carolina sons and daughters are a great part of this everlasting legacy.  They are currently active around the world securing our nation, as well as other nations from the threat of international terrorism and religious extremism. 

Veterans Day on Hilton Head Island, 2008. Islanders listen to Major General Livingston.

In World War 1, South Carolinians and other Americans joined with the Allies to secure freedom for millions.  20 years later, when Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan gripped the world with terror, the free world responded.  South Carolina veterans once again answered the call to serve our nation, in order to once again save a world from under threat.

Leading the way following our entry into World War II was the South Carolina soldier, sailor, Marine, airmen and coast guardsmen.  Beaufort’s own sons such as Navy Mess Attendant 1st Class Samuel Jackson Bush and Navy Ensign Stratton Christensen gave their lives in the second global conflict and they are counted among the quarter million brave American men and women who never returned.  I would also like to mention today Hilton Head’s own Colonel Jeremiah J. Barkie, US Army retired, who is a veteran of such campaigns at Antwerp and the Battle of the Bulge, and he has the great distinction of having been a former Mayor of this great Town of Hilton Head Island. 

Americans were called on once again to lead the fledgling United Nations, this time in a war against the communist aggression in South Korea.  South Carolina’s young men and women joined the cause and once again performed the heavy lifting. 

Again, Hilton Head’s own Captain Earnest Bud Cowell, US Army, led men into battle at such locations as Old Baldy and Pork Chop Hill.  Bud also serves as the adjutant for the American Legion Post 185 on Hilton Head Island and is active in the JROTC program at the Hilton Head High School.  I would also like to thank him for his service.

However, patriotism came at high cost to our nation losing over 50,000 of its brothers and sisters.  South Carolina lost 467 of its favorite sons in Korea and through their sacrifices, freedom in that country still exists to this day.  Two local heroes who gave their lives in Korea are Army Private Lynnward T. Crosby from Beaufort and Army First Lieutenant Harford C. Eve Jr from Walterboro.   We remember these heroes here today.   

A decade later, when communism once again threatened to engulf South East Asia, America joined many nations, and tens of thousands of South Carolinians led the charge to stem the flow of this latest form of aggression.  Again, America lost 58,000 young men and women and South Carolina lost some of its finest young people, hammering home the thought that liberty, while the inalienable right of all peoples, is always very expensive. 

Hilton Head is also the home of a Vietnam Hero Colonel George McKnight, US Air Force, who gave 30 years of honorable and distinguished service.  Colonel McKnight was a fellow prisoner of war with Senator John McCain, spending from 1965 to 1973 in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.  Our nation owes him, and the other veterans a great debt, and we thank you for your service.

The post Vietnam era also brought us into conflict, even when serving as peacekeepers, our military people became casualties.   Beaufort native and US Master Sargent Richard Holberton and US Marine Lance Corporal Michael Sauls of Walterboro were killed along with 239 of their brother Marines after a terrorist bombing of the Maine barracks in Beirut in 1983.   Their legacy in our history is secure, and they are also remembered. 

The Knights of Columbus on Veterans Day

Ladies and Gentlemen, if one looks upon the headstones and monuments honoring our warriors from all conflicts, the names of these young men and women from this great state, and from this region mark their final place of rest. 

Cemeteries around the world illustrate those sacrifices.  The Veterans we commemorate today are just a few examples of those brave South Carolinians who have offered themselves, even given their very lives to sustain our great nation.  They risked everything to protect those whom they did not even know.  Such is the meaning of being an American, and such is the character of South Carolinian. 

Today, South Carolina’s warriors, who are tomorrow’s veterans, are engaged in a new global conflict, that being the way against religiously motivated fanatical extremism.  These radicals have attacked our forces at sea and on land, without provocation, at home and abroad, in order to destabilize the world in which, should freedom prevail, their existence would prove insignificant.

America has responded to these threats, along with an international coalition of the willing, and South Carolinians are a major part of that spear head aimed at the very heart of our enemies.  

The war on terror has also claimed a Ridgeland native, Army Staff Sargent Esau G. Patterson, Jr.  Just a few days before his death, he and his men performed a humanitarian mission ensuring a delivery of medical supplies , helping those Iraqis suffering at the hands of terrorists and fellow Muslims.  His reward, by placing others, whom he did not even know above himself, was death at the hands of an Islamic militant.  Patterson was killed by a car bomb in Iraq on March 29, 2004.  He and his brothers are also honored here today. 

The Veterans of the United States of America, and those from South Carolina in particular have been and continue to be the standard bearers of our great nation.  Our veterans have shouldered the greatest responsibilities of any nation in history.  They have not only secured our nation against foreign invasion, they have promoted free will around the world.  Our military has liberated continents, educated and given hope to generations of peoples, and that legacy ladies and gentlemen continues today. 

Security through vigilance, freedom through service, success through sacrifice, and the belief that, if something is worth having, it is worth fighting and possibly dying for are concepts well known to South Carolinians.  This event today acknowledges their commitment and honors their service.  

However, when we speak of vigilance, we must also remember that only through truth and accurate and timely action do we maintain our credibility.  It is incumbent upon us as individuals today to pursue truth, abandon rhetoric, and be wary of the falsehoods, misrepresentations, bias and selective information and disinformation dispensed by the liberal press who operate under the protection of the first amendment, and pursue their own agenda regarding our military and our nation (the audience applauded). 

 This, ladies and gentlemen, is the legacy that South Carolina’s veterans have provided to a world mired in uncertainty, and why we honor all of our veterans.   We also honor the families: mothers, brothers, sisters and spouses of our Veterans.  They also suffer with the strains of deployment, and the pains of great personal loss.  We honor the children who grow up seldom seeing their parents, or at worst, losing a mother or father who has so gallantly served our nation. 

We shall overcome this latest threat to our security.  Our nation will continue to lead the charge against the forces of ultimate evil.  Our military men and women, who even now seek out and destroy these threats to freedom, secure those areas providing freedom from tyranny in foreign lands, and carry forward the just policy of retribution, are providing a greater service than most will ever know, and even fewer may understand.   Nonetheless, they provide a service to our nation that all should respect.

So, ladies and gentlemen, as we think about our freedoms today, we are reminded again to say, God bless America and God bless America’s veterans.   Thank you very much.”

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

Like a Parking Lot in Heaven 

Cars from the South Carolina Ferrari Club on display at the Hilton Head Island Condours d’Elegance.  The yellow 2002 360 Spider is owned by Mario Grande of Hilton Head Island.

The 7th Annual Hilton Head Island Concourse d’Elegance and Motoring Festival was held in Savannah, Georgia and on Hilton Head Island October 30-November 2.  The Concours is one of the best and most eagerly anticipated events of the year.  It is most popular with people who like cars, fantasy, nostalgia and  meeting many friendly people.  Does this leave anybody out?  For one thing, it is held at Honey Horn Plantation which is a bit of heaven all by itself.  When the Concours comes to Honey Horn Plantation, it’s like heaven’s parking lot.  

Motor-Youthfulness Everywhere

Car owners and enthusiasts are influenced by cars that seem new regardless of their model years.  The key may be love - they love cars.  We know that cars stimulate our minds in many ways.  It may be sociability – enthusiasts love to talk about cars and it is well known that the Concours is a very social event.  What is going on here?  Fun?  History?  Nostalgia?  Definately, and motor-youthfulness. 

The Coastal Carolina Corvette Club of Charleston, S.C.

This 1962 Corvette made onlookers sigh.  This was the last year of this body style before they went to the Sting Ray and the famous split rear window coupe.

 The Brass-Era Cars Were Celebrated on Sunday 

On Sunday, the vintage cars were featured and the history of automobiles from the Brass Era was celebrated (before 1916).   This year,  and at least one car  from each of the years 1899-1915 was featured on Sunday including rare early steam-powered and electric vehicles.   Before 1916, Brass Cars were originally constructed almost entirely from wood, steel, sheet metal and brass - as explained in the excellent magazine included with the admission price of $25.  Sunday was also the day for  day for the “Best of Show” and “People’s Choice”awards.     Sorry to disappoint anybody about this but I was there only on Saturday and the oldest car that I saw was the 1931 Model A.  It is pictured later in this article.  There are no pictures of the brass era cars in this article.  I understand that General Motors had an exhibit of both historic and future cars on Sunday.   Perhaps someone who saw that exibit will comment on it. 

The Lowcountry Oyster and Motor Driving Society

1956 Austin-Healy Model 100-4, original owner.  Lowcountry Oyster and Motor Driving Society.	John Edwards of Sea Pines with his 1954 Jaguar XK-120.  Lowcountry Oyster and Motor Driving Society

The 100th Anniversary of General Motors

Also this year, the Festival celebrated the 100th Anniversary of both General Motors and of Morgan, the 60th Anniversary of Porsche, the 50th Anniversary of the Edsel and the Centennial of the three Great Savannah Races of 1908.  Savannah built the best race track of the day and the success of these races contributed to Savannah briefly becoming the center of American auto racing when it hosted the Grand Prize in 1910 and 1911 – this information from the event magazine.

Each Day at the Concours is Different

1931 Ford Model A owned by Jonathan and Melissa MacCabe of Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The Concours is held outdoors except for the car auction which is held in a large tent.  Each day is different.  This year, Thursday and Friday were held at the recently reopened road course on Hutchinson Island in Savannah, Georgia.  Festival goers were able to become racing passengers and travel at racing speeds, drive the autocross and Gymkhana courses (timed contests for automobiles featuring a series of events designed to test driving skills) and ride in the latest sports car models. 

1965 Pontiac GTO inspired the Beach Boys and one of my high school friends who owned one.  The Lowcountry Oyster and Motoring Society.	1972 BMW 3.0 CSL.  BMW Club of America.  This was the high-end BMW in 1972.

Saturday is for Car Clubs and the Auction 

Saturday had multiple highlights that included new luxury cars, sports cars, race cars, car clubs and a car auction.    I attended only on Saturday this year and it was outstanding.  The  weather was perfect for viewing cars in the fields of Honey Horn Plantation and talking with one car owner after another.  Music of the 50s and 60s filled the air. 

The Peach State Cadillac Lasalle Club

• Above, black:  1935 Cadillac Model 662 Limo.
• Above, blue:   1937 Cadillac Model 7519 Limo.
• Above, green and gray:  1941 Cadillac Model 63.

Coastal Empire Region, Porsche Club of America

1970 Porsche 914-6.  Coastal Empire Region, Porsche Club of America.  I used to own a racing green 914-6 that I drove in college and then coast to coast after I graduated.  The engine is air-cooled. The top unclips and sets quickly into the trunk.	Late model year Porsche Carrera with Porsche racer in the background.  Sorry – I must have slipped into a daydream because I did not get the specifics on either car.

New and Almost-New Dealer Cars

Maybach

Michael Wall of the Baker Motor Company of Charleston, South Carolina was at the Concours with the Maybach pictured at the left and a Maserati, not pictured.  About the Maybach, he said:  ”Wilhelm Maybach and Karl Benz started the first patent motor car back in 1886.  And developed the car all of the way out through the 1930s.  After the depression the car was discontinued and Mercedes brought back the ultra-luxury brand in 2003.  Initially they had two models being the 57 (5.7 meters) and the 62 (6.2 meters) long .   We upped the exclusivity of the cars, the AMD  – the performance division of Mercedes Benz – an acronym for the town where the cars are made.  In  layman’s terms, they can make a station wagon that will outrun this car – the ‘S’ versions just raised the horsepower and the top speed – and then then the new Landaulet which has yet to make it stateside - a convertible Maybach at 1.25 to 1.5 million dollars. 

Aston Martin and Ferrari

The 2010 GM Camaro

The sign said: "The 2110 Chevrolet Camaro, a 21st Century Camaro incorporating advanced technology, fuel efficiency and power. It comes with either V-6 and V-8 engines. Distinctively Camaro with a strong stance, expressive form, and a unique style that will definitely turn heads."

 The Racing Cars

1929 Ford Special owned by Ray Morgan of Atlanta, Georgia.  “With the onset of the Great Depression, new rules for the Indy 500 were designed to lower the cost to build race cars.	In the 1930s, Studebaker, Hudson, Chrysler, Buick and Ford competed along with the more exotic Millers and Duesenbergs”

Lola T-70 Endurance Car	2.5 Pontiac Nascar Trans Am

1979 Mark Super Vee	McCray Formula 5000 from the ’70s

The Super Vee

Tom Fralich said, ”The Super Vee (picured above) was a purpose built for the Rodder-Bosch Gold Cup Volkswagen Series that started in the early 70s with the air-cooled Volkswagen motors and then in ‘79 when Volkswagen was looking to sell Rabbits and Jettas rather than Beetles, they changed the specifications over to the water cooled engine out of the Volkswagen Rabbit.   Between Volkswagen North America and the Robert Bosch Corporation, they put hundreds of thousands of dollars of money into the series and prize money.  It was a professional series that ran both on road road racing courses and on ovals.  Most of the prominent professional drivers of that era came up though these cars.  They ran as a support race for the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen;  They ran support races for the Indy Car Series and for the Can Am Series.  Guys like Michael Andretti and Al Jr, and Jeff Avum and a whole bunch of fellas came up through these cars.  They went directly from these cars into Indy cars or on to Formula One.”   

1964 Corvette Gransport

1964 Corvette Grandsport owned by Dennis Clark from Kingsport TN. It took hundreds of hours of research and five years to build. This car is a replica of Mecom Chassis. #003 has raced at Sebring in 1964 by A.J. Foyt and Jim Hall. Took Promoter Choice at Sevierville Corvette Expo. Won Oliver Gavin Award at Alams Show at Mid-Ohio. Mr. Clark indicated that he backed it down when it reached 175 MPH at test session at Road Atlanta and he had a lot left. This Vette has been autographed by A.J. Foyt.

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

Little or No Wait at Most Island Polling Places 

No Wait for evening voters at Christ Lutheran Church, the polling place for residents of Palmetto Dunes in precinct 7A

Hilton Head Islanders and Bluffton residents voted early yesterday at 28 polling places that included schools, churches, libraries, community pavilions and meeting rooms.   Many voters were at their  polling places before they opened and when opened, voters waited up to one hour during the morning at many locations.  There was no wait in the afternoon or evening according to Poll Managers and Observers at Indigo Run,  the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina at Shelter Cove, the First Lutheran Church on William Hilton Parkway near Palmetto Dunes and the Hilton Head School for the Creative Arts.  According to scvotes.org, 58,960 Beaufort County registered voters voted, or 64.87% compared to 70.87% of all  South Carolina registered voters that voted.  

The Hilton Head Land Acquisition Bond Referendum and the Bluffton Town Election Results

• The $17,000,000 non-binding referendum for the Hilton Head Land Aquisition Program passed with a 75% vote (13,386). 
• The Bluffton Town Election for Mayor was won by Lisa Sulka with this vote summary:   

• The Bluffton Town Election for the two vacant Town Councilmen seats had the results below, but these results are now void because of a protest by Jeff Fulgham that was upeheld by the County Election Commission.  A new election will be held but a date for the new election has not been set.  In his letter of protest, Jeff Fulgham said:  ”It appears that approximately 100 Bluffton citixens were not allowed to vote for town candidates.  At least 88 of these are in the Buckwalter area where statistically I have the strongest support base.  With only a deficit of 22 votes, projections show I would have more than likely won had these individuals been allowed to vote.  As a combat vet who has fought for the right of Iraqis to vote, I am disturbed that Mitchell and Hamilton have not joined me in demanding that our fellow citizens are allowed to vote.  If the roles were reversed, I would risk my Council seat to let anyone vote: black, brown, white and from my neighborhood.”   

 Beaufort County is Voter-Friendly 

A touch-screen voting machine at Indigo Run

Tamela Maxim, President of the League of Women Voters of  Bluffton, South Carolina says that Bluffton and Hilton Head Island are friendly places to vote.  ”South Carolina in general is considered a State that is friendly to voters.  It’s easy to register in this State and there are not a lot of restrictions at the polling places that would make it difficult for people to vote.  You still must have your identification but I know from experience as a poll worker that they really do bend over backwards to try and help people when they show up at the wrong place or don’t have the right identification.  They are polite.  If somebody wants to vote a challenge ballot, they go to a lot of trouble to let them do that.  So, there are a lot of things that are always going to be difficult, but Beaufort County tries hard to make it easy for people to be able to find where they are supposed to be so that they can vote.  

One of the reasons that this can be a challenge for some people is because of our population growth.  Growth changes the amount of space and the number of polling places that we need and their locations.  Beaufort County tries not to change polling locations too much but it can’t be helped.  We’ve grown so fast in Beaufort County.  We do our best to keep up!  

Every once in awhile, I get phone calls  from people who ask me where they are supposed to go to vote.   If I don’t have the map in front of me then I direct them to the newspapers which are usually the best source for that information.”  

Indigo Run Residents Vote Within Indigo Run

Indigo Hall is the community pavilion of Indigo Run. This first-year polling place is one of only five polling places that are located within gated communities on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton.

This is the first year that Indigo Run residents were able to vote within their community.  Indigo Hall, the community pavilion within Indigo Run became a polling place for the  presidential primaries in June and the presidential election on November 4.  Indigo Run is now one of five Hilton Head Island and Bluffton gated communities to have polling places within their community security gates.  The other four gated communities are Sea Pines Resort and Hilton Head Plantation on Hilton Head Island and Moss Creek, Belfair and Sun City Hilton Head in Bluffton.

No wait at Indigo Hall at 4 pm for residents of Indigo Run, precinct 2C

Ms. Terry Leary, General Manager of Indigo Run says that it took three years for Indigo Run to become a first-year polling site.  ”The Beaufort County Election Commission anticipated the need for an additional polling place in this area because of the anticipated building and population growth outside of Indigo Run on nearby Leg O’Mutton Road and Marshland Road.  They expected growth there and knew that the development would impact our precinct.  So, they came to me over three years ago – this didn’t happen overnight – and asked  if we would be willing to use Indigo Hall as a precinct polling place.   They felt like it would be justified to have a precinct just for the people within Indigo Run because there were enough numbers here – approximately 1,500 people.  I thought that this would be phenomenal!  So, we proceeded and it took the Department of Justice until June of 2007 to approve it – about two years.  I was thrilled!  We were able to include all areas of  Indigo Run that include the River Club and Broad Pointe so that all Indigo Run residents can vote within our gated community.  Every Indigo Run resident that I have talked to about this has been satisfied with this convenience.  I think that it’s another advantage to living here – an improvement in our quality of life.  We are always working for that.”

Your Voting Experience?

Feel free to share something about your election day experience or observations with the Go Gated Blog!

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

The Candidates’ Forum at the Bluffton Town Hall

On October 27,  Candidates for Mayor and Bluffton Town Council participated in a forum at Bluffton’s

Town Hall to answer written questions from the public.  The forum was sponsored by the League of Women’s Voters of the Bluffton Area, the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce and Bluffton Today.   The forum was moderated by Joan Kinne-Shulman, President of the Leagure of Women Voters of Hilton Head Island.  Ms. Kinne-Shulman said: “The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization.  It encourages informed and active participation in government; works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy decisions through education and advocacy.  Any person of voting age, male or female, may become a League Member.  We do not support or oppose any cadidate for any polical office or any political party.”

The two candidates running to be Mayor of Bluffton are Lisa Sulka and Charlie Wetmore.  Both are current Members of the Bluffton Town Council.  Four candidates are running for two Bluffton Town Council seats:  Jeff Fulgham, Fred Hamilton, Jr, Allyne Mitchell and Normand ‘Gus’ Thomas.  Fred Hamilton, Jr. currently serves on the Town Council and seeks re-election.

Lisa Sulka	Charlie Wetmore

Opening Statements of the Candidates

The order of the opening statements of the candidates was chosen by drawing cards.  The statements were limited to two minutes.

Norman ‘Gus’ Thomas:  “My name is Normand E. Thomas.  I am running for Council.   Most people know me by Gus however on the ballot I will only appear as Normand E. Thomas.  I am a Candidate for Town Council because I believe that we should get involved in our local governments.  Why should you vote for me?  I’m hoping later on this evening that the points will come up – I don’t have a lot of time here – so I’m going to move on.  I am married to my wife Mary who is in the audience for 48 years and we live in Hampton Hall.  We have been here for five years.  In that time I have been involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, the Bluffton Men’s Club, the Bluffton Historical Society and I have run for office before since I’ve been here.  So, I’ve been involved in the community, hope to stay involved in the community and hope to be more involved as a Town Councillor.”

Allyne Mitchell:  “My name is Allyne Mitchell and I am hoping that you will elect me as your next Town Councilperson.  I am a native of Bluffton, South Carolina and I was born and raised in Bluffton.  I am excited about representing you because I have volunteered a lot of time here in the town, being on the Planning Commission and other Boards and I know that in order for us to take Bluffton into the next century that we need people who are not going to be biased but to look out for everyone’s best needs.  I am single.  My Mother is Florence Scott and my Grandmother, Mary Smith is 96 years young and I hoped that that they could be here tonight but because of illness, they could not be here.  But, I know that I have a lot of support out there and as we go along, you will get to learn a lot more about me.”

Jeff Fulgham:  “I’ll go quickly over my objectives if elected and I’ll go over my qualifications.  I have lived in Bluffton my entire life and obviously I love my home town.  I served eleven years in the Military.  Most of that time has been active duty.  I am currently a Staff Sargeant in the Army National Guard.  I serve part-time.  I am also a former small business owner.  My military education includes graduation from Naval Financial Disbursing School in Meridian Mississippi.  and went on and worked in Navy finance for three years.  I then graduated from the Army’s Primary Professional Development Course.  I later went on to school at the American Military University and I have completed two years there.  I’ve studied government related studies.  I’ve got a 3.37 GPA and recently I went back to school to finish up my BA online at American Military University.  First and foremost, I’m a conservative and if elected, I would like to trim the budget, cut spending and lower the municipal millige rate on taxes and I would like to cut the budget even more so than recommended by the Town Manager recently.   My second goal is to wisely manage our growth in Bluffton by utilizing what is called the sustainability strategy which is a balancing act, basically between on the one hand, economic development and on the other hand, protecting your environmental resources and your cultural resources.  I want to continue to protect our environment, including the Maye River, the headwaters of the Colleton and Okatie, since we have now annexed them in, and also the wetlands in between.  And, I’d like to bring up the discussion of public safety.  It’s the highest priority of local government service offered and we need to discuss it more to help out.”  

Lisa Sulka:  “I’m Lisa Sulka.  I’m running for the office of Mayor.  And, a little bit about myself:  I’m married to John Sulka.  We’ve been married for 26 years.  We have three children.  One is a freshman in college  We have two children in Bluffton High School.  I’ve been on Town Council for four years.  I was honored to be elected by my Council Members to be Mayor Pro Tem which was for the past two years.  I want to be your Mayor.  I feel like I have the experience from sitting on Council and from my years of living in this town to help the needs of the people, the people who have lived here all of their lives and the new people who have recently joined our Town.  I live in the old town but my livlihood comes from the new Town.  So, if you want to separate it, I think that I have the ability to help everyone, no matter where they live.  I want to thank the Bluffton Today.  I guess I should have done that first – right off.  I want to thank the League of Women Voters and also the Chamber for doing this.  I like seeing young faces.  I see four from USC Beaufort that are here.  It will be nice that when they graduate that they will want to come back to this town.  So we need to work on economic development, to make sure that these kids can come back to the town.  I think that we need to work on our budget.  Our Council, presently working with our Town Manager is starting to tackle that and I think that that’s a job that we need to keep looking into.   We need to work on roadway improvements and drainage in areas that will connect our whole town.  Those are some of the things that I’ll bring up tonight.  Thank you again for being here.  I would ask you for your vote.”

Fred Hamilton, Jr:  “Good evening.  I’m Fred Hamilton, seeking to be re-elected for the office that I presently serve on Town Council.  I would like to thank you for the three years that I have served.  I hope that I have served you proudly.  I have tried to be an advocate for the community, the citizens and to be a bridge between us and developers.  I feel like there is a lot that I have accomplished in just three years but of course, being on the Town Council is a learning experience.  Any first-time person can understand that we can’t do anything unless we have good team leadership.  And, I think that I bring some leadership and balance to the present Council so that we can get things accomplished.  I’m a strong believer that no man can be a mountain by himself.  You can’t think that you can serve and do all of these things without having some kind of relationship with the people that you serve with – and I’ve done a good job of that.  I’ve lived in Bluffton all of my life and I have a vested interest in and I love this town and I would certainly appreciate your vote so that I can continue to represent all of you.  Thank you.”

Charlie Wetmore:  “My name is Charlie Wetmore and I am also running for Mayor.  I was born and raised in Rochester, New York.  I graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology.  I first visited this area about twenty years ago and I fell in love with the place and we moved here as soon as we could.   My wife and I had one child at that time.  We now have five children.  We live in the Buckwalter area.   Previously, we lived in the old town area.  Our five children go to the public schools on Buckwalter and they have the pleasure of walking back and forth there every day.  We have become an integral part of this town and absolutely love it.  I’m also a small business owner in this town.  As of about a year ago, I started my own small business: a screen printing company.  I am able to see some of the unique challenges and desires and needs that small business owners have in working with local government.  I feel that I bring that to the interpretation of how we should govern this town.  One of the things that I’ve done also on Council is I’ve taken advantage of training opportunities that have been presented to me.  I have sought to learn more about our waterways and how we need to keep our natural resources protected; Sought to learn more about our economic development bringing companies to this area.   I have four main points in my campaign:  Number one: I pledge to keep for you an efffective, an affordable and an accountable Town government.   Number two: I pledge to keep our natural resources that are so unique – I insist on having strong grass management practices for those natural resources.   Number three: I pledge to work hard to diversity and strengthen the economic base for all of our citizens.  And number four: I pledge to work hard, as I have for a unified Bluffton for all of our citizens because together, we can make Bluffton great.”

Jeff Fulgham	Fred Hamilton, Jr.	Allyne Mitchell	Normand Thomas

Questions and Answers

Written questions from the audience were submitted by Moderator Kinne-Shulman.   The candidates’ answers wwere limited to 25 seconds.  The questions addressed Issues about the Town budget, residential development and annexation, Bluffton’s natural environment, illegal immigration, jobs, the size of the Town Council, the candidates’ qualifications, their motives and goals.  The candidates’ answers showed substnatial agreement on the issues with the strong exception of Okatie Village annexation issue. 

The Okatie Village Annexation

Question:  “Please explain the annexation proposal for Okatie Village recently that Councilmen Hamilton and Sulka voted for that seemed to make no sense?”   

Mr. Hamilton:  “We did not vote “yes” for annexation.  We voted so that it could go to the development agreement committee.  So that they could massage it and see if it would work for Bluffton or not.   That was not a “yes” vote.  It was a vote that said to look at it and make sure that it fits the needs of Bluffton.  Don’t misunderstand what you sometimes read in the papers or in the blogs.” 

Ms. Sulka:  “I agree.  When that issue came up, it was a petition request from that entity to come into the town.  We did not ask for the annexation.  They come to the town.  By law we have to look at it and decide if we want staff to go into further inquiry about it.   It was purely to take the next step.  Most of that land is in our future annexation map.  To me, it was worth getting them to the table, to see if there was an ability to move forward.  What they wanted was not what we were going to give but we needed to get them to the table to see if we could benefit from their annexing it.  It was absolutely not to annex it into the town.  It was to take the next step.  Sadly, we will never know unless two other Council Members want to pursue it and have a change of heart.” 

Mr. Wetmore asked if he might comment on the question.  ”Since I voted on the other side of that issue, I’d like to respond to it as well.   I voted “no” to the annexation issue because it was so far off from what we have expressed in our comprehensive plan, our guidelines.  We were talking about taking a development that our County has approved for approximately 30-40 homes in the County and putting over 700 homes in it.  We were talking about a development that is two thirds on one side of the Okatie and the other third on the other side of the Okatie.  We were talking about a development that had six land owners and ten pieces of property that was very fractured.  Sometimes it’s not worth sending something, and wasting six months of our staff’s time and so that’s why I voted that way.” 

Residential Development and Safe Pathways

Question: ”What will you do to hold the School District and the Developers for putting in safe pathways, not only on their properties, but making them extend the pathways out into the communities that their new developments affect?”

Mr.  Fulgham:  “I would do exactly what Mayor Hank Johnson did and disapprove their plans until they would build them.   You can hire experts and engineers to plan, but you have to have the community to plan.  This is one of those examples.  We need to make sure that at the district level that that’s in thieir planning process before it gets to our point.  They need to build the pathway because if they don’t, we have to bus those students that are within 1.5 miles and do not have a safe route to school which is saving $1,900 per year because they have pathways now.  So, we need the people involved in the plannning process.” 

Mr. Hamilton:  “My suggestion is that the development agreement needs to be rewritten to make sure that the developers are at the table so that the people do not have to bear the burdon of the pathways alone.  When taxpayers give their committment to schools they are not agreeing to fund pathways and the developers should be held accountable to make sure that everybody has a piece of the pie”.  

Ms. Mitchell:  “The community should have been involved from the start.   The developer should meet with the community to get their imput.  Then they should go to the commission and say to the planning commission and say: This is what we need to do to make sure that our kids and our people are safe.  We have to be accountable to the community.”

(Editor’s note:  The rest of this article is from my hand written notes.)

Mr.Thomas:   “We need to negotiate with the School District as well as developers to get money for sidewalks.” 

The Most Important Issue Facing Bluffton

Question: ”What is the most important issue that the Town is facing and how would you fix it?

Mr. Wetmore: ”The economic downturn and how it has effected the Town’s budget; Our way of governing and our small businesses that are the backbone of the community.  In the last year and a half, over 250 businesses have not renewed their business licenses in Bluffton.  We need to find out why.  That affects Bluffton’s income.  It effects us.  It effects small business.  We need to find out why, trim the budget and look for savings in any way that we can.  This is the most important thing facing the Town today.”

Mr. Thomas: “There are quite a few issues facing the Town of Bluffton.  The most important thing facing the Town is to protect the Rivers: The Maye, the Okatie, the Colleton.  It’s going to protect the trees.  It’s going to protect what is unique about Bluffton.  I think that the most important thing in Bluffton is to make sure that everybody in Bluffton is represented.   And I don’t think that that is currently the case all of the time with the Town Council that we already have.  If people are not all represented then you are not going to have the input of all of the town as it progresses into the future.” 

Ms. Hamilton: “Our budget.  We have a 1.6 million deficit in the budget and we must prioritize our capital improvements.   We do not want to raise taxes now.”

Mr. Fulgham:  “Our budget has a 12.5% budget shortfall.  I was the first to suggest a pay raise cap.  I would also like to see a property tax cut with a millage reduction from 40 to 38.   I believe that we must protect the Maye River, the marshlands and the headwaters in between.”

 Why Should You Be Elected?

Mr. Hamilton: ”So that the Town can benefit from the experience I have gained during my last three years on Council.”

Ms. Mitchell:  “My background is in banking.  I know how important good communication and customer service can be.  I will do due diligence for the community.”

Ms. Sulka:  “My daughter just left for Clemson University and I want jobs for her shen she comes back.  I feel strongly about crime issues and our Police force.  My house was broken into during recent months and I learned first hand about our outstanding police force.  Another issue that I feel strongly about is controling storm water.”

Mr. Thomas:  “My education, work experience and training.  Nobody loves Bluffton more than me.”

Mr. Wetmore:  “I have the time to do the job because I am a small business owner.  I believe that I am the only person who has taken training to protect our environment that has been offered.”

Mr. Fulgham:  “My experience in Iraq.  I have studied government .  I’m well rounded and I understand the issues.”

Affordable Housing 

Ms. Mitchell:  “It’s important to define the price for affordability.”

Mr. Wetmore:  “I played a role in limiting building density in the Willow Run tract.”

Mr. Fulgham:  “Give developers a break to encourage affordability.”

Illegal Aliens and the Job Market

Mr. Fulgham:  “Immigration may be a national issue but public safety is a local responsibility.   Regarding jobs, I advocate an 8% cap on pay raises for public employees.” 

Mr. Hamilton:  “All contracts with the Town should be with companies that have legal employees.”

How to Combat the Financial Slump

Question: “Can you make the hard decisions that must be made to combat the financial slump? ” 

Mr. Thomas:  “I have worked with multimillion dollar budgets.”

Mr. Wetmore:  “I have the strength to cut budgets.”

Mr. Fulgham:  “I was the first to advocate pay freezes and caps on pay raises.  There is always waste in government.  I’m a conservative and a small business owner”.

Ms. Mitchell:  ”We should see how we can consolidate jobs and cut employees’ work hours.  We have to be serious about cutting spending”.

The Candidate’s Best Personal Quality for Service

Question: What is the single most important characteristic for public service?

Mr. Thomas: “Honesty.”

Mr. Wetmore: “Integrity.  Say what you do and do what you say.” 

Mr. Fulgham: ”Core values.  Duty, service and integrity in handling people’s money.”

Ms. Micthell:  “I will wear the brand: We the people.  Integrity, honesty and communication for everybody.” 

Ms. Sulka: “Core values: honesty, integrity, respect and trust that we are looking out for others.”

The Candidates’ Closing Statements

Mr. Wetmore:  “I will work hard and smart on the promises that I made in my opening remarks:  One: I’ll keep our town governement effective, affordable and accountable.  Two: I’ll protect the natural resources that make us unique by insisting on strong Best Management Practices.  Three: I’ll work hard to strengthen and diversify our economic base for all of our citizens.  And four: I’ will work for a unified Bluffton to make Bluffton great.”

Mr. Hamilton:  “I have never missed a single Town Council meeting in the three years that I have served.  I will work for the people.  Bluffton has been my home for 49 years and my family grew up here.  I have a vested interest in Bluffton.”

Ms. Sulka: “I love the Town – new residents and old.  I have lived here for sixteen years and I grew up in the State.  I have been on Town Council for four years and have strong connections with other leaders in the area.”

Mr. Fulgham: “American government is the most complicated system on earth.  I am the most qualified candidate to make sure that our government is efficient and proper.” 

Ms. Mitchell: “I have always been involved in this community.  I believe in communication.  I believe in good customer service and this comes from my banking background.  I will serve to the best of my ability with the new Town Council and the new Mayor. ”

Mr. Thomas: “I am best qualified because of my training, education and experience.  I am retired and I have the time to do the job  – and my wife wants me out of the house!”

The Election Update on November 5, 2008

For the Results of this election, see Election Day on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, 2008.

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories