Cheers,

 Steve Sardell

Hhidirect.com

mailto:Steve@hhidirect.com

Toll free:877-812-7007

The vote outcome clearly indicates a county division. More than two thirds of Hilton Head Island precincts voted no and only one precinct north of the Broad River voted yes, while nine of ten Bluffton precincts voted yes. 

It was not surprising the Bluffton area overwhelmingly supported the road and tax initiative since the bulk of the monies were to be spent improving the roads in the immediate Bluffton area. Nor was it a surprise northern Beaufort County was so against the tax as there was no immediate benefit to them other than a few thousand dollars indicated for some bike paths. However, it was very shocking to the tax advocates that Hilton Head did not support the measure. The proponents neglected to consider the fact islanders have adjusted their schedules to avoid the congestion, and do not need to deal with the congestion on a daily basis. 

There is no question something needs to be done to alleviate the traffic congestion. To the voters it was a question of who should pay. The detractors of the amendment advocate the State should bare the fiscal responsibility to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the State’s largest industry, tourism. 

The defeat of the tax proposal has the Bluffton officials who backed the tax scrambling. More than 15 million was dog-eared for the Bluffton Parkway completion. Sure of its passage, they had no plan B. 

The widening of 278 from Bluffton's Simmonsville Road to the bridge is unaffected by the vote. The monies for this widening project are solidified and work is expected to start in the beginning of the year. However, there have been some rumblings the Bluffton officials supporting the tax increase would like to divert some of these funds for other road projects. Hope this is not what they consider plan B.

The Stony area is the community one first encounters when driving over the bridge. Stretching more than two miles, from the bridge to Spanish Wells Road, and the hidden spots along Squire Pope Road, this area has been trying for more than thirty years to get two key issues resolved, density and developmental rights. 

The commission’s newest plan allows resort uses like timeshare, hotels, and motels. However, it restricts the density to eight units per acre. The Stony landowners pushed for a density level of twelve, voicing the opinion that low density and strict zoning standards have prevented them from reaping the true property potential. Some Stony residents argued the Town is attempting to punish them for a problem the Town created. But to the Town’s decision makers, the traffic impact is the major concern, and remained resolute on the density level. 

At first, the Commission was reluctant to include timeshare because it is such an intensive resort accommodation. Moreover, members did not feel it is the best land usage. But as Perry White, owner of the Gullah Market, remarked, the owners want the ability to develop and “ to protect the rights and interests of future generations,”  adding “ because timeshare is allowed does not mean it will be built.” 

The plan will now go before the Town Council for its final approval, and is not expected to encounter opposition. No date has been set for the plan’s next reading.

Cool Sites for Coffee Breaks

In the last issue we gave you music from the 50s. This week's site is for those who want to revisit the psychedelic 70s. Be careful, there may be some words which offend

http://www.larrycarlson.com/1.htm

http://www.virtualom.com/index3.htm

Last issue we also took a look at Mars. This week we can see how Earth looks from satellites. You will not be able to see the yellow VW heading up Main, but you will see some outstanding images. To get the full effect, play around with the different satellites and do it at different times.

http://www.fourmilab.ch/earthview/satellite.html 

If you liked that site you also may want to take a peak at http://earth.jsc.nasa.gov/  

Want some fun? These are some pretty cool puzzle games. You can go through a double late' doing these. We really liked the Diamond Mine.

http://www.popcap.com/

When was the last time you attempted a jig saw puzzle? Here's something for the little uns, and also for you grownups.

 http://www.snuggeybug.com/jigsaweasy.html

This is quite an accomplishment, especially when considering the Family Circle is no longer held at the Club. Much of the credit must be given to the Racquet Club staff who have always been super friendly and accommodating, and of course kudos to Stan Smith and the Smith-Stearns Tennis Academy. 

Kiawah Island was the only other state club ranked in the top ten which is listed numerically. The next forty are listed alphabetically, and two Island clubs made this list. Palmetto Dunes Resort and Shipyard are again listed in the top fifty. No wonder guests refer to the Island as a Tennis Mecca.

The same informational meeting had been held the previous night at the Palmetto Electric Co-Op’s New River headquarters. In a cost saving measure, the assistant in charge of the presentation materials did not stay on the Island, but rather drove home. 

On her way to the Island Thursday morning, the assistant was caught in one of the Island’s notorious massive traffic jams causing a delay in the meeting. The cause of the six miles of traffic backup was a minor rear end collision between two cars in the eastbound lane of highway 278. One can only imagine the horror if it were a serious pile up.