Moving Company in Mount Pleasant

At first blush, the town of Mount Pleasant’s move to annex 9 acres of mostly undeveloped property in the Phillips Community seems ill-advised. Parallel efforts are underway to list the historic African American settlement community on both the National Register of Historic Places and Charleston County’s list of historic properties and sites. The latter would mean that the county’s new Historic Preservation Commission would have to approve any new development plans to ensure they don’t harm the community’s character — unless an annexation strips it of that authority.

The reality is more complicated, but what’s going on here underscores the need for both the town and the county — and other local governments in the region — to identify settlement communities and cooperate in protecting them.

Both the Preservation Society of Charleston and the Historic Charleston foundation are urging Mount Pleasant Town Council not to proceed with the annexation when it comes up for a final vote Aug. 10. The society sent a letter to town officials saying the annexation “threatens the consistent approach to land use in the Phillips Community, a component that factors into its integrity as a historic district.” Foundation CEO Winslow Hastie said the annexation “goes against this whole effort to preserve this area as a cohesive place.”

That would be a bitter blow, particularly after the recent success in staving off a plan to widen S.C. Highway 41 to five lanes — a plan many believed would have destroyed the community’s historic integrity. Will Phillips win its road battle only to lose a larger war for its survival?

It’s an unsettling question, and Town Council’s rejection of the annexation would provide an answer that many would find comforting.

Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings.

In fact, though, that answer would simply shift the battleground.

If the town were to reject the annexation, the property owner still would be able to obtain water and sewer service from the town — just as if the annexation were OK’d. And the availability of those services ultimately could pave the way for denser suburban development not in character with the Phillips Community’s rural feel. (A 6-acre parcel of the 9 acres at issue already is listed for sale for $1.3 million.)

Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie notes that while the town gave initial approval to the annexation, it also voted down a related request to rezone the property as part of the Dunes West development plan. Instead, he said the town will zone it community conservation, which could give the tract as much protection against inappropriate development as it would have if it remains in the county. “The days of annexing something into Mount Pleasant and it becoming high-density development are over,” he said. “The voters have spoken.”

We hope he’s right about Phillips. Town Councilwoman G.M. Whitley, who has led efforts to improve relations between the town and the settlement communities, said something similarly reassuring: “Regardless of whether annexation is denied or accepted, the property can access sewer and water through Mount Pleasant Waterworks, so the property becomes developable. What matters in preserving the Phillips Community is the zoning.”

We remain a strong supporter of giving the Phillips Community the historic recognition and protection it both desires and deserves, but we also recognize there’s more than one way to accomplish that. The most important thing is for the town and the county to work together so less sensitive developers can’t play one local government against another to get what they want — and what those seeking to preserve the Phillips Community absolutely do not want.

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) — A landmark in Mount Pleasant came down on Tuesday. A water tower at the Old Village water plant, decommissioned in the 1990s, has loomed over the neighborhood for almost 90 years.

"I hate it. It was always a landmark. Whenever someone would come and visit me. I would say look for the water tower and you know that you are right by my house," said Carol Carenbauer.

The water tower is roughly 87 years old.

"It's always difficult to see a childhood icon go down. Of course it involves a lot of emotions when you actually see it. But you have enough sense to know it's obsolete and for the greater good of the town," said Damon Fordham, a lifelong resident of Mt. Pleasant.

Damon Fordham said the water tower has special meaning to him and his father.

"My father taught me how to fly a kite behind this water tower when I was 5 years old, also how to ride a bike behind it a few years later. Generations of school children have passed this tower on their way to Moultrie Middle and High School," said Fordham.

Walter Brown's family has lived in the old village of Mount Pleasant since 1894.

He's been trying to keep the water tower up since 1995. But, he said the reason why is in part because of his experience with the US Coast Guard.

"Very tall land structures are recorded on navigational maps to help mariners while at sea," said Brown.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the water tower is on the national chart that all mariners use to navigate safely.

And Walter Brown used to be a part of the U.S. Coast Guard.

"I would notice it when I would be at sea. I found it on three different maps. I found it on the Coast Guard map, as well as two other NOAA maps," said Brown.

Although the tower is being removed, NOAA officials said, there are still other landmarks that mariners can use.

Brown is disappointed the tower is being taken down. But, he wants the Mt. Pleasant town leaders and residents to learn from this experience.

"I encourage all young people, if you are over the age of 18, come to the town council meetings, come to the water works meetings and run for office," said Brown.

GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina University Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert announced several changes Monday as part of a restructuring of the Pirate Club.

Ryan Robinson was appointed to the dual role of executive director of the ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club) and executive associate athletics director for revenue generation. Robinson, who joined the East Carolina Athletics staff in January 2019, has been serving as the Pirate Club interim executive director while also leading the external relations unit since December 2019.

Gilbert's announcement also includes the hiring of three new Pirate Club staff members - Carly Moore as director of development, Danielle Morrin as assistant director of development and Blaise Hudson as assistant director of development.

Additionally, Drew Moeller was named assistant athletics director for development in May after spending the last two years at the University of Pittsburgh where he served as assistant athletics director for annual giving, a position he accepted in 2019. From 2013 until his departure to Pitt, Moeller worked in a variety of roles in the Pirate Club.

Robinson, now in his third year at ECU, has more than two decades of experience in athletics administration where he has worked in the National Football League, intercollegiate athletics and university administration. In his new role, Robinson will be responsible for the Pirate Club and the ECU Athletics Ticket Office. Robinson was named executive associate athletics director for external operations in December of 2018 and had oversight of the day-to-day operations of all external areas, which includes marketing and promotions, social media, ticket sales and operations, media relations and video services. He also served as the liaison to IMG College Sports Properties, the Pirates' multi-media rights holder.

"We are excited about the future of the Pirate Club and ECU Athletics and how this restructure will benefit both groups," Gilbert said. "I appreciate Ryan's efforts over the past 19 months in leading the Pirate Club and ensuring its continued success while dealing with a pandemic and limited staff. He brings great energy to work every day and he and Drew (Moeller) have built a staff that is eager and ready to connect with our fan base. Ryan has had to wear a lot of different hats since he arrived here in 2019 and has done a terrific job of building relationships, but I know he's excited to put his energy and passion into the Pirate Club."

"It's an honor and privilege to be the caretaker of an organization with such a long history of success like the Pirate Club," Robinson said. "I appreciate the leadership and trust from Jon Gilbert and members of the Pirate Club Executive Committee as we work to chart ECU Athletics' and Pirate Club's next chapter, together. The Pirate Club plays a vital role in the success of ECU Athletics and is the direct link to the local community and surrounding region. We have built a team with current and new additions that have the ability and vision to chart a course for the future of the Pirate Club. Coming out of the pandemic, we have an opportunity to emerge stronger, more transparent and we are committed to serving our loyal and dedicated members."

Moore joins the Pirate Club after spending the last three years as Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Special Events with the Mountaineer Athletic Club at the West Virginia University. With the Pirate Club, she will be responsible for all aspects of fundraising including annual fund, sport specific giving and major gifts. During Moore's time at WVU, her duties included the creation and execution of sport-specific giving to increase overall donations and membership, coordinating membership campaigns, planning donor events, major gift research for current and new prospects, and worked on numerous campaigns.

Morrin, a Mount Pleasant, S.C., native, moves to the Pirate Club after serving as the director of life skills/community service liaison with ECU Athletics since 2017. Morrin will work with alumni, local businesses, and Pirate Club chapters to form strategic partnerships moving forward. In her previous role, Morrin managed life skill development and community outreach efforts for more than 450 student-athletes, while also providing on-campus guidance and conference-wide initiatives to ECU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She was a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain for the Pirates' swim program and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

Hudson joins the Pirate Club after earning both a bachelor's and master's degree from East Carolina in 2018 and 2020, respectively. A native of Dunn, N.C., Hudson will be responsible for the development and operation of the Student Pirate Club while also overseeing numerous Pirate Club chapters. He spent time in various operational roles within the athletics department as a student intern, which included a one-year assignment with the Pirates' baseball program and was President of the Kappa Sigma Theta Pi Chapter while attending school.

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) — Community members are helping brides-to-be say yes to the dress again.

Wedding dress donation drives have popped up across the city for brides affected by a fire that damaged three Mount Pleasant businesses, including Jean’s Bridal Shop.

“It’s in perfect condition and it’s just been sitting in there,” said Kimberly Greer, referring to the wedding dress she wore 37 years ago. “It did mean a lot; it was a beautiful dress.”

Greer said her wedding dress has remained in her closet ever since her wedding day. After Thursday morning’s fire destroyed the shop and all that was inside, she felt compelled to help.

“I was so proud of it then, so it means a lot that I can possibly help out somebody,” she said. “And we’re members here at Pivotal Fitness so we didn’t have far to go.”

Pivotal Fitness Park West in Mount Pleasant is living up to its name.

When personal trainer Taylor Rodgers heard of the fire and saw the idea of a wedding dress donation drive on Facebook, she wanted to help, as well.

“I thought to myself, my bosses are really cool. I was like, ‘Hey, let’s do this here,’” said Rodgers. “Within an hour, I had people bringing in dresses.”

Dresses of all shapes, styles and sizes have flooded the facility, each paired with a story from a former bride.

“Somebody just came in and said that she wanted to sell her dress,” Rodgers said. “[She] didn’t know what to do, didn’t know where to give it, and God gave her a sign when she saw this on Facebook.”

It was a sign that through good times and bad, there is always love from your fellow neighbor.

“If I were in their shoes, I mean, it’s not my first-pick dress, but if I came here I would absolutely see that there are beautiful dresses to pick from, and that’s almost more special than just the one dress,” said Rodgers.

Pivotal Fitness is also accepting tuxedo donations. The drive will run now until Thursday, July 22.

National champs Sam Houston led with seven honorees on the Preseason All-Texas Small College Team, while UMHB featured three.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine hit the shelves in stores last week and football fans everywhere had reason to rejoice. Following the strangest year in college football history, fans and sportswriters are both ready for a return to some form of normality.

Thus, it is time to reveal the Small College Preseason Team.

Texas is the best state for football in the world. Need proof? With Sam Houston claiming the FCS national championship in May, the Lone Star State became the only state to win a national title at every level of college football.

Texas has truly reigned supreme in the small college ranks over the last five years with Mary Hardin-Baylor (2016, 2018), Texas A&M-Commerce (2017), and the Bearkats (2020) securing a national title. One could argue Cisco would have been favored to win an NJCAA title last spring but finished the regular season ranked third in the country despite being undefeated. Note, the NJCAA does not have a playoff system to determine its champion.

This year’s preseason team features an amazing array of talent with 16 of the 26 players on this list having won All-American honors in previous years. Sam Houston leads the way with seven selections while Mary Hardin-Baylor has three players represented. Fourteen of the players hail from the FCS ranks while Division II and Division III combine for 12 members.

Position Name School Class Hometown

QB Eric Schmid Sam Houston Jr. The Woodlands

RB Kevin Brown UIW Sr. Mount Pleasant, S.C.

RB Antonio Leali'ie'e Texas A&M-Commerce Sr. Copperas Cove

WR Jequez Ezzard Sam Houston Sr. College Park, Ga.

WR Xavier Gipson Stephen F. Austin So. Dallas

WR Jake Parker Howard Payne Sr. Whitehouse

OL Colby Thomas Sam Houston Sr. Manvel

OL Justice Guillory Stephen F. Austin Fr. Katy

OL Amon Simon Texas A&M-Commerce Sr. Humble

OL Parker Hanna West Texas A&M Jr. Stratford

OL Boomer Warren Hardin-Simmons Jr. Haslet

PK Adrian Guzman Tarleton Fr. Temple

KR Ce'Cori Tolds UIW Sr. Houston

Position Name School Class Hometown

DL Jahari Kay Sam Houston Sr. Berkeley, Calif.

DL Joseph Wallace Sam Houston Sr. Dallas

DL Melik Owens Midwestern State Sr. Houston

DL G'Karri McCoy Angelo State Jr. Dallas

LB Storey Jackson* Prairie View A&M Sr. Kansas City, Kan.

LB Michael Jewett Trinity Jr. Houston

LB Akeem Jackson Mary Hardin-Baylor Sr. Fairfield

DB Zyon McCollum Sam Houston Sr. Galveston

DB Jefferson Fritz Mary Hardin-Baylor Sr. Kaufman

DB KJ Kelley East Texas Baptist Sr. Abilene

P Matt McRobert Sam Houston Sr. Berowra, Australia

PR K.J. Miller Mary Hardin-Baylor Jr. Orange