3 issues Port Royal Town Council candidates discussed at forum

The candidates for Port Royal Town Council faced three main topics tying into the town’s future and past at Tuesday night’s candidate forum.

Patty Crower, Bob Ellis, Marjorie Lamb and Darryl Owens agreed on the majority of the questions posed to them by moderator and Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Blakely Williams. The general theme of the candidates was to preserve Port Royal’s rich history while creating a place for a prosperous future. The discussion brought in talk of the Port of Port Royal, economic growth and the town’s expansion and the preservation of the town’s history and connection to the water.

Here are the highlights:

1. The Port of Port Royal

Every candidate said they were glad to see the purchase of the Port of Port Royal (nearly) wrapped up.

Owens said he felt it was important that the developments at the port “preserve the integrity of the town’s culture yet contribute and grow our economic base.” The other candidates echoed this idea, highlighting the benefits they hoped the port would bring and the continued diligence on the part of the town to make sure the buyer builds something that is in the best interest of Port Royal.

Lamb added that she hoped the developments at the port would spark other actions within the town to “take advantage of our biggest asset,” she said, referring to the town’s wetlands and ties to the water.

2. Growth and the town’s economy

The candidates differed on the next big opportunities to improve Port Royal — other than the port — and on employment.

Crower focused on infrastructure, saying the town’s sewers, roads and communication systems in particular are ready for upgrades. He said it would be important to encourage an entrepreneurial attitude among the town’s youth and young adults to fill the empty buildings with new local businesses.

Ellis said he hoped the town would work to attract young entrepreneurs and small businesses, bringing fresh ideas and job opportunities to give the local economy a boost. Ellis advocated for mid-level jobs to rebuild a middle class, pointing out a gap between low-paying and high-paying jobs in the town.

Lamb said the town is in need of more sidewalks, citing the number of pedestrians in the town and the increased volume of visitors she hopes the town will see once the Port of Port Royal is up and running. She also said the town should take advantage of tourism, suggesting support services for boaters and the creation of tour companies through the town’s and the region’s historical sites and natural beauties.

Owens believed the town should put some focus on retaining and continuing to honor military presence in the area, creating affordable housing options for residents and adding new businesses to bring jobs and revenue to the town. Owens highlighted hotels, restaurants, assisted living and medical-related organizations that could benefit the town both now and in the future.

Candidates agreed that Paris Avenue would benefit if more local businesses moved in, filling holes and rebuilding a gateway to the town.

3. History and culture

All of the candidates were supportive of the town continuing to fund and operate the shrimp docks, despite the cost, as long as they were a symbol of the history and culture of the town that didn’t drain the town’s funds.

They agreed the Port Royal Dry Stack Marina is an eyesore and that final decisions on the facility would depend on the Port of Port Royal. They all said it would need some cosmetic attention.

Ellis, Lamb and Owens all agreed the proposed expansion of the Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Department would be positive for the town. Crower said she wouldn’t decide whether it was the right move until she had all of the information and the city and town councils made the final call.

The candidate forum was hosted by The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce at Port Royal Elementary School on Paris Avenue.

The special election will be held on May 16 to fill the seat of the late Vernon DeLoach, who died in February. The winner will have to run again in November to keep the seat.

This story was originally published May 2, 2017 at 12:08 PM with the headline "3 issues Port Royal Town Council candidates discussed at forum."