Today's Editorial

DMV continues to push for better service

A favorite target for complaints about government inefficiency has long been the Department of Motor Vehicles, here and across the country. (full story)

Staff Blogs

Janet Smith
Editorial page editor
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Earlier Editorials

Technology program holds promise for students

Building a high school in the rural reaches of northern Beaufort County didn't make much sense from a student numbers perspective, so school district officials looked for ways to justify its construction in the face of mounting opposition. (full story)

Mascot 'kidnapping' not worth police inquiry

The Bluffton Police Department, we're very confident, has more important work to do than tracking down and bringing to justice high school pranksters. (full story)

Kiosk brings to light Mitchelville's hidden story

One of the most difficult aspects of calling attention to the remarkable story of Mitchelville on Hilton Head Island is the lack of visible remnants. (full story)

Light at end of tunnel for troubled primaries

Several bright rays of common sense cut through South Carolina's murky primary process this past week. (full story)

Town of Port Royal keeps moving forward

The town of Port Royal's Cypress Wetlands and Historic Walking Trail is a welcome new attraction that should add to residents' quality of life and draw visitors to the town. (full story)

Proposed vehicle fee tax by any other name

To new urbanists who support "living where you work," an annual $35 vehicle "fee" might seem a reasonable way to help balance the city of Beaufort's fiscal year 2013 budget. (full story)

House Ethics Committee gets a second chance

The House Ethics Committee has an opportunity to restore its credibility by reopening the inquiry into Gov. Nikki Haley's actions while a member of the House. (full story)

Bluffton must not let heritage slip away

Bluffton officials are right to review the rules for the town's Historic Preservation District. They must make sure there aren't any holes in the safety net for irreplaceable structures. (full story)

Letters To The Editor

Building codes hiring needs further review

The May 20 article, "Hiring of building codes director questioned," made clear that Port Royal town manager Van Willis informed Beaufort County administrator Gary Kubic that the county had hired an individual who did not accurately represent his employment history. Chuck Atkinson omitted pertinent information while seeking a position with the county involving a tremendous amount of public trust, competence and integrity. (full story)

Local Columnists

That's That
DAVID LAUDERDALE : That's That

Syndicated Columnists

Kathleen Parker
Kathleen Parker
George Will
George Will

Other Voices



For the latest legislative news from Columbia, visit S.C. Politics today:


Elected Representatives

South Carolina

Nikki Haley, Governor803.734.2100
Jim DeMint, Senator843.727.4525
Lindsey Graham, Senator803.933.0112
Tim Scott, Congressman843.852.2222
Alan Wilson, Attorney General803.734.3970
Joe Wilson, Congressman843.521.2530

Beaufort County

Ed Allen, Coroner843.255.5150
Sharon Burris, Auditor843.255.2500
Doug Henderson, Treasurer843.255.2600
Jerri Ann Roseneau, Clerk of Court843.255.5050
Frank Simon, Probate Judge843.255.5850
Duffie Stone, 14th Jud. Circ. Solicitor843.255.5880
P.J. Tanner, Sheriff843.255.3200

Weston J. Newton, Council Chairman843.706.6111
Paul Sommerville, Vice Chairman843.379.7114
Steven Baer, County Council843.689.3570
Rick Caporale, County Council843.689.9999
Gerald Dawson, County Council843.846.4830
Brian Flewelling, County Council843.379.9805
Herbert Glaze, County Council843.846.2845
William McBride, County Council843.838.2264
Stewart Rodman, County Council843.363.6470
Gerald Stewart, County Council843.705.4753
Laura Von Harten, County Council843.868.1062

City of Beaufort

Billy Keyserling, Mayor843.521.2600
Donnie Ann Beer, City Council843.379.6099
Mike McFee, City Council843.522.1528
George O'Kelley, Jr., City Council843.522.2043
Mike Sutton, City Council843.252.5687

Town of Bluffton

Lisa Sulka, Mayor843.540.1579
Oliver Brown, Town Council843.757.3690
Karen Lavery, Town Council843.384.1442
Ted Huffman, Town Council843.247.8337
Mike Raymond, Town Council843.540.9471

Town of Hilton Head

Drew Laughlin, Mayor843.689.5700
Ken Heitzke, Mayor Pro Tempore843.681.8182
Wm. Lee Edwards, Town Council843.686.9020
Willie Ferguson, Town Council843.686.2863
William D. Harkins, Town Council843.263.3261
Kim Likins, Town Council843.785.4909
George W. Williams, Jr., Town Council843.363.6601

Town of Port Royal

Samuel Murray, Mayor843.524.4890
Vernon DeLoach, Town Council843.524.4655
Mary Beth Grey-Heyward, Town Council843.524.4561
Thomas Klein, Town Council843.522.0068
Joe Lee, Town Council843.522.9867

 

Letters to the Editor

Letter guidelines

Letters to the editor are welcome. Letters must be 250 words or less and signed with your first and last names. Include your street address and daytime telephone number so we can verify the letter before publication. You are limited to one letter per 30 days. Letters may be edited for length, style, grammar, taste and libel. All letters submitted become the property of The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette and may be republished in any format. The Packet and the Gazette do not publish endorsement letters on the editorial page. Thank you letters are published in the Monday Lowcountry Life section.

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