Three Port Royal candidates offer stark contrasts as election day approaches
While Democrats and Republicans hog the political spotlight as a federal government shutdown drags into its fifth week, an important local election Tuesday will determine Port Royal’s leadership and direction for the next four years.
On Monday, candidates Mary Beth Gray Heyward, Darryl Owens and Angie Tillman answered questions about the issues and their priorities before about 50 people at Port Royal Elementary School and a larger online audience. The low-key event, which was billed as a forum rather than a debate, still revealed a contrast between incumbents Heyward and Owens, who played up their experience and roots in the Lowcountry, and Tillman, a newcomer who said she would bring fresh ideas to the job.
While the election is next Tuesday, voting has been underway since Oct. 20. The two candidates with the most votes will win.
The forum, which was hosted by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, featured a panel asking questions about a number of local issues including Safe Harbor Marinas’ Port of Port Royal redevelopment and extending a moratorium on multi-family construction.
‘Voice of the people’
The 71-year-old Heyward has been on the council since 1992.
Heyward noted she went to school at the Port Royal elementary school where the forum was held --- and touted her connection to residents, calling herself “the voice of the people.”
The current council, she says, is one of the best she’s ever served on. She ticked off its accomplishments: a short-term rental ordinance, tougher tree protection rules, construction of a bridge to Sands Beach, the crossing of the Spanish Moss Trail over Ribaut Road, a deal with Safe Harbor Marina to redevelop the waterfront that includes a promenade and green space and a two-mill reduction in taxes in the most recent budget.
How many towns councils in South Carolina, she said, could say they get along much less boast they lowered taxes while getting projects accomplished.
“I’m proud,” Heyward said, “to be the voice of the people for the last 34 years.”
‘The small business candidate’
About a year ago, Tillman, 52, moved to the area from Athens, Ga. where she launched a gourmet pickled vegetable business from her front porch called Phickles in 2008 that “became huge” after she began selling to small businesses.
“That’s my platform,” she says, “the small business candidate.”
With a flair for social media and writing, Tillman, who calls herself the “Phickle Chickle,” promises to bring change and creativity to the job. She says she wants to do more to engage younger residents. She also intends to see an increased emphasis on neighborhoods with young families across the town, not just the old village near Battery Creek. That area often grabs the spotlight because of a long-running waterfront redevelopment plan.
“I think we need to put more into those areas out on the outskirts,” Tillman said.
Tillman also described herself as compassionate. “If I’m elected, Tillman said, “I’ve gotcha, I promise.”
The ‘listener’
In 1996, Owens, 59, who was born and raised on nearby St. Helena Island, moved to Port Royal, which he calls a “great place to be.”
“We sit on porches and we talk to each other,” he says. “Everybody knows each other by name.”
The lifelong educator is seeking a third term. Owens calls himself a “listener,” a skill he counts as one of his biggest qualifications for the job. He also points to a record of accomplishments over the past four years including his support for a moratorium on building new apartments while the town strengthened its codes.
He’s also proud of the work the town has done promoting “walkability” by building more sidewalks.
“I would like to see the work continue you’ve tasked us with,” he said.
Is the port development on the right track?
One of the top issues facing the town council is the waterfront, known as the Port of Port Royal. A marina, housing, restaurants and public features like parks and a promenade have long been promised at the site. Will it finally get off the ground? The town has seemingly ironed out its legal differences with property owner Safe Harbor Marinas. Now it is waiting for the developer to submit a master plan spelling out the details. It’s those details that the next town council will need to iron out.
The candidates were asked if the waterfront development is on the right track.
Heyward said yes and noted Safe Harbor is planning to present its plan to the council in December. Town residents, she said, will have a promenade and green space as part of the development. She also said that the residential portion of the plan now says only 15% of the housing can be rentals. The first plan presented had mostly rentals, which caused a community backlash.
Owens said the town got off to a rocky start with Safe Harbor but the parties have since come to an agreement. He also noted Safe Harbor has a new management team involved. The town, he said, is holding Safe Harbor accountable.
Tillman called for creativity and said the town needs to stay in front of the project. She indicated she would be vocal if the development causes environmental issues. “If something happens in this water and I can’t eat shellfish anymore,” Tillman said, “I don’t need to be on this panel to make news.”
Was the moratorium be successful?
In April 2024, the town approved a one-year moratorium on new multi-family construction because of concerns over the pace of growth and the design of developments. The moratorium was later extended. The candidates were asked if they thought it was successful and whether it should be extended again.
Heyward and Tillman said the moratorium did accomplish its goals but would support another extension. Owens said he would not support an extension. The town strengthened its codes during the initial moratorium and the extension, he said.
Miscellaneous
Tillman lives near the Russell Bell Bridge and can hear weapons firing each morning at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, which trains Marines. She would like to see more done to promote the gateway to the marine base. One idea she offered was erecting flags along the bridge. The flags, she said, would highlight the significance of the base to the community and “just to say, we really do thank you.” She also supports establishing a ferry from Port Royal to St. Helena and a bike share program.
During a question about what the candidates can do to support the area’s military bases, Owens drew a laugh with his answer. “That’s why I didn’t go into the military because I grew up with a Marine,” said Owens. That Marine was his father.
Heyward has served for 34 years, but remarkably that’s not the longest stint on the council. Henry Robinson, who died in January, held the jobs of mayor and councilman for 38 years, but there was a break in his service. Former Mayor Sam Murray served as mayor and councilman for 41 years. Public service runs in Heyward’s family. In 1964, Evie Gray, her grandmother, was mayor tem on the council, or the acting mayor in the absence of the mayor. Today, Heyward holds that same role.
This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 1:14 PM.
