Infrastructure and transparency are top priorities for these Beaufort Co. council candidates
Two Republicans are running to replace Alice G. Howard, the chair of Beaufort County Council who will not seek reelection this fall.
They are Michael James Drummond Andersen, a Mossy Oaks resident, member of the City of Beaufort’s Trees Advisory Committee and accountant at a CPA firm, and Thomas Grygowski, a retired Marine Corps officer and University of South Carolina Beaufort student living in Spanish Point.
The District 4 seat they’re running for represents Mossy Oaks and other areas north of the Broad River.
Early voting ends on Friday, June 5, and primary election day is June 9.
The Island Packet sent questions to Andersen and Grygowski ahead of the June 9 primary election on topics ranging from the ongoing Pine Island issue to transparency to public safety. Here are five takeaways from their answers.
But first, why they’re running
Andersen said he is running for county council out of love for the community and a belief it’s at a critical turning point. Beaufort County has natural beauty, neighborhoods, history and quality of life, and that’s worth protecting, he said — but too many residents feel like growth is happening around them instead of for them.
“Traffic continues worsening, infrastructure struggles to keep up, and decisions are too often made without enough transparency or accountability to the people who actually live here,” he said. “I’m not running because I’m a career politician. I’m running because I believe Beaufort County deserves leadership willing to ask hard questions, protect what makes this community special, and make decisions grounded in reality instead of empty talking points with zero specifics.”
Grygowski said he’s running because he cares deeply about the future of the community and wants “to ensure Beaufort County remains a place where families can thrive for generations.” His 20 years in the Marine Corps taught him that leadership means “listening, making informed decisions and being accountable to the people you serve.”
He’s concerned about the pace of growth in the county, rising costs for residents and the strain on infrastructure. Many people feel like their voices aren’t being heard, he said, and he’s moving to bring “a common-sense approach to growth, protect our quality of life and ensure residents have a seat at the table when important decisions are made.”
Infrastructure is a top concern
Both Andersen and Grygowski pointed to infrastructure as one of the most pressing issues the county is facing.
For too long, development has outpaced the infrastructure needed to support it, Andersen said.
“Beaufort County cannot continue approving growth without honestly evaluating whether our roads, drainage systems, schools and utilities can handle it long-term,” he said. “Infrastructure should be planned ahead of growth, not treated as an afterthought once problems already exist.”
Grygowski pointed to “growth, infrastructure, affordability and public trust” as the county’s biggest issues. Residents throughout the county are concerned about increasing traffic, flooding, development pressure and the rising cost of living, he said.
“In District 4, those concerns are especially visible as long-time residents worry about preserving the character of their communities while accommodating growth,” he said. “Before approving additional large-scale growth, we need a clear understanding of what has already been approved, what infrastructure improvements are needed and how those costs will affect taxpayers.”
What they would do about infrastructure
Both candidates said something has to be done about the infrastructure problem, but had slightly different ways of going about it.
Traffic congestion, drainage problems, flooding concerns, school strain, and increased pressure on public services continue in the county, Andersen said, while large-scale developments continue moving forward.
He said he supports requiring infrastructure capacity to be clearly demonstrated before major projects are approved, and slowing or denying developments where infrastructure can’t support more growth.
Grygowski said he thinks the county should start by conducting a comprehensive review of approved developments, infrastructure capacity and future needs. Roads, stormwater systems, public safety services, schools and healthcare resources should keep pace with growth, he said.
“I believe infrastructure should lead development within reason. We must also evaluate how impact fees, capital projects and existing resources are being utilized to ensure taxpayers receive maximum value,” Grygowski said. “Growth should be guided by long-term planning rather than short term reactions.”
Trust in government and transparency
Trust between Beaufort County and its citizens has been a sore spot for years after the tenure of former County Administrator Eric Greenway. Most recently, CFO Pinky Harriott left her job right in the middle of budget season with no explanation.
As a former employee of the Beaufort County Auditor’s Office and a practicing accountant, Andersen said he believes accountability begins with strong financial oversight and clear communication. He supports creating an Internal Audit Office, which would “help identify problems before they become crises, strengthen internal controls and provide residents with greater confidence that the county government is operating efficiently and responsibly.”
Part of improving infrastructure, Andersen said, also means improving transparency. As it stands, the county does not currently maintain a centralized public portal where residents can see approved and proposed projects.
“Residents should not have to search through agendas, meeting packets and multiple departments just to understand what growth is planned for their community,” he said.
Grygowski said that residents should not feel like major decisions are happening behind closed doors, or without enough explanation. Personnel matters are usually confidential, but county leadership should still communicate as openly as possible about decisions that affect taxpayers, he said.
Solutions he would support include performance reports, better job descriptions and organizational structure. This allows employees and taxpayers visible track records of performance.
“I also believe council members should spend more time in the community listening to residents rather than only hearing from them during meetings, he said. “Trust is built when government consistently demonstrates competence, honesty and responsiveness.”
Pine Island and Gullah-Geechee land preservation
For years, Beaufort County has battled with the developer of a proposed golf course on Pine Island, a part of St. Helena Island under a Cultural Protection Overlay because of its status as historic Gullah land.
The latest lawsuit filed against the county by the developer of Pine Island says the CPO is “unconstitutional on its face” because it favors one race “at the inherent expense of others” and asks for an order ending enforcement of the CPO.
Andersen said he supports the CPO, and Grygowski said he supports “preserving the unique cultural, historical, and environmental character of St. Helena Island.”
Andersen said the county’s strengthening of the CPO in 2023 shows a continued commitment to protecting the “values and priorities that residents have consistently expressed.”
Communities should have the ability to establish reasonable standards for how they want growth and development to occur, especially when those decisions affect generations of people and the long-term character of a place, Andersen said. Plus, the public reaction to Pine Island has shown that demonstrated that many residents view the as larger than a single development proposal, he said.
“St. Helena Island is not a blank slate. It is a living community with deep cultural roots, family land and environmental resources that cannot be recreated once they are lost,” Andersen said. “Ultimately, I believe growth should respect the character of the communities where it occurs.”
Grygowski also noted that St. Helena residents have “consistently expressed a desire to protect their community from large-scale development that could fundamentally change its character.” Their voices deserve significant consideration, he said.
“Growth and property rights are important, but so are preservation, heritage and quality of life,” he said. “As a council member, I will listen to the people most directly affected and work to ensure future decisions reflect the long-term interests of the community rather than short-term pressures.”
Quality of life vs. tourism economy
The candidates were asked how Beaufort can continue to be a welcoming place for tourists and also stay the same peaceful, serene and beautiful place it’s always been.
Andersen said the question starts with recognizing that Beaufort’s appeal to visitors is the very thing residents are trying to protect. That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful about growth and invest in infrastructure before problems get out of hand.
“People do not come here because we look like everywhere else. They come for our waterfronts, historic communities, marshes, tree canopy, natural beauty and the unique character that makes Beaufort different,” he said. “The challenge is making sure we do not undermine those qualities in pursuit of growth.”
Grygowski said tourism is an important part of Beaufort County’s economy, but people visit this area because of its history, natural beauty, culture and quality of life.
“If we fail to protect those assets, we risk undermining the very things that attract visitors,” he said. “The goal should not be maximizing tourism at all costs, but managing growth in a way that preserves the character of our communities.”
This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 10:06 AM.