Beaufort’s bow tie-wearing Phil Cromer, an insurance ‘guru,’ did public service with style
Phil Cromer, a sharp mind — and dresser — on the Beaufort City Council departed Tuesday, but the council is retaining another veteran in Realtor Mike McFee and adding a young firefighter in Josh Scallate.
Incumbent McFee and Scallate were sworn in for four-year terms after winning two seats in a five-candidate race Nov. 8. With the most votes, McFee won his fifth term handily while Scallate narrowly earned the second spot to replace Cromer.
After eight years on the job, Cromer decided not to run for reelection, saying he had pledged to serve only two terms.
Scallate’s swearing in and Cromer’s departure marks a major shift in experience on the council, with the 31-year-old Scallate — 41 years years Cromer’s junior — becoming its youngest member, taking that mantel from 41-year-old Mayor Stephen Murray.
While lamenting the loss of Cromer and his experience, Murray also said Scallate’s youth was positive for the city and noted that he has eagerly jumped in, even participating in interviews with candidates for city manager before he was sworn in.
On Tuesday, Scallate’s first vote was choosing new city manager Scott Marshall.
Walking away wasn’t easy for Cromer, who was credited for his financial and insurance expertise during his years of service.
“Save me,” said Cromer, when he choked up while addressing the city one last time, looking upward with his hand on his chest.
During his career, Cromer was the town manager for Port Royal for two years and also worked as Ridgeland’s administrator.
But prior his retirement in January 2014, he spent 23 years as a risk management consultant for the Municipal Association of South Carolina where he worked on insurance programs and workers compensation with cities and towns, with the aim of lowering costs.
He put that knowledge to use for the city after his election that same year, helping set up a risk management program and training to lower the city’s high workers compensation loss ratio and saving the public a lot of money.
Cromer, fellow Councilman McFee said, was a “risk management guru” who was fiscally responsible and guided the city “with depth.” “You will be very missed,” McFee said.
Cromer, Murray added, left the city in better financial position, noting he supported economic development and helped to complete the major Boundary Street reconstruction and Mossy Oaks storm drainage projects on or under budget. “This city,” Murray said, “owes a great debt of a gratitude to Councilman Cromer.”
As usual on Tuesday, Cromer, a Charleston native, was looking dapper, sporting a blue suit coat and his hallmark bow tie with his crop of white hair matching his white shirt.
As a public official, Cromer said, it is important to present yourself well.
“I think you should look the part,” he said.
Now that he’s freed from his public constraints, Cromer plans to let his hair down and travel, with a trip planned to Scotland in June, but he’ll be supporting activities that support the city’s unique history, culture and quality of life — and keeping an eye on city government
“We need to make sure it stays that way,” Cromer said.
Helping to improve the city’s communication and transparency with residents are important for Scallate, a Mossy Oaks resident and Cromer’s replacement, who works for the St. Helena-Lady’s Island Fire District.
As a first responder, he added, he brings a unique perspective to the City Council job because he has seen up close the issues facing residents including poverty.
“I’ve seen some of the things that people suffer from,” said Scallate, “by responding to them.”
In the June Republican primary race for the District 4 seat on the Beaufort County Council, Scallate narrowly lost to incumbent Alice Howard, by 144 votes. Six months later, he won the city’s non-partisan City Council seat by 14 votes, defeating third-place finisher Josh Gibson.
“I’ve always been the kind of individual,” Scallate said, “where if I lose, I don’t sit out.”
This story was originally published December 14, 2022 at 2:11 PM.
