Indigo Run neighborhood on Hilton Head is intentionally not a ‘plantation’ | Letters

I refer to the editorial of June 8 on the subject of communities on Hilton Head Island being called “plantations.”

In May 1985 when the Hilton Head Company sought approval for their original development plan for Indigo Run, it was called Indigo Run Plantation. Hilton Head Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1986, thereafter the property was acquired by the Melrose Corporation and the name Indigo Run Plantation was still used at that time.

Beginning in the late 1990s and by August 2000 when we filed our revised Articles of Incorporation and consolidated our legal documents, covenants, by-laws and marketing materials, the word “plantation” was dropped, and it was and currently is legally referred to as the Indigo Run Community Owners Association.

We do not use the term “plantation” in any documents or marketing materials. While Realtors might continue to do so, in our case this is incorrect, and we would prefer them to call us the Indigo Run Community.

This is especially the case today, given the unfortunate and highly unpleasant history and connotation this word means to a large sector of our fellow Americans.

Also, be aware that Indigo Run does not discriminate against potential homeowners on the basis of race, religion, or sexual orientation.

On June 10, after being delayed due to COVID-19, we named our newest leisure trail in the honor of one of our African American residents, Dr. Juliann Bluitt Foster, who lived here for many years before passing in 2019.

Andre Nel

President

Indigo Run Community Owners Association

Time for SC to extend mail-in voting

In May, Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill to allow mail-in, no-excuse absentee voting temporarily during the primaries.

This action was a common-sense measure to protect poll workers and voters from the possible spreading of COVID-19 at the polls. It was also a measure that was meant to address potential poll worker shortages, also owing to the pandemic.

As we move toward the fall and go into the next election season when the number of people voting will greatly increase, and there are no good signs that the spread of this disease is letting up, surely the common-sense thing to do is to extend no-excuse, mail-in voting into November.

The National Association of Secretaries of State have stated “if an emergency occurs during an election and there is no state law addressing the particular situation, it could potentially be addressed by state legislative action, a court order, or the governor’s executive authority following an emergency declaration.”

Since the legislature is no longer in session, it seems reasonable to ask McMaster to take such an action following an emergency declaration. We should urge the governor to move on this matter quickly so that more South Carolinians can vote safely without having to risk their health, or even their lives, to do so.

Frances Eubanks

Beaufort

Criticism of Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling unfair

Recent criticism of Beaufort’s Mayor Billy Keyserling by school board member William Smith seems petty and whiny.

Mr. Smith apparently didn’t like the mayor’s recent comments in his weekly newsletter. He did not claim there were inaccuracies but rather complained that the mayor should have used words that Mr. Smith would have preferred.

Perhaps he is unaware of Mayor Keyserling’s dedication and work over the past several years, to establish and grow the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park with Beaufort as its hub. Mayor Keyserling has given literally thousands of hours to this and to other local issues of importance as well.

Donna Starkey

Beaufort

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This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 10:30 AM.