About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2024)
theislanderonline.com Published by Permar Publications ssislander@bellsouth.net May 20, 2024 Established in 1972 BOE approves ESPLOST resolution By Pamela Permar- Shierling Last Tuesday (May 14) dur ing their regular meeting the Glynn County Board of Edu cation (BOE) approved the resolution placing the fifth ESPLOST on the November 5 ballot. The ESPLOST is for $114,600,000 and collections will start January 1, 2025 if approved by voters. The ballot will read: “Vote Yes or No: Shall a one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes be imposed in the Glynn County School District for a period of time not to exceed 16 con secutive calendar quarters in order to raise not more than $114,600,000 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, and equipping the following capital outlay projects: (a) ad ditions, renovations and mod ernization to Glynn Academy’s gymnasium and auditorium; (b) renovations and modifica tions to Sterling Elementary School; (c) renovations and modifications to Glynn Coun ty Stadium; (d) renovations and modifications at Bruns wick High School, Needwood Middle School, Glynn Middle School, Jane Macon Middle School, Oglethorpe Elemen tary School, Risley Middle School, and Sterling Elemen tary School; (e) acquisition of school buses, and (f) other real and personal property for the school system, including side walks and covered walkways, any necessary demolition, site improvements, renovations, and improvements to facili ties, land acquisition, technol ogy upgrades, computers and related technology including fiber and software, telephone and communication equip ment, computerized energy management systems, heating Turn to Page 3 ESPLOST Police Memorial Above: Officers with the Brunswick City Police Department’s Honor Guard carried the memorial wreath during Wednesday’s Police Memorial Day Ceremony. Right: Former Brunswick Police Chief T.C. Cowan (left) takes a moment with current City Chief Kevin Jones. Islander Staff Photos - Shierling Brunswick Police holds Peace Officer Ceremony By Pamela Permar-Shierling Seven Brunswick City Po lice Officers have died in the line of duty since the Depart ment was founded in 1838. Those officers were honored last week during the Peace Officer Memorial Day celebra tion on Wednesday, May 15 at the Brunswick Police Depart ment on Mansfield St. Peace Officers Memorial Day, always May 15, falls within the week designated as National Police Week, dat ing back to 1962 with a proc lamation by President John F. Kennedy. Brunswick Police Chief Kevin Jones opened the cer emony. “It is hard being a po lice officer today. We are here to show honor for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.” Brunswick Mayor Cosby Johnson, Brunswick City Manager Regina McDuffie, Glynn County Sheriff Neal Jump, and retired Brunswick Police Chief T.C. Cowan also made opening remarks. The keynote speaker was U.S. District Judge, Southern District of Georgia, Lisa God- by Wood. “It is important what you are doing here today,” Judge Wood said. “It is important to honor and remember the past. Our police officers chose a path with the built-in possibil ity of an early, possibly violent death.” “When you ponder the depth of their sacrifice, it is hard to take in,” she said. “Our civilized way of life ex ists because people are willing to stand up for the rule of law.” Turn to Page 2 Police memorial Vol 52 Issue 21 BOC approves revised ‘Gateway’ contract By Matthew J. Permar The Glynn County Board of Commissioners (BOC) ap proved a contract with the Thomas & Hutton engineer ing firm last month for project management services for the ‘Gateway to St. Simons,’ a ma jor, multi-phase island road project. Then, last week (Thursday, May 16) the BOC rescinded the April vote and approved a revised contract with the same engineering firm on a unanimous vote. Procurement Officer Res- den Talbert reported that Thomas & Hutton had re quested some changes to the contract. Talbert said county staff, including the county attor ney’s office had reviewed the Turn to Page 3 County commission City denies alcohol license to London St. store By Pamela Permar- Shierling Last week (Wednesday, May 15) the Brunswick City Commission denied an alco hol license to Vaibhavi Patel based on what the commission called “the saturation of busi nesses selling alcohol in the Dixville area.” The business, Dixville Foods at 1509 London St., has been operated by the Pa tels since 2009 and according to Ms. Patel who spoke at the meeting, the store has had an alcohol license for most of that time. They were required to ap ply for a new alcohol license because they missed the alco hol license renewal period last year. The commission spent 15 Turn to Page 9 City commission Surfin’ the News County-Wide News - Read County-Wide Page 4 - D.A. King - Looking for a Better Life Page 5 - Exchange Club awards Page 6 - GIAHA Summer Theater Camps Page 8 - Sipe hired as GCPD Captain Page 8 - Rep. Townsend inducted into College/Career Academy Hall of Fame Page 11 - Penguin Project presents Music Man JR Page 12 - Back Talk 0 94922 29970 3
