About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 2025)
theislanderonline.com Published by Permar Publications ssislander@bellsouth.net January 6, 2025 Established in 1972 Vol 53 Issue 1 Pinova winds up site demolition By Pamela Permar- Shierling “We want to make sure something good comes from the Hercules / Pinova legacy,” Ron Kurtz, Senior Director of Operations, Pinova said. Kurtz spoke to The Islander about the wind up of the Her cules / Pinova site demolition that began last January. Pinova made the decision to close the 100 year plus old plant after the April 2023 ter- penes resin unit fire which damaged the unit beyond re pair and affected the rest of the plant. The plant site demolition began in January 2024 and the buildings came down one by one. The old maintenance build ing is scheduled for demolition early next week. ‘We are leaving the control room building,” Kurtz said, “so any new construction group coming in will have a place to work.” The security booth at the front of the plant will also remain. Demolition of the main tenance building begins this week. Pinova held 3,000 tons of stumps for a customer who has decided not to take them. Note: Pinova’s Brunswick plant was the world’s last wood rosin plant using wood stumps from local suppliers. The remaining stumps will be ground up and be used as bio-fuel, mulch, or land fill cover, Kurtz said. Much of the highly desir able 120 year old “old” brick has been sold. “We were ap proached by several resto ration companies about the brick,” Kurtz said. Many historical items were sold and sent to museums, re claimed and restored. 2025 - New year - one new County commissioner County swears in four commissioners • Rafolski elected chairman for 2025 By Matthew J. Permar Although most were in a hurry to get home last week (Thursday, Jan. 2) to watch what was left of the Sugar Bowl, it was a big night for the Glynn County Board of Com missioners (BOC) as three incumbent board members took their oaths of office for at least the second time and one newly elected com missioner was sworn in for the first time. Glynn County Senior Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett swore-in all four commissioners, with District 2 Islands Com missioner Bob Duncan being the sole first time member. The other three included incumbents: Sammy Tostensen (Dist. 1), Allen Booker (Dist. 5) and Walter Rafolski (At Large #2). Family members, friends and county staffers gathered at 5:00 for a brief reception Top photo: Glynn County Senior Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett (center) gave the oath of office to all four incoming County Commissioners last week. From left to right they are: Allen Booker (Dist. 5), Bob Duncan (Dist. 2), Scarlett, Walter Rafolski (At Large # 2) and Sammy Tostensen (Dist. 1). Bottom photo: Judge Scarlett swears in Commissioner Duncan as his wife Bonnie Turn to Page 2 Pinova Turn to Page 5 County Duncan holds the Bible. Duncan is the only new Commissioner for 2025, the other three were incumbents. Islander Staff Photos - Permar Surfin the News County-Wide News - Read County-Wide Page 3- JWSC retiring employees ~ Financial Focus 1 Page 4 - D.A. King - Looking for a Better Life Page 10 - Wright obit Page 8 - JPs supports GVA & Wine Festival Page 11 - Rotary Student of the Month Page 9 - Upcoming meetings Page 12 - Back Talk m 94922 29970 3
