About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 2, 2025)
theislanderonline.com Published by Permar Publications ssislander@bellsouth.net June 2, 2025 Established in 1972 Vol 53 Issue 22 Meet the new assistant boss Glynn County Public Works Director Danny Smith (second from right) was ratified last week by the County Board of Commissioners as Glynn County’s new Assistant County Manager. He will replace John Gentry (second from left) who has taken the Assistant County Administrator’s post in Hall County, Georgia. On hand to welcome Smith to his new position were (left to right): Chief Financial Officer Tamara Munson, Gentry, County Commission vice chairman Wayne Neal (Dist. 3), Smith and County Commission chairman Walter Rafolski (At Large #2). Smith moves from Public Works Director to County Administration Leanza preps for the season By Matthew J. Permar With hurricane season kicking off last Sunday (June 1), all the weather people are predicting a busy one, includ ing Glynn County Emergency Management (EMA) Director Andy Leanza. According to Leanza, “The Atlantic Hurricane Season be gins Sunday, June 1, and runs through November 30. The National Hurricane Center projects an above-average sea son, with an increased likeli hood of multiple tropical sys tems forming in the Atlantic.” Continuing, Leanza said, “For Glynn County and the Georgia coast, this raises the stakes for coastal surge, flood ing, and wind-related impacts - even from storms that do not make direct landfall.” “Our barrier islands, low- lying communities, and coast al infrastructure make us Turn to Page 3 Hurricane season Glynn bed tax increase approved By Matthew J. Permar As of July 1st it will cost tourists 2% more to spend the night in a Glynn County hotel, motel or short term rental. The Glynn County Board of Commissioners (BOC) took the last of three steps during a called meeting last week (Thursday, May 29) to in crease their Accommodation Excise tax (aka Bed Tax) from 5% to 7%. Technically there were three steps to increase the bed tax under state law: First the BOC had to make the decision, along with the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), with whom they share the funds, to submit a request for the in crease to the Georgia General Turn to Page 9 Bed tax In his own words Glynn County Public Works Director Danny Smith said he had re ceived a private sector job of fer several weeks ago that was “so good he couldn’t refuse” and was set to leave Glynn County employ. He turned in his notice that he was leaving Public Works on May 15. Then fate stepped in... Glynn’s Assistant County Manager John Gentry accept ed a similar position in Hall County in north Georgia to be closer to his family leaving an opening in Glynn’s adminis trative office. By Matthew J. Permar Smith loves living in Glynn and while his potential pri vate sector job would have allowed him to remain in the area, he applied for the As sistant County Manager’s job after being approached by county officials to consider the position, after Gentry’s resignation. Speaking to the Board of Commissioners (BOC) on be half of County Manager Bill Fallon during a called meet ing last week (Thursday, May 29), Glynn’s Chief Financial Officer Tamara Munson said, “We interviewed a number of qualified candidates for the Islander Staff Photo - Permar Assistant Manager’s position and Mr. Fallon felt Mr. Smith is the best fit for the job.” BOC vice chairman Wayne Neal (Dist. 3) made the mo tion to ratify Smith for the job, with Allen Booker (Dist. 5) providing the second. Smith was approved on a 6 - 0 vote. BOC chairman Wal ter Rafolski (At Large #2) said Commissioner David Sweat (Dist. 4) was out of town. Given the chance to address the BOC, Smith said, “I’m very grateful for this opportunity. Turn to Page 6 New assistant manager County-Wide News - Read County-Wide Page 2 - Wayne Bennett meets with crime victims Page 5 - Brunswick Art Loop returns ~ KG IB receives state awards Page 8 - Gl Penguin Project presents SpongeBob Page 10 Arco UMC celebrates 100 years ~ SGHS adds interventional cardiologist Page 11 - Jean Marc of Jekyll Page 12 - Back Talk City receives $500K CHIP grant By Pamela Permar- Shierling The City of Brunswick be gan applying for Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Community Home Invest ment Program (CHIP) grants in January of 2024. The city did not receive that first grant and reapplied in January 2025. The first grant application was for $1.5 million. Looking to better their chances with the reapplica tion, the city consulted with grant administrator Sherry Kurtz who advised them to apply for a lesser amount. The second application for $500,000 was approved by the DCA in May. In January of 2024 the Brunswick City Commission Turn to Page 8 DCA grant City looks to lower fleet costs By Pamela Permar- Shierling Last week (Wednesday, May 28) the City of Brunswick Finance Committee consid ered a presentation from En terprise Fleet Management which could lower the cost of maintaining city vehicles. The plan presented was for the city’s police vehicles. Kris Whiteside, Enterprise Fleet Consultant listed the lease program’s benefits to the city. Leasing would shorten the time the vehicles are in use. According to Enterprise the life of a vehicle would be shortened from 11.4 years to 5 years. This allows for newer safer vehicles to be placed in the fleet. Older vehicles have higher maintenance and fuel Turn to Page 9 City fleet 0 9492229970 3
