D i g e s t

January 2015
D i g e s t
The Official Publication of the Kiawah Island Community Association
Introducing Member Director Nominee Bruce Stemerman
At the upcoming 2015 KICA
Annual Meeting, scheduled for
Friday, March 6 at 2 p.m. at the
Sandcastle Community Center,
one candidate is running for one
open member director position
on the KICA board. Watch your
mail for your Annual Meeting
report and ballot, including
information on online voting, a
message from the board chair, a
recap of 2014 on Kiawah, and a
chance to win a $500 rebate on
your 2015 assessments.
This year’s candidate for board, as identified and selected by the KICA
Nominating Committee, is Bruce Stemerman. For more information
on the Nominating Committee’s selection process, see the article on
Page 3. Below you can find more information on Bruce, including his
Statement of Focus and bio.
Bruce Stemerman - Statement of Focus
Kiawah is a remarkable place, with incredible attributes. I traveled a lot
during my career, including to many resort locations. Acknowledging
some bias, I never found a place with Kiawah’s special and unique features.
Serving on KICA’s board and playing a role in helping to maintain and
enhance what makes Kiawah so appealing would be a privilege.
As indicated in my work experience, I have enjoyed a varied career.
I began as a CPA and moved into the hotel business about 25 years
ago, first with Marriott, and then with Host Hotels and Resorts, a
Marriott spinoff. At Host, I managed the Asset Management group
for 10 years. My career concluded at Jones Lang LaSalle where I was
Managing Director of their Hotel Asset Management and Advisory
business for the Americas. During my career, I served as a board
member and president of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association,
a board member and chairman of the Marriott Employees Federal
Credit Union and on several Marriott Hotel advisory boards.
Having spent so much of my career in the hotel real estate business,
I feel particularly well suited for a role on KICA’s board. My focus
for much of my career was representing owners' interests in hotels,
dealing with both operational and capital issues. Maximizing revenues
and profitability through smart and focused investment was key to
realizing our objectives. Long term planning was critically important
in achieving value enhancement. I believe my familiarity with finance
will be particularly helpful if I am elected to a board position.
My experience will also be helpful in working with the Board and KICA’s
leadership team in identifying Kiawah’s long-term needs and objectives
while preserving what makes the Island so special. Maintaining the status
quo is not, in my view, the optimum way to protect our considerable
investments here. We need to constantly seek appropriate, cost effective
and value enhancing opportunities to retain our position as one of the
finest islands in the country and the world.
I am particularly impressed with everyone I have come into contact
with at KICA. The team does an outstanding job keeping the island
beautiful and well maintained, delivering member interactions that
are positive and friendly and operating facilities that maximize
Kiawah values. With such effective day-to-day management, the
board can keep its focus on long term strategic planning.
If elected, it will be an honor to serve on KICA’s board.
Bruce Stemerman - Candidate Bio
I am a widower with two adult children who live in the Washington,
DC area. I have been coming to Kiawah for more than 20 years, initially
on summer vacations. In 1999, we purchased a villa in Turtle Cove and
then, in 2003, a home on Bluebill Court. We built a home at 37 Salt
Cedar Lane and I moved here full time in the spring of 2014.
On Kiawah, I am on the board of the Kiawah Island Motoring Retreat,
which took place in November 2013. The event was highly successful
and included a weekend of activities that exposed the island to folks from
outside the area who might not have otherwise experienced Kiawah.
Planning is underway to hold another event in 2016.
In April of this year, John Wilson and I started the Sea Islands Cars
and Coffee that takes place monthly at Freshfields. I have also served
since August 2014 on KICA’s Major Repair and Replacements
Committee. I also volunteered as a hole captain at the 2012 PGA
Championship at the Ocean Course.
Over the years, I have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity both on
Johns Island and in Montgomery County, Maryland (near DC), where I
resided for nearly 30 years before moving to Kiawah. I also served on an
advisory board to Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection.
Career Highlights
• 1996-2003: Senior Vice President, Asset Management for Host
Hotels and Resorts in Bethesda, Maryland.
• 2003-2007: Executive Vice President for Capital Hotel
Management in Washington, D.C.
• 2007-2011: Managing Director, Asset Management and
Advisory Practices for the Americas for Jones Lang LaSalle
Hotels in Washington, D.C.
Continued on Next Page...
2
January 2015
Introducing Bruce Stemerman (Continued from Previous Page)
Other Professional Experience
• Chairman of the Board, Marriott Employee Federal Credit
Union, a 55,000-member, $125 million federally chartered credit
union serving numerous companies in the hospitality industry.
• President, Hospitality Asset Managers Association, an
international association of lodging asset managers representing
more than 300,000 hotel rooms throughout the world.
• Board member of various Marriott International Advisory
Committees. Including Owner, Rooms, Food and Beverage and
an association of Marriott franchisees and owners.
• Frequent speaker at hospitality industry conferences. Regularly
quoted in industry press on issues involving hotel ownership.
• Authored chapter on hotel owner/manager relationships for a lodging
asset management textbook used in college hospitality programs.
Education/Certifications
• Bachelor’s Degree, Accounting, Rochester Institute
Technology, Rochester, New York
• Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) - New York State
of
Nominating Committee Recommends Stemerman
The KICA Nominating Committee is charged with identifying and
recruiting candidates for board service. Committee composition includes
the chairs of the association's finance, human resources and major
repair committees, as well as two at large appointments. In addition,
the immediate past chair of the KICA board serves as the Nominating
Committee chair.
Over a several-month period, the Nominating Committee met to assess
board needs and interview candidates. There is one seat to be filled at the
2015 Annual Meeting, and the committee met individually with four
excellent candidates.
At the end of the process, the committee nominated Bruce F. Stemerman
for the board seat to be filled at the Annual Meeting in March. Bruce will
be featured in the January issue of Digest. KICA offers special thanks to
Nominating Committee members John Connolly, Linda Wilson, Theresa
Widuch, David Tharpe, Glenn Brown and Brendan Burke.
Letter from the COO: Looking Towards 2015
Happy New Year!
I love January because
the New Year brings
fresh starts, energy,
excitement and optimism
for the future. Whether
it’s a career goal or a
new year’s resolution,
anything seems possible
in January. I am excited
about the year ahead and
as Ralph Waldo Emerson
said, “Nothing great was
ever achieved without
enthusiasm.”
Reinvestment in Kiawah
has been a KICA priority
for the last few years. As
modern Kiawah turns
40, thoughtful reinvestment is critical to property values and our
shared future. Beginning with the West Beach Initiative in 2011, we
committed to a comprehensive program of improving Kiawah’s “fit
and finish,” including landscaping, signage, trails and other amenities.
Not only did we want to improve community-owned property, we
also hoped to lead by example and encourage individuals and regimes
to undertake similar projects. The initial results have been promising
and in 2015 we’ll expand beyond West Beach.
Landscape improvement projects will take place island-wide, though
the most dramatic will be an overhaul of the Flyway Drive rights-ofway between Governors Drive and Surfsong Road. Though Flyway
functions as an arterial road much like the Parkway or Governors
Drive, its landscaping standard falls well short of the Kiawah standard.
That will change this year.
Notably, our amenities evaluation has been a primary focus, and your
input is expected to result in a formal proposal this spring. Should you
approve such a project, it would represent significant reinvestment
in Kiawah. We’ll take steps this year to improve your experience by
reinvesting in our trail system, addressing many of the areas where
years of resurfacing have created a “cliff” between the asphalt and the
adjacent ground. With the help of our friends at the resort, the town
and Kiawah Partners, we’ll finalize a recommendation this year on
refreshing and improving the island’s signage system.
Finally, we’ll continue the never ending work of reinvesting in
our infrastructure. This year we’ll continue to replace significant
components of the island’s drainage system, we’ll resurface roads and
leisure trails, replace curbing, rebuild boardwalks, dredge ponds and
a host of other projects to ensure the island continues to function in
a first class manner.
I look forward to keeping you apprised as the year progresses.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Bailey
KICA Chief Operating Officer
3
January 2015
Security
Main gate 843-768-5566
Toll Free 866-596-7184
(911 in emergencies)
Commercial pass office 843-768-8240
On The Web
KICA.US - KICA is on Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and YouTube. Visit the KICA website
for more information.
Digest Contributors
Frances Boyd - Member Volunteer
Virginia Chapel - Member Volunteer
Bill Hindman - Member Volunteer
Shauneen Hutchinson - Member Volunteer
Mary Beth McAnaney - Member Volunteer
Sue Schaffer - Feature reporter
Deb Stewart - Member Volunteer
Russ Warren - Member Volunteer
Staff Production Team
Doug Reynolds - Communications Mgr/Editor
Tammy McAdory - Executive Director
Digest Mission Statement
The association is committed to accurately
and effectively reporting news affecting it,
and its members, board, and volunteers, and
to presenting discussions of significant issues
in a balanced and constructive manner.
Statement of Editorial Policy
The association, through its Digest reporters,
shall endeavor to report objectively and
wholly the significant island news relating
to the association and its members. The
association welcomes members’ suggestions on
issues they deem significant for publication
or discussion, and will publish editorials,
identified as such, where there is a need to
clarify, expand, or express views and opinions
on relevant issues. To submit an editorial,
write to Digest care of Doug Reynolds or
email to communications@kica.us.
Annual Meeting 2015: Your Vote Counts
The KICA Annual Meeting gives all association members,
full- and part-time residents alike, the opportunity to shape
the future of the island. By electing board members and voting
on vital issues, members can leave their mark on Kiawah. First,
however, a quorum must be reached.
The 2015 Annual Meeting packet will be mailed in
early February and will contain an absentee ballot/proxy
assignment card. It is vital that you either vote online or
complete and return this card promptly, even if you plan to
attend the meeting. This establishes a quorum, so the meeting
can be held and business conducted. Without it, the director
election cannot occur. Information on the board candidate
for the one open seat will be included in the meeting packet
and can also be found on the cover page of this issue of
Digest. Please remember that ballots, once posted in the U.S.
mail, may not be amended. Absentee ballot/proxy cards will
be returned to and processed by, an independent group at the
College of Charleston.
For further details about the nomination process,
motions, voting or any other annual meeting business,
please contact Carrie Newbern at carrie.newbern@kica.us
or 843-768-9194.
Reminder - 2015 Annual
Meeting Key Dates
Jan. 7 by 5 p.m.
Official date of record. No adjustments
to property status regarding annual
meeting votes will be made following
this date.
Jan. 12 by 5 p.m.
Advisory motions are due.
Feb. 3 (Approx.)
Annual meeting packets are mailed to the
membership.
Feb. 4, 5 p.m.
KICA Board Open House.
March 2 by 5 p.m.
Deadline to return ballots or vote online.
March 6 (Friday), 2 p.m.
Annual Meeting at the Sandcastle.
Board Open House - Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.
Join us at the Sandcastle Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. for wine and hors
d’oeuvres and to converse with members of, and the candidate for, the KICA Board of Directors.
This informal open house will give members a chance to socialize with neighbors while learning more
about the association board. Please RSVP to carrie.newbern@kica.us or 843-768-9194.
Navigating KICA's New Website
Have you checked out KICA's new website yet? If not, be sure to visit kica.us to view the
completely redesigned, reorganized site.
To learn how to navigate the site more conveniently, view the online starter guide. Just
click on the Announcements button on the home page (button with kayak image). From
there, click on the link in the first post Meet the New KICA.us Website! to view the guide.
Have any questions or just want to comment on the site? Contact KICA Communications
at communications@kica.us.
2015 Annual Assessments
Watch your mailbox for your 2015 KICA assessment statement (mailed in late December). Paid
by all members, assessments cover a wide range of KICA services, including the maintenance of
common properties and infrastructure, security, recreational and administrative operations.
Assessments may be paid online or by check. Visit
kica.us (Services/Pay Online) for more information.
4
If you have an event you would like included on the calendar, please e-mail communications@kica.us.
January 2015
Community Calendar
Sandcastle: Monday-Friday - 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Saturday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Sunday - 12 to 5 p.m.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
01
Friday
02
HAPPY
NEW YEAR!
Saturday
03
10 a.m. Oil Painting
Class
Town Hall, KICA Offices
and Sandcastle Closed
04
05
06
3 p.m. Opera Lite
3 p.m. Environmental
Committee
10 a.m. Charleston
County Bookmobile
2 p.m. Town Council
12
13
9 a.m. Photography Club
Workshop
9:30 a.m. Garden Club
1 p.m. KICA Board
Meeting
3 p.m. Opera Lite
5 p.m. KICA Annual
Meeting: Advisory Motions
Due
3 p.m. Communications
Committee
3 p.m. Wealth
Management Seminar
3 p.m. Healthy Plate
Cooking
3:30 p.m. SCCC Meeting
18
19
20
4 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: CSO Rebellious Leaders in
Classical Music (Holy
Spirit Catholic Church)
Martin Luther King Jr.
Day - Town Hall Closed
10 a.m. Kiawah Women's
Group Newcomers Coffee
(JavaJava)
10 a.m. Photography Club
Meeting
3 p.m. Opera Lite
10 a.m. Charleston County
Bookmobile
3 p.m. Healthy Plate
Cooking
25
26
27
9 a.m. Photography Club
Workshop
3 p.m. Opera Lite
4 p.m. Board of Zoning
Appeals
2 p.m. Ways and Means
Committee
3 p.m. Healthy Plate
Cooking
11
4 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Lowcountry
Voices (Holy Spirit
Catholic Church)
07
KICA Annual Meeting:
Official Day of Record
3 p.m. Planning
Commission
14
10 a.m. Art Guild Meeting
2 p.m. Public Safety
Committee
21
Recurring Events at the Sandcastle
KICA (Sandcastle)
843-768-3875
kica.us (Events)
Kiawah Cares
843-768-9194
kiawahcares.org
09
10 a.m. CERT Team
10 a.m. Conservation
Matters and Kiawah Island
Naturalist Group Joint
Program
3 p.m. Arts Council
15
10
10 a.m. Oil Painting Class
3 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Art Film #1 - In
Good Time, The Piano
Jazz of Marian McPartland
(Sandcastle)
16
3 p.m. Our World: Cults
of Lost Causes - Medieval
Japan and the American
Civil War
22
7:30 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Billy Novick
Quintet with Vocalist
Donna Byrne (Seabrook
Island House)
17
10 a.m. Oil Painting Class
7 p.m. Trivia Night
23
24
10 a.m. Oil Painting Class
3 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Art Film #2
- Orchestra of Exiles
(Sandcastle)
28
• Mondays at 8:30 a.m. •
Sandcastle Bible Study
• Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
•
Sandcastle Bridge
• Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.
Women's Community Bible Study
08
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Weight Watchers
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Ladies Mah-Jongg
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
843-768-2121
kiawahresort.com
30
29
3 p.m. Our World:
Economic Outlook 2015
31
10 a.m. Oil Painting
Class
Association Fitness Classes Offered
Yoga
Zumba
Strength and Stretch
Water Aerobics
Body Sculpt
Assorted Cardio Classes
**View class times and descriptions at kica.us (Facilities/Fitness Center).
Please note that all fitness classes are complimentary to members.
- KICA Paddlesports Program - www.tidaltrailskiawah.com -
Freshfields Village
843-768-6491
freshfieldsvillage.com
Town of Kiawah Island
843-768-9166
kiawahisland.org
If you have an event you would like included on the calendar, please e-mail communications@kica.us.
February 2015
5
Community Calendar
Sandcastle: Monday-Friday - 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Saturday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Sunday - 12 to 5 p.m.
Sunday
01
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
07
02
03
04
05
06
9 a.m. Photography Club
Workshop
1 p.m. Sandcastle Book
Club "Swan" by Frances
Mayes
3 p.m. Opera Lite
9 a.m. Internet Security
Class
10 a.m. Charleston County
Bookmobile
3 p.m. Planning
Commission
5 p.m. KICA Board Open
House
3 p.m. Arts Council
3 p.m. Conservation
Matters
KIGR Gourmet and
Grapes Weekend
10 a.m. Oil Painting Class
7:30 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Liquid Pleasure
(East Beach Conference
Center)
KIGR Gourmet and
Grapes Weekend
14
1:30 p.m. Beginning
Mahjong Lessons
2 p.m. Town Council
3 p.m. Healthy Plate
Cooking
08
09
10
11
12
13
KIGR Gourmet and
Grapes Weekend
7:30 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Charleston Jazz
Orchestra (East Beach
Conference Center)
9 a.m. Photography Club
Workshop
9:30 a.m. Kiawah Island
Garden Club
3 p.m. Opera Lite
9 a.m. Internet Security
Class
2 p.m. Public Safety
Committee
3 p.m. Our World:
Understanding the
Holocaust Through Art
10 a.m. Oil Painting Class
3 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Art Film #3 - First
Position (Sandcastle)
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
President's Day - Town
Hall Closed
10 a.m. Kiawah Women's
Group Newcomers Coffee
(JavaJava)
10 a.m. Photography Club
Meeting
3 p.m. Opera Lite
10 a.m. Charleston
County Bookmobile
1:30 p.m. Beginning
Mahjong Lessons
3 p.m. Wealth
Management Seminar
3 p.m. Healthy Plate Cooking
7:30 p.m. Arts Council Presents:
Rene Marie, Jazz Vocalist (East
Beach Conference Center)
3 p.m. Our World: How
the Jenkins Orphanage
Affected the Jazz Music
Culture in Charleston
KIGR Women's Golf
Getaway Weekend
3 p.m. Conservation
Matters
KIGR Women's Golf
Getaway Weekend
10 a.m. Oil Painting Class
KIGR Women's Golf
Getaway Weekend
27
28
1:30 p.m. Beginning
Mahjong Lessons
3 p.m. Communications
Committee
3 p.m. Healthy Plate
Cooking
3:30 p.m. SCCC Meeting
22
23
24
25
26
KIGR Women's Golf
Getaway Weekend
4 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Barcino Baroque
Tours Europe (River Course
Clubhouse)
9 a.m. Photography Club
Workshop
3 p.m. Opera Lite
4 p.m. Board of Zoning
Appeals
1:30 p.m. Beginning
Mahjong Lessons
2 p.m. Ways and Means
Committee
4:30 p.m. Kiawah
Women's Group Firefly
Vodka Tasting Event
5 p.m. Arts Council Piano
Bar (Sandcastle)
7:30 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Peter and Will
Anderson Jazz Trio (Turtle
Point Clubhouse)
Recurring Events at the Sandcastle
• Mondays at 8:30 a.m. Sandcastle Bible Study
• Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
Sandcastle Bridge
• Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.
Women's Community
KICA (Sandcastle)
843-768-3875
kica.us (Events)
Bible Study
• Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Weight Watchers
• Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Ladies Mah-Jongg
Kiawah Cares
843-768-9194
kiawahcares.org
• Wednesdays at 3 p.m.
Intermediate and Advanced
Bridge Lessons
10 a.m. Oil Painting Class
3 p.m. Arts Council
Presents: Art Film #4 Tony Bennett The Music
Never Ends (Sandcastle)
VALENTINE'S DAY
Planning a romantic night
out with your sweetheart?
Take the Kiawah Shuttle
Service and travel in
luxury! Book today
at 843-768-5566.
5 p.m. POPS Progressive
Dinner: Cocktails at the
Sandcastle
Association Fitness Classes Offered
Yoga
Zumba
Strength and Stretch
Water Aerobics
Body Sculpt
Assorted Cardio Classes
**View class times and descriptions at kica.us (Facilities/Fitness Center).
Please note that all fitness classes are complimentary to members.
- KICA Paddlesports Program - www.tidaltrailskiawah.com -
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
843-768-2121
kiawahresort.com
Freshfields Village
843-768-6491
freshfieldsvillage.com
Town of Kiawah Island
843-768-9166
kiawahisland.org
6
January 2015
What's Happening on Kiawah: Winter 2015
For more information or to make reservations for events at the Sandcastle, please contact
the Sandcastle Community Center at sandcastle@kica.us or at 843-768-3875.
Healthy Plate Cooking Classes
Tuesdays, Jan. 13 - Feb. 17 from 3 - 4:30 p.m.
The Sandcastle is pleased to offer a six-week series presented by Healthy
Plate Cooking, promoting nutritional awareness through group classes
in which attendees learn to prepare delicious, home-cooked dishes. These
fun, interactive classes emphasize the importance of balanced nutrition
while exposing attendees to multi-cultural culinary arts. Students will
receive step-by-step instructions for delicious dishes, recipes, handouts
and useful tips/info. Cost is $150 for the full series. RSVP to the
Sandcastle by Jan. 7. **Special offer: Attend the first class on an introductory
basis for $25. If satisfied, sign up for balance of series by Jan. 14,
Financial Planning Seminar:Tax Harvesting, Roth Conversions,
Inherited IRAs and Required Minimum Distributions
Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. Presented by E & R Wealth Management
As the new year starts, so too does the time for tax planning. This is
a time typically filled with strategies to minimize income, maximize
deductions and attempts to ensure that the least amount of taxes
possible are payable and that any taxes due are pushed as far out into
the future as possible.
In the past, a "minimize-and-defer-income" approach has been rather
effective. But in today's tax environment, with more tax brackets,
higher top rates and a myriad of additional phaseouts and surtaxes,
the reality is that just pushing income indefinitely into the future is
not necessarily the best strategy.
As a result, it may be far more effective to consider strategies like Roth
conversations or capital gains harvesting that aim to accelerate income
into the current year, rather than defer it into the future. This form of tax
bracket arbitrage (i.e. creating wealth by reporting income when tax rates
will be lower, even if it's now) can actually result in greater lifetime wealth.
Please RSVP to the Sandcastle by Jan. 9.
Our World Lecture Series
Thursdays (times vary)
Our World is a complimentary educational lecture series produced by
KICA that features presentations by local experts on a wide variety of
subjects. A selection of wine and cheese is served. Reservations are due by
the Monday prior to the event.
• Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. - Cults of Lost Causes: Medieval Japan and the
American Civil War. Presented by Katherine Purcell, director of
the International Education Office at Trident Technical College.
• Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. - Economic Outlook 2015. Presented by Steve
Slifer, Lehman Brothers chief US economist from 1980 to 2003
and founder of NumberNomics (Economics Explained).
• Feb. 3 and 10 from 9 - 11 a.m. - Mini Course on Internet Security.
Topics include malware, the signs of infection and the differences
in protection software. Course is $20 per person (paid in advance).
Class size is limited to 20 people.
Trivia Night at the Sandcastle
Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
Finish up dinner, put on your thinking cap and come over to the
Sandcastle to rattle your brain! Bring your favorite drink (drinks are
not provided) and listen to live piano music by Glenn Brown, The
Piano Man, while testing your mental fortitude. Play with a team (max
six people) or sign up there. Cost is $10 per property owner.
Beginning Mahjong Classes
Tuesdays, Feb. 3 - March 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Are you interested in learning an ancient game with a modern
twist? Mahjong has been a popular game in America since the 1920s.
Combining luck and skill, you too will find Mahjong to be a friendly, fun
and fascinating game for men and women of all ages. Although this game
of Chinese tiles is usually played by four people, the play is individual and
partners are not needed. Come and see why so many people have enjoyed
the game for such a long time. The class instructor is Janet Fine. The class
fee is $60 and includes all materials. Please RSVP to the Sandcastle.
Sandcastle Library Book Donations
For many years, the Sandcastle has welcomed donations of recent novels-fiction and non-fiction, hardcover and paperback--in good condition.
Recently, staff have been overwhelmed with members' generosity! If you
have books that you would like to bring over, please call first to see if they
can accommodate the donation. Regarding specialty and older books,
please consider taking them directly to the John's Island Public Library.
For more information, contact the Sandcastle.
Emergency Response Team Offers Certification Classes
The Town of Kiawah Island Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) will hold basic certification classes for all of those interested in
learning life saving techniques. Attendees who complete the classes will
receive Charleston County Certification for CERT programs. The classes
will teach important first responder skills such as how to address the three
major causes of death in an emergency situation: breathing stoppage,
excessive bleeding and shock. Topics such as fire suppression, search and
rescue, injury triage and earthquake response will also be covered.
Training class dates include (all classes are located on Kiawah Island
unless otherwise noted):
• Friday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Unit 1 Disaster Preparedness,
Unit 2 Fire Safety and Utility Controls, Unit 5 Light Search and
Rescue Operations
• Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Unit 3-4 Disaster Medical
Operations, Unit 6 CERT Organization
• Friday, Jan. 30, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Unit 7 Disaster Psychology,
Unit 8 Terrorism and CERT
• Saturday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Course Review, Final Exam,
and Disaster Simulation - Location: Charleston County Rescue
Squad 2521 Rescue Drive North Charleston, SC 29405
Those interested in attending these classes may contact Jack Regan at
843-768-1948 or jackregan@bellsouth.net. Class sizes will be limited and
attendees will be selected on a first come basis. For more information
on Kiawah’s CERT program, visit kiawahisland.org/cert-team.
7
January 2015
Dig It With The Kiawah Garden Club
The garden club’s season is September through May, and the club typically
meets on the second Monday of each month. A full list of upcoming
garden club sessions can be found below.
Are you an expert gardener looking to refine your skills, or a beginner
hoping to grow your green thumb? Regardless of your level of
experience or knowledge, the Kiawah Island Garden Club (KIGC)
offers something for everyone.
KIGC has an interesting schedule of events planned for 2015 and
welcomes participation. In addition to regular programs, there are a
number of workshops where members can dig in and get their hands dirty
while learning some interesting skills and crafts.
• Jan. 12 - Gardens of the World documentary movie narrated by
Audrey Hepburn. Refreshments at 9:30 a.m., meeting at 10 a.m. at
the Sandcastle.
• Feb. 9 - Houseplant Do's and Don't's. Refreshments at 9:30 a.m.,
meeting at 10 a.m. at the Sandcastle.
• March 9 - Succulents - Discussion and workshop. Cost TBD.
Refreshments at 9:30 a.m., meeting at 10 a.m. at the Sandcastle.
• April 13 - This will be a unique tour of Hobcaw Barony, the former
Baruck Estate. The club will tour the grounds, the house and the
museum, along with a behind-the-scenes tour of all that happens
there. Tentatively, there will be morning and afternoon tours. Cost
will be $30 plus a boxed lunch.
• May 4 - Charleston Gateway Walk, followed by lunch. Cost TBD.
All KICA members are invited to join the club. Dues are only $15. Checks
payable to Kiawah Island Garden Club may be sent to Donna Pomian,
169 Bluebill Court, Kiawah Island, SC 29455.
For more information on the club, visit kiawahislandgardenclub.com.
Court Reverses Decision on Captain Sam's Spit Sea Wall
After several hearings and appeals, on Dec. 10 the South Carolina
Supreme Court ruled 3-2 in favor of not allowing developers to build
a sea wall on Kiawah Island's Captain Sam's Spit.
Sometimes called CSS, the spit is more than 150 acres of undeveloped
land on the western-most end of Kiawah. In 2010, Kiawah Partners
received permission from the SC Administrative Law Court to build
a 2,783-foot long bulkhead and revetment on the spit. The structure
was part of a plan to build 50 homes higher up the spit.
In 2011, the SC Supreme Court reversed the ALC decision, but that
decision was appealed and in 2013 the state Supreme Court ruled
the building of the bulkhead and revetment could move ahead. After
further appeals, additional hearings were granted, leading to this
most recent decision by the court.
For more information and background on the court’s decision, read
the article Kiawah Developer Denied Permits for Capt. Sam’s Spit Sea
Walls on postandcourier.com.
DHEC also approved the structure, but only the 270 feet that was
adjacent to Kiawah Beachwalker Park.
Council Members, Mayor Begin New Term
The newly elected mayor and council members were sworn in on
Friday, Dec. 5 during a formal ceremony in the Council Chambers.
From left to right: John Labriola, Mary Johnson, Municipal Judge John
Strauch, Mayor Charles Lipuma, Craig Weaver and John Wilson. Thank You from Kiawah Cares!
Our heartfelt thanks to this year's Kiawah Giving Tree sponsors.
Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, over 70 students from Angel
Oak and Edith L. Frierson Eementary schools got their Christmas
wishes fulfilled this year!
D i g e s t
c/o Kiawah Island Community Association
23 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Address Service Requested
Call KICA For Backflow System Inspections
Did you know KICA offers the expertise of our irrigation technicians who
can perform basic backflow testing and repairs?
Backflow prevention devices are used to protect potable water supplies from
contamination or pollution due to backflow. In water supply systems, water
is normally maintained at a significant pressure to enable water to flow
from the tap, shower, etc. When pressure fails or is reduced, as may happen
if a water main bursts, pipes freeze or there is unexpectedly high demand
on the water system, then such reduced pressure in the pipe may allow
contaminated water from the ground, from storage or from other sources to
be drawn up into the system.
Kiawah Island Utility (KIU) requires residential water systems be tested
every two years to ensure that they are working properly.
Cost of Services
• Basic Backflow Certification: $60
• KICA's technicians can make the repairs, when needed, for $37.50 per hour,
plus the cost of materials. A one hour minimum charge applies ($37.50).
After one hour, the cost is $18.75 per half hour or $37.50 per hour.
Request Backflow Certification Services
Email memberservices@kica.us or call 843-768-9194 to schedule an
appointment. Services will be billed to your existing KICA member account
and invoiced to you.
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