DI News History - May 24, 2018

TEN YEARS AGO – Lowcountry boating

In the May 22, 2008 issue of The Daniel Island News, the centerspread featured a story about the love of boating in the Lowcountry. The article suggested if you’re looking to get hooked on boating, as many Daniel Islanders have, the first step is to find yourself a boat. Chris Meredith, co-owner and general manager of Longshore Boats on Clements Ferry Road, is one of several boat dealers in the area who can have you cruising with dolphins in no time.

“We’ve got boats here from 14 feet on up to 38 feet, open boats as well as cabin boats, and fishing as well as pleasure boats.” said Meredith at the time, who lives with his wife, Tracy, and their three children, on Daniel Island. “…We are just in a beautiful spot (here in the Lowcountry) and I don’t think there is a better way to enjoy it than to be out on the water.”

Also in the news was an article about a positive future economic forecast. While many in the Lowcountry had undoubtedly felt the struggling effects of the national economy during what was deemed a “recession,” local economic forecasters weren’t convinced at the time that the penny-pinching conditions in 2008 warranted using the dreaded “R” word.

“The media has pretty much convinced us that we’re in a recession,” noted Mary Graham, senior vice president of Public Policy and Regional Advancement for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce at that time. “But nothing we see in terms of this region’s economy says that we’re in a recession. Clearly, there is a slowdown…but things are not as bad as they would lead us to believe.”

Graham outlined the reasons behind her optimism in an economic forecast for the Charleston region in 2008 as guest speaker for the Chamber’s Joint Area Business Council meeting at the Daniel Island Club.

“Our economy compared to other markets in the country is doing better,” she said to the crowd. “…We see the long-term forecast for our area as very good.”

FIVE YEARS AGO – Where will the community garden be located?

The May 23, 2013 issue of The Daniel Island News included an update on plans in the works for a community garden on Daniel Island. Several plans were scrapped for different reasons. The original plan was to locate in an area off the bike path near Blakeway and Grand Council Streets. Nearby residents opposed the location, complaining about potential foul smells, increased traffic congestion and vandalism. The opposition led the City and POA to rethink the location with hopes that they could find an area that would better appease the residents.

The City and POA continued to work together and decided to look at the area parks as potential sites. Having narrowed the location down to three parks, Freedom Park (located behind Daniel Island School), Etiwan Park and Governors Park, they organized another meeting to get feedback from the community.

However, community members who lived near Freedom Park and Etiwan Park voiced the same complaints and concerns as did those who lived near the original location. It was a consensus at the time from those in the community that Governors Park would be a better choice, since it is not in someone’s “backyard.” While that plan eventually died as well, today the community garden sits on the property of Daniel Island School and has become a vibrant learning tool for the school as well as a wonderful community garden.

Also in the news, it was reported that a new fire truck had taken up residence at the City of Charleston Fire Department’s Station 20 off Clements Ferry Road to serve the Daniel Island/Cainhoy Peninsula area. The Pierce Arrow XT fire engine replaced a 1991 model that was moved to the reserve apparatus fleet. A total of 12 firefighters worked out of the Station 20 fire house at the time. It is located near the Daniel Island Marina on Pinefield Drive.