Past Accomplishments

COUNCIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Maintained excellent relationship with Army Corp to ensure future beach renourishment funding, protection of our shoreline (groins, sand fencing, etc.), and an allowance to pull sand from the Folly River, keeping the channel depth needed for boat usage
Strengthened endangered sea turtle protection laws and advocacy, and worked with business to restrict single use plastics and Styrofoam from our island
Strengthened our tree preservation ordinance and saved the PO oak trees
Enacted the Beach Management Plan, Dune Management Act and a first-in-state Marsh Plan to provide guidelines and restrictions to ensure healthy resources continue and restrict over development.
Strengthened mooring laws locally and influenced State law to allow local jurisdiction, prevent abandoned vessels, and keep our waterways cleared
Restricted cruise lines from dumping in our local waters
Created programs for residents for composting, rain gardens and tree replacement

Created a Community Coordinator position that plans family friendly and demographically appropriate events
Utilized Charleston County Greenbelt Funds to purchase property and create Folly’s own dog park. Worked with CCPRC to build and fund a separate kayak launch and increase boat landing parking.
Updated Center Street design. Installed high visibility crosswalks, water fountains, trash/recycle bins, added lighting and bike racks while keeping landscaping and palms intact.
Increased governmental transparency. Upgraded Council Chambers AV to live stream and record all City meetings.
Started the Code Red Notification system that contacts residents with emergencies and important information.
Updated website for direct access to agendas, news, meetings, paying bills and contact info.
Worked with the Exchange Club to lease our Community Garden land
Provided Narcan and CPR training classes for businesses and residents
Pursued and won a lawsuit against Airbnb that resulted in over $1.6 million in back taxes and fees.

Construction is about to begin on the Arctic Ave project, which will change East Arctic to 1 wide traffic lane, 2 lanes of marked parking, and an 8’ pedestrian path and landscape buffer.
Added public restrooms throughout the city
Numerous drainage projects island wide
Made SIGNIFICANT progress in replacing our aging water pipe system.
Updated building codes and achieved a CRS rating of 3, which translates into a 35% reduction in homeowner’s insurance.
Replaced all aging water meters with new auto-read technology, which has greatly increased accuracy and leak notification.
Established and maximized our paid parking program and the revenue it provides
Re-worked our Commercial District zoning to allow business incentives while also preventing expansion into residential areas

Lowered the speed limit island wide
Increased department size to meet demand of residents and visitors
Constructed several pedestrian paths for safe walking
Created a marine division to enforce local water laws and increase water rescue capabilities
Separated police and fire so we have full-time, dedicated employees in both departments for increased resident protection
Created Beach Management Patrol to monitor beach activity, educate visitors on the rules, help with litter control, etc.
Funded traffic studies City-wide for items like stop signs (2nd West), speed limit decrease, turnability (Peas/Bowen’s Island) and more safety measures.
Budgeted an incentive program for Public Safety personnel that rewards special certifications such as first aid, water rescue and other unique safety measures.

Organized the City’s 40th anniversary with a throwback festival honoring the city’s origins
Member of the Folly Association of Business since 2006. Created and organized events such as Taste of Folly and the Polar Plunge. Worked with FAB to bridge relations between businesses and residents. Raised and donated funds to community groups such as Surfer’s Healing and the Exchange Club. Enhanced our city by starting Center Street landscaping and our litter committee, which thanks to Vanessa Oltmann, has exploded with sweeps and local notoriety.
Member of the Folly Beach Exchange Club since 2009. Served 4 terms as President and won the Big E and National Service Award, the highest honors National EXC can bestow on local clubs. We have raised and donated funds into our community during projects such as school and veteran supply drives, local scholarships, golf and pickleball tournaments. We supported various community events such as Folly Family Fun Night, National Night Out, FamCamp, Surfer’s Healing and Slow Down Folly.
Play Santa for the Follywood children every year, taking pictures and giving out presents.
Served on the Accommodations Tax Advisory Board 2008-2010 dispersing ATAX dollars to the city and various community events.