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A group of IOPNA members recently volunteered to attend and make observations at a variety of public meetings held by our City Government. Observer Corp members have submitted reports, which are now available online. To view, click on the Updates link in the menu to the left, and then click on the Observer Corp Reports link.

The purpose of these reports is to help residents become better informed about the issues being addressed by our city government. The IOPNA believes that our local elected officials actions, good or bad, should be acknowledged and understood by all citizens.

Posted May 20, 2008

District 112 Candidate Interviews

The IOPNA was contacted by both candidates running for the District 112 State House seat. Mount Pleasant Council Member Joe Bustos requested a meeting while IOP Mayor F. Michael Sottile asked for our endorsement. In the interest of assisting our membership in choosing a candidate, the IOPNA Board of Directors met with both candidates and presented them with the same set of 18 questions.

To read the abridged version of the candidate's responses click this link to download their answers, presented side-by-side:

District 112 Candidate Comparison (PDF)

You can also read the full text of their answers here:

Sottile Candidate Interview May 13, 2008

Bustos Candidate Interview May 14, 2008

The IOPNA Board of Directors declined to endorse or not endorse either candidate primarily because this election is for a seat outside the Isle of Palms municipality. There are, however, distinct differences between the two candidates, so we encourage you to review their comments and vote for the candidate who most closely aligns with your own views.

Posted January 20, 2008

IOPNA Announces 2008 Leadership

At our Kick-off Meeting held January 8at the Exchange Club, the Isle of Palms Neighborhood Association announced our new officers for 2008:

President – Catherine Malloy

Vice President – Jane McMackin

Treasurer – M.J. O’Brien

Secretary – Nancy Mackey

During the meeting, the association also took steps to formalize our organizational structure. In addition to announcing new officers we also placed members in committee leadership roles :

Membership Committee – Paul Reddy

Observer Corps Committee – Diane Oltorik

Communications Committee – Jeff Evans

GIS Committee – Paul Hanson

A draft of the Proposed Bylaws was also presented to the membership. Joanna Harper and Jack Tracey volunteered to work on the by-laws.

A Board of Directors was also installed that consists of officers, committee heads and two at-large members:

Barbara Bergwerf

Bunny Johnson

IOPNA serves as the voice of the residents and as a resource to city government for advice and information. If you would like to participate please call us at 886-3171.

Posted January 3, 2008

2008 IOPNA Kickoff Meeting

WHAT: IOP Neighborhood Association Kickoff Meeting

WHEN: January 8th, 7PM

WHERE: Exchange Club, 201 Palm Blvd.

Join your neighbors to discuss topics important to your neighborhood for 2008. We have an exciting agenda scheduled that includes:

An open roundtable for gathering your ideas and input for prioritizing the many important issues soon to be on City Council's agenda
Introduction of a more formalized structure for the IOPNA.

It is our goal for the IOPNA to be a voice of the resident and to be looked to by the City for advice and information. There will be important issues coming up and we need to have the organization in place so that the concerns of ordinary residents are heard and respected.

Posted December 15, 2007

Special Council Meeting to Welcome New Council Members

Be on hand as Michael Loftus, Brian Duffy and Ralph Piening are sworn into office. The newest members of Council officially begin their terms during a Special City Council Meeting to be held at City Hall on Wednesday, January 3rd at 6:30PM.

Posted October 1, 2007

Neighbors Support their Candidates at Pig Pickin'

Isle of Palms, SC, October 1st, 2007

Thanks to all those who attended the Neighborhood Pig Pickin' on September 30th! Your participation and contributions made for a delightful and successful event. We all had an opportunity to network with our neighbors, hear the candidates speak and to enjoy a great variety of delicious food. Thank you to everyone who brought side dishes - what a smorgasbord!

The reviews are in, and everyone agrees - Jim Mueller's roast pig was delicious - thanks to Jim for getting up at 3:30am to get the pork started. A big thanks also to David Bourque for pumping out all those World Famous French Fries, and to Carol Bourque, Terry and Larry Stafford, Larry Stafford, Paul and Rochelle Hanson and Ann and Jeff Evans for helping to organize the event.

Pig Pickin Photos

IOPNA Endorses Four Candidates for City Council

Isle of Palms, SC, September 19th, 2007

The Isle of Palms Neighborhood Association (IOPNA) has announced their endorsement of four candidates seeking to fill seats on City Council. They are:

Jane McMackin, Michael Loftus, Brian Duffy & Ralph Piening

We feel that each of these candidates embrace the values most important to our constituency:

Suppport for healthy development with respect for the residential character of our neighborhoods.
A balance between business and residents interests that truly represents the community as a whole
Open, accessible government

We would encourage you to learn more about all those running for council seats. As the election approaches we'll provide a more in-depth look at all the candidates so that you can be well informed before you vote on Nov. 6th.

Council Passes Inadaquate Short- Term Rental Ordinances

Isle of Palms, SC Tuesday March 27th

City Council passed second reading on four ordinances governing short-term rental properties on the island. In a Public Hearing held before the Council Meeting, many residents expressed their displeasure with the new ordinances, saying that they did little to address the burgeoning "mini-hotel" businesses in the island's residential districts. Specifically, in Ordinance 2007-2, rental properties will be allowed one renter per every 250 sq. ft. This number closely reflects the current capacities published by property rental companies on the island.

Isle of Palms Neighborhood Association co-President Ralph Piening shared his concerns regarding Council Leadership's disregard for neighborhood concerns at the Public Hearing prior to the Council Meeting. To read his comments click here.

Council Votes Down Ordinance to Curb Lot Subdivisons

Isle of Palms, SC Tuesday March 27th

City Council defeated the second reading for a measure to increase the minimum lot size in Residential Zone SR-2 to 12,000 sq. ft. The measure is now dead, allowing for as many as 35 lots to be subdivided on the SR-2 (ocean side) of Hartnett Blvd. Councilman Dick Cronin, who voted to pass the ordinance, indicated that allowing continued lot subdivisions will result in an unwanted increase in density and is not in keeping with our City’s Comprehensive Plan.

The first reading of this ordinance passed in January of this year as a means to stop the lot subdivisions that are occurring on Hartnett Blvd. A group of neighbors on this street became concerned when it was discovered that covenants and restrictions prohibiting lot subdivisions (in place since the early 1960’s) expired in January of 2006.

Newsletter Mailed

February 20, 2007

In order to keep our neighbors informed, especially those who do not have access to the Web, approximately 2000 newsletters were mailed out today.

Citizens Group Presents Petition to City

January 22nd, 2007

IOP Concerned Citizens, a group headed by Forest Trail resident Ralph Piening, presented a petition to City Council members on Wednesday. The petition, signed by over 800 Isle of Palms residents, is requesting that the city to take action to address continued problems associated with short-term rental properties on the island. Mayor F. Michael Sottile acknowledged receipt of the petition during City Council Special Meeting on Jan. 22nd. He stated that the petition would be "dealt with" at the next regular Council Meeting.

Mr. Piening indicated that he met with each Council member, as well as with the Mayor, to discuss the petition and to ask for their assistance in bringing about legislation that addresses the requests being made. "I asked each of them if they felt that there should be a balance between short-term rental properties and resident occupied properties on the island" said Piening. "Most, but not all agreed with that statement. Many of our neighborhoods are about to be steamrolled - we're hoping the city does something quickly to protect the neighborhoods" he added.