Charleston Currents – City of Charleston

Post Tagged with: "City of Charleston"

FOCUS: Plastic straws, bags, clamshells, more to go away in Charleston

Staff reports | New single-use plastic regulations that eliminate the use of single-use plastic carryout and merchandise bags, as well as some plastic carryout and food packaging items, start Jan. 1 in the city of Charleston.

The new requirements were enacted to maintain cleaner streets and waterways and preserve the beauty and livability of the Charleston area for generations to come, the city of Charleston said.

Among the items that no longer will be allowed are:

* Polystyrene (also known as plastic foam or StyrofoamTM) and other non-recyclable and non-compostable food service ware, carryout containers and food packaging materials such as bowls, boxes, clamshells, cups, plates, stirrers and straws.

* The selling or renting of polystyrene bowls, cups, plates, coolers, containers, ice chests, shipping boxes and packing material.

by Charleston Currents · 12/23/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

Santee Cooper linemen work to restore power after the brunt of Dorian passed. Photos Courtesy Santee Cooper. © All rights reserved.

BRACK: Give local governments, utilities a pat on the back

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Two smells provide vivid memories of Hurricane Hugo.

The first came just after the storm as the resin scent of snapped pine trees filled a car during a drive along Interstate 26 toward Charleston. The air smelled like an open bottle of Pine-Sol. Days later, thanks to decomposing piles of leaves, molding carpets, rotting food and mildewed garbage, came the overwhelming stink of rot.

Fresh and clean, followed by cloying decay.

by Andy Brack · 09/09/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

9/9, full issue: Helping those who need it; Thanking those who helped

IN THIS EDITION

FOCUS: Bluffton legislator ferries supplies to decimated Bahamas
COMMENTARY, Brack: Give local governments, utilities a pat on the back
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Morris Financial Concepts, Inc.
GOOD NEWS: Student award renamed to honor civil rights activist Jim Campbell
FEEDBACK: On the importance of The 1619 Project, more
MYSTERY PHOTO: We know where it is, but what is it?
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Hurricanes in South Carolina through Hugo
CALENDAR: Keb’ Mo’ Solo set for Sept. 19 at Gaillard

by Charleston Currents · 09/09/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue

Image courtesy City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs

FOCUS: 35th annual MOJA Festival starts Thursday

Staff reports | Eleven days of fun, exciting events ranging from dance, music and theatre that celebrate African-American and Caribbean arts are about to take off.

The 35th annual MOJA Arts Festival launches Thursday and will run through Oct. 7 with a rich variety of traditional favorites that make the festival continue as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s 20 top events of the year. Even better: Nearly half of MOJA’s events are admission-free, and the remainder are offered at modest ticket prices.

“Moja,” a Swahili word meaning “one,” is the appropriate name for this festival celebration of harmony among all people in our community, according to the festival’s website.

by Charleston Currents · 09/24/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news

FOCUS, Palm: Moving flood control beyond more trees

By Fred Palm, contributing editor | The Post and Courier editorial team (April 27, 2018) advocated that the City of Charleston plant trees to start to address flooding. That is a start. Here is what got left out.

We know that the outer lands, when properly employed to protect ourselves, buffer, reduce inundation and wave height that flood the inner uplands. We also know the flooding follows the rivers and floodplains going inland to Goose Creek and Mount Pleasant to the Francis Marion National Forest and other parts of the lowlands. This is a threat going well beyond the city of Charleston and addressed well beyond planting trees, though it helps. It could also be a way to have the Dutch dialogue that the P&C editorial writers endorsed recently.

Flooding is a coastal threat. Comprehensive plan funding is needed by all the S.C. state coastal counties and cities; and where the lion’s share of state revenue is drawn. We urgently need the state to act by funding a statewide plan including the coastal waters’ edges and upland rivers.

by Fred Palm · 05/07/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Common Good, Focus, Views

Old postcard of a trolley on Rutledge Avenue.

GOOD NEWS: Charleston begins to update city-wide transportation plan

Staff reports | The city of Charleston will work to update its city-wide transportation plan starting Oct. 25 with a series of public input sessions designed to determine transportation needs throughout the community.

“Engaging our citizens is a critical first step as we work toward improving transportation city-wide,” said Charleston Director of Traffic and Transportation Keith Benjamin. “Their first-hand recommendations will help us to effectively define accessibility in Charleston, mitigate congestion and achieve a good balance of transportation alternatives throughout our city.”

Also in Good News: YESCarolina’s national winner; #4 minor league city; Ingevity and the Lowcountry Food Bank; Assessor’s Office; and eye health survey.

by Charleston Currents · 10/16/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs

BRACK: City must find courage to stem growth of hotels

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | It’s pretty sad – and kind of amazing – that a 10-year-old can reach a common-sense conclusion that seems to elude a majority of Einstein members of Charleston City Council and its planning commission.

“Daddy, we don’t need any more hotels,” my daughter said while looking recently at the skyline pollution of crane after crane.

No, honey, we don’t. What we need are city leaders who will start listening and thinking about the continuing glut of hotels and what greed to build more will cause down the line.

by Andy Brack · 04/10/2017 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views

GOOD NEWS: City launches online platform for boards, commissions

Staff reports | With more than 40 boards and commissions, the city of Charleston has long encouraged independent citizen oversight and participation in local government—at least in theory, according to a press release last week.

But with the debut of Boards+, a new city website that allows citizens to view the members, duties and actions of city boards, committees and commissions and to apply for open positions as they become available, that theory is now becoming a reality for residents throughout the Charleston area.

by Charleston Currents · 08/22/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs