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.
“This new system is a huge step forward for transparency, accountability and citizen action here in the city of Charleston,” said Mayor John Tecklenburg. “By reinventing and demystifying the boards and commissions process, it opens up a whole area of city government that’s been locked away in musty folders and file cabinets for too long, and ensures that more of our citizens will be able to have a real say in their own future, and in the future life of our city.”
- Boards+ can be accessed on the City website homepage under the “Government” tab or at www.charleston-sc.gov/boards. Residents who do not have access to the internet can call 843-724-3739 for assistance.
In other good news:
Aquarium offers conservation classes. The S.C. Aquarium is offering a six-part interactive lecture series starting Sept. 21 to focus on diverse areas of conservation. Topics include the organization’s sea turtle rescue program, Charleston’s environmental resilience (Oct. 21); horseshoe crabs and shorebirds (Nov. 16); sharks and rays (Jan. 18); neuroconservation (Feb. 15); and plastic pollution (March 20). Click here to reserve your tickets or call (843) 577-FISH (3474).
Youth coordinator. Congratulations to Kimberly Zuercher, a former special needs and early childhood teacher’s assistant with a Kansas school district who has been named youth program coordinator at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. As a nature train driver at Magnolia for two years, Zuercher interpreted the natural surroundings as she took guests on a 45-minute tram ride around the perimeter of the 500-acre property.
New director. A big welcome to pianist Paul Sanchez, the newly-appointed artistic director of the College of Charleston International Piano Series as well as Director of Piano Studies at the College’s Department of Music. Sánchez will perform the opening concert for the 27th season of the International Piano Series on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m., in the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St., Charleston. Marking Sánchez’s Charleston debut will be a program of Kinderszenen, Op. 15 by Robert Schumann; Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 36 (1931) by Sergei Rachmaninov; Cants Mágics (1917) Federico Mompou; and Ballade No. 2 in B minor, S. 171 by Franz Liszt. General admission is $20 and free for all students and College of Charleston employees.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Use our feed
Send us your comments
