Staff reports  |  A decade-long lawsuit over trimming a maritime forest on Sullivan’s Island is the flash point of a May 4 election for mayor and three town council seats. 

For years, homeowners cited concerns of vermin and wildfire risk when they requested the forest be trimmed prior to the lawsuit, which was settled by the town in October with a plan to cut many smaller trees. Other residents objected to the plan entirely, wanting the forest to stay wild.

At a Tuesday forum hosted by the League of Women Voters, two mayoral candidates and five council candidates had something to say regarding the matter.

“People are exhausted with the continuous fight,” said town council member Chauncey Clark, who is challenging incumbent Mayor Pat O’Neil.  “Many people on the island are tired of our inability to come to some reasonable compromise on this issue. It’s torn the island in two.”