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St. Helena residents criticize parade safety and county property actions; council approves small road acquisition
Summary
Multiple St. Helena Island residents told council the Nov. 9 heritage parade was handled unsafely and complained about county property‑taking via tax sale and right‑of‑way actions; council approved authorization to reacquire a private road parcel for $10,000 to preserve public access.
Residents of St. Helena Island used the meeting’s public‑comment period to sharply criticize how the county handled the Nov. 9 Heritage Parade and to raise concerns about county property acquisitions and the use of tax‑sale processes.
Pastor Jack Ladson described dangerous conditions during the parade, saying traffic moved while children marched and that island residents were left at risk. “They had 1 lane open where traffic is running through, but you have kids walking in the street in this parade,” he told council, calling the event “mass confusion.” Dr. Cynthia Gregory Smalls and Joel Simmons, both longtime community members, urged county officials to ensure streets are closed for the duration of the parade and to treat the island’s Gullah Geechee heritage with respect.
Separately, public commenters raised a property‑rights complaint tied to a tax‑sale purchase and county efforts to acquire road parcels. One resident said they learned about agenda item 18 (Shepherd Road right‑of‑way) only at the meeting and asked for notice; staff explained the county negotiated to reacquire a road parcel previously sold at tax sale so private owners would not lose access. Project staff said the negotiated settlement to restore public access was $10,000 and council approved the ordinance authorizing the acquisition.
Several commenters urged fair compensation and transparent processes for any acquisitions of privately owned land; one commenter called for payment of fair market value to affected owners. Council members acknowledged the concerns and reiterated the county’s rationale for acquiring the road parcel to maintain public access for multiple properties.
What happens next: staff will execute the acquisition authorized by ordinance and council directed staff to continue outreach with affected property owners; issues raised about parade traffic control were recorded in public comment for follow‑up with emergency services and event organizers.
