On any given day, you’ll find me out on the beach, surfing, walking the shoreline with Stacy, or just enjoying the place that helped make us choose Folly as our home. Like many residents, I spend much of my time here because our beach is more than scenery; it’s the heart of our community.
Our beachfront is our biggest asset, protecting homes and businesses, drawing visitors from around the world, and shaping our community. That’s why, as Mayor, preserving our beaches will be my top priority.
Investing in the health of our shoreline is not optional; it is essential. Strong dunes, smart policies like the Dune Management Plan, and trusted partnerships with groups like the South Carolina Beach Advocates and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are what protect our economy, our safety, and our future.
Protecting Our Dunes
The dunes are our first line of defense against storms and flooding. That’s why I fully support the City’s Dune Management Plan, which strengthens natural protections, safeguards homes and businesses, and ensures we’re taking care of our fragile coastal ecosystem. By maintaining healthy dunes, we protect not just sand and sea oats, but our community’s safety and long-term resilience.
Beach Preservation is Good For Business
South Carolina’s beaches generate between $1.5 and $3.0 billion every year in tourism and recreation spending, and Folly is a vital part of that success. Visitors don’t just come for the sand and surf; they fill our restaurants, shop at our stores, rent homes, book fishing charters, and support the entire local economy.
That’s why beach preservation isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s an economic issue. From protecting property values and sustaining tourism dollars to safeguarding tax revenue and reducing storm impacts, every dollar invested in Folly’s beach pays back many times over in economic strength and community stability.
Keeping Our Partnership with the Army Corps Strong
Beach renourishment is vital to keeping Folly’s shoreline healthy. For decades, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been our partner in protecting our island, and preserving that agreement is essential. Without this relationship, Folly would face devastating erosion and higher risks from hurricanes and flooding. I am committed to ensuring that our city continues to work hand-in-hand with the Corps to maintain and protect our beaches.
As Mayor, I will make it a priority to uphold the agreements that keep our partnership with the Army Corps strong.
Standing with Coastal Communities Across South Carolina
I will also continue the work of Mayor Goodwin and the South Carolina Beach Advocates because I believe in the power of coastal communities standing together. This coalition educates state and federal leaders, especially those from inland areas, on the importance of beach preservation, renourishment funding, and environmental protection. By working together, we amplify our voice and secure the resources our coast needs.
Protecting Our Sea Turtles
It is our responsibility to be good stewards of the beach. That’s why I support Folly’s commitment to protecting sea turtles by attending Turtle Team events that bring residents and visitors together. These events do more than safeguard nests—they educate the public on how each of us can help protect endangered turtles. I’m also working on an app to make it easier for volunteers to log and share important nesting data, improving accuracy and strengthening research with state and federal partners.
In addition, Stacy and I regularly participate in the Toby Beach Sweeps, which not only keep plastic and trash out of our ocean but also provide valuable data to researchers at the Charleston Aquarium. Together, these efforts show how our community can pair hands-on care with innovation to keep Folly’s shoreline thriving.
Why It Matters to All of Us
Preserving our beaches isn’t just about sand—it’s about safeguarding the foundation of Folly’s way of life. A strong shoreline supports our local businesses, fuels tourism that drives jobs and city services, protects residents who deserve a safe and resilient place to call home, and sustains wildlife like our sea turtles that rely on healthy beaches to survive.
When we protect our beaches, we protect Folly’s future. As Mayor, I will make beach preservation a top priority, fighting for funding, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring every decision we make honors the importance of our shoreline. By protecting what we love, we secure a stronger, more resilient Folly for generations to come.
