I am confident that the vast majority of the Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns islands community supports the negotiated Captain Sams Spit deal and sincerely hopes that it will go through the remaining political processes in Columbia without change, a hold-up or even a negative decision.
What many property owners, like myself, do not understand is why the Conservancy of the Sea Islands must raise $1.3 million from the community while our political and owner representatives in the town of Kiawah Island and the Kiawah Island Community Association are sitting on millions in their bank accounts. According to 2025 financial reports, the town of Kiawah Island had a general fund of roughly $31 million while the community association had a reserve of about $27 million.
It is certainly true that the town of Kiawah Island is spending $3.7 million for the Beachwalker Park parcel, based on its appraised value. In contrast, Kiawah Island Community Association is not contributing a single dime to the Captain Sams Spit deal.
The community of the Sea Islands is expected to raise $1.3 million to help close the deal while funds held by these community organizations are left largely untouched. One could ask if this is sending the right signal to the Lowcountry community.
MICHAEL HEIDINGSFELDER
Conservancy of the Sea Islands, trustee
Kiawah Island
Tariffs hurt SC retailers
According to a recent Federal Reserve survey, more than 2 in 5 small businesses have seen a hike in costs due to tariffs in the past year. For entrepreneurs across South Carolina — home to more than 500,000 small businesses — tariffs have meant a costly and increasingly uncertain reality that threatens not only our competitive edge but also the state’s economy.
2025 felt like a lost year for my business, and the problems tariffs caused will persist. I’m spending more time than ever reconfiguring my pricing, especially with our disposable packaging and serveware, and reassessing my supply chain.
Rather than easing economic challenges, our federal trade policy contributes to them. The current approach is highly unfair to small businesses that don’t have the time or resources to devote to making adjustments. For me, every dollar earned makes a big difference, but the trade environment prevents me from using profits to grow and hire more hardworking South Carolinians.
Like so many in the community, offering great products to customers at affordable prices has always been my priority. The longer tariffs stay intact, the farther that goal moves out of reach.
Our Republican congressional delegation can score a big win by urging President Donald Trump to reconsider his tariffs on imported goods South Carolinians rely upon. South Carolina has long been admired as a great state to start and grow a small business. Maintaining that reputation will require trade policies that keep costs manageable and ease the burden on entrepreneurs.
SAMEKA JENKINS
Charleston
Limit light pollution
Many people do not realize how dramatically light pollution has increased in the Lowcountry, but its effects are becoming impossible to ignore. Excessive and poorly designed outdoor lighting is washing out our night sky, disrupting wildlife, wasting energy and even making our streets less safe by creating glare that reduces visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
Fortunately, the solutions are straightforward. Lighting experts have developed the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting, a simple framework that any city, business or homeowner can adopt:
• Use light only where it’s needed.
• Keep it targeted and shielded.
• Choose low illumination levels.
• Control lighting with timers or motion sensors.
• Select warm-colored lights to reduce glare and protect humans and wildlife.
Communities across the country are embracing these principles because they improve safety, reduce energy costs and restore the beauty of the night sky. There’s no reason our community shouldn’t do the same.
I encourage our local leaders and residents to take light pollution seriously and adopt responsible lighting practices. A healthier, safer and more beautiful nighttime environment is entirely within reach if we choose to make it a priority.
THOMAS BERTA
Charleston
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