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St. Helena Island Community Coalition Members Support the Pine Island Golf Development, Question the Opponent's Intentions and Motives, and call on Beaufort County Council to Negotiate the Best Outcome for the Future of St. Helena
For Immediate Release On Behalf of The Community Coalition Action Network of St. Helena
ST. HELENA ISLAND, SC – For over a year, there has been a series of well-organized public disinformation campaigns aimed at preventing the development of the 502-acre Pine Island Property into a private golf club and limited residential community. The St. Helena Community has been told, directly and deliberately, that “Your Way of Life is at Risk” and that “the way of living on our rural sea island ecosystem will be DESTROYED” if this occurs. We, the Community Coalition Action Network of St. Helena, have had enough! Not only do we support the golf club development, but after learning the facts, we believe the truth has been deliberately withheld to mislead St. Helena Island Gullah residents, the public, the media, and Beaufort County Council. There is much more to the story, and every day, as we share the facts with the Community, virtually everyone prefers the golf course development option. The Community has not spoken, but now we are!
Our way of life is not at risk, nor will it be destroyed by the development of a golf course on Pine Island. Gullah culture and land ownership will not be harmed. No encroachments on Gullah land will occur. None of our cemeteries will be disturbed. Property taxes across rural St. Helena Island won't go up. And a “domino effect”will certainly not be set in motion; this scenario cannot be repeated…ever. Despite these facts, specific organizations and individuals have intervened in the upcoming legal proceedings in an effort to take away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for St. Helena Island. Why? – we ask.
"We're the silent majority--and they don't speak for us," retired St. Helena Island U.S. Postmaster Roy R. Brown says of the groups opposing the development of Pine Island, the site of former private-hunting retreat that has been privately owned for more than 160 consecutive years.
"All they've done since Day One is deliberately mislead the Gullah Community to scare them into joining high-profile protests that have generated negative state, regional, and national press coverage. And they've unfairly demonized Pine Island developer Elvio Tropeano, who's a decent young white man with serious plans to help improve the quality of life of Gullah families on St. Helena," observed Brown, who served as the first Gullah postmaster of St. Helena Island, during his stellar 40-year career with the US Postal Service.
We now understand that the development of a golf course is not a threat to our community but rather an excellent opportunity for the community in many ways. Theresa White, Founder & CEO of the Pan-AfricanFamily Empowerment & Land Preservation Network, the top non-profit fighting to prevent Black land loss in the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor says, "Mr. Tropeano is unique among developers in that he's giving Gullah people a seat at the table to discuss a private golf community development that doesn't impact our culture and land. And he plans to use part of the proceeds generated from golf fees to bankroll scholarships for Gullah youth; jobs and management training partnerships; donations to key non-profits like Penn Center; and financial support for existing, and future Gullah-owned businesses and economic development projects. He definitely wants to be a good neighbor!"
At the June 26 th , 2023, County Council meeting, Councilman York Glover stated that the “Community has spoken” and “said we do not want to change our lifestyle.” The Community has not spoken!
These groups do not speak for us! Now that we have the facts, the Community believes this development will not change our lifestyle and, in fact, can help to improve it! Councilman Glover continued, “it is not about the sport of golf…it’s that it could be repeated.” Theresa White of PAFEN rejects that assumption: "Fears that a Pine Island golf community will weaken the St.Helena Island Cultural Protection Overlay District are unfounded and just plain incorrect, as are fears that development of Pine Island will set off a domino effect of unwanted development across SHI," she says. "How do I know? I know because no other non-contiguous undeveloped island off the coast has the required land to repeat this and, most importantly, the legal circumstances make the scenario impossible to recreate. It's a one-of-a-kind economic development engine that can provide stable local jobs, and help SHI Gullah families break the cycle of generational poverty."
The truth matters, and as long-time members of the St. Helena Island Community, we know there is a shift of sentiment toward the project as people learn the facts. We have been educating the community, one by one, and are now undertaking a series of public education events. We are Starting with a kick-off Press Conference on Friday, September 22 nd . We have scheduled a series of public “Listen and Learn” sessions at the St. HelenaBranch Library in the large conference room.
Being misled should not be taken lightly, and your voice matters. The Community is shifting! Please call and email your Beaufort County Council representative as you learn the facts to urge them to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The Community Coalition Action Network of St. Helena Island is a dedicated group of citizens, businesses and partner organizations focused on positive change in our beloved community. Our organization, CCAN of St. Helena Island, is passionately committed to uplifting the voices of the vibrant community of St. Helena Island and fostering a spirit of unity, empowerment, and growth.
LISTEN AND LEARN SESSIONS
Thursday, September 28 th : 5pm – 6:30 pmThursday, October 5 th : 5pm – 6:30 pm
The Truth Matters. We encourage all members of the public to attend the listening sessions, learn the facts,and reach out to the Community Coalition with any questions (843-608-1373) or ccanshelena@gmail.com).