“The Pompous Republic” - formerly known as Isle Of Palms, SC
PETITION UPDATE for your rainy Tuesday:
It has been reported that two Isle of Palms politicians are heading up an effort to have the island town secede from the State of South Carolina (See the below link). They say they are inspired by the Conch Republic, also known as the island of Key West. Their reason for wishing to sever their ties with the rest of us in South Carolina is that the State Department of Transportation and the General Assembly have asserted the state’s authority over state owned roads, the access bridge and rights of way adjacent to both (this was our big win last year the passing of Senate bill 40). Many IOP residents want to control those roads and rights of way for the purpose of excluding their fellow South Carolinians from accessing what they see as “their” beach. In their own words, “to protect our property values.” The DOT has made clear they cannot do this.
It is also reported that many IOP residents are already rebelling, like the secessionists of 1860, and are taking matters into their own hands. Instead of seizing state property and building fortifications, they are putting “No Parking” signs into the state right of way in front of their homes. Other IOP secessionists are putting obstructions onto state property to prevent the rest of us from “invading their island” and parking to access a public beach. It is reported that Jimmy Carroll and Blair Hahn are plotting the IOP’s rebellion so as to harness this spirit of secession in a more directed fashion. Of course, any secession or rebellion needs not just a name, but a flag. As Jimmy Carroll noted, “Conch Republic” is already taken, so they need to come up with something else. He has suggested, “Palm Republic,” but that just doesn’t seem to fit the bill. “Palm” sounds, well, a little too “garden club” to suit a spirited rebellion against the state.
The name and flag of the secession movement on IOP needs to reflect the true spirit of the people leading it. What the residents are doing with their “No Parking” signs and illegal obstructions is not “garden club” at all. It’s reckless, lawless, appalling, snobbish behavior. So what should they call their new revolutionary state? What captures the real character and purpose of the IOP? Some names immediately come to mind: “Cocky Republic.” “Pompous Republic.” “Entitled Snob Republic.” All of these would surely fit the moment.
There is no question that putting your own private “No Parking” signs and/or parking obstructions in a state right of way is against the law. It is just plain illegal, but the “Pompous Republic” doesn’t care. Like those wild-eyed secessionists 162 years ago, they have left the law behind. Their purpose is bigger than the law. They are thieving revolutionaries above the law.
Stay tuned as there will be a lot that transpired over the next few months and into the summer with regard to the public parking, access, and use of our beautiful state beaches. In the meantime please read, sign, and share this position!
REPORT - all encroachments, illegal parking signs, and or obstructions directly to the SCDOT:
Michael Black PE
SCDOT district 6
843-746-6715
REPORT - your displeasure of the current parking plans approved by DHEC and the SCDOT directly to your local state representatives. DHEC recently approved a plan for Folly that would allow island residents to park in a right of way for unlimited amount of time while limiting the time for none residents. Why you ask? There is no logical explanation.
We far outnumber the residents of these islands and if we make our collective voices heard we will drowned them out.
- M