Town Administrator's E-Brief

 

From Town Administrator, Eric DeMoura           Town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

June 2015
Dear Mount Pleasant residents and business owners,

Even though school is out for the summer, we here at the Town are still hard at work.
Many of our capital projects are well underway and new ones are beginning with the start of the next fiscal year on July 1. Mayor Page, Town Council, and Town staff work hard to provide the citizens of Mount Pleasant with the best possible public services. We believe in operating with a higher standard and that public service matters to the people of this community. It is this common goal that drives us to engage better, communicate often, achieve more and work hard. The stories in this month's E-brief reflect our mission by providing you with the latest news, project updates, and event information you need. We are continuing our efforts to engage community members and collect feedback regarding their public participation preferences and opinions through our 2015 Community Survey. We are also adding measures to increase our transparency by equipping every police officer with a body camera. And we are facilitating a hospitality alliance for East of the Cooper businesses. These are just a few examples of how we are striving to deliver impactful and distinctive service to our citizens.
 
I am proud of the success we, as a community, have achieved thus far, but we still have more work to do. I ask that you participate in making Mount Pleasant a better place to live and to work by informing yourself of the latest Town news and by getting involved in one of the many engagement opportunities we offer. The summer time is full of special events and other activities for residents of all ages. I hope to see you at a Town event or meeting soon.  

  


In This Issue
Upcoming Events

July 6: Committees of Council Meetings

July 14: Town Council Meeting

July 15: Splash Day @ Memorial Waterfront Park

July 18: Reading Patrol @ Barnes & Noble

July 21: Ribbon cutting ceremony for new Town Hall

 

  

MPPD Armed With Body Cameras
The Mount Pleasant Police Department has purchased 150 Vievu LE3 cameras to equip every police officer with body worn cameras. The cameras were delivered on June 5 to the Mount Pleasant Police Department. Each officer will be assigned a body camera as part of their issued duty equipment. "The Mount Pleasant Police Department enjoys a strong relationship with our community," says Chief Carl Ritchie. "Our philosophy has always embraced the community policing concept. This is one more step that strengthens the mutual trust we have with our citizens and offers another layer of transparency to the community we serve." Mount Pleasant is the first municipality in South Carolina that is able to outfit every police officer with a body camera.
Click here to read more.
Quick Fact Friday
The Town of Mount Pleasant Communications Office, in conjunction with the Town's Historical Commission launched the Quick Fact Friday program on social media this past week. Every Friday the office will post one short and lesser known fact about something related to the town of Mount Pleasant. The weekly posting will appear on the Town's main website, Facebook page, and Twitter page.
 
Click here to view the latest Quick Fact Friday.
Podcasts of Town Meetings Now Available
Did you know that the Town of Mount Pleasant now offers podcasts of their Committees of Council meetings and their Town Council Meetings? Catch up on our latest meetings by visiting our YouTube channel or our PodCast, which is available in the iTunes Store and online.
MOUNT PLEASANT
FARMERS MARKET
April 7 - September 29 
Tuesdays
3:30 until 7:00 p.m.
Farmers Market Pavilion on Coleman Boulevard (Moultrie Middle School)
 
The Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is where our community meets to share in the vibrant array of locally grown and SC Certified produce and flowers. Stroll through the market to find a bounty of just-picked vegetables and fruits, stunning and fragrant flowers and local seafood plus fresh-cooked meals, baked and canned goods and locally produced snacks. Join us every Tuesday from April to September starting at 3:30 p.m. to mingle with neighbors and visitors alike while enjoying live music and family-friendly activities. Free parking.

Be Informed!

Stay Engaged!

Public participation is at the heart of good government, but who has time to seek out information? Let us do this for you. Visit us online at www.tompsc.com and subscribe to our calendars, notifications, meetings, job openings, and more!
Contact Mayor Page and Town Council

Want to know more about Mayor Page and Town Council? Click on the links below to find out more information about job responsibilities, bios, and contact information. Mayor Page
E-brief Archives

Did you miss last month's Administrator's E-brief? You can find it here.
Some Town Offices Have Moved!  
Please note that the Fire Administration staff and Fire Marshal's Office have moved to their new modular units beside Fire Station 2 on Egypt Road. T he Public Services Department, Building License Division and the Planning Department have moved to Six Mile Fleet Maintenance Facility on Sweetgrass Parkway, Pinckney Place. For more information about Town office and staff relocation visit the Relocation Webpage.
Our Mission Statement
 
Logo 2011
"To deliver superior performance in a manner that is distinctive and impactful to each person served and that establishes a standard for quality that endures for generations."
Public Service Matters
MPPD Chief Ritchie and Bridge to Peace supporters. Photo courtesy of People Magazine.
 

I want to take a moment and recognize Town employees for the extraordinary work they did at the Bridge to Peace Walk. The Police Department, Fire Department, Public Services, and General Government staff performed expertly on very short notice to provide a safe and organized event for the public.

 

What occurred over Father's Day weekend was nothing short of extraordinary. An event like this takes weeks to prepare, so when our staff were called on to make it work, it took more than talent. It took pure grit and effort. Our staff strives to provide the best possible service to this community because we believe that "Public Service Matters". Thank you to all who participated in this wonderful community event and all who worked so hard to make it a success.

Read more about the Bridge to Peace event
2015 Community Survey

 

 

The Town of Mount Pleasant has launched a community-wide survey to collect information regarding citizens' preferences and opinions about public participation. Community members are asked to complete the survey online at www.tompsc.com or by calling the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center For Livable Communities at (843) 953 - 6100. The information gained from this survey will be used in the development of the Town's next Strategic Plan and Government Outreach & Engagement Strategy.

 

Please complete the community survey before July 1, 2015. To learn more about this survey, please click here or contact the Government Outreach Office at (843) 884 - 8517.

Are Your Prepared For Hurricane Season?

  

The Atlantic Basin hurricane season began June 1 and lasts through November 30. The Town of Mount Pleasant urges all citizens to be informed and prepared for a major storm event. "Our annual drills, quarterly exercises, and ongoing hurricane preparedness assure me that our staff is ready to face the challenges of any hurricane season," said Mount Pleasant Mayor Linda Page. "But I also want to make sure that our residents are equally prepared and know what to do if a major storm strikes Mount Pleasant."

 

Residents are strongly encouraged to develop a family disaster plan and to review it regularly with all family members. Community members should be prepared to evacuate should the need arise and familiarize themselves with the evacuation routes. Plans should also be made to assist elderly or homebound family members, as well as family pets.

 

For more information about how to prepare for a major storm event, please click here.

 

Government Outreach Activities

Coffee with the Mayor

 

 

Last month's Coffee with the Mayor took place at Atlanta Bread Company where Mayor Linda Page met with residents to exchange information and discover ways to work together to improve Mount Pleasant. Our next Coffee with the Mayor will be held on Monday, July 13, 2015, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Cracker Barrel located at 2183 Highway 17 N. The event is free and open to all!  Contact the Mount Pleasant Communications Office for more information about this event.

 
Town Administrator Mobile Office Hours
 

The next monthly  Mobile Office Hours event will take place on July 21, 2015, at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilions on Coleman Boulevard from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Each month, the Town Administrator holds open office hours at various public facilities around the community. All citizens are invited to stop by and discuss items of interest to them.  No appointment necessary. Call (843) 884-8517 for more information.
Monthly Stormwater Tip

Being Prepared Matters!

   


 

 
As part of your annual hurricane preparedness, it is important to make sure that you are prepared for a major flood event. There are several key steps that you can take today to be prepared for any flooding emergency.   

 

Flooding can occur from storm surge during hurricanes, during heavy rain fall and at high tides.  Being prepared and understanding the risks is the best defense against damage and injuries.  Most areas have adequate drainage systems that can help protect our roads and property from flood damages, but sometimes the event is larger than our systems are designed to handle.  When these flooding emergencies occur, property owners should follow the following tips:

  • Listen for weather alerts such as coastal flooding advisories, severe thunderstorms and other warnings. 
  • Water can cover roadways making travel hazardous so avoid flooded roads if possible. 

  • Know your flood zone- Flood zones are based upon predictions for hurricane storm surge flooding. Not all flood zones address low lying areas, poor drainage areas, or systems that may become blocked by debris. 

  • Flood insurance is always a good idea - for renters too.   

  • Keeping your storm drain or ditch clear of debris from your property helps minimize the chances of drains getting blocked. 

  • Always keep an emergency kit and a family communication and evacuation plan ready. 

These tips and more can make you flood smart!  Learn more about flood protection by clicking here .
New Town Hall Update

 

View of the new Town Hall from Houston Northcutt Blvd.
Construction of the new Town Hall begins this month and is expected to be completed within 24 months. The current Town Hall, Municipal Court, and Police Department will remain in operation throughout construction of the new facility though some departments and their staff have been relocated to other Town-owned facilities. Please refer to the Town's Relocation Webpage for more information about this.
 
In preparation for construction, several changes have been made to the existing parking lots at Town Hall. Please refer to the map below for more information about available onsite parking or view our CIP Parking Update video.

 

For more information about the new Town Hall, please visit our Town Hall Project webpage. For the latest news and updates on all our capital projects, please visit our Capital Improvement Program website

New East Cooper Hospitality Alliance

In an effort to support the thriving hospitality industry of Mount Pleasant, the Cultural Affairs & Tourism Office launched the East Cooper Hospitality Alliance on June 18, 2015. With the involvement of area attractions, restaurants, hotels and industry leaders, the Alliance aims to identify needs and create solutions for the hospitality and tourism industry of Mount Pleasant. If you are interested in participating in the Alliance please contact Ashley Richardson. 

Produced by the Town of Mount Pleasant Government Outreach Office
Town of Mount Pleasant | 843-884-8517 | http://www.tompsc.com
100 Ann Edwards Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464