Briefly in East Cooper

COG votes against private sewers

A regional planning board approved a recommendation Monday to withhold endorsing privately owned wastewater treatment facilities.

A special wastewater issues committee had been exploring if, when and how the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments should allow private wastewater utilities in the area. At its April 11 meeting the special committee voted to recommend not to endorse privately-owned wastewater treatment facilities. All future facilities would have to be publicly owned with the exception of industrial plants, according to the meeting minutes, the COG board of directors voted 21-4 Monday to approve the recommendation.

Before the vote, Tim Mallard, the special wastewater issues committee chair and Charleston City councilman, said that the special wastewater committee minutes were not exact.

He said during the last special committee meeting, that he also asked each member if they favored privatization of sewage treatment of the larger systems in smaller rural towns and Mallard said a majority agreed.

"That's an oxymoron," Mallard said. "You can't have privatization with a public entity owning it."

But other board members said Mallard was wrong and the minutes were correct.

Mike Stinson, an environmental consultant working with Low Country Utilities LLC., a company that proposed building a private sewage facility in Awendaw, said he doesn't think the recommendation would stop the company's future plans.

"It doesn't make it impossible," Stinson said. "It just makes it more difficult."

Daniel Island Rotary selling ducks

Daniel Island Rotary Club is now selling rubber ducks for its second annual Duck Race June 7 on the Wando River.

Ducks are being sold for a $10 donation. At the race 15,000 ducks will be dropped from the Wando River Bridge. The first three ducks to cross the line at the Daniel Island community dock at Waterfront Park will have a chance to win $1 million. The owner of first to cross the line will win $15,000.

Proceeds from the event go toward philanthropic contributions including ending polio vaccinations, a grant for Alzheimer's research, funds and time for Doctors without Borders, Water Missions International, and other charities.

Locally the rotary donated 150 dictionaries to under financed schools, provided food for 50 families four times this year, provided tutoring for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and field trip experiences to a low income elementary school, donated books to two schools, made $10,000 donations to charities that repair homes for those who can't afford to do so, the Low Country Food Bank, and Gift of Life.

To register or learn more about the race, go to charlestonduckrace.com.

Community of I'On Art Show May 22

The Community of I'On Artists will hold its the Third Annual Community of I'On Artists Art Show 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. May 22.

The event will be held at Creek Club, 44 Saturday Road in I'On Village off Mathis Ferry Road.

Most of the art will be available for purchase. There will be entertainment, refreshments, and a cash bar. Admission is free.

Blessing of the Fleet contest results

More than 12,000 people from the Lowcountry participated in the 21st annual Town of Mount Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival April 27.

The free event, which took place at Alhambra Hall and Park honored local shrimp boat captains with a blessing ceremony to wish local shrimpers a safe and prosperous shrimping season.

Visitors had the opportunity to purchase tickets to eat a plate full of local shrimp during a shrimp-eating contest sponsored by Whole Foods Market. Festival-goers were also encouraged to show off their shag dance moves during a shag contest sponsored by Gilligan's Steamer and Raw Bar. Contest winners were as follows:

Shrimp-Eating Contest

-- 1st place: Chuck Everitt from Charleston.

-- 2nd place: Phil Chuy from Mount Pleasant.

-- 3rd place (tie): Alonzo Manigault from Mount Pleasant and Pam Everitt from Charleston.

Prizes: Each winner received a Whole Foods gift card, official Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival merchandise as well as various shrimp sauce, seasoning and cleaning tools.

Shag Dance Contest

-- 1st place: Willis and Janis Jolly from Daniel Island

-- 2nd place: Buzzy and Susan Bramble from Isle of Palms

-- 3rd place: Linda and Bob King from Mount Pleasant

-- Prizes: Each winner received a Gilligan's gift card, Gilligan's hush puppy mix and various official Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival merchandise.