FIPOA

FINE FOR UNLICENSED DRIVING INCREASED TO $200

Kate Hines, PCAM, CMCA, MCM

Did you know that it is against South Carolina law to drive a golf cart on our streets without a U.S. valid license? If you have driven on Fripp at any point during the last few years (and maybe more) you've more than likely seen golf carts on the roads being driven by underage drivers. The Board has tried many things to discourage this unlawful activity, but the offense keeps occurring.

In June of 2002, the Board of Directors implemented Rules and Regulations and a Schedule of Fees to be charged for the violation of such Rules and Regulations. The initial fine amount for driving without a valid U.S. driver's license was $50. In 2006, the Board voted to increase the fine for this offense to $75 because many parents were paying the $50 fine and allowing their kids to continue driving. It was hoped the higher fine would be a better deterrent.

This summer we heard many, many more complaints about underage drivers. If a Security officer sees someone who looks under 16, they stop them and, depending upon the circumstances, give a warning, and insist that a licensed driver take the wheel. In many cases, Security has had to drive the children home. In some cases, such as reckless driving, a citation is issued without a warning. Warnings are tracked, and on the 2nd offense, a POA citation is issued. There were 52 incidents this summer where Security came in direct contact with underage drivers. Security can only be in so many places at once, so there were certainly many more violations that were not found.

New Golf Cart Decal: Available at the FIPOA Office

In September, the Appeals Committee made a request to the Security Committee to look at increasing the fine and posting signs stating the fine amount. The Fripp Island Resort concurred with the implementation of a stronger fine to deter the violation. The Security Committee reviewed the request and made a recommendation to the Board of Directors to increase the fine for driving without a valid U.S. driver's license to $200. A second offense would double the fine to $400. The Board approved the recommendation, with one vote against it.

The reason we use the term 'valid U.S. driver's license' is to make it clear that anyone coming from outside of the country must show proof of their right to be in the United States, by their possession of a passport stamped for entry into the U.S., or possession of a visa. Underage golf cart drivers are not our only problem; quite a few illegal immigrants have tried to drive on Fripp. A teenager in possession of a learner's permit is not allowed to drive a golf cart on Fripp unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 years old.

Many owners have expressed that they do not normally carry their driver's license when going by cart to the beach or the golf course. Essentially, a golf cart is a motor vehicle and as state law mandates, you should carry your license with you. That said, if you don't give Security a reason to stop you, you won't need it. If you do get stopped, and don't have your license with you, it would be treated like a fix-it ticket. In other words, you can bring your license to the Security office later, and the ticket for not having the license would be waived.

This sounds like overkill to many, but these procedures are the same ones that have been in place since 2002. The procedures are not changing. The only thing that is changing is the amount of the fine. The reason for increasing the fine is to create enough of a deterrent that parents and guardians will pay better attention and help enforce the rule. Parents or guardians will be held responsible for minors in violation of the rule.

New stickers for golf carts outlining the rules and the new fine amount are available at the POA office. Please stop by and get one to put on your cart. It's not mandatory, but if you allow someone else to use your cart it will help pass on the information. These same stickers are provided to all outlets that rent carts.

Signs will be posted at the gate, and on Tarpon and Bonito to warn guests and owners of the fine. Please help stamp out underage driving!!!

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BRIDGE REPAIR

On October 2^nd, Cape Romain Contractors, Inc. began repairs to the Fripp Inlet Bridge. The repairs include painting traffic lines, replacing pavement markers and joint seal material, some minor concrete repair, and replacing the dolphins protecting the channel approach to the bridge. During the repair operations, sections of the bridge will periodically be limited to one-way traffic. The repairs should be completed by December 31^st.

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Personality

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Karen & Tony Natoli
Don Aldrich

Karen and Anthony (AKA Tony) Natoli moved to Fripp in 1978 after 34 years working in computer research at Brookhaven National Laboratories of the U.S Department of Energy in Upton New York. Brookhaven is associated with the Argonne/Los Alamos and The Manhattan Project. Tony and Karen were both attracted to Fripp Island because of its natural beauty and wildlife and Tony soon became a volunteer member of the Fripp Island Sea Rescue. They are both members of the Fripp Island Audubon Club and continue to present nature programs, especially the Fripp Island Sea Turtle program, to its members.

They began the Sea Turtle Association on Hunting Island in 1999. Both are very active members of the Friends of Hunting Island community. They became involved in the Loggerhead Sea Turtle program on Fripp in 2000 working with then Director, Bill Weldner. Hunting Island wanted the Natolis to continue to conduct their program. They decided their interests would be to develop the Fripp Island program after Bill Weldner left.

The Natolis have accomplished a great deal for our program. One of the most important tasks is that it introduces very young children to an active hands-on experience, knowing it is they, the young ones, who will perpetuate this vital program. There are 25 to 30 volunteer adults, who monitor the Sea Turtle Program from mid-May to August, walking the beach seven days a week beginning in the early morning. Many visitors’ families are active supporters who walk and patrol the beach, anxiously returning year after year.

Please check these two very informative web-sites. The Natolis encourage appropriate digital pictures of nature happenings and will include them on the web sites. www.islc.net/~fripplog & www.islc.net/audubon

Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol 2007

• 14 nests this season
• First nest laid on 5/20
• Last nest laid on 7/25
• Best nest #11 @96%
• Biggest nest #4 with 152 eggs
• Eggs laid 1828
• Eggs hatched 1276
• Overall hatch success 69.8%
• Average incubation duration 56 days

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Island Clubs

Fripp Island Garden Club

Rita Riley

The Fripp Island Garden Club held its first meeting of the 2007-08 season on September 5^th at the Fripp Island Fire House. Each of the members received an herb plant with their annual dues and the 2006-07 Beautification Committee had their ‘dedication’ of the crepe myrtle tree at the Fire Station. Dot Steele, President of the FIGC and Micki McCormick, Chairman of the Beautification Committee, gave Chief Josh Horton a check for the completion of the landscaping around the donated tree.

The October 3^rd meeting was a pleasant and rewarding ‘demonstration and tasting’ given by Chef Chad Smith of the Beach Club Restaurant. The four herbs he covered included cilantro, basil, sage and rosemary. Assisting were Chef Russell and Chef Sno (who has been at the Beach Club for about 14 years), with Sam helping by serving samples.

Chef Chad, although only 26 years old, did a fantastic job and has a very diverse background. He has an abundance of knowledge and a pleasant, caring approach to sharing his knowledge - it is evident that he has found his calling! Our good fortune - Chef Smith is considering starting a cooking school for us here, and we will be notified if that comes about.

The herb presentation was followed by our business meeting, led by President Dot Steele. She told us of the progress of the Tower project, with the bike path already moved, and that the Committee will be working on the best places for transplanting the five trees nearer to the tower. Deanna Hormel did an excellent job with the tip of the month on herbs.

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Island Services

CHIEF'S CORNER

Mike Binkowski, Security Chief

During the past several months, we have received numerous complaints reporting under age drivers operating golf carts on Fripp Island. For some reason, parents and guardians believe that the operation of a golf cart is similar to a ride that is found in Disney World and is different from that of the operation of a motor vehicle.

Section 56-3-115 of the SC Laws reads "The owner of a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart, if he has a valid U.S. driver’s license, may obtain a permit from the Department of Motor Vehicles upon the payment of a fee of five dollars and proof of financial responsibility which permits his agent, employees, or him to

1. (1) operate the golf cart on a secondary highway or street within two miles of his residence or place of business during daylight hours only; and
2. (2) cross a primary highway or street while traveling along a secondary highway or street within two miles of his residence or place of business during daylight hours only."

We do allow operation of a cart during evening hours, but we do not allow unlicensed drivers to operate any vehicles on Fripp.

Fripp Island Rules & Regulations state in Section I, C "Only properly licensed drivers may operate a motor vehicle on any Island road. Motor vehicles include golf carts and mopeds."

It requires the same skills and coordination to operate a golf cart as it does to operate a motor vehicle, and persons who do not have the required skills should not operate either. National statistics show that the chance of a traffic accident increases as the driving experience of the driver decreases.

Our major concern is for the safety of all our residents, guests and their property. It is important that you do not allow an unlicensed driver, of age or under age, to operate a golf cart during your visit to Fripp Island.

If you have any suggestions on how we can improve the quality of life on the Island, or wish to discuss a particular problem, please contact me in person, by telephone at (843)838-4113, or or e-mail .

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KNOW YOUR OFFICERS: Bruce Anderson

Mike Binkowski, Security Chief

In this issue we would like to highlight officer Bruce Anderson. Officer Anderson has been a member of the Fripp Island Patrol since November of 2005. He currently is a Relief Patrol Officer.

Officer Anderson is originally from Plymouth, Connecticut, and currently lives in Beaufort with his wife Margie and dog Brandie. Prior to joining our team, Officer Anderson was with the Beaufort Police Department before retiring after 17 years. Prior to that, he was in the United States Marine Corps and retired as a Sergeant Major after 30 years of service.

In his off-duty time, he participates in Civil war re-enacting. He also enjoys reading historically-based books and working with leather.

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Security Staff Christmas Fund

Please take a minute to mail your check
to our Annual Christmas Fund for our
Security Staff

Checks should be made payable
to
Christmas Fund
and mailed (or delivered) to
Kay Santoni
135 Captain John Fripp Villa
Fripp Island, SC 29920

Let's get into the spirit,
& show all they are appreciated,
not only at Christmas, but also all year long.

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REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II

Page Miller

Jim Purcell, Bob Davidson, Tom O’Grady, Al Cooper, Don Thomas, Fred Thomas, Bob Burson
Seated: Al Sobol, Knobby Walsh, Al Schaufelberger
Not Pictured: Dick Morrison and Bill Watson

Ken Burn’s seven-part PBS TV series on World War II was the catalyst for a wonderful evening at the Fripp Island Community Centre on October 4 by remembering a key chapter in our nation's past. Two veterans – Al Cooper and Jim Purcell – and Dick Morrison, a retired educator, hosted the program. With more than 40 people present, Morrison served as the emcee for a time of review and reflection.

The highlight of the evening was listening to stories and comments from the eleven Fripp Island veterans of World War II: Bob Burson, Al Cooper, Bob Davidson, Bill Houseal, Tom O’Grady, Al Sobol, Jim Purcell, Al Schaufelberger, Fred Thomas, Don Thomas, Knobby Walsh, and Bill Watson. Dick started the discussion by asking the veterans to recall where they were on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He then progressed to when they entered the service and their different roles, which ranged from O’Grady inspecting for cracks on the aircraft carriers, to Al Sobol in the 10th Mountain Division Ski Troop in Italy, and to Jim Purcell who was a fighter pilot off the "Enterprise."

In a humorous moment, Al Cooper noted that he had been attracted to the Navy because they got to take showers every day while Bob Burson who was in the Army recalled having to go six weeks without a shower. Dick Morrison steered the conversation toward topics of military strategy, work on the home front, and the celebration of the War’s end. It was both an informative and memorable evening.

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ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS RECYCLED INTO ARTIFICIAL REEFS OFF FRIPP ISLAND

Artificial reefs have long been used to attract fish in our oceans. 40 armored personnel carriers were recently dropped off barges in front of Fripp Island. Reefs include the Dry Dock two miles off Fripp Island, the Tire Reef five miles off Fripp, and the 6-HI bouy nine miles off. Over the years, tires, cement, rocks, and recently New York City subway cars have been used to improve our ocean reefs.

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Travel

A YEAR IN AUSTRALIA

Jim Patek

I could not believe that Patty and I would sail "Let’s Go!" up Australia’s Queensland coast as a couple. We had now owned the yacht for nearly three years and sailed over 20,000 nautical miles in her, but always with one or two other crew members. We had planned to rendezvous with Fripp Island’s Glenn and Teresa Hergert at the Whitsunday Islands, some 250 miles to the north in about ten days time. They would be joining us in fulfilling a long time ambition of Patty’s and mine to cruise this attractive group of islands. In the meantime, I looked forward to this time with Patty and the opportunity to move along at our own pace as we explored the many anchorages along the path that I would have to retrace six weeks later when heading south for the cyclone season.

Unlike New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific, Australia’s Queensland coast is inhabited by a long list of things that can kill you. These include crocodiles, of course, but in addition, there are box jellyfish, virtually invisible and lethal on contact; death adders that lurk in the decaying leaves along paths through the bush; then the taipan, a snake that will actually chase a human down. There is the toad fish, which can sever your toe and loves to lurk in the shallows. Then the normal cast of characters such as the stone fish and a number of varieties of shark, not to mention the unpredictable stingray, one of which claimed the life of Australia’s "Crocodile Hunter" only a few weeks before our voyage. As a result, when you cruise the Queensland coast, you have a heightened sense of danger, real or imagined.

"Sunny Queensland," the State motto, delivered and we were blessed with fair weather and moderate winds to Hamilton Island, the center of the Whitsunday’s where the Hergert’s were to meet us. Along the way, we met Australian sailors who shared their local knowledge and friendship, something we would continue to experience throughout our time in Australia. With Glenn and Teresa on board, we spent a delightful ten days exploring the Whitsunday’s as they are now called, having been discovered by Lt. James Cook on his first voyage on Whit Sunday and named by him, the Cumberland Islands. They were once the eastern extent of the mountain range on the Australian mainland but were separated by the rising sea following the last ice age. Hence, the Whitsunday's are high islands. Passages between the islands as well as anchorages were created in sunken river valleys. With Glenn and Teresa, we tried to experience as many of the islands and anchorages as our time allowed.

All too soon, Glenn, Teresa and Patty were heading home while I quickly prepared the yacht for the 590 mile passage south to Brisbane. My crew, colleagues from our time in Brunei and now all living in Australia, brought all of their native Australian exuberance and determination to what was to prove a tough slog to windward with days where we were pinned down under the lee of some island waiting for the southerly wind to die down before moving on. This was not all bad, since it provided down time to check out the western shore of Fraser Island in the Great Sandy Strait, about 100 miles north of Brisbane and a World Heritage site. Fraser is the world’s largest sand island and home to a native population of dingo, a wild dog known to attack humans. It was spooky walking the tracks of Fraser in the silence of its rain forest, seeing the dingo tracks in the sand but never catching sight of the animal itself. We successfully arrived in Brisbane on the morning that I had arranged for the boat to be hauled out and stored for six months. Within two hours of our arrival, "Let’s Go!" was high and dry and we bid her farewell until spring.

May, 2007 saw "Let’s Go!" bid her own farewell to Brisbane as we recommenced our journey. We would first retrace our path back to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays and from there over the "Top End" of Australia then west to Darwin taking six weeks to cover the 2000 nautical miles with the prospect of only two "blue water" passages and for the most part anchoring each night. We would have four crew changes along the way with folks from Canada, New Zealand and Australia joining the yacht. The weather was relatively benevolent for the first 800 miles but as we progressed into the trade winds belt, the wind increased in speed, often with driving rain. High winds frequently in excess of 30 knots, were to be an unforgettable feature of this trip and provided some of the most exciting and fast sailing "Let’s Go!" has experienced as we often surfed along at speeds in excess of 10 knots while in the lee of the Great Barrier Reef. In the meantime, southern Australia was experiencing the most stormy and bitter winter on record.

Having rounded Cape York at the most northern extent of Australia, our final crew change was at Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. My new crew, both of whom had made ocean passages on "Let’s Go!" previously, gained some more experience with a proper gale in the Gulf of Carpentaria but we soon arrived in the desolate Wessel islands, aboriginal territory and long on my list of places to see. We found an isolated and uncharted cove, perfect for the shallow draft Ovni, from which to explore this unique and infrequently visited area. Crew changes and schedules soon drew us onward toward Darwin and this time we were treated to a perfect three day sail with our nights under a full moon with moderate seas. Our year in Australia was drawing to a close and we now looked forward to sailing for Indonesia and beyond.

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