| Dear Island Neighbors, As we wrap up an eventful year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued trust and support. This week our new Council was sworn in. I’m honored to serve another four years as your representative for Ward 1 on the Hilton Head Island Town Council and deeply humbled to have been entrusted by my peers with the role of Mayor Pro-Tem. It’s especially meaningful to be the first Native Islander in this role since Henry Driessen Jr. served in 1993. He also paved the way as our first native Island Council Member. Together, we’ll keep listening, learning, and working hard to address the needs of Ward 1 and our entire Island community. I also want to encourage you all to keep an Island family in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season as they lost their beloved mother and family dog in a devastating house fire this week. Our community is so interconnected, I know that many are grieving with them, let’s lift them up and do what we do best, take care of each other. Habitat for Humanity Makes Progress on Affordable Housing with Town Support As your Town Councilman, I’ve been working hard to address the critical need for workforce housing on Hilton Head Island. I’m proud to share that Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry has purchased 1.53 acres of land off Spanish Wells Road to build five new homes in Ward 1. This $625,000 land purchase was made possible in part by a $500,000 grant from the Town of Hilton Head Island, funded through the state accommodations tax. The remaining funds came from generous individual donations. Here’s what this project means for our community: 🗳️ Five Habitat Homes for Families: These single-family, three-bedroom, two-bath homes will provide safe, affordable housing for families earning 30%-80% of the area median income (AMI).🗳️ Empowering Families: These future Ward 1 homeowners will attend financial education classes, contribute 300 hours of sweat equity, and purchase their homes with a no-interest mortgage. 🗳️ A Collaborative Effort: This land purchase follows the success of Habitat’s 32-home Glen community and reflects the ongoing partnership between the Town and Habitat to address housing needs.This initiative represents a critical step forward in creating affordable housing solutions that strengthen our community and ensure Hilton Head Island remains accessible for everyone. |
 |
| Holiday Happenings in Ward 1: Spreading Cheer and Staying Safe The holiday season is in full swing, and I’m excited to share some wonderful community events and safety initiatives happening in our town. As always, I’m here to celebrate with you and ensure a joyful and safe holiday season for Ward 1 and all of Hilton Head Island. Santa’s Neighborhood Tour Santa is back on the Island, spreading holiday cheer with the help of Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue! From December 2nd to December 16th, Santa will tour neighborhoods, sticking to main roads for safety. While Santa won’t be making stops, you can follow his journey with our Santa Tracker: Track Santa Here. I’ll be joining Santa to help spread holiday cheer on these dates in Ward 1: Thursday, December 12th: Spanish Wells (Spanish Wells Plantation, Timbercrest, Spanish Wells Road, Oakview, and Hammock Oaks Circle) Monday, December 16th: Squire Pope (Kings Court, Chinaberry Drive, Ceasar Place, Carolina Isles, Wildhorse Road, Jarvis Creek Way, and Jonesville Road) 🎄 Christmas Tree Lighting: Kick off the holidays with the Town’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Lowcountry Celebration Park! Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024 Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm ✨ Santa arrives at 5:45 pm and will visit with kids until 7:00 pm. 6:30 pm – The Town’s 30-foot Christmas tree lights up the night!A dazzling laser light show and live performances by local musicians.Food trucks, warm cocoa, and connections with local nonprofits. Overflow parking is available at USCB, and The Breeze trolley will run from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. 💚 Keep the Wreath Green Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue is once again promoting fire safety during the holidays with their “Keep the Wreath Green” initiative. Let’s work together to keep the wreath green by following fire safety tips for cooking, space heaters, candles, and more. Visit this link for safety tips: Keep the Wreath Green Join me in making this a safe and joyful season for all! With gratitude, -Alex Ward 1 Town Councilman, Mayor Pro-Tem Chairman, Finance & Administrative Committee AlexB@hiltonheadislandsc.gov View all email archives here. |
