50 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com At first glance, mayors Brian Henry and Carol Jayroe appear to have their own versions of a dream job. Henry is mayor of Pawleys Island, 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, at the edge of where inland meets ocean and one of the state’s most sought-after spots for year-round vacation homes and rentals and the birthplace of Palmetto Cheese. Jayroe is mayor of Georgetown, only 13 miles inland from Pawleys Island, the third oldest city in South Carolina, known for its history, rivers, museums and restaurants. Like other South Carolina mayors, both Henry and Jayroe have their own unique concerns and issues. But in the face of increasing population and visitors, they both have one common challenge: how to keep their communities progressing while preserving the same coastal charm from 100 years ago. Here is a look at the two mayors and their approaches to leading their municipalities. BRIAN HENRY, Mayor of Pawleys Island You might know that in the last year or so, Mayor Brian Henry has weathered a mammoth beach restoration project, an environmental lawsuit stemming from it and drawingtable plans and ideas to handle flooding and drainage issues. And despite all of this, he will tell you that it’s just part of the job he loves. “Pawleys Island means so much to so many, that’s why I serve,” said Henry, now in his third two-year term. “I have an emotional and vested interest in its long-term well being.” This well being has been addressed in recent years to battle ongoing coastal issues. For example, in March 2020, only a few months into Henry’s first term, Coastal Science & Engineering and Marinex Construction completed the Pawleys Island Beach Restoration Project, which required moving 1.2 million cubic yards of sand into an area covering roughly 3 miles. The $14.1 million project lasted 18 months and is expected to protect the island from further erosion. However, Henry said that he is working to ensure future beach restoration efforts and to secure more state money and grants to handle long-term flooding and drainage challenges. “There’s no doubt that sea levels are rising – we see more Serve & Preserve Mayors of the Hammock Coast BY L. C. LEACH III the hammock coast www.CarolinaRealEstatePodcast.com | www.TopTenHomesSold.com | www.readMPM.com
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