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 drawing-table 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 evidence of it every year,” Henry said. “So we want to be proactive and comprehensive in our approach to finding a solution and we have begun that effort in earnest. My intention is to secure the funding and sources of sand for future beach renourishments for the next 50 years.”
While it might seem like a daunting task, it’s one of the reasons Henry originally ran for mayor. Additionally, he noted plans are underway to create and adopt a master drainage plan to protect the island against flooding for the next 25 years.
When asked his motivation for wanting to handle these kinds of mayoral issues that most people would rather eschew, Henry simply said, “It’s in my DNA.”
“I have an engineering degree and consulting background,” Henry said. “I enjoy problem solving and working collaboratively with our administrator, town council and other agencies to find solutions.”
Of course, the island itself has a lot to do with Henry’s outlook.
“This area has all of the modern conveniences, but none of the hustle and bustle of larger cities,” Henry added. “We also have, within 10 minutes, all of the things I love to do – fishing, golf, tennis, fine dining, crabbing, river cruising and hanging on the beach. Couple that with a laid-back atmosphere and you have an incredible place to live.”
CAROL JAYROE, Mayor of Georgetown
Pick any issue facing Georgetown – area growth, future development, affordable housing, stormwater improvement or ongoing flooding. By the time Carol Jayroe completes her run as mayor, chances are she will have them all addressed or pretty well on the run.
As Georgetown’s first female mayor since the city was founded in 1729, Jayroe brings an infectious attitude of “We can do anything,” that is hard to doubt or resist.
“I always have had an interest in my community,” said Jayroe. “Georgetown has been my family’s home for three generations and I have been involved in many, many volunteer organizations for the past 45 years.”
During those years, while Jayroe was also carving out a niche in banking and real estate, she came to learn of the workings and challenges of the city’s government. In her first run for public office in 2011, Jayroe made heads turn when she lost to a veteran city councilman by only one vote.
And when city council elections came around again, Jayroe won the first of two terms – spending the next eight years listening to resident concerns, discussing viable actions with other council members and getting to know the people in all the different departments such as police, fire, public works and city hall.
Since Jayroe’s landmark election to the mayor’s office, she has been doing what she has always done: trying to look out for the betterment of her community.
“One thing I want to accomplish in my first term is to complete our audits, correct mistakes and return the city to a responsible financial condition,” Jayroe said.
In addition, Jayroe has helped oversee millions of dollars in grants from various government entities for stormwater improvements, utilities improvements, park improvements and early public input on Georgetown’s growth and direction for the next decade.
So don’t be surprised if at some point Georgetown becomes a standard by which all other South Carolina cities are measured. By the time Jayroe is up for re-election, she’s probably going to have a lot more people pulling her way.
“My favorite part about my job is getting to know our 170 employees and what they do every day,” Jayroe added. “I love to stop on the street and have a chat with a worker who may be repairing a sidewalk or check on an employee that may be having a difficulty in their life. And I am proud that we have made so much progress in the past two years and hope to keep this momentum going.”
By L. C. Leach III
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