News/Media
11/17/24
For anyone wanting to know why the Palm Republic was founded, please read our well written and described history. It really comes down to two words, “Home Rule”. There seems to be one person saying it’s about creating a private island, that’s not anywhere near the truth. Please read the dropdowns at the top of our website. As a lifelong island resident, a former Realtor, we have always wanted everyone to have access to the 4.5 miles of city beaches. The north eastern end of the island is the Wild Dunes, a privately owned resort with their own 2.5 miles of beach, we can’t control them or am I allowed to drive inside their gates. So, come one, come to our island, I know that you will love it. But please, not all at one time.
3/5/24
Palm Republic’s men’s soccer team had their first game tonight with a 4-1 win.
9/5/23
The Palm Republic’s men’s soccer team’s first game of the season was a 5-0 shutout!
6/8/23
Beach Reach Shuttle
6/5/23
Analysis Of Short Term Rentals
4/4/23
The Palm Republic’s soccer team ruled tonight with a 5-2 win.
2/10/23
Island Eye News: South Carolina Supreme Court Will Not Hear Palm Republic’s Arguments
By Brian Sherman
The South Carolina Supreme Court has decided not to determine the constitutionality – at least not yet – of a law that gives the state Department of Transportation the authority to decide where visitors to Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Edisto and Folly Beach can park on state-owned roads and how much, if anything, they’ll have to pay.
In December 2022, The Palm Republic, an organization launched by former IOP Mayor Jimmy Carroll and current IOP Council Member Blair Hahn, asked that the case concerning S.40 go directly to the state’s highest court. In a terse statement released Jan. 12 of this year, the Supreme Court turned down that request: “Petitioner asks this Court to hear this matter in our original jurisdiction. Respondents oppose the petition. We deny the petition for original jurisdiction.”
The Palm Republic, which was established in March 2022, after S. 40 was passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster, will refile the case in Charleston County District Court, according to Hahn.
“That just adds three to four years to the process,” he stated. “But 80% of the cases asked to be heard directly by the Supreme Court are turned down. You can ask the Supreme Court to take any case as original jurisdiction, and you expect the case would end up there anyway. But because it concerned constitutionality, in my opinion, it was ripe for them to take it.”
A response on the Palm Republic’s website to the Supreme Court’s action noted that “no ruling was made as to the merits of our claim or the violation of the South Carolina Constitution by S.40.”
Hahn said the Palm Republic tried to get beach communities along the South Carolina coast to work with the organization in its efforts to overturn S.40.
“I’ve spoken to multiple municipalities. They’re all afraid of retribution by SCDOT, so we’re going to go it alone,” he commented.
A statement on the Palm Republic’s website said: “The Palm Republic will refile in Circuit Court and continue to demand that our Legislature follow the Constitution that they are sworn to uphold. This is about the safety of all that live, play and visit our beaches. As is consistent with our Constitution, it is the local government entities, the municipalities, that are best suited to make decisions concerning local issues and provide a safe environment for everyone.”
In addition to the parking aspect of S. 40, the Palm Republic also is upset about SCDOT’s decision to re-stripe the Isle of Palms Connector without input from the city. Late last year, the Department of Transportation presented the IOP Council with five possible options to again change the configuration of the lanes on the Connector.
According to Hahn, the Palm Republic now has 26 “signers.”
1/21/23
The Palm Republic asked the Supreme Court to exercise its discretion and take original jurisdiction over our request to decide if 57-5-845 (S.40) violates our State Constitution. This was done to save the years of time it will take to file in Circuit Court and go through both that Court and the Appellant Court before getting to the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court decided to not take original jurisdiction. No ruling was made as to the merits of our claim or the violation of the SC Constitution by 57-5-845 (S.40).
The Palm Republic will refile in Circuit Court and continue to demand that our Legislature follow the Constitution that they are sworn to uphold. This is about the safety of all that live, play and visit our beaches. As is consistent with our Constitution, it is the local government entities, the municipalities that are best suited to make decisions concerning local issues and provide a safe environment for everyone.
11/28/22
Happy Holidays from The Palm Republic!
11/2/22
Island Eye News: Palm Republic Files Suit Against State, Department Of Transportation
By Brian Sherman for The Island Eye News
The Palm Republic was established in March 2022 and officially consummated a few months later with a well-attended party at The Windjammer. Now the sort of serious organization, the brainchild of former Isle of Palms Mayor Jimmy Carroll and current Council Member Blair Hahn, has rocketed into the realm of significance, filing a petition and complaint with the South Carolina Supreme Court in an effort to force the South Carolina Department of Transportation to treat IOP and three other beach communities just like it treats the state’s other municipalities.
The Palm Republic’s case is based on the constitutionality of S.40, a law passed in 2021 that gives the SCDOT the authority to decide where visitors to IOP, Sullivan’s Island, Edisto and
Folly Beach can park on stateowned roads and how much, if anything, they’ll have to pay. Hahn, Carroll and their 26 other “revolutionaries” also are more than upset about SCDOT’s decision to restripe the Isle of Palms Connector, a project that added bike and pedestrian lanes but eliminated the emergency lane that once ran down the center of the road. “S.40 attempts to carve out four communities in the state and treat them differently than the other 268 communities as it relates to what municipalities can do within the rights of way of the streets inside their municipalities,” Hahn said. “They have attempted to craft legislation that puts only those four in control of the Department of Transportation. That’s unconstitutional. It should be for everybody or for nobody.” The lawsuit points out that SCDOT also re-striped the Connector bridge illegally, violating “a number of state statutes, as well as the constitution.” “It appears to have been done simply to punish the Isle of Palms for limiting visitors to the island during the pandemic, which was done to comply with the governor’s order on social distancing,” Hahn said. “There was no engineering report or study. It was done in the middle of the night at the direction of the secretary of transportation.” Hahn said the Palm Republic is asking that the striping on the bridge be returned to its original configuration “until they can work with the city and the town of Mount Pleasant to agree upon a configuration of the bridge that both communities are comfortable with. They have to do that because that’s the law.” Hahn pointed out that the lawsuit addresses issues beyond the Connector bridge and parking on state roads. He said it’s also about allowing cities and towns to make decisions based on their individual needs.
“The point is that they can’t single us out because Sen. Grooms and Sen. Campsen want to pander to a small group of voters who want free parking,” Hahn said. “All we are trying to do is establish that the legislation is in fact unconstitutional and have it rescinded. If they can craft legislation that is constitutional, we have no quarrel. All we want is for our officials to follow the constitution and the rule of law. That’s not difficult to do. That’s something that both Democrat and Republican legislators should want to happen.”
(https://islandeyenews.com/palm-republic-files-suit-against-state-department-of-transportation/)
10/28/22
The Palm Republic Files Petition And Complaint Before The South Carolina Supreme Court
The Palm Republic has filed a petition and complaint before the South Carolina Supreme Court regarding the rights of all municipalities to govern and direct how state road right of ways are used within any municipality.
The filings may be viewed below:
Notice Of Petition In Original Jurisdiction
Petition For Original Jurisdiction
9/12/22
Open Letter to the Isle of Palms City Council, Sullivan’s Island Town Council, Folly Beach City Council and Edisto Beach Town Council
To the Honorable Mayors and Council Members of the barrier islands of the greater Charleston area:
We write this open letter to ask for your assistance and support in the unprecedented attack upon the SC State Constitution and Rule of Law. In June of 2021 our State Legislature passed 57-5-845, also known as Senate Bill 40 or S.40. This legislation purports to strip just our 4 communities of the right to control traffic and parking within our communities.
Given the importance of our duty to the residents of our communities as well as our oath of office, we are sending this “open letter” to these councils to both educate and stimulate discussion concerning the actions taken over the last 12 months by our State Government against our islands and our form of government.
We cannot state strongly enough the gravity of the violations of our Constitution and Rule of Law by the powers that be in Columbia. In 1973, after over 20 years of debate, our Constitution was amended to codify our right to Home Rule. I have attached a legal brief that defines this concept, its history and importance to our way of government. By incorporating this long-standing principle of government into the Constitution, our Legislature both elevated its importance and strengthened its power as an absolute, constitutionally guaranteed right of ALL municipalities in this state.
To be clear, this is not about an attack on parking, as egregious as those actions by SCDOT are. We have a system of government and the Rule of Law to address disagreements over parking, bridge access, beach access, etc. Our duly elected Councils will deal with these issues as provided for by the laws of SC, allowing due process to any and all that want to challenge our policies.
However, what we cannot allow is for our state politicians to ignore the laws of our state and turn their back on the constitution they swore to uphold. Our Legislature has attempted to force beach communities to bend to the subjective will of SCDOT leadership with a politically appointed bureaucrat making decisions concerning parking, traffic flow, emergency access and taxes. We are guaranteed by our Constitution the right of Home Rule and we as duly elected Councils must stand up for not only the rights of our 4 communities, but the rights of all communities’ state wide.
That our current legislature has turned its back on our Constitution in its actions concerning 57-5-845 (S.40) [attached] threatens the foundation of our government. Our Legislature has violated over 4 separate articles of the Constitution and multiple laws that we are each sworn to uphold. If we do not stand up to these unlawful acts, we are each derelict in our duties to the residents we represent and to our oaths. These violations by our Legislature include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Equal Protection: The State Legislature cannot pass any law that treats similar entities in a different or subjective fashion. They cannot single out 4 beach communities and strip them of the right to regulate its citizens and visitors without doing the same to all communities in the state.
2. Taxation Without Representation: SCDOT and the SC Legislature are attempting to mandate free public parking within the city limits of 4 beach communities. While we certainly do not object to public parking, that parking comes at a cost. Police, Fire and Emergency services must be provided to all that come to our communities as well as trash pick-up and maintenance. Those services are paid for by the local taxpayers, our constituents. If SCDOT can mandate “free” parking within any municipality without paying for the accompanying services, they are shifting those expenses onto the backs of the local taxpayers which amounts to an unlawful tax that circumvents the legally appropriate way to institute a new tax on our citizens. To compound the situation, an unelected bureaucrat at SCDOT is levying this tax without authority and in a subjective manner.
3. Taking: These actions by SCDOT are a taking of the rights and property of the citizens of our communities. By attempting to force our island governments to provide services, the Legislature is in fact taking our time, money and public space for their own political purpose.
4. Home Rule: Article 8 of our Constitution as amended specifically guarantees us the right to make ALL decisions concerning local issues. It goes on to state that any ambiguity in the application of this right shall be determined in favor of the municipality. This right is the underlying principle in all of the laws violated by SCDOT on our islands.
By example, SC Statute 57-5-820 specifically states that All work to be performed by the Department on state highways within a municipality MUST be with the consent and approval of the proper municipal authorities. There is no exception. For SCDOT to attempt to mandate parking policy and layout is illegal on its face and must not be allowed to stand. Recent examples of SCDOT over reach permeate all of our communities as they ignore SCDOT’s own safety regulations in mandating parking plans with no concern for the safe and free flow of traffic or safety of our residents.
The depth of wrongdoing by our Legislature and other State Government officials is hard to fathom. Our State Senator Campsen specifically told a current member of the IOP City Council not to worry about then Senate Bill 40. The Senator asked for a legal memo outlining the constitutional issues and promised that he was “working the back door”. Within days of that conversation, Senator Campsen signed on as a co-sponsor of S.40, in violation of his oath of office and the State Constitution. The original sponsor of S.40, Senator Larry Grooms, has admitted that perhaps “they went to far”, yet refuses to meet with the undersigned to discuss amending the statute to comply with existing law.
Both Senator Campsen and Grooms are pandering to a small radical group in Mount Pleasant whose voting block was grossly overestimated. However, regardless of voting power, is it not our sworn duty to uphold the Constitution and Rule of Law? If not, we are no better than the mob that ignores safety and the Rule of Law all the while demanding free services. Senators Campsen and Grooms have granted this group private, unprecedented access to SCDOT senior officials to implement their radical political policies. The letters to Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island are a result of private meetings with these political activist and SCDOT senior officials. See attached.
We write this letter in an attempt to educate our Islands’ Council members as well as our citizens to the erosion of our rights under the State Constitution and the “leadership” of Senators Campsen and Grooms. Their actions make it clear that we cannot regain our rights or protect our communities through negotiation. Our rights, as guaranteed by our Constitution, must be restored in full and any attempt to influence the lawful actions of these Councils must be done in accordance with the existing laws of this State.
We are hopeful that these 4 Councils will come together and engage in meaningful discussion of these issues and take decisive action to uphold our Constitution and our Rule of Law. To that end, the Isle of Palms City Council has engaged legal counsel to explore our rights and legal remedies with a direct action in the SC Supreme Court.
We must stand strong against political bullies that turn their backs on our Constitution for political gain.
Respectfully submitted,
Jimmy Carroll
Mayor of the Isle of Palms 2018-2022
Blair Hahn
Isle of Palms City Council 2022-2026
SC Statute 57-5-820; 57-5-845 (S.40)
7/20/22
Island Eye News: Letter To The Editor - July 15th Isle Of Palms Connector Article By Brian Sherman
Over the years the team at The Island Eye News has done a terrific job! However, Brian Sherman’s front page article on July 15th about the IOP Connector misses the mark. First the article states “Without input from the city, SCDOT restriped the bridge….” The facts are that SCDOT restriped the connector OVER THE OBJECTION of the city in direct violation of SC Law and the State Constitution. “Secretary” Hall, she requires those that are graced by her presence to address her as Madam Secretary, ordered that the bridge be restriped without a traffic study or any other qualified opinion. In doing so she violated SC Statute 57-5-820 which requires the consent of the city as well as Article 8 of the State Constitution which guarantees the right of all municipalities to govern within their respective boundaries. Ms. Hall did this after a visit to our island in January of 2021 where she complained to our Mayor that she was not given the respect her high office commanded. To punish the island and prove her power, she ordered the connector be restriped in the middle of the night to take away our emergency lane. Can’t make this stuff up.
The article goes on to state that SC Statute 57-5-845, signed into law in June of 2021, “permits municipalities to charge for parking on state roads, but only with approval from SCDOT” is also inaccurate at best. This statute is unconstitutional on its face, violating Home Rule, Taxation without representation, Equal Protection and is a Taking. These are not trivial things. Every municipality in South Carolina has the constitutional right to manage parking within any road right of way within their jurisdiction. Currently, SCDOT only has the right to remove parking that interferes with the safe and free flow of traffic. This statute attempts to take that right away from just 4 communities; Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach and Edisto Island. The statute goes on to dictate that parking must be free, unless Ms. Hall consents to paid parking, requiring these 4 communities to provide police, fire, trash, EMS and maintenance services “free of charge”. This shifts the cost of day parking onto the backs of the local tax payers and is a mandated local tax by our Legislature. Is Ms. Hall now the appointed dictator of our island?
Finally, the article states that the bill “sponsored by State Senator Larry Grooms” (and our own Senator Chip Campsen) was “heralded by the Charleston Beach Foundation, a group that was formed after the IOP denied non-residents access to the island…”. The article leaves out that the Charleston Beach Foundation is a small self-serving group only interested in free government services. It also fails to state that the duly elected IOP City Council was obligated to comply with Governor McMaster’s state-wide order closing all public waterways as a result of COVID. The only option City Council had was to close island access until such time as the Governor lifted his order. Island access was returned to normal once the Governor’s order was lifted.
The truth is that our constitutional rights are being taken away from us by legislators pandering to small special interest groups. If this concerns you, get involved. Stand up for the constitutional rights of all South Carolina citizens and demand that SC Statute 57-5-845 be repealed, that our connector emergency lane be restored and that our elected officials follow their oath and uphold our Constitution.
Blair Hahn, Isle Of Palms
7/8/22
While stopping at historical markers in Wyoming and Montana, I came across this one where the Government promised the Sioux Indians that they could live here starting around 1851, for as long as grass would grow and the rivers flow. Well, then some prospectors found gold and the government changed the rules, battles broke out and the final blow was at little big horn. Kinda reminds me of SC state elected officials changing the laws illegally because of our golden coast. The politicians are pandering for votes to get re-elected by forcing formerly quite beach communities to become parking lots. The beaches are free, but because of the unbridled growth across the tri counties, the four beach communities are not growing and can’t handle the masses. Some IOP council members ran on fighting S-40, protecting our 2015 parking plan and getting our emergency lane back, what have 7 out of 9 done, nothing but talk. Some depended on a billionaire who supposedly had a direct line to “El Hefe”, but nothing has been done. Two council members are signers of the Palm Republic, more has been done through this grass roots Republic than promises by politicians. Buy your t-shirts and flags while learning the history of home rule.
7/1/22
Island Eye News: Op-Ed - 200+ Years Later And Another Battle For Self-Governance Is Underway On The Historic Beaches Of South Carolina
By Jon Regan Walters for Island Eye News
On 28 June 1776, a group of patriot militia in a half-built fort made of palmetto logs and sand fought and defeated the British Armada, the world’s greatest military power of the time, on the beach of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina in what is known as the Battle of Sullivan’s Island and celebrated annually as Carolina Day.
This unlikely victory, and first decisive victory of the Revolution, set the stage for their counterparts in Philadelphia who were at the time writing a declaration of independence to shake off the yoke of tyranny and set in motion events that resulted in a “great experiment” of a government “of the people, by the people and for the people”.
Today, on the same beaches of South Carolina, four communities have been singled out and their Constitutional right to Home Rule has been stripped by the state and given to unelected bureaucrats. Home Rule in South Carolina is based on the idea that the residents and municipality leaders of a community know what is best for their community (government by the people).
Since the loss of Home Rule, the S.C. Department of Transportation has removed the emergency lane from the bridge to the mainland, resulting in a 50% increase in traffic accidents. Traffic flow has slowed dramatically, often taking over an hour to get off the Island. The S.C. Department of Transportation has significantly impacted residents’ livability by creating commercial parking lots in single-family zoned areas, complete with cement parking bumpers that make front yards look like a Walmart parking lot. This action has also slowed traffic flow and resulted in a laundry list of safety issues.
However, modern day patriots on the Carolina coast, have declared independence from the state of South Carolina and created the Palm Republic in the same spirit that their sister republic, the Conch Republic, was founded in 1982. These patriots are seeking restoration of Home Rule to those communities affected. They are also seeking to find a balance between resident rights and beach visitor rights. All need to understand that expanding your rights generally infringes on the rights of others. The rapid growth in Charleston S.C. caused by national migration south, exacerbated by COVID-19, puts even greater pressure on the rights of residents to have a livable community. People should consider when they go to the beach that they are guests in someone else’s community and should act as they would want guests to act in their home! As I once heard someone in downtown Charleston so eloquently say to tourists who were stopping traffic to take pictures, “this ain’t Disney World, people live here”.
Every battle has its heroes and in the current strife they will be the residents, beach visitors and state leaders who work for and find the compromise that recognizes the residents’ right to a livable community, provides adequate parking for all, and restores self-government to every South Carolina community.
No discussion of South Carolina heroes is complete without paying homage to Sergeant William Jasper. Sergeant Jasper became the hero of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island when the garrison’s flagstaff was broken by enemy fire and the blue flag with a crescent in the upper left corner fell to the sand below. The flag was being used as a signal flag; lowering it meant the fort was falling to the British and to evacuate patriot leaders from Charleston. Sergeant Jasper saw it fall and quickly jumped down into the sand below. Exposing himself to heavy enemy gunfire he grabbed the flag, climbed back up the wall of the fort, lashed the flag to a cannon ramrod, planted it in the sand and gave three cheers toward the British fleet. No one knows what three words he cheered, but based on my 30 years in the Army I can think of several three-word combinations he may have used; none of which are printable in this newspaper.
So, as you go to the beach, lake, mountains or parks be polite and take some time on 28 June and 4 July to think about the patriot militia at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, the importance of Home Rule, and how important the news of the battle was to the gentlemen putting their signature on a declaration of independence in Philadelphia. Home Rule was the basis of our country’s Declaration of Independence from England. Also, take time to remember the real heroes, our military past and present.
Retired Army Col. Jon Regan Walters, a native South Carolinian, has been an Isle of Palms resident for more than 50 years and is currently raising his family there. A combat veteran, he deployed and served in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, receiving the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Master Parachutist badge. He worked at every level from small teams to combatant command staff. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA from The Citadel.
https://islandeyenews.com/op-ed-200-years-later-and-another-battle-for-self-governance-is-underway-on-the-historic-beaches-of-south-carolina/
5/25/22
Home Rule
5/19/22
Island Eye News: Island Independence
Photo by Brian Sherman for Island Eye News
A raucous group of Isle of Palms residents and their enthusiastic supporters struck a blow for the concept of home rule on Friday, May 13 when they gathered on the deck of The Windjammer to officially establish The Palm Republic, an “independent nation” fashioned after the Conch Republic in Key West, Florida. The impetus behind its creation is S. 40, a piece of legislation passed by the SC State Legislature last year that gives the Department of Transportation the authority to decide where visitors to four Lowcountry beach communities – IOP, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach and Edisto – can park on state-owned roads and how much, if anything, they’ll have to pay.
The Palm Republic has two officials: current IOP Council Member Blair Hahn (center) is the attorney general, also known as His Beaudacious Highness, Admiral and Grand Ruler of All Seas Less than 1 Fathom, and former Mayor Jimmy Carroll (far right) – His High-ness, The Grand Potentate of All That is Salty, His Excellency, The Right Reverend. Hahn, center, reads the republic’s declaration of independence, flanked by State Rep. Joe Bustos (far left).
https://islandeyenews.com/island-independence/
5/16/22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2022
Media contact: Heaven Hale, heaven@speakstrategic.com
Palm Republic Founders Declare Independence in Signing Ceremony
Over 200 guests attended historic event
Last Friday, May 13th, the Founding Fathers and Mothers of the Palm Republic signed a Declaration of Independence from the state of South Carolina to protest the General Assembly turning their backs on the State Constitution, the rule of law, the Isle of Palms and other beach communities over the past two years.
Over 200 guests were in attendance at the signing ceremony, including State Rep. Joe Bustos (R-112) and Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. Rep. Bustos declared that he would serve as the Ambassador to the State House and Mayor Tecklenburg submitted his credentials to be Ambassador to the State of Charleston. More than two dozen signers, dressed in Revolutionary-era regalia and powdered wigs, signed the Declaration at the Windjammer, which serves as the Palm Republic’s capital. The ceremony included “foreign aid” consisting of rum and key lime cake from the Conch Republic of Key West, which inspired the Palm Republic’s tongue-in-cheek protest.
Since 2020, Isle of Palms residents have been in a heated debate with the General Assembly and the South Carolina Department of Transportation over parking on the island and removal of the emergency lane on the IOP connector. In June of 2020, the General Assembly passed an illegal and unconstitutional law stripping the Isle of Palms and three other beach communities of their right to Home Rule. Home Rule, which was enshrined in the South Carolina Constitution in 1973, prevents the South Carolina legislature from taking actions against a municipality without their consent. The emergency lane on the IOP connector was removed in the middle of the night after SCDOT Christy Hall visited the island and claimed that Isle of Palms’ leadership had not shown her the proper respect.
“This is about holding our state legislature accountable for their tyrannical overreach and disregard for our City’s constitutional rights,” said Blair Hahn, the Palm Republic’s Admiral of All Seas Less Than One Fathom. “We hope that this will push the legislature and Secretary Hall to reconsider their dangerous and illegal actions and restore safety and the rule of law to our fair City.”
5/16/22
This is why we need an emergency lane on our connector!
5/15/22
(Photo courtesy of Island Eye News)
Mayor Tecklenburg and Representative Bustos supporting the Palm Republic and Home Rule!
5/15/22
WFMY News 2: Isle Of Palms Group Forms 'The Palm Republic' To Protest South Carolina Department Of Transportation
By Carrie Hodgin
The Isle of Palms forms its own republic to protest the SCDOT. (Photo by Mike Scott)
The Isle of Palms, SC, is an idyllic vacation destination, but the ideals of some of those on the island, have shifted away from the waves and are now washing ashore on the steps of the state.
A group on the island is coming together to protest the South Carolina Department of Transportation. It all culminated Friday, as islanders dressed in wigs and flip-flops before signing, “The Palm Republic” declaration with a quill pen to separate themselves from the state in a jokingly manner while raising awareness about their concerns.
If you’ve ever visited the vacation spot, then you know there’s a clear issue with parking. That’s just one complaint made by the group along with other traffic-related issues by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. They also claim the SCDOT removed the emergency lane on the connector bridge which has resulted in more accidents.
The event was held at the Windjammer with a nice backdrop of the ocean.
The group has also formed its own Facebook page to try and get the attention of lawmakers. WFMY News 2 reached out to the SCDOT to find out more details.
https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/nation-world/isle-of-palms-group-forms-the-palm-republic-to-protest-scdot/83-e8e9a687-6d28-448c-a22e-22471ff06a80
5/14/22
The following letter has been sent to Governor Henry McMaster in regards to SC Statutes 57-5-845, 57-5-820 and related acts along with our signed Declaration Of Independence:
The Palm Republic
PO Box 674
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
May 13, 2022
The Honorable Henry McMaster
State House
1100 Gervais Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
RE: SC Statutes 57-5-845, 57-5-820 and related acts
Dear Governor McMaster,
We write to seek your assistance with the recent constitutional violations of the SC Legislature in the enactment of 57-5-845 as well as the unconstitutional and illegal acts of your Secretary of Transportation, Christy Hall. Attached please find the Declaration of Independence forming the Palm Republic to address these wrongs by the use of public demonstration and, if necessary, legal action.
Specifically, Senator Larry Grooms sponsored a bill in 2020 that became 57-5-845 in June, 2021 in an effort to pander to a small vocal group of voters in his district that were upset with your emergency measures to close the beaches and waterways of our state as a result of the COVID pandemic. The duly elected Isle of Palms City Council enacted multiple emergency ordinances in an effort to comply with your orders, all of which expired after your measures were withdrawn. Senator Grooms legislation, which in no way addresses these emergency measures that are now expired, violates Article 8 of the State Constitution known as Home Rule, as well as the Equal Protection, Taking and Taxation Without Representation clauses of our Constitution. In so doing, Senator Grooms has violated his oath of office to uphold the Constitution, the Rule of Law of our state and multiple statutes all in an effort to pander to voters by inappropriately using the power of his office for personal gain.
Further, the Senate Transportation Committee, which Senator Grooms chairs, sent Secretary Hall to tour the Isle of Palms in February of 2021. During her interaction with our City Council, Secretary Hall claims she was not given the respect due her high office by members of our Council. Secretary Hall contacted then Mayor Jimmy Carroll to complain about said disrespect and told Mayor Carroll that she would remove the emergency lane of our only road to the mainland in a display of power and retribution. Two weeks later our emergency lane was indeed removed in the middle of the night without an engineering study, internal SCDOT opinion or any other justification other than that Secretary Hall was displeased. Subsequent to these actions, a senior engineer at SCDOT stated in an interview that the Isle of Palms Connector was restriped to remove the emergency lane as a result of an order from “on high”. All of these actions by Secretary Hall were done over the objections of the Isle of Palms and Charleston County and directly violate 57-5-820, the constitutionally guaranteed right to Home Rule and multiple safety regulations and standards of SCDOT. As a result of Secretary Hall’s childish act, accidents have doubled on the connector in the last 12 months demonstrating that she has put the public at an increased risk of harm. Secretary Hall is unfit for the office she holds.
These unconstitutional acts, including the enactment of 57-5-845 and direct violation of 57-5-820 must be reversed and we seek your guidance and assistance. While we do not speak for the Isle of Palms City Council, we do speak for a majority of our citizens in demanding these actions be reversed.
These actions by Senator Grooms and Secretary Hall cannot be allowed to stand and we are prepared to file legal action if necessary. However, we also understand the reality of politics in our State and believe with your assistance that there is a path forward where we collectively uphold our State Constitution, our Rule of Law and address the concerns of South Carolina residents that desire access to our beaches. It is in this spirit of seeking an equitable solution that we write this letter.
Sincerely yours,
James E Carroll H Blair Hahn
Isle of Palms, SC Isle of Palms, SC
CC:
Philip Pounds
Mayor of the Isle of Palms
1207 Palm Blvd
PO Box 508
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Speaker of the House
506 Blatt Bldg.
Columbia, SC 29201
Thomas C Alexander
President of the Senate
213 Gressette Bldg.
Columbia, SC 29201
Teddie E. Pryor, Sr.
Charleston County Council Chair
2700 Crestline Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
Eric B Watson
Deputy Charleston County Administrator
Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
5/13/22
Today, we signed our Declaration Of Independence! Here are two videos from the signing:
5/11/22
Just received our first foreign aid package! Our brothers and sisters from the Conch Republic understand the sting of tyranny and the government turning its back on the Constitution. Thank you Conch Republic for the much needed aid, understanding and opening Diplomatic channels to your great Republic! Together we will protect and uphold our Constitution, the Rule of Law and democracy for all residents and visitors to our lands.
5/11/22
5/11/22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2022
Media contact: Heaven Hale - heaven@speakstrategic.com
Isle of Palms Residents to Sign Palm Republic Declaration of Independence at the Windjammer This Friday
The public is invited to attend
WHAT: The Founding Fathers and Mothers of the Palm Republic will convene this Friday at the Republic's capital, also known as the Windjammer, to sign the Declaration of Independence from the state of South Carolina. The Declaration signing will be led by former Mayor Jimmy Carroll and City Councilman Blair Hahn and will take place on the back deck of the Windjammer. Signers will be wearing powdered wigs and Revolutionary-era regalia. The public and the media are invited to attend.
WHEN: Friday, May 13th, 2022
5:00pm-5:45pm
WHERE: The Windjammer
1008 Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC, 29451
WHO: Jimmy Carroll, former Mayor of the Isle of Palms and Grand Potentate of the Palm Republic
Blair Hahn, City Councilman of the Isle of Palms and Attorney General of the Palm Republic
Founding Fathers and Mothers of the Palm Republic
To RSVP, please reply to thepalmrepublicsc@gmail.com. For more information, please visit our website at thepalmrepublic.org.
5/4/2022
Count On News 2: The Palm Republic: Isle Of Palms Residents To “Declare Independence” From South Carolina
By Tim Renaud
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – Some Isle of Palms residents are expected to “declare independence” from South Carolina as they look to form “The Palm Republic.”
It stems from when a small group opposed Governor Henry McMaster’s decision to close the beaches at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
The effort, by former and current leaders on the Isle of Palms, including former mayor Jimmy Carroll, said the decision is to protect what they call illegal action from the state. They include beach parking and other traffic-related issues by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
“The Palm Republic will exist as a free and sovereign republic that re-establishes Home Rule, which was unilaterally and illegally stripped from the Isle of Palms upon the passage of S. 40 in 2021,” organizers said Wednesday.
The Palm Republic is modeled after the Conch Republic along the Florida Keys.
While organizers said becoming a republic would give the island self-governance, it would not include seceding from South Carolina.
“This tongue-in-cheek protest will have no binding legal authority, the founding fathers and mothers of the Palm Republic hope to highlight the tyrannical and unconstitutional actions taken by state legislators, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and the governor stripping the Isle of Palms of its basic rights to govern itself,” said organizers. “The patriots of the Palm Republic are fun-loving people and include humor and drink in dealing with a very serious violation of their constitutionally guaranteed right to govern our Island.”
Former IOP Mayor Jimmy Carroll would serve as “His High-ness, The Grand Potentate of All That is Salty, His Excellency, The Right Reverend.”
“This is about our legislature overstepping their authority to pander for votes,” said Carroll. “In doing so, they have violated the state constitution and the rule of law. If this is allowed to stand, the door is wide open for state senators to do the same thing statewide. They will take away our constitutional rights to buy the votes of small but outspoken radical groups. Behind closed doors, our politicians laugh at the Constitution and will do whatever it takes to stay in power.”
Blair Hahn, current City Council member of the Isle of Palms, will serve as attorney general, also known as “His Beaudacious Highness, Admiral and Grand Ruler of All Seas Less than 1 Fathom.”
“I cannot state strongly enough the gravity of the violations of our Constitution and Rule of Law by the powers that be in Columbia,” said City Councilman Hahn. “We are establishing the Palm Republic to stand up to politicians in Columbia and take back our Constitutionally-guaranteed rights.”
The signing of the Declaration of Independence for the Palm Republic will take place on Friday, May 13th on the back deck stage of the Windjammer, a location that will serve as the Capitol Building of the Palm Republic.
Current Mayor Phillip Pounds sent News 2 a statement last month that reads quote, “The City of Isle of Palms is in no way involved with the Palm Republic. Our Council and I continue to be focused on collaborative relationships and seeking solutions that benefit residents and visitors.”
Pounds said council voted on April 26 to have a constitutional attorney explore the legality of S. 40.
Editor’s Note: The effort is believed to be half a joke and half an effort to bring attention to the city’s frustrations with the state’s changes to beach parking regulations.
5/4/2022
The Post And Courier: Disgruntled Isle Of Palms Politicians Declare Farcical Secession From South Carolina
By David Slade
Transportation Secretary Christy Hall (from left), Isle of Palms Mayor Jimmy Carroll, City Councilman Randy Bell and City Administrator Desiree Fragoso discuss SCDOT’s installation of angled parking spots along Palm Boulevard on April 19, 2021, on Isle of Palms. (Grace Beahm Alford/Staff)
ISLE OF PALMS — Not far from Fort Sumter talk of secession is brewing, but this time the driving issue is not the legality of human bondage but a 2021 state law regulating beach parking.
The secessionist ringleaders are former Isle of Palms Mayor Jimmy Carroll and current Councilman Blair Hahn, who have dubbed the barrier island The Palm Republic. They are planning a powdered-wig signing of a declaration of independence at The Windjammer, a beachfront bar that hosts live music and a bikini contest when it’s not serving as “the Capitol Building of the Palm Republic.”
It might sound like a marketing plan to promote the island and sell T-shirts but Hahn and Carroll say it’s about Home Rule, the state Constitution, and politicians overstepping their authority.
The part-farce and part-serious vibe is deliberate, modeled on what Key West did in 1982 to protest federal government roadblocks where cars heading north were searched for drugs and undocumented migrants. The Florida city declared itself the Conch Republic, the roadblocks came down, and in April the Conch Republic’s 40th anniversary was celebrated with “10 days of fun and zany events for all ages” and merchandise sales.
“We’re trying to do it with a sense of humor, but this is very serious,” said Hahn. “It may ultimately become a lawsuit.”
The grievances Hahn and Carroll are airing stem from the state’s refusal to allow the island to eliminate most of the free parking on state roadsides there, and a related state law prohibiting communities eligible to receive beach renourishment funds from eliminating parking without state Department of Transportation approval.
“This is absolutely not about parking,” said Hahn. “It’s about our right to govern ourselves as we see fit.”
In addition to being a city councilman, Hahn is now The Palm Republic’s “attorney general, also known as His Beaudacious Highness, Admiral and Grand Ruler of All Seas Less than 1 Fathom,” a Palm Republic statement announced.
The legislation that spurred The Palm Republic’s grievances, S40 sponsored by Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Bonneau), was about who has the authority to regulate parking. Hahn and Carroll said Grooms was pandering to the Charleston Area Public Beach Access and Parking Group, which The Palm Republic called “a small radical group” in a prepared statement.
“Most local folks like going to the beach, and Isle of Palms was restricting local folks from going to the beach,” said Grooms. “The beaches belong to all of us, but if you’re not able to park you’re not able to use the beach.”
He said parking is certainly the issue.
“It’s not about parking, at all,” Carroll said.
In September 2020, when Carroll was still mayor, the barrier island’s City Council voted 7-1 to eliminate 200 free parking spots near the beach and announced plans to charge fees for the free spaces that remained.
The next day state Department of Transportation Secretary Christy Hall told the town there was no public safety issue to warrant the parking reduction. Instead of eliminating parking the DOT added more, and in 2021 Grooms’ legislation passed requiring DOT approval for parking changes in beach communities.
Gov. Henry McMaster described the legislation as a clarification of existing state law when he signed it, but Hahn says it was an egregious violation of the state Constitution.
“Our legislature has turned their back on the Constitution,” he said.
Grooms, noting The Palm Republic hired Democratic strategist Tyler Jones, said “this whole Palm Republic movement is a creation of a left-wing Democrat political organization with strong ties to (Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former congressman) Joe Cunningham...”
Grooms’ state Senate seat is not up for election until 2024. Carroll is a Republican, but supported Cunningham for Congress.
Hahn said they picked May 13 to sign the The Palm Republic’s declaration of independence because it was on the 13th (of October, 1307) when the king of France had the Knights Templar arrested to face the Inquisition.
“It was tyranny then and it’s tyranny now,” he said.
Hahn also alleges that “because her feelings were hurt” Hall ordered bike lanes added to the Isle of Palms Connector, eliminating a center emergency lane in the process. He and Carroll believe that was a bad idea.
“I see some folks are wanting to rewrite history and are intent on throwing mud,” said Hall on May 4. “I will continue to take the high road. “
The Palm Republic plans to sell “passports” with discounts at local businesses, and branded merchandise, just like Key West has done for decades with the Conch Republic.
5/4/2022
5/4/2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2022
Media contact: Heaven Hale - heaven@speakstrategic.com
Isle of Palms Residents to “Declare Independence” from South Carolina and form “The Palm Republic” to protest illegal state action
Invites public to signing of the Declaration of Independence on Friday, May 13th
ISLE OF PALMS, SC - Today, dozens of residents of Isle of Palms announced their intention to declare independence from the state of South Carolina and establish the free “Palm Republic.” Modeled after the Conch Republic, formerly known as the Florida Keys, the Palm Republic will exist as a free and sovereign republic that re-establishes Home Rule, which was unilaterally and illegally stripped from the Isle of Palms upon the passage of S. 40 in 2021.
It all began when a small radical group opposed the Governor’s decision to close the beaches during the first COVID outbreak in 2020. This group demanded that it was their right to go to the beach regardless of the Governor’s order. To pander to those voters, Senator Larry Grooms blamed the Isle of Palms and wrote the bill known as S.40 which legislators passed into law in June of 2020 stripping the Isle of Palms of its self-governing authority. Apparently, Senator Grooms was not aware of the State Constitution. On the heels of this small group’s “outrage,”
SCDOT Secretary Christy Hall, whose agency is overseen by Senator Grooms, visited the Isle of Palms in February of 2020 and claimed she was offended that city officials had not shown her the proper respect. She threatened the island with retribution in order to exert her “authority.” Shortly thereafter, she ordered SCDOT to remove the emergency lane on the Isle of Palms connector and dramatically altered the angle of parking spots on the island. In the ensuing 12 months, accidents doubled on the connector.
By law/per the constitution, every municipality in South Carolina is granted “Home Rule,” which states that the South Carolina legislature cannot take any action against said municipality without their consent. Last year, state legislators, led by Senator Larry Grooms, passed S. 40, stripping the Isle of Palms and three other beach communities of their constitutionally-guaranteed right to Home Rule to make their own decisions for their community.
While this tongue-in-cheek protest will have no binding legal authority, the founding fathers and mothers of the Palm Republic hope to highlight the tyrannical and unconstitutional actions taken by state legislators, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and the governor stripping the Isle of Palms of its basic rights to govern itself. The patriots of the Palm Republic are fun-loving people and include humor and drink in dealing with a very serious violation of their constitutionally guaranteed right to govern our Island.
Other objectives of the Palm Republic include:
Repealing S. 40
Defeating the politicians responsible for writing and passing S. 40
Promoting the Isle of Palms nationally
The signing of the Declaration of Independence for the Palm Republic will take place on Friday, May 13th on the back deck stage of the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms at 5pm. Currently there are over two dozen residents, or founding fathers and mothers, who intend to sign the Declaration of Independence. Signers will be dawning revolutionary-era regalia including powdered wigs and 18th-century clothing. There will be a celebration with live music after the signing ceremony. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the festivities.
Jimmy Carroll, the former mayor of the Isle of Palms, will serve as His High-ness, The Grand Potentate of All That is Salty, His Excellency, The Right Reverend.
“This is about our legislature overstepping their authority to pander for votes,” said former mayor Carroll. “In doing so, they have violated the state constitution and the rule of law. If this is allowed to stand, the door is wide open for state senators to do the same thing statewide. They will take away our constitutional rights to buy the votes of small but outspoken radical groups. Behind closed doors, our politicians laugh at the Constitution and will do whatever it takes to stay in power.”
Blair Hahn, current City Council member of the Isle of Palms, will serve as attorney general, also known as His Beaudacious Highness, Admiral and Grand Ruler of All Seas Less than 1 Fathom.
“I cannot state strongly enough the gravity of the violations of our Constitution and Rule of Law by the powers that be in Columbia,” said City Councilman Hahn. “We are establishing the Palm Republic to stand up to politicians in Columbia and take back our Constitutionally-guaranteed rights.”
The legendary Windjammer, located on Ocean Boulevard, will serve as the Capitol Building of the Palm Republic.
Similarly to the Conch Republic, passports will be sold that give discounts at local businesses and Palm Republic merchandise will be available for purchase.
For more information, please visit our website at thepalmrepublic.org.
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5/4/2022
3/24/2022
Island Eye News - The Palm Republic: One Island Under Home Rule
By Brian Sherman for The Island Eye News
Not long after the 1860 presidential election, South Carolina chose to secede from the Union, igniting the spark that set the nation on fire for four long, arduous and uncivil years. They almost certainly won’t launch an attack on Fort Sumter and they’re probably not expecting to start another Civil War, but a former Isle of Palms mayor and a current IOP Council member are in the process of creating an independent “nation” that will soon “secede” from the state of South Carolina. The impetus behind the creation of The Palm Republic is S. 40, a piece of legislation passed last year that gives the Department of Transportation the authority to decide where visitors to four Lowcountry beaches can park on state-owned roads and how much, if anything, they’ll have to pay. “It’s unconstitutional. It singles out four communities in South Carolina: Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Edisto and Folly Beach,” said Blair Hahn, an attorney and a sitting IOP Council member. “Every municipality can decide on parking in DOT right of ways in their town limits. The only thing DOT can do is remove parking if it interferes with the flow of traffic.” “It’s an affront to home rule, which has been the standard in South Carolina since 1776,” Hahn added. “South Carolina is taking our resources from us. We must provide services without offsetting our costs.”
The founders of the Palm Republic also are more than a little upset with SCDOT’s decision to restripe the Isle of Palms Connector bridge without input from city officials. That’s the serious part of The Palm Republic; there’s also a healthy dose of fun and revelry involved in the creation of IOP’s burgeoning nation.
All island residents, along with those who live in the other three beach communities affected by S. 40, will be invited to become founders of The Palm Republic, which in many ways will be fashioned after The Conch Republic, established in Key West, Florida, in 1982, to protest federal interference in the city’s business. The mayor proclaimed himself prime minister of the republic, which declared war on the United States, surrendered to a man wearing a naval uniform and applied for $1 billion in federal aid. The Conch Republic, which celebrates its four decades of “independence” this year, has regularly butted heads with the federal government for a variety of reasons. So far, The Palm Republic has two public officials. Hahn is the attorney general, also known as His Beaudacious Highness, Admiral and Grand Ruler of All Seas Less than 1 Fathom, while former IOP Mayor Jimmy Carroll is His High-ness, The Grand Potentate of All That is Salty, His Excellency, The Right Reverend. According to Hahn, there will be official Palm Republic merchandise such as T-shirts and diplomatic passports, visas and green cards offering discounts to island visitors. At least two celebrations will be held each year, with possibilities including a pub crawl, a triathlon, a 10K run and a street festival. And the Republic’s motto – in Latin, no less – is “Gravissima fabula est negotia,” which, according to the attorney general, means “Play is very serious business.” Both Hahn and Carroll intend to have some fun with their new republic, but they also want to make a point about striping bridges, parking and traffic issues and, of course, home rule. “While an absurd example, if the state can dictate that IOP residents must provide free beach parking for all comers, then they can also dictate that we provide free beach chairs and coolers full of beer, all on the backs of IOP taxpayers so that politicians outside of IOP can pander to their voting base,” Hahn said.
“The point is, this is a serious subject that needs to be brought to light, but with humor,” Hahn added. “We are all about having fun and getting along. We plan to have a lot of fun with this and reverse the errors of governance by our state leaders.”
https://islandeyenews.com/the-palm-republic-one-island-under-home-rule/
3/22/2022
Hahn comments to Isle Of Palms City Council re: Home Rule and the Connector
While this letter talks specifically about the Connector, the implications go much deeper. This is about the right of our island to self-governance. It is about the right of Home Rule. In 1973, after consideration for over 2 decades, the leaders of our State enacted a Constitutional Amendment to our State Constitution. Article 8 of our State Constitution clearly states that the powers of a municipality “shall be liberally construed in favor of the municipality and the specific mention of particular powers shall not be construed as limiting in any manner the general powers of such municipalities.” The Constitution goes on to state that “No laws for a specific county [or municipality] shall be enacted”. SCDOT actions with our Connector and our roads specifically violate not only SC Statute 57-5-820, SCDOT has violated the Constitution of SC. This letter is the first step in standing up for the rights of the citizens of the Isle of Palms. A line must be drawn that this elected body will stand up for and defend the Constitution. To do otherwise relegates our Constitution to nothing more than a meaningless piece of paper. If we do not demand the constitution be followed and enforced against all that violate its rule of law, then what is to stop the Governor or our State Senators from abolishing this duly elected Council and appointing their own Council to dictate their will. The attack on our island and our State Constitution by SCDOT and the State Legislature cannot be overstated. Sending this letter, along with the commitment to follow through, is the first step in correcting the violation and taking of our constitutionally guaranteed rights. I urge each and every member of this council to vote to send this letter to SCDOT and stand up for the rights of our citizens.