It was a close one, but challenger Samuel Robinson unseated Alston and became Awendaw second mayor. I congratulate him on his victory and hope that he upholds his promises of protecting the environment and controlling unbridled growth in Awendaw.

Thank you everybody for the kind words. The perceived success of my first video post (more than a year after I buying the camera) will give me the fuel to get out there and keep filming.

Odd that you mention the race of the students when no asked and it has no bearing on or importance, I guess that's politics as usual. Everyone is welcome at Archibald Rutledge, where the last attendance number that I heard were 70 students...I'm happy to announce that next year, I will be co-teaching an after school program focusing on writing and technology where I will teach blogging basics.

I haven't heard any recent rumors, but several of the chains do population studies every couple of years and I'm sure as soon as it makes good business sense that they will be welcomed by most. There is basically a lot reserved for such a business in the highway commercial zone, not that they have to take it but it would provide pedestrian access without having to travel on the highway. If I had to guess I'd say it'll probably be another 5 years if McClellanville continues the slow but steady growth that it has been experiencing.

Straight from the horses, errr umm Charleston County School Board's mouth - $20,362 per student at McClellanville Middle. The county average is a $8,015 - http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/17/pricin...

According to Post and Courier data, attendance at ARA has decreased at roughly the same rate as the public schools in the area over the last 10 years. A decline which probably reflects a population shift including more retirees and second home owners. Unless you're on the board for ARA I don't think it is a fair statement that ARA tuition will increase. I'm not aware of any increases and the school is doing everything in its power to keep costs low so that everyone can have access.

You made the statement that "cost is relevant" and I couldn't agree more. I haven't heard of Lincoln's Silver Medal award, but this honestly isn't about the job that they are doing educating students. It's a back and forth argument that leads nowhere. If ARA can do the job for $3500, why are tax payers footing a $20,000 per student per year to send them to public school in the area??? It's about parental and tax payer choice and it seems pretty silly that your and my taxes could either send a child to a public school for one year or send them to an independent for nearly 6 years. I think we're used to seeing it the other way around (much more expensive private schools), but that is how out of whack this whole thing is. It just makes sense to provide alternative choices for parents who have decided that a local school is not performing up to THEIR standards...especially if it saves the taxpayer money.