MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCIV) — Kay Beilstein, who has been living along Merrimack Boulevard since 2017, sees the construction of new townhomes right next door to her for about a year now - and is afraid of what they could possibly bring to her front yard.

"Because we live in the Lowcountry, we get a lot of rain," she said. "There's a lot of flooding in some areas and (when) these neighborhoods get built, they don't really take into consideration where that water is going to go."

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Beilstein says when it has rained in the past, water comes on to the streets washing dirt on to the roads. She believes the new development won't help the problem.

"Right now, (the water is) going to go right on to my property and flood my garage and driveway," Beilstein said. "Hopefully, not the rest of my yard, but it depends on how much rain we're going to get."

In response to these concerns, Moncks Corner officials said, "In reviewing the plans, it appears that on-site and off-site stormwater concerns were adequately addressed."

Kay Beilstein, who has been living along Merrimack Boulevard since 2017, sees the construction of new townhomes right next door to her for about a year now - and is afraid of what they could possibly bring to her front yard. (WCIV)

The approved plans show the entire subject property will catch, detain, and release the drainage to the two ponds the property will have installed. This is accomplished with catch basins in the proposed roads, fine grading around the building pads, and underground pipes running from various points around the property, leading to the central and southern stormwater devices.

The vast majority of water from the site is designed to flow south (away from 119 Merrimack Blvd) to the central pond, then to the southern pond, before discharging at the southern edge of the property into an existing 45-foot drainage easement, according to the approved plans.

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Despite this new development coming, Beilstein hopes it won't change the area she loves.

"I'm not looking forward to it," she said. "I do really enjoy my neighbors and my home, but I feel like the town hasn't really taken into consideration that they're ruining our neighborhood for a little bit of money."

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) – Over 30 animals suffering in extreme temperatures and living in “deplorable conditions” were seized over the weekend from an abandoned metal trailer in Moncks Corner.

According to H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue, who took the animals in, the trailer was in the parking lot of the Tractor Supply store.

The animals were described as “covered in muck, their own feces, extremely dehydrated, malnourished, and each with their own medical ailments.”

The owner of the trailer, Justin Culley, received a citation for inhumane care and treatment of animals, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.

More than 20 additional animals were found on Culley’s property, also living in deplorable conditions.

H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue currently has the following animals in their care:

Culley is listed as the owner of Culley Farms Mobile Petting Zoo & Events.

The business released the following statement on social media Wednesday night, calling the allegations false and inaccurate:

“By now surely everyone has heard about the incident with our animals. The news is spreading defamation and inaccurate claims. Nothing wrong was done. Our business is being blasted and our name is being run in the dirt and nobody even knows the situation. We do not abuse our animals, we love our animals with all our heart. Anyone who knows us and sees us regularly knows the care, compassion and effort we put into our animals. They are clean with shiny coats, well fed and are met with love and joy by everyone around them. We are heart broken because of what has occurred. All of our animals are treated as if they were our children. We take pride in our animals and enjoy sharing the joy of animals with our customers and anyone else who would take the time to spend with them at any event we attend. The news has made outrageous claims that our animals were abandoned, malnourished and covered in feces. None of this is true and those who know us know this to be false claims. The situation was twisted and manipulated to make it seem as if we are abusive and neglectful. We simply had a flat tire on the trailer, plain and simple. The trailer was backed into the shade, jacked up with the tire off and disconnected at tractor supply where I felt they would be safe so that I could run around the corner to Mavis tire. The tire was mounted, balanced and I returned back to the trailer to a nightmarish scene. The animals were not seized, I voluntarily released the animals into their care under a temporary release. They also only took a portion of the animals, leaving us with many of our animals ranging from rabbits and pigs to ducks and chickens along with all of our domestic animals. Do you think they would leave us with any animals if we were so unfit? You can see from pictures of our animals exactly how well kept and healthy they are, with the exception of the horse who was given to us in even worse condition. We have had her a short period of time and has been on weight gainer for the last month. We want nothing but the best for our animals but also want to cooperate with the local enforcement. Our animals will be released back to us. We take pride in what we do, we love what we do and we love our animals with every ounce of our being. We have bonds with our animals that half of you would never understand. We spend more money every week feeding each of them than most people even earn in a week. We devote all of our time and efforts into providing the best environment we possibly can. I know every animals name, their personality their demeanor and could tell you every detail about every single one of them. We would never knowingly gamble with their lives or jeopardize their well being.”

Editor’s note: This story is breaking and will be updated.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Lacey Park in Moncks Corner is considered a staple for the town, a place where parents can bring their kids and relax. Over the years neighbors said the park has been neglected and there have been no efforts to fix it.

"Right now If you go to Lacey Park the swings is about all you have," said longtime Moncks Corner resident Thomas Hamilton. "I’m telling you a lot of these moms who want to bring their kids they won’t go there and it needs to be cleaned up."

Moncks Corner Lacey Park News 4. (WCIV, June 27, 2023).

Hamilton has been fighting for many years to revive one of his favorite parks. He described the playground's equipment as old and uncared for and he blames town leaders for neglecting the park.

"I have been pushing for new tennis courts, pickle ball courts, flash pads for the kids, and eventually a Rex center for Moncks Corner," continued Hamilton. "It seems like the town of Moncks Corner all they want to do is put time and money and effort into the ball field and to that Rex center up there and the rest of the parks get neglected."

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Recently town leaders passed a 15 percent tax increase and Hamilton believes some of the money should go towards the park's revitalization.

"We should be getting more tax revenue and I just feel like the city council and the mayor and the town administrator needs to be looking at these parks and start asking what can we do for the residents," said Hamilton.

News 4 reached out to Moncks Corner Officials and asked if Lacey Park would get attention anytime soon, and in a response they said: "The Town of Moncks Corner began developing a Parks Master Plan last year to evaluate our parks and help establish priorities for refurbishing our existing facilities. We were also able to identify what recreation needs are not being met. This study was based on a comprehensive survey sent out to our residents, which showed support to improve some of our older parks, increase funding, as well as add new facilities."

The spokesperson from the town continued: "The study is expected to be completed in the next two months and will provide Town Council with specific recommendations and prioritizations for all the parks. In the meantime, Town staff has been working to maintain the existing facilities but has, at times, been challenged with long lead times in getting replacement parts. If anyone sees anything that seems unsafe with any of our facilities, we ask that they contact us at 843-719-7900, so we can address it as soon as possible. Improving our older parks, including Lacey Park, has been, and continues to be a Town priority. We look forward to accomplishing it with the support of our residents. "

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Friday, January 27, 2023) – There will be a community-wide job fair happening Wednesday, February 1 in the Assembly Room of the Berkeley County Administration Building, located at 1003 N. Highway 52 in Moncks Corner.

The event will be open to Berkeley County high school students from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the general public from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will provide opportunities for Berkeley County industries that are hiring to connect with job-seeking residents and high school seniors. Employment opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, law enforcement, hospitality, construction, information technology and other career fields will be represented. Berkeley County Government will also be on-hand to discuss its open positions.

Attendees are urged to bring an updated resume and come prepared to interview on the spot, if necessary.

For questions, please contact Berkeley County Human Resources at 843-719-4163.

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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Friday, February 3, 2023) – Berkeley County received a ‘Clean Report’ or ‘Unmodified Opinion’ following a 2022 independent audit. The audit was presented to County Council on Monday, January 23, 2023 from the County’s outside auditors, Mauldin & Jenkins. Watch the full County Council meeting HERE.

“I’m pleased to say we do not have any audit findings to report to you on this year, meaning we noted no material weaknesses or sufficient deficiencies in the County’s internal controls in our audit. …Being one of the largest counties in South Carolina, you obviously have a significant amount of financial activity for which you have to account for. In addition, with all the new County standards and changes that are being implemented each year—and really just the complexity of all involved in the financial reporting process—it makes it all that more impressive to be able to present you all an audit with a clean opinion and no audit findings.” – David Irwin, CPA Partner, Mauldin & Jenkins

The report represents the best possible opinion the County can receive. The County has received this opinion several years in a row.

“Government has a fundamental responsibility to be effective stewards of the taxpayer’s money and this audit result reflects just that. A special thanks to my colleagues on County Council for their work throughout the budget process and most importantly to each and every Berkeley County employee for your daily efforts throughout the year. This TEAM effort allows us to continue to offer high level services while keeping our county government taxes the lowest in South Carolina.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb

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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCIV) — For Thomas Hamilton, Moncks Corner is home.

For nearly 30 years, Hamilton has resided within the community he's seen change with time. But when he heard that a plan was in place to build 88 homes, that was more change than he signed up for. So, when the local government voted no to the developer's plan to rezone Perry Hill, it was the outcome of Hamilton's hopes.

"It doesn't fit the fabric of Moncks Corner," Hamilton said with a subtle smile. "I'm so happy our council turned it down."

Moncks Corner: Local government curbs construction to keep local charm intact, and Thomas Hamilton, a long-time resident, shared his thoughts on the no-vote (WCIV).

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Underpinning Hamilton's reaction to the vote is a desire for Moncks Corner to stay small -- stay local. A place where big-box stores meet mom-and-pop shops, local eateries, and the culture cultivated through knowing the neighbors and saying hello to those seen in passing.

"I feel we can update and bring certain businesses to the area, but we really need to focus and support our smaller businesses in town," Hamilton said. "We don't want to become another Summerville with the congestion that they have. When I get to Moncks Corner, I want to enjoy moncks corner. I want to bring amenities to us to where we don't have to travel out."

And for those in local government, behind the vote to slow down building developments is a desire to understand the effects of construction on an intimate community.

"Council wants to pump the breaks a little on new construction to see how that impacts the town," said Michael Lockliear, Mayor of Moncks Corner. "We always try to put out the best product we can for the town. That is why we went through -- a couple years ago -- our ordinances to revamp and get the best product."

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Hamilton plans to run for Mayor of Moncks Corner, and what is driving him is the insatiable desire to have his home feel like a place everyone who resides in it can recognize.

"I just want to have an all-inclusive Moncks Corner for everybody," he said.

And sometimes, that means saying no for now in the hopes of saying yes to something that better fits the community later.