Pawleys Island leaders reflect on 2024 and share resolutions for 2025
With a new year is approaching fast, many people will be making New Year’s resolutions for a successful 2025.
As most people know, New Year’s resolutions are personal commitments that individuals make at the beginning of a new year to bring about positive changes in their health and fitness, personal development, financial goals, or career aspirations.
When asked about their resolutions, Pawleys Island town officials, business owners, and accommodations professionals shared their thought about this past year and their personal goals for the coming year.
Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry
In addition to serving as the island’s mayor, Brian Henry and his wife, Sassy, own Sea View Inn, a bed and breakfast on Pawleys Island, and Get Carried Away, a catering company and gift shop on the Pawleys mainland, as well as two new locations in Georgetown and Mount Pleasant.
He says the past year was “peaceful and productive” for the town of Pawleys Island.
“The beaches remained healthy, we avoided major damage from the hurricane season, and the town has prospered,” he said. “Tourism was strong and the property owners seem to be in good spirits.”
Henry said his number one resolution for 2025 is to “stay grounded and chill out on the things that normally worry me.”
“I will focus on the things that are most important: family, health, and close friends,” he said. “Resolutions are a way to reset and recalibrate but you don’t want to make too many. I try to focus on one or two and stay consistent.”
Sassy Henry, business owner
Sassy Henry said 2024 treated her and her family well. She said she has been busy with several major projects and events in her personal and professional life.
“They are all positive,” she said. “There are just a lot of them.”
She said that resolutions are a form of accountability and without goals and deadlines, it is easy to procrastinate and not finish projects and tasks.
Sassy Henry’s resolution for the coming year is to “try and delegate mor of my responsibilities, decisions and workload.”
“I need to let go and trust the very capable people that work for us.,” she said. “I am looking forward to a joyful 2025.”
Pawleys Island Town Administrator Daniel Newquist
Overall, Daniel Newquist said that 2024 was a great year both professionally and personally. He works with the mayor and Town Council to handle the day-to-day operations of the island.
“I am still learning every day as the Town Administrator and feel great about the established partnerships I have developed over this past year,” he said. “It has been a great year.”
He said he is pleased with ongoing projects in the town, including the initial progress made on waste management issues on the beach.
“I am also thrilled about the passage of the Georgetown County Capital Project Sales Tax which will benefit the Town of Pawleys Island by addressing the long-term functionality of the North Jetty and help kickstart our infrastructure investments to mitigate flooding on the island.”
Looking forward to 2025, Newquist said personally he would like to ride his bicycle more and spend active time with his son, Lane, who will be 3 years old in April.
“Once the Waverly Road bike path is completed, I would like to commute to work by bike more often, my goal being to ride to work on average of once a week,” he said. “I am also ready to do some more activities on the island with my son Lane, including paddling the creek on a regular basis.”
He said these two resolutions require sticking to a regular routine and not making any excuses.
“By nature, I am a goal setter so a resolution is a good way to formalize goals and use the start of a New Year as a focal point to get organized and begin a new commitment to whatever goal or resolution you have in mind,” Newquist said. “I have always found it more productive to commit to resolutions that are by nature more fun than perceived to be an added burden or induce more self-imposed pressure or stress if you don’t fulfill them.”
Pawleys Island Police Chief Michael Fanning
Chief Michael Fanning said 2024 treated him well. His number one resolution for 2025 is to “travel a little more.”
“I missed Dead & Company at the Sphere (a music concert in Las Vegan, Nevada) last year but they announced a spring residency which I would love to take advantage of,” he said.
He said last year, one of his goals was to stick with his gym regiment, which he accomplished and hopes to continue.
“New Year’s resolutions give you something to work toward but I feel it’s important to choose a goal that is well within reach and then I can build upon that,” Fanning said. “Setting a lofty goal can set you up for disappointment and that can be difficult to overcome.”
Betsy Altman, owner/broker in charge for Pawleys Island Realty
Betsy Altman said 2024 was a busy year at Pawleys Island Realty, one of the realty companies for rental houses on the island. She has enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Her top resolution for 2025 is “to travel more.”
“There are places that I want to go and will work on scheduling time off to go,” she said.
Altman said it is important to make resolutions at the beginning of a new year.
“I feel it is always good to have a goal to strive for whether personal or in business,” she said. “It helps keep me focused.”
Although she may not always complete all of her resolutions, she said she usually gets the majority of them accomplished.
“It makes me feel good to go in the right direction,” Altman said.
By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce