Local businessman Jan Kreminski urges a new path forward
I first met Jan Kreminski at a party we hosted at our house. My wife, Kim, and I had gotten to know his wife, Judy, through mutual friends. It was a pleasure to meet another businessman on the island, especially someone who was involved in so many ventures. We connected right away. Early this year, when I asked if he’d be interested in being interviewed for the column, he replied, “Save the October issue for me. October will be a month for common-sense discussions on the island, and maybe I can help solve some of our challenges!”
FOLLY CURRENT: Where were you born and how long have you been connected to Folly?
Jan Kreminski: I was born in Illinois. After school in Baltimore, I met my wife, Judy, in Wisconsin while traveling for work. We’ve been married for 45 years, and our children and grandchildren live on James Island and Cincinnati. Our lives have been blessed as we’ve been fortunate to have lived in many places across Europe and the U.S., as my job took me to almost every corner of the globe. I first visited Folly with Judy before we were married in 1979 and were always drawn to Charleston and the Lowcountry for vacations. It’s incredible to reflect on how Folly has evolved over the years. In 2017, we chose to buy our Folly home to be close to our kids. We picked Folly out of all our options because of our cherished memories there and the Folly vibe. You could say it was serendipity from that first visit in 1979!
FC: What’s your favorite thing about Folly Beach?
JK: The people and lifestyle. We’ve made so many friends from all walks of life and places. It’s a very laid-back place to live with so many enjoyable activities and a fantastic beach.
FC: Share a memorable story about Folly Beach.
JK: The snowstorm during our first year at Folly. Everything was closed, and snow was falling. Our first granddaughter was just a baby, and we decided to walk over to the beach and Tides for dinner. We watched surfers in the water while the snow fell! It was a very cool and surreal experience.
FC: In your opinion, what’s the most pressing issue facing our community today?
JK: As a senior executive for my entire life, I’ve witnessed the poorly addressed STR issue with a business eye. It’s created a deep-seated divisiveness that seems unlikely to dissipate. We initially bought our house with rental income in mind until we were ready to move to Folly. Unfortunately, that’s no longer feasible. The conversation surrounding STR has been unbalanced, with facts often overshadowed by emotions. When making significant decisions like this, it’s crucial to separate facts from emotions. There’s no denying the negative economic consequences for the city, businesses, and homeowners. Property values have plummeted, the city’s income has dropped, business revenues are down, and property taxes will rise to compensate for some of these losses. Eventually the city will experience a revenue decline that does not align with the increasing demand for funding to ensure a stable, prosperous, and safe future for our island’s residents, visitors, and businesses. I know many people who have wanted to move to Folly and buy property before retirement, but they can’t afford to do so without the option to rent their homes to help with their costs of ownership.
FC: If you were in charge, how would you address this issue?
JK: I would propose three simple things:
1. Transparency of Fiscal Facts. Post the city’s gross revenue from the past month—and the past 10 years—on the website and Facebook group each month. This simple step eliminates speculation and “alternative facts,” giving us a clear picture of whether the cap has strengthened or weakened funding for flooding, septic, public safety, and the long-term care of our causeway.
2. Strict Political Term Limits. Limit the mayor and council members to two four-year terms, the same as the U.S. president. Term limits encourage fresh perspectives, diverse experiences, and innovative ideas in leadership.
3. Equal Rights for Non-Resident Owners.Grant non-resident owners (the so-called “six percenters”) the same rental rights as primary residents—72 days per year without a license. This change would ease the overloaded real estate market and give families hope that future generations can afford to keep their homes.
The divisiveness within our community is not normal. It’s time to pause, gather the facts, and consider a new direction—for the long-term benefit of all who love Folly Beach.
Pat “Wiggy” Hiban interviews a different “Face of Folly” for this column. If you have an idea of someone you think Pat should chat with, please send suggestions to editor@follycurrent.com.
