Forever Tybee

04/13/2026

If you missed the Potluck and Program, "A Conversation with the City Manager," moderated by Mary Landers from The Current, if you need an in-home activity for the week or weekend, OR if you want to listen to the informative dialogue again, check out the video on our website.

https://www.forevertybee.org/a-conversation-with-the-city-manager

Or, watch on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loOf3WLbPwQ

The Forever Tybee Potluck and Program on February 19, 2026, was a conversation between City Manager Bret Bell and journalist Mary Landers from The Current. ...

02/20/2026

February 19, 2026. The Old School Cafeteria came alive with camaraderie, laughter, and neighbors catching up with each other’s news during Forever Tybee’s Potluck and Program.

After a shared meal, attendees listened in on “A Conversation with the City Manager,” moderated by knowledgeable journalist Mary Landers from The Current and Bret Bell, the guest speaker. Questions were about long-standing hot issues (our water supply, STRs, Memorial Park, code enforcement) as well as a few unique inquiries. City Manager Bret Bell was deft in his answers as he sat between two ferns and responded for an hour to a room filled with attentive citizens.

If you are not a member of Forever Tybee and want more information about how to become a part of this vibrant, inquisitive, informed part of Tybee Island citizenry, call 912-786-9781 to learn more.

02/09/2026

Forever Tybee Potluck and Program - February 19. 6:30 pm.

Bring a dish to share and join us at the first 2026 Potluck and Program on February 19, 2026, at 6:30 pm in the Old School Cafeteria.

Bret Bell, Tybee’s City Manager, will be on hand for “A Conversation with the City Manager.” Be part of the evening so you can get to know him better, find out what he has learned in the past 17 months on the job, and hear your questions asked about the big issues and decisions that are ahead of us.

Facilitating the conversation will be Mary Landers, currently a reporter in Coastal Georgia for The Current. Ms. Landers is well known on Tybee for her environmental focus at the Savannah Morning News for almost 24 years and now at The Current.

Send questions to ask to [email protected] by February 17. For more information, call 912-786-9781.

02/01/2026

More than triple the number expected to turn out did so, braving weather predictions to hug their neighbors and sign up for 2026 Forever Tybee member benefits. The first “Mocha, Muffins, and 2026 Membership” was a hit! In addition to joining or renewing, members found a friend, selected a core value or more, and created some memories in fun photos, orchestrated by Duion Furgason, Tybee’s celebrated events photographer. John Tinley, IT guru, was on hand to describe what he’s working on, an Observer Reports Library where members can find city meetings from current and past years, and research information they need for current issues. Thanks to master muffin baker, Sharon Edwards, the food was delicious, and Sand Cat made new mocha drinkers of many who had never thought of adding chocolate first thing in the morning.

Thanks to EVERYONE who made this event a success. For those who have not yet signed up, go to www.forevertybee.org and click on the "Become A Member" button. You may pay with cash or check to PO Box 306, online with a credit card, or with Zelle to [email protected]. We want to make it easy for you to stay informed. Current 2025 membership benefits will last only until February 19 at which time we will flip over to the 2026 membership list, so make your move soon.

01/27/2026

Brave the cold weather and join the warmth of being with Forever Tybee neighbors for Mocha, Muffins, and 2026 Membership signup on January 31st at the Old School Cafeteria from 9 am - 11 am. Whether you are renewing your membership or joining for the first time, you are welcome! We will have membership paperwork at the door; just bring cash, your checkbook, or use Zelle to pay.

Be the first to hear how to access 2026 Observer Reports -- and experience our new Observer Reports Library. Demonstrations will be at 9:30 am, 10:00 am, and 10:30 am – and you will have an opportunity to practice with a pro, if you have questions.

For more information, call 912-786-9781.

11/05/2025

Today was a big election day across the country. Congratulations to California, Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, and Pennsylvania, among other states. We have followed the battles fought in these states, and we celebrate your victories.

Closer to home, congratulations to the winners of three Tybee Island city council seats: Cam Jackson, Spec Hosti, and Nicholas Hale. Nine candidates vied for three spots, and they all ran good campaigns. These three winners can be proud of their victories, despite the inaccuracy of the Georgia Secretary of State's percentages that will appear on the Board of Elections website. The percentage numbers are wrong, wrong, wrong, as our mayor found out this year when he wanted to use those wrong percentages to create contests with runoffs for our little three-mile island. Georgia’s elected State officials do not appreciate the love and loyalty Tybee voters (and many other municipalities) have for our plurality elections (we vote for the number of seats), and they are not interested in changing their statewide software to reflect the actual percentages in plurality contests. Regardless, these three Tybee men won with respectable margins, and we honor their legitimate successes.

Also, we salute two newcomers elected to seats on the Public Service Commission (PSC): Alicia Johnson (representing our Savannah area) and Peter Hubbard (representing Atlanta). They defeated two incumbents who were heavily funded by Georgia Power associates, whom the PSC regulates. Bravo for informative statewide campaigns. They are still in the minority on the PSC (holding just two of five seats) – but we now have two consumer advocates to care about the rapidly rising power bills we all face.

Voters, thank you for reading the Voter Guide, for coming to the Candidate Forum, for taking time to research, ponder, and vote absentee, or early, or in today’s election. Whether your candidates won or lost, we still have the precious gift of voting in the United States of America. May we commit to continue to fight for that right, despite forces that would undermine it.

11/04/2025

Dear Voters: We have big decisions to make tomorrow as we vote, and special interest groups are telling us which candidates will most help them get what they want. Here is a story from The Current yesterday about something that impacts us all as energy consumers. It's about the cost of Georgia energy and energy oversight (or lack of it) - and who is spending big money to keep it that way. The quote below is copied from The Current. The full article follows. I hope you will read this before you head out to vote.

"In an analysis of the campaign finance documents, The Current's Craig Nelson found that executives and employees of the state's largest energy utilities contributed more than $77,000 to two candidates' races for seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission. Both are incumbents. This financial support highlights a core theme for voters ahead of Tuesday’s election — whether the current five-member commission has favored corporate interests over consumers struggling to afford basic services, including their energy bills. The Districts 2 and 3 seats for the PSC top every statewide ballot on Tuesday. The panel regulates the rates charged and the services provided by most intrastate investor-owned electric, telecommunications, and natural gas companies. Regulated utilities cannot contribute to the candidates running for the PSC seats, but officers and employees and others associated with the utilities can."

Dozens of executives and employees of Georgia's largest energy utilities have contributed at least $77,000 to the two Republicans running for re-election to the Public Service Commission, with the majority of the contributions coming from individuals associated with Southern Company and its subsidia...

10/31/2025

Tybee voters: Today is the last day to early vote or drop off your absentee ballot before election day. Locations and times are listed below.

Voter Registration Annex 1249 Eisenhower Dr 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Mosquito Control 65 Billy B Hair Dr
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Southwest Library 14097 Abercorn St 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Islands Library 50 Johnny Mercer Blvd 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pooler City Hall 100 SW US Highway 80 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

DROP BOX LOCATIONS:
VR Annex Mosquito Control Islands Library
Drop boxes are open only during the hours that Early In-Person voting is available.

10/20/2025

75+ voters showed up at Hotel Tybee for the 2025 Forever Tybee Meet and Greet on October 19. Guests arrived with questions for the nine candidates running for Tybee's City Council (Bill Garbett, Nick Hale, Jim Harrah, Spec Hosti, Cam Jackson, Mack Kitchens, Bob Matkowski, Elaine McGruder, and Paul Wolff). Candidates shared brief remarks about campaign experiences and their plans, if elected.

Kudos to Sharon and Don Edwards, Colleen and Tim Bozard, Liz McLaughlin, and Chef Charlotte; there were more desserts than could be eaten. Carmen Simpson at Sand Cat Coffee and Hotel Tybee provided the liquid refreshments.

Early voting is October 14 -31, and Election Day is November 4, only 16 days away. Also on the ballot is a Public Service Commission (PSC) statewide election for two positions, a question about a school tax homestead exemption, and a vote to approve a 1% SPLOST (Special Purposes Local Option Sales Tax). Sample ballots were available for those in attendance.

10/19/2025

‼ TODAY, 10/19 ‼

🤔 Still undecided about which City Council candidates you want to vote for?

🟩 Tybee Island Voters: You are invited to join us for a City Council Candidate Meet & Greet in the beautiful Grandview Room at Hotel Tybee on Sunday afternoon, October 19, from 3pm-5pm. 🟩

☕🍪 We will provide complimentary tea, coffee and some delicious appetizers and desserts - and Hotel Tybee will open a cash bar for your enjoyment.

Come socialize with us for the entire event, pop in for a specific candidate or question, or just show up at 3:30- 4:00 pm for the program.

🟩 The event is FREE and open to all Tybee voters. 🟩

Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/17JBXRUS4e/

10/15/2025

🤔 Still undecided about which City Council candidates you want to vote for?

‼ Join us THIS SUNDAY, 10/19 ‼

🟩 Tybee Island Voters: You are invited to join us for a City Council Candidate Meet & Greet in the beautiful Grandview Room at Hotel Tybee on Sunday afternoon, October 19, from 3pm-5pm. 🟩

The event is informal, a chance for Tybee voters to drop in and chat with candidates during the early voting season (October 13-31) and before Election Day on November 4.

There will be no formal Q and A, but each candidate will have a chance to introduce themselves and their top issues during a brief program starting between 3:30 to 4:00 pm. We want you to see all the candidates together as each person tells you why they deserve your vote.

☕🍪 We will provide complimentary tea, coffee and some delicious appetizers and desserts - and Hotel Tybee will open a cash bar for your enjoyment.

Come socialize with us for the entire event, pop in for a specific candidate or question, or just show up at 3:30- 4:00 pm for the program.

🟩 The event is FREE and open to all Tybee voters. 🟩

Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/17JBXRUS4e/