Guest opinion: Hilton Head mayor asks for civility

There's certainly something you do ... every day.

Every day, I wake up mindful of one primary objective as it relates to the Town of Hilton Head Island -- to move our community toward a better future.

Admittedly, some days are difficult, but I humbly remember that I was elected mayor to do just this. Our goals of preservation plus purposeful progress are worth the effort.

Every day, I also receive countless communications about matters meaningful to our citizenry, some of which are easily addressed, while others require more significant thought, resources and attention. All of these, I must prioritize to "fit" into my everyday objective.

And every day, every single day, I receive numerous emails and telephone calls of a nature, which I may only describe as bullying. These tactics are an affront to the American spirit of respectful debate and opinions, which catapulted our nation from one of tyranny to one of independence.

Every day, I -- together with my fellow Town Council members and their families, as well as our town staff -- spend valuable time and resources to assess and address these repeated diatribes, often having to put aside advancing the work on the very issues that may be buried in the barrage of the assault.

So, what am I trying to communicate to you?

1. Let's raise the bar and discuss matters with civility. In that environment, we may work together to create and to correct, and to measure plans and actions appropriate to achieve islandwide successes.

2. Bullying depletes our resources, dampens our progress and damages individuals and our community as a whole. It must be called just what it is in whatever context it exists, and it must cease.

3. Although I am not a genius or perfect, I understand that our town government has been remiss in some matters and should acknowledge its share of responsibility in creating the environment that has allowed issues to fester.

THE CHAMBER

This has occurred in several areas, but in this specific instance, I am speaking to the issue of choosing and monetizing the Designated Marketing Organization (DMO), as the town has not previously established appropriate policies, procedures, criteria and expectations in connection with selecting, funding and measuring its performance.

So, to those detractors of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce as the town's DMO, I would like to clearly point out that we have been taking visible, viable and actionable steps toward transparency and accountability since the inception of the Finance and Administrative Committee of Town Council earlier this year.

Weighing in with your opinion on the issue with advice or specific ideas is proactive, helpful and appreciated.

Accusing others of illegal activity, threatening to ruin their lives, or in the instance of town government, minimizing the time and efforts expended, when in fact documentable hours, days and weeks have been spent, is destructive, harmful and unwelcome.

In the case of the latter, time is of the essence and words are powerful, so I would ask you to not bog others down relaying, addressing and enduring your ranting. Please choose and use your words wisely.

Take a cue from Patrick Henry, who, in his speech to the Virginia congressional delegates on March 23, 1775, said: "No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as the abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed this House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if entertaining as I do opinions of a different character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve."

These are the words of a great American patriot desiring primarily to deliver his ideas for consideration in deference to those of his colleagues with whom he disagreed. Criticism and even civil disobedience are appropriate when you are taking issue with an issue.

CHANNEL PASSION

Here, in the case of the Chamber/DMO, the purpose would be accountability and improvement (or change).

However, name-calling, accusations and threats contained in a constant barrage of emails and telephone calls are not serving your cause and are nothing more than persecution of an individual or in modern-day terms, bullying.

I believe the good citizens of Hilton Head Island embrace civility and reject bullying. I urge you to instead consider channeling your passion and resources toward other immense issues faced by our community, including:

- Environmental concerns, such as completing an islandwide sanitary sewer system.

- Improve safety of our citizens and emergency responders by paving roads.

- Improve decent housing options by increasing the availability of quality, affordable homes to households that provide our essential services (government, retail, educational and business).

- Achieve a higher quality of life by firmly establishing the arts in our community for future generations.

- Create viable jobs that will allow our younger citizens to also find gainful employment and envision their futures on Hilton Head Island.

- Improve and add to our recreational resources and transportation options.

NO PRESUMPTIONS

And to those who are in authority at the Chamber/DMO, please do not be presumptuous.

Because of Hilton Head Island's veritable plethora of God-given resources and extraordinary worldwide reputation, the town has many options as to how and to whom it allocates its accommodations tax revenue.

You should make every effort to expediently take all steps necessary to achieve complete transparency for your role.

First and foremost, everyone needs to be certain that public apportioned funds are being expended wisely, in full accordance with (and when possible exceeding) both the letter and intent of all applicable local, state and federal statutes supported by appropriate documentation.

Next, it should be abundantly apparent that the DMO is the most excellent standard-bearer and is able to brand the island and advertise its many benefits. You should be eager to agree upon metrics used to substantiate your performance.

Finally, Town Council and our citizens must be confident that your activities represent and promote the interests of all island businesses, chamber members or otherwise.

You, too, should be particularly interested in highlighting and resolving the challenging issues and opportunities of our community because doing so will surely benefit residents, businesses and visitors alike.

NO FEAR

To the citizens of Hilton Head Island, I'm communicating this message openly so that you might better understand some of the issues your Town Council is grappling with and identify how best to participate in moving our community to a better place, on this issue and others vital to achieving sustainable excellence on our island. Do not permit the use of fear, threats, name-calling and blame shifting in your circle of influence.

As citizens and taxpayers, you should not allow this controversy to continue and should recognize it's costing all of us. Please help your mayor and Town Council sift through the noise to find the valuable information and ideas, which are almost always hidden in there somewhere. Send an encouraging word to your local council member today. They are working diligently on our town's behalf.

As for me, I've only just begun to bring forth the goals I have for our town during my term as mayor. I know for certain that what is ultimately accomplished will greatly depend upon you, and your contributions of your expertise, ideas, time and talents.

Every day, I am grateful for the enthusiasm and encouragement of you who daily display your love for our community by your actions.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 4:32 PM with the headline " Guest opinion: Hilton Head mayor asks for civility."