Editorial: County has new look; so should government

The volunteer force serving on Beaufort County boards and commissions needs to mirror the ethnic and gender makeup of the county.

It does not.

Almost three-quarters of them are men, and almost three-quarters are white.

In racial terms, the overall percentages of blacks and whites serving is close to the countywide population.

But it's a whole different story after that.

Beaufort County's population is 51 percent female, but only 28 percent of the county's appointed leaders are women. Five of the county's 28 boards and commissions have no female members, and six have no minorities. Another 13 include only one female or one minority.

Worst of all is the lack of representation by Hispanics. It is zero. Flat zero. And this is in the county where Hispanics now outnumber blacks in booming Bluffton. And the county population as a whole is about 11 percent Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2014 estimates.

To have zero Hispanic appointees to any county board is a major problem.

Hispanics need to step forward and run for office and seek appointed government positions.

County Council members say few people of any description are beating down the doors to serve. But the problem cannot be put to rest there.

Some are pushing for a new campaign to attract more diversity in leadership of the county's airports, fire districts, public planning bodies, tax boards, alcohol and drug abuse programs, and disabilities and special needs services. Better recruitment is good, especially plans to reach out to community centers and churches.

Change is needed because face-to-face interaction is the best way to limit unnecessary divisions between the races and ethnic groups. And the voice of women is needed in all facets of government.

The look of the community has changed a great deal in the past 20 years. The look of Beaufort County government needs to change as well.

This story was originally published December 26, 2015 at 1:19 AM with the headline "Editorial: County has new look; so should government."