Can we all be more like Bluffton’s Jeffrey Robinowich? | Letters
Jeffrey Robinowich has departed and Bluffton has been diminished. Particularly, those of us who remember the one square mile village and immediate surroundings feel a deep sense of loss and sadness.
Sometimes we have in our midst one of such kindness, generosity and zest for life, we feel and hope – against all reality – that he will always be with us. Such a man was Jeffrey.
The gathering at Bonaventure Cemetery on Wednesday was a tribute to Jeffrey as well as Charlene, his sons and daughter. I can’t imagine anyone was at home between All Joy and Pritchardville – they all seemed to have gathered at Bonaventure to bid Jeffrey farewell.
In spite of the burden of sadness, possibly Jeffrey would want us to carry something away from the past few days – and in his memory. Hold and cherish family closely. Deal fairly with all. Enjoy fully the lighter moments in life. Help those who are less fortunate. He did all that day by day. Maybe we can pledge to be better at it ourselves.
Emmett McCracken
Bluffton
Bad decision on Hilton Head go-karts
It is with great disappointment to many residents who live in the surrounding neighborhoods that the building of a go-kart track was ruled acceptable on Hilton Head Island by the Court of Common Pleas.
The stipulation that it is only for electric karts, which are supposedly quieter, is not always true. Starting any individual motor on any kart will create noise and increase the noise level of the area. This will happen hundreds of times a day. The wildlife living at or on water’s edge will vacate the area. Also, it’s binding only on the original owner, and no subsequent owners of the facility.
No mention was made of the fact that nighttime lights will be allowed until 10 p.m., or the fact that access to the facility will be on dark, narrow Marshland Road.
The argument that a lot of people want it may hold true for some residents living on the south end. Their lifestyle, neighborhood, or traffic patterns won’t be affected.
But the character and identity of the entire island will never be same when we start allowing “honky tonk” amusements. Hilton Head is and has always been about the beach, tennis, golf, and bike riding. That’s what makes this such a desirable destination. We’re unique, upscale, and different ...
Why spoil a good thing for a fast buck? What’s wrong with Town Council? How can members be so shortsighted? What’s wrong with the zoning board? I guess it’s OK, as long as it’s “not in my backyard.”
Valerie Ford
Hilton Head Island
We can each help build consensus
As we start a new year, have you asked yourself what you would like to see change in our world and community?
Personally, this past year has brought to my attention the massive disharmony we have in our society. Acrimony and disagreement seem to permeate every corner of life.
David Fairman, director of MIT-Harvard Public Dispute Program, says the core of our polarization is a disregard in seeing the other side’s point of view.
In this limited space, let’s begin to look at ways to build harmony again. To that effort, let’s simply set a goal to seek and achieve unanimity – in other words, building consensus. Webster’s describes consensus as, “reaching accord, a majority of opinion.” Easily said, not so easily accomplished.
An article found in W3.org, entitled, “The Art of Building Consensus,” states consensus decision-making is a decision-making process in which group members develop and agree to support a decision in the best interest of the whole. Challenging? Yes. Moving viewpoints from the left and right toward the center and moderation can be difficult, but possible.
A good start is developing and encouraging a common-sense dialogue with others. Simply stated, truly listen, put yourself in the other’s shoes, seek out those things you can agree on first, and at all times, be civil.
Whether national, local or community issues, we need to work toward common-ground solutions. Let us resolve in the year 2020 to return to being more respectful citizens and neighbors, striving for civil discourse, harmony and consensus building. It can begin immediately, right now, starting with you and I.
Earle Everett
Moss Creek
Impeachment like mob rule
During the impeachment debates, House members frequently referenced the Founding Fathers.
Recently, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said an impeachment must be bipartisan: “Impeachment is so divisive ... I don’t think we should go down that path, he isn’t worth it.”
The “yes” votes were cast only by Democrats (and one Independent) with a few Democratic defections apparently guided by their conscience and the wisdom of the Founding Fathers.
Three weeks into the Donald Trump presidency, Public Policy Polling found 83% of Clinton voters believed Trump needed to be impeached. At that point, Trump clearly hadn’t committed any “high crimes or misdemeanors.”
U.S. Reps. Maxine Waters, Brad Sherman, Rashida Tlaib and Al Green very early on called for a Trump impeachment. Congressman Green has four times called for the impeachment of the president. His first time was just four months into Trump’s presidency. (Should those early haters have recused themselves?) Does that suggest to you legislative mob rule? Remember that when the Senate votes.
Did the Founding Fathers ever want an impeachment where a sitting president’s opponents would be able to make the rules, vote on a partisan basis, even after years prejudging the issue?
Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham should look in a mirror and try to tell themselves the whole process was not political, and they were only doing their civic duty as our Founding Fathers, current voters and citizens would want.
Richard Geraghty
Bluffton
Senate trial defies justice
I am not an attorney and do not have the knowledge of legal terminology or its implications.
My understanding, in a simplified statement, is in a law court witnesses are heard and documents are presented as evidence and a jury makes a decision based on the evidence.
The Senate impeachment trial does not appear to reflect justice.
According to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is working hand-in-hand with President Donald Trump, the defendant on trial, there will be no witnesses and no documentation. Without witnesses and documentation there is no evidence, only hearsay. Our justice system does not use hearsay to convict.
For a fair and just trial, both witnesses and documentation must be allowed as evidence. The question is not should there be witnesses. The question is how is there a trial without witnesses.
Other questions must be addressed.
Firstly, how does Trump, the defendant on trial, assist in making the rules of his own trial? That is the responsibility of the Senate.
Secondly, how can senators who have stated they are “not impartial” be trusted taking a vow of “impartiality”? They put the Republican Party ahead of national interest.
Let’s make America great again by using truth and justice. That can begin by allowing witnesses and documentation to be heard and presented in this trial.
Calvin Jordan
Beaufort
Quit dealing with whiners
For far too long Skip Hoagland has been allowed to disrupt our Town Council and last week columnist Liz Farrell used a full page of our small Packet to whine because assistant town manager Josh Gruber tried to kick her out of a meeting, presumably giving support to Hoagland. Will Hilton Head Island’s Town Council ever be able to hold a legitimate meeting without having to constantly deal with a small group of whiners?
Of course, all members of the community have the right – and are encouraged – to speak and bring matters to the attention of the council. But that does not give anyone the right to disrupt meetings, particularly when the disruption is over a single issue that has been debated ad nauseum.
If one wants to make a real difference in the community, he or she should run for office.
The Packet should develop better articles than this meaningless drivel. We need informational and educational news.
Rebecca Pardue
Hilton Head Island
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