Letter: Why the watchdog group was formed
This is a short response to those expressing doubt about the good work Beaufortwatchdog.org is doing.
They are working hard to expose all forms of corruption in Beaufort County, not just the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. I am personally funding the $10,000 cash whistleblower rewards, as well as the Beaufortwatchdog initiative, which was created with the assistance of influential county citizens. I am personally funding the FOIA lawsuit against the Hilton Head chamber, as well as three others, including suits for First Amendment violations to our citizens.
It’s always easier to criticize others than offer real solutions that get results. Unfortunately, in this community, words alone have not achieved results. The only thing that does work are lawsuits to end corruption and misconduct; this takes money. I do agree it’s disruptive to our community; however, the forces that created the necessity for a watchdog group are the issue, not the group itself.
The way this ends is individuals employed by local government, chambers, and town and county councils answer any and all questions from the public, be fully transparent and accountable, and comply with S.C. FOIA. And, local officials cease their practice of waste, fraud, abuse of taxpayers and “governing by litigating.”
Game over.
Skip Hoagland
Jenkins Island
This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 8:00 PM with the headline "Letter: Why the watchdog group was formed."