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Mayor's Greeting- November 2019

Fri, 11/08/2019

Mayor Pat O'Neil

Dear Island Neighbors,

I hope that, like me, you are enjoying the wonderful Fall colors that grace the Island this time of year: the marsh grass going golden in the spectacular clear light of early November. We may not have the entire spectrum of Fall colors that folks elsewhere get, but as far as I’m concerned, we get some sunset panoramas that can take your breath away! Or make you want to stop on the Causeway coming home in the evening (not recommended, but if the timing’s right, it can sure make you appreciate a bridge opening).

Which, as Thanksgiving approaches, is worth noting.

OTHER THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

I frequently catch myself taking the Island for granted in the course of day-to-day activities and responsibilities, so it’s always good to get such reminders of the abundant blessings we enjoy: wonderful small-town place with great neighbors; tremendous natural resources all around us with an amazing array of flora and fauna; a fascinating history that predates the founding of the country, with lots of historic resources throughout the Island. What’s not to like?

Here’s my take: I am thankful for the size of our biggest problems!

HOLIDAY SAFETY

But on a different note…with the holiday season and its attendant travel, Chief of Police Chris Griffin reminds us that it is not wise to let the world know that our house may be empty while we are away.

Of course no one wants to send a broadcast Evite to “help yourself to my stuff while I’m out of town”, but a lot of social media posts serve that purpose. If you’ve got some killer shots of the places you’ve been, they’ll be no less impressive if you wait until you return home to post them… and you’ll have avoided advertising your absence to lurkers to whom you’d ordinarily not open your front door. Even if your social media accounts are set to “private”, remember that your hundreds or thousands of social media “friends” or “followers” may not all protect your privacy.

As Ben Franklin is alleged to have said, “Three can keep a secret, if two are dead.”

Chief Griffin sums it up well for our modern age: “I feel you can never be too safe with social media.”

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY STATION LIGHTING!

One of our great Island annual traditions is the start-off of the holiday season with the Holiday Fire Station Lighting sponsored by our wonderful Fire Department and Fire and Rescue Squad volunteers!

While it’s a bit early for most of us (if we’re not selling anything!) to start hanging tinsel etc, it’s not too early to mark your calendars for this great holiday kickoff event. It will be on Friday, December 6, 2019. As usual we are fortunate to have great music provided by the Wando High School Chorus, which kicks off at 5:50 that evening, followed by the Flipping Of The Switch around 6, then free pizza.  (Using the special powers of his day job, your mayor declares your first slice of pizza at this annual event to be off St. Nick’s calorie count list…but only that slice!)

Speaking of that list guy…Chief Anthony Stith hints that the event may also have a “special guest”.  Hmmm…

And the last thing to be thankful for…a shorter than usual Mayor’s column.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and…
See you around the Island!

Pat O’Neil
Mayor
(Cell) 843 670 9266
oneilp@sullivansisland-sc.com
@oneilpm1