Seekings saves Christmas Not since Ernest P. Worrell took flight with Santa 36 years ago this month has anyone stepped up to save Christmas the way Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings did recently. When columnist and curmudgeon Steve Bailey scooped that Light the Lake, the annual festive illumination of the Christmas tree in Colonial Lake, was going to be nixed, Seekings sprang into action, scurrying down a crowded Broad Street to City Hall.
There, the District 8 councilman enlisted the help of Mayor William Cogswell — who, unlike most politicians today, could stylishly pull off a Dickens-era tailcoat and top hat — to restore what the mayor dubbed a "cherished tradition." To its great credit, city staff was able to provide $25,000 to the Charleston Parks Conservancy, along with logistics help, to ensure the beloved celebration will go on for a ninth year. Heartwarming and wholesome all around.
Someone get the Hallmark Channel on the phone. See you at 5 p.m.
Dec. 6. And God bless us every one.
ROBERT CANNIN Charleston Consider options While polls have shown support for completing I-526, the renewal of the Charleston County transportation sales tax failed. Why? The overwhelming rejection of extending the half-cent tax was not a referendum on I-526; it was a referendum on government spending. The half-cent sales tax, originally introduced in 2004 as a temporary measure, has become a significant source of revenue for the county, accounting for 11.
3% of its current $795 million budget. This reliance on a temporary tax, coupled with a continuation of that temporary tax in 2016, raises concerns about long-term financial sustainability. Charleston County has experienced substantial growth in population and tourism in recent decades.
This growth should translate into increased revenue, enabling the county to meet its obligations without resorting to recurring temporary taxes. The recent vote indicates that taxpayers expect the county to live within its means and explore alternative funding mechanisms for essential projects, including I-526. Collecting a toll from those who use I-526 or reallocating funds from other areas are potential solutions that deserve consideration.
The county must engage in an open and honest dialogue with residents about its spending priorities and explore creative, sustainable solutions to address infrastructure needs without creating a perpetual cycle of temporary taxes. BRAD DEVOS Johns Island 'Love' sign stolen In Matthew 22:39, Jesus said the second most important commandment in Jewish law was to "love your neighbor as yourself." In the past week, all of my campaign signs were stolen.
And my "Love Your Neighbor" sign was taken as well. It stated: "Love your neighbor even if they don't look like you, pray like you, vote like you, love like you, speak like you. Love your neighbor, no exceptions.
" I don't understand why this would offend anyone. To whoever stole my signs, I am trying to love you anyway. Let's work together to find common ground .
PRISCILLA SHUMWAY Charleston Send us your letters What’s on your mind? Join our community conversations and let your voice be heard by writing a letter to the editor. Letters can be a maximum of 250 words, and are subject to editing for clarity, tone and libel. They must include the writer’s name and city for publication, and a daytime telephone number for verification.
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Colonial Lake Christmas saved, US must work together, 'love' sign stolen | Letters
Not since Ernest P. Worrell took flight with Santa more than 36 years ago has anyone stepped up to save Christmas the way Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings did recently. When part-time columnist and full-time curmudgeon Steve Bailey scooped that...