It's funny to me that the first cool morning of the Fall and the first college football game of the year always seem to coincide. This is definitely my favorite time of year with school starting back (my youngest is now a senior at Byrnes - WOW!), college & high school football kicking off and Deer Season just around the corner. Hard to even think about the big election season coming up, which in my mind is the biggest election we've had since...well, since the last one.

If you follow this newsletter at all, you know that I like to try to fill you in on certain issues that need your attention. At our September Council meeting an ordinance has been proposed that I feel would be detrimental to one of our core principles: Holding our elected officials accountable. Please take time to look at both sides of this issue and let me know your thoughts.

One of the things I've learned over the last four decades or so is to always let a letter that's written in emotion sit for a while before sealing the envelope. I guess we can chalk this article up to one of those times that I didn't learn my lesson. My love for our county, our state and our country is high, which causes some pretty deep emotional reactions when I see us not taking advantage of the greatest democracy ever afforded mankind.

I want to start by saying that the job you have charged me with includes taking care of day-to-day problems you need help solving. It includes keeping you informed about issues and providing you the ability to see and evaluate those issues without spin from me.

The goal for these articles over the last year or so has been to shed some light on the workings of your county government and to try to keep you as informed about the issues as possible. Much has gone on over the last two months and to be honest with you, I'm still a little perplexed as to what to say. More people seemed to have paid attention to these few 'side' issues than almost anything else that has gone on in the last year. Maybe it's because these really weren't 'side' issues to begin with.

Several times in these past months folks have just walked up to me and said "sometimes right is right." The profoundness and simplicity of those words cuts right to the heart of the issue. Those of us who opposed the appointment of a Planning Commissioner who lived outside of Spartanburg County were criticized for somehow being petty, partisan, or ideological. Those of us who were against changing certain board appointments to all "at large" appointments were told that we just didn't understand the process and that the Council knew best. Although both of these issues may seem to be insignificant and should never have gotten controversial, the fact of the matter is that sometimes right is right, and allowing business as usual is not an option.

I really love this time of year.  The great feelings from the holiday time you spent with family still linger while the excitement of a new beginning rushes in.  It’s always been a time to reflect on the past year and to resolve that the year ahead will be one of productivity and growth.  (Or loss if your goals include watching your weight!)  This year, I hope we all see growth and prosperity in all that we pursue.

The excitement of new beginnings is not lost on Spartanburg County.  This past week our new administrator, Katherine Hubbard, came on board and hit the ground running.  We all have great expectations for Katherine and her ability to see things in a fresh new light.  I encourage everyone to take an opportunity to speak with her and welcome her to Spartanburg. 

Recently I read the updates I’ve given over the last year.  Wow!  What a year we’ve had!  We The People have certainly been busy.  Although much of the work seemed to center around cleaning the fridge, my belief is that this year will be a time of productive, forward looking change. 

CORRECTIVE ACTION TEAM

Many of the changes we made last year are poised to really move us forward this year.  The Corrective Action Team for instance, exposed areas where we were far