The Beaufort City Council and the Port Royal Town Council each unanimously passed Resolutions Opposing Seismic Testing and Drilling

off of our pristine coast.

I am confident others will join us as residents of Coastal communities

wake up to the unnecessary threat.

Events in and around Beaufort

http://mayorbilly.com/local-event-calendar/

Contents
There is Hope!
Gardening New Leaders
Isiah Smalls Retires as Public Works Director
Another Accolade for Beaufort
Beaufort International Film Festival is underway and its not too late to get tickets
So Much Happening in our special Hometown

There is Hope!

After reading depressing news about the political posturing by so many of our national "leaders" surrounding the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister, the sun shined brightly when I met with two groups of young people in City Hall this afternoon.

The first was students from the Lowcountry Montessori School who were seeking counsel on a project they have designed to highlight world hunger. They plan to raise money through sponsoring a 5K run through Beaufort and a carnival with games to raise money to send to young children in Africa who are starving. They made a very professional power point presentation outlining what they have learned and what they intend to do. I obviously agreed to do all I can to help them as they are setting an example for their peers and perhaps even the adults of this world. A date and place for the events will be forthcoming.

The second was a brief meeting with a Boy Scout Eagle candidate who for his Eagle project is organizing other Boy Scouts to help the City identify and mark storm water lines throughout the city. While this may seem like a simple task, it is not and will certainly help our public works staff in their efforts to identify needed storm water challenges and save considerable time and money for the our taxpayers

I want to thank these your leaders and in doing so to encourage some of our misguided and small minded adults that perhaps they should follow the example of hopeful, optimistic and passionate young people like the students and the scout who are taking positive actions toward making this a better world.

For more on my hope for the future read on.

Gardening for New Leaders

As I have mentioned in the past, I believe I have a responsibility to help our younger citizens understand and appreciate the importance in civic engagement.

When I go to schools I remind students that as Mayor I serve as a bridge between my parents generation and theirs and that one day anyone of them must serve on the school board, on city or county council. as Mayor or even President of the United States.

Furthermore, I frequently hear students talking about assets our community needs for entertainment for young people, safer streets, concerns about bullying and other issues on their minds that need to be heard.

Accordingly, I spent several years researching Youth City Council's that operate in some cities and decided it was time to consider some sort of youth leadership opportunities in Beaufort though outside of the schools.

With the help of Noel Tillman, a veteran retired teacher and administrator for Department of Defense Schools across the globe, we have been working with Middle School teachers from Beaufort, Ladys Island, Robert Smalls and Whale Branch Middle Schools, from Bridges and Lowcountry Montessori Charter Schools and Beaufort Academy. (Though invited we have not heard from Riverview, but hope they will join us perhaps next year.)

Later this month we will launch a pilot program through which 14-21 8th graders will work with us, between Feb and the end of the school year, to "design" a program for next year that meets their needs and focuses on their interests.

As "founders" this group will help us understand how to establish the most meaningful experience for those who will follow.

While I am eagerly engaged, this is a City sponsored program though I think the founding members may eventually ask for City Sponsorship. My vision is that the program will be funded by private donors.

So stay tuned to explore with us how we lead students into a series of discussions. work sessions and actions that will give them leadership experiences to help them become more active and better citizens. And ultimately create a program for future participants.

One among many reasons for youth civic engagement from the Bee News service in California

http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article9373664.html

http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/02/07/4367507/editorial-civics-education-is.html

Thank you Mr. Smalls

Isiah Smalls retires from City of Beaufort's Public Works Department after 30 years

When Isiah Smalls started working for the City of Beaufort in June 1985, compact discs were just being introduced in America, a gallon of gas cost about $1.09, and a movie ticket to see the new flick "Back to the Future" cost $2.75.

For 30 years, Smalls came to work every day to serve the people of Beaufort, working a variety of positions leading up to Director of Public Works.

Monday, Smalls retired from the City of Beaufort.

"We have been truly fortunate to have Isiah Smalls work with and work for the City of Beaufort," Mayor Billy Keyserling said. "This is his community, and I think he came to work not so much for the paycheck as for the chance to help make Beaufort a better place. As he retires, I can comfortably say our city is in much better shape due in large part to his dedication."

With Smalls' retirement, Assistant Public Works Director Lamar Taylor will serve as interim director. David Coleman, the city's newly-hired Senior Project Manager, will work with Taylor to oversee the many ongoing and upcoming public works projects.

"We certainly wish Mr. Smalls all the best in retirement," Beaufort Interim City Manager Bill Prokop said. "While I have only known him a short time since my arrival in Beaufort, it's clear he has a deep understanding of what makes Beaufort special."

Smalls joined the City in June 1985 as the Superintendent of Sanitation and Streets. Nine years later he became Acting Public Works Director and in October 1994 was named Operations Officer for Beaufort's public works. In 1995 Smalls was promoted to Director of Public Works.

His duties have included maintaining and improving streets and drainage, sanitation, recycling, traffic control and the city's extensive network of parks and playgrounds.

"When you enjoy the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and notice how clean it is, or when your kids or grandkids enjoy playing at Pigeon Point Park, I'd like people to think of our Public Works Department and Isiah's 30 years of work that helped make all that possible," Keyserling said.

END

More Accolades to the Best Hometown

Beaufort again ranked among

best small downtowns in America

As reported by Gazette Packet

http://www.islandpacket.com/2015/02/06/3577793_beaufort-again-ranked-among-best.html?rh=1

Health Notes

A variety of complimentary and low cost wellness screenings will be offered at a community health fair on Thursday, March 26, from 9 a.m. - noon at Helena Place Senior Living in Port Royal.

Blood pressure screenings, blood sugar checks, cholesterol and PSA tests, balance/fall assessments and more will be offered.

Admission to the event is free and open to all ages.

Beaufort Memorial Hospital, the Blood Alliance, ComForCare Home Care, Pruitt Health Hospice, Senior Health Associates, Eye Care One, Hospice Care of America, Alzheimer's Family Services of Greater Beaufort and the Lending Room are just afew of the 25 health care providers that are offering their services!

Twenty five raffle prizes will be given away at random to attendees.

A complimentary brunch buffet will be provided until noon. Make sure to register for the gift card and gift basket giveaways. The first 50 people through the door will receive a healthy snack sack. Helena Place Senior Living is located at 1624 Paris Ave., Port Royal, SC 29935 directly across the street from the Port Royal Post Office. For more information, please call (843) 252-3001 or e-mail rewing@enlivant.com.