Last week was a big one with the SC Humanities and many other summer activities throughout town. I hope you were able to partake in these special events staff and volunteers work hard to produce.

In addition to working on the festival last week, it was a busy week as Mayor. I met with the interfaith council which is working on an anniversary remembrance for the Emanuel 9, the Department of Interior's National Park Service relative to a Reconstruction Monument, teachers of Young Leaders of Beaufort to discuss next year's program and Rev Kenneth Hodges of Tabernacle Church to hear about the proposed statue of Harriet Tubman. I also welcomed the new Great Clips  at a ribbon cutting in Cross Creek Shopping Center, attended the opening of the Reconstruction exhibit at the Beaufort History Museum, served as the official "starter" for the YMCA's annual River Swim, explored drainage issues at Broad Street and on Sunday the City Manager and I met with residents to discuss solutions relative to stormwater repairs that need attention.  

In coastal news, I've contacted twenty SC Mayors whose City/Town Councils passed resolutions in opposition to Seismic Testing and Drilling along the Atlantic coast.  My goal was to generate support for a joint letter to President Obama opposing pending permit applications by three testing companies to begin seismic testing.

The focus of this week is to fine tune the final draft of the FY 2016-17 City Budget and meet with the board of the proposed Pat Conroy Literary Festival.

And then a quick trip to Boston for my 50th class reunion to see some classmates I have not seen since graduation!

As always, it is an honor to be your Mayor.