I am writing to ask you to run with me.
I filed for re-election and to be successful I will need your help.
Those who know me would no doubt agree I love our home town, being Mayor and I have worked hard. But I believe I offer even more than long hours and commitment.
I have led two very strong and engaged city councils. Working together, we are:
- responsive to the everyday concerns of our citizens...like getting the garbage picked up and on schedule; keeping the Henry C Chambers park and other parts of the city pristine; maintaining state and city assets (sidewalks, drainage and manageable potholes) and setting aside funds for future improvements;
- ensuring a strong and attentive police department and a joint fire service with Port Royal that brought down insurance rates for some families;
- managing your tax dollars sparingly and wisely and with a high level of transparency through this newsletter and our online access to budget data;
- achieved the highest credit rating a city our size can have;
- seeking and receiving more grant dollars for special projects than any council in decades;
- improving the quality of life for those who live here and our visitors;
- creating a long overdue vision for our special hometown; and
- always looking for more ways to improve services.
I could go on - in my usual way - with a long detailed list. Though I will spare you because I think you know.
I believe the principal story my tenure as Mayor is the unified, purposeful, attentive and hard working City Council I am honored to lead.
The days of decisions by a slim majority, as was the case in recent councils, are gone. Our meetings are civil with decisions driven by consensus, incorporating the diverse views of five individuals who love this community.
We have taken on bold projects, some of which we inherited and others that are new, to make our city even better.
It's no surprise that by taking on so much, a lot of which is new, we made a few missteps along the way. Nonetheless, we have always had the courage to listen and, if appropriate, change the course thanks to the wisdom of our sometimes critics.
To be the next mayor of Beaufort, I need your help and I am humbly asking you to continue to share comments and ideas, to consider putting a bumper sticker on your car and a yard sign at your home or business. I am asking you to contribute financially because, though it has gotten out of hand nationally, campaigns require money and I can personally only do so much.
If you are willing and able to volunteer and/or donate online, please go to:
You can fill out the form and submit directly online. And do not miss the "Donate" button if you are able to contribute. (If you want to volunteer but are not ready to donate, simply print and mail the form as the system requires a contribution to complete the submission.)
If you want to mail the form and/or a check, please make it payable to "Billy Keyserling for Mayor" and mail it to PO Box 2145, Beaufort, SC 29901-2145.
Of the many elections I have won, I have never done it alone. I have had scores of volunteers and contributors who invested time and energy to help.
Some say, "Billy, you are a shoe in. Don't worry." I hope they are right. Though I will never take my job or the voters for granted.
We are off and running and I hope you will be running with me.
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Billy Keyserling
