| Tweet |
JOHN SAFAY
THE POLITICIAN
1. Many businesses have left Hilton Head over the past decade. What role can the Town of Hilton Head Island play to reverse this trend? Should the Town, for example, establish its own economic development entity, identify business well-suited to the island and take steps to create an environment attractive to those businesses? If so, what steps should be taken?
True, many businesses have moved off-island, but for a variety of reasons such as population increases in southern Beaufort County and the obvious availability of more development space at considerably lower costs. However, let’s not forget that many new businesses have moved to the Island in the last decade. I might add that during the same decade, Hilton Head Island has retained its unmatched beauty and ambiance which certainly cannot be said for the commercial sprawl we drive past coming to the Island. Unbelievably, there are residents and candidates advocating we change our zoning laws and environmental regulations to accommodate this off-Island style growth. I will never be one of them.
That said, I am all in favor of Progress and Preservation which I do not feel are mutually incompatible. I have been a self-employed small businessman all my adult life. As such, I am the Town’s representative on the Lowcountry Economic Development Network where we are working to bring new, different business to our region. I am also in favor of exploring how we can best use our resources to develop an Economic Development Program or Committee on HHI.
2. Hilton Head has a longstanding tradition of environmental preservation, but is not truly “green” by today’s standards. Some have said we should take steps to open the dialogue between Town and County government agencies, utility providers and private-sector entities (such as planned communities) to identify sustainable practices, such as stormwater capture and reuse, energy conservation and building practices. What green and sustainable practices could Hilton Head implement?
First of all, we should stop using the proposed Town recycling program as a political football. I am astonished that after nearly two years of public meetings, public reports to the council, considerable press attention, and unanimous council committee votes that some Town Council members and political candidates are having second thoughts about recycling on Hilton Head Island. Hopefully by the time this is published, the program will have been approved.
While it has been in effect for three years, let’s not forget that my proposal to ban smoking in all public places on the Island was considered too radical for South Carolina. I worked hard to pass that ordinance as I am doing for the recycling proposal.
But more important are the new challenges. Just last month a Green Forum was held at my home where nearly 40, mostly younger residents, participated and shared their ideas for their future on the Island. They contributed many interesting innovative ideas. As mayor I intend to give them a voice in developing these new Green programs which will be vital to the progress of our community.
The ideas included plans for a Farmers Market which I will help come to Honey Horn, urging the gated communities to re-consider their prohibitions on solar panels for hot water heating, LEEDS certification on all Town buildings, community gardens, etc. The list is as endless as our imaginations which I want the Town to be a part of this progress.
3. Hilton Head has the potential to extend visitation numbers during the offseason by enhancing the island’s business and convention tourism sector. Some have said that we need larger meeting, convention and/or performing arts facilities to enhance such opportunities. Do you agree, and if so, what steps should we take to strengthen our hospitality industry?
One of the first things we need to do is increase the Island’s promotional budget. As mayor, I will propose, through our legislative delegation, that permission be granted for the Town to increase our Accommodations Tax rate by 1% which will raise an additional $1.2 million which should be used for Island marketing. This tax is not paid by town residents, but by tourists. I have been advised that our accommodations tax rate will then be more in line with other resort destinations and the increase should have virtually no impact on business.
The ideas for convention centers, new arts centers, auditoriums, etc. are far more complexand are currently under study by a number of groups who have retained consultants to assist in their analysis. I will be open-minded and receptive to any proposals, but anyone professing to have these answers today has not had the benefit of a proper evaluation process.
4. The Mall at Shelter Cove could be reconfigured as one of the Town’s village centers. Should the Town play a leadership role and work with private-sector entities to determine how village centers such as the The Mall at Shelter Cove and Coligny Plaza area be configured?
Let me remind the reader that the Mall is private property and the Town simply cannot pass a Magic Wand over it and change it into anything it wants. The good news is that the Mall owner has partnered with another well-funded developer and plans are being made to re-develop the existing space. Nothing is definite but all preliminary plans include redesigning the enclosed Mall into a more contemporary open mall with many new tenants and restaurants. All this is made more difficult with the state of the national economy but I remain optimistic that our Mall will be modernized soon. As Mayor, I will do all within our power to expedite this re-development process and insure the finished product is in keeping with the quality demanded of our Island.
