Town of Bluffton Bridges the Gap between Town’s Operations and Public
One Mayor’s Endeavor to Educate and Inform Citizens
In the idyllic South Carolina low country locale, the Town of Bluffton holds the distinction of being a tight-knit community that prides itself on transparency and public engagement. The Mayor, Larry Toomer, has re-emphasized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with townspeople, and calls upon public officials to make concerted efforts in facilitating public understanding of town operations.
Citizen Empowerment through Education
In the light of recent events where members of the Bluffton community expressed difficulty navigating the process of accessing public documents and submitting questions, Mayor Toomer has drawn a thoughtful comparison between the roles of public officials and dining servers. Both positions are the first point of contact for every concern, whether it falls under their purview or has already been addressed. Thus, the need for constant education to keep citizens well-informed about the workings of their town has been underscored.
Town’s Business Made Accessible
The fundamental premise envisioning all town business as public business has been highlighted by the authority. Public decisions are made within the legal boundaries of state and local laws and regulations. The decisions can be overwhelming occasionally due to the intertwining of various factors such as the involvement of other agencies or the specific process employed to reach a resolution. However, town leaders and staff affirm that they are ready guides to aid in understanding the who’s, why’s, and how’s.
Finding and Understanding Documentations Can be Easy
The town’s website hosts handpicked, detailed documents concerning every item on the Town Council agenda. Usually, these agenda packets comprise hundreds of pages and are accompanied by supporting documents to confer maximum clarity. For those who have trouble tracking specific documents, calling the Town Hall at 843-706-4500 may be a helpful recourse. The Public Information Department can delve deeper to explain things further.
Accessibility to Town Council Meetings
Members of the community are encouraged to participate in Bluffton’s Town Council meetings, held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, the town’s website offers live streaming of the meetings. These recordings are available online and encompass Town Council, Planning Commission, Affordable Housing Committee, and Historic Preservation Commission meetings.
Navigating Notifications and Press Releases
In the desire to assuage confusion and encourage maximum participation, the Mayor informed that any public meeting and media release happenings can be accessed through the town’s website, in the “Agenda Center.” For email notifications, individuals can direct their email addresses to Town’s Public Information Officer Debbie Szpanka, and be added to the distribution list.
Guidance in an Era of Misinformation
In today’s tumultuous world, where misinformation can create unnecessary rifts and pandemonium, the town officials and staff are dedicated to guiding the public towards accurate and pertinent information. The Mayor believes that as residents of Bluffton, everyone deserves to feel informed and included in the process that contributes to the spirit and character of their town.
Stay Updated with the Town of Bluffton
For further information about the Town of Bluffton and to keep up with various happenings in town, visit https://www.townofbluffton.sc.gov/ or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Next Door. Let’s contribute to the Town of Bluffton’s mission to stay informed and involved in building an empowered and educated community together.
