Mayor's Message - October 2024

What does success look like? Personally, it may mean attaining goals, like - more exercise or weight loss or the number of books read or a new hobby. Corporately, it could mean more revenue or less expense or introducing new products or mergers and acquisitions. But if you think about our city – how would you define success?
There are approximately 4,300 full-time residents on our island so I’m guessing there are about that many definitions of success for our city. How would you define success for our city? Would it be:

  • Low taxes
  • Timely garbage pick-up
  • Quality of life
  • Public safety
  • Fiscal responsibility 
  • Recreational opportunities 
  • Thriving business community 
  • Drainage/stormwater improvements 
  • Environmental initiatives 
  • Clean water
  • Transparency/communication with the community
  • Healthy beach 

Residents get to ultimately define what the definition is during every election. The definition of success can change over time as new information becomes available or situations change or public sentiment shifts. That’s why it is so important for a community to be engaged and participate in opportunities to let their voices be heard during open forum sessions or surveys or committee volunteer opportunities or interacting with elected officials. There have been numerous opportunities during the past 3 years to let your voice be heard in these spaces. I hope you have taken advantage of some or all of these.

When these opportunities present themselves, I would encourage you to raise your hand and participate. Also, I would encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and make sure your voice and opinions are made known. Thank you for helping to make us better.

We have a busy month of fabulous community activities scheduled. Some upcoming events:

Tuesdays through October 29, Free Beach Yoga, 7:30 a.m. at 25th Ave Beach Access.

October 5, IOP Connector Run, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The IOP Connector will close at 7:00 a.m. For race course and additional information go to ioprun.com.

October 9, Speaker Series, 5:00 p.m. at the Rec Center. Tee Johannes talks about Thailand.

October 10, Sea Stroll and Learn, 7:30 a.m. at 25th Avenue beach access path.

October 10, IOP Firefighter Appreciation Night, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Islander 71.

October 11, Ghostly Tide Tales, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at public access beside Sea Cabins.

October 17, Farmers Market and Food Truck Jam, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Rec Center. This is the last market of the year!

October 25, Coffee with the Mayor, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Acme Lowcountry Kitchen.

October 26, Halloween Golf Cart Parade and Haunted House, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Rec Center. Halloween Costume Golf Cart Parade, Drive through Haunted House, Inflatables, Food Vendors and trick or treat bags for all the boys and girls.

Updated and additional information can be found at iop.net.

Remember to vote on November 5th or during early voting depending on your schedule.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve! See you around the island.

Phillip Pounds, Mayor IOP
843-252-5359
ppounds@iop.net



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