Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
Mayor Riley's legacy This month marks 10 years since the election for Joe Riley's successor after he served as mayor of Charleston for 40 years. Perhaps it is time to reflect on his contributions to Charleston and its citizens. On Nov. 24, 2015, the Charleston City Council adopted a resolution to rename Waterfront Park as the Joe Riley Waterfront Park. Carved in stone at the park is this tribute: "Mayor Riley's enduring legacy may be found in every corner of this city and in the lives of its citizens. In times of natural disaster and human tragedy, he served with such courage, dignity and compassion that all emerged stronger. Mayor Riley has been a builder, not only of the human spirit but also of the physical environment, which collectively help bind our city together as one. During his four decades as Mayor of Charleston (1975-2015), Joe Riley aspired to excellence in every endeavor, was a champion of fairness and inclusion, and led with strength, compassion, and integrity." Riley has set the bar so high that it will be a long time, or maybe never, before other mayors of Charleston reach his status. BOBBY MAGUIRE Charleston Pay during shutdowns I recently watched a Fox News interview on "Hannity" with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., where the senator requested support for a bill he plans to file to curb elected officials from causing government shutdowns. Graham suggested that politicians should forfeit their pay when they shut down our government. Broadcaster Sean Hannity made light of the situation, but Graham responded that he is donating the money he has earned during the shutdown to a charity, which you don’t hear every day. I've written about this previously and suggested that all personnel in essential positions, such as members of the military, federal law enforcement officers and air traffic controllers, as well as disabled people and older Social Security recipients should be protected by a law that exempts them from being used as pawns by our representatives who aren’t acting in the people's best interest. For those who are interested, I would suggest calling Sen. Graham's office or writing to him to express your support. GREGORY J. TOPLIFF Aiken America's challenges Along with other grandparents, I love my children and grandchildren unconditionally. We can only hope that their lives will be as rewarding as ours. However, it must be said that two overpowering challenges await the younger members of our civilization: the environmental depletion of our planet and the national debt. Both appear to be overpowering and impossible to resolve. We simply have to do more than pay our own bills to effectively address the problems we have created. The fact that many members of our population are champion consumers has played a role in contributing to both problems as well. JOHN WINTHROP Charleston Tree not responsible The Post and Courier recently published an article concerning a lawsuit filed against the S.C. Department of Transportation and the city of Charleston on behalf of two of the four passengers killed in 2023 when an allegedly impaired driver smashed into a tree along Riverland Drive. The plaintiff attorney, David Savage, is quoted saying, “The tree is always there — the tree is going to hit everyone indiscriminately.” The tree, known as "The Widowmaker," is immobile. The tree did not hit them. Six thousand motorists navigate safely past this tree every day. Savage also said that "liability is not avoided" when a tree collision also involves a person who is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to the story. But do an impaired driver and her passengers not share liability for their actions?
