Mount Pleasant State of the Town Address
March 10, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening. I come before you to deliver my assessment of the state of our fine community. I am happy to report that the state of our town is strong and growing stronger by the minute.

Nationally, we see our country working hard to break free from the effects of a historic economic downturn. We see four dollars a gallon gasoline and a still unstable housing market. But while there is still more to overcome economically as a nation, Mount Pleasant is emerging as an economic and commercial hub. The lessons of the Great Recession have taught us to be more resilient, more efficient, and more appreciative of our many blessings. Armed with lessons learned, we find ourselves on a path of resurgence and renewal in our community. Individuals, business owners, and visitors are once again seeking to be a part of Mount Pleasant to experience our high quality of life, low taxes, excellent schools, and favorable business environment. Yes, people want to be in Mount Pleasant. We see this fact woven throughout our most controversial issues of the last year. Our public debates are not centered around high crime, unclean water, or poor schools. Thankfully, we do not have to endure these difficult problems. Instead, our debate has been about how and whether to accommodate those who want to be in Mount Pleasant. We must understand this, temper our disagreement, and appreciate that this is a problem most communities would love to have.

Despite economic challenges, there is a renewed sense of optimism in Mount Pleasant. I see it in the eyes of our citizens, our employees, our business owners, and our two new councilmembers. They are proud of who we are and what we represent as a community. And they see that opportunity exists here, opportunity for a better neighborhood, a better business, a stronger family. I also hear in people’s voices the strong desire to build on our community’s accomplishments, not to simply rest on them. This desire has reignited a spirit to continually improve, to be better tomorrow than we are today. We see this inside Town Hall. Our Fire Department was reaccredited and our programs are award winning. We see it just as clearly outside of Town Hall as our businesses begin to prosper again, and our children continue to achieve inside and outside of the classroom.

Our accomplishments are not the result of a few but of many, the product of a united spirit that can be seen in our elected officials, our boards and commissions, our staff, our citizens, and our business community. It is also the product of Mount Pleasant’s desire to rely on its local people, not the federal government, for its future and prosperity. Our quest for self-reliance is exemplified in our road projects and our upgraded bond rating. We have a new Strategic Plan that demands greater self- reliance and better performance as we serve our citizens.

Yes, the resurgence of our community has put us on the cusp of another economic expansion. This is what the enormous interest in our community suggests. And like the past, history will judge us on our ability to manage growth and development in a manner that preserves our quality of life and our history. To be successful in this endeavor, we will work together like never before with one purpose, to build a great community that endures for generations.

Mayor Billy Swails
TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT