Andy Patrick|Effective Representation for Hilton Head Island

Dear Friends,

Several of my family members still live up north.  Spring is such a celebration for them.  Snow drifts melt, giving way to daffodils. Frozen grounds yield to multi-colored pansies.  There’s a sense of revitalization – a fresh hope!

Where does real hope come from?  Certainly not from a mere weather change. Springtime is more symbolic of the real.  I believe authentic hope grows out of adversity, challenges, “winters” of life.  In the struggle one searches for truth.  Then truth seeks a mixing with faith, an affirmation that rejoices in hope and results in action compliant with the truth.

Personally – Truth affirms “we have intrinsic value”.

Financially – Truth stretches us “outside the box” toward success.  It conquers fear and doubt.

Governmentally – We return to the constitutional values of our Founding Fathers, which made this nation great.

Spiritually – I go the source of Truth, the Word of God.

The Easter Season celebrates real hope.  No where had loss and despair gripped the people of faith as when they watched Christ Crucified.  Yet, in three days time, Resurrection Hope shook the nation …and now the world!

This Easter, I recall the words of Christ found in John 11:25-26.  Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.  He who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”  Truth mixed with faith produces a “hope”.

I pray you and your family such hope this season and always.

Sincerely,

Andy

As I continue forward in my campaign, I am committed to what have become my everyday core values since taking the oath as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service: duty, justice, honesty, loyalty and courage.  What I have discovered, during the course of my journey to represent the people of Hilton Head Island, is a reaffirmation of what initially motivated me to take on this charge – the voters’ lack of “trust and confidence” in their elected representatives.

This lack of trust and deepened skepticism toward politicians hit home during the past few weeks as my campaign conducted the necessary due diligence regarding the “1% Sales Tax Initiative.”   I am a fiscal conservative and while I hate the idea of a tax increase, I also believe strongly in the idea of “Home Rule”.  This is a Home Rule issue and something that should be dealt with locally.  If the tool is needed it is in the toolbox.

A true leader does not operate within a vacuum and a primary principle of leadership is the ability to listen.  I have personally spoken with many throughout our community and found very little support for an additional increase at this time.  For me, as a voter and resident of our community, the following provisions will need to be met and/or included before I can offer my support and advocacy of this initiative:

1. Final passage through the use of a “referendum”.  While I understand that, as an elected official, it would be my job to represent our community and make the tough decisions that reflect your values, I feel that this particular piece of legislation must be put before the electorate in order to provide the transparency needed at this time.

2. Our Chamber of Commerce and members of Town Council supporting this initiative need to take their argument to the people and clearly articulate the reason this increase is necessary, including full transparency of the details.  Showing this leadership will help restore faith in the process.

3. The provision currently included in the legislation regarding a mitigation in property taxes must be a 30% reduction and not “up to” 30%.  As a fiscal conservative, I believe we want this to be as “revenue neutral” as possible and a play on those words has only deepened the lack of trust in how this added revenue will be used.

4. The Chamber of Commerce must agree to NOT seek future discretionary funds available through the ATAX.

We are at a crossroads on Hilton Head Island and are working to identify who we are going to be tomorrow and how we will get there.  We need to work together, fully recognizing our collective mission – protecting what makes us unique and preparing for future prosperity.

Recently the South Carolina House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by members of the Beaufort County Delegation that would allow municipalities within Beaufort County to levy an extra penny of sales tax.  Fundamentally, from a fiscal conservative perspective I am opposed to increasing taxes.  However, let me share some facts regarding this particular piece of legislation.

This initiative as drafted, is designed to help our community compete with other destination locations    from a marketing perspective.  Currently we spend the least amount of money of all the destinations we compete with.

The current Accommodations Tax collected on Hilton Head Island and sent to Columbia accounts for $11.7 million.  In accordance with state law we receive 10% ($1.2 million) back.  SOUND FAMILIAR!  The next highest percentage of return in our competition set is that of San Antonio, TX at 22%.  San Antonio spends $11.1 million to market their destination.  Virginia Beach receives 100% of their Accommodations Tax back for marketing ($11.1 million).

The economic impact of tourism on our local community cannot be overlooked and/or ignored.  Tourism accounts for more than a billion dollars and is the engine driving our local economy.  The revenue generated through tourism helps to provide the funding for our beaches, parks, cultural assets and other elements related to our “quality of life”.

30% of the revenue will go directly to property tax relief for island homeowners (both primary and secondary residential properties). 67% of the cost of the one cent will be covered by the nearly 2 million annual visitors. 20% will go toward capital improvement projects such as beach re-nourishment.

The one cent will not be levied against groceries, gasoline or prescription medication.

This legislation provides local government another tool for the tool box.  By its very sum and substance this approach is centered within the “Home Rule” concept.  Allowing government closest to the people to govern most effectively.

Because our gated communities are built out we do not have developers marketing our destination for us, as a result that burden falls upon us to determine how we re-build this community for our future.  Hilton Head Island was at one time a world-class destination.  In order for it to become that once again we need to be creative, think “outside the box” and make some difficult decisions during difficult times.

We need to comprehensively reform our tax system so that we do not tax productivity and capital.  Instead of Income and property taxes, we should attempt to generate revenue from taxing consumption (sales) as it is less restraining on growth (FAIR TAX).

Dear Hilton Head Island Voter,

On February 1, 2010, the “First Monday Republican Lunch Group” will host a “Candidate Forum” for South Carolina House Seat 123 at Aunt Chiladas restaurant on Pope Avenue.  This will be the first, but certainly not the last opportunity to meet and hear directly from the candidates regarding their vision to effectively represent the interests of Hilton Head Island in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Included below are the details:

- Reservations are not required, but seating is limited (first come, first served)
- Lunch, including beverage, tax and tip, is $10. (Credit cards are NOT Accepted). Also, please be sure to pay for your lunch as you arrive.
- The meeting will begin promptly at noon, so please plan on arriving no later than 11:45 a.m.

The candidates will each have 10 minutes to offer opening remarks about themselves and why they believe you should vote for them during this very important Republican Primary in June.  Following their opening remarks, the candidates will each receive an additional five minutes for further remarks. Following that we will have an open question and answer period, during which anyone can ask any of the candidates, or all three, questions.

Many of you have already pledged your support to our campaign and I would consider it a personal honor to have you join me on Monday.  For those of you who have not yet determined for whom you might vote in the June 08 primary, this would be a great opportunity to measure all three candidates.

I encourage you to become engaged in the “debate.”  The future of our community, our state and our nation are at stake and each of us has a voice.

Best Regards,

Andy

Dear Hilton Head Island Voter,

The “Press Release” below was sent to The Island Packet today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Hilton Head Island, SC) Regarding the Okatie Crossings development and proposed tax incentives for developer The Sembler Co., I believe this project represents bad tax policy – pure and simple.

I reference the following from The Island Packet’s January 14, 2010 coverage of the Sembler retail mall project:

“Rep. Richard Chalk, R-Hilton Head Island, said a more extensive debate is needed about whether the state should grant tax incentives for retail enterprises. Such incentives historically have been used to lure firms that offer high-paying jobs in fields such as manufacturing — the BMW plant in Greer and the Boeing assembly plant planned for Charleston, for example.

That debate has not yet occurred because the incentives were included in a voluminous bill that also dealt with a host of other issues, he said.

“To facilitate such a debate, the provision that would benefit Sembler should be stripped and considered as a separate bill, Chalk said.

“That should be debated on its own merits,” Chalk said. “We really haven’t had a full hearing.”

The time to introduce nuances, such as those Rep. Chalk is now proposing, was during last session, when he voted – twice – for the incentives without conditions.

The only options that remain include: 1) the incentives as approved by the House, or 2) no incentives at all (they were deleted by the Senate in the version of the bill it passed).

Rep. Chalk’s concerns come too late. He should have been looking out for Hilton Head Island businesses when it was relevant, when he could have made an impact. Both Beaufort County Council and Hilton Head Town Council recently expressed strong opposition to special tax incentives for Sembler, and for good reason. The incentives would only result in local taxpayers shelling out more than $100 million toward Sembler’s building costs and be of little to no value in terms of economic development. The project would simply shift revenue generated through the economy from one place to another, with little net benefit – no additional revenue or jobs.

A year ago Rep. Chalk voted “aye” when the House voted to add the Sembler tax incentive to the bill (H. 3722) and even fought to keep the incentive after the Senate deleted it from their version. Today, during the 11th hour, it seems that public pressure has prompted Rep. Chalk to reconsider what appeared to be his unwavering stance on this issue.

The time for empty comments and meaningless actions is over. It is now time for some much needed, and deserved, truth, transparency and accountability.

Politics aside, please keep those effected by the disaster in Haiti in your prayers.

Best Regards,

Andy

Dear Hilton Head Island Voter,

As we usher in the New Year, Amee and I wish you a Happy and Healthy 2010.  We all are blessed with so may things to be thankful for – one of which is our freedom.

There are 5 months and 8 days until the June 8, 2010 primary.  I will be using every day to deliver my message of effective representation for Hilton Head Island in the South Carolina House of Representatives.  I will be working hard to earn your vote.

Challenging an incumbent and standing firm on a message of reforming our State government means taking on the special interests that support his campaign financially.  While I know you are being asked to contribute to many different election efforts, please remember one fundamental truth – all politics are local.  You, the grass root voter, are the most important element in any election and the support you offer is critical.  Please consider making a $25 or $50 contribution to my campaign today.  You can accomplish this by either visiting my website at www.andypatrick.org and selecting the “contribute” button and following the prompts or by sending me a check – dated before January 1, 2010.  Your check should be made payable to: Committee to elect Andy Patrick and sent to P.O. Box 22676, Hilton Head Island, SC  29925.

Thank you!

Best Regards,

Andy

PS:  Our two little boys are doing just fine.  Thanks to all who have sent best wishes.

“For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; And the government shall be upon His shoulders; And His name shall be called Wonder Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace…” Isaiah 9:6

Dear Friends,

A Christmas greeting from the heart. Isaiah 9:6, though a prophecy of old, calls out to be embraced today.  “For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given….”  I invite you to stop a moment with me and permit this truth to envelop you.  God sent His Son for you and me personally!

Who is He who came and will come again?  He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.  Why did He come? To give you and me a glorious future and a living hope!

Amee and I are now proud parents of five.  I can’t imagine “giving my son” up!  What extravagant love!  What amazing grace!

This Christmas Eve I will stop for a moment to look at the stars in the night.  There I will choose to ponder the greatness of God’s Gift given at such a high price, given specifically with you and me in mind. Will you join me?

The Patrick family wishes each of you and yours a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

Dear Hilton Head Island Voter:

Greetings from Russia.  As many of you know I have been in Russia since November 20, completing the adoption of two boys (Misha age 3 and Sasha age 4).  The three of us will be returning home later this week.  No doubt our family is blessed to have been given the gift of these two little ones.

As I sit here in Moscow, I am reminded of the many blessings we have been given as Americans.  Among those are the gifts of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  While I have always understood the value and appreciated these freedoms, like many I have sometimes taken them for granted.  Visiting Russia during these weeks puts almost everything we take for granted back into perspective.  I am particularly focused on our economy and the strategies being implemented by not only our federal government, but at the state level as well.

State spending has been out of control over the last few years and in a few weeks our legislature will begin a new session and will focus once again on the budget.  The  cornerstone of the budget discussions should be wasteful spending and the danger of unfunded liabilities. How much money lawmakers allocate to government programs and how those dollars are spent should be vigorously debated.

This year fiscally conservative lawmakers should do more than fight wasteful spending on government programs. They need to stand up for their core governing philosophy — that the private sector grows the economy better than the government.

I fear the economic strategies of our state government will only delay the much needed economic recovery.  The free market principles that created the very strength to make us a world power are under attack and being compromised.  To expand the economy, we need to grow the private sector, not grow the size of government.

The  “former” Soviet Union built it’s economy around the foundation of the state, by which it controlled, determined, set, and created prices, goods, jobs, and services – in short, Communism.

In the United States such an experiment could destroy what is (for now) the greatest economic model in the history of the modern world. The foundation of capitalism was developed from the  ideas and principles of our founding documents and traditions. The idea that individuals can determine their own economic destiny by way of hard work, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an environment where government protects these freedoms, not stifle them.

The journey I complete this week has helped to re-affirm and strengthen my courage and conviction to defend the guiding principles that have made our country great.

As we approach the New Year and the last 6 months before the June 8, 2010 primary date, I would  be  grateful to those of you who can host a meet & greet at your home. By inviting your friends and neighbors to meet me and to discuss those subjects of importance to Hilton Head Island we can, as a group, formulate plans – practical plans – for better representation in Columbia.  I have participated in several such events over the last few months, but need to step up the pace in order to be successful in June.

If you can host a meet & greet, please – by response to this email - tell me what month would be convenient for you.  I will contact you to set up the specific date.  Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Dear Friends,

We face a significant number of challenges in South Carolina! From out of control state spending and the compromise of “Home Rule” to a delicate balance of protecting our environment while stimulating economic development.

As you all know, I am challenging a three term incumbent whom often refers to his seniority as a positive for those he has been elected to represent.

A few words about seniority…. It is a long standing political myth that voters should re elect officials because their seniority is of benefit to the area represented.  In some cases seniority is a valid reason for reelection.  Seniority, like name recognition, should never be the only reason to vote for someone and should only be considered when added to important reasons such as hard evidence of effective representation.

Inadequate or even incompetent representation does not become acceptable because a person has somehow been reelected time after time.

The South Carolina House of Representatives has members who have less than 10 years of elected experience who are doing an outstanding job and should be reelected.  Their value in the House is because of their accomplishment – not their time in grade.

The South Carolina House of Representatives has members who are not doing a good job and should not be reelected no matter how many years they have occupied a seat.

Doing the people’s business is a privilege and should be taken seriously by both the office holder and the voter.  While a person’s resume is only a guide as to what they may do in the future, a solid resume of individual accomplishment in the past will almost always trump a history of talk and talk and more talk.

The status quo is clearly ineffective at ushering in the changes necessary to advance an agenda of true reform for the benefit of all.

Best Regards,

Andy

Andy