Give thanks
With the Thanksgiving holiday arriving a little later this season, the Christmas holidays, along with the usual sales, decorations, parties, etc., are being pushed much sooner. That means all of the other fall holidays are getting brushed over. It felt as though Halloween was over in early October. As for Thanksgiving, I will paraphrase a character from one of the “Peanuts” holiday specials: “I went to buy stuff for Thanksgiving, but all they had were things for Christmas.”
Let’s face it: Many of us are guilty of overlooking Thanksgiving because we are too focused on our Christmas celebrations. There is no reason to go into any explanation. Christmas is simply more fun and exciting, and the most wonderful time of the year. But while images of a winter wonderland are dancing through our heads, Thanksgiving is the time of year when our hearts can be warmed by all of the blessings we and our families have.
Thanksgiving, as the name suggests, is when we need to hit the pause button, take a look at what we have — the goals we have accomplished, how our family and friends enrich our lives — and have an understanding of how and why this is all possible. Philippians 4:6 states: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Thanksgiving is when we need to take a moment to appreciate what we have and what we should do to continue to have blessings in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving.
BRIAN KIZER
Reevesville
Flooding factors
I was fortunate to have purchased a vacant lot on James Island Creek in 1967 and built a house there in 1971. Back then, climate change was not a common term.
The 2020 valuation of my property increased by 15 percent over the previous appraisal. In response, I provided photo documentation in an appeal of the yard flooded with saltwater. I was granted a 15 percent reduction. The 2025 appraisal valuation increased by 15 percent yet again. I don’t understand how this was justified, since I was granted relief in 2020 on the basis of flooding reducing its value.
This year, I appealed on the fact that the lot has experienced more frequent and severe flooding in the years since. However, my objection was overruled. With this appraisal, the property valuation is back to where it was initially appraised in 2020.
I understand that appraisals are primarily based on the value of comparable properties. Currently, there are no guidelines dealing with how flooding should factor into a property assessment. I believe my lot is the controlling factor in this case and not my house. A frequently flooded lot should be depreciated rather than ignored. I believe it is time for the Charleston County Assessor’s Office or the Legislature or someone to acknowledge the documented presence of natural disasters and change the rules to address this problem.
CLARK MORRISON
James Island
Powerful together
At a public meeting recently in a gymnasium, I noticed how all the different attendees filed in. They were quiet and apprehensive, yet determined to exercise the most fundamental rights of a democracy — freedom of assembly and free speech.
The first folks selected their seats and sat where they felt most comfortable. Then followed an informal self-selection process — young with the young, old with the old, those of color with others of color. It was striking how organically and simply this sorting happened.
I was confronted with the question: “Why?”
I became aware that I had been blessed with a racially, ethnically, culturally and widely diverse friend group. Many Americans have not experienced relationships with people different from themselves. This is a gift to politicians who benefit from division and exploit differences.
Then, as each topic was introduced, it was like magic. They openly and courageously discussed their concerns: affordable health care, the plight of their neighbors of color and immigration.
They wanted their children to learn in an environment absent of fear and active-shooter drills, but also with the freedom to read books of their choosing and to understand the full history of this country. They wanted protection from military occupation of their cities, reassurance of equal treatment under the law and that the Constitution by and for the people would work as effectively for them as it does for those of means, power and privilege.
They were the same and realized that together, and only together, were they most powerful.
LAURA DISANO
Aiken
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