Brevard County, FL, Commission Meeting
26 January 2021
David Williamson (337 words)

Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to be with you today and for the honor of solemnizing your meeting on behalf of the citizens of the County. I want to thank you and your staff for their hard work during this challenging period. There is only so much time available to us in life and the fact that you have invested so much of yours in service to your community is remarkable. It’s inspiring to those of us who don’t make it to these meetings very often.

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Thomas Jefferson wrote “that government is the strongest of which everyone feels themselves a part." As we begin the day in service alongside one another, we remember the solemn responsibility we have to our shared community. With that in mind, we remember all those who live in or visit the community and who will be affected by decisions made here today--possibly for generations to come. Whether visiting the Space Coast for just a day as a visitor to a local beach or business or for an entire career of public service; while we are sometimes participants in it, we are always benefactors of our democracy and the important work of bodies such as this.

Knowing that our words, our decisions, and our actions directly impact so many others, we strive to make compassion the foundation for our important work here today and that we serve with integrity and kindness towards one another and to all those you serve as our representatives in local government.

Together, let’s embody the words of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said “The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all of us [human] and, therefore, [family].”

May we strive for balance between listening and reflecting; between speaking and acting.

Finally let us incline our ears toward reason, apply our heart to understanding, and seek knowledge we can use to find common ground among the citizens for the betterment of the County.

Thank you.