Kudos and congratulations to one of the nation’s longest serving mayors. Joseph P. Riley, Jr. has been innovative in planning, economic development, and public safety as he thrives to protect traditions. As he has preserved the history of the cityscape and the way of life of a city unique for its genteel customs, he saw that preservation as an innovation with wide appeal.

His portrait in City Hall (which he had renovated during an earlier term) is by Mary Whyte, a leading American watercolorist who has also painted “Lilly,” one of the children from the local sea islands. It is that connection, that all of us are neighbors and deserve respect, that beauty is in every face and neighborhood, that ideas and visions are common property that guides his open leadership of the city: he puts money into his own parking meters.

(Above: “Lilly “ as a model.)

He is elected in a non-partisan race. He runs in local 5ks; he understands the value of kind words and listening; he knows everyone in town—and beyond.

He plans meticulously. His enthusiasm never flags. Charleston has many hidden treasures; he is one you can find in plain sight.

(The post above appeared in The New York Times online, as a comment on Frank Bruni’s column featuring Mayor Riley (pictured above). It received the second highest number of reader recomendations and was highlighted with a gold badge as a Times editors pick. Click the link in the first paragraph (after it appears in a highlight box) to read both the original article, the comment and a reply in The Times digital edition. /wr)