NEWS
If you haven’t heard about Florence First, it’s not too late to join. This is the name of our precinct organization and get-out-the-vote effort for the important 2024 election year. This is how we will focus on the voters of Florence County to get them out to elect strong, conservative Republicans. Come out an join the effort. Remember: “If you not you, then who?”
Joining is Easy
The FCGOP depends on our one annual fund raiser and membership dues and donations to do our work. What is our work? Our work is to help strong, conservative Republicans get elected to office. Our meetings help to inform and provide political camaraderie and conversation. But ultimately our job is to help get the right people into the right office.
We depend on our members to contribute the amount they can towards their membership. Our members come from many different financial situations and we recognize you live on a budget. In a perfect world, everyone would be rich and everyone would be a Platinum Elephant Member. But the world is not perfect and we ask that you just join as a member at the level most comfortable for you.
Last year we attempted to make membership easier for you. We implemented an online program that allows you to give towards your membership on a monthly basis. Giving $10 a month is often much easier than giving $100 for an annual membership. Our online program is easy to use and is safe and confidential. We encourage you to give to your active membership on a monthly basis. Once you have started, there is no need to worry about the expiration of your membership.
Please consider becoming one of our online membership participants. See a member of party leadership if you have questions.
Informed Citizens
By Larry HIll
As I sat in the Florence County Council meeting yesterday I thought, “every citizen should experience this.” Every citizen should know how their local councils, school board and election commission work. These organizations guide your lives. You should know what the councils can do and what they cannot do. You should understand how the school budget impacts your taxes. You should know who manages how you vote.
The county council meeting was 1.5 hours of really boring proceedings. But through all that you would have come to understand:
• What is the 76 Corridor Project?
• What happens to excess funds when we pass a sales tax referendum?
• What/Who decides which roads get paved or repaved?
• What/Who decides if/when potholes get filled?
• The council is improving one industrial park and forming another one?
• How does the county plan for future land development? Will there be any farmland remaining?
• Most importantly, how do any of these affect me? Hint: ALL of these affect you!
And then, this morning, I hear Ken Ard say, “Informed citizens lead to better government.” Conversely, uninformed citizens allow the government to do what they want.
Please join me at some of these meetings. In the meantime, I will keep attending and sending you notes that I hope you read.
Aug 19, 2024 Florence City Council Meeting
All present except Councilman Braddock
Recognitions
I normally don’t list those receiving service anniversaries, but I would like to make an exception. Bono the K-9 was recognized for 4 years of service to the sheriff and city police departments. He is a 9-year old German Shepherd type dog with a fancy name who was born in Bulgaria. His specialty is explosive detection, and he has graduation certificates from the Air Force, FBI and Homeland Security, among others. You could tell that he lives to please his deputy handler. Bono’s supervisor Deputy Sergeant Bing received the National Street Crimes Unit of the Year award for the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
Appearances before the Council
Charlie Barrineau appeared before the council to present the 2024 Municipal Achievement Award to the city of Florence. A total of 270 state cities were considered and Florence was awarded from 40 finalists.
Writer’s Note: It appears to me that if the city spent half the effort managing the water system as they do applying for
awards, we might have better water infrastructure.
Don Strickland is the executive director of the PDRTA. He appeared to give a summary of the systems’ status. The PDRTA is 50 years old and serves the third largest area in the nation (3.5K sq miles). The system has grown to serve 6 other counties and many rural areas. 55% of ridership is traveling to their work. The system makes 10M trips annually.
Jerrod Moultrie was scheduled to speak on boards and commissions but did not speak for the second month. A reminder that he was recently removed from the Housing Authority Board.
Connie Waters appeared before council to offer suggestions for the 3 new planned dog parks in the city. Waters gave innovative suggestions on design of the parks and the idea to honor fallen K-9 service dogs at the parks. Bono said he was in favor of her ideas. I hope Ms. Waters will be included in the planning of the parks.
Janie Behr appeared, to speak on the failure of the council to thoroughly rewrite the ordinance on nuisance dogs. She referred to the recent death of a Florence citizen attacked in her neighborhood. She noted that the city ordinance did not go far enough to protect the public. She also referenced the United Kingdom model that is using spay and neutering to drive certain exploited species into extinction.
Jayne Boswell is known locally as the top advocate for shelter animals. She spoke about the last 4 years of animal overpopulation in Florence. She noted that the nation’s financial situation has worsened the issue for shelters. She also noted that a recent survey showed that over 40% of Florence residents live under the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constraint Employed) guidelines. ALICE measures those who have full time employment but cannot pay all their bills. Ms. Boswell urged the board to fund free spay-neuter clinics to control population.
Introduction of Ordinances
Ordinances to provide issuance and sale of revenue bonds in the amount of $270M for water and sewage improvements. The firm of First Tryon Advisors appeared to present long term need and repayment of this bond. The study shows the need for rate increases in 2029, 2030 and 2031 to service the debt. It was clarified that the bond does not address the $37.2M currently required for deferred maintenance on the water system. The city plans a total of $676M in expansion over the next 10 years and will rely on other grants. The city is currently working to improve water treatment plants and make improvements to the Jeffries Creek interceptor. The last item is the subject of a PFAS (forever chemicals) suit for the contamination of the watershed area.
Two ordinances for rezoning of subdivision and retail areas was approved.
Introduction of Resolutions
Resolution to proclaim Aug 4-10 as National Health Center Week in Florence. House of Hope is recognized as one of 24 community health centers in SC. They serve all those in need of medical services and see over 60K patients annually.
Resolution to proclaim Aug as Black Business Month. It was noted that Black businesses have suffered from lack of available capital in order to ensure equity and inclusion.
Resolution to recognize Ashley Briggs. Ms. Briggs is a South Florence High School graduate with a Master’s Degree in journalism. She has served in several major broadcast posts and received two Emmys for Journalism.
Resolution to declare a property at 161 N Coit Street as an abandoned property under state law.
Resolution to approve first quarter 2025 budget for Downtown Redevelopment Grants.
Report to Council
Dean Thompson of the Department of Environmental Services (formerly part of DHEC) gave the results of the last inspection of city water facilities. The city received a satisfactory rating (scale of satisfactory-dissatisfactory). The inspection consisted of paperwork, sampling, equipment, equipment operation, maintenance cleanliness, security, operator requirements, annual logs, and consumer confidence. He also made comments about the appearance of discolored water and the cause. He encouraged council to continue the proposed loop of the total system through south Florence.
Business Development held a public workshop on the Lucas Street Corridor plans. They received updates on infrastructure and trail systems. Community Development worked on refining the mayor-elect’s 5-point crime plan and started work on railway quiet zones. Marketing and Public Relations are refining operation of the AI text system. Call 855-964-3929 to enroll in the system. Finance, Audit, Budget heard the initial report from First Tryon Advisors mentioned above.
Executive Session began at 3 PM
Submitted by Larry Hill
8-15-24 F1 School Board Meeting
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Williams Middle School was held prior to the meeting. Formerly known as North Vista Elementary School, the school has been remodeled and a gym added to the facility.
Attendees: All board members present except John Galloway.
Public Participation
Alyn Bennett is a teacher at Royall Elementary School and appeared, to speak on behalf of some the staff members. She spoke about the “absolute perfection” required in the profession of teaching. She commented that the staff is “bleeding in all areas” due to the recent publicized event at the school and subsequent firing of 5 staff. She commented that the board had been bullied by the media to make a hasty decision in response to someone outside the school. (The original complaint was lodged by a parent at Delmae Elementary School.)
Calvin Robinson appeared, to blame the school administration, and the lack of diversity, for the issue at Royall Elementary School. He said that diversity in the administration had disappeared over the past 10 years. He further stated that a diverse staff would have stopped the publicized actions. He asked the school board members what they had learned from the incident.
Jason Cox appeared to inform that his son had been pulled from his classroom because of words he used in a word search. The words had been entered in response to an assignment from his teacher. The words had been flagged by a keystroke monitor installed in all system Chromebooks.
Shelley Williams appeared on behalf of the Racial Justice Network to comment on the disgusting post from Royall. She wanted to know who posted the Facebook photo and what discipline had been administered to that person. She applauded the swift action in firing the staff members.
James Williams appeared, to call Dr. O’Malley and the board “a bull in a china ship.” He called for a full account of the Royall incident. He stated that the “pay as you go” building procedure will not work. He also stated that complaints over the lack of diversity will not go away.
Larry Hill appeared, to inform the board that the Florence citizens want to know the status of investigations pertaining to Palmetto Youth Academy. He stated that millions of taxpayer dollars are unaccounted for in criminal acts by the school administration.
Jamie Kirby appeared, to give the perspective of a teacher with respect to the Royall event. She asked if the firing decision was made in the best interest of the students. She stated that there had to be consequences to the event, but was this the best consequence for the students and the school? She further stated that the action taken would not provide the best results for the students who are too young to understand the reasons why beloved teachers and principal suddenly disappeared.
Awards and Recognition
Chartwells (cafeteria contractor for F1) received a national award for account of the year.
Laura Ann Hofler (Wilson High School) was recognized as SC Law Related Education Teacher of the Year for 12 years of work with mock trial.
Action Items
The 2025 schedule for school visits by board members was approved.
First 2024 school attendance was stated as 7,897 vs. 7,250 for start of 2023 showing a 9% increase.
The board voted to move $1M from the General Fund to the capital account for design work for the new Savannah Grove Elementary School.:
Adjournment: 8:03 PM
Submitted by Larry Hill
August 2024 Florence County Election Board Meeting
Attendees: All present except Commissioner Whitlock
Election Analyst Report
34 candidates filed for 21 municipal openings
Voter Status Florence County
Inactive-not participating in past 2 general elections: 17,564
Active: 81,563
Moved to Archived by State Election Commission 63,195
Assistant Director’s Report
Announced that, working with county administrator Kevin Yoakim, had reached an agreement to give the following pay increases for workers:
Clerks: from $245 to $345
Poll managers: from $155 to $245
Technicians: Added $60 for training
There are 12 registration drive boxes distributed to 6 different organizations. Deadline for return of registration is Oct 4.
Training will begin in October to include changes made by the State Election Commission.
Staff voter registration drives scheduled to be held at:
Pines Assisted Living
Women’s Empowerment
Francis Marion University
Naomi Project
Maranatha Church and School
Judy Liberty
Voting precincts for the general election have been confirmed. Confirmation of location includes several criteria.
Early voting locations will be at the election office, Olanta Pamplico and Lake City. She stated that the Timmonsville and Johnsonville
public libraries have indicated they will not host. She announced their decisions were based on “racial” reasons. These reasons will be investigated by Florence County Voter Registration Director Young and Election Board Commission Chair Kennedy.
Letters have been sent to Clerks to advise of application and interview process. Four have responded that they will not serve. Letters have been sent to 502 Poll Managers to see if they intend to serve in November general election.
Catherine Savage
Ms. Savage mentioned REMS (Voter Registration Election Management System). This is a voter software system owned by Civix. This was a new system introduction and I did not understand the context of her comment. For more information, go to gocivix.com, which describes itself as “Our real-world tested applications are used by a majority of states to ensure the integrity of voter and election-related data and our support teams serves as trusted partners to election officials across the country.”
I welcome your comments about another system gathering voter information, ERIC (Electronic Registration Information Center). It is also being used by SC. Note that ERIC has recently been removed by 10 states.
Karen Hertzog
Has received 156 voter registrations from DSS (29 new)
Has received 782 voter registrations from the DMV.
Director’s Report
He has been looking for training and certification for his staff that is above SEC requirements. He has found this training and will be sending staff in 2025.
Mentioned that the state reimburses Florence County for expenses associated with primary and election voting. Recent reimbursement for 2024 of $120,012 to the county revenues does not go to commission funds.
He has joined SAVVY and Diversity Works local magazines for information distribution.
Executive Session 7:03 PM
Submitted by Larry Hill
8-29-24 Special Called F1 School Board meeting
Attendees: All present except Board Member Chapman not present, Board Member McIver late to meeting
This was a special called meeting to hear a report on demography in Florence County. The board employed Cropper Geographic Information Systems to study and present a demographic forecast for the next 10 years in Florence. This was a great analytical presentation that was made to the board with only 4 local citizens present. I wish you could have been there to hear the presentation. I will do my best to relay the information to you.
The purpose of this demographic study was to report forecasted changes in overall population over the next 10 years and how this correlates to schools in F1.
Cropper GIS has served for over 23 years to perform and report demographic studies. The company has performed services for the US Census Bureau, Department of Justice and the US Civil Rights Department.
Population Study
End product was to present a 10-year forecast of total population
The base of the study was the 2020 US Census.
Uses of the science of applied demography.
Elements of the study:
Fertility Rates
Mortality Rates
Migration Rates (movements in and out of the area)
Historical School Enrollment
Housing Growth and Dynamics
Study Assumptions
Gross Domestic Production
Overall Interest Rates
Mortgage Interest Rates
Unemployment Rates
Current SC laws and policies
Housing Growth of 500+ new houses or apartments per year
Impact of AESC Battery Plant and 2,700 new jobs
Population Growth
Growth 2020-2025 Net 2,585
2025-2030 Net 5,015
2030-2035 Net 4,238
School Growth – next 10 years
Pre-kindergarten – Constant growth
K-5 Steady growth
6-8 Slow increase
9-12 Slight decrease
Overall 2024 school population 15,929
2035 school population 16,122
Noticeable slowing of population is caused by a Covid-19 bubble that will work through the system over the 10-year forecast.
Growth by School
The study gave projections for each school in the system and saw a range of growth.
Elementary Schools High of +61% at Lucy
Low of -32.8% at North Vista
High Schools High of +23.3% at West Florence,
Low of +2.5% at Wilson and South Florence
Other Information
70% of households do not have school age children
64.7% own their own home
34.4% of homeowners aged 35-54 own their own home
29.5% of homeowners aged 65+ own their own home; this shows a move to downsizing to apartments or condominiums
Board chairman observed that this study would be a good tool for all local government boards to forecast needs for services and infrastructure.
The school board can now use this information to move students and services within districts to give better services to the students while preventing overcrowding and the need to add schools to the system.
Writer’s note: I thought this might be useful for city council in meeting water and sewer needs.
Adjournment: 8:07 PM
Submitted by Larry Hill
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