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.
Sept 17, 2024 Florence County Election Board Meeting
Attendees: All present, Commissioner Whitlock via phone
Election Analyst Report
• The ballot styles report is a report that analyzes the different ballot make-up styles for the different races within the county. Florence County will have 234 different ballot styles due to a variety of reasons, including split districts and districting. This is one of the largest groups of ballot styles within the state.
• There have been 4 precinct location changes for the general election. These changes will be publicized.
• There will be 7 early voting locations, including “back to where they didn’t want us.” There was no follow-up during the meeting to the claim in the August meeting that race was the reason for not allowing voting at the two country libraries.
Assistant Director’s Report
The commission has requested the SEC to split 4 precincts in half due to the high number of voters in those precincts. Current number of registered voters in those precincts:
Savannah Grove: 4,134
Ebeneezer 1: 3,852
West Florence: 3,355
Coles Crossword: 2,858
If this change is approved, the locations will not change for the November election. However, there will be 2 voting lines at each of these 4 precincts, which will necessitate the need for additional poll workers.
The office received 84 new DS300 machines, which are the machines that tabulate the completed ballots at the polling sites.
Judy Liberty
• Approved for early voting: 1 Clerk, 4 managers at each of the 7 sites
• Approved for the general election: 63 clerks, 603 managers
• Approved for the general election: various students, depending on the population of the poll. Each student must be monitored by 2 managers.
• Approved for the general election: 9 technicians
• Below are excerpts from letters sent to clerks to advise of the application & interview process
“{ } If you are a recipient of this email, please respond by email if you have received a Clerk or Poll Manager letter. I need to know if you are receiving notification.”
As of Sept 17 (the date of the Election Board meeting):
• 4 clerks have responded that they will not serve
• 502 poll managers confirmed they had received the letter (not necessarily that they would serve again)
• 3 have indicated that they did not receive the above letter
Catherine Savage
• The local office has sent out 938 absentee ballots
• 613 absentee ballots have been returned
• Currently there ae 20 voting campaigns out in the community.
o Writer’s note: At the last board meeting, there were 12 voting campaigns. The deadline for returning the campaigns is Oct 4
• Last month Ms. Savage introduced REM, a system for gathering voter information.
• Below is an excerpt from a letter sent by Ms. Savage last month regarding REM & ERIC
“{ } Again, I welcome your comments about the REM system gathering voter information in addition to ERIC (Electronic Registration Infomration Center) also being used by SC. ERIC has recently been removed by 10 states.”
Karen Hartzog
• Provided numbers on voter registration (new & revised)
• Stated that voter registrations from DSS and the DMV are down, but the office registrations to vote have increased
James Bennett
• Described the system for tracking & delivering voting hardware to the polls through the use of scanners.
Director’s Report
• Stated that his biggest concern at this time is the safety & security of his staff and at the polling sites. He gave several examples of security incidents at local sites from around the country,
• He indicated that expected precautions for the future will not be in place for the November general election.
• He advised the Florence County Office for Voters’ Registration now has a Facebook page which will also feature the Election Commission.
• Commission employees have state training on Sept 19 and the Board has training on Sept 25.
Adjourned at 7:07 PM
Submitted by Larry Hill
Florence City Council Meeting – Sept 9, 2024
All members present.
Appearances before the Council
Tim Wilson, head of the city parks and recreation, gave a presentation on department achievements and expansion plans. He reported that the soccer center currently has 14 active fields and will soon join into the rail-trail system. In addition, several city parks and the Pearl Moore Center are currently undergoing upgrades and remodels.
Ordinances in Position
Second Reading
An ordinance to approve issuance of revenue bonds for improvements in the water and sewer systems. Writer’s note: Citizens will probably agree that after recent events, these revenue funds can’t come quickly enough
Two ordinances for rezoning designations
Introduction of Resolutions
No resolutions.
Committee Reports
Business Development received updates on the Urban Square Development, CPST III paving projects within the city.
Community Development reported that 19 additional houses have been approved for demolition, restoration or weatherization.
Marketing and Public Relations reported that in the first month of calendar year 2024, a total of 2,634 residents have signed on to the service entitled CY. This in an AI text system that provides immediate updates on boil water needs and other water issues, instructions during weather events, road conditions, etc, for all residents. In addition, residents can call 855 964.3929 to enroll in the system or to report conditions to the system.
Finance, Audit and Budget received an update on the revenue bond for the water and sewer systems and reviewed the monthly financial statement.
Executive Session 1:40
Note: This is the shortest council meeting I have attended.
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
Aug 15, 2024 Florence County Council Meeting
Attendees: All present, Councilman Springs by video, Councilman Dorriety by proxy
Public Hearing Notice
Ordinance to amend agreement between Florence and Williamsburg for High Hill Commerce Park to include additional property for Enterprise Drive LLC.
Appearances
No public appearances requested.
Committee Reports
No committee reports to council.
Resolutions and Proclamations
Resolution recognizing the Johnsonville Track Club as state and regional champions.
Resolution to reimburse county for general obligation bonds for acquisition of properties for law enforcement improvements.
Resolution to move $37K from ARPA funds for payment of purchase of communications equipment.
Resolution to pay from CPST III funds to Independence Farms for land purchase and conservation.
Resolution to pay from ARPA funds for property purchase at Lynches River Park.
Resolution matching grant funds for restrooms at Lynches River Park Disc Golf facility.
Resolution to change job classification for clarification.
Ordinances in Position Third Reading
17 Ordinances
9 ordinances pertaining to East 76 Gateway project. These ordinances affect properties in the zones measured within 500 feet of the curbside of Highway 76. And any property with 20% of portion being within that distance.
1 ordinance to change zoning with the Future Land Use Designation
3 ordinances to change the zoning classification of private property.
1 ordinance to change text in zoning definition.
1 ordinance approval agreement between Marion-Florence Industrial Park.
1 ordinance approval agreement between Florence and Darlington Counties to include additional property in industrial park.
Ordinances in Position Second Reading
22 ordinances
6 ordinances pertaining to East 76 Gateway project.
4 ordinances to change zoning classification of private or commercial property.
4 ordinances to change zoning with the Future Land Use Designation.
1 ordinance to change lot width requirements for townhouse developments.
1 ordinance to development agreement between Florence and Williamsburg Counties to develop the High Hill Commerce Park. This park will be formed around the existing Otis Elevator plant and surrounding businesses. The formation of this park will be used to attract other businesses with existing infrastructure.
1 ordinance to amend millage requirements. The recent tax assessment has reflected a 7.24% increase in taxable values (increased development) resulting in the need to reduce millage to achieve revenue.
2 ordinances deferred for consideration.
Introduction
12 ordinances
1 ordinance to change zoning classification of private or commercial property.
2 ordinances to change zoning with the Future Land Use Designation.
5 ordinances pertaining to East Highway 76 Gateway project.
3 ordinances to amend text in zoning ordinance.
1 ordinance to declare 9 acres of property at W Lee Flowers Road as surplus and see to sell at $590K
Reports to Council
Purchase approval for Town of Pamplico for $4K phone system.
Rescind $200K for installation of water line approved December 2022.
Executive Session 10:40 AM
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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