Municipal dinner brings good news for Lamar
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
At Darlington County’s quarterly dinner meeting where municipal and county officials break bread and share news of their latest projects, the Town of Lamar received some good news from Senator Gerald Malloy regarding their ongoing efforts to reestablish their municipal water system.
Malloy gave an update on the progress of the state budget, which he said was then in conference committee, and offered some hope for additional state funds to help the cash-strapped community.
“Lamar, we’ve got good news for you in the budget. You’re going to get some money for your water, and we’re very proud that we can end up offering that,” said Malloy.
Lamar has been purchasing water from the Darlington County Water and Sewer Authority for the past two years since SC DHEC shut down their water well due to traces of radium. The town has been working steadily to get its municipal water system back on line, and has received a $467,789 SC Department of Commerce grant (obtained with the help of Senator Malloy) to cover grant match requirements and small overages on bid contracts, and a $500,000 Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) grant to rehab the town’s two above-ground water tanks.
Mayor Tommy Bradshaw of Society Hill talked about improvements to town facilities, and noted that roofs have been replaced on Town Hall, the Fire Department / Rescue Squad building, the old Society Hill Library (built in 1822), and the Memorial Park picnic shelter. The town also brokered a long-term, no-cost lease of the 1950 library building for use as a historical museum by the Rosenwald High School Foundation.
Bradshaw also spoke of Society Hill’s rich history and hoped that it might result in population and business growth. He talked about potential development for several historical mercantile buildings (including the Coker & Rogers General Store built in 1828) and added that any developers would be required to maintain these buildings according to state preservation standards.
Mayor Gloria Hines of Darlington spoke of the city’s efforts to improve storm water drainage in the southwest area of Darlington, the coming installation of sidewalks along South Main Street from Avenue F to Walgreen’s, the recent purchase of Virgil Wells Stadium and 11.5 acres of surrounding property to expand city parks and recreation, and the plans to establish a 22-acre softball and baseball complex. Hines added that new roofs are being installed on the Arthur Stanley Gym and Harmon Baldwin Gym, along with new lighting. Also, she noted that the city’s Street Department building on Broad Street is now ready to host a regular weekend soup kitchen to feed the needy.
Hartsville Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Andrews spoke about the potential for using Darlington County’s history to draw new residents. He encouraged all county and city officials to consider adopting the state-sponsored Bailey Bill, which rewards those who refurbish historical homes by freezing the tax assessment at pre-refurbishment levels.
“For the homeowner, that’s an incentive because they don’t have to pay taxes on the increased value… Lamar has historic homes, Darlington has historic homes, and Society Hill is just chock full of them,” said Andrews.
Andrews said the EdVenture Children’s Museum is slated to open in June, Neptune Island Water Park is expected to open on June 9 (barring weather-related construction delays), and the Hartsville Business Park (located at Railroad Avenue and the Hwy 15 By-Pass) is in the early stages of marketing. Andrews added that the roundabout at West Carolina and Fourteenth Street is still under construction with completion possible as soon as July.
Also, Andrews talked about a state Opportunity Zone grant Hartsville applied for to encourage development of the area surrounding the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics. The grant would offer tax deferments (ranging from 10 years to permanent deferment) for businesses that invest and build in the designated area. Andrews explained that preliminary approval for the grant was given by Governor Henry McMaster and the decision for final approval now lies with the SC Treasury Department.
Mayor Darnell Byrd McPherson suggested forming a working group from the various representatives in attendance, with that group tasked to find ways for the towns, cities, county, and schools to work together for the betterment of Darlington County as a whole.
“We should be able to help and promote each other, because it is through our collective and cooperative energy that we can meet the challenges and move our communities forward,” said McPherson.
Darlington County Council chair Bobby Hudson said the county will hold first reading for its 2018/19 budget on May 7, and noted the budget includes a one-percent raise for all employees. Regarding economic development, Hudson said the county is showing its Hwy 340 Industrial Park to several potential residents, and Fiber Industries (located in the old Wellman facility) has hired 119 production employees and 200 maintenance workers, and they are ramping up to begin production soon.
Hudson said there will be two referendums on the November election ballot for county voters to consider: one for Sunday alcohol sales throughout the county, and one to levy a penny sales tax for the financing of a new courthouse / administration complex.
“We’re leaving that up to the people,” said Hudson.
Dr. Bill Boyd, Darlington County School District interim superintendent, recognized the members of the Board of Education as managers of “the largest restaurant in the county, and the largest transportation system in the county” who expend over $100 million a year to educate, feed, and move over 10,000 students and employ over 1,500 teachers and staff.
Boyd said he’s enjoyed working with incoming superintendent Dr. Tim Newman over the past several weeks, and he believes Newman will be ready to take over full-time very soon.
After five decades with the school district, Dr. Boyd plans to retire this year, and he offered thanks to everyone for making his time as a teacher and administrator rewarding and worthwhile.
“You’ve afforded me fifty good years in Darlington, South Carolina, and I’m very grateful and very humbled,” said Dr. Boyd.
The dinner meeting was held April 30 in the Society Hill Train Depot, and Darlington County Historical Commission director Brian Gandy offered a brief talk on the town’s deep history and pivotal role in the settlement of the Pee Dee Region.
