Darlington County Council tackles solar, land purchase, opioids
By Stephan Drew, Editor
The Darlington County Council packed a wide-ranging agenda into its Monday, July 6 meeting, moving through public debate over solar energy, a major land purchase for future economic development, new committee appointments, and nearly $1.2 million in opioid abatement funding — all in a single, productive session.
The evening’s initial moments began during Citizens Comments, where residents on both sides of the county’s ongoing solar farm debate made their voices heard.
Carol Ross addressed the council directly, describing the criticism her family has faced since agreeing to place a solar farm on their property. Ross explained that her husband’s health problems forced him to give up farming, but the family wanted to hold onto their land rather than sell it — leading them to the solar agreement. She pushed back on the concerns raised by solar farm opponents and detailed the steps her family has taken to responsibly preserve the property. Land use decisions, she told council, are ultimately her family’s right and responsibility.
Her husband, Johnny Ross, followed with pointed remarks of his own. He recounted a recent public meeting where he said attendees leveled numerous negative comments at his family over the solar agreement. In response, he brought a folded American flag, military medals, and documentation of his family’s history of military service to the podium.
“We are not just farmers,” Ross told the council. “We are patriots. We are a family of patriots.”
While urging opponents of solar development to keep tensions from escalating, Ross added a blunt warning: “We know how to fight. If this thing doesn’t calm down, we’ll show you how to fight.”
Other speakers weighed in with a range of views. Carolyn Severance spoke in favor of solar power and responsible land stewardship, while Stan Severance argued that solar farms are environmentally safe and help protect land long-term. Ann Gunlack told council she and her husband live directly next to a solar farm and have had no issues whatsoever; her husband agreed, stating simply, “I see no negatives about it.” George Priest spoke more broadly on property owners’ rights to use their land as they see fit.
Not all comments were supportive. Barbara Arthur told council she had researched the corporate origins of local solar farm developers and found that IP Solar and Pitstop Solar have close ties to Chinese solar manufacturing. She voiced concern about the potential use of Chinese-sourced materials — and possible quality issues — in local solar panel components, and urged residents to remain vigilant and do their own research.
In other business, council gave second-reading approval to Ordinance 25-24, authorizing the purchase of 233.70 acres of land in the Newman Swamp School District, just outside the Town of Lamar. The county intends to use the property for future economic development. The purchase price is set at $1,570,000 — approximately $6,700 per acre.
Council also approved Resolution 818, proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month. The Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments’ Community Development Director had notified the county that, under Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) requirements, each municipality must formally declare April as Fair Housing Month. Despite the July timing, Darlington County was still required to take up and approve the resolution — which it did.
Council approved four appointments to fill vacancies on county committees:
• Templin Hardee — Parks and Recreation Committee, nominated by Council Vice-Chairman Le Flowers
• Scott Spivey — Construction Board of Adjustment/Appeals, nominated by Councilmember David Coker
• Jimmy Dixon — Construction Board of Adjustment/Appeals, nominated by Councilmember Dannie Douglas
• Nicky Watford — Opioid Committee, nominated by Council Chairman Bobby Hudson
Council approved two lease agreements for office space in the county’s Mozingo Building at 300 Russell Street in Darlington.
The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce will lease 400 square feet in Suite 228 for $334 per month over a 12-month term. Rubicon Family Counseling Center will lease Room 234 for a nominal $1 per month, also on a 12-month term.
Council voted to accept a $1.5 million grant from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) for improvements to the Town of Lamar Wastewater Treatment Plant. The RIA grant accompanies an additional $2 million grant from the SC State Revolving Fund (SRF), also earmarked for the Lamar facility — bringing total secured funding for the project to $3.5 million. Within six months of receiving the grant funds, the county will take over management, oversight, operation, and maintenance of the treatment plant.
In one of the meeting’s other actions, council approved seven funding requests submitted by the Darlington County Opioid Committee, totaling approximately $1,158,888.25. Each project aligns with approved opioid abatement uses and the strategies set by the South Carolina Opioid Relief Fund (SCORF). The projects now advance to the SCORF Board for final approval:
• $5,000 — Society Hill Police Department, for its Preventing Opioid Overdose Deaths and Community Education Initiative
• $88,648 — CARPS SC (Certified Addiction Recovery Professionals of South Carolina), Darlington branch, for its Harm Reduction Program
• $134,550 — Furman University, for Opioid Training Solutions for Darlington County First Responders
• $82,000 — Rubicon Family Counseling Center (Hartsville), for expansion of Medication Assisted Treatment services
• $121,935.25 — Darlington County Coroner’s Office, for a partnership with Randox Toxicology, whose Biochip Array Technology enables rapid, highly sensitive screening for more than 600 drugs, including classical, prescription, and synthetic opioids
• $536,200 — Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, for development of an Acute Medication Assisted Treatment Program
• $190,558 — Darlington County Sheriff’s Department, for continued efforts to combat opioid abuse and overdose deaths
Once the approved funds are disbursed, an estimated $553,890.06 will remain in the county’s opioid relief fund balance, available to support future projects.
Between public debate over renewable energy, significant land and infrastructure investments, and a major push against the opioid crisis, Monday’s meeting reflected a county council working through both the growing pains of advanced technological development and long-term commitments to public health and community growth.