Society Hill Council discusses controversial sculpture
Society Hill Police Chief Mark Campbell (left) addresses the Town Council during their last meeting. PHOTO BY STEPHAN DREW
By Stephan Drew, Editor
The Society Hill Town Council convened for its monthly meeting on July 14, addressing routine municipal business before an unscheduled discussion of a controversial roadside sculpture drew pointed exchanges between residents and required the mayor to restore order with his gavel.
The meeting opened with Council and audience members observing a moment of silence in honor of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away recently. During Council Comments later in the meeting, members formally acknowledged Senator Graham’s decades of constituency service to the Pee Dee region and the State of South Carolina.
Council reviewed the June 2026 financial report, which showed $227,775.31 in spendable funds. Combined with $51,376.88 held in the Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP), the town’s total liquid assets stand at $279,151.99.
Police Chief Mark Campbell updated Council on the town’s security equipment changeover to the ADT system. Campbell explained that AT&T had recently removed a hard line servicing the Depot, disrupting the Graham Security Services system in place there. To create a more unified and cost-effective security network, officials opted to consolidate all town security — including the Depot — under ADT, matching the system already in use at Town Hall. Campbell said the switch is also expected to generate meaningful cost savings going forward.
Campbell also reported progress on a $90,000 grant secured through Congressman Russell Fry’s office, which is now awaiting final approval before funds are disbursed. Once received — anticipated around September — the grant will be used to replace aging police vehicles.
The Town Hall Playground Project is nearing its next phase, with the planning committee finalizing equipment placement. Officials noted that some ordered equipment has not yet arrived, and the committee prefers to wait until all pieces are on hand before finalizing the layout.
Council thanked volunteer Brandon Wilson for clearing unnecessary gravel from the site, which was relocated outside the playground area for residents to collect. Mayor Cecil Graham raised concerns about the town’s liability and public safety while the gravel remains unclaimed, and Council agreed to examine the issue further. The committee will also follow up with residents who previously expressed interest in taking the gravel, urging them to collect it promptly.
Additional playground updates included plans for two properly placed handicapped parking spaces and an announcement that Nucor Corporation donated four red, rubber-coated benches for use at the playground or elsewhere in town.
Discussion of the Professors Park Playground Project centered on a proposed land transfer from CareSouth Carolina, current owner of property adjoining the park. Mayor Graham reported that CareSouth Carolina is willing to transfer the land for $1. However, concerns raised at a previous meeting flagged the presence of a “leeching field” containing toxic waste byproducts on part of the property — a serious concern given its proximity to a children’s playground.
Mayor Graham proposed drafting a Memorandum of Understanding, in coordination with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), to ensure the town would not take ownership of any portion of the contaminated leeching field. Councilmember Tommy Bradshaw made a motion to proceed with the acquisition on the explicit condition that the leeching field be excluded. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Council members also discussed ongoing security issues, recent fires, and scrap metal theft at the former Galey and Lord facility, a topic that would resurface later during citizen comments.
During Citizens Comments, resident Lamar Baker thanked Mayor Graham and Chief Campbell for installing signage at the Depot and thanked Campbell for coordinating with SCDOT to clear brush along Main Street. Baker encouraged greater community involvement in litter removal and urged attention to cleaning storm drains ahead of potential storm season flooding.
Eugenia Peterson reminded residents that she is still seeking volunteers and ideas to help plan the town’s Tricentennial celebration, set for 2036.
Former mayor Dwayne Duke suggested Council organize and host a “Taste of Society Hill” event this fall. Previous “Tastes” have been hosted by individuals and organizations. Duke also raised concerns about the recent fires at the Galey and Lord property, noting that smoke and ash have drifted onto his nearby property, coating his patio and pool area. His wife, Joanne Duke, added that she has experienced severe respiratory problems as a result of the smoke.
The meeting’s most contentious moment came when Mayor Graham requested additional time to discuss a metal sculpture that has stirred controversy in town. Councilmember Kevin Long objected on procedural grounds, noting the item was not on the posted agenda and that agenda changes require a vote. Mayor Graham asked for an exception, and discussion proceeded.
The sculpture in question — installed roughly two-and-a-half weeks ago on Main Street across from the Piece of Work shop — depicts a metal stick figure reclining on a painted box, waving at passing vehicles with one hand while raising its middle finger with the other.
Mayor Graham stated he did not want the Town of Society Hill associated with the piece. Dwayne Duke also criticized the sculpture, calling it “disgusting” and damaging to the town’s image.
Lamar Baker, whose son Les Baker created the sculpture and owns the Piece of Work shop, was asked to comment. “I was opposed to it to start with,” Baker said, “but, if you think about it, that’s just another person’s expression.” Mayor Graham interjected, “Freedom of Speech.”
Baker then turned his attention to Duke, remarking, “A lot of people were opposed to your animals when you first came here.” A back-and-forth exchange between Baker and Duke followed, prompting Mayor Graham to strike his gavel multiple times to restore order.
“We’re not going to do that,” Graham said, redirecting the discussion. “Here’s my perspective regarding that — it is absolutely not something that we want people to consider as being our town’s mentality. It is vulgar.” Acknowledging the legal limits of Council’s authority, Graham added, “Freedom of Expression? Absolutely! I cannot make him take that down. There’s no if’s and’s or but’s about it.” Still, he emphasized, “Respect for the town, the townspeople and the 3,000 cars that pass by here each day — it’s not a good look.”
Graham said he had personally spoken with Les Baker, who indicated he meant no disrespect. According to Graham, the sculpture pays homage to an individual who regularly sits along the Highway 52 Bypass in Darlington and makes the same gesture at passing traffic. “That’s what the law allows him to do,” Graham said, acknowledging that the town has no legal mechanism to compel removal of the artwork, though he expressed hope that community sentiment might influence Baker’s decision.
Resident Brady Hill urged caution, encouraging Council members to approach the matter calmly and respectfully in future conversations with Les Baker, noting his three decades of contributions to the Town of Society Hill. Chief Campbell confirmed he had consulted the town attorney and other officials regarding applicable legal statutes, and clarified that discussions between the mayor and Baker remain ongoing with no threat of legal action.
Reached separately by The News & Press, Les Baker, who was not present at the meeting, said, “I’ve heard the comments that were made. I respect their right to express their views and opinions, and I will fully explain my views very soon at the next meeting.”