The Colleton County Legislative held its local meeting on September 29th. The legislators, who last met in Colleton County March 27th, come to the counties they represent to hear citizen comments, local area officials, and talk about the progress being made in Columbia. Attending this meeting was Chairman Robbie Robbins, Bill Hager, Michael Rivers, and James Teeple. Brad Hutto, Matt Leber, Chip Campson, Margie Bright-Matthews and Justin Bamberg were unable to attend the meeting.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by VFW Post 12102 and an Invocation. The Delegation heard from Judicial Applicants from around the state that travel to address the delegation. The Board of Elections had an opening to fill, there were two nominees, John Harper and Hirem EM Davis, Johne Harper was appointed to the Board of Elections.
Aaron Bishop, the Colleton County Recreation Director, requested funds from the PARD Grant to fund the Ruffin High School Ball Field Revitalization and place a Metal Building on the site. Funds for the Ruffin Community Center to replace the porch and kitchen and monies to fund the Womble Park Upgrade for Playground Equipment. The fund had $132,199 to allocate.
The legislators gave reports about the projects they were working on this session. The Senate Legislators were not in attendance and sent no report. The House Representatives gave updates, Bill Hager District 122 is working on 3 Ad Hoc Committees including Education Oversite and has been working on the Canndy’s plant project. Representative Michael Rivers District 121 is working on Heirs Property Legislation, James Teeple District 116 is working on teachers’ pay, lesson planning, maintaining teacher locations after school starts, and the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act. He is also on the SCDOT Modernization Committee. Delegation Chairman and District 97 Representative Robbie Robbins is working on the Ethics Committee and Tort Reform.
The Delegation heard from local officials, Edisto Beach Mayor Crawford Moore spoke about then need for regulation on E-Bikes and Hoverboards. Jessica Williams, Colleton County School Superintendent gave an update of the status of the Schools, including reporting that the district had achieved #2 in the State for ELA growth. She asked that the legislators set up a task force to work on the funding formula and how it relates to traditional public schools and charter schools. Mayor Bill Young spoke about the City of Walterboro indicating that the 38 Million Dollar Sewer Treatment Plant was nearing completion, the sewer line project along the old railroad tracks was well underway, The Downtown Waterfall Project that was appropriated with the help of Representative Robins in July of 2024, was in the design phase, and this $125,000 project will update the Waterfall and War Memorial. The Watertower park is under construction as well as Island Creek planning and more boardwalk for the Wildlife Sanctuary. Chairman of County Council Scott Bering addressed staff turnover at the county as well as the Veterans Park Project, Infrastructure studies, and the Canady’s Plant.
VFW Post 12102 and Auxiliary addressed the delegation and its search for a new location. The group was well represented at the meeting with more than 15 members in attendance. They requested $350,000 toward the purchase of property. The group was well represented at the delegation meeting and stressed their assistance with disaster relief, the Veterans Victory House, Scholarships, and the Civil Air Patrol.
In Citizen Comments, River Street Flooding was addressed, Central Williams spoke about the new Technical College of the Lowcounty offerings at the Skills Center. Clarence Wiggins requested 1.7 million Dollars for the Jonesville Community Center. The final public comment was made by Ed Williams inquiring about the County Transportation Committee stipend.
The meeting was held at Colleton County Memorial Library large meeting room. The delegates thanked all in attendance and stressed the importance of community involvement in committees and input at the meetings
