Posted on Apr 28, 2010

In today's/April 28 issue of The Summerville Journal Scene,an article by Jenny Peterson covers the question of whether or not County Council should put before the voters on the November 2010 ballot the question of Dorchester County having county Parks and Recreation Facilities, or not. A Parks and Recreation Master Plan has just been completed by a consultant speciazing in this field with plan details to be given to citizens during public hearings before the vote on the issue is decided in November. I am in favor of asking our citizens to make the decision of having parks or not since the cost of the parks will be borne by the citizens with estimates of around $5 per year per property owner. This is democracy at its best to let the people decide whether or not they want County parks and open space amenities. Dorchester County has one parcel of 50 acres near Oakbrook and the Oakbrook Schools and another of 68 acres at Bacons Bridge/Bacons Bridge Road that have been given to the County for this purpose. I would like to see a partnership formed with the Summerville YMCA and the County to develop picnic facilities, restroom facilities, walking trails, canoe/kayac access and outdoor recreation fields. Management and maintenance of the County Parks would be administered by the YMCA under contract with the County. Some members of County Council are evidently pushing for County Council not to give our citizens the right to decide this issue. I am for asking our citizens to first take a look at the County Park plans which will be public information and to then vote their choice of either approving County Parks or not at the voting booth in November, 2010. As I continue my door-to-door visits as a Candidate for State House District 98 prior to the June 8 Primary, I will ask citizens whether or not they favor having County Parks and open space.