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1. Val has been working hard toward preserving and improving the quality of life for residents of the Northeast. Since taking office Val has been involved in promoting and encouraging conservation easements with a total of 500 acres  being preserved and protected for future generations during her term on council.

Val congratulates Delano Monroe at a dedication ceremony held on April 28, 2008 at the Monroe Century Farm in Pontiac.

Conservation Easements

Northeast Conservation and Beautification Committee

Re-routing of sewage lines around Briarcliffe

New Fire Station approved

New police substation approved

New traffic light under construction at Summit Ridge / Parkway

Read these newspaper articles:    G.P. Monroe Easement    Delano Century Farm

Val recently initiated the 1st Annual "Sowing Seeds of Democracy" Awards.

At a meeting of the Northeast Conservation and Beautification Committee on May 15, 2008, Val Hutchinson presented the 1st Annual "Sowing Seeds of Democracy Awards" to those citizens in the northeast who have given many hours of public service to the community.

"These are people who keep democracy alive by being involved and speaking up," said Val. "I have always dreamed of giving out awards like this."  Read the list of recipients and their community involvement by clicking the link below.

“Sowing Seeds of Democracy” Winners of 2008

Members make offer on Richland golf courses

Residents of Northeast neighborhoods want to prevent redevelopment

Members of two golf clubs, wanting to ensure that hundreds of acres of prime real estate in Richland Northeast aren’t redeveloped, have offered to buy the WildeWood and Woodcreek country clubs.

Members were notified by letter last week that a steering committee had extended a preliminary offer to owner Golf Trust of America, in Charleston.

Resident Bill McDougall, who is heading the effort, would not disclose the amount of the offer.

“The immediate goal is to correct the downward slide the clubs have experienced,” McDougall’s May 22 letter to 950 members of the two clubs said.

Mike Pearce, the new president of Golf Trust of America, said Thursday, “We’re in dialogue with the members group, but we are not currently acting on any offer” from them.

Pearce said the two properties were appraised at $5.4 million in January, though they are not being marketed for sale.

As golf courses around the country age, a tension is developing between club owners interested in profiting from the land and residents who paid a premium for homes along the fairways.

Earlier this month, in neighboring Lexington County, some 300 members of Timberlake beat developers to the purchase of that 20-year-old club. Residents said the $3 million deal would ensure the golf course remains a centerpiece of their Lake Murray community.

Last summer, with rumors flying that some golf courses might be vulnerable to redevelopment, Richland County Councilwoman Val Hutchinson initiated the rezoning of eight golf courses to ensure that owners of struggling or older golf courses couldn’t quietly start building on their fairways.

Lexington County planners are moving toward similar regulations, while officials in the town of Lexington recently discouraged the redevelopment of the only golf course in town.

WildeWood and Woodcreek Farms are the last remaining golf courses owned by Golf Trust, which at its peak owned 47 golf courses in 17 states, Pearce said.

The WildeWood Country Club, along Mallett Hill Road, was built in 1973.

The Country Club at Woodcreek Farms opened in Elgin in 1997.

Hutchinson, who lives in WildeWood, said it makes sense for members to pursue both properties. “We feel like our fates are intertwined, so we are joining efforts to try to protect both neighborhoods.”

Thursday, McDougall issued a statement saying the purchase would be “a win-win situation” but he wouldn’t comment further.

By DAWN HINSHAW -  HYPERLINK "mailto:dhinshaw@thestate.com"

Reach Hinshaw at (803) 771-8641. Reporter Tim Flach contributed.

TWO INCUMBENTS and two newcomers should be chosen in the June 10 primaries for Richland County Council.

In the Republican primary in District 9, incumbent Valerie Hutchinson faces businessman Don Purcell. Ms. Hutchinson is an effective leader who isn’t afraid to take a stand. She has promoted good growth, called on developers to help provide needed infrastructure, opposed the proliferation of billboards and objected to an unneeded baseball park. Mr. Purcell is a solid candidate, but Ms. Hutchinson is the better choice.

In the Democratic primary for Council District 3, incumbent Damon Jeter squares off with community activist Bruce Trezevant. We admire Mr. Trezevant’s enthusiasm, but he focuses more on crime and community service than the broader issues. Mr. Jeter’s experience on the council makes him preferable.

Hutchinson, Bland, Jeter, Washington for Richland council

The crowded District 7 field isn’t very strong. Gwendolyn Kennedy, a former council member, proved when she held the seat before that she does not deserve another shot. Kiba Anderson is a young barber whose eagerness to serve is admirable. Rodney Mills, a perennial candidate, isn’t a serious contender. Businessman Napoleon Tolbert would be adequate. But Johnny Bland, who has been active in the community and area schools, should be the voters’ choice to face GOP candidate Celestine White-Parker in November.

In District 10, Kelvin Washington faces Helen Daniels Taylor. Mr. Washington has a firm grasp of the issues, understands how county government works and would hit the ground running. He should be elected.

To see all of The State’s endorsements in the June 10 state and local primaries, please go to thestate.com/endorsements/.