"Sowing Seeds of Democracy"
Award Winners of 2008
1.George Davis - Fishers Wood: Patiently steered the process of having the County use Private Pond Policy to dredge Wood Duck Lake. Painstakingly negotiated with neighbors and County to bring a successful result.
2. Sam Smith , Clay Watts, Dan “Watch Dog” Rooney- Briarcliffe: Sam and Clay brought attention to sewer odor in neighborhood and guided the process that took over 2 years to re-route sewage around Briarcliffe and reduce odors by over 90 %. Dan stays in touch on all traffic, storm water, and beautification efforts in the neighborhood.
3. The Monroe Family, G.P. and Virginia and family, Delano Monroe , Preserved beautiful farmland in Conservation easement to protect water and air quality in perpetuity.(total 170 acres)
Jim Podell and John Kirk, Brickyard Village (10 acres)and Greenhill Parish Conservation easements (50 acres) preserved forever.
4. Suzanne Enz, Greensprings: Alerted me to removal of trees in a wetlands and destruction of egret habitat. Efforts led to formation of a Homeowners Association. Patron Saint of Egrets!
5. Ed Vraniak, Jeff Lummel, The Summit. Helped me secure funds at Richland County Transportation Committee for new traffic light in The Summit. Process lead to a new Richland County policy to provide traffic lights on County maintained roads. Both attended many meetings, spoke publicly, and helped keep the issue alive, until we achieved success.
6. Bill McDougall- Wildewood: Spearheaded research and community support to rezone golf courses in Richland County as Traditional Recreation Open Spaces. Organized informational meetings and arranged for speakers at hearings at Planning Commission and County Council.
7. Steve Corboy- The Summit. Served on Road Task Force to provide better road design for Richland County. Served on Transportation Committee and Midlands COG Environmental Protection Committee, to preserve water quality in future growth.
8.Elaine Pierson, Barbara Wyatt, North Springs: Elaine served ably as North Springs HOA president and arranged for the beautification of entrances and dredging of lake. Barbara served 8 years on Planning Commission (no pay), and contributed significantly to new land use code in Richland County.
9. Larry McDaniel- Woodcreek. Lost house in fire, worked for new fire house near entrance to Woodcreek. Active in protecting quality of life in Woodcreek and getting homeowners organized.
10. Laura Jordan, Pat Brezney, The Woodlands: Active for many years in Woodlands Homeowners Association, bringing attention to traffic, safety, and quality of life issues.
11. John Monroe, Gwen Smythe, Jay Martin-_ Perpetual organizers of the Sparkleberry Fair festival which draws over 30,000 people each year, and contributes scholarships to Richland Two Schools. All three are longtime NE residents and highly respected community activists.
12. Dave Cuculic, Tracy Barnes – Rose Creek neighborhood advocates who spent hundreds of hours negotiating with the Clemson Road Business Park team and the County, to get the best possible development next to their neighborhood.
13. Michael Koska- Business leader in NE who started petition to widen Hardscrabble Road. Later served on County Transportation Committee, attended meetings on improving Hardscrabble intersection at Summit Parkway with Rep.Bill Cotty, Senator Joel Lourie, SCDOT, and myself. Widening Hardscrabble will be among the projects listed on November referendum
14. Leroy Tyson, Ed Hogue: Candlewood Homeowners presidents who diligently reported violations of county ordinances in their area, and stayed on top of neighborhood issues. Participated in Neighborhood Master Plan for Candlewood/Greensprings community. Determined to get a traffic light at Harrington and North Springs.
15. Maxey Love, Paulette Kindler: Maxey, a resident of the NE, is chairman of the Richland County Conservation commission, and is dedicated to preserving the cultural and conservation legacy of Richland County. Paulette, a Master Gardener, serves on the Richland County Appearance Commission, who originated the Fort Jackson Gateway Project, promotes the “Appearance Counts” awards, and supports the conservation/beautification efforts of County government.
16. Lynn Roth – Recreation. Lynn is my appointee to Recreation Commission to advocate for more athletic fields and facilities in NE Richland County. Lynn entered a highly political and difficult job and has made great effort to speak up for the underserved Northeast recreation community. Lynn and I would like to recognize:
Ron Tryon, Trip Miller, Bill Spillane, and David Dawson for their contributions to NE soccer, baseball, softball, and football. Each has given hundreds of hours of service to the children of the Northeast.
17. Shawn Sorrell- first alerted me to the poor conditions at Critter Cabin, and advocated for a stronger County program to protect the treatment of stray animals. Led to City/County cooperation for housing of stray animals and better adoption and spay/neuter programs.
18. Lou Emmott, Johnny Mack - Advocates for Robin Hood Acres neighborhood, testing of wells for water quality, storm water problems, speeding issues, and play area for children.
19. Woodley’s Garden Center- Robin Klein, Rick Woodley- Unfailing support of Children’s Garden since 1994. In charge of Winnie the Pooh’s Garden, which brings joy to so many children in the NE.
20. Jay Warren- Wildewood Downs: Bright and energetic resident who participated in negotiations resulting in safer traffic operations in front of Polo Road Elementary School and at the intersection of Alpine and Polo Road. Trusted advisor on many important issues in the NE.
