Here are some interesting stories from the most recent edition of the Lexington Chronicle. This week’s articles cover topics in a wide variety of topics and municpalities in the area. Visit us to find all Lexington SC Real Estate and Homes.
West Columbia Mayor Says Taxpayers Got Deal With Beach Trip
West Columbia spent almost $16,000 on the August Municipal Association of South Carolina meeting. That averages $1,521.84 each for nine officials. Mayor Bobby Horton said MASC historically does a great job in planning programs to benefit municipal government leaders. Each West Columbia participant was reimbursed $75 a day. This ranged from $225 to $375 depending on how many days each attended. This covered food, parking and phone fees. MASC was paid $2,417 for programs and meetings for the eight officials. Mileage totaled $1,508.84 with each participant being reimbursed $167.66.
Irmo Voters to Decided Council Races and Sale of Alcohol on Sundays
Irmo will elect two Town Council members and vote on Sunday beer and wine sales at the polls Tuesday. If approved, convenience and grocery stores will be able to sell beer and wine for off-premised consumption on Sundays. Three candidates are vying for two seats on the five member council. Incumbents Hardy King and Bary Walker face challenger Sarah Watson. Walker has served on council since 2004. He said he wants growth and to continue providing services at little or no cost. Walker would like the town to adopt a smoking ban, increase police patrols in neighborhoods and hold more community events. King is seeking a second term on Irmo Town Council. A business owner, King would like to see a town center develop around Irmo Park and better code enforcement. Sarah Watson wants to see the town continue to grow in the right direction. To do that, she said Irmo needs to seek economic development and protect residents by controlling growth and preserving the town’s zero tax base.
County Invests $1 million in Pelion Airport Improvements
Lexington County has spent slightly over $1 million on improvements since it bought the Pelion airport. But only about $64,00 in county funds were used. The county is upgrading the small, rural airport it bought from the town of Pelion in 2004 so it can be used by larger planes and small jets. The county will discuss plans for the airport at a retreat next week. Johnny Jeffcoat, a member of the county’s airport commitee, had expressed concern about spending money on the rural airport. But, he learned earlier this month that most of the funds used for recent improvements have been state and federal dollars. The airport generates some money from fuel sales and hanger rentals. County leaders hope longer runways will attract more business, increasing traffic and revenues.
Dog Park Plan On Hold
Lexington town leaders have shelved proposed dog park plans. They are concerned about the cost and finding land. Other issues include staffing, liability and cost of fencing and equipping it. Currently, dogs are allowed in town parks as long as they are leasedand their owners clean up after them. Several dog parks already exist in the area. The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission operates a park at Saluda Shoals off Bush river Road. That park is closest to Lexington.
Riverbanks Zoo Seeks $40 Million Expansion
Riverbanks Zoo, located in Columbia SC is laying the groundwork for the largest expansion in its 35-year history. The $40 million plan calls for expanding the zoo entrance, replacing its most popular sea lion exhibit, adding Asian animal compound and constructing a children’s garden at the botanical gardens site. The expansion plan, if approved will increase taxes by $4 per year on a home assessed at $100,000. The zoo has not expanded its facilities since 1997. The enlarged entrance and children’s garden will cost about $4 million each and replacing the popular sea lion exhibit is expected to cost $10 million. Adding an Asian compound with oranguntans, leapords and kimodo dragons, will cost about $15 million.
