Dear Editor, There is a sign at a pond in a sub division in Dorchester Country. It says “Please Do Not Feed the Geese” The reason is simple – more geese come. Because we have welcomed more citizens in Dorchester County in the past, more and more continue to come. When is enough, enough? How much sprawl can we tolerate? Why do they come? There is more than one reason: location, location, location; sense of community, sense of belonging. Dorchester County offers these things that make a home a home, urban and rural. In addition, we are close to Charleston, places of higher learning, fine dining, museums, the waterways, most importantly for many, jobs. Because of our good fortune in Dorchester County we must plan where our growth will be and where it is needed. What repercussions occur when “more” come? Shortages in medical facilities, affordable housing, classrooms, support services, etc. arise. We see increases in traffic congestion, pollution, sprawl, taxes and impact fees. Around 1765, Summerville began as Pineland Village and was a part of Charleston, Berkeley and Colleton Counties. In 1897 Dorchester County was formed. In 1899 The World Congress of Medical Specialists in the field of respiratory disease gathered in Paris. The group known as the “Tuberculosis Congress” named Summerville as one of two best areas in the world for the treatment and recovery of lung disorders. Their findings were widely publicized and a golden era began for the lower part of Dorchester County. The golden era continues today. In fact, if it were not for the current recession, the constant noise of back hoes, bang of hammers, and shortage of all kinds of building supplies would be ever present, and growth would be extended further inland. We need Smart/Planned Growth now! During this economic slowdown, the Democratic Party urges all of us to “Make lemonade out of the lemons we have been given.” Let’s remedy together some of the growth problems we have. We the people elect government. Let our citizens, government, and developers work together in a partnership to resolve these issues and the outcome will be Smart/Planned Growth for all of us to enjoy.
Marty Turney Dorchester County Democratic Party (Clemson Precinct Ex. Com. Rep., Alt Dorchester County Ex. Com. Rep.) Bellerive Lane Summerville