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Columns

  • Not the right time for cluster ordinance

    Lancaster County’s Planning Department presented an informative and glowing analysis on the proposed cluster ordinance to Lancaster County Council and the Planning Commission earlier this month.

    Cluster zoning is being sold to the residents of Lancaster County as a tool to help save our countryside green space, preserve wildlife habitats, offer space for communal recreation and limit clear-cutting.

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  • South Carolina should resist federal coercion on gun laws

    Despite its gun-friendly citizenry and reputation, South Carolina law doesn’t go out of its way to protect Second Amendment rights. Ours is one of only six states that impose an outright ban on all forms of handgun “open carry,” for example, and one of only three states that prohibit concealed weapons permit (CWP) holders from carrying weapons into restaurants that sell alcohol.

    Unfortunately, state law isn’t the only thing South Carolina gun owners need to be concerned about. Another is federal coercion.

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  • It’s time to kill cluster development proposal

    The Cluster Development Proposal (CDP) passed 5-1 at the Lancaster County Planning Commission meeting Thursday, Nov. 14, and will appear on the Lancaster County Council agenda at the Nov. 25 meeting (6:30 p.m. in the Lancaster County Administration Building).
    The dissenting vote was cast by Ken Faulkenberry, who made a very interesting proposal that illustrates exactly why this deeply flawed proposal should be defeated.

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  • Stained glass artist delivers new life to the Cultural Arts Center

    A lot of work has been going on at the Cultural Arts Center lately. Some is easily seen, like the new steps in the front of the historic church building, or the new, larger stage area.
    Other work is lower-key, like the masonry repairs, which are being done to blend seamlessly with the original brickwork and plaster.

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  • S.C. House Bill 3290 undermines Home Rule

    On March 7, 1973, the Home Rule Amendments to the S.C. Constitution became effective. With such passage, local government devolved from the Statehouse to county seats and town halls – thus, the primary functions of government became local again.
    No longer were counties solely and strictly limited to educational purposes; building and repairing public roads, buildings and bridges; maintaining and supporting prisoners; paying jurors, county officers and the costs of litigation, quarantines and courts; supporting paupers and paying past indebtedness.

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  • Councilman explains FILOTs

    What is a FILOT? The use of acronyms in government can be confusing for taxpayers. FILOT is one that you probably have seen on numerous occasions when reading Carolina Gateway and The Lancaster News.
    So just what is a FILOT?
    The term FILOT stands for fee in lieu of taxes.

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  • Tax info for newcomers to county

    Are you a new resident moving in the county? It’s important to make sure you have your tax information current with Lancaster County to avoid late payment penalties or tickets. If you’re one of our county’s newest neighbors, here are some things you need to know:

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  • Remembering Lt. Lucas, a big-hearted Vietnam vet

    First Lt. Gene Lucas, “Luke” as we called him, was an outstanding officer who cared deeply about the well-being of those within his command. He was the executive officer of an automatic weapons battery in Vietnam (1968-69), where I became a platoon leader.
    Lt. Lucas contacted me one day from Dong Tam and informed me I needed to go to battalion headquarters to complete some paperwork. He told me he would come by my platoon headquarters in Tan An, pick me up, and we would ride together to Long Binh, north of Saigon.

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  • S.C. needs leadership and accountability

    To the people of  S.C.,
    A lot can happen in a year. That’s a good thing since we have the potential to create a brighter future for South Carolina next year. But it’s much harder to swallow when we reflect on all the mistakes, problems and risks that have hurt our people just in the one year since the Department of Revenue (DOR) hacking scandal.

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  • Tribute to veterans salutes true heroes

    Respectful. Honorable. Dedicated. Heroes.
    These are a few words that describe our active military and our veterans. They are also the words that describe the group of individuals who presented the program, “A Tribute to our Veterans,” held on Nov. 1 at the University of South Carolina Lancaster Bundy Auditorium.

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