Our View

Water is something we often take for granted. That’s easy to do because it appears we have plenty on our planet. The Earth is more than 70 percent water. But only about 1 to 3 percent of the Earth’s water is suitable for consumption.
When we experience droughts like those of the past decade, we realize just how valuable water is to our lives. We’ve become accustomed to water restrictions as drought stages progress. No watering lawns, washing cars or buildings.

County Council reorganized its farmers market commission this summer and now it’s supporting a plan to upgrade the market itself.
Officials say since the commission was reorganized, with mostly new members, the market itself has seen an increase in business. But the physical location across from the sheriff’s office on Pageland Highway, could use some renovations. Councilman Jack Estridge said at a recent council meeting that the market facilities have been neglected for years.

From the halls of Congress to the halls in small towns, the message is clear: No more taxes.  No one wants to pay more in taxes. But when there is a dire need and no way to pay for it, sometimes that is the only answer.
Such is the case in Indian Land. There is an effort under way to create an Indian Land Fire Protection District. The district would buy new equipment, station furnishings and fund new and existing firefighters.

A week ago, the ground moved.  Not literally, of course. But the Nov. 2 election was obviously a huge one for the Republican Party.
Nationwide, the GOP made impressive gains, most notably in the U.S. Congress, where Republicans gained control of the House and reduced the Democratic majority in the Senate.
Republicans also made impressive gains in state legislature races across the country – something that will give the party an edge when redistricting is done based on the 2010 Census numbers.