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Columns

  • Column: IL long-timer: County council has sold us out

    I am writing in reference to several letters that I have read over the past months concerning the proposed town of Indian Land.
    Just to give some background, my family is originally from Indian Land (150 or so years), and my parents moved down to Lancaster when I was a small child. My husband and I moved back to Indian Land 27 years ago so that our children could attend a small community school and we could build a home on the original family land. I have many fond memories of Lancaster and Indian Land.

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  • Sports Talk: Plenty of Palmetto pride in SC teams’ play

    Wow!

    What a start to 2018 by our state’s top college football teams.

    Both were in action New Year’s Day in big games, drawing the nation’s eyes.

    South Carolina put the finishing touches on a solid nine-win season with a stellar comeback win over stunned Michigan in the Outback Bowl.

    About four hours after the Gamecocks were crowing about their 26-19 upset of the Wolverines, Clemson, seeking its second straight national title and third overall, battled Alabama in a physical football game won by the Tide, 24-6.

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  • Column: Watch those tax deadlines

    While many of us are recovering from the holidays and looking forward to a busy 2018, it’s important that county homeowners remember the residential property tax deadline is coming soon. All residential property taxes are due in our office by Jan. 16.
    The late penalties can be costly, so please don’t be late.
    Those homeowners whose tax payments are postmarked after Jan. 16 will have a 3 percent penalty assessed. This penalty will rise to 10 percent after Feb. 1 and to 15 percent after March 16.

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  • Commentary: Graham: Trump must push Iran, Korea, but leave Mueller alone

    Editor’s note: With deadly protests roiling Iran, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., appeared on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” Sunday. President Trump tweeted that “the world is watching” Iran’s response, calling on the regime to “respect their people’s rights, including right to express themselves.” Here are excerpts of Graham’s interview with CBS correspondent Major Garrett.

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  • Column: It may be time to look in the mirror

    How did 2017 go for you? Was it a good year or a not-so-good year? Regardless of what happened, you can’t change 2017. The year is behind us and 2018 is ahead of us.
    What can you do to make 2018 a great year?
    Make a list of what you want to accomplish in the year ahead. Don’t make it so long that it’s overwhelming. Most people’s lists go on and on and then it becomes a daunting task.
    Here are some ideas for you.

    Focus on your health

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  • Column: Republicans leave money in wrong pockets

    About four months ago, I was invited to the Lancaster County Democratic Party meeting. Since retiring from the school system, I have tried to avoid meetings, but I really enjoyed meeting with this group. The focus of these meetings is how we can make our community a better place in which to live.

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  • Column: What will incorporation do for longtime IL residents, besides raise their taxes?

    In reading John Delfausse’s guest column in the Dec. 17 issue, I have several things that I don’t quite understand.
    He starts out by bashing Lancaster County Council on a number of issues, which I actually agree with. It’s true that poor planning has had an impact on where we are today. I doubt, however, there has ever been a council of any county or municipality that has received 100 percent support from its constituents.

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  • Column: Tax reform: A Christmas gift to the people

    My story is no secret. I grew up in a single-parent household in North Charleston. My mom worked 16-hour days as a nurse’s aide to provide for my brother and me. At times, we had to use the oven to heat the house. There were also times when we couldn’t afford Christmas presents.

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  • Column: VTIL: Much of town’s budget would be taxes we already pay

    A huge portion of our town’s budget will come from tax money we already pay today.
    Every time money is spent in Indian Land, customers are charged a Local Option Sales Tax. That money is distributed between Lancaster County and the cities of Lancaster, Heath Springs, Kershaw and Van Wyck.
    Today, we do not have a claim on our own tax dollars. However, that changes when we become a town.
    What is the Local Option Sales Tax?

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  • Column: Not ready for Christmas? Here’s the remedy

    It was just a throw-away question, a bit of small talk with a high school student at church two weeks ago. But when I asked whether she was ready for Christmas, she shocked me with her enthusiastic “yes.”
    “Wow,” I replied. “I’m really impressed.” She looked puzzled for a moment and then recognized the misunderstanding. “Oh, I haven’t done all my shopping and all that,” she said, explaining that she was ready for Christmas to be here.

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