Disagreements over town procedures and communication dominated last week’s Town Council meeting in Ridgeway, despite Councilman Robert Hartman being granted most of his requests by Mayor Charlene Herring.
There was discussion regarding the state of the old, large trees that line the town streets, and the second reading of the budget passed.
With three of Ridgeway’s 120-year-old trees having fallen in the past two months, Mayor Charlene Herring insisted that an arborist from the SCDOT be allowed to advise the town on the health of the rest of the trees that line the town streets.
One of the trees that fell narrowly missed hitting a large historic home downtown on Hwy. 34, and several more residents have come forward and expressed concern about the trees that are in proximity to their own houses.
Councilman Robert Hartman has opposed all efforts to have trees removed or even examined, stating that so much of the charm of the small town is dependent on the shade and canopy of the trees.
He compared the tree situation in Ridgeway to Winnsboro, where he alleged that all of the trees in the mill village were cut down and contributed to an influx of drug trafficking in the area.
Councilman Rufus Jones was also initially unwilling to have the trees examined, but agreed to the motion with the stipulation that a second opinion be sought and that a replacement plan be followed for any area where trees are removed.
Councilman Hartman also voiced several concerns about Mayor Herring’s governance. He and Councilman Jones asked that they be given a chance to review the town’s monthly newsletter, which they feel is too positive, before publication.
Mayor Herring readily agreed, even granting that they could have editorial input, but maintained that a lot of good things are happening in Ridgeway, and that the newsletter states the facts, good as well as bad.
Hartman also commented on having to listen to committee reports at the Council meetings, that he felt the town clerk is overworked, and that the town’s Strategic Plan is being treated as law.
The Council passed a motion 3 - 1 to close Town offices on Wednesday in order to alleviate the clerk’s work schedule, and Mayor Herring agreed that the Strategic Plan is a set of goals, subject to change every year.
Efforts to balance the budget continue to be made, and several cuts were agreed upon at the second reading. Garbage pick-up service will no longer be provided by the Town starting in January 2009 and nighttime security will be reduced. The Mayor and Council have also agreed to forfeit their compensation for the remainder of 2008.
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