Mayor Charlene Herring gave each council member a copy of the letter, which came from Sen. Creighton Coleman’s office and was addressed to the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Laws pertaining to the state’s election process must be approved by the Justice Department because South Carolina is covered under the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
“Fairfield County has one of the highest unemployment rates and lowest high school graduation rates in the state of South Carolina. Our school district’s per pupil spending ranks among the highest in the state, yet its student achievement ranks 77th out of 85 districts,” states the letter. “We, along with the other governing bodies in our county, struggle to lower our unemployment rate. However, businesses and industries have found our workforce is simply unqualified for many 21st Century jobs. Furthermore, industries are unwilling to locate in an area that has a failing school system. “
The resolution concluded by stating that “we urge your support of these measures as a means of ensuring our students have the opportunities they need to become productive members of our community and thrive in the global society in which they must compete.”
Council member Rufus Jones was the first to speak out against the council supporting the resolution.
“We, as a council, do not need to get into this,” Jones said.
Signing the letter would imply that council members have spoken with their constitutes and that the majority of Ridgeway residents are in support of the two bills that passed both the House and Senate earlier this month, Jones explained
“We can’t speak for all the residents on this issue,” Jones said.
Council members Doug Porter, Donald Proleau and Herring all agreed with Jones that the council should not give its support because they had not received any input from the community on the two amendments.
Also during the meeting, the council bid a farewell to one of its own as council member Porter attended his last council meeting as an elected official.
“Doug we appreciate you, we appreciate your knowledge of water and utilities, but most of all we appreciate what a respectful man you are,” said Herring, as she presented Porter with a plaque recognizing his years of service to the Town of Ridgeway. Porter served from 2006-2010 and from 1998-2002.
Thursday night was councilman Robert Hartman’s last meeting also. He did not attend the meeting.
In other business:
The council voted to apply $490 towards having the floors redone in the downstairs banquet room of the Century House. The upstairs portion of the house is currently being renovated.
The council voted to hire Wade Investigation and Security out of Blythewood as the town’s night security.
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