Posted on Apr 28, 2010

In the April 28, 2010 issue of The Summerville Journal Scene, an article by Jenny Peterson covers the question of whether or not County Council should put before the voters on the November 2, 2010 ballot the question of Dorchester County having County Parks, Recreation Facilities, and Land and Water Protection. A Parks and Recreation Master Plan has just been completed by a consultant speciazing in this field with plan details to be given to citizens during public hearings before the vote on the issue is decided in November. I am in favor of asking our citizens to make the decision of having parks or not since the cost of the parks will be borne by the citizens with estimates of around $5 per year per property owner. This is democracy at its best to let the people decide whether or not they want County parks,open space land conservation amenities as well as water protection areas. Dorchester County has one parcel of 50 acres near Oakbrook and the Oakbrook Schools and another of 68 acres at Bacons Bridge/Bacons Bridge Road that have been given to the County for this purpose. I would like to see a partnership formed with the Summerville YMCA and the County to develop picnic facilities, restroom facilities, walking trails, canoe/kayac access and outdoor recreation fields. Management and maintenance of County Parks and Recreational facilities would be administered by the YMCA under contract with the County. Some Councilmen on County Council are evidently pushing for County Council to not even give our citizens the right to decide this issue. I am for asking our citizens to first take a look at the County Park plans which are public information and to then vote their approval of the County Park, Land and Water Protection Referendum question at the voting booth on November 2, 2010.