I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed bringing in 2017 this past weekend. After recharging my batteries with some down time, I am excited to begin this New Year and continue our efforts to enhance the quality of life for our citizens as well as the business climate.
The Chapin Police Department had an early Christmas present this year. Chief Ziegler received an "Active Shooter" vest for our department from In-Vest USA, a non-profit formed in 1993 by South Carolina businessman Michael Letts when he learned that local law enforcement officers were not provided protective vests as a regular part of their personal equipment. This organization partnered with the Social Grille and Harley Davidson, using the proceeds from a charity motorcycle ride to purchase the vests. In-Vest also supplied vests to Lexington County, Town of Lexington, Richland County, and Columbia Police Departments. We offer a big THANK YOU to In-Vest USA!
Lexington County and SCDOT will be holding the long-awaited public hearing on Columbia Avenue (S-48) on Tuesday, January 17, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Our Lady of the Lake Church. There will be displays of the preferred recommended routes to alleviate traffic congestion in town as well as a formal presentation that will begin at 6:00 pm. I encourage residents and businesses to participate in the session as there will be an opportunity for public comment.
That same evening we will be holding public hearings, beginning at 5:45 pm on several proposed ordinances and zoning amendments related to stormwater enforcement, mobile food and retail vendors, unified development fee schedule and changes to the business license ordinance related to close-out of construction projects. Then upon conclusion of the public hearing, we will have our regularly scheduled meeting. Unfortunately, we had already advertised these public hearings prior to being notified about the date of the Columbia Avenue meeting. We asked for the DOT to reschedule, but they were unable to do so.