Residents on Edge as Boundary Reestablishment Project Takes Center Stage in Florence, SC
Community Meeting Sparks Concern and Hope
Florence, SC – A public meeting hosted by the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office lit up the discussion at Florence Darlington Technical College’s SiMT building on Wednesday night. The focus? The highly anticipated Darlington-Florence County boundary reestablishment project. And with the stakes this high, it’s no surprise that residents came out in droves, anxious about the possible changes that could affect their homes and lives.
This project could potentially mean a whole new ball game for hundreds of locals, with some properties possibly being moved from one county to another. Talk about a shake-up! The South Carolina Geodetic Survey, or SCGS for short, plays a key role in this project by working tirelessly to pinpoint the legal county boundaries. Any discrepancies they find will be shared not just with county leaders but with the affected public too.
Legislative Solutions in the Works
Representative Jay Jordan, the State Representative for District 63, was on hand to offer a glimmer of hope to residents. “We intend to offer a legislative solution so that we can accomplish what I think folks here tonight want, and that is that if you’ve been in Darlington, you’re going to stay in Darlington and if you’ve been in Florence, you’re going to stay in Florence,” Jordan shared. He assured those attending that legislation will be introduced when the sessions resume in just a few weeks, aiming to “cure the concern here tonight” and provide residents with peace of mind.
Residents were understandably on edge, fearing their ties to their communities could be severed. The last thing anyone wants is a change in county affiliation disrupting their day-to-day lives!
A Peek Into History: Shifting Lines
In 2014, the SCGS was established as an effective way to settle boundary disputes, using cutting-edge technology and historical data to determine where county lines once lay. Over the years, the Darlington-Florence County line has seen some movement due to various factors. However, officials are keen to clarify that they don’t actually change boundaries; instead, they’re reconstructing what was already written in statutory law.
This important distinction is meant to encourage confidence among residents that this process is about clarity—not chaos.
Local Concerns Hit Home
Attendee Lisa Seely, a long-time resident of Darlington County, was one of many who walked away from the meeting feeling disturbed. She recently received a notice in the mail indicating that her property could be affected. “It just upsets me a lot because the schooling would have to change for the kids and you know we shouldn’t have to move to another county,” Seely expressed with palpable frustration.
Lisa isn’t alone in her worries. People like her are anxious about how such a change could impact their family dynamics, especially regarding school commutes. “Just to take my granddaughter to school would have been over fourteen miles and I only drive five now to take them to school, so it’s going to affect us big,” she added.
The Road Ahead: Treading Carefully
At the moment, community leaders have signaled that the process of redrawing the lines is currently on hold, waiting for the proposed legislation to make its way through the channels. As residents hold their breath, Jordan noted that this scenario is not new. In fact, back in 2019, Horry and Georgetown counties had a similar issue and needed to redraw their boundary lines.
For now, it’s a waiting game. Residents are hopeful that the upcoming legislation offers a resolution to their concerns, allowing them to remain comfortably in the counties they have always called home. One thing’s for sure: ABC15 will be there to keep everyone informed as this situation develops.
Stay tuned, Florence and Darlington residents; your voices have been heard, and change might just be on the horizon!
