Street Hole Blocks Traffic To Florence Church
FLORENCE, S.C. – Problem Persists Since May
Parishioners at Pathway Pentecostal Temple Church (PAW) have been in a constant struggle with the city over a massive hole that’s blocking the main street leading to their church since early May. The hole, resulting from damaged infrastructure in front of the church on West Pine Street, has disrupted churchgoers and local residents alike.
Bishop Richard Gordon: “We’re at the mercy of the city”
Bishop Richard Gordon, the church leader, detailed the problems that they’ve faced, explaining how city-based crews occasionally come to inspect the area, but no steps have been taken to actually fix the problem. According to Gordon, “It needs to be corrected. I don’t feel good about it.”
The blocked road has forced the local community to alter their daily routines. This, coupled with the unbearable stench emitting from the sewage, has pushed residents like Larry Jackson to voice out their concerns, specifically on the neglect of infrastructure concerns. “We have infrastructure problems in Florence. With the drainage issues. With the water pressure issues with this issue. We have an open sewer in our community,” he expressed.
Ripple Effects: Decreased Attendance and Scrapped Plans
Deacon Henry Jones stressed that the blocked road has affected the church’s attendance. Many have mistaken the road closures as an indication that the church, too, has been shut. The logistical problem also poses a potential hazard to other community members.
Deacon Leverne Knox adds further gravity to the situation; the church is expecting to hold a major convention in October. However, due to this persisting problem, they may have to look for alternative locations, an inconvenience that both Knox and Gordon hope to date.
City Authorities Yet To Respond
While local authorities have been made aware of the issue, their responses and actions remain lacking. The city crews have showed up in the area but did not stay long, leaving the problem unsolved. According to Gordon, their patience is wearing thin, yet they remain hopeful that the situation will soon be resolved.
Conclusion
It is evident that the residents and parishioners at West Pine Street in Florence are facing increased distress due to the gaping hole in their street. Persistent pleading with the city authorities has not helped resolve the issue. The immediate neighborhood is disrupted, and the stench of sewage is growing unbearable. To add to it, the fact that the church’s activities and future plans are greatly affected adds urgency to this issue. There is a palpable need for immediate attention and action by the city authorities to rectify this persisting problem and relieve the local community from these burdens.
The city’s lack of responsiveness to the issue is causing immense frustration among the local community, and one can only hope that a solution is found soon, and further inconvenience is avoided.
