1. education
2. school

The New Survey
Page 2 • March 2010
VIEW FROM THE TOWER
The New Survey
Are we there, yet?
Editor - Becky Bailey
Published by
The Eau Claire Community Council
www.eauclairecommunity.org
Mail Submissions and Requests for Advertising to:
The New Survey
830 Wildwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29203
Voice: 454-0088, 691-1168 FAX: 691-1187
E-mail: [email protected]
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What parent hasn’t heart this mournful refrain from kids in the back seat anxious to
see grandma or Thunder Road? And, who hasn’t brought along myriads of distractions
from Xboxes to iPods in hopes of keeping the complaints down to a low roar during the
two-hour road trip?
It’s kind of like the 2010 Columbia municipal elections; and the complaints are
growing while the kids are tiring of the trip. Like the old “making sausage” analogy that
often gets repeated when democracy gets messy, this election has become a “no holds
barred” contest to replace a twenty-plus year political machine that has enjoyed both
success and failure, prestige and disappointment.
It would be enough to rearrange Columbia’s governing board were it only a contest
to replace the city’s longest-serving mayor. But add to the equation the entry of
Kirkman Finlay, the current council’s budget chair and self-anointed “financial geek,”
the vacated seat he leaves behind (win or lose), and the unexpected vacancy created
with the forced resignation of long-time District 2 representative E. W. Cromartie II, and
you’ve got yourself a major paradigm shift.
It’s messy, like those cheese fries you bought to keep the kids quite a little while
longer. But, gratefully, the journey’s almost over. What happens on April 6 will turn the
corner on our little burg for decades to come. We’re not there yet. But we’re well on our
way. This is one vote you don’t want to miss.
Letters to the Editor
Something on your mind?
Drop us a line...
IN THIS ISSUE
Election 2010
The latest information on the April 6 municipal elections begins on Page 4.
Celebrating Women’s History
The legacy of the Monteith women endures in North Columbia with the dedication of the Booker T. Washington-Monteith Cultural Center this month. Page 5
Living in North Columbia
There’s no place like home for one North Columbia resident who found her
dream home just around the corner. Page 8.
Tax Time!
Besides elections in April, it’s that time of year we all have to sharpen our
pencils and fill out that pesky 1040. For some last minute tips, visit Page 11.
Regular Features
Eau Claire Community Council News
Matters of Faith
Government Calendar
Community Calendar
Becky Bailey, Editor
Page
Page
Page
Page
7
10
12
14
On the Cover
North Main Street business owner Chris Barczak (In the House Realty) planted an “equal opportunity” garden for this spring’s election crop. WIth voting
less than a month away, we know there’ll be more sunny days, and probably
a little rain, before the harvest is in. Do your part! Get out there are VOTE!
Development Corporation has history
of service to children
The Eau Claire Cooperative Health
Center (the Cooperative) is nearing
completion of construction on a new
Sterling Sharpe Pediatric Center on
Monticello Road, with a grand opening
scheduled for April
This effort is, in no small part, a
product of the Eau Claire Development
Corporation’s efforts and advocacy for
neighborhood-based primary health
care in Eau Claire.
In 1994, the Eau Claire
Development Corporation (ECDC) presented a challenge grant of $175,000 for
the construction of a new pediatric clinic
to serve low-income families. The nonprofit Cooperative was able to raise the
necessary funding match, largely through
the generous contribution of Mr.
Sterling Sharpe, a National Football
League star player, and the center
bearing his name was built.
Since that time, the Sterling Sharpe
Pediatric Center at 4605 Monticello
Road in Eau Claire, has served as the
medical home to more than 22,000
children, of whom 90% live within 100%
or less of the federal poverty level. It
has served the community well, providing access to affordable quality care.
Without the support of the ECDC, its
board and directors, there would be no
sixteen year history of service to children
without regard to family income
or ability to pay.
Stuart A. Hamilton, MD
Director
Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center
Reader questions questions
So, let me get this straight.
Two City department heads possibly
defrauded taxpayers and no one is talking about firing either of them.
North Columbia is the wrath of
every taxpayer for possibly receiving
$9.5 million from a TIF while $50 million may be spent on a water park
in the Vista.
Mr. Finlay and Mr. Rickenmann
voted “no” on the TIF, so obviously they
do not want or need any votes in North
Columbia.
And now, someone (who?) is taking
aim at the Eau Claire Development
Corporation without talking to any of the
neighborhood leaders or presidents to
explain why?
I feel like I am reading a Mario
Puzo novel.
Rhett Anders, President
Windemere Springs Neighborhood
Send your letters to
Editor: 830 Wildwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29203 or
[email protected]
OPINION
The New Survey
March 2010 • Page 3
Eau Claire Development Corporation has earned its stripes
Becky Bailey, Editor
Not only does the Eau Claire
Development Corporation deserve
the support of the City of Columbia,
the ECDC has more than earned its
stripes as a partner in development
in North Columbia, a catalyst to
eliminate blight, and a guiding force
in creating a thriving community
north of Elmwood.
I am so disheartened to hear
anyone say that the ECDC has not
done its job. Indeed, our development corporation is to be commended and thanked for cleaning up
dilapidated apartments once the
home of drugs and prostitution and
turned an area into a thriving industrial park: Bobcat, American
Scaffolding, Cat Rentals, Honda of
Columbia and Dr. Louis Lynn's commercial landscaping company, to
name a few, are all in business on
Buckner Road, paying taxes and
employing many people, thanks to
the efforts of the ECDC.
I am pained when selective
memory ignores the pitiful condition
of Randall Street (often referred to
simply as Randall “Ditch” because
the homes along the open sewer and
drainage ditch were rotting from
within creating an environmental
hazard and an unfit place for anybody to live. It was the ECDC and
Councilman Sam Davis that fostered
the idea and engineered resources to
pipe the ditch and prepare the area
to build new houses. As a result this
Belmont neighborhood is breathing
new life. Soon after, Loretta Thomas
opened her “Hair Boutique” just
around the corner, and neighbors and
elected officials joined the community to “clean up” a back alley of
trash and rid it of unwanted visitors.
When I first moved back to Eau
Claire in 1993, there was no Bi-Lo,
no Eau Claire Print Building or
Town Hall, no Moss Center at Hyatt
Park, no Sterling Sharp Pediatric
Center. In fact the place was pretty
desolate. Then I met Mike Manis
and Henry Hopkins and realized I
had arrived on the crest of a wave.
To imply, that the ECDC has
mishandled, mismanaged or otherwise squandered public money, is
hard-pressed toward reality. I have
written many stories about the
ECDC from the rainy February day
in 2003 when Mike Manis sloshed
through the mud with the rest of us
by the ECDC to the Columbia
the ECDC has been among the best
as we moved the old Monteith
Empowerment Zone, Inc. (CEZ) in
investments the city has made in
School up Main Street to its new
2008, if there is any debt “forgiveredeveloping North Columbia.
home. It was the ECDC that
ness,” it should, at best, be shared
The ECDC Board is communityarranged for engineers, movers and
with the CEZ which promised to
driven. From the early days of the
contractors to shore up the building
market the development and “fill it
late Angelo Tsantis who opened his
to protect it from certain destruction.
with tenants.”
first Zesto on North Main Street in
On March 24 of this year, the
The ECDC has been the catalyst
the heart of Eau Claire, to Joe Edens
Booker T. Washington-Monteith
for growth in North Columbia. The
and Jimmy Derrick who grew up in
Cultural Center will be dedicated, a
financial breakdown of ECDC projthis community, to today’s leaders
City of Columbia historic marker
ects doesn’t begin to tell the whole
like Rev. Dozier and Rhett Anders
erected, and Dr. Henri Monteith
story, though. Other projects have
and Caroline Whitson and Donald
Tredwell, granddaughter of the
been spawned with private developGist, the ECDC board is active and
Monteith School’s namesake, will
ers—Willowbrook in Hyatt Parkhands-on and has always been
speak to the role of black women in
Keenan Terrace, Woodbridge off
focused on best development praceducation. We’re all tremendously
Duke Avenue, numerous infill homes
tices for North Columbia.
grateful that the ECDC was a part of
built by companies like CelticWorks
And, finally...I have to give
it all.
credit to Mike Manis—a one-man
I also
lightening rod. Tireless and dedicatThe North Main Plaza is a beautiwrote about the
ed, Mike knows Real Estate. He
ful piece of retail architecture that will
restoration of
knows how to cobble together projthe Print
ects and people to benefit this comprosper in time. Pointing to this develBuilding and
munity. He is as passionate about the
opment as a “disaster” is nonsense and
Town Hall. I
quality of life in North Columbia as
akin to throwing the baby out with the
remember
anybody. He is present. He attends
crawling
as many community events as anybathwater .
through a
one connected with North Columbia.
boarded door
He and the ECDC are as much a part
with Fran Potter back in 1997 to
and Brian South to name a couple.
of Eau Claire and North Columbia as
gaze in dismay at a dirt floor under
Private investment in this comour neighborhoods, our churches,
our now, beautiful, Print Building.
munity by folks like Henry Bracey
our schools and our businesses. Call
Who was there? The ECDC.
and Wiley Cooper and Rhett Anders
him up; he always has time for you.
This issue of The New Survey
would not have happened without
As the streetscaping comes closincludes a story about Burton
the spark provided by the ECDC.
er to OUR city center, and the new
Heights II, the ECDC’s latest initiaEvery day, I pass through the
TIF and Master Plan promise opportive involving several builders and
Ridgewood Community, still a
tunity, we are depending on the presdevelopers who have created a new
Richland County Neighborhood, but
ence of the ECDC more than ever.
subdivision on Farrow Road which,
one that has enjoyed the stimulus
It’s a very small investment on
of course, will add significantly to
provided by the ECDC. When
behalf of the city. One that I know
the tax base in that area and provide
Richland County chose Ridgewood
will continue to reap handsome
homeownership opportunities for
as its growth project back in 2004, it
rewards for our community for a
families, singles and empty nesters.
was a direct result of the vision seen
long time to come.
Next month you’ll read about the
in Eau Claire and North Columbia.
I commend Columbia City Council
“new” Sterling Sharp Pediatric
Financial difficulties faced by
and Assistant City Manager Allison
Center currently under construction
the city in the past year or the past
Baker for their courage to let the political
on Monticello Road—a project that
17, have not been the result of
winds blow and place their support
was jump-started by a simple chalinvesting in the ECDC. Quite the
squarely behind the Eau Claire
lenge grant from the ECDC of
contrary. Politics aside, support of
Development Corporation.
$175,000 in 1994. To date, that
facility has served as the medical
home to more than 22,000 children,
Now Serving Sunday Dinner of whom 90% live within 100% or
less of the federal poverty level. The
11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
12,000 square-foot facility has a
Only
price tag of $1.6 million.
The ECDC has only produced
BBQ Chicken - Fried Chicken - Smothered Pork Chops
winners. The North Main Plaza is a
Yams - Yellow Rice - Mac and Cheese - String Beans
beautiful piece of retail architecture
Cabbage - and Much, Much More!
that will prosper in time. Pointing to
this development as a “disaster” is
Dine in or Take Out - 803-929-0980
nonsense and akin to throwing the
3800 A. North Main Street
baby out with the bath water. Sold
“
”
$11.99
The New Survey
Page 4 • March 2010
Richland County
Democrats elect new
leadership
The Richland County Democratic
Party hosted its biannual convention on
March 6 at the Dreher High School
Auditorium. Offering an opportunity for
citizens all across Columbia to hear from
both state-wide and local Democratic
candidates, the convention elect new
leadership to take the county's
Democratic Party into the next couple of
years.
New party officers are: Chair, Boyd
Summers; First Vice Chair, Saundra
Carr; Second Vice Chair, Adell Adams;
Third Vice Chair, Sam Johnson;
Executive Committee Man, Frank
Caggiano; Executive Committee Woman,
Audrey Snead; Alternate Executive
Committee Man, Wil Brown; and
Alternate Executive Committee Woman,
Carol Dodson
Keynote speaker at the event was
Rep. Anton Gunn (D-Richland &
Kershaw Cos.), He is a bright spot in the
Upcoming Mayoral & City Council Candidate Forums
Monday 15 March, 6:30 P.M.
Bradley Community
Peterson Hall in Covenant
Presbyterian Church
3100 Covenant Road
North Columbia resident Dyann White (center) introduces her daughter, Krystin, to former national Democratic Party chair Don
Fowler at the 2010 Richland County
Democratic Party Convention in March.
General Assembly and has been a key
leader in the Richland County community.
For more information visit
www.RichlandCountyDems.com.
Story submitted by
Richland County Democratic Party
South Carolina student activists from 1960s, 1970s
join historians for conference March 19 - 21 at USC
Some of South Carolina’s student
activists from the 1960s and 1970s will
join historians March 19 - 21 at the
University of South Carolina for a public
conference on the impact of student
activism in the South.
Titled “Student Activism, Southern
Style: Organizing and Protest in the
1960s and 1970s,” the conference will
focus on student protests over the
Vietnam War, civil rights and women’s
rights movement that took place at colleges throughout the South. Dr. David
Snyder, a lecturer of history at the university, organized the conference.
Events will take place in the Russell
House University Union and some will
be in Gambrell Hall. Most of the panel
discussions and lectures are free, and the
complete schedule is on line at
www.cas.sc.edu/hist/sass/.
Two panels featuring former student
activists will take place Friday, March
19. Brett Bursey, Vicki Eslinger and Bob
Zellner will discuss why and how they
became involved in protest movements.
A second panel will focus on the
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
(VVAW) in the South and will feature
Scott Camil, Peter Mahony and Donald
Donner. That night, writer Jack Bass will
screen and discuss the film, “Scarred
Justice,” which details the 1968
Orangeburg Massacre.
Nine panel discussions will take
place throughout the day Saturday,
March 20. Topics will include examples
of activism on college campuses in the
South, efforts to repress student activism,
civil rights activism in high schools, sexual liberation on college campuses, conservative activism at colleges, the role of
campus media and the sit-in movement
at Southern colleges.
Political activist Tom Hayden, an
organizer of Students for a Democratic
Society (SDS), will participate in a twohour panel Saturday night on the topic,
“Situating the South in the History of
Student Activism.”
Sunday will begin with a panel on
the teaching of Southern student activism
featuring Dr. Cleveland Sellers, president
of Voorhees College, and USC’s John
Gardner. Additional panels will focus on
desegregation and the Black Power
movement and detail examples of counterculture and activism at colleges.
The final panel discussion will feature three Carolina undergraduates discussing student activism today. Awardwinning historian and USC professor
emeritus Dr. Dan Carter will moderate.
For more information, contact
0Snyder at 777-6394 or via e-mail at
[email protected].
Tuesday 16 March, 7:00 P.M.
Central Carolina Community
Foundation, Midlands Interfaith
Homeless Action Council and United
Way Mayoral Forum on
Homelessness
Richland County Public Library
Assembly Street
Wednesday 17 March, 5:30 P.M.
USC Law School - Top Four Mayoral
Candidates Invited
Thursday 18 March, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Asbury Memorial United Methodist
Church
1005 Asbury Drive (off Leesburg
Road)
Sunday 21 March, 2:00 - 4:00 P.M.
Southside Mayoral Forum
Rosewood Elementary School
3300 Rosewood Drive
Monday 22 March, 12:00 NOON
Christ Central Community
Development Center
2401 Main Street (Corner Main & Price)
Monday 22 March, 6:00 P.M.
Free Times/COR Mayoral Forum Top Five Candidates Invited
701 Whaley Street
Tuesday 23 March, 7:00 - 8:30 P.M.
South Side Neighborhoods Mayoral Forum
Wesley Memorial UMC
2501 Heyward Street
Moderator: John Temple Ligon,
Columbia Star
Thursday 25 March, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M.
Columbia Council of Neighborhoods
Mayoral forum
Moderated by Judi Gatson, WISTV
EC Print Building
Tuesday 30 March, 5:30 P.M.
Mayoral Forum Cecil Tillis Center
2111 Simpkins Lane
Behind Drew Wellness Center
Thursday 1 April, 7:00 P.M.
Live broadcast, WISTV Channel 10,
3 on TWC cable, 803 of TWC HD
VOTE - APRIL 6
Polling Place Changes
The Richland County Election Commission has provided updated information on
polling places for the April 6 Mayoral election. Some polling places have temporarily
been moved. Check the list below to confirm where you will be voting.
North Columbia Polling Places
Ardincaple
College Place
Fairwold
Greenview
Meadowlake
Ridgewood
Ward 3
Ward 4
Ward 19
Ward 20
Ward 21
Ward 22
Ward 29
Ward 31
Reformation Lutheran Church, 1118 Union Street
John P. Thomas Elementary, 6001 Weston Avenue
Pendergrass-Fairwold Elementary, 5935 Token Street
Greenview Park, 6700 David Street
Pendergrass-Fairwold Elementary, 5935 Token Street
Eau Claire High School, 4800 Monticello Rd.
Reformation Lutheran Church, 1118 Union Street
Park Street Baptist Church, 2204 Park Street
Latimer Manor Community Center, 100 Lorick Circle
Earlewood Park Community Center, 111 Parkside Drive
Arden Elementary, 1300 Ashley Street
Eau Claire High School, 4800 Monticello Road
Alcorn Middle School, 5125 Fairfield Road
Hyatt Park Elementary, 4200 Main Street
The New Survey
March 2010 • Page 5
CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY
Monteith School to receive historic
marker
The Booker T. Washington High
School Foundation, Historic Columbia,
and the Eau Claire Community Council
will unveil an historic marker for the former Monteith School (c.1880-1947) at
6808 N. Main Street on March 24, 2010.
The ceremony will be held from 10:00 –
10:30 A.M., followed by information
tours and refreshments until 11:30 A.M.
The unveiling of the historic marker will
commemorate one of the oldest black
public schools in Columbia.
The Monteith school has connections to three generations of AfricanAmerican women pioneers in the areas
of education, health care reform, and
community activism. Rachael Monteith
—for whom the school was named in
1932—taught at the School for 28 years,
and served as its principal from 1936 to
1942. She was the mother of prominent
civil rights activist, Modjeska Monteith
Simkins, and another daughter, R.
Rebecca Monteith. Rebecca Monteith
also taught six years at the school, and
served as the school’s principal from
1942-1947. In 1944, she filed suit for
equal salaries for black teachers in
Columbia, and was represented by
Attorney Thurgood Marshall.
Special guests on hand for the
unveiling ceremony will include former
Monteith School students and Dr. Henri
Monteith Treadwell, daughter of Rebecca
Monteith. In 1963, Treadwell became
one of the first three African American
students to attend the University of South
Carolina since Reconstruction. Treadwell
currently serves as director of
Community Voices: Healthcare for the
Underserved at Morehouse School of
Medicine, in Atlanta.
The Booker T. Washington High
School Foundation purchased the school
in 2003, and major renovation of the
facility was completed in 2008. The
Foundation has plans to locate its headquarters at the school, and to establish
the Booker T. Washington–Monteith
Cultural Center as a learning center in
the fall of 2010.
Partners in the restoration and
preservation effort include the Eau Claire
Community Council, The City of
Columbia, The Eau Claire Development
Corporation, Richland County
Conservation Commission, Historic
Columbia, Richland School District One,
the South Carolina State Museum and
several faculty from the University of
South Carolina. The Richland County
Conservation Commission has also designated the site as a Richland County
Landmark.
Reservations are requested for the
ceremony. Please call Historic Columbia
at 252-7742, ext. 29 or e-mail reservations@historiccolumbia.
Above: A restored classroom in the former
Monteith School, ca.
1880-1947). Below, the
renovated Monteith
School at Christmastime.
The school, owned by the
Booker T. Washington
Foundation, will be dedicated and an historic market placed on March 24.
Submitted by the Booker T. Washington
High School Foundation
Correction
Dr. Jasper Salmon participated in the parade and other events at the Career and
Technology Education program at Eau Claire High School in February. Also, we were
informed by CATE Department Chairperson Adrena Jackson, that the FBLA is an
organization, not a club. We apologize for the errors and thank Ms. Jackson for the
corrections.
The New Survey
Page 6 • March 2010
Eau Claire/North Columbia
Neighborhood Associations
Ardincaple
Willie Harriford, 252-0209
Quarterly, St. Mark UMC
Belmont Community Group
Sam Pringle, 754-5978
3rd Monday, New Jerusalem
Interdenom., 1003 Colleton
Booker Washington Heights
Katheryn Bellfield, 765-9347
2nd Thursday, 7:00 P.M.
Bellfield Cultural Arts Center
Broad River Heights
Jordan D. Smith, 786-1249
1st Tuesday, 7:00 P.M.
Clement Road Church of God
Burton Heights/Standish Acres
Neighborhood
Edna Harrison, 754-5444
2nd Tuesday, 12:00 NOON
Eau Claire Community
Council, 830 Wildwood Ave.
Byrneswood Community
Robert Seawright, 252-5166
2nd Tuesday, 7:00 P.M.
Eau Claire Print Building
CABB Island
Cindy Rhoades, 691-4685
Regular meeting times and places are listed below. For meeting dates of non-regularly
meeting groups, please call the contact person listed. If you are not sure which neighborhood association you belong to, contact the Eau Claire Community Council at 691-1168.
Colonial Park
Willie Mae Belton, 786-6268
3rd Tuesday, 7:00 P.M.
ECCC, 830 Wildwood Ave.
Forest Heights
Lois Culler, 754-6191
2nd Monday, 6:00 P.M.
Haskell Heights Baptist Church
Colonial West
Johnnie Mae Wheeler
754-4430
3rd Monday, 6:00 P.M.
Gable Oaks Tenants Association
Mary Myers, 661-9161
Gable Oaks Apartments
Concerned Citizens Club
of Farrow Terrace
Paul Wade, 754-0540
1st Thursday, 6:00 P.M.
Greenview Park
Denny Terrace
Lawrie Sikkema, 691-0410
3rd Tuesday, 7:00 P.M.
Denny Terrace
Community Center
Earlewood Community Citizen's
Organization
Fred Monk, 765-0264
3rd Thursday, 6:00 P.M.
Reformation Lutheran Church
Elmwood Park
Peter Korper, 727-3486
1st Monday, 7:00 P.M.
Logan Elementary School
Ensor Forest Senior Complex
Debra Finch, Mgr., 765-9515
Meets with Seminary Ridge
College Place Community
Dawn Stoner, 691-4319
3rd Thursday, 7:00 P.M.
College Place UMC
Colonial Heights
Bruce Sanders, 252-5266
3rd Tuesday, 7:30 P.M.
Family Worship Center
3600 Colonial Drive
Fairwold Acres/Harlem Heights
Sharon Caughman, 786-9832
2nd Tuesday, 6:00 P.M.
Farrow Hills Improvement
Jorie Steadman, 754-2433
1st Thursday, 7:00 P.M.
Golden Acres
Ms. Boyd, 754-5247
3rd Monday, 7:00 P.M.
Volume One Beauty Salon
Jones Street
Highland Park
Mazetta Alston, 786-1086
Bi-monthly, 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 P.M.
Gills Creek Baptist Church
Hyatt Park Neighborhood
Gail Baker, 929-3005
1st Tuesday, 7:00 P.M.
Eau Claire Print Building
Lincoln Park Community Club
Dyann White
254-7254
2nd Friday, 7:00 P.M.
ECCC Council House
Prescott Terrace
Maude Christopher, 754-2347
Quarterly
Ridgewood/Barony Neighborhood
Mildred Johnson
786-0450
3rd Thursday, 7:00 P.M.
Holloway House
Riverview Terrace
Keith Staton, 933-0933
Ryan Community
Dr. Martha Brown, 740-1944
1st Thursday, 6:30 P.M.
4311 Ryan Avenue
Seminary Ridge
Dr. Julius Carroll, 461-3216
2nd Tuesday 7:00 P.M.
Ascension Lutheran Church
Starks Terrace
Hubert Williams, 754-6223
2nd Monday, 7:30 P.M.
Dennis Chapel Church
Willowbrook
Marlene Neal, 254-1429
North 21 Terrace
Bernard Burns, 760-6405
Bi-monthly, 1st Wednesday,
6:00 P.M., Belmont Baptist Ch.
Windemere Springs
Rhett Anders, 238-5684
1st Monday, 6:30 P.M.
Locations TBA
North Columbia Civic Club
Adell Adams, 754-0726
2nd Monday, 7:00 P.M.
Greenview Baptist
Church
Columbia Council of Neighborhoods
Tige Watts. 776-2667
4th Thursday, 5:30 P.M.
Eau Claire Print Bldg.
www.columbianeighborhoods.org
Northwood Hills
Christie Savage, 786-1562
1st Monday,7:00 P.M.
Alcorn Middle School
Visit ECCC online at
www.eauclairecommunity.org
Notice to Neighborhood Presidents: Please contact The New Survey at 454-0088 for corrections.
The New Survey
March 2010 • Page 7
Eau Claire Community Council News
ECCC elects new leadership at
Annual Meeting
The Eau Claire Community Council
elected new officers to lead the organization at its Annual Meeting on February
23. They are:
President, Phyllis Coleman. Former
president of Windemere Springs
Neighborhood Association, Coleman is
president of the Greater Columbia
Chapter, Black Data Processing
Association and is employed by
BlueCross BlueShield of South
Carolina.
President Elect, Reggie McKnight.
McKnight is a resident of College
Place and currently completing coursework for his Masters in Education at
Cambridge College in Augusta.
Returning Secretary is Becky
Bailey, a resident of Denny Terrace and
former neighborhood president and cur- Clockwise from top: Phyllis Coleman, Reggie
rent committee member. She is director McKnight, Dyann White and Becky BAiely
of the annual Ribs & Renaissance Arts
president and is an active member of the
& Community Festival and editor of The
Columbia Council of Neighborhoods and
New Survey.
the ECCC. She is Administrative Support
Also returning as Treasurer is
Manager for Cardiac Diagnostics,
Lincoln Park resident Dyann White.
Palmetto Health Heart Center.
Dyann has served as her neighborhood
Candidate forum draws capacity crowd
Jobs program hosted by ECCC
The Eau Claire Community
Council has joined forces with
Midlands Technical College and the
Midlands Workforce Development
Board to provide jobs training
opportunities for area residents.
On March 24, from 4:00 - 6:00
P.M. , at Grace Christian Church,
5010 Monticello Road, the coalition
will host an informational meeting
for job seekers wishing to start a
new career or move up to a better
one.
ECCC Executive Director Henry
Hopkins said the program will help
re-train workers for better paying
jobs adding, “We are happy to bring
this jobs program to North
Columbia.”
The Midlands Tech program,
Quick Jobs, provides training for
workers in a variety of trades at its
local campuses. In the North
Columbia program, workers will be
able to attend classes in more convenient locations in Eau Claire
where in as little as four weeks, they
can be retrained for a new career.
Programs offered in North
Columbia include truck driving,
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA),
welding, office administration and
cake decorating. Program lengths are
from four to eight weeks.
Tuition assistance is available
for most participants.
For more information visit
www.mtctraining.com/quickjobs or
call 691-1168.
ECCC meeting dates for 2010
Quarterly Meetings:
Quarterly meetings are open to all
neighborhood residents and are a forum
to discuss community issues. If you
would like to be placed on the agenda,
please call 691-1168.
Quarterly meetings for 2010
May 25
August 24
November 23
All meetings are held at 6:30 P.M. at the
Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor
Avenue, unless otherwise noted.
Executive Council Meetings
The Executive Council is made up
of neighborhood presidents and officers
of the Eau Claire Community Council.
The monthly meetings are held on the
3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:309:00 P.M. at the Eau Claire Community
Council, 830 Wildwood Avenue unless
otherwise noted.
Upcoming EC meeting dates
for 2010:
March 16
April 20
May 18
Eau Claire Community Council Contacts
Henry Hopkins Executive Director
Phyllis Coleman President
Reggie McKnight President-Elect
Becky Bailey Secretary
Dyann White Treasurer
Residents from throughout the city filled the Eau Claire Print Building
on February 23 when candidates hoping to be Columbia’s next Mayor
were quizzed on their positions regarding development, crime and
homelessness. Candidate Sparkle Clark addresses the group as (l-r)
moderator Don Frierson, candidates Joseph Azar, Steve Morrison and
Irwin Wilson look on.
691-1168
414-2461
708-2505
454-0088
252-7254
434-6742
Contact ECCC via e-mail at [email protected]
www.eauclairecommunity.org
The New Survey
Page 8 • March 2010
Home
There’s no place like
North Columbia community welcomes
home buyers back to the city
S
tarting over isn’t easy for anybody.
But for one North Columbia resident, a new start in a new home
was a matter of necessity.
Yolanda Bell didn’t expect to be
house-shopping last year. In fact, she had
invested time and resources to remodel
her Seminary Ridge home when, almost
without warning, she found herself single
again.
“I had no choice,” Bell said of her
months-long search with the assistance
of Rana Davis, a Realtor with Russell
and Jeffcoat. “We must have looked at
20 houses.”
“More like 30,” Davis laughed as
the two talked about their quest and their
growing friendship.
Though Bell wanted to stay in North
Columbia, Davis showed her homes
throughout the Midlands area. “I liked
the new homes on Randall Street,” Bell
said, “but they didn’t have a garage.”
It seems the garage for her car, and
the security it would provide her, was a
sticking point in the choice of the perfect
home.
Meanwhile, Davis, a member of the
Realtor team selected by the Eau Claire
Development Corporation for their new
housing initiative on Farrow Road, knew
Bell would like the homes at Burton
Heights II. The cozy subdivision of 26
new home sites is located on the grounds
of the former Burton-Heights Elementary
School.
The ECDC began construction of the
project in 2004 with a HUD Economic
Development Initiative (EDI) grant of
$99,000 and a commercial loan from
SCBT.
One of the many development initiatives fostered by the ECDC, Burton
Heights II is unique in that several
builders have contributed to the project.
The first two single-family homes
were erected by Rogers Construction and
were priced in the $150,000 range. Both
homes sold early on in the project as did
the $130,000 homes built by Spirit
Construction and J.K. Smith Builders.
In the spring of 2009, ECDC advertised for joint venture proposals to begin
construction on the remaining 22 homes.
A HUD H.O.M.E. program loan through
the City of Columbia’s Community
Development office provided over $1.5
million to allow construction of 12 of the
new homes. Rex Thompson Builders,
Inc., was selected as partner in the project and committed to building the other
10 homes.
Note: The HUD H.O.M.E. program
is the largest Federal block grant to state
and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for
low-income households.
Five different home plans are now
available to buyers. The homes range in
size from 1275 square feet to 1829
square feet and two plans feature twostory designs. All the homes are brick
with upgraded lighting and appliance
packages and include attached garages.
“I love my garage,” Bell gushes.
“When I talk with my mom, she feels
better that I have that added security.”
To date sixteen of the homes have
been completed and seven have been
sold, including Bell’s which closed in
September of last year.
“The house is still under warranty,”
she said, which means any problems will
be attended to by the builder for up to 10
years on the structure and two years on
things like plumbing and heating and air
conditioning.
The new homes are energy efficient
as well. Bell
says the monthly power bill in
her 1154 square
foot home
averages
$76.00. The
heat pump, she
says, keeps her
home a comfortable 66-73
degrees.
“It’s just a
perfect fit for
me,” says Bell
who enjoys the
serenity of the
community.
“Every day
I walk around
the cul de sac
and onto
Farrow Road
and through the
cemetery,” she
said. Her mother, Bell confessed, bristles at the idea of
a cemetery next door.
“I can’t think of any quieter neighbors!” she quips.
Financing Assistance Available
through City of Columbia
Housing and Loan Administration
In 2001 the City of Columbia Housing and Loan Administration
Division launched the CityLiving Housing Initiative to promote owneroccupied homeownership in the City of Columbia. The program offers
a variety of loan options, some for as little $500 to $1000 down. For
more information, call Megan Odom. 545-3373.
The New Survey
March 2010 • Page 9
Burton Heights II Standard Features
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6-panel interior doors
Raised panel cabinets
Disposal
Plumbing for ice-maker hook-up
2 Phone jacks
2 TV cable jacks
Garage door opener
Cathedral ceiling per plan
Cultured marble counter tops in
bathrooms
• 10 pallets of sod
• Foundation shrubbery
• Flood light package
• Brushed nickel or brass fixtures
• Exterior electrical outlets in front and
rear
• 2 hose bibs
• Tankless hot water heater
• Single cylinder dead bolts on outside
doors
• 13 SEER heating and air units
Photos: Opposite, top left is a view of several homes in Burton Heights II; below
center, Yolanda Bell enjoys her cozy living room; Top right: The entrance to
Burton Heights II; above: Yolanda Bell (right) with Realtor Rana Davis in her
coveted garage. “I’ll get it painted this summer, Bell said.
• Insulation - R-30 attic. R-13 walls
• Double pane windows and insulated
exterior doors
• Garden tub per plan
• Ventilated wire shelving in closets
• 2-10 home buyer’s warranty
• Interior and exterior wall studs 16”
on center
• Vinyl porch columns and rails per
plan
• Security system with one year monitoring
• Mailbox
• Full appliance package
• 2 paint colors
• Blinds
• Ceiling fans
• Upgraded light package
• 10 x 10 patio
• Crown molding
Below are the five home models available at
Burton Heights II
Page 10 • March 2010
Matters
faith
OF
North Columbia Worship Centers
Antioch Baptist
Arise Christian Center
Ascension Lutheran
Bethlehem Baptist
Capital City Church
Chosen 2 Conquer
Christ Center Pentecostal
Christ’s Lutheran
Church of Christ
College Place UMC
Cola. Col. Dr. Church of God
Community CME
Community Mem. Church of God
Denny Terrace Baptist
Eau Claire Baptist
Eau Claire Presbyterian
Emanuel Church
Ephesus SDA
Family Worship Center
Francis Burns UMC
Fruit of the Spirit Christian
Full Gospel Center
Gill Creek Baptist
God’s Church of Deliverance
Good News Gospel Outreach
Grace Christian Church
Greater Carolina Baptist Ch.
Greater Faith United Baptist
Greater St. Luke Baptist
Greenview First Baptist
Haskell Heights Baptist
Haskell Heights Prog. Bapt.
Holy Mission of Faith
I. DeQ. Newman UMC
Jehovah Baptist
Kingdom Builders Ministries
Life Giving Outreach
Life Transformers Word Min.
Masjid As-Salaam
Mt. Olive Baptist
Mt. Pilgrim Baptist
New Day Baptist
New Hope Deliverance
New Jerusalem Interdenom.
New Laurel St. Baptist
New St. Thomas Refuge Episc.
New Williams St. Baptist
Northminister Presbyterian
Refuge Temple
Rehoboth Restoration Ministry
Reid Chapel AME
Ridgewood Baptist
Second Calvary Bapt. Ch.
Second Chance Universal
St. John Baptist
St. John UMC
St. Paul Baptist
Stedfast Christian Center
Stover Chapel AME
Spirit of Truth Christian
Temple Zion Baptist
Village of Hope
Zion Cannan Baptist
Rev. Dr. Albert A. Neal
5715 Koon Road
Pastors John & Trythinia Bookert 7020 Frost Avenue
Rev. Ron Brown
827 Wildwood Avenue
Rev. Anthony A. McCallum 1028 Eastman Street
Pastor Ned Crosby
4600 Monticello Road
Pastor Pedro Maldonado 7910 Monticello Road
Rev. Scott Smith
623 Oakland Avenue
Rev. Anne Christiansen
1323 Winyah Drive
Brother Fred Turner
5889 Ames Road
Rev. Tiffany Knowlin
4801 Colonial Drive
Rev. Willie Sutton
4702 Jones Street
Rev. Joiquim Barnes
4317 Ridgewood Avenue
Supt. James McKenney 4727 Roberts Street
Rev. Fred Kaigler
6324 Dorchester Street
Rev. James A. Goudelock 4427 North Main Street
Pastor Brandon Cranshaw 629 Wildwood Avenue
Rev. Ricky Jackson
1641 Blue Ridge Terrace
Rev. Carl Nesmith
7709 Wilson Boulevard
Pastor Derrick Hutchins 3600 Colonial Drive
Rev. Dr. Thomas Bowman 5616 Farrow Road
Bishop Kevin Nelson
700 Sunset Drive
Pastor Dana A. Holmes
6015 N. Main Street
Rev. Reginald T. Burdon 2116 Cushman Drive
Pastor Milton H. Mosby 3950 Clement Road
Rev. Eddie Guess
605 Alcott Drive
Pastor Aaron Bishop
5010 Monticello Road
Rev. Carey L. Hopkins
1419 Anthony Avenue
Rev. Charles E. Graham 119 Crawford Road
Rev. Michael H. Baker 5228 Farrow Road
Rev. Johnny C. Owens
101 Isaac Street
Pastor Glen Wigfall
1231 Blue Ridge Terrace
Pastor Charles E. Epps
1323 Townsend Street
Elder Isaac Dash
131 Duke Avenue
Rev. Augustus Rogers
7801 Wilson Boulevard
Rev. S.E. Marshall
1540 Frye Road
Rev. Joseph English
5320 Fairfield Road
Pastor Henry A. Cleare
6101 North Main Street
Pastor T. LaVern Manigault 3801 River Drive
Imman Omar Shaheed
5119 Monticello Road
Rev. Norman E. Curly
1700 Blue Ridge Terrace
Pastor Leon R. Dickerson 9300 Farrow Road
Rev. Ray Hoskins
4201 Abington Avenue
Pastor Mary Burton
4005 Monticello Road
Pastor Diana M. James
1003 Colleton Street
Rev. Charles Jackson Jr. 5214 Fairfield Road
Rev. George C. McCray 5709 Ames Road
Rev. Allen Jacobs Jr.
5408 Middleton Street
Rev. Richard F. Dozier
6718 David Street
Bishop W.L. Bonner
4450 Argent Court
Pastor Louise W. Rouse 5801 Koon Road
Rev. Dr. Norvell Goff Sr. 704 Gabriel Street
Pastor Fred Coit
5326 Ridgeway St.
Rev. Carl R. Wells
1110 Mason Road
Bishop Dr. Ronald Foxe 99 Duke Avenue
Rev. Jamey O. Graham
3404 West Beltline Blvd.
Rev. Rudolph Barnes, Jr. 1700 Houston Street
Rev. Bobby G. Watkins
4517 North Main Street
Rev. Sam Goodwin
5200 Fairfield Road
Rev. Albert L. Thompson 1450 Geraldine Road
Pastor Marcus R. Shiver Sr. 301 Sunset Drive
Rev. Andre T. Melvin
1174 Heyward Brockington
Pastor Charles Austin Sr. 3000 River Drive
Rev. Bobby L. Smith
7820 Farrow Road
To be included in this listing, please call 454-0088
786-0119
735-0222
786-6429
754-1890
771-0092
691-0962
754-1819
735-0880
786-5925
754-5342
754-1389
771-4739
786-2524
754-4432
786-7769
252-9296
786-2766
786-2800
736-1184
754-1760
252-7347
754-0786
754-6616
931-0057
786-6902
754-8844
252-3845
735-0631
754-6000
786-2839
754-6554
691-9724
779-3856
786-9894
786-2112
333-9036
786-0088
467-1390
252-9477
353-2275
788-4563
237-7159
799-5507
714-0306
786-5924
691-0611
735-0140
754-1812
754-9420
714-0117
786-0701
786-4017
714-9668
929-3838
254-4170
754-4588
732-9488
786-9129
754-0048
771-8933
754-0933
931-0180
935-0132
The New Survey
Bost to Receive Seminary’s Highest Honor
Lutheran Theological Southern
Seminary (LTSS), will award its highest
non-academic honor, the John Bachman
Award for Distinguished Leadership, to
the Rev. Dr. Raymond M. Bost on
Thursday, March 18 in Christ Chapel on
the seminary’s campus.
“In service to Christ and his body,
the church, Dr. Bost has been a leader in
theological education and Lutheran
Theological Southern Seminary,” said
the Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Miller, President
of the seminary.
“It is with thanksgiving to God that
we recognize his service by presenting
him the John Bachman award.”
Bost, a 1952 graduate of LTSS,
served at the seminary as a professor,
Trustee, and volunteer development associate. He also served as Academic Dean
and President of Lenoir-Rhyne College
(University) and Newberry College, both
colleges of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA), as well as
President of the Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Philadelphia, one of eight
ELCA seminaries. He also served as
trustee and President of the James R.
Crumley Archives of Region 9 of the
ELCA, and the Lutheran Church in
America Board of Theological
Education.
“Empowered by the Gospel, Dr.
Bost’s stewardship of all his gifts has
been freely and sacrificially offered to
the glory of God,” said the Rev. Dr.
William B. Trexler, chair of the seminary’s Board of Trustees. “He epitomizes
our seminary’s goal of forming servant
leaders who are steeped in Word and
Sacrament so that they might point others to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Bost is only the 15th person to have
received the prestigious award.
Established in 1990, the Bachman Award
was created to recognize those who have
demonstrated in their support of the seminary the vision of its founders: that
Southern Seminary be a place where the
personal growth of its students is
assured, the love for Christ and His
Church deepened, and zeal for service
inspired. The award bears the name of
the first President of the seminary Board
of Trustees, the Rev. John A. Bachman,
who helped found the school in 1830.
The seminary will present the award
to Bost during the evening Eucharist
service, beginning at 6:00 P.M.. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The campus is located at 4201 Main
Street,Columbia, South Carolina.
Submitted by
Southern Seminary
Stedfast Christian Center 26th Anniversary
The public is invited to attend nightly services, April 14-16. Guest speaker on
Wednesday night is Pastor Timothy Canty of Safe Haven Word and Worship Center,
and Thursday night Pastor Charles B. Jackson Jr. of New Laurel Street Baptist Church.
An “Evening of Celebration” is featured on Friday night with guitarist Terence Young,
saxophonist Isaac McClinton, soloist Gayle Jones and the Conder Elementary Dance
Company. Stedfast Christian Center is located across from Alcorn Middle School at
5200 Fairfield Road. For more information, call 786-9129 or visit the web site at
www.stedfastcc.org. Sam Goodwin, Pastor.
Join Ascension Lutheran Church for lunch
every Friday at 12:00 NOON for a little food for
the soul. The church is located at 827 Wildwood Avenue. Call
786-6429 for more information.
Lunch On Us!
Visit area churches on line:
Eau Claire Presbyterian - www.ECPChurch.org
Frances Burnes UMC - www.gbgm-umc.org/fbumc/
Fruit of the Spirit Christian Fellowship Church - www.fruitofthespiritsc.org
Grace Christian Church - www.gccofsc.org
Masjid as-Salaam - www.pluralism.org/research/profiles/display.php?profile=69024
Rehoboth Restoration Ministry - www.rehoboth-restoration.org
Ridgewood Missionary Baptist - www.ridgewoodbaptistchurch.com
St. John Baptist Church - www.saintjohnbaptistchurch1908.com/
Stedfast Christian Center - www.stedfastcc.org/
Send your Church News to
The New Survey • 830 Wildwood Avenue • Columbia, SC 29203
E-mail: [email protected] • Phone: 454-0088
The New Survey
March 2010 • Page 11
Last Minute Tax Tips!
by Good Faith Business Services
he best approach to tax planning
is to start early in the year.
Another year has gone by and
maybe we got busy and did not use tax
planning strategies and think that most
tax-saving opportunities are gone. No
worries, this tax tip article is just for you.
We have 30 days left to file our taxes and
this last minute tax strategy is to highlight some of the most notable federal
tax breaks offered for 2009 filing. In
addition, before we begin, if you feel
uncertain that you have kept up with all
the tax changes and allowed deductions
each year, then please contact your
accountant or you may contact our office
at 803.791.9278, we will be happy to
assist you. See further details how to
contact us below.
The first-time home-buyer
credit.
This is the up-to-$8,000 credit available in 2009 for a home purchased in
2009 to anyone who hasn’t owned a
home during the previous three years. (It
is subject to phase-outs at certain income
levels.) The home you buy has to be your
principal residence. However, the new
Worker Homeownership and Business
Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the
deadline. Now, taxpayers who have a
binding contract to purchase a home
before May 1, 2010, are eligible for the
credit. Buyers must close on the home
before July 1, 2010. The credit does not
have to be paid back if the home remains
your principal residence for 3 years.
T
Don’t-miss deductions for
businesses.
When it comes to new cars and light
trucks used for business means, the maximum first-year depreciation deduction
has been increased by $8,000 for cars
placed in service before 2010. The
Section 179 deduction (that’s the one that
lets you write off the costs of certain new
and used business assets during their first
year of use) is still at $250,000 for 2009,
instead of the prior $133,000. The firstyear bonus depreciation break
of $50,000 is
still in
place for
2009, and
even the
biggest
businesses
can take
advantage of
it.
The new
car sales
tax deduction.
Okay, “cash for
clunkers” is over, but you still may be
able to deduct state and local sales and
excise taxes if you buy a car, motor
home, motorbike or
light truck. You can itemize the deduction or just add it to the amount of your
standard deduction.
A major tuition tax break.
In 2009, you can claim an above-the-line
deduction for “qualified tuition and relat-
ed expenses” relating to the enrollment
or attendance of you, your spouse or
your dependent at an eligible college or
university. The deduction can be as large
as $4,000.
The classroom teacher credit.
Are you a primary or secondary school
teacher? If you were an educator who
worked more than 900 hours on campus
in 2009, you can claim an above theline deduction for up to $250 of personal
expenses for schoolbooks and school
supplies that
see classroom use
without
itemizing.
COBRA
contin-
uation.
Did you get laid off this year? Were
you insured under an employer-sponsored health plan? Well, you may qualify
for up to nine months of COBRA coverage. As for the company where you
worked, it can claim a credit for the
COBRA subsidy it extends to you.
$2,400 in unemployment
income tax-free.
That’s right: this year, the first
$2,400 of federal unemployment compensation benefits you receive are
excluded from gross income. An extra
deduction for state and local property
taxes. Do you usually claim the standard
federal deduction? If that’s your plan,
this year you can take an additional
deduction for state and local property
taxes. The ceiling is $500, $1,000 if you
are filing jointly.
The capital gains tax break.
If you are in the 10% or 15% tax bracket,
note that the current tax rate for longterm capital gains is 0% – and it is slated
to stay at 0% through 2010.
The homebuilder tax credit.
Do you build homes? If so, you may
claim a credit of up to $2,000 for each
qualified energy-efficient home constructed and acquired from you for use as
a residence. This credit is set to expire
December 31, 2009; President Bush’s
signature extended it into this year.
The exemption from required
IRA distributions.
The federal tax mandate requiring IRA
owners age 701/2 to take Required
Minimum Distributions (RMDs) was
suspended for 2009, but it will be reinstated for 2010. Worth noting: in 2010,
anyone will be able to convert a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. This is just a
sampling. There are other tax breaks out
there during this unusual year for the
federal tax code, and it is worth asking
your accountant or advisor to do some
research and/or collaborate to find you as
many as possible.
Last Minute Tax Deduction
Check List
Finally, here is our tax deduction
checklist, which summarizes the types of
federal income tax savings you should be
looking for when preparing your
taxes:
• Job hunting expenses
• Alimony paid
• Student loan interest
• Prescription eyeglasses, contacts, and
hearing aids, crutches, canes, and orthopedic shoes, etc.
• Medical transportation costs to include
mileage
• Cost of alcohol or drug abuse treatments
• Charitable contributions (Cash and noncash donations to non-profit organizations)
• Local and State income taxes
• Personal property taxes or real estate
taxes
• Points paid for a mortgage or refinancing your home
• Unreimbursed employee business
expenses
• Mileage and other expenses associated
with volunteer work
• Casualty and theft losses
• Tax preparation software and fees
Note: Some of the above items are
deductible as miscellaneous itemized
deductions and as such are deductible to
the extent they exceed 2% of your AGI.
In the case of medical and dental expenses, they are deductible to the extent they
exceed 7.5% of your AGI.
The research and material of this post
was provided by:
Rebecca J. Mercado
Good Faith Business Services
921 Holland Avenue, Cayce , SC.,
The New Survey
Page 12 • March 2010
Columbia City Council Recap
FYI....
City Council Meeting Dates
March 3
March 10
March 17
April 7
Council Meeting - 9:00 A.M.- Council Chambers
Work Session - 9:00 A.M.- Council Chambers
Council Meeting - 9:00 A.M.- Council Chambers
Zoning Public Hearing - 10:00 A.M.- Council Chambers
Council Meeting - 9:00 A.M.- Council Chambers
For more information and other City of Columbia events:
visit the City of Columbia online at www.columbiasc.net
or contact the City Clerk at 545-3045
Richland County Council Meeting Dates
March 2
March 16
April 6
Regular Session - 6:00 P.M. - Council Chambers
Zoning Public Hearing - 7:00 P.M. - Council Chambers
Regular Session - 6:00 P.M. - Council Chambers
Regular Session - 6:00 P.M. - Council Chambers
For more information and a complete schedule of County Boards & Commissions:
visit Richland County online at www.richlandonline.com
or call 576-2062
Richland One School Board Meeting Dates
March 9
March 23
April 27
Regular Session - 7:00 P.M. - Stephenson Administration Building
Regular Session - 7:00 P.M - Alcorn Middle School
Regular Session - 7:00 P.M - John P. Thomas Elementary
Visit Richland One online at www.richlandone.org
Elected Officials representing
Eau Claire / North Columbia
Rep. James Clyburn
Sen. John L. Scott, Jr.
Rep. Chris Hart
Rep. Todd Rutherford
Rep. Leon Howard
Rep. Joe McEachern
Hon. Paul Livingston
Hon. Gwendolyn Kennedy
Hon. Joyce Dickerson
Hon. Robert D. Coble
Hon. Sam Davis
Hon. Tameika Isaac
Hon. Dan Rickenmann
Mrs. Barbara Scott
Mr. Vince Ford
Mrs. Susie Dibble
Dr. Jasper Salmond
Mr. Jamie Devine
Richland One Office
U.S. House Dist.
S.C. Senate Dist. 19
S.C. House Dist. 73
S.C. House Dist. 74
S.C. House Dist. 76
S.C. House Dist. 77
Richland Co. Dist. 4
Richland Co. Dist. 7
Richland Co. Dist. 2
Mayor of Columbia
City Council District 1
City Council At-Large
City Council At-Large
Richland One At-Large
Richland One At-Large
Richland One At-Large
Richland One Seat 1
Richland One Seat 2
202-225-3315
733-5176
771-7701
799-8633
734-3061
735-1808
765-1192
240-4572
750-0154
545-3075
754-0525
779-0312
787-7126
254-0726
735-0405
771-7613
765-2795
699-5324
799-1100
212-6048
256-3003
254-9468
212-6875
738-7655
898-9758
254-8868
254-2445
799-2001
799-2001
799-2001
799-2001
799-2001
231-7000
February 24, 2010
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION / ACTION
1. Salvation Army Update - Mr. Marc Mylott, Director of Planning and
Development Services
Mr. Marc Mylott, Director of Planning and Development Services reported that at
the end of August they received a telephone call from a member of the Salvation
Army’s Property Board who was inquiring about the necessary zoning for them to evaluate properties for a new location. At that time, we advised them that they needed to be
in at least C-2 or greater. They described their intended efforts as the provision of social
services, vocational rehabilitation services, religious activities and their desire to do
feeding. We said that there is no singular, comprehensive use classification for all of
those; however, taken individually they needed to be in C-2 or more.
Mr. Steve Anastasion, Chairman of the Salvation Army of the Midlands Advisory
Board said that The Salvation Army is now out of its location at Main Street and
Elmwood Avenue; we have been looking for a substitute location for social services and
feeding. There will be no housing component to this at all. [He said] The Easter Seals
Building was C-2, it’s on a major city thoroughfare, it’s on a bus line to downtown with
constant bus service; and it’s within a few blocks of our current location. All of the homeless shelters are in Council District Two, because
that’s where employment is; it’s near areas of the river and other
areas where the homeless find shelter; it’s where the problem is; and
we want to be a part of the homeless solution.
The following individuals appeared before the City Council in
opposition to the relocation of the Salvation Army to Farrow Road:
Dr. Isaiah Davis, Davis and Dingle Family Dentistry; Ms. Katheryn
Bellfield, President of the Booker Washington Heights Organization;
Ms. Ella Ruth Moultrie, Resident of the Booker Washington Heights
Organization; Ms. Floretta Sutton, Practice Administrator for Davis
and Dingle Family Dentistry; Dr. John Dingle, Davis and Dingle
Family Dentistry; Rev. Dr. Jamey O. Graham, Sr., Pastor of St. John
Baptist Church; Mr. Charles Christie, Chairman of the Trustee Board / St. John Baptist
Church; Mr. Ben Duncan, Chairman of the Deacon Board / St. John Baptist Church;
There was a consensus of Council to direct staff to schedule a meeting with the
members of Council, the leadership of the Salvation Army and the community. There
was a consensus of Council to direct staff to schedule a meeting with the members of
Council and the leadership of all organizations that feed the homeless population to discuss the issues and to develop solutions.
March 3, 2010
CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
8. Eau Claire Development Corporation – Mr. S. Allison Baker, Senior Assistant
City Manager
Mr. S. Allison Baker, Senior Assistant City Manager provided a briefing on the Eau
Claire Development Corporation, which was chartered in 1993 as an urban community
based 501(c) 3 committed to grass-roots empowerment, residential housing opportunities and commercial development in North Columbia. He outlined the pros and cons of
dissolving the corporation; merging the corporation with another existing corporation;
or to improve the business model of the existing corporation. Mr. Baker recommended
(Option C) that the operations of the Eau Claire Development Corporation be improved
by adopting effective risk analysis processes and procedures; re-examining the current
source of funding; scheduling quarterly project briefings to the City Council and Senior
Management; and presenting projects to City Council and the City Manager that could
potentially become a financial liability, whether it involves City funds or not.
The following individuals appeared before the Council in support of the Eau Claire
Development Corporation: Rev. Richard Dozier, Chair of the Eau Claire Development
Corporation; Mr. Henry Hopkins, Eau Claire Community Council.
The following individual appeared before the Council in opposition to the Eau
Claire Development Corporation: Mr. Bill Manley, Eau Claire Community Resident.
Upon motion by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Cromartie, Council voted unanimously to endorse recommendation C as outlined. Staff is directed to present a plan of action
on March 24, 2010 on the Eau Claire Development Corporation’s accountability issues,
financing of projects and communications with Council.
The New Survey
March 2010 • Page 13
Hyatt Park improvements
proposed
City of Columbia, South Carolina
Public Notice
How would you spend $17.5 million dollars
in your community?
The City of Columbia, South Carolina (City) is receiving comments regarding housing and community development needs within the City’s boundaries. The City anticipates receiving an estimated $907,000 in FY 2010
HOME funds, an estimated $1,244,500 in FY 2010 CDBG funds, and an
estimated $1,404,500 in HOPWA funds from the Department of Housing
and Urban Development. Over a period of five years, the total grant funds
are expected to be in excess of $17.5 million. Citizens are asked to
express their views on the allocation of these funds.
Input received will be considered by the City in developing the Five Year
Consolidated Plan to be submitted to HUD. The consolidated plan is the
application for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG),
Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA), and HOME
Program funding and consists of a strategy to address the housing, homeless, and community development needs of our City. The plan also
includes an Annual Action Plan that identifies the actions to be taking in the
coming year to implement the identified strategies.
All interested citizens of the City are invited to provide input on community
needs. Citizens may:
1. Attend a public meeting to be held on:
•
April 13, 2010 at 6:00pm at Cecil Tillis Center
(2111 Simpkins Road); or
•
April 22, 2010 at 6:00pm at Meadowfield Elementary School
(525 Galway Lane)
If you have any special needs, please call (803) 545-3369 at least two
days prior to the meeting.
2. Complete an on line survey. The survey can be completed by going to
the web site, www.surveymonkey.com/s/columbiasc.
3. Provide written comments that are delivered to City of Columbia,
Community Development Department, 1136 Washington Street, Columbia
If you have questions, please call Eric Cassell, Community
Development Administrator at (803) 545-3369.
Home Depot Building Healthy Communities Grant Program
The Home Depot Building Healthy Communities Grant Program provides support to
nonprofit organizations, public schools, and public service agencies in the U.S. that are
using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities.
Grants support community improvement projects that include activities such as building, rebuilding, painting, or refurbishing; increasing energy efficiency or sustainability;
landscaping or planting of native trees; community facility improvements; and the
development and/or improvement of green spaces. Grants of up to $2,500 are made in
the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools or materials. Visit the
Home Depot web site to take the eligibility test and submit an on line application.
http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/Grants/ 2010 application deadlines: March
1, July 1, and November 1.
Nearly $2 million in park improvements for North Columbia’s Hyatt Park
and an additional $150,000 to Lincoln
Park are being proposed by the city.
Following meetings with residents
of Hyatt Park and Keenan Terrace which
surround the two parks, and site visits by
the residents to other parks facilities the
city maintains, major renovations to the
two parks were outlined by parks officials and presented in February.
Improvements to Hyatt Park would
include four tennis courts, a new concession and rest room facility, extended
playground area, an amphitheater, a
walking trail and 77 additional parking
spaces.
Lincoln Park, located just several
blocks west of Hyatt Park, will remain a
natural habitat with enhancements to
include wooden foot bridges to cross the
stream that runs through the park and
drainage improvements.
Parks planner Damon McDuffie said
the next step in the process will be to
pursue funding resources for both parks.
Columbia College,
Midlands Technical
College formalize,
expand programs for
transfer students
Columbia College and Midlands
Technical College (MTC) formalized an
agreement that allows a more seamless
transition into Columbia College for
MTC students who aspire to earn a fouryear degree there.
The formal Bridge Program agreement was signed on March 1 at
Columbia College by Columbia College
President Dr. Caroline Whitson and
Midlands Technical College President
Marshall (Sonny) White, Jr.
The agreement between the two colleges is designed to enhance the transfer
of students from Midlands Technical
College to Columbia College. This collaboration is intended to serve students
by providing program support and services that facilitate the transfer process
and prepare students desiring to matriculate at Columbia College.
“We believe it is important to make
the educational path as smooth as possible for all students,” said White, “This
program gives Midlands Technical
College another opportunity to provide
access to students who want to attend
Columbia College.“
“Our data show that transfer students from Midlands Technical College
perform well and graduate at the same
rate as our traditional students,” said
Whitson. “They are well-prepared when
they arrive and perform well academically. Transfer students find excellent faculty support here to meet their educational
goals.”
To reinforce student engagement and
support the transition from Midlands
Technical College to Columbia College,
students will be offered the opportunity
to participate in identified Columbia
College programs and events while still
in attendance at Midlands Technical
College. These opportunities may
include but are not limited to campus and
cultural events, provided students meet
the eligibility criteria for these programs.
Treasurer opens a third
phase to find tax
cheaters in Richland
County
On March 1, the Richland County
Treasurer’s Office sent 1,457 delinquent
business tax notifications totaling $4.8
million in its third attempt to collect
delinquent taxes from county businesses.
The notices were sent to businesses that
have not paid their taxes in previous
years (prior to the current bills due).
“There are a huge number of families and businesses that we help every
day who are struggling to pay their
taxes,” Treasurer David A. Adams said.
“It is not fair that our honest taxpayers
are bearing a higher tax burden because
of those who try to cheat the system.
This will be a new effort to find the tax
cheaters who take money from us all.”
The first phase of catching tax
cheaters began in 2005 when Treasurer
Adams teamed up with Sheriff Leon Lott
to catch car tax evaders. The program
has brought in millions of dollars from
thousands of delinquent tax bills in just
over five years.
The second phase of the program
was the collection of delinquent taxes on
mobile homes. In 2007, the office was
successful in bringing in over $800,000
is past taxes and forcing hundreds of
properties that had not paid taxes before
to pay their fair share.
Businesses will have 30 days to contact the Treasurer’s Office to arrange for
payments. After 30 days, names of businesses found to still be arrears will be
published by the Treasurer in local media
outlets. The final step will be transmitting the Treasurer’s findings to the
County and City business license offices
that are tasked with issuing fines and
revoking business licenses.
The New Survey
Page 14 • March 2010
Saturday, March 20
Ryan Street Action Committee Karate
Classes, 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M., Hyatt
Park Gym. Call 740-1944 for more info.
Friday, March 26 - 27
Columbia Parks and
Recreation will show
a free movie on a 11foot by 15-foot screen
in Columbia’s downtown Finlay Park as
part of the two-day Kids Day festival. Block Party on Friday, March 26
from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with the showing of Planet 51. Saturday, March 27,
11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., games, rides, petting zoo, entertainment, and more. Ride
tickets will be available for purchase. For
more information call 545-3100.
Thursday, March 25
Greater Columbia
Community Relations
Council 46th Annual
Luncheon. Keynote Speaker is
Hon. Robert D. Coble. 12:30 – 2:00 P.M.,
Columbia Metropolitan Convention
Center. $35 per person. RSVP to 7331130.
Saturday, April 3
Spring Break Fun Day
beginning at 9:00 A.M. at Greenview
Park, 6700 David Street. Parade, high
school and middle school bands.
Sponsored by the Greenview Community
Crime and Safety Committee. To participate and to sponsor, contact Lonnie
Simpson at 754-3473.
Coming April 10 - Fourth Annual Lawn Mower Exchange
9:00 A.M. to NOON at the Colonial Life Arena Parking Lot
Synithia Williams 785-8634, or visit www.keepthemidlandsbeautiful.org
Send news of your Community Events to: The New Survey, 830
Wildwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203 or, via e-mail to: [email protected].
Publication Deadline is the third Monday of each month.
2010 summer camp registration now open
City of Columbia Parks and
Recreation is now accepting registrations
for full-day summer camps for 6- to 14year-olds at all participating locations
and the Parks and Recreation administration office at 1932 Calhoun Street.
Programs will be offered from 7:30
A.M. to 6:00 P.M. beginning June 1.
For older youth, a teen camp is
offered at Katheryn M. Bellfield Booker
Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center
for 13- to 16-year-olds. The camp gives
teens a chance to develop character, learn
valuable life skills, make new friends,
and discover new interests.
Summer day camp sizes are limited
in order to keep counselor-to-camper
ratios small. The knowledgeable staff,
variety of activities and small size makes
these camps very popular, so parents are
encouraged to register children early.
Cost for the program is $45 per
week per child. There are no registration
fees. Dates, fees and registration information are available at www.columbiasc.net, or from the individual parks listed below.
Edisto Discovery Park, 255-8103;
Emily Douglas Park, 733-8531;
Greenview Park, 754-5223; Hampton
Park, 776-9082; Heathwood Park, 7338446; Hyatt Park, 733-8446; M.L. King
Park (Sports) 733-8452; Lorick Park,
691-9339; Melrose Park, 733-8493;
Pinehurst Park, 733-8449, Sims Park,
733-8451; St. Anna’s Park, 733-8450;
Woodland Park, 776-1096.
Submitted by City of Columbia
Parks and Recreation
Historic music group continues 87-year
tradition in Eau Claire
The Eau Claire Music Club, first
organized by 35 women musicians in
North Columbia nearly 90 years ago, is
breathing new life, thanks to a new generation of women who are seeking to
advance music and music education in
the area.
Women whose names still reflect
ties to the community—Mrs. Maurice
Alcorn, Mrs. Everett L. Cashion, Mrs. R.
Hilliard Miller, Mrs. W. J. Keenan, and
Mrs. John E. Wilds—founded the group
which also had links to local churches
and to Columbia College where music
and choral education remain a hallmark
of student life.
According to Eau Claire Memories,
“Mrs. Dandilyon Taylor, an accomplished pianist opened the Taylor Music
Company in downtown Columbia in
1927” and was also a founding member
of the Club. Her son, Alan, was a cellist
and associate conductor of the SC
Philharmonic orchestra. Alan Taylor married Mary Alcorn (daughter of Maurice
Alcorn) who also became active in the
club. Mary Taylor still resides in Eau
Claire. Her two daughters, Mary Lee
Taylor (Scott) and Jacqueline L. Taylor
are also accomplished musicians and
continue the family tradition as classical
musicians.
As early as 1923, the Eau Claire
Music Club was an important part of
social life in Eau Claire. One of its
founding members, Mrs. Eula Ashworth
Lindfors, lived in a neat cottage on Main
Street, at the current site of the Eau
Claire Fire Station, and taught piano les-
sons to many area young people. An old
log cabin in the back yard of her home
was often used as a meeting place for the
young people’s “music club.” Other
music instructors in the area at the time
included Rachel Little and Mrs. Lulu
Arndt. In addition, the Columbia College
orchestra of the 1940s was conducted by
professor Elizabeth Barr.
Among today’s arts patrons hoping
to renew interest in the club and its
scholarship programs are Mary Beth L.
McSwain, organist at Eau Claire
Presbyterian Church. On February 16,
McSwain led the monthly meeting of the
club with keyboard arrangements of
familiar hymns.
In addition to the Eau Claire Music
Club, a Morning Music Club and an
Afternoon Music Club are active in
Columbia. These groups are all affiliated
with the S.C. and National Federation of
Music Clubs with a mission to encourage
young musicians and promote quality
music locally and nationally.
The three clubs combine efforts each
spring to host an elegant luncheon and
fashion show which raises funds for
music scholarships. This year’s event
was held at the Forest Lake Club on
March 4.
For more information about the Eau
Claire Music Club and music scholarship
auditions, held at Columbia College in
April, call Mary Beth McSwain at 7358447.
Submitted by
Mary Beth McSwain
Eau Claire Music Club
2010 Spring Main Street Marketplace!
City Center Partnership, a non-profit organization that manages the downtown
Business Improvement District, is pleased to announce the dates for the
Spring Main Street Marketplace. The event will take place every Friday in May
and June from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Admission is free. Exhibitors will be set
up on the sidewalk portion along the 1500 block of Main Street beside the
Columbia Museum of Art. Other exhibitors will be located in Boyd Plaza in
front of the Columbia Museum of Art. The Main Street Marketplace is an openair market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, photography, books, local
art, unique gifts, handmade crafts, entertainment and much more. To become
a vendor, please visit www.citycentercolumbia.sc For more information contact
Alicia Morgan at [email protected] or 779-4005 x 2042.
The New Survey
March 2010 • Page 15
FYI
Attention: Role Models
Richland One Middle College
(ROMC) Foundation hosts Golf
Tournament and Business Expo
An event pitting Educators vs. The
World in a golf tournament and business
expo will be held at the Northwoods
Golf Course, 201 Powell Road at 8:00
A.M., Saturday, April 24. The event will
raise funds to support the ongoing efforts
of ROMC’s innovative high school
through scholarships and community
service learning opportunities.
The Educators vs. the World Golf
Tournament and Business Expo provides
interactive networking activities on the
golf course similar to an indoor business
expo. Whether you love to play or are
looking for a creative way to reach VIP
decision makers, the tournament will
provide a unique opportunity.
Unlike most amateur golf tournaments, we will have an abundance of
spectators on the course so bring your
best golf swing or promotional give-
aways, and remember a lot of business is
done on the golf course.
For sponsorship and registration
information, contact Kelly Simmons at
(803)738-7114. Your sponsorship and
registration is tax deductible. Your gift is
an investment that makes a difference in
the life of a promising student at
Richland One Middle College and the
community.
Richland One Middle College is an
innovative high school, located on
Midlands Technical College Beltline
Campus. It reflects a creative and
dynamic collaboration between Midlands
Technical College and Richland School
District One, as well as community and
business partners.
Submitted by Raechel L. Blakeney,
ROMC Publicity Chairwoman
Richland One Student Named
Horatio Alger National Scholar
Richland One
specifically assists high
Middle College senior
school students who
Aaron G. Fountain has
have faced and overbeen named a 2010
come great obstacles in
Horatio Alger National
their young lives. While
Scholar, an honor he
many aid programs are
shares with only 104
directed primarily to rechigh school seniors in
ognizing academic
the nation.
achievement or leaderAs a recipient of
ship potential, the
this highly prestigious
Horatio Alger program
award, Fountain will
also seeks students who
receive a $20,000 colhave a commitment to
lege scholarship, attend
use their college degrees
an all-expenses paid trip
in service to others.
to the 2010 Horatio
To be eligible collegeAlger National Scholars Richland One Middle College
bound seniors must be
senior Aaron G. Fountain, 2010
Conference in
in financial need, have a
Washington, DC in April Horatio Alger National Scholar
minimum 2.0 grade
and have access to menaverage, have a strong
toring and other support services as he
commitment to pursue and complete a
prepares for college.
bachelor's degree at an accredited instituFountain has been accepted at
tion and be involved in community activWinthrop University where he hopes to
ities. Fountain has overcome personal
pursue a degree in United States history
challenges to excel and volunteers reguand eventually become a history profeslarly at Goodwill and Harvest Hope Food
sor. He is the son of Aaron Fountain and
Bank.
they live in the Edgewood community.
Submitted by
As one of the nation’s largest colRichland District One
lege financial aid programs, the Horatio
Office of Communications
Alger National Scholarship Program is
the only major scholarship effort that
You’re invited to participate in a great opportunity to spread the value of
literacy in Eau Claire!
Tuesday, March 30, 9:45 - 10:20 A.M., at Alcorn Middle School for Meet Us as
Readers. During the event, we will guide you to a classroom to share your reading
experience growing up, what you are reading now, why you think it is important to
read, a passage from a book, poem, or speech (if you'd like). Your presence would really mean a lot to us. You never know—you might be the one that reaches that child
where s/he’s at right now. For more information, contact Catharine Aitken, Education
Chair, College Place Community Council, 333-9589 or [email protected].
March 18
Alcorn Middle School families are invited to have dinner together at the Safe and
Drug-Free Family Night event at the McDonald’s in the Vista from 4:30 – 6:00
P.M. The project is an effort to encourage families to talk about bullying and other topics
while enjoying a meal together. The project is sponsored by the school’s extended-day
program.
March 23
The Men Supporting Learning initiative kicks off at Hyatt Park Elementary
School from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Men throughout the community will assist teachers
in their classrooms as readers, tutors and activity participants. The goal of the project is
to get more men involved in the learning process in an effort to improve student
morale, self-confidence and academics. For more information contact Ashlye Clark at
735-3421 or Bianca Crawford at [email protected].
The New Survey
Page 16 • March 2010
Arts Calendar
Thursday, March 18
Bring your lunch to the library for traditional Irish music (and a little blarney) by
Corner House at Lunch & Listen, a music series brought to you by the Richland
County Public Library. 12:30-1:30 P.M. in 1431 at the Main Library, 1431 Assembly
Street.
Sunday, March 21
Listen to the music of classical guitarists of the Columbia Guitar Orchestra
under the direction of USC graduate student Steve Sloan. 3:00 P.M. in the Bostick
Auditorium at the Richland County Public Library 1431 Assembly Street.
March 25-27
Eau Claire High School presents Ain’t Misbehavin’ at 7:00 P.M. in the school auditorium. Call 735-7600 x2271 for more information.
March 26 and 28
OPERA at USC features The Marriage of Figaro, 7:30 P.,M., March 26 and 3:00
P.,M., March 28. Room 208, new Band and Dance Building. Tickets can be purchased
by calling 777-0058. Tickets are: general admission, $18; seniors, faculty, staff, military, $15; students, $5. Season tickets are available.
Ribs & Renaissance 2010 seeks volunteers to assist with the annual
event on Saturday, June 5 in the Eau Claire Town Square. Team players with good organizational skills a must! Help us welcome visitors to a “Famously Hot” taste of our side
of town. Entertainers, sidewalk artists, street performers, arts & crafts and food vendors,
interested in participating should visit www.eauclairecommunity.org for an application.
Call 803-454-0088 for more information.
The Columbia
Design League
announces a Call
for Entries for
Runaway
Runway, an
annual fund raiser at 701 Whaley
in Columbia, SC.
While the entire world is serious about being green, this event proves green can be fun,
fabulous, fashionable and funky too. The competitive fashion show features clothing
created by locals using items destined for the landfill. If you think you’ve got what it
takes to strut your junk down the runway, entry information is available at www.runawayrunway.net or at the admission desk of the ColumbiaMuseum of Art.