Unique Argument against Term Limits.

Enjoy this one. She is exceptional.

The Aiken Horseshow- Come into The Woods!

The Aiken Horse Show is April 3, 4, and 5,

at the Show Grounds in Hitchcock Woods.

Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in this Aiken tradition.

Individual lunches may be purchased at a cost of $75 each, which includes a general admission parking pass.
General admission is $10 per vehicle (carload) at the gate.
Reservations can be charged by calling the Foundation office at 803.642.0528.



Hitchcock Woods Foundation
P.O. Box 1702
Aiken, SC 29802
(803) 642-0528

Council Update by Dick Dewar

AIKEN CORPORATION WORK SESSION – My last email mentioned a work session between the Council and the Aiken Corporation. Minutes of that session are now available and can be viewed at the City’s web site. That portion of the web site, however, is temporarily off-line for maintenance. I will post the link when it is available

WORK SESSION WITH RESIDENTS OF ORIOLE AND WREN PLACE – Council recently rejected on a 4-3 vote a proposal to rezone property on Silver Bluff Road from residential multi-family to General Business. The owner now has asked Council to consider a new offer for the property. In exchange for the City rezoning and permitting construction of a new commercial building on Silver Bluff Road, the owner would give most of the property to the City. The developer would keep a portion of land fronting Cardinal Drive for further use. The purpose of the work session is to receive input from the residents on their views of this proposal.

EQUINE COMMITTEE – The Equine Committee met for its annual meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2009. They discussed a number of topics, including accessory structures in the residential stable (RSS) and horse district (HD) zones. They are reviewing a potential revision to the Zoning Ordinance that would determine how much ‘hardscape’ could be installed on any given lot. They will meet again on March 31, and we anticipate additional information in April.

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL DOCTORS’ OFFICE BULDING – The Planning Department has received a revised application for a Planned Commercial Concept Plan for its Silver Bluff Property. They now propose a single 17,000 square foot building. This revised application is on the April 14, 2009 Planning Commission agenda.

CITIZEN PARK HOURS - In order to limit our expenses in a tight budget year, the City is turning off all lights at Citizens Park at the conclusion of each evening event. It will close the gates to the park and prohibit any use of the park after it closes. The gates will be opened about 8 A.M. the next day.

CONVEYING LOTS TO HABITAT – We will have second reading of an Ordinance to convey lots to Habitat. They hope to build three homes each year. The first will be built cooperatively by the Aiken Rotary Club and First Baptist Church.

AMENDMENTS TO LIMITED BUSINESS (LB) ZONE - The Planning Commission has recommended that the Zoning Ordinance be amended for Limited Business zone so that other retail sales or service, which are currently permitted by right, be allowed in the future by Special Exception through the Board of Zoning Appeals. They based this decision on the premise that some retail sales or services may not be appropriate in the LB. zone. Letters were sent to property owners and no responses have been received.

$1.5 MILLION LOAN FOR CROSLAND PARK - We will have first reading of an Ordinance for a $1.5 million loan for Crosland Park. The City plans on acquiring approximately twenty homes in Crosland Park and totally rehabbing those for future purchase by non-profit corporations and the CDIC. This would permit the City to get started on the Crosland Park project immediately and for certain improvements to be made that could not be made under the normal grant process. The intent is to make these homes as energy efficient as possible, completing all normal renovations that would occur in an older home, plus installing irrigation systems for new grass and shrubbery in the yards. Kim Abney, our Finance Director, and Ben Moore, our Staff Attorney, have developed a short term loan which should be paid back this fall for the $1.5 million. The loan note in our packet authorizes repayment within a five year period, however. I expect the discussion tonight will clarify the disparity.

There is also a Resolution in Support of Crosland Park and Approval to establish a $1.5 million Line of Credit.

APPROVAL OF ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS – The Accommodations Tax Committee recently met to review applications for the upcoming awards cycle. There were 15 applications this year requesting $483,187.40 in funds. The funds available this year will be $129,100 not including a $5,000 contingency. The Committee decided to fund 13 of the 15 events as follows:

1. Citizens Park Bid Fees $4,500
2. Antiques in the Heart of Aiken – Aiken Center for the Arts $12,750
3. Exhibition and Arts Center Marketing – Aiken Center for the Arts $12,750
4. Battle of Aiken – Sons of Confederate Veterans $26,250
5. Promotions of Downtown Aiken – Aiken Downtown Development Assoc. $7,500
6 Aiken’s Makin – Aiken Chamber of Commerce $7,500
7. 302 Polo USPA Silver Cup/USPA Aiken Ladies Invitational $7,500
8. Ford Trucks Equestrian Balloon Festival – Aiken Land Conservancy $1,000
9. Aiken Horse Show – Hitchcock Woods Foundation $7,500
10. Aiken Polo Club Promotions & Magazine – Aiken Polo Club $18,750
11. Aiken Spring Classic – Aiken Land Conservancy $7,500
12. Aiken Trials – Aiken Land Conservancy $7,500
13. Aiken Fall Steeplechase – Aiken Steeplechase Association $7,500

Not funded were Weeks Tennis Center and Aiken Marti Gras.

PERSONAL FROM DICK DEWAR – This past week, two of my colleagues announced their decision to fulfill their promise to constituents to abide by their promise to serve only two terms on the Council. Dick Smith and Jane Vaughters have made enormous contributions to the City of Aiken in their nearly eight years of service. Their efforts to manage the growth of our City incurred the wrath of many in our community, (sometimes over the top in their personal attacks), to label them as anti-growth. They have showed during their eight years that the City’s growth can be managed. A look at the new businesses during their terms is proof. It is now common that nearly every candidate for City Council will identify with the need to manage growth even when they are financially supported by developers, the Chamber of Commerce, and other businesses who do not want to pay for the infrastructure costs their projects cause. Dick and Jane led the way and I earnestly hope that like-minded citizens will join me on the Council to continue to manage the growth of our City. Dick represents the Woodside area (District 4) and Jane is a member at-large representing the entire city. With the current turmoil in Washington, I have spoken to many citizens who now feel energized to get involved. If government is to work effectively, everyone must do their part. If you believe in the type of government that Dick, Jane and I do, please consider running for City Council.

Council Member Lessie Price has announced her intent to run for re-election. She now has 20 years of service on City Council and represents District 2. Don Wells is the other at-large member of the Council and has announced his intent to run for his second term.

Jim Wetzel gives the Aiken Standard Advice

The following letter by Jim Wetzel appeared in the Aiken Standard today. Jim rightfully chides the paper  for its failure to report the Governor's statement of his reasons for not accepting all of the "stimulus." I doubt the Standard will actually give it's readers the opportunity to read the Governor's statement so I have included a link.

Letter to the Editor

For a “news” paper that hasn’t seen fit to report on Governor Mark Sanford’s statement of his reasons for not accepting all of the stimulus package money the Aiken Standard seems quick in rejecting his stand, suggesting a position not arrived at through knowledge or the exercise of reason.

In Governor Sanford’s letter of March 10, 2009 to the members of the legislature he outlined: that his team had carefully examined the stimulus bill and its long term implications on the people of South Carolina; that the $1.2 billion stimulus is short term, would be added to the state budget over the next two years and would raise the annualized state budget by 10%; 75 % of that money is mandated by federal statute for directed uses that cannot be redirected by the state; the state currently is burdened with $20 billion in unfunded political promises; the stimulus added annualized state budget and directed uses of the funds will only compound the state’s long-term budget liabilities; but 25% of that money (approximately $700 million) is for discretionary spending by the state governor; and using that money to pay down the very sizable state debt and contingent liabilities would not penalize the people of South Carolina, would avoid budget shortcomings and ensure the state’s long term economic strength.  Having lived and struggled with a spendthrift legislature this is merit display of concern by our governor for our state and its citizens.

We are in a live-for-today, get-what-you-can and world of irresponsibility where government money is nobody’s money, to be grabbed and used whenever opportunity permits.  But government money is always taxpayer’s money (in this case ours, our children’s and our grandchildren’s).  It is commendable that there is still a person in public office, specifically Mark Stanford, who really cares about the future prosperity of our state and nation, and who would be so diligent and thoughtful as to carefully state his reasons.  I suggest that you read his letter; report it as “news” to your readers and take that opportunity to rethink your position.

Jim Wetzel

There they go again!

Aiken politics came a little early this year! The following article and the one that appeared yesterday regarding Jane Vaughters' plans and businesswoman  Liz Stewart's  intentions to run for an at large seat on City Council were initiated by the Aiken Standard. It appears that the same old crowd of developers aided by the  paper is trying to jump start their chosen candidates campaign so as to discourage others from running. Deja Vu all over again.




From the Aiken Standard

3/14/2009 12:25 AM

Dick Smith won't seek re-election

By HALEY HUGHES
Staff writer

Aiken City Councilman Dick Smith announced Friday he will not seek re-election for his Fourth District seat, joining fellow Councilwoman Jane Vaughters in the decision to step down at the end of eight years of service.

Like Vaughters, who currently fills an at-large seat, Smith said he too believes in term limits. They were both elected in 2001.

"I think it's time to move on," he said. "It has been an honor to serve. Jane Vaughters and I have accomplished quite a bit."

The names of Dr. Bauer Vaughters and wife DeeDee, Jane Vaughters' son and daughter-in-law, have been floating around as possible candidates. Bauer Vaughters said neither he nor his wife will run for City Council at this time.

But the ballot for the City of Aiken's November municipal elections continues to take shape - another Council incumbent will seek re-election and a newcomer has announced he is running for an at-large seat.

Second District Councilwoman Lessie Price said Friday she will attempt to retain her seat on Council, one which she has held since the late 1980s. In fact, she was the first woman to run for and be elected to the governing body.

"We have seen tremendous growth. And I think, overall, it has been well planned. It has had a positive impact. We have dealt with housing, traffic and economic development and have tackled those as a body," she said of the areas she has focused on during her time on Council and will continue to focus on.

And though a formal announcement will come soon, Kent Cubbage told the Aiken Standard on Friday he is running for a City Council at-large seat.

"I decided to do this two years ago," Cubbage said. "I was inspired by the birth of my daughter. I figured I have to get involved because I want her to know the Aiken I love so dearly. I am more youthful than the other Council members and no one will outwork me or outwalk me. I will be the ears and voice of the whole City. I have the skills and experience to help lead the City."

He worked for an environmental consulting firm when he first moved to Aiken during which he said he learned the ins and outs of zoning, green space and adaptive property reuse issues. He is also a graduate of Leadership Aiken County, a 15-year Aiken resident and currently works as the biology program coordinator at Aiken Technical College.

"My motto is 'vision we need now,'" Cubbage said. "The City is at kind of a lull. When we come out of the current economic situation, I think growth will reach a peak again. And we could lose the Aiken we've come to cherish if we don't have the vision we need now. A vision both in favor of the citizens and businesses. Fostering and promoting entrepreneurship will get us through this economic situation. Small business is what is going to get us through this."

Cubbage will run as a Republican.

The City's other at-large seat is currently filled by Councilman Don Wells. Wells said Thursday he will run again.

Aiken Planning Commissioner and business woman Liz Stewart has also declared her intentions to run for an at-large seat.

City Council Update

AIKEN CORPORATION WORK SESSION – The work session on February 23rd with the Aiken Corporation began with a lengthy briefing on the history and accomplishments of this non-profit community organization. They have every right to be proud of what they have done for the Aiken community since their founding in the early 1980s. After their briefing, Council had an excellent discussion which focused on several matters of importance. Issues related to the Railroad Depot and African American Cultural Museum were discussed along with several concerns I voiced about the Fiscal Year 2008 Audit. If you are interested further in this item, please refer to the minutes of the work session which are not yet available. I will post the link on the next Aiken Journal entry.

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS – I am please to announce the appointment of Stephen Mueller, who operates the Rose Hill B&B, to a position on the Accommodations Tax Committee and the reappointment of Pat Andringa to the Arts Commission and Robert Besley to the Building Code Appeals Committee.

CONVEYANCE OF CITY-OWNED LOTS TO HABITAT – At Monday’s meeting we will have First Reading of an Ordinance to give four city-owned lots to Habitat. Each year as they build houses and use these lots, we would replenish them with additional vacant lots.

AIKEN'S 175TH BIRTHDAY- This is an unusually light session for a City Council meeting so this posting will be very brief. I do want to let everyone know that planning is active for celebrating the 175^th birthday of the City of Aiken during the 2010 year. Bill Reynolds, who is the Chair of the Planning Commission, was nominated and elected as Chair for this massive planning event. Mayor Fred Cavanaugh is the Honorary Chair. Richard Pearce is the Staff Representative so please call him if you want to volunteer to serve on one of the Committees. He can be reached at 642-7657.