Aiken Equine Charities Cup

Aiken Equine Charities Cup

30 Goal Polo Match

Kentucky Derby Party

Organized by:

To Benefit

New Bridge Polo & Country Club

862 New Bridge Road, Aiken SC

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Game time at 3:00 pm

Gates open at 2:00 pm

Tailgate Parking Passes include wristbands for up to six vehicle passengers.

Additional Wristbands $10 (available in advance and at the gate.)

Wristband admissions include:

Kentucky Derby Party at the Clubhouse

Immediately following the trophy presentation

With complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, and soft drinks

Make Your Own Party!

Hitchcock Woods Foundation will present two prizes:

1- Best Turned Out Tailgating Party

2- Most Spirited Tailgaters

Parking Pass Levels

Front Row Clubhouse $150

Front Row Southside $100

Back Row Clubhouse $50

Back Row Southside $50

General Admission Parking $10

(does not include admission to Kentucky Derby Party)

Three ways to purchase:

1. Visit 302polo.com

2. Call 803-642-0528 with your credit card information

3. Send a check specifying location to:

Hitchcock Woods Foundation

P.O. Box 1702

Aiken, SC 29802

www.hitchcockwoods.org | Subscription Preferences

Hitchcock Woods Foundation

P.O. Box 1702

Aiken, SC 29802

(803) 642-0528

City Council Update

AIKEN CORPORATION WORK SESSION – My last two emails 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 on the next Council Update.

WORK SESSION TO CONSIDER REQUEST BY ST. JOHN’S METHODIST CHURCH FOR PARKWAY CUTS – The church has requested cut-throughs in the parkways on Chesterfield Street and Newberry to resolve some safety issues. The Park Commission reviewed the request and unanimously denied the two cut-throughs. It has been several decades since the City has approved any cut through. In fact, the City has closed several of them.

175th CELEBRATION UPDATE – All subcommittees have met and elected their leadership. There are many volunteers working to plan a year of celebrating the 175th birthday of Aiken. Plans are underway to announce a calendar of 2010 events this fall.

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL DOCTORS’ OFFICE BULDING – The Planning Department will consider this issue at its meeting on Tuesday, April 14.

ADPS REACCREDITED - The Aiken Department of Public Safety has been reaccredited. Over 460 professional standards had to be met for this event to occur. Congratulations to Chief Pete Frommer and his department. There are very few police departments of the size of Aiken that have been accredited. It is a very unusual award which should make us proud of our public safety department.

VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON – On Thursday, April 23, the City will hold the annual luncheon recognizing our board, commission, and committee volunteers. Including those involved with the 175th Celebration, the number of volunteers is in the hundreds. They provide valuable services at no cost to the City and represent a high level of community service to the community.

2009 DUI ENFORCEMENT AWARD – The Office of Highway Safety in Columbia recently presented the City of Aiken, the Agency of the Year Award due to our 100% reduction in fatalities from 6 to 0 from the previous year and our 100% reduction in alcohol related fatalities from 3 to 0 over the previous year. During that time the Department of Public Safety also increased their DUI arrest and conducted over 20 DUI Awareness and Traffic Safety presentations. Congratulations to Corporal Chris Carter, PSO Ronald Griffin and PSO Christopher Hammell. They will be recognized during our Council meeting on Monday night.

BUDGET WORK SESSION – On March 23 Council had the first of several sessions on next year’s budget. The proposed budget will be $1.8 million less that it was last year. It appears that we can meet our fiscal needs for next year without a tax increase, but there may be some increased in city services. Final details will be formulated as we get closer to budget approval time. Minutes of the work session are on line and are included in the Agenda for the April 13 meeting.

SILVER BLUFF ROAD REZONING – There was a work session prior to our last Council meeting at the request of the owner of property on Silver Bluff Road. This was the project to rezone property on Silver Bluff Road to permit construction of a Tae Kwan Do facility. Nearby property owners strongly objected and the project was defeated on a 4-3 vote with Mayor Cavanaugh, and Council members Smith, Vaughters and Dewar against approval. The work session was held to determine interest in approving the project if the developer donated a large portion of the land to the City as open space. Those owners, present at the work session, again objected to the project although one neighbor seemed willing to consider the project. According to Council rules the project could not be considered without a motion and two seconds by Council. When Councilman Wells made a motion to place the item on the agenda, it was seconded by Council members Price and Clyburn. Hence, the item will be on our Agenda for First Reading on Monday’s meeting. It is possible that the Developer will not have a tenant for the proposed building which means that any type of business that meets the zoning requirements can build at the site. There will be, however, a restriction as to the number of trips per day that will be allowed so that will ensure there will not be a high-volume business built.

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. We will have Second Reading of this item on Monday night.

$1.5 MILLION LOAN FOR CROSLAND PARK - We will have Second 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.

SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY OF AIKEN’S COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION PLAN AND TO ADOPT THE 10 YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT. – In 2007 the State Priority Investment Act required that a 10 year Capital Element be adopted as part of our Comprehensive Plan. This plan looks at potential funding for public infrastructure and facilities during the next 10 years and recommends the projects for expenditure for facilities such as water, sewer, and roads. Once this plan is adopted, it would then be coordinated with adjacent and relevant jurisdictions and agencies.

APPROVAL OF ELECTION SCHEDULE – At last Council meeting, the City Election Commission presented a proposed schedule for the City Council election later this year. They also asked at the request of the Aiken County School System that we move the voting location for Precinct 53. Precinct 53 (Hollow Creek) currently votes at Chukker Creek Elementary School and the school has complained about voting traffic during school hours. The proposed location advocated by the City Elections Commission may not be suitable if it places too great a burden on the voter. We also discussed the law regarding the location of precincts relative to where the voters live. Our City Attorney has prepared a paper for our consideration. As currently proposed the opening date for filing is Aug 3 and closing date is Aug 10. The Primary election would be held on September 8 with September 22 selected as a run-off date. Election Day would be on November 3.

APPROVAL OF PUBLIC SAFETY GRANT – Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the City of Aiken is receiving $62,119.82 requiring no matching funds. This funding helps us purchase equipment that we cannot afford through the normal budgetary process. This money comes from the Stimulus Law Enforcement Grant from the Department of Justice.

FIRST READING OF A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR CITY RENTAL PROGRAM – Over the next several weeks, the City of Aiken will be purchasing several homes in Crosland Park that are currently occupied. We need to approve a lease agreement that we could use for renting our property.

SALE OF CONFISCATED WEAPONS – Council will discuss sale of confiscated weapons to registered gun dealers which could net the City from $15,000 to $20,000. Sale of these weapons will comply with all existing laws. Our local Solicitor has stated that we have the authority to sell such weapons.

Brilliant Commentary on Change by Jack DeVine

Thanks to the Aiken Standard for publishing the following brilliant comments.Those who hunger for change should especially heed the advice contained in the last paragraph. To read the column and comment on it go to Aiken Standard


Quote


What's in a word? Political rhetoric changes definitions
4/1/2009 4:23 PM
By JACK DeVINE

Guest columnist

Words are important. They are the foundation and framework of ideas, opinions, judgments, decisions and actions. There may be nothing new about politicians twisting words to make a point, but in this day of blitz communications, it seems to be becoming a fine art, one executed to great effect.

In George Orwell's nightmarish novel "1984," the government used language, called "Newspeak," with words and labels selected to evoke emotions and to prompt desired public reactions. Maybe I'm paranoid, but that seems to be exactly what's going on today.

Here's an example: Fair. During the campaign, candidate Obama patiently explained again and again that it wasn't redistribution of wealth he had in mind, but simply a matter of giving everyone his or her fair share. It's hard to argue with fair. We all like fair - fair play, fair ball, fair weather. Fair is the opposite of foul, or worse unfair, which only evil people want to be.

Many of us wondered at the time how far this could or should go. In tax space, for example, it is simple fact that 5 percent of the people (the wealthy, another touchy new word) already pay 60 percent of the nation's income taxes - and that's after President Bush's detestable "tax cuts for the rich" - while 40 percent of our citizens pay nothing at all. I'm not sure where the foul line is, and I fully support our progressive tax code that calls for people to pay in accord with their ability, but I'm hard pressed to accept the premise that the current split is unfair to the folks whose way is already being paid by others, or that fairness alone dictates that even more be taken from those who already carry most of the load.

As an entirely separate point, it is well established economic principle (and common sense) that an increase in taxes changes the spending and investment behavior of those taxed - and at some point decreases rather than increases tax revenue, which presumably was the whole idea behind raising taxes in the first place. Or maybe it was just to punish the wealthy for being unfair?

The political success of this semantic twist is catching on. Congress is now considering the so-called "Fairness Doctrine," legislation that would have the practical effect - and is intended solely for the purpose of - silencing conservative talk radio because it's just not fair. (Aside from the absurd label, I'm having a tough time sorting out how that squares with the free speech constitutionally protected by the First Amendment.)

An even more incendiary word that we now hear every day is Greed. Greed is a very ugly word. Since kindergarten we've learned to despise greedy people, the ones who take all the candy, who won't share, who hoard, who grab more than their fair share. We are told now that our economic problems are the direct consequence of greedy people, primarily Wall Street types, and that we are now emerging from an Era of Greed and are striving to move to an Era of Responsibility.

I have no doubt that there are greedy characters around who have amassed fortunes at others' expense, and I'm all for applying sensible regulation and enforcement to attack that problem, just as we do with all other brands of criminal or harmful behavior. A problem to be fixed? Certainly. An indictment of our entire economic system? Of capitalism? Of course not.

To be fair, the president's prepared speeches generally include the appropriate qualifiers, as in his inaugural address reference to the "greed and irresponsibility of some." But that constant refrain, hammered again and again by the president and his spokespersons and cheerfully amplified by the media, cements the overall impression that greed and irresponsibility have been the central characteristics, the hallmarks, of our society and that our decades of prosperity have been undeserved and unhealthy. Perhaps President Obama feels it necessary to create that impression in order to tee up the sweeping social and economic changes he wants, but that doesn't make it true.

On the contrary, I believe we are a uniquely responsible and principled nation, fair and extraordinarily generous to our citizens and to the world. That should be our starting point in choosing what to change, what to fix and what to keep.

The writer is a businessman and resident of Aiken.

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