Where the Battle Lies

Thanks to everyone for your concern over the future of our community and your help in spreading the word and garnering support far and wide.  We have a whole lot at stake here and can not afford to be passive.

Look for developing information in the days to come on some upcoming meetings (one with Senator Shealy)  and a council sub-committee meeting we all need to plan to attend.

I've spent quite a bit of time researching and today had the chance to talk one on one with a couple of high officials with Lexington County, one of whom is a powerful councilman.  Through all of this I've learned many things that are not going to sit well.  But they do provide us with guidance on where we need to focus our time and attention.

• Vulcan has not presented or offered anything on the mine to the county. They have talked to Walt McPherson who is the Zoning Administrator.  That is all they have done.
• The county has no recourse whatsoever. This area is zoned appropriately (RD) and Windmill is the proper road classification (collector).
• There has been no official request to close Stutman.
• The only thing on any council agenda for next week is a report to a sub-committee back from Public Works on a traffic count for the road. I'm sure this is for consideration in the future on the county's stance on closing Stutman.
• Stutman is a state road therefore it is not the county's decision to close it. A petition has to be made to the court. The county is usually asked their position and they either state no position or disapprove.
• Even if the county disapproves, it is ultimately up to the judge/court.
• There is the possibility that even if Stutman is closed Vulcan could continue with the project.

I say all of that to emphasize that as it stands, the only big hope in preventing this lies with DHEC as they would have to issue many permits for this project. Air, water, blasting, landfill to name 4 biggies.  I have already signed up to be notified of any filings by Vulcan and planned public hearings from the Air division.  

DHEC may not be elected but they certainly can be influenced by our state leaders like Senator Shealy.

I'm not at all saying we do not need to stop letting the county hear our voices or see our faces at meetings where any aspect of this is discussed.  I also think that we need people/faces to go with the petition at the council meeting. A lot of them.  If and when the time comes, we want the county to not recommend the road closure.

The point of attack lies with DHEC. That is where this war will be won. I believe the majority of our resources need to focus on them and not the county.  This includes as many state leaders including Lexington County's own Governor Haley, Senator Shealy and our Representative Ralph Shealy Kennedy.

None of this is wasted.  The petitions, the voice, the support against this is strongly needed throughout the fight.  Vulcan has deep pockets and attorneys already working on this plan.  This fight is not over and there is no easy fix.  

Thank you again because without this support, any one of us might as well grab a shovel and start helping them dig.