Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Allendale County Council members discuss topics at their August 17 meeting.
On August 17, the Allendale County Council worked on numerous issues that will affect the Allendale community, including healthcare resources, broadband services and the state of the county’s housing and firetruck accessibility.
New fire station
The council discussed council member Willa Jennings’ proposed request for $1.2 million from the county’s federal delegates: Congressman Jim Clyburn and Senator Tim Scott. This money would be used for a new firehouse in the area surrounding St. Mark’s Baptist Church.
Although the county recently got a new fire truck, the only fire stations located in the county are in the towns of Fairfax and Allendale. Since the areas of the county near the Savannah River are less populated, public resources are less accessible.
“By the time firefighters and a truck get there, some people may have died because of the lack of fire protection in the rural areas,” said Jennings, whose district encompasses the St. Marks area. “It’s the only community in Allendale County — mostly African-Americans — that does not have fire protection.”
Genesis Healthcare
During the meeting, Charles Farmer, a lobbyist from the non-profit healthcare organization Genesis Healthcare spoke to the council, requesting a non-binding resolution to encourage Genesis to work with the community. Genesis, which is based in Columbia, claims that its mission is to expand healthcare resources into communities that struggle with healthcare accessibility.
Although Allendale County struggles with poverty and employment, council members and surrounding communities have frequently praised Allendale’s hospital, which is located between the towns of Allendale and Fairfax.
“Quite frankly, [the hospital] is one of the few things in this county that works in the way that it should,” council chair Matthew Connelly asked. “What is the need in the county that the county doesn't currently offer? What do you think that you are going to offer that we don’t already have?”
Farmer said that Genesis focuses on primary care, and does not get involved in emergency room services. The council voted 3-2 in favor of the non-binding resolution.
Housing
The council also discussed ongoing efforts to improve Allendale’s housing situation, which the community has frequently voiced concerns about. Council member William Robinson said William Molnar, the executive director of the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, will be at the council’s September 21 meeting to deliver a presentation on housing. Molnar and the Lower Savannah Council of Governments are frequently involved in grant making for community development projects in South Carolina.
“We hear a lot about housing, about housing period,” Robinson said. “We certainly don’t have enough here. With the impact of new industry and people moving in, we all need to be aware of what’s out there in terms of housing development.”
Affordable Connectivity Program
The council and its audience also heard from Angela Hughes of the Federal Communications Commission, who is working on outreach for a federal program that increases internet accessibility.
Called the Affordable Connectivity Program, it provides a discount of $30 per month for internet service for Americans who make under 200% of federal poverty guidelines, or qualify for certain government assistance programs. In rural communities like Allendale, where poverty is high and broadband access is poor, getting high-speed internet is out of reach.
Hughes said that one of the reasons she came to Allendale was to promote the existence of the program in rural areas.
“We are out here to make you aware, so you can reach out to your constituents to apply for this program,” Hughes said.
