South Region Alert – Vehicle BOLO

Please be on the look out for a Ford F150 Pick-up Truck, Red on top, white in the middle, and red on the bottom. The truck is described as a 1980s Model. The truck is loud possibly having muffler issues. This vehicle was seen in the Rosewood Neighborhood occupied by three black males described to be in their 30’s/40’s. These subjects were seen stealing from yards, garages, and sheds. This vehicle may also be involved in burglaries and auto breakings.

If this vehicle is spotted or a vehicle with similarities please call police at 252-2911 or 911.

See you in September!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As I pen this update on our city government, I am reminded of the classic opening line of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….” Over the last several months we have seen much that saddens and disappoints us as well as events which have been inspiring and hopeful. I sense, however, that just like these dog days of summer will evolve into a beautiful, crisp fall, our better days as a city are ahead of us.

We have certainly had our challenges over the past several months. The longest serving council member resigned and pleaded guilty to charges in federal district court, and there was much controversy and litigation associated with the special election to fill the open seat. Our new mayor, hours after his election victory, was involved in a tragic intersection collision on the way to a morning media interview. Key public safety positions, including the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief, are now staffed by interim officers. However, The city finished the fiscal year with an approximate $5 million dollar surplus, which reflected strong progress in fiscal management and control and allowed us to replenished badly needed reserves. The Bookings Institute recently ranked Columbia among the strongest metro regions in the country. City Council will have three new members, including a new Mayor, bringing in new ideas, perspectives, and energy to our city leadership. And in the last! two weeks, The University of South Carolina announced its largest single gift of $30 million, and the Gamecocks baseball team thrilled and inspired us with their victory in the College World Series.

We now have important issues before us relating to public safety, neighborhood integrity and the greening of our city, and I want to take this opportunity to update you.

Public Safety Leadership

The present opening in the Chief of Police position has renewed discussions about closer coordination and cooperation between the Columbia Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s office. I have been very impressed with the vision and leadership of Sheriff Leon Lott and the extensive resources he has developed within the Sheriff’s office. For instance, Sheriff Lott has opened his own crime lab which allows prompt processing of DNA samples, avoiding the long delay in investigations when DNA evidence is processed by the SLED lab, and he has developed comprehensive gang and drug enforcement units. Council is exploring a two-year experiment in which Sheriff Lott would take over the management and supervision of the Columbia Police Department. I am supportive of such a concept because it could potentially result in significant efficiencies, streamlin! e law enforcement throughout the entire county, and further our efforts to consolidate city/county services. As always, I welcome your input as city council considers this matter.

Crime in Our City

I have often said that unless our neighborhoods and business/hospitality districts are safe, nothing else we do as a city really matters. In recent months we have had several major crime incidents in our hospitality districts, particularly in the early morning hours, and we have marshaled significant police resources to address them. It is clear to me that the issues in our hospitality districts are multifaceted, but we must not let policing these areas in any way detract from public safety assignments and resources from other areas of the city, especially our neighborhoods. I have suggested that the city explore a possible 2:00 a.m. bar closing time in conjunction with the county. Many South Carolina communities, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, and Greenville require bars to close at 2:00 a.m. and have experienced a decline in late night criminal incidents. I am mindful that many young adults like the late night bar option, but we must balance this against! significant safety challenges and law enforcement costs. It is critical that we have vibrant and safe hospitality districts, and I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on this issue.

Addressing neighborhood crime remains at the top of my priorities. We have seen a spike in auto break-ins in Five Points and in Wales Gardens, Shandon, Sherwood Forest, Wheeler Hill, Heathwood, and Melrose Heights neighborhoods. The CPD has sent out periodic crime advisories, and, if you are not presently connected to NIXLE, the Police Advisory email network, I urge you to do so. You can sign up at http://www.nixle.com/. The bottom line here is that we must practice tried and true safety precautions like removing all valuables from our cars when we park and keeping our car doors locked. Please report any suspicious activity to the Police at 252-2911 or 911.

Sustaining and Greening Our City

Our City’s ability to implement sustainable living practices will be one of the keys to Columbia’s success in the decades ahead. District 3 residents have championed our identity as a sustainable, environmentally conscious, and green community. One new initiative is the organization of Sustainable Midlands, spearheaded by Hollywood/Rose Hill resident, Ms. Ryan Nevius, that encourages citizen participation and advocacy in a host of issues including clean water and air, land use, and transportation. I urge you to check out the group’s website at www.sustainablemidlands.org and to join me at their upcoming “Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival” at the City Roots Urban Farm in Rosewood on August 8th.

Earlier this spring Ms. Nevius contacted me about concerns over the City’s plans to address maintenance issues at our historic Columbia Canal and requested that I help facilitate a meeting with our Water Department staff. Her group sought an opportunity to engage our staff and concerned residents in discussion on best practices in handling critical needs in repairing the canal, while remaining sensitive to the environmental and wildlife habitat concerns at this important site on the banks of the Congaree River. After several meetings and with cool heads and sound reason, these concerns now have been resolved.

The City’s Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC), headed up by former City Councilwoman Anne Sinclair, and Keep the Midlands Beautiful partnered to launch the new “Lose the Baggage” campaign, which was kicked off in late June at Rosewood Market with Mayor Coble. Designed to dramatically reduce the number of plastic bags used by Midlands residents, the initiative encourages the use of reusable grocery bags. Rosewood Market owner and longtime environmentalist Basil Garzia is a member of the Lose the Baggage Planning Committee, and, in a recent interview with The State newspaper, reminds us that Midlands residents use some 169 million plastic bags a year and that the life of a single plastic bag in a landfill is likely! 500-to 1000 years. I attended the June press conference announcing the campaign and am now an avid reusable bag convert!

Sustainable Neighborhood Initiatives

Maintaining distinctive neighborhoods with character is a critical smart growth strategy that will ensure that Columbia will continue to attract residents and residential investment in the future. I am pleased to report that City Council gave unanimous final approval in June to the Shandon Neighborhood Council’s request for the new Community Character Protection designation, which formalizes the protective measures that the “Interim Measures” for neighborhood protection previously provided. Other neighborhoods now exploring this new designation include Rosewood and Sherwood Forest. The Forest Hills neighborhood is considering various historic designation options.

The Edisto Court Neighborhood in Rosewood is the focus of a special request from the City for participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new initiative, “Greening America’s Capitals.” If Columbia is selected for participation, special EPA teams will provide state of the art assistance in guiding sustainable development principles for the Edisto Court neighborhood, which includes long term residents along with commercial and industrial entities. This is an exciting proposal and points us to new ways of thinking about the future not only of this important area of Columbia, but our whole city in the years to come.

Looking Ahead

On June 30th, I invited a group of key District 3 neighborhood leaders to join me in a discussion with Mayor Steve Benjamin about the priorities for our City. Please know that I look forward to working with our new Mayor and Council in addressing critical City needs and challenges. Over the next several months I also will be working closely with city staff to implement plans for the new city parking area for Five Points, the renovation of the Columbia Tennis Center, and the restoration the historic Maxcy Gregg Park, all of which should be finished by this time next year.

These are indeed exciting times for our Columbia, and it is an honor to represent you on City Council. Do not hesitate to contact me about matters of concern or suggestions to improve our Columbia.

Sincerely,
 
Belinda Gergel
Columbia City Council, District 3 Representative 

The meeting was held at Owens Field Airport Terminal in the conference room,   Rebecca Munnerlyn,  president.

Michelle Huggins from South Kilbourne talked about a rash of burglaries in the area.    Several people have reported men walking around the neighborhood selling security systems and annoying residents.     People should ask to see a business license.     

Dog walkers are reminded to pick up after their pets but one homeowner had an unpleasant confrontation with a dog walker who refused to do this.   Other concerns included curbs and asphalt being torn out by city construction crews and not replaced.

Gerry Lynn Hall from the City of Columbia asked for feedback on bike lanes,  it has generally been positive.    There are concerns about people parking in the bike lanes during track meets and events at Memorial Stadium and at the track.    Ms. Hall is liaison for City services.

Elections were held for Secretary – Cyndy Storm and Vice President – Jenna Stephens.   Other candidates for VP were Ursula Pallares and Peter Mayers.

Discussion was started on changing the meeting occurences from monthly to quarterly or bi-monthly.   This may necessitate changing the bylaws.  Peter Mayers brought up the topic of having members pay dues,   this will be discussed on the website.

Community Character Protection:  People were comfortable with the Interim Measures so far.  Rebecca was asked by Councilwoman Belinda Gergel to write a letter to Amy Moore (DDRC) to begin the official process. The City of Columbia will assist  conducting a final vote among property owners about adapting Community Character Protection.   Everyone voted in favor of continuing with this.   Discussion followed on restrictions for subdivided lots.

506 S. Howard was cited for having a trash dumpster without a permit; dumpster was quickly removed.

A photo contest is being considered for photos taken around the Rosewood Neighborhood.   Winning photos will be placed at the website with credit given for the photographer.

On Saturday,   June 26, a  www.americaspeaks.org will be held in Columbia, with 500 people participating on site with wider access via the Internet with live streaming.

Rebecca and two other neighbhood presidents were contacted by SCE&G about their upcoming proposal to install a new substation in Rosewood,  near Deerwood.   Neighborhood input will be important to any decision and there is a series of meetings being planned, including a special meeting in early September. SCE&G’s proposal go to the Board of Zoning Appeals in October.

The group,  Wine for Water,  is going to be having a fund raiser at Cook’s Mountain to benefit Gill’s Creek Parkway.

Respectfully Submitted

 Cyndy Storm,  Secretary

RCC Meeting Reminder: Thursday, July 15, 6:30 pm. Owens Airport Conference Room. Come hear about SCE&G’s substation proposal and the grant opportunity offered by EPA’s “Greening America’s Capitals” program. If Columbia is selected, EPA will provide state-of-the-art assistance in guiding sustainable development principles for the Edisto Court/Owens area, which includes long term residents, commercial and industrial entities.