To Whom It May Concern

By Henry F. Cooper…February 11, 2021

342 Sweetwater Road, North Augusta, SC  29860

Since I could not be with you this evening, I want to share a few brief thoughts.

First, I advocate planning to accomplish any important goal. I’ve spent most of my adult life planning to achieve important national security goals, with considerable success.

Second, planning for Edgefield County’s future deserves high priority, given Augusta’s inevitable growth in regional and national importance—and the consequential fallout of that growth in all of Augusta’s surrounding areas. Yesterday’s important announcement of Generac’s new plant in Trenton is an important beginning, in my view—and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

Third, I witnessed such evolution everywhere I have lived since I left my Sweetwater farm experience where I learned most of life’s most important lessons from the good folks of this community. I recall when Highway 25 was essentially the only nearby paved road, and it was a significant challenge to drive up and down neighboring unpaved clay hills in a summer rain. Most of the time since then, I have lived in areas where poorly planned growth replaced rural areas. One exception is development along the Georgetown Pike between McLean and Great Falls, Virginia, which was formally declared a Historic Byway decades ago, requiring it remain rural and a two-lane road. That is why I urged at a previous county planning meeting that our planners explore how to make Sweetwater Road a Historic Byway, if South Carolina permits such a possibility. I would also welcome rerouting 18-wheeler traffic to Highway 25 as a priority future planning goal. 

Fourth, whatever the future outcome of the current planning activity, I urge that the rights of all our citizens be respected. Remember that Thomas Jefferson adapted “right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence from John Locke’s “life, liberty and property.” I think owners should have the right to do as they wish with their property, so long as it does not “unduly” infringe on the rights of others. And therein is the rub—and why zoning is important as growth follows from commercial developments, which I believe is unavoidable as our surrounding region grows. Years ago, I recall fierce objections raised when zoning was considered to limit what could be done near Sweetwater Road—and presumably other roads in the county. No doubt, today there are some eyesores that resulted from that stalled effort. Now, Edgefield County “powers that be” are considering new zoning and some folks are rightly concerned.

Fifth, I urge these serious matters be considered with polite deliberations that factually inform and debate possibilities where disagreements exist. I hope that this meeting takes steps in that direction.

Finally, if I were present, I would comment on Tavern Hill, which has attracted significant public attention. Please note that I would much prefer to see only the same open fields where I planted, cultivated and harvested crops as a boy—and joined tens of others in annual dove shoots in the Fall, rather than any housing developments. But that property was inherited by my niece and I could not then afford to purchase it at today’s fair market value. She was well within her rights to sell it and I bear her no ill.  At the same time, I met with the developers of Tavern Hill several years ago and they assured me as they began planning that they would follow architectural designs and roadways that would benefit our neighborhood—I still believe that to be the case.  By the way, widely distributed reports that there will be 212 townhomes are false, as long ago could have been verified by simply checking the County records in Edgefield.  The correct number is zero. It and other unverified claims should be discounted. We owe it to each other to be truthfully informed.

Thank you for your consideration.

28 days ago, I had just wrapped up a trip to California mixed with business and pleasure.  For my entire adult life with my bride Suzy (almost 31 years of marriage after 4 years of dating), I long wanted to take her to visit my family in California and to show her where I lived as a little boy.  This particular trip, planned for two years, was a dream come true!

After she returned home to Edgefield County, I spent the second half of that trip preparing business plans, thinking about things I hope to execute in the next few years, and meeting with individuals who are passionate about things I am passionate about.

Our world has changed since I returned home to South Carolina, Monday March 2, 2020.

28 days ago, our economy was booming.  28 days ago, unemployment rates were at historic lows especially for the African American and Hispanic American communities.  Today, they are higher than we faced during the Great Depression, and our economy faces an unknown future as we fight an enemy we cannot see, the COVID-19 virus.  Last week, our Federal Government passed a stimulus bill that is the greatest single spending bill in the history of our republic.

The projected date for peak COVID-19 cases varies, depending on who you listen to. In a March 27 press conference with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Tim Scott, South Carolina’s Senior Senator Lindsey Graham stated,  “While it is expected the summer heat will help end the spread of virus, we could expect a rebound in the fall,” (paraphrased), an indication that we really don’t know the length or impact of this current crisis.

My thinking has been profoundly impacted by this pandemic, my participation in daily state-wide conference calls on handing this issue and speaking with Edgefield County constituents during the past two weeks.  I will share an important decision after discussing three key factors:

First, during my California trip, I wrote my article posted on March 16^th, (linked), mentioning the two non-routine items County Council has planned to execute this year: The Capital Project Sales Tax and the Land Management Ordnance Project. At the time I wrote that, I didn’t have any doubts these items could be completed in 2020.  Both projects have either their own commission or steering committee, which hold regular meetings, which should be open to the public.  Due to COVID-19, we made the decision to postpone both meetings last week, until next month.  Currently, it is unclear how long this trend will be required to continue.  For the future success of Edgefield County, I care deeply about seeing these projects executed during my tenure serving you on County Council.

Second, during the last two weeks, I have talked a lot with residents in the Sweetwater and Merriwether sections of the county.  Honestly, I sought to persuade many of them to run for the District 5 Council seat.  With the 2020 Census, the growth District 5 is facing, and also considering  how the 2030 census will impact future County Council Districts, I believe it is critically important we have representation from District 5 that has strong ties to the unfolding history of District 5.  The vast majority of those I spoke with encouraged me to serve one more term, since the timing wasn’t right for them to serve.

Third, I have talked with constituents inside the county but outside District 5, who told me they were appreciative of my time serving as Chairman of County Council, and they did not want me to leave that position for at least one more term.

Based on these three factors, I have decided to file and run for another term. For those registered to vote in District 5, I sincerely hope to have your support at the ballot box at the Primary on June 9^th.

I want to tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity I have had to serve Edgefield County, in various roles, for what will end up being close to 8 years.

You may or may not know, that while my family has a history in Edgefield County which dates back to the 1800’s, prior to 2013 I had never lived here.  Much of the previous 25 years, as our family restored our historic home, our journey’s to Edgefield County generally were in 72 hour increments, for three day weekends!  

Knowing we would one day relocate here, I studied the greater CSRA region for much of the previous two decades.  Each of the three places I lived during the course of those twenty years: Stafford County, Virginia; Chesapeake, Virginia and Spotsylvania County, Virginia had all witnessed tremendous growth in the decade surrounding our being residents there.  We witnessed development take place well, and we witnessed development take place poorly.  

Because of that history, I knew before we moved here, that whatever growth came towards Edgefield County as a result of the growth in the Greater CSRA, I wanted to do everything I could to help ensure it developed in a positive way, which would be great for the generations coming after us.  I just never imagined the various roles I would play, and how my love for the people and interest in all the various needs of our county would evolve. I’d like to share with you that evolution.

Shortly after arriving, My County Council Representative Genia Blackwell asked me to serve on the Tax Appeals Board.  I was so honored to be asked, I couldn’t say no! During that process, I learned a tremendous amount about the financial hardship, and the heroic leadership Edgefield County had during the Great Recession, when close to $ 1 Million had to be cut from a $ 10 Million budget, while preserving all jobs! I learned many other things during this time period, including the opportunity to hear quite a few residents request adjustments to their taxes!

It was during this time period I was also randomly selected to serve on the Edgefield County Grand Jury, which is a one year appointment.  That process taught me a great deal about the criminal justice system, and the various crime problems our county faces.

Before the term on the tax appeals board was over, Councilwoman Blackwell asked me if I would be willing to leave that board and serve on the Hospital Board, which I did.  Through out the last decade the challenges on rural hospitals have been immense. Many have closed. The only thing constant in healthcare, is change! I am so grateful to the team at Edgefield County Hospital.  I could write a lot about that experience! I simply want to thank the leadership of Board Chairperson Connie Sutton and CEO Carols Milanes, who along with the rest of the board, helped ECH transition into a partnership with Self Regional Hospital.

When Councilwoman Blackwell decided to not run for re-election, I decided to run for the District 5 seat.  At the end of this year, I will have served two terms, one term as Chairman. Many things are taking place in our county which all of us can be proud of.  We are executing on many things outlined in The Pace Study and The Strategic Plan. Last year we completed the required Comprehensive Plan. The two most significant non-routine items we will execute this year, both of which take a tremendous amount of team effort and time, are the Land Management Ordinances and the Capital Project Sales Tax.  Both of which you will learn more about as the year progresses, if you follow County Government. 

Here is one thing I know to be true serving in elected office:  you can not please 100 % of the people 100 % of the time. We need to strive to listen to all sides, both those who are publicly vocal and those who prefer to speak one on one, and then make principled decisions which will best serve the long term stability and goals of the county.  Your County Council has been, and continues to be committed to that.

I just wanted to let you, the Edgefield Advertiser reader, know that I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve.  It has been a great pleasure and privilege. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful people during the experiences I just shared.

Today begins the two week period where candidates register to run for office.  I have decided that I will not be seeking another term on County Council.  I feel I need to invest more time on my farm, which includes planning future events.  I also want to pursue a couple of other business opportunities which I chose to delay while I invested time on county business.  Who knows, perhaps beginning in 2021 I’ll restart my weekly editorial at The Advertiser!

I am committed to finishing this year on County Council strong.  One of my goals is to help compile a handbook for new County Council Representatives and new County Council Chairpeople.  In both circumstances you enter the role not knowing what you do not know. There is no guidebook! It is my goal to help those who chose to serve their term in the future, get up and running as quickly as possible.

Two closing thoughts: First, I want to thank the County staff for their commitment.  We have so many great team members, in every department. Second, I believe not only does Edgefield County have a great history – we have an amazing future!  It’s true – “It feels different here, because it is different here!”

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Like me, you may have heard it said that trying to bring Broadband Internet capabilities to rural areas like Edgefield County in the early part of the 21^st century is similar in the effort our grandparents had in bringing electricity to rural areas in the early part of the 20^th century.

You are probably also keenly aware that economies of the 21^st century must have internet access, if they are to compete in the global marketplace.  If you have had the privilege of traveling to third world nations where entire villages have skipped the “wired” infrastructure and gone straight to the “wireless” infrastructure, you are even more aware of the competitiveness edge that comes with having this technology.

Edgefield County is not alone in our challenge to bring Broadband Internet access to rural areas.  Rural parts of South Carolina are not alone in this challenge.  It is a challenge the entire United States faces.

I want to give you two tasks this week, to help with this incredibly important effort.  First, act on the information I am about to provide you.  Second, get everyone in your sphere of influence to do the same.  This is part of a nationwide effort to bring Broadband to not only our historic county, but our entire republic.

The National Association of Counties (NaCo), of which Edgefield County recently proudly joined, “has partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and Farm Credit to develop a mobile app designed to identify areas with low or no connectivity to help ensure adequate funding for broadband infrastructure is provided across the country.”

The next three paragraphs of my editorial are from NaCo’s flier, which is available at www.NaCo.org/TestIt.

““TestIT” is an iOS/Android mobile app that leverages a broadband sampling tool designed by Measurement Lab (MLab) to aggregate broadband speeds across the country from app users. With the press of a single button, users will be able to test their broadband speed from anywhere. Additionally, users will be able to compare their internet speeds to the national average and minimum standards established by the Federal Communications System. No personal information will be collected through this mobile app.

A snapshot of each sample will be sent to a database which will allow NaCo and partners to analyze connectivity data across the country. The data collected through this app will help identify areas where broadband service is overstated and underfunded by comparing the data to the National Broadband Map.

Your help identifying gaps in our nation’s broadband coverage is critical to making substantive changes to the process for reporting broadband service. We hope you will help shed light on this critically important issue and encourage your friends, family and constituents to join in the efforts as well!”

In closing, not only as Chairman of County Council, but more importantly as a business owner in Edgefield County, I implore you to invest the time to download this tool from The National Association of Counties, use it in several places through out our beautiful county, and encourage all your friends to do the same.

Thank you!  Here’s wishing you a productive week!

My editorial last week began by highlighting the study of geography, both macro-geography and micro-geography.  I also shared how until I began outlining a long-range plan in agriculture, there were parts of our own family farm I did not know about, even though I had visited it for over four decades.  That editorial can be found here.   http://hscottcooper.com/a-long-way-to-thank-county-leadership/.

The linked editorial ultimately was about thanking county leadership for the planning and execution of the Luke Bryan Concert this past weekend, where over 10,000 people entered our county, many thousands of them for the first time.  I started it the way I did, because heavy on my heart and mind is the future of Edgefield County.

Like I was unaware of the potential of some of our own family land, because I only knew the parts I had been exposed to, I believe many of us don’t understand the full potential future of Edgefield County.  In my opinion for us to reach the full potential of our county, together we will need to take a macroscopic approach to our county vs. a microscopic approach.  Allow me to define and separate the two.

A macroscopic approach to human geography aims to identify large-scale patterns in observed phenomena rather than concentrating on local data, especially in the analysis of population distribution, and its relation to economic and social conditions. A microscopic approach to geography is localized: involving or concerned with strict geographic localization.

I believe together we can accomplish a great vision for the future of our entire historic county.  A future where a rising tide lifts all boats: municipalities, non-municipal areas as well as areas which could potentially be incorporated over the next decade.  I believe that just like I was unaware of the potential of our own family farm, many of us are unaware of the potential of Edgefield County, with its proximity to the greater Central Savannah River Area.  This is especially true if we are focused on micro-geography.

Later this week, our county website will post a press release announcing three opportunities for Edgefield County citizens participate in public meetings regarding the completion and implementation of our Comprehensive Plan, which is currently being revised, with the help of a professional planning company.  These meetings will also be placed on our county calendar.

I would like to encourage you to participate in one of these three important meetings.  The dates are October 22^nd in Johnston, October 23^rd in Edgefield and October 24^th in Merriwether.  It is only necessary for you to participate one evening.  Each evening, the meetings will commence at 6:30 PM.

Because seating is limited in each of these venues, I would like to encourage you to R.S.V.P., so county leadership can plan accordingly.

Please click here to R.S.V.P. for the session in Johnston on Monday October 22, 2018.

Please click here to R.S.V.P. for the session in Edgefield on Tuesday October 23, 2018.

Please click here to R.S.V.P. for the session in Merriwether on Wednesday October 24, 2018.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

In economics, there is the study of macro-economics and the study of micro-economics.

The same is true when studying geography.  A macroscopic approach to human geography aims to identify large-scale patterns in observed phenomena rather than concentrating on local data, especially in the analysis of population distribution, and its relation to economic and social conditions. A microscopic approach to geography is localized: involving or concerned with strict geographic localization.

I have shared numerous times since our relocation to the Greater CSRA and Edgefield County, that although newcomers, I had been studying the trends of our region since the late 1990’s.  Honestly, what I had not studied was our own family farm.  Coming here in 72-hour increments for the previous two decades, my sisters and I, our spouses, and our children typically walked the same path each time we went out for a walk, which we did multiple times a day on our visit to what is now called Misty Morning Farms.

It wasn’t until the fall of 2012, when I started coming alone for extended weekends to begin thinking about a future in agriculture and how to best utilize our family heirloom, which has been maintained through four generations.  The first weekend I came alone, I parked my car at the edge of a hay field and walked into the woods.  I learned how quickly the topography changed. I was amazed at the steepness of our own property.  I spent that day exploring this part of our property, where I had never been, despite visiting here for over four decades.

There is an effort in our republic to silence the discussion of faith.  I don’t know about you, I personally find that troubling, especially when you look at our founding documents, which on more than one occasion refer to the hand of Divine Providence.

I believe there is more I don’t know about faith than I do know.  What I do know is God typically works in ways we don’t plan or understand.

Why the connection?

In 2012, as I was preparing to leave a world I knew extremely well to enter a world I knew very little, and very few individuals, I discovered major things about property I visited over four decades, but clearly didn’t understand yet.  I plan to return to this part of this editorial next week.

The point in sharing the introduction is to share one prayer I had that weekend in 2012, and part of an answer.  I say a part of an answer, because there is still an unknown future.  A prayer I had that weekend is that God would use our property for good things.

I believe this weekend’s Luke Bryan concert at Misty Morning Farms is a good thing, not only for Misty Morning Farms, but for Edgefield County as a whole.  This is an event Misty Morning Farms did not solicit, and never could have imagined.  Not in our wildest dreams.

Resulting from this blessing, thousands of individuals will enter Edgefield County for the first time.  This is transpiring after our county leadership recently approved new branding, a new logo and a new website.  All of which should be up for these visitors to see as they enter our county this weekend!  All of which highlight the best of what Edgefield County is about!  As our macrogeographic region is experiencing tremendous growth, I believe this is great timing!

Also resulting from this blessing is a display of amazing teamwork by our county and state leadership, from the County Administrator’s office, the Sheriff’s office, the Fire Departments, Emergency Preparedness, EMS, DOT, State Police, Verizon, the school system and many, many others.  Far too many individuals to list.  Not only have they been on numerous logistical planning conference calls, they have attended two site meetings.  What is truly impressive is they kept this event “under wraps” for months, after it was decided in January, until Luke Bryan announced in late May.

I believe our citizens have much to be proud of for the teamwork and the professionalism each of these departments (and ones I have inadvertently missed) have displayed.  I hope you will join me in thanking these team members in each of these departments for their efforts.

For those who want to know: department team members working this event will be compensated or reimbursed by the Luke Bryan concert promoters.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

__________________________

Above is my editorial in The Edgefield Advertiser on Wednesday October 3, 2018.  To follow are three reports about the concert, which have been done by local media!

Click here to read and watch Alexa Lightie of WRDW Channel 12’s report on September 24, 2018

Click here to read and watch Matt Kaufax of WRDW’s report on Wednesday October 3, 2018

Click here to read and watch Shawn Cabbagestalk of WJBF Channel 6’s report on October 3, 2018