Local Radar

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Ridge Spring Town Council hears from citizens on ordinance nixing Police Department

web posted August 30, 2006

RIDGE SPRING - The citizenry spoke during Monday night's public hearing but whether or not the majority of the Ridge Spring council heard what they said will be answered next month. The council is expected to give second reading to a proposed ordinance to eliminate the town's police department during its regularly scheduled meeting at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 5, in the conference room of the town hall.
 
More than 40 people made comments to and asked questions of the council. Most of the speakers were in favor of keeping the police department; they were applauded by the majority of the 100-plus audience members who filled every chair in the Civic Center and spilled over onto the bleachers.
 
However, responses to the people's questions were few and far between. The council provided handouts prior to the meeting, supposedly to provide the answers the people sought. Yet those sheets prompted another question as to who did the research.
 
Several speakers, both for and against the council majority's plan to get rid of the police force, said they felt that the way Jim Saul, Bob Nelson and Lewis Burt handled the process was not the way the matter should have been handled.  In addition, resident Tom Hughes said that the issue should be put forth to the voters to decide and not left up to only three people.
 
Mayor Denise Martin was stripped of her right to preside over Monday night's meeting by a resolution passed during a special called meeting last week. In that meeting, the majority of the Town Council chose to appoint Patsy and Capers Asbill as moderators for the hearing.  Nevertheless, as Mayor Martin addressed some of the comments presented, she told the audience that she had sought help from higher governmental authorities to stop the majority's actions, but she had received no response to her appeals.
 
Councilman Ronnie Baughcome also was present at the hearing; however, he was feeling ill and chose to sit in the audience. Mr. Baughcome is Mayor Martin's lone ally on the council regarding the ordinance but because of recent health problems has not been as visible or as vocal as the rest of the members throughout the police department debate.
 
Even if the council majority passes the proposed ordinance on the second reading, the mayor has said that she will go forth with plans to prevent it from being implemented.  And, in reality, the intent of the ordinance is a moot point unless the Saluda County Council and the Saluda County Sheriff's Office agrees to contract with Ridge Spring to provide law enforcement coverage.

 

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