I have followed with skeptical amusement recent editorial salvos launched at the Aiken community regarding how wonderful the proposed SRNL will be for the downtown area and indeed the surrounding areas. Financial issues are always the focus of these op-eds and, in the process, either deliberately omit or disregard public sentiment, and miss the point of the opposition altogether.
What has been made clear by public input, if it were being regarded, is that the proposed building is too large, doesn’t fit the downtown in aesthetic (one acquaintance likened a rendering to an alien spaceship gone astray), will be off limits to the public (why?), dismisses multiple other available properties that could be utilized, would destroy several historic buildings (thereby ignoring a national trend of restoration, renovation, and preservation), and would necessitate the destruction of a number of trees both for the SRNL and associated parking garage which no one wants.
With the recent fiasco around the tree-cutting at the Farmers Market, one would think the city would be averse to making this type of “mistake” again, but given the anemic non-apology offered to the community about that issue, it does not appear so. And in the middle of this, Hotel Aiken sits, another victim of the cities relentless pursuit of more inappropriate development, gas stations, car washes, and housing with no infrastructure to support it. It is a sad current reality that the city appears mired in repeating its same failed actions and expecting different results, which some might call the definition of insanity.
Since the current leadership appears determined to continue to ignore those who elected them, the upcoming election provides the perfect opportunity to take back this beloved city, and to be involved in the process of healing it. There are candidates who are clearly defining their willingness to ally with the citizens to help move Aiken forward with the grace and dignity, she deserves, and it appears they have personal involvement, knowledge, willingness, and commitment to do so. You have a choice, the same tired rhetoric, lack of transparency, and ongoing “mistakes” that damage not just the land but the public trust, or a much needed breath of fresh air and fresh sets of eyes to move forward?
Go for it, Aiken! She deserves the best that you can give her.
Missy Durban
July 15, 2023
A Unbusied Outside Look at Why, Aiken’s Equine Friendliness Rating is in Decline
at a rate three times greater than other South Carolina Small Towns 20230718
A third-party by RD’s Pro-Equine Community Friendliness Rating Services. A new month long special daily research and awareness report coming up for August. Will Includes Zip Code 29801 as well as surrounding county zip codes.
Aiken, A small historical equestrian community in South Carolina. Is happening in other small towns with one big very big difference. A well-kept Dangerous Secret by The U.S. NERC
It’s true What’s happening in Aiken can have a negative effect on all South Carolinians?
Important Research Background
Aiken is one of the last Equestrian Community left, in South Carolina with a rich equine and or related Equestrian history and contributor of 2 billion in sustainable equine and or related economic impacts to the state.
However, Today the Citizens of Aiken specifically the Equestrian community are at risk of losing their equestrian lifestyle as well as having their economic impact destroyed. Aiken is now under attack with an array of distractions projects designed to conceal the cities administration real agenda and cover ups for the U.S. NERC. Today, in 2023 the citizens of Aiken are being Victimized by a trickle down double cover up and again failed Promise’s by Our Own U.S. Nuclear Energy Regulatory Commission in what appears to include a trickle down corrupt policies and strategy by many city administrators to conceal the truth from the town’s people and or citizens or at least by a dysfunctional city administration mishandling usages of settlement funds for their own agendas, feather complicated by The City of Aiken Economic Development Department appearing to keep quiet concerning this corruption that furthermore seem to have no clue of the Equestrians Economic Impact too the cities of Aikens in its negative approach to standing up and or promoting the city of Aiken Own Historical Equestrian Heritage by having become totally absorbed by the city’s trickle down corruption. Aiken Economic Development Department has demonstrated a complete failure in understanding that Aikens equestrian contributions including city and county and after Covid-19 is to still represent a 37% of the communities adjusted economic impact to the state of South Carolina. Where do we go from here?
Outside Daily Economic Research concludes If the SRNL Project is Built in Downtown Aiken Will Not Only Have Devastating Effect on the Equestrian community and economic impact but also on all Property Values.
Special Note: South Carolina Is a Nuclear Energy Friendly State. The Guidelines in the Nuclear settlement stated the SRNL Project be built at the University of South Carolina Aiken and South Carolina’s Pro-Equine Economic Impact Advocates are still Good with That.
Join In Be a Research Contributor for our Aug. Awareness Repot email your commits to rdnecsi@gmail.com
Just driving around and taking notice, Aiken is in a terrible state of neglect. Pot holes everywhere, unkempt flower beds and medians…even the median leading into the downtown area on Laurens looks terrible… the grass..or weeds..are almost knee high in places. And I still can’t get over the shock of the removal of the beautiful old trees behind the farmers market. We definitely need some changes….and we don’t need anymore car washes!!!
The city would rather spend money on buying old buildings to tear down and rebuild to something unattractive.
I’ve noticed how shaggy everything is getting.
It would help if the privately owned properties would be maintained better as well.
Is this a remnant of the pandemic?
Well said, and so true. Thank you!
It is time to have someone concerned about all the city. Our roadways are full of potholes and weeds growing in the median. Trash is daily thrown out car windows. We have Trash and grass covering the drainage systems. Properties with weeds and grass knee high and some of them belong to the city. We now have three apt. complexes behind Walmart with more to come and traffic in that area will not and cannot handle it. I recently talked to a couple in a local restaurant, who was visiting the city based on an internet page. They said it was one of the most unkept cities they had recently visited. After you left downtown and the historic area it totally neglected. Lady, you have our vote , this city need a new direction
Thanks for the vote but my primary residence is in Charleston. I am a native Aikenite born and raised, though, still have family there, and own a condo which I visit monthly that is 2 blocks from downtown. This travesty of an administration has gone on long enough. And lo and behold, apparently Rick Osbon has is now further delaying work on Hotel Aiken because of uncertainty about SNRL.🙄
Thank you for your comments, Anonymous.
I too am getting very tired of our town being disrespected by it’s management. But not so tired to fight for making it better.
There are perverse incentives behind the Clowncil’s votes/actions. In formulating the Rx, I believe it is important to adjust the incentives, as weighed/measured by each Clowncil member, so as to effect a different outcome. I cannot imagine a world where municipal .gov is active in commercial development and a Lulu’s goes in on Whiskey with 1 already adding traffic to Pine Log. In measuring my own steps this past year, I find myself walking/spending less and less in downtown Aiken. Rather, I drive to Ridge Spring, Batesburg, Springfield, Williston, Wagener, Leesville, Columbia, Charleston. It is very difficult to defend a group of individuals serving on City Council when they refuse to prioritize safe drinking water, but rather ambitiously scheme to annex large new tracts of land, and advocate for spending Federal ‘oops for that radioactive plutonium waste’ money on a massive downtown Federal .gov building with parking garages that nationwide have demonstrated themselves to become places that attract vagrants and crime. TO my eyes, these individuals earn contempt with these priorities.
VOTE VOTE VOTE…… y’all finally have a say-so if you choose to use it!!!!!
Tell us whom to vote for, that is the individuals who will listen to the residents.
VOTE VOTE VOTE – y’all finally have an Avenue for real change!
Missy, you are speaking for many voters. Well said!
Let’s all get out there and vote early (open July 24). We must make this change happen.
Thank you Missy, excellent statements.
Thanks! I hope people are paying attention as Rick gets more dictatorial, is now stating no further plans for Hotel Aiken until the SNRL issue is decided and there will be no RFP until then.
That’s absolutely asinine. Keep on Mayor O, I hope it’s your downfall!!!
Thank you to all those who have worked so hard for Aiken.
We simply can not keep repeating the mistakes of the past.
As everyone knows, once the ambiance of this town is gone, it’s gone forever.
Good point that the SRNL wants to located downtown (public gathering place) and not allow public access to most of the building. They already ruined our beloved old post office.
Hey! Would love to see you sometime and reconnect!
Well said, Missy!!!! Thank you!!!! Hopefully people will vote!!!!
Yes this is an opportunity to take our city back. Get rid of all those who are there for their own benefit.
While many critique, it’s unclear that there is community consensus on what’s “right”. I suspect most believe that the demise of Pascalis was a good thing as it gives us a fresh start. Hopefully, factions will not fraction so we can move forward.
Yes, Stephen there are some fractures in the original alliance that defeated the Pascalis project. Perhaps the City Council’s position in not seeking other alternatives is the strength in their strategy to “divide and conquer.”
During the June 26th City Council meeting the mayor was asked why the 5-year-old problem known as the Hotel Aiken was pushed to the back burner in favor of a another “new idea.” It was pointed out that even during the debates surrounding Project Pascalis, everyone in those meetings including members of the Chamber of Commerce AND the Do It Right alliance, agreed that something should be done about the hotel. There were disagreements on what should be done. But it was clear that everyone considered a 5- or 6-year-old problem should be addressed as soon as possible. The mayor insisted that the hotel was still a priority. He “attempted” to explain. Does anyone agree with the mayor?
As of today there is a post regarding Rick Osbon’s latest decision not to offer a RFP for the Hotel Aiken, but to have a “request for qualifications” involving the city and the public (I wouldn’t hold my breath on this). Says the Hotel Aiken is now on hold until the SNRL issue is decided. Please…..this dude really needs to go….
ThankYou Missy. So Very well Stated🌟