Category Archives: Letters

Letters, September 2023

Letter to Battelle Regarding the Proposed Downtown Savannah River National Laboratory Office Building

5 Comments

August 20, 2023

Dr. Ronald Townsend
Executive Vice President Global Lab Operations
Bettell Memorial Institute
505 King Street
Columbus  OH  43201

Dear Dr. Townsend:

As a resident and concerned citizen of Aiken SC, I write to you to appeal to Battelle’s community awareness and conscience.  Since 2022, SRNL and the City of Aiken have been in non-disclosed negotiations regarding a new facility in downtown Aiken to house some 100 SRNL personnel and operations.  It is my intention, in writing to you, to alert Battelle to the firestorm that is resulting from the secret negotiations between the City and your organization.

By way of history, Aiken’s City Counsel established a development arm in 2021, the AMDC, to redevelop a major block of downtown properties.  A bond fund was floated for $9.6MM to purchase seven properties, without any valuations or public announcement.  “Project Pascalis” was the code name for this massive, public redevelopment project.  When the citizens of Aiken discovered what had been secretly developed and promised under Pascalis, suits were filed and a petition signed by over 3,000 residents stopped the project in May of 2022.  It was a classic tale of a city counsel acting without authority and public approval.  The City Council was forced to disband the AMDC and now is frantically searching for a way to accomplish its development goals without public approval.

At some point in 2022, SRNL senior people conducted a series of discussions with the Aiken City Counsel to float plans for a new laboratory space in what is now Bee Lane in downtown Aiken.  In secret, the City developed full-blown plans to build a 3 story, 45,000 sq. ft. facility to house SRNL operations and to provide for a meeting center on the first floor.  At no time was input solicited from the public on this radical development plan and the Mayor ProTem Woltz announced the plan to the public in video taped presentation in January.  A month later, SRNL’s architects held a public forum to “gain feedback and to demonstrate a potential development plan”.  Of the over 100 citizens who attended that meeting, many of whom spoke, there was not a single positive reaction to the SRNL’s proposal and downtown location.  Since then, not a single pubic meeting has been held and the City Counsel refuses to divulge the status of this proposed building project.

As you may know, Aiken has received over $25MM in plutonium settlement monies, and the City Council, without public guidance, is intending to fund the SRNL building with those monies.  To add to this obfuscation of the project, the Aiken Corporation is being designated as the owner/landlord of the new facility; the lease would be hidden under at least two layers of non-profit organizations that finally are controlled by Aiken Corporation.

The public sentiment about the SRNL location in downtown is decidedly negative.  The proposed building would destroy the very nature of our rural community and our architectural history.  There is a sizeable and vocal citizens group who oppose this location for SRNL , and those negative sentiments will not go away with time.  From my reading of the DOE’s stance on public relations, this ramrodding is against their public statement of community relations.  This issue, if taken to full development, will not go away and will be a bitter thorn in the side of Aiken citizens for years to come.

Fortunately, a private developer is planning to purchase the 9-acre property on Richland Avenue that was once the County Hospital.  Turner Development has recently shown its proposed mixed-use plan for the site, and one of its stated objectives is to build out a new space for SRNL operations. This proposal has wide and enthusiastic acceptance in Aiken.  It would provide for condominium housing, office buildings and retail/restaurant amenities on site.  This proposal is a perfect fit for the City and it is a logical location, given the short distance to the new advanced manufacturing facility that is being created at USC/Aiken right now. 

Dr. Townsend, I do not believe that Battelle, SRNL or DOE wish to embroil themselves inwhat would be a long-term, contentious site selection.  The responsibility for this sub rosasituation lies with Aiken’s current city council.  Your organization can easily avoid the contentious future that lies ahead if this current proposal is approved.  Rather, it would be a true “win” for everyone if the SRNL were to occupy new space under the Turner Development plan.  If I may suggest: whatever you do decide to do about the location of SRNL operations, do it openly, soliciting public input often, and do your planning out in the open for Aiken citizens to see.  Only then will SRNL be welcomed as good neighbors and responsible partners with our city.

Sincerely,
Robert N. Sawdon

Editorials, July 2023, Letters

Letter to the Editor: An opportunity to take back our beloved city

24 Comments

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

Editorials, Letters, May 2023

Local Residents Speak Out On Parker’s Kitchen

7 Comments

Letters to the Editor
May 22, 2023

Editor’s Note: Below is a digest of letters received from local residents opposed to the Parker’s Kitchen 24-hour fuel station-convenience store proposed for the corner of Whiskey Road and Stratford Drive.

From Jean Greenwald:

It’s a shame the residents of Springstone Villas and surrounding neighbors of Stratford Hall and Springstone find ourselves once again at odds with City Officials who have already ignored conditions on Planned Commercial zoning that included no car washes and also saddled us with Lulu’s on a portion of the parcel.

Now, they want to put in a Parker’s Kitchen — a 24 hour fuel sale/ fried chicken fast food franchise — something that violates three more of those conditions, including no fuel sales, no 24-hour businesses of any kind, and no fast food. Officials seemed to have a case of amnesia during the first reading of this Parker’s Concept Plan — with the exception of Councilwoman Lessie Price, who was the only one who seemed to remember and acknowlede the conditions on this parcel, as she seconded that 2003 motion to approve the zoning conditions attached to the Planned Commercial that would protect and buffer our homes. Ms. Price also made the motion to continue this item after listening to the citizen’s concerns. She was one of only two Council members that did not vote to approve Lulu’s in 2020 . Councilwoman Gail Diggs was the other.

The rest of this very same board not only pretended those conditions had magically fallen off the zoning, but 3 of them then had the audacity to scold our citizens while voting to approve the car wash on the parcel that prohibited car washes.   However, the citizens were very well aware of the zoning conditions at that time ; they knew it planned commercial with “zoning conditions,” including no car washes and no fuel sales among others.  

Therefore, an apology from these Council members to our citizens should be forthcoming!   The concerns are many surrounding Parker’s Kitchen, which they are asking to be put on another section of this same parcel, but at the top of the list are public safety concerns. Putting a fuel station at the entrance to a residential street which is the only way in and out for 3 subdivisions is a disaster waiting to happen! You need simply to drive down Whiskey Rd. to assess this, no expensive traffic study or planning degree needed.

Common sense and ethical fortitude on the part of Officials is what residents are looking for.

Our homes are well kept, our neighborhood is mostly retired people who have worked hard for what they have and are trying to enjoy retirement. Instead we find ourselves once again going to battle with officials. The Council used covid as justification to limit the numbers of people in hearings when Lulu’s was approved in 2020, but there was still huge opposition.

The opposition against building a Parker’s Kitchen in this location only continues to grow as the word gets out. We are looking at everything with a fine-tooth comb and getting more organized to protect our neighborhoods. This is the second major battle in 3 years with this Council, which seems to view Whiskey Rd. as a dumping ground for anything a developer asks.  

We are very aware that this same Council is making decisions that threaten to destroy our beautiful historic downtown district as well. These councilmembers have not been good stewards of our beautiful city (see Project Pascalis or Whiskey Road), and now they are coming for our backyard. We won’t stop fighting for what we know is right. Our quality of life and our safety depend on it.  Council should do the right thing and tell Parker’s to find a more suitable location — but instead the resident are being tasked with this responsibility.

Jean Greenwald
Aiken, S.C.

From Mary Camlet-Agresta:

Many of us in Spring Stone are worried about the outcome of having a Parkers Kitchen on Whiskey Rd and Stratford Drive. Not only is it our only way in and out, but with a Parkers, they are expecting over 2100 vehicles in and out every single day. If they are allowed to do a cut through onto Stratford behind their building, what a nightmare that will be. 

Doesn’t sound bad? You have to live here to understand. 

That is not the worst of it by a long shot.

Let’s talk about a fuel delivery every day. What happens when there is an accident? Fuel spill, fire, potential fatalities. There were several tanker accidents lately and the outcome was not good. 

Let’s talk about emissions, pollution and carcinogens that cause many many health issues like cancer. Why, you say? Did you know the one of many components is benzene? If you are not familiar, please look it up.

Let’s talk about the fact of this particular parcel is “planned commercial with conditions.” Meaning, no gas stations, for one. This has never expired, as the council will have you believe. 

Everything I have mentioned and more is accounted for in writing and on video.

If you want to know more concerning issues, if you are concerned for yourself and your children, if you do not want any more congestion on Whiskey Road, please come to the council meeting scheduled for May 22 at 7 pm. [Editor’s note: This item has since been moved to the June 12 meeting]

Hope to see many of you there.

Mary Camlet-Agresta 
Aiken, SC

From Diane Salsitz

Residents of Spring Stone, Stratford Hall and Sprinstone Villa’s voiced their concerns over use  of Stratford Drive for entrance to Parkers and LuLu’s, all of which are valid.

We now have questions which we feel should be answered. The questions are for those on the Planning and Zoning Commission from those of us who will be affected by this decision if Parker’s Kitchen is approved.

  1. Has South Carolina DOT approved the increased weight load on Stratford Drive that Parkers will bring?  It’s our understanding a gasoline tanker with 850 gallons of gasoline will be making 2 or 3 stops or more weekly to fill gas tanks at Parkers. 
  2. Parkers will be lit from dusk to dawn. No more complete darkness for some who have been accustomed to it being so when they retire for the night.
  3. What happens if there is an accident involving a gas tanker delivering 850 gallons of gasoline to Parker’s?  An  explosion? Or a gas leak?  Look what happened at Fredericksburg Maryland. A gasoline tanker overturned killing the driver. Residents in the surrounding area had to leave their homes for clean-up to take place.   
  4. Who will be responsible for damages to residents or their property? As noted at the last LuLu’s plan, that’s a question that needs answering! How the heck could one get out should this happen? ONE of many questions that should be answered as lives could  be in danger. The residents in these three sub division have everything thing to lose if that happens. The city loses nothing other than city taxes etc.  So far, it’s very one-sided. Human lives can and will be affected.

Accidents can’t always be avoided. That’s why they are called accidents, One must always allow  for them just the same. Putting things where they can’t hurt others is a way to begin.

Just look what happened in Ohio. The train derailment — an accident that should have never happened. Yet it did! The life of the residents in that town will never be the same. These people will never have peace of mind. Granted they may or will receive compensation for their losses, health etc. But what about long term health issues?

I wouldn’t want to have that worry. What about all of you?

Diane Salsitz
Aiken, SC

Editorials, Letters, May 2023, Pascalis 2023 - SRNL Lab

Uncertainties Plague Downtown Lab

11 Comments

Guest Editorial by Dick Dewar

May 22, 2023

On January 23, 2023. I attended the State of the City speech by Mayor Osbon. He had promised some new developments in response to Project Pascalis. We were not disappointed. I suspected that some in the audience knew exactly what the speech would contain. 

Mayor Pro Tem Ed Woltz announced that Governor Henry McMaster and our legislative delegation have committed to investing in a new workforce development center for the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL).  Former AMDC Members, Chairman Keith Wood, Vice Chair Chris Verenes, and Chamber President David Jameson identified this as an opportunity more than a year ago. That would have been in early 2022.

They worked tirelessly lobbying to get the funding for it and to have it located here in Aiken.  Small group meetings were held without public notice or participation to determine where this structure would be built.  THE FINAL DECISION ON WHERE THE STRUCTURE WOULD BE BUILT IS DETERMINED BY SRNL.  The only requirement was that it had to be built in Aiken County. So if you are disturbed about the location of the building, the fault lies with SRNL.

The Mayor insisted in his speech that “none of this is a done deal and City Council has had initial discussions about it, but nothing is even close to being finalized.” Yet not one public meeting has been held to affect the decision on where this building would be built. 

In a public release dated May 16, 2023, “The SC Joint Bond Review Committee today accepted the allocation of $20 million TOWARD the construction of a state-of-the-art facility for SRNL in downtown Aiken.” Please note that the $20 million may not cover the total cost of the building and the City will be liable for the remainder. “The funding obligation gives the responsibility for producing a new home for the SRNL workforce development center to the City of Aiken” This is contrast to what a member of the Aiken delegation has stated. SRNL had TOTAL AUTHORITY on where this center can be built.

Somehow between the mayor’s speech on January 23, 2023, SRNL made the decision on where the center would be built. No doubt they may have been influenced by the members of the Aiken Municipal Development Commission (AMDC) and members of Aiken City Council. A major influence on the location of the SRNL center is that it justifies the construction of a parking garage which will cost Aiken taxpayers another $7 million,   

On March 13, the City approved a $250,000 no-bid professional services contract with the Aiken Corporation in violation of a city ordinance which requires that contracts of this size be put to bid. This is a blatant violation of a City Ordinance. Yet no comment from the City Attorney.

This no-bid contract also states that “the Aiken Corporation will oversee the construction phase eventually owning the building.”

The Aiken Corporation is a non-profit organization created by and serving at the discretion of Aiken City Council, but acts in an INDEPENDENT manner. Its primary donor is the City of Aiken. Such an arrangement is known as “quasi governmental”. Once again, non-elected members of the community get to make major financial decisions with no public input or scrutiny,

It is worth highlighting the fact that the City of Aiken built the Aiken Department of Safety building by bidding for its construction and the facility was built on time and on budget.

It is also worth noting that the City of Aiken built the Lessie B. Price Senior Center using the same process. It was built on time and on budget.

Finally, the City of Aiken built its new headquarters using the same process and it was finished on budget. 

Why do we need a different procedure for the SRNL center? Why do we need to give the building away to a “quasi governmental” agency?

At this point, it appears the City will give the Aiken Corporation four of the seven properties involved in the massive $9.6 million AMDC purchase: 

  • Warneke Cleaners, McGhee Building (includes old CC Johnson Drug Store), and Taj Restaurant, collectively purchased for $2.25 million. 
  • Holley House, purchased for $2.125 million (half of the $4.25 million Hotel Aiken/Holley House purchase). 

This is money to be given to the Aiken Corporation with zero return to the City essentially a loss of $4.375 million.

This leaves the City still owning:

  • The Hotel Aiken, purchased for $2.125 million. 
  • The Beckman Building at 106 Laurens Street, purchased for $1 million. 
  • Newberry Hall, purchased for $2 million.” 

With this plan, the Aiken Corporation will own the building, charge rent to SRNL, and probably have the City be responsible for maintenance, upkeep, and utilities. Also keep in mind that the City is responsible for the entire cost of the building. If it costs $25 or $30 million, the City would pay everything in excess of $20 million.

SRNL’s decision removes currently taxable property in the middle of our downtown making it no longer taxable. What is the cost of this action over the next 20 years?

I would prefer that a responsible developer determine how much the building would cost before any financial commitment is made by the City. It is shocking that there is no Memorandum of Agreement between SRNL and the City of Aiken outlining SRNL’s requirements which would enable the City to more accurately determine the cost of construction. 

We don’t need the Aiken Corporation involved. It makes no financial sense.

Call the Mayor and your council member to protest this process. Demand more financial data before any commitment is made.

Attend City Council meeting to do the same. 

Dick Dewar
Aiken, SC

________________


Dick Dewar was elected in 2007 to Aiken City Council District 3 and served three terms. He did not seek reelection in 2019.

Editorials, Letters, May 2023

Letter to the Editor: Hoping for Better City Leadership After 2023 Elections

8 Comments

By Dr. Rose O. Hayes
May 17, 2023

I just yesterday read the Aiken Chronicles guest editorial, April 10th City Council Meeting Recap, by Kelly Cornelius. It is depressing to see what has become of the relations between Aiken city elected representatives and the residents that are supposed to be served.

I remember, warmly, the days when comments from the public were not only welcome but requested by Mayor Fred Cavanaugh and council members Dick Smith, Jane Vaughters, Dick Dewar and Reggie Ebner. There were even occasions when the mayor and those council members walked through our neighborhoods to enhance their understanding of issues brought to their attention by concerned Aiken residents. 

I hope the upcoming 2024 elections see the restoration of those happier more constructive days. If you share my hope, go vote and urge everyone you know to do likewise.

Dr. Rose O. Hayes
Director, WTT&D