With all the election mess in Richland County – not to mention the enormous “donors” we are to Richland county from out here in the small Northwest corner – people have mentioned to me that they want to “be Lexington County” or form a new county called Birch.
The first question I ask is “Are you serious?” and they tell me they are; so I then ask “What is Birch County?” I’m told “Ballentine – Irmo – Chapin.” This is news to me but supposedly had been talked about in some circles for years.
Well, as an official who listens to my constituents, I’ve actually spent some time researching if those options are even a possibility.
Actually – they are; however, chances are slim to none it would ever happen.
For those curious, here’s what I’ve learned – in layman’s terms:
1) “Birch County” would require:
One-third of the registered voters in the “new county” to sign a petition
The Governor could then call a special election
During that election, two-thirds of the voters must vote “Yes”
Department of Justice must approve
2) “Changing from Richland to Lexington” would require:
10% of registered voters in the “effected area” signing a petition
The Governor could then call a special election
During that election, two-thirds of the voters in the “effected area” would need to vote Yes
During that election, a simple majority (50% + 1) of Lexington County voters would need to vote Yes
Department of Justice must approve
Areas of our community have tried to incorporate before and an attempt of this magnitude would be even more difficult.
Nonetheless, I did want to let you know I have researched it for you. Of course, this also doesn’t get into the financial aspect of the move, the governance (if new county), and other important details either. Just wanted to present the “how it can happen” to those of you that have asked about such a move.
Would love to see a push to get this NW area of Richland County moved to Lex. Co..
This is a FANTASTIC idea. Richland County is out of control. It is way too large and too diverse to provide the quality and efficiency that the TAXPAYERS deserve.
I will sign this petition today.
Initially I support this.
What can I do to start the process? I would prefer the “Birch County” option, although I was one of the Constituents to contact you about the Lexington County move. Are there others you can get me in contact with to start a grass roots movement?
This is the first I’ve heard of creating a new county or joining Lexington. I like the idea at first glance. For years I’ve complained about the level of taxes we pay and the appalling lack of services we receive. Our roads are a good example. Other parts of Richland County have much better roads while we choke on traffic traveling on grossly overused and under maintained “thoroughfares.” We pay extra for our water which probably would not change. The biggest complaint is that we pay and pay on tax after tax that the Richland County government imposes and we see nothing in return.
Richland County dropped our real estate tax several years ago in “exchange” for a penny sales tax increase. Within a year they reappraised our real estate bringing the tax back to its original levels even though our actual property values were declining. I’ve seen no increase in services for the northwest areas around Irmo, Ballantine or Chapin.
Now the election debacle. Despite the discrepancies, we will see yet another tax increase and some areas will have questionable representation. I can never recall living under a government as corrupt or incompetent as Richland County. I would welcome a change. In fact, as my wife and I contemplate retirement, we will likely move out of Richland County for the reasons mentioned above.
Breaking away from Richland County MAY not be such a bad idea. Not sure joining Lexington County would be the best option either since Lexington County is even bigger than Richland, We might be even less important to Lex Co than we are to Rich Co. One thing I do know is that as an outer edge part of Richland County, We are pretty much forgotten territory. As Richland County residents, we are being USED and Taken Advantage of by the City of Columbia. Cola Residents pay 1/2 the unit price for water DESPITE getting the water From Lake Murray. Richland County Charges us a fee on each vehicle we own despite offering us NO BUS service within 10 miles of us. Seems like a simple answer to me, Vacate Richland county, STOP Funding Columbia !!!!!!!!!
Love this idea and I agree with all the comments so posted thus far. I hope we get the chance to vote on this issue.
Yeah, let’s move to Lexington County and we can still get the Good Ol’ Boy corruption, as seen by “Jackie” Knotts…
NorthWest Richland Country is so apart from the rest of Richland County it is stunning. The Majority of Richland country, the city of Columbia; is predominately Liberal Democrats. Why do you think educated people are fleeing from the cities? Taxes, plain and simple. Let the Dems have Richland County, it is already ruined.
But to join Lexington would be a mistake. The Lake is a natural boundary, what makes you think for one second that Lexington County would be a better fit for the rural area of Northwest Richland.
I am starting a Petition today, if anyone else wants to start one to break away from the tyranny of Richland County, my email is JTLorick@gmail.com. Let’s work together.
The absurdity of Richland Co grows every day. McBride was given another job, and roughly 5k drop in pay, send her to the Unemployment line!! She is the reason the tax passed, and she did her job; so of course they are not going to fire her! She brought in more $$$ for our “Leaders” to misuse, and waste.
Fight the Power!
This probably has zero chance of happening, but it’s very true that our area doesn’t seem to be well served by either Richland or Lexington County governments. My first preference, however, would be to secede from South Carolina altogether.
I really like this idea but I would need to know more about the financial aspects of such a move. But at first glance — YEA!!!! Let’s do it!
Based on past experiences with Richland County officials/departments (most of them very unpleasant), I would love to see our area become another county! I would certainly volunteer to
assist in this process!
Birch County sounds like a good move to me, Where do I sign up. The reason I say this is I am fed up with the lies and deceit from the Richland County Officials. For example: our last election, this was my first time ever voting in the Richland County dist. To me this was a massive waste of time I stood in line for 4 hours just so my vote wouldn’t count. They want us to pay for a bus that doesn’t even come out here. I pay taxes for a zoo that I don’t visit that charges you to get in the gate to begin with. This woman, Lilian McBride should have been fired for denying thousands of people their Constitutional right to vote, “no”, Instead she gets a $12,000 a year raise for a demotion. I promise you this, my voting days our over as long as this woman is in charge of handling the voting process. I mean “look”, A teacher in Chapin gets fired for stomping on the American flag in class. Although I don’t support his actions, he still has a right to express his voice, “Freedom of speech”. But when we have our Constitutional Right to vote stripped away from us to fulfill an agenda to pass a penny sales tax, well then we should reward them with a big fat raise. I think we need to also start a petition to have Lilian McBride removed from her position and quite possibly the whole state of south Carolina and anyone else who was involved in this cover-up. Yes, I said “cover-up”, too many of you Government Elites must think that those of us outside of politics must be deaf, dumb and blind. You constantly try to pull the skin over our eyes only to see your actions come back to bite you in the _ _ _ and expect Carolinian’s to bail you out. I’m afraid to say this, “but some day your incompetence is going to get the best of you”.