BURNETTOWN, SC. () – A state representative calling on Aiken County leaders to take action in the Horse Creek Valley area.
Following a town hall gathering last week, residents of both Burnettown and Gloverville voiced numerous concerns regarding the uptick in crime and homelessness.
In response, State Representative Melissa Lackey-Oremus has drafted a letter to the Aiken County Council, urging them to address a range of issues, with homelessness being a priority.
But she and others in this area say the bigger problem is that they’ve felt left behind—and they want their voices to be heard loud and clear.
Jennifer Morris attended last Monday’s town hall meeting, and she’s hoping the talk will soon turn into action.
“I feel the meeting was productive. Sheriff Sawyer and Melissa Oremus realized our determination to initiate changes—we’re committed and won’t relent,” Morris said.
After hearing those concerns, District 84 Representative Melissa Oremus has taken matters into her own hands.
Oremus penned a two-page letter urging the Aiken County Council to attend to the area, which she asserts has been neglected for too long.
“Residents of District 84, particularly those in the Valley and adjacent regions, are frustrated with the persistent neglect from the rest of the county. I promised during my campaign that they would receive their fair share from Aiken County, which hasn’t happened,” Oremus stated. “The county cannot continue ignoring these areas that have been disregarded since the closure of the mills.”
She advocates for increased law enforcement presence, the establishment of a community watch group, and the formation of a task force to address and rehabilitate various deteriorated properties allegedly damaged by homeless individuals.
“These are turning into meth houses, and places where drugs are being made. Then you’ll see a burned down one or half burned down one, and it’s because some kinds of drugs have exploded,” she added.
Oremus is also calling on county leaders to launch projects to beautify the Valley area with grass cutting, litter removal, signage repair, and lighting improvements.
“A lot of people are saying the Valley is that place that you drive through, and you just want to get through it. But, those good people that make up this community are still there, and they deserve to have a nice community to live, work, and play,” said Oremus.
Some of her long-term goals requested to county leaders include redeveloping the Graniteville Mills, which were closed more than 20 years ago following a historic train crash.
She also wants a reinvestment incentive program to help local taxpayers and to attract small businesses.
“A lot of these people don’t have the wherewithal to make those home improvements, so we have to get them some incentive to be able to do that. To do the cleanup, to do the beautification of their home. They’d love to have a beautiful house, but we have to give them the help they need to do that,” Oremus said.
For residents like Morris, she says locals just want a seat at the table.
“I definitely think we aren’t last on the list, but we’re low on the list. Our whole community is fighting for change,” Morris said.
Oremus is having ongoing conversations with Sheriff Marty Sawyer about the best course of action from here—but she is hoping to sit down with county council soon.
NewsChannel 6 has reached out to county leaders for comment, but have not heard back.
