Darlington Jetport ordinance stirs debate

DARLINGTON – The Darlington County Council Monday night approved a grant and construction bid to make lighting improvements at the county airport.

However, the council delayed making a decision for relocation of the end runway 34 until they could get further clarification as to the extent of the improvements.

The votes were on requests to accept bids for improvements the South Carolina Aviation Commission recommended the council make to the Darlington Jetport.

Those recommendations came with a $184, 575 grant to make those improvements.

Councilman Alex “Buz” Shaw voiced his concern as to whether or not the Airport Commission approved these particular improvements, and there was some confusion as to the answer.

Councilman Le Flowers was concerned the county might need that section of runway for other purposes, and once it was removed, it might be difficult to replace it if needed.

That brought discussion of the Jetport Commission and Ordinance No. 08-10, which was to amend the Darlington County Code of Ordinances and change the name of the Darlington Airport Commission to the Darlington Jetport Commission and reduce that commission’s authority to an advisory role.

Councilman Wesley Black-well motioned to move Ordinance No. 08-10 from pending to current.

Flowers said he wanted the Jetport Commission to have one more chance to operate the jetport. He said he feels it is a group that could handle the job and should not be stripped of power.

Councilwoman Wilhelmina Johnson voiced her concern concerning the recent miscommunication between the county and the commission.

Council Chairman Billy Baldwin clarified the issue. Baldwin said the ordinance would leave the commission in charge of the jetport, but would give Darlington County and the council final approval of any decisions it made.

Baldwin said the Jetport Commission would remain operating in its current capacity.

After Baldwin’s clarification, the ordinance was approved. The Airport Commission is now renamed the Jetport Commission, and its operating status is shifted to advisory only. Council will have final approval of jetport operations.

The council will, however, explore options of repair of the end of runway 34 before accepting the bid for construction.
In addition to the airport issues council also:

- Approved a resolution commending the Darlington High School softball team for its victory in the Class AAA State Championship. The championship was the first in Darlington High School's history.

- Approved appointments to the Cable TV oversight committee, the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals, and it voted to approve a quitclaim to remove a temporary drainage easement in the Stokes Place subdivision and Rivergate Drive.

They also approved a measure that would allow state prisoners to be housed at the Darlington work farm. This, members said, will bring more revenue into the county as a result of housing the prisoners.

The prisoners will be used to work on county projects.

Council also discussed the possibility of amending a current ordinance to ensure that all county positions be filled by county residents.
The council is considering research into the current laws and look at the possibility of approving this measure.