Economic issues force tourism initiative to center stage in Johnsonville

JOHNSONVILLE — Early mornings on a river seem made for poetry. Gentle mists rolling across tranquil waters accompanied by nature bidding farewell to her nocturnal children and welcoming fauna of the sun is enough to seduce even the most ardent city slicker.

For Randy and Gayle Stone, it’s a fairly regular sight. In addition to adding kayak trips to their business of deer, hog and alligator processing at the Skinning Shed in Johnsonville, the two own property on Lynches River.

When they aren’t taking trips down the river with various groups, they’re often close by.

Shortly after 8:00a.m. on a Monday morning, the kayaks were in the water at Venter’s Landing and the couple said their goodbyes. Gayle wasn’t making this trip and would pick up Randy and his guest, the oddball news editor, roughly eight hours later when the 20-mile jaunt concluded at Staple Lake.

WATCH THE MINI-DOCUMENTARY

Check out "Down the River" Part 1 of 3, a mini-documentary chronicling John's trip down Lynches River by clicking on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FVG72zhEk

Trip like this one, and shorter ones starting on other portions of the river, have become more common of late, Randy Stone said. Ever since the lower portion of Lynches was recognized as a scenic river in 2008, Stone said the regular fishing boats found on the wider portions of the river have been joined by kayakers taking in the scenery.

Members of the Johnsonville City Council are hoping will continue, part of the tourism initiative being pushed by Mayor Steve Dukes, who hopes to springboard the process with a statue commemorating the history of Venter’s Landing.

On June 21, 1775 Francis Marion, AKA “The Swamp Fox” received his commission to lead the Williamsburgh Militia in the Revolutionary War. Venter’s, then known as Witherspoon’s Ferry for the family who transported people and supplies across the river during the early parts of the area’s settling, was the sight of that historical event where the statue is supposed to be placed.

Marion became legend for his military victories during the Revolutionary War, utilizing guerilla warfare against the British to turn the tide of a conflict that was looking increasingly dismal for the colonials.

One week prior to Stone and his guest making their way down Lynches River marked the 135th Anniversary of Marion’s commission.

Local historian and professor at Francis Marion University Lou Venters spoke at the Kingsburg Lakes Rod and Gun Club just outside Johnsonville during a celebration of DNR’s 10th Anniversary in September 2009 . According to Venters, Marion’s use of the area’s swamps and other geographical characteristics proved a strong advantage in defeating the British.

A good portion of the 20-mile kayak trip would run along Snows Island, believed by many to be Marion’s base of operations during the Revolutionary War.
These historical facts are the basis for the trips like the ones Stone has started. Mayor Dukes first unveiled the plan for the statue of Marion during a presentation with the Florence County Council on Feb. 18. Along with Ben Ziegler, a Florence County attorney and former chair of the Francis Marion Trail Commission, Dukes outlined the hope such an structure would inspire the tourism initiative. Ziegler, acknowledged by many as a driving force behind the project, including the statue’s artist Alex Palkovich, is still involved with the trail commission.

Commission seeks to “reveal, preserve, develop, and promote in a sustainable way the authentic sites where Francis Marion lived and fought during the Revolutionary War,” according to their mission statement. More information can be found at the group’s web site, www.francismariontrail.org.

During a time when development has been non-existent, according to members of the Johnsonville City Council, the work of the commission and the statue itself has taken center stage in the town’s debate on economic development.

The need for economic improvement in Johnsonville is apparent. Growth has been nominal over the last decade, according to data from the 2000 Census and City-Data.com, a website run by Onboard Informatics, a group that tracks economic progress and other data for cities across in the United States and Canada.

Data indicates that average income for families living in Johnsonville rose nearly $1,300 between 2000 and 2008. However, compared to the rest of the rest state that progress has been marginal. Census and City-Data statistics put income for families across South Carolina up roughly $7,500 statewide.

According to the Johnsonville Town plan, a project completed in 2007 by members of the Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston, adult citizens overwhelmingly cited economic opportunities the number one concern following the closing of Wellman Inc., the town’s chief industry that went bankrupt, before the facilities were bought by J.H. Whitney & Co. in 2008.

The facilities began expanding operations again under the name Wellman Plastic and Recycling later that year.

Despite recent issues between WPR management and the Johnsonville City Council, plant officials said hiring at the facility continued through the month of June. A dispute between the two groups over wastewater treatment rates has been addressed for the time being, both sides saying they were willing to move forward following 24-months of WPR receiving discounted rates for use of the facilities.

Hiring at WPR has been the most significant sign of economic growth in Johnsonville of late, according to members of the city council.

The stagnant economy has not gone unnoticed by citizens. Johnsonville residents recognized the dilapidated state of the city’s downtown as a fitting illustration of the current economic plight when surveyed by members of the Clemson Architecture Center.

“The disintegration of Downtown was viewed by some symbolically,” the survey reported. “By others as evidence of economic ruin.”

This is the first of three articles based on exploring the proposed tourism initiative by members of the Johnsonville City Council. In Part II, find out why downed trees presented challenges to the trek down Lynches River, how city officials have run into barriers of their own in outlining the plan for a tourism initiative in Johnsonville, and what history lives on the banks of river.

WATCH "Down the River" part 1 of 3, the mini-documentary of John's trip down Lynches River on The Weekly Observer YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FVG72zhEk