PEE DEE POLITICS: Tatum, S.C. is where adventure lives

Have you ever been to a Tatum Town Council meeting? Me neither, but atleast I know where Tatum is

By: John Sweeney | SCNOW
Published: February 04, 2012

One of my favorite “soap-box” topics is advocating public involvement in local government . While I always promise that town or city councils can be just as, if not more, entertaining as the national political scene, here’s some proof.

Tatum, S.C. is a little hamlet seven miles due east of Bennettsville in Marlboro County, population 75. If you’ve never heard of Tatum, you’re not alone. The folks at 411 Information aren’t familiar with the town either.

“You want to call where?” A confused operator asked.

“Tatum,” I replied. “T-A-T-U-M. Tatum. I’m looking for the town hall’s number.”

The sound of frantic typing on a keyboard came across the line, followed by the voice of a still befuddled young lady.

“They have a post office, but that’s all I’m seeing, sir” she said.

Close enough, though unfortunately the postal worker I spoke with didn’t know much more than the operator.

“Town hall? Hang on a second,” a dedicated public servant told me after I explain my dilemma.

I hear her calling to her fellow mail junkies. “You know town hall’s phone number?”

Muffled voices in the background respond and she’s back on the line.

“Umm… we don’t have one,” a voice says.

“A number?” I ask.

“No, a town hall.”

There is a mayor (Tim Barnett) and three city council members (Steve Nolan, Wayne Usher, Allen McDonald) but they meet at what is, by all descriptions, an abandoned church that now serves as sort of a community meeting center on Main Street, the Mary Seem Hamer Building. If you want any info on town business, just call Mayor Barnett at his Farm Bureau Insurance office in Bennettsville, (843) 479-6223.

They’re meeting Monday at 7 p.m. I’d give you the address, but was told there isn’t one.

Just find Bennettsville and head east on Hwy 401/15, or drive to McColl and head west on the same road. You’ll find it.

It is sure to be an adventure.

For other adventures in government, check out our Government In Action section in the region section of today’s paper and on SCNow.com. You will notice that GIA listings in are more complete than in recent weeks. This is part of a new initiative to keep you better informed of what government and public meetings are taking place across the Pee Dee.

Hopefully knowing where the meetings is (even in Tatum) will compel you to attend your respective city and town council and get more involved in running this great nation of ours.

You might even see the Bloodhound of Justice pop in for spell.