October 26, 2025 • 48 mins
A church that raised leaders now fuels a mayor who leads with neighbors at the center. We sat down with Mayor Lithonia Barnes to unpack a people-first blueprint for Florence: from fireside chats that turn feedback into action, to a citywide march that pairs civic pride with hot grits and a clear call to show up. She shares how honoring Dr. Iola Jones’ legacy became the backbone of a neighborhood plan—an empowerment center, a mental oasis to counter nightly gunfire stress, and housing that restores dignity with quality finishes and resident input.
We go deep on the Oakland Project and beyond: tearing down blight at the gateway to Historic North Florence, investing over $11 million in storm drainage, and partnering with churches and developers to build affordable homes on city land with $25,000 down payment assistance. Barnes outlines how this approach resists gentrification by returning locals to ownership and giving families the tools—credit classes, banking support, and community services—to stay and thrive. The work spreads across all four quadrants with parks, infill, and a “to be continued” promise that no corner is overlooked.
Hard truths meet concrete steps on infrastructure, safety, and mobility. Florence is tackling a $200 million surface-water problem with grants, staged borrowing, and SCADA technology that detects issues early while crews flush lines fast. On crime, drones that launch in under 90 seconds and a growing Flock camera network have helped clear more than 170 cases, complemented by youth programs, officer housing incentives, and accountability for businesses that fuel violence. Transit is now free on county buses, while the airport pursues cargo and international capability to leverage Florence’s rail and highway advantages.
If you care about how cities rebuild trust, honor history, and choose people over ego, this conversation offers a roadmap you can borrow. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who loves their city, and leave a review telling us the first step your community should take next.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:04):
Hello, I'm Ralph Candy and welcome again to
Native Drums.
It's my pleasure to have as ourspecial guest today the Reverend
Pastor Lithonia Barnes, who alsoserves as mayor of the city of
(00:31):
Florence, South Carolina.
Reverend Pastor Mayor, it's sucha pleasure to have you today.
SPEAKER_01 (00:39):
And it is a pleasure to be here.
SPEAKER_00 (00:42):
You bring so much to this podcast as I reflect upon
your life as a child in SavannahGrove Church, who has now grown
(01:04):
not only into womanhood, but toin the fullest statue of civic
and political leadership.
Savannah Grove Church has a veryrich heritage.
(01:27):
We feel extremely proud of thecontributions we have made to
the political and civic sectorof life from Reconstruction
until now.
(01:59):
We boast here at Savannah GroveChurch of having had at least
three persons from ourcongregation to serve in the
South Carolina legislature.
We have had at least threemembers to serve on different
(02:27):
school boards.
We have had a municipal judgeand two persons who have served
on Florence City Council and onewho served on Florence County
(02:48):
Council.
And I think it's worthy tomention that the person who
currently serves on CountyCouncil happens to be your
brother.
And then now we are blessed tohave you as uh as a member of
(03:10):
this church and as pastor ofFletcher Grove Baptist Church in
Lorenburg, North Carolina,serving as mayor of uh uh the
Magic City.
SPEAKER_01 (03:25):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (03:26):
What said you of this occasion?
SPEAKER_01 (03:31):
Um, you know, when you put it into that
perspective, it helps me tounderstand all that went into
who I am.
Um, you yourself um have done somuch work out there in the
field, and I was surrounded uhby by a lot of those people that
(03:55):
you've just named.
And so it it make it just makessense that Savannah Grove
produces um servants that arewilling to serve, not just for
titles, but really to get um thejob done for the people.
(04:17):
It is what I've seen all my lifein um being raised and reared
here in Savannah Grove.
And so I am honored to step intothis position, understanding
that um those that have comebefore me have actually made my
(04:40):
pathway clearer.
SPEAKER_00 (04:41):
Oh, wonderful.
Now, if I recall correctly, youyou served on county council on
city council.
SPEAKER_01 (04:49):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (04:49):
For for one term?
SPEAKER_01 (04:51):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (04:51):
For one term and for four years.
SPEAKER_01 (04:54):
Four years.
SPEAKER_00 (04:55):
And and now you are nearing uh the completion of
your first year uh as mayor.
SPEAKER_01 (05:05):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (05:06):
Uh tell us what that first year has been like in your
life.
SPEAKER_01 (05:11):
It has been busy.
It really has been busy.
Um I hit the ground running.
There have been a lot ofprojects done.
There but there's a lot ofcollaborations.
One of the first things that Iwanted to do was to um, I I
(05:33):
launched a campaign strongertogether.
And that meant bringingentities, people, churches,
schools, everybody together forone goal, and that's for a
better Florence.
Um, and that has kept me reallybusy trying to reach out to as
(05:53):
many people and differententities that I can.
Um, so that you know, when youyou sit at the table with so
many different ideas, it's it'syou you know we are going to
come up with the better ideawhen all are input giving input.
And that's one of the busiestthings that I've been doing.
(06:15):
And once I uh allowed the peopleto know that I am for them and
that I am accessible, they thensaid, Okay, you are.
Well, here you go.
We got some stuff for you to do,and they they've been keeping me
busy.
SPEAKER_00 (06:32):
Wonderful.
Well, you know, one of the uhprofound principles that Jesus
espoused was the concept ofunity.
Uh a house divided againstitself cannot stand.
(06:59):
A church divided cannot stand.
That same principle applies tomunicipal government.
Uh so I I think it uh issignificant that uh you have uh
engaged uh in uh a campaign tobring this community together.
(07:29):
Uh tell us some of the thingsthat you have done in in this
regard.
SPEAKER_01 (07:38):
And so one of the things that I've done to start
off, we did a campaign firesidechat.
And that is we would go to thecommunity, um having open
dialogue, allowing them to knowwhat the city is doing, and then
for them to tell us their needs.
Um we would cook and feed themand serve them.
(08:02):
Um, as you know from SavannahGrove, that's one of my loves to
cook and serve the community.
So I took that there, and thatwas a great success.
I will probably do another roundof that once we get, because
we've gotten so many of thoseprojects out of the way.
(08:23):
Um and then we've got uh I guessthere's so many projects that um
that I can talk about, but thereis so much movement all over
Florence.
The entire city of Florence hasis bustling with newness.
(08:44):
And um one of the things thatI've seen you do as a leader,
and some of the leaders that umI was blessed to be under, um
bringing the people along withwhat you are doing, it makes it
so much better.
(09:05):
Um while we can put newbuildings in communities, but if
there is not a mindset change ora shift, the community won't
actually care for what we aredoing.
My uh one major thing that Iwant to do is bring the people
(09:28):
along and put them out front.
Not make this about me, acampaign, any other political
leader, but make everything thatwe do about the people.
So we're getting a lot done, butmy major thing that I think that
I'm undertaking is um bringingthe people together so that they
(09:54):
will be excited.
Change happens with the people,not with um a new building.
The people have to buy in.
SPEAKER_00 (10:04):
Okay, wonderful.
So on on the one hand, uh atground zero level, you uh
building on unity and andconsensus.
Uh what about the projects?
What are some of or maybe Ishould my question should be
(10:31):
what are the major projectsthat's on the agenda for council
at at this point?
SPEAKER_01 (10:39):
At this point, um, of course, we're doing an urban
square, which would be a umacross, that would be in the
downtown area.
Major because it the firsttownhouse condo that will be
built there will be the at thesame location where the first
(11:00):
hotel for Florence ever will be.
It's the old trailway busstation.
And we actually brought in ourarchaeology um specialists to
dig and get some artifacts.
Well, that's one of the things,and that we will be doing a
groundbreaking for that.
(11:20):
Now, my Oakland project is whatum if I can go there, sure if
that's okay.
Um the Oakland project issomething, is probably um one
thing that's lumped togetherthat helps the community to see
progress faster because it'slumped together.
(11:41):
Um on um Oakland Avenue, rightat the end of the bridge, there
is a two-story house there thatum has been an ISO for at least
40 years or longer.
Uh we are um getting possessionof that so that we can tear that
down and put at the beginning ofthe community welcome to
(12:06):
historic North Laurence.
Why is that important?
When people are entering intotheir homes, entering into their
neighborhoods, they see thisunsightly piece of proper
property that reminds them ofthis is where they are, their
home.
And so we want to we we want tochange that.
(12:28):
When you come on down OaklandAvenue, there has been a problem
with flooding.
Uh so we are doing uh over$11million of storm drainage on
Oakland Avenue.
Then we've got some Oaklandplantation, the apartments
there.
We have partnered with um theHousing Authority.
(12:51):
The Housing Authority will betearing those apartments down,
and new, a new brand new countum um building will be erected.
This is top of the line.
We're not talking um what we areaccustomed to seeing with
projects.
We're talking granite towel,we're talking crown molding in
(13:14):
these, and and housing isallowing the residents to come
in and help design what theywant, giving them a sense of
dignity.
Also across the street, Dr.
Isla Jones' um home has um beenpurchased by the city, and we
(13:35):
are deeding it to the housingauthority.
That place will be anempowerment center.
For oftentimes people go intohousing and never come out.
We understand a mindset changehas to happen.
But there again, we've got allof these different um groups
(13:56):
that want to help in thecommunity, but but need to come
together.
So it whether it be thechurches, whether it be 501c3
mentor, mentorship groups, wewant to bring house, um, have a
place to house where peoplecould come in.
We also understand in that samearea, those people hear gunshots
(14:22):
every night.
Every night.
So there is a form of PTSD thatis going on.
So in the in the back of theempowerment center, we want to
do a mental oasis, uh um anoutdoor art gallery, um,
creating a space of peace andtranquility.
(14:43):
Um and that's that one.
Then at right down the street,you've got the Isla Jones Park,
and we just completed ouramphitheater.
Amphitheater there.
Um, across the street from thepark is an old dilapidated
store.
(15:04):
We've reached out to the owners,and they have agreed to build a
gas station there.
And then in that area, we aretrying to build 10 or more
houses.
As of to date, we've got aboutfive people.
Um, and I think they were all apart of the churches.
(15:24):
When I reached out to all of thepastors and churches asking them
to um if we would give them apiece of property and$25,000
down payment assistance if theywould build a home so that it
would be um affordable.
Um, and right now we have fivethat have signed up to build.
(15:48):
So we've got five more to go.
So um, and there's much more.
Um we are really, but but beforeI say anything else, and as we
were doing this, God spoke to meand said, um, before you do
anything else, before you turnany dirt, make sure that you
(16:08):
bring the people along becausethey need to know it is because
they have gotten behind thisthat this is getting done.
We need to empower the people.
And so on November the 8th, wewill be having a reclaiming our
community march.
And we're asking for all to comeout and rep your school, rep
(16:33):
your fraternity, rep yourbusiness, um, whatever in
t-shirts or however, to come outso that we could march and um
allow the community to know thatwe're here and change is coming.
And well, change is here.
So um, and also we will havefried fish and hot grits that
(16:56):
morning.
My pastor laughs at me becauseI'm always trying to feed
people.
But that would be um at Dr.
Isla Jones Park at uh 10 o'clockNovember, um November the 8th
that morning.
And it will be a prayer.
SPEAKER_00 (17:16):
Okay, well let's let's back up a bit.
Okay, because I think I I heardsomewhere in the air that that
march was planned for a previoustime and was canceled.
You want to talk to us a bitabout that, why it was canceled?
SPEAKER_01 (17:34):
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
The march was was planned, Ithink, for October the um Octo
two weeks ago.
And um it we had a rainstorm,and we had to postpone it.
But let me tell you, people areso excited.
There were people who showed upin the rain to march in the
(17:57):
rain.
And so I got phone calls.
Where are you all?
And I said, Well, it's beenpostponed because of rain.
And they were like, Well, we'reready.
And so I'm hoping that um ourcommunity is still ready and
that they will show up in bignumbers.
SPEAKER_00 (18:12):
So this is the same March, just a different
different date.
SPEAKER_01 (18:16):
Same March, different date.
SPEAKER_00 (18:18):
Okay.
Speak speak to us if you don'tmind, Mayor.
You you've you've mentioned thename um Dr.
Iola Jones on several timesduring your comments.
Uh who is Dr.
Iola Jones and uh what makes herproperty significant to this
(18:43):
project?
SPEAKER_01 (18:44):
Dr.
Iola Jones and her brother werevery instrumental um in um the
60s, well, even in the 50s, um,they did a lot of community
work.
Dr.
Isla Jones was the first umsocial worker for South
Carolina, black social workerfor South Carolina, and her work
(19:09):
was so instrumental that it itgained the attention of the
White House.
She was called to the WhiteHouse on three different
occasions.
She became a personal friendwith Eleanor Roosevelt.
She also opened up the first uhfoster care um um for uh blacks.
(19:35):
And um she has done just so muchwork in community.
She has helped to um establishseveral women's groups, even in
the church and in the community.
Uh her her she did not havechildren, her community was her
(19:55):
children, and she she fought tofind ways to better the
community.
Um Frances Marianne honored herby um doing a historic landmark.
And early when the park wasnamed after her, uh the mayor
Cooper Teta honored her work uhbecause it it is an extensive um
(20:21):
amount of work that she has donethroughout.
Um I think um Mars CarrupCollege has a building that's
named after her.
Uh and so it gives me aunt now,Dr.
Ala Jones is my aunt, but I didnot know her for the work that
(20:42):
she did.
I knew her when she was older.
I I would have to go to herhouse as a little girl and braid
her hair, and my mom would sendus over there to clean up.
It was later on in life that Ifound out all of the things that
she and her brother, Joe Dees.
Um, he was instrumental whendowntown was thriving, and it
(21:04):
was called Black Wall Streetdown there.
He had several businesses.
He was the promoter that broughta lot of um world-renowned
talent to Florence, um, andthat's why they honored him as
well.
Um, so um they they they werevery instrumental in uh a lot of
different things.
SPEAKER_00 (21:25):
Okay, okay.
It it it sounds like uh uh Dr.
Aola Jones was of the class andstyle of Dr.
Mary McLeod Bethune.
Was there any relationshipbetween the two of them, as you
know?
SPEAKER_01 (21:44):
I'm glad you said that.
They became um really goodfriends.
Dr.
um uh Mary McLeod Bethune'spastor was Dr.
Isla Jones' husband.
Wow.
And so Dr.
Isla Jones being the first ladyof the church, it it brought the
(22:04):
two of them together.
And so her connection to theWhite House came through Mary
McClauck Bethune because the thefirst um reach out was to Mary
Cloud Bethune, and so it broughtIsla Jones along with it.
SPEAKER_00 (22:22):
Oh, that's an interesting piece of history,
and and that's an interestingperspective as we talk about the
redevelopment of a community andtying that redevelopment to
history and to a resident uh whohad uh state and and and
(22:47):
national acclaim.
So uh thank you so very much foruh bringing that information to
our attention.
Uh pushing uh the needle a stepfurther in your conversation as
you talked about redevelopment,you talked about uh a project to
(23:11):
uh construct new homes in inthat area and the partnership
between city council and andlocal churches.
Could you elaborate on that abit for us?
SPEAKER_01 (23:28):
I would gladly.
Uh one of the things that weunderstand, we we don't want to
get into the business of realestate as a city, but we are
hoping that we could bringpartners along.
So the city owns property, andwe are even going to take it
(23:50):
further by purchasing additionalproperties to give to churches,
developers, those who have thefinances to build.
Once we give that property, wedo have an agreement that you
have to sign because we don'twant shabby homes built.
(24:13):
These homes have to have crownmolding, they have to have
granite top um countertops andnice flooring because we don't
want 10 years later us wantingand needing to redo these homes.
And so we that agreement issigned.
After that agreement is signed,you build the home.
(24:36):
We will give$25,000 for downpayment assistance so that it
again giving the property takesthe cost down, and also giving
of$25,000 allows you to sell thehome at an obtainable rate, an
affordable house.
(24:58):
And that's what we're shootshooting for.
We also have programs in place.
Housing has partnered with uswhere they could take classes
for um for to repair theircredit, um, partnering with
banks to so that they can be inposition to buy um homes.
(25:21):
Um we there there are severaldifferent projects or programs
that we have in place to helpour people get back into the
community.
Um of the things that I noticeda lot of people said, well, I'm
afraid if you fix the communityup, gentrification comes in.
(25:43):
Well, this effort helps actuallypush gentrification down the
road.
We we we are trying our best toget those into the communities
who want to be there.
They are from the community, butthey may not have the resources
or even the know-how to get newhomes.
SPEAKER_00 (26:06):
Okay, wonderful.
Uh so if if I recall correctly,I'm over 30, you know, and I'm
that's North Florence, you'retalking about.
SPEAKER_01 (26:16):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (26:16):
All right.
Uh what's your vision for?
I think Florence is pretty muchknown for uh being a
four-sectional geographicalcommunity, north, south, east,
and west.
SPEAKER_01 (26:35):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (26:35):
So this effort is all focused on North Florence.
Uh what are you envisioning forthe other sections of Florence?
SPEAKER_01 (26:48):
And I'm glad you said that because this is the
beginning, and that's why at theend of everything we are saying
to be continued, um, in EastFlorence, right now we have$19
million going over there in thepark.
We've gotten um nine homes to bebuilt over in the Pine Street
(27:14):
Gillyard.
And not only to mention theprojects of housing and the city
working together will alsohappen in the East Florence and
the West Florence.
And so we we've got um big plansfor all of our areas.
(27:36):
That's why we are taking onebite at a time, getting the
people on board, um, and then wewill continue to move around
Florence.
No part of Florence will be leftout.
This is for all of Florence.
Um, and so when you're excitedfor someone else, you make it
(27:57):
happen for yourself.
And that's what we're seeing.
We're we're having people fromWest Florence to come to the
march in North Florence, peoplein East Florence coming to the
march in North Florence becausethis is about us, all of us, and
and um the plan, no, no cornerwill be left unturned.
SPEAKER_00 (28:20):
Oh, wonderful.
Okay, thank you.
Um uh Mayor Barnes.
Now, uh, if you don't mind,let's let's shift a little bit
from um geopolitical uhresidential subdivisions to some
(28:41):
more or less universalconversation.
Okay.
Uh can you talk to us?
Uh I understand that there hasbeen uh uh a major uh issue in
Florence with water.
Uh I'd like for you to to saddress the the issue with uh
(29:02):
the water project, where we arewith that project, where we are
with crime, uh where we are withtransportation, and I suspect
the fourth one would be where weare with industrial development.
SPEAKER_01 (29:23):
Wow, yeah, and like I said, this is a great time to
be in Florence because it'shappening everywhere.
And so when I became, when Ibecame mayor, um I had not been
sworn in yet, but I had beengoing to meetings as mayor,
people um were calling me intothe meeting.
(29:43):
We had our a major water issue,and the city council and I
talked, and they said, Allright, you want to be mayor?
We need to see change.
And the reason they said that isfor years, people Have been
kicking the can down the road.
They say, Oh, we live in aswamp.
(30:07):
What you expect?
Well, I decided that, you know,I called the city manager and I
said, I can't, I can't settlefor that answer.
You you've got to give mesomething else.
Something has to be done.
Um, the hard decisions had to bemade.
Um, and um we I, you know, hadto be uh my first assignment, I
(30:34):
had to be firm and say, look,you're gonna, we hired you as
city manager, and we expect youto get this job done.
And can I tell you, he hasdelivered.
Now, some people may not see itbecause this problem is a$200
(30:56):
million problem just for surfacewater.
Wow.
That's not included, includingsewage, that it is just that
much for sewage.
So when we think about that,where's the money gonna come
from?
Who's gonna pay for this?
So we're applying for grants,we're trying to get private and
(31:17):
um public funds, um, but some ofthis money will be passed on to
the consumer.
No politician wants to tellsomeone their their water rates
is going up.
However, what was placed in ourlap was fixed the problem or it
(31:37):
gets worse.
And so we had to bite thebullet.
And we brought in experts fromeverywhere.
Um they were talking about maybewe need to sell to a water
authority, maybe, and when theexpert spoke to say everything
(31:58):
that this city manager has putin place is right on point, the
problem is it takes a while.
We have just borrowed, we've umpassed an ordinance where city
um the city manager could borrow$270 million.
Well, he can't use$270 millionbecause the developers are are
(32:24):
not moving that quick.
So we decided, well, he decidedto get$170,000,$170 million, um,
and we put some bids out there.
Well, the bids are coming inslow.
The reason being everybody hasinfrastructure problems.
(32:44):
And so these developers who areworking on this understand that
they can bid two and three timesmore than what it really costs
to do the job.
And so we had to take a backstep and rethink.
But we brought in specialists,we we are doing the skater
(33:06):
system.
The skater system is put on ourmoving in technology where
before we see the brown water,the skater system uh um detects
it, and then we can go out andflush the system.
Well, with the rapid growththat's going on in Florence.
(33:28):
So in Florence, even thoughwe're in the city, but all of
Florence who that's under our inour area, we control the water
and sewage.
And so when you have 8,000 homespermitted to be built within the
next year, that's a lot ofbuilding.
(33:50):
It is also a lot of knocking onpipes where old settlement falls
into the water, resulting withum residents getting brown
water.
Um, so now we have to put inplace that as soon as the skater
system tells us or we get callsthat there's brown water, we run
(34:13):
out and flush the water system.
So you will see a lot more ofour people, the firemen or our
um departments flushing firehydrants, and that's to help to
flush out some of the settlementthat's falling in the water.
Um we've had problems withstealing developers whose
(34:35):
billing instead of going in theright way to get water, they
just knock a pipe open and stealthe water.
And so what happens?
Settlement falls.
Um, but right now we are on agood path for our water.
It is just, I'm gonna askeveryone to be patient because
it's gonna take a while for usto fix a problem.
(34:59):
Our water system has really notbeen the pipes that we are
dealing with were done in the70s.
So Florence was a lot smaller.
The size of the pipes that weneed is much larger.
When you look at just inFlorence, South Carolina,
(35:20):
there's over 700 miles of pipes.
So for that to be replaced,you're talking about going to
Miami and back.
That's how much pipes are in,and we've got to do replacement.
That's not going to changeovernight.
(35:42):
So that's our water system.
SPEAKER_00 (35:44):
Okay, okay, wow.
That that's that's a meaningfulreport.
Uh, and it certainly suggestsprogress.
A problem uh that existed prioruh to your coming into office,
(36:04):
but you are uh managing it.
Thank you for that report.
Okay?
Now talk to us about this crimething and and the 15-year-old
shooting in the middle of thenight and that sort of stuff.
SPEAKER_01 (36:20):
Well, um one of the first things that I tackled was
crime.
And so um outside of the water,because that happened before I
was sworn in, by the time I wassworn in, I came up with a
five-point plan to um crime.
Um and um one of the main thingsout of the five-point plan was
(36:44):
policing through technology.
Um we look at TV, the N whatNCIS, NCIS um program, but that
is real.
We need more centers policing inthat way because it helps our
police to do a better job, andit also keeps them safe when we
(37:08):
can use technology.
So um we have a drone that's mybaby.
I I love the drone system thatwe have.
This drone system sits on top ofCity Hall.
Within 30 to 90 seconds, itcould be in any place in
Florence.
Uh, the only thing we got to dois enter the address.
(37:31):
Uh, when once it comes over, itwill actually just stay right
there.
Every police car has the datawhere the camera system where
they can see what's going on.
In 30 to 60 seconds, if ifsomeone has a break-in, we can
we can catch them at the placeor running away.
(37:52):
We also have a flock camerasystem, and that system um it
connects with other cities andtowns and states.
Anybody who has the flock cameraum system, um, we can connect in
it.
So when with we us having thedrones, us having the flock
camera system, when you drivepast, it reads the the um the
(38:17):
tag on it.
It also will allow if we the yousay the person that robbed the
store was driving uh uh graymission um Nissan, we put in
gray Nissan um the year makemodel.
Um it will pull up every one ofthem as that pass the cameras.
(38:42):
We have 66, I'm sorry, 68cameras around Florence.
Darlington has them, the countyhas them.
MacBee, I don't know if youremember, MacBee had a shooting,
uh, the cop was shot in thehead, and the person that did it
fled to Florence.
(39:04):
Because of the flop camerasystem, his car dinged our
police.
We were able to notify theMacBee police that he was in
Florence.
Our people got behind him.
He fled to state, the state, um,Lee State County Um Park, um,
(39:24):
and there he took his life, butit was because you you would be
surprised.
As of, I want to say, as ofSeptember, over 170 cases have
been solved because of our flockcamera systems.
And so policing throughtechnology works.
(39:48):
Um, and we're not stoppingthere.
We are looking to do bigger andbetter and more that um will
help to keep Florence safe.
We named the um camp for ouryoung people after um Terrence
Caraway, the officer that wasgunned down in the line of duty.
(40:10):
We brought that back.
We also are offering money toour police that live in um high
crime areas.
We will help to pay theirmortgage or their rent.
Um we are also the the um whatis it?
(40:32):
The um, I'm trying to think, thebusinesses that have a lot of
crime, we are actually saying,hey, we've got to look at your
license.
We've got to look at if youshould be licensed to have
businesses in Florence if you'regoing to be a hub for crime.
(40:55):
Uh so there is a lot going on.
SPEAKER_00 (40:57):
Okay.
All right.
What what what about thetransportation?
How how we come withtransportation?
What what's our what are welooking like in terms of how we
get people in our city from onepoint to the other?
SPEAKER_01 (41:14):
The county has done a really good thing.
Now you could ride for free.
The busing system is for freefor anyone.
Going to work, going out toshop, whatever, it is free.
The transportation I would liketo talk about is our airport.
Our airport is on the move.
(41:36):
And I would encourage all of thecitizens, if you want to see our
airport system grow, we've gotto help them grow by flying out
of Florence.
Most people will ride to MyrtleBeach or ride to um um
Charlotte, but we need toinvest.
(41:58):
We've got a new director, and heis on the money.
He is looking to bring in cargo.
Cargo is major, uh makingFlorence an international
airport where they could come inwith all of these tariffs and
things like that.
When you have a place where theycould come in so um um and bring
(42:25):
stuff in from overseas.
I think on the East Coast,outside of Charlotte, see uh you
there's not that at um MyrtleBeach.
So Charlotte has it, um Raleighhas it, but no one else does.
And so he's trying to move toget that and also bring in
(42:48):
cargo.
The cargo, the train system runsright by the airport.
We we are Florence is justsituated just perfect, just
perfect for everything.
The roads, all roads lead toFlorence.
Um, we're we've gotconnectivity, we've got access
through trains, through airport,through um, and and industry is
(43:12):
just booming, booming here inFlorence.
That tells us that they see thegym that we are.
SPEAKER_00 (43:20):
Okay.
Okay, well, finally, that's youare clearly a visionary.
So share with us your vision forFlorence.
Say five years from now, tenyears or twenty years from now.
(43:41):
Where do you see Florence going?
SPEAKER_01 (43:45):
Florence right now is growing, but growth brings on
problems, and we see a lot ofbigger cities with a lot of
growth, but with that growththey lose their connectivity.
That's something that really ishard to do when you're growing
(44:09):
fast, and so being intentionalabout our growth, being
intentional about where webuild, how we build, because we
got to live here aftereverything is all built up.
Um that's something that youknow we we need to empower our
(44:31):
people, one, to care for thisplace called Florence.
This is not just the electedofficial's job.
This is not the pastor and thechurch's job, the teachers and
the principal.
This is our job.
Bringing everyone on board issomething that that is major.
(44:53):
We we're looking at so manydifferent things that we're
doing, it's already happening,but I don't want us to lose our
connectivity, and that's what Iwant to be intentional about.
SPEAKER_00 (45:07):
Okay.
As a community, what can we doto support you and to support
council and to foster a better,greater Florence?
SPEAKER_01 (45:25):
That's a great, great question because there are
a lot of things that we coulddo.
We could you you could serve onboards and commissions.
You can um when COVID hit, wehad a time where we went to our
homes and we have not fully comeback the way we should.
(45:48):
Being engaged is something thathelps us.
It's almost as though we are thebody, but you tie a tourniquet
around stopping the flow of umeverything being able to go to
um one body.
We have to come back togetheragain.
(46:10):
It's it's funny we say the goodold days.
We call them a good old days fora reason.
Family was strong, community wasstrong, the church was was
strong.
You could trust people.
Getting back to basic 101 issomething that we really need to
(46:33):
work on.
And so I would say love yourneighbor as yourself.
I would say help each other,support one another, show up to
meetings and voice your opinion.
It is not good enough for you tostand on the sideline and
complain.
What are you gonna do about theproblem in your community?
(46:55):
How are you going to make adifference right where you live?
You know, you don't have to pickup a title, just pick up
whatever God has put in front ofyou.
Um, that's one of the ways thatyou can help.
SPEAKER_00 (47:09):
Okay.
Hey, it's been such a pleasurehaving you today.
Now tell us again the IolaJones, North Florence March is
what date?
SPEAKER_01 (47:24):
November the 8th at 10 o'clock at Dr.
Isla Jones Park.
Please come.
Please come.
You can come hungry becausewe'll feed you, but come ready
to unite as one as a community.
SPEAKER_00 (47:40):
And I think I've heard you say you you you would
love to see about 500 peoplethere.
SPEAKER_01 (47:45):
I we want 500 plus people.
So rep your your school, repyour class, rep your church.
Um, we want you to wear yourdifferent.
I'm glad you said that because Ididn't say this.
This will be videoed.
We want to do a video ofFlorence coming together.
And so we want to see yourpicture on there.
(48:06):
We want to see your facerepresenting on the video.
SPEAKER_00 (48:10):
Okay.
Thank you so very much forcoming and being with us today.
Thank you for coming and forbeing with us.
Uh, it's our intent uh to makeNative Drums more and more an
informative forum for thiscommunity, keeping you in touch
(48:31):
and empowered.
God bless you.
Have a good day.
Hello, I'm Ralph Candy and welcome again to
Native Drums.
It's my pleasure to have as ourspecial guest today the Reverend
Pastor Lithonia Barnes, who alsoserves as mayor of the city of
(00:31):
Florence, South Carolina.
Reverend Pastor Mayor, it's sucha pleasure to have you today.
SPEAKER_01 (00:39):
And it is a pleasure to be here.
SPEAKER_00 (00:42):
You bring so much to this podcast as I reflect upon
your life as a child in SavannahGrove Church, who has now grown
(01:04):
not only into womanhood, but toin the fullest statue of civic
and political leadership.
Savannah Grove Church has a veryrich heritage.
(01:27):
We feel extremely proud of thecontributions we have made to
the political and civic sectorof life from Reconstruction
until now.
(01:59):
We boast here at Savannah GroveChurch of having had at least
three persons from ourcongregation to serve in the
South Carolina legislature.
We have had at least threemembers to serve on different
(02:27):
school boards.
We have had a municipal judgeand two persons who have served
on Florence City Council and onewho served on Florence County
(02:48):
Council.
And I think it's worthy tomention that the person who
currently serves on CountyCouncil happens to be your
brother.
And then now we are blessed tohave you as uh as a member of
(03:10):
this church and as pastor ofFletcher Grove Baptist Church in
Lorenburg, North Carolina,serving as mayor of uh uh the
Magic City.
SPEAKER_01 (03:25):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (03:26):
What said you of this occasion?
SPEAKER_01 (03:31):
Um, you know, when you put it into that
perspective, it helps me tounderstand all that went into
who I am.
Um, you yourself um have done somuch work out there in the
field, and I was surrounded uhby by a lot of those people that
(03:55):
you've just named.
And so it it make it just makessense that Savannah Grove
produces um servants that arewilling to serve, not just for
titles, but really to get um thejob done for the people.
(04:17):
It is what I've seen all my lifein um being raised and reared
here in Savannah Grove.
And so I am honored to step intothis position, understanding
that um those that have comebefore me have actually made my
(04:40):
pathway clearer.
SPEAKER_00 (04:41):
Oh, wonderful.
Now, if I recall correctly, youyou served on county council on
city council.
SPEAKER_01 (04:49):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (04:49):
For for one term?
SPEAKER_01 (04:51):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (04:51):
For one term and for four years.
SPEAKER_01 (04:54):
Four years.
SPEAKER_00 (04:55):
And and now you are nearing uh the completion of
your first year uh as mayor.
SPEAKER_01 (05:05):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (05:06):
Uh tell us what that first year has been like in your
life.
SPEAKER_01 (05:11):
It has been busy.
It really has been busy.
Um I hit the ground running.
There have been a lot ofprojects done.
There but there's a lot ofcollaborations.
One of the first things that Iwanted to do was to um, I I
(05:33):
launched a campaign strongertogether.
And that meant bringingentities, people, churches,
schools, everybody together forone goal, and that's for a
better Florence.
Um, and that has kept me reallybusy trying to reach out to as
(05:53):
many people and differententities that I can.
Um, so that you know, when youyou sit at the table with so
many different ideas, it's it'syou you know we are going to
come up with the better ideawhen all are input giving input.
And that's one of the busiestthings that I've been doing.
(06:15):
And once I uh allowed the peopleto know that I am for them and
that I am accessible, they thensaid, Okay, you are.
Well, here you go.
We got some stuff for you to do,and they they've been keeping me
busy.
SPEAKER_00 (06:32):
Wonderful.
Well, you know, one of the uhprofound principles that Jesus
espoused was the concept ofunity.
Uh a house divided againstitself cannot stand.
(06:59):
A church divided cannot stand.
That same principle applies tomunicipal government.
Uh so I I think it uh issignificant that uh you have uh
engaged uh in uh a campaign tobring this community together.
(07:29):
Uh tell us some of the thingsthat you have done in in this
regard.
SPEAKER_01 (07:38):
And so one of the things that I've done to start
off, we did a campaign firesidechat.
And that is we would go to thecommunity, um having open
dialogue, allowing them to knowwhat the city is doing, and then
for them to tell us their needs.
Um we would cook and feed themand serve them.
(08:02):
Um, as you know from SavannahGrove, that's one of my loves to
cook and serve the community.
So I took that there, and thatwas a great success.
I will probably do another roundof that once we get, because
we've gotten so many of thoseprojects out of the way.
(08:23):
Um and then we've got uh I guessthere's so many projects that um
that I can talk about, but thereis so much movement all over
Florence.
The entire city of Florence hasis bustling with newness.
(08:44):
And um one of the things thatI've seen you do as a leader,
and some of the leaders that umI was blessed to be under, um
bringing the people along withwhat you are doing, it makes it
so much better.
(09:05):
Um while we can put newbuildings in communities, but if
there is not a mindset change ora shift, the community won't
actually care for what we aredoing.
My uh one major thing that Iwant to do is bring the people
(09:28):
along and put them out front.
Not make this about me, acampaign, any other political
leader, but make everything thatwe do about the people.
So we're getting a lot done, butmy major thing that I think that
I'm undertaking is um bringingthe people together so that they
(09:54):
will be excited.
Change happens with the people,not with um a new building.
The people have to buy in.
SPEAKER_00 (10:04):
Okay, wonderful.
So on on the one hand, uh atground zero level, you uh
building on unity and andconsensus.
Uh what about the projects?
What are some of or maybe Ishould my question should be
(10:31):
what are the major projectsthat's on the agenda for council
at at this point?
SPEAKER_01 (10:39):
At this point, um, of course, we're doing an urban
square, which would be a umacross, that would be in the
downtown area.
Major because it the firsttownhouse condo that will be
built there will be the at thesame location where the first
(11:00):
hotel for Florence ever will be.
It's the old trailway busstation.
And we actually brought in ourarchaeology um specialists to
dig and get some artifacts.
Well, that's one of the things,and that we will be doing a
groundbreaking for that.
(11:20):
Now, my Oakland project is whatum if I can go there, sure if
that's okay.
Um the Oakland project issomething, is probably um one
thing that's lumped togetherthat helps the community to see
progress faster because it'slumped together.
(11:41):
Um on um Oakland Avenue, rightat the end of the bridge, there
is a two-story house there thatum has been an ISO for at least
40 years or longer.
Uh we are um getting possessionof that so that we can tear that
down and put at the beginning ofthe community welcome to
(12:06):
historic North Laurence.
Why is that important?
When people are entering intotheir homes, entering into their
neighborhoods, they see thisunsightly piece of proper
property that reminds them ofthis is where they are, their
home.
And so we want to we we want tochange that.
(12:28):
When you come on down OaklandAvenue, there has been a problem
with flooding.
Uh so we are doing uh over$11million of storm drainage on
Oakland Avenue.
Then we've got some Oaklandplantation, the apartments
there.
We have partnered with um theHousing Authority.
(12:51):
The Housing Authority will betearing those apartments down,
and new, a new brand new countum um building will be erected.
This is top of the line.
We're not talking um what we areaccustomed to seeing with
projects.
We're talking granite towel,we're talking crown molding in
(13:14):
these, and and housing isallowing the residents to come
in and help design what theywant, giving them a sense of
dignity.
Also across the street, Dr.
Isla Jones' um home has um beenpurchased by the city, and we
(13:35):
are deeding it to the housingauthority.
That place will be anempowerment center.
For oftentimes people go intohousing and never come out.
We understand a mindset changehas to happen.
But there again, we've got allof these different um groups
(13:56):
that want to help in thecommunity, but but need to come
together.
So it whether it be thechurches, whether it be 501c3
mentor, mentorship groups, wewant to bring house, um, have a
place to house where peoplecould come in.
We also understand in that samearea, those people hear gunshots
(14:22):
every night.
Every night.
So there is a form of PTSD thatis going on.
So in the in the back of theempowerment center, we want to
do a mental oasis, uh um anoutdoor art gallery, um,
creating a space of peace andtranquility.
(14:43):
Um and that's that one.
Then at right down the street,you've got the Isla Jones Park,
and we just completed ouramphitheater.
Amphitheater there.
Um, across the street from thepark is an old dilapidated
store.
(15:04):
We've reached out to the owners,and they have agreed to build a
gas station there.
And then in that area, we aretrying to build 10 or more
houses.
As of to date, we've got aboutfive people.
Um, and I think they were all apart of the churches.
(15:24):
When I reached out to all of thepastors and churches asking them
to um if we would give them apiece of property and$25,000
down payment assistance if theywould build a home so that it
would be um affordable.
Um, and right now we have fivethat have signed up to build.
(15:48):
So we've got five more to go.
So um, and there's much more.
Um we are really, but but beforeI say anything else, and as we
were doing this, God spoke to meand said, um, before you do
anything else, before you turnany dirt, make sure that you
(16:08):
bring the people along becausethey need to know it is because
they have gotten behind thisthat this is getting done.
We need to empower the people.
And so on November the 8th, wewill be having a reclaiming our
community march.
And we're asking for all to comeout and rep your school, rep
(16:33):
your fraternity, rep yourbusiness, um, whatever in
t-shirts or however, to come outso that we could march and um
allow the community to know thatwe're here and change is coming.
And well, change is here.
So um, and also we will havefried fish and hot grits that
(16:56):
morning.
My pastor laughs at me becauseI'm always trying to feed
people.
But that would be um at Dr.
Isla Jones Park at uh 10 o'clockNovember, um November the 8th
that morning.
And it will be a prayer.
SPEAKER_00 (17:16):
Okay, well let's let's back up a bit.
Okay, because I think I I heardsomewhere in the air that that
march was planned for a previoustime and was canceled.
You want to talk to us a bitabout that, why it was canceled?
SPEAKER_01 (17:34):
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
The march was was planned, Ithink, for October the um Octo
two weeks ago.
And um it we had a rainstorm,and we had to postpone it.
But let me tell you, people areso excited.
There were people who showed upin the rain to march in the
(17:57):
rain.
And so I got phone calls.
Where are you all?
And I said, Well, it's beenpostponed because of rain.
And they were like, Well, we'reready.
And so I'm hoping that um ourcommunity is still ready and
that they will show up in bignumbers.
SPEAKER_00 (18:12):
So this is the same March, just a different
different date.
SPEAKER_01 (18:16):
Same March, different date.
SPEAKER_00 (18:18):
Okay.
Speak speak to us if you don'tmind, Mayor.
You you've you've mentioned thename um Dr.
Iola Jones on several timesduring your comments.
Uh who is Dr.
Iola Jones and uh what makes herproperty significant to this
(18:43):
project?
SPEAKER_01 (18:44):
Dr.
Iola Jones and her brother werevery instrumental um in um the
60s, well, even in the 50s, um,they did a lot of community
work.
Dr.
Isla Jones was the first umsocial worker for South
Carolina, black social workerfor South Carolina, and her work
(19:09):
was so instrumental that it itgained the attention of the
White House.
She was called to the WhiteHouse on three different
occasions.
She became a personal friendwith Eleanor Roosevelt.
She also opened up the first uhfoster care um um for uh blacks.
(19:35):
And um she has done just so muchwork in community.
She has helped to um establishseveral women's groups, even in
the church and in the community.
Uh her her she did not havechildren, her community was her
(19:55):
children, and she she fought tofind ways to better the
community.
Um Frances Marianne honored herby um doing a historic landmark.
And early when the park wasnamed after her, uh the mayor
Cooper Teta honored her work uhbecause it it is an extensive um
(20:21):
amount of work that she has donethroughout.
Um I think um Mars CarrupCollege has a building that's
named after her.
Uh and so it gives me aunt now,Dr.
Ala Jones is my aunt, but I didnot know her for the work that
(20:42):
she did.
I knew her when she was older.
I I would have to go to herhouse as a little girl and braid
her hair, and my mom would sendus over there to clean up.
It was later on in life that Ifound out all of the things that
she and her brother, Joe Dees.
Um, he was instrumental whendowntown was thriving, and it
(21:04):
was called Black Wall Streetdown there.
He had several businesses.
He was the promoter that broughta lot of um world-renowned
talent to Florence, um, andthat's why they honored him as
well.
Um, so um they they they werevery instrumental in uh a lot of
different things.
SPEAKER_00 (21:25):
Okay, okay.
It it it sounds like uh uh Dr.
Aola Jones was of the class andstyle of Dr.
Mary McLeod Bethune.
Was there any relationshipbetween the two of them, as you
know?
SPEAKER_01 (21:44):
I'm glad you said that.
They became um really goodfriends.
Dr.
um uh Mary McLeod Bethune'spastor was Dr.
Isla Jones' husband.
Wow.
And so Dr.
Isla Jones being the first ladyof the church, it it brought the
(22:04):
two of them together.
And so her connection to theWhite House came through Mary
McClauck Bethune because the thefirst um reach out was to Mary
Cloud Bethune, and so it broughtIsla Jones along with it.
SPEAKER_00 (22:22):
Oh, that's an interesting piece of history,
and and that's an interestingperspective as we talk about the
redevelopment of a community andtying that redevelopment to
history and to a resident uh whohad uh state and and and
(22:47):
national acclaim.
So uh thank you so very much foruh bringing that information to
our attention.
Uh pushing uh the needle a stepfurther in your conversation as
you talked about redevelopment,you talked about uh a project to
(23:11):
uh construct new homes in inthat area and the partnership
between city council and andlocal churches.
Could you elaborate on that abit for us?
SPEAKER_01 (23:28):
I would gladly.
Uh one of the things that weunderstand, we we don't want to
get into the business of realestate as a city, but we are
hoping that we could bringpartners along.
So the city owns property, andwe are even going to take it
(23:50):
further by purchasing additionalproperties to give to churches,
developers, those who have thefinances to build.
Once we give that property, wedo have an agreement that you
have to sign because we don'twant shabby homes built.
(24:13):
These homes have to have crownmolding, they have to have
granite top um countertops andnice flooring because we don't
want 10 years later us wantingand needing to redo these homes.
And so we that agreement issigned.
After that agreement is signed,you build the home.
(24:36):
We will give$25,000 for downpayment assistance so that it
again giving the property takesthe cost down, and also giving
of$25,000 allows you to sell thehome at an obtainable rate, an
affordable house.
(24:58):
And that's what we're shootshooting for.
We also have programs in place.
Housing has partnered with uswhere they could take classes
for um for to repair theircredit, um, partnering with
banks to so that they can be inposition to buy um homes.
(25:21):
Um we there there are severaldifferent projects or programs
that we have in place to helpour people get back into the
community.
Um of the things that I noticeda lot of people said, well, I'm
afraid if you fix the communityup, gentrification comes in.
(25:43):
Well, this effort helps actuallypush gentrification down the
road.
We we we are trying our best toget those into the communities
who want to be there.
They are from the community, butthey may not have the resources
or even the know-how to get newhomes.
SPEAKER_00 (26:06):
Okay, wonderful.
Uh so if if I recall correctly,I'm over 30, you know, and I'm
that's North Florence, you'retalking about.
SPEAKER_01 (26:16):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (26:16):
All right.
Uh what's your vision for?
I think Florence is pretty muchknown for uh being a
four-sectional geographicalcommunity, north, south, east,
and west.
SPEAKER_01 (26:35):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (26:35):
So this effort is all focused on North Florence.
Uh what are you envisioning forthe other sections of Florence?
SPEAKER_01 (26:48):
And I'm glad you said that because this is the
beginning, and that's why at theend of everything we are saying
to be continued, um, in EastFlorence, right now we have$19
million going over there in thepark.
We've gotten um nine homes to bebuilt over in the Pine Street
(27:14):
Gillyard.
And not only to mention theprojects of housing and the city
working together will alsohappen in the East Florence and
the West Florence.
And so we we've got um big plansfor all of our areas.
(27:36):
That's why we are taking onebite at a time, getting the
people on board, um, and then wewill continue to move around
Florence.
No part of Florence will be leftout.
This is for all of Florence.
Um, and so when you're excitedfor someone else, you make it
(27:57):
happen for yourself.
And that's what we're seeing.
We're we're having people fromWest Florence to come to the
march in North Florence, peoplein East Florence coming to the
march in North Florence becausethis is about us, all of us, and
and um the plan, no, no cornerwill be left unturned.
SPEAKER_00 (28:20):
Oh, wonderful.
Okay, thank you.
Um uh Mayor Barnes.
Now, uh, if you don't mind,let's let's shift a little bit
from um geopolitical uhresidential subdivisions to some
(28:41):
more or less universalconversation.
Okay.
Uh can you talk to us?
Uh I understand that there hasbeen uh uh a major uh issue in
Florence with water.
Uh I'd like for you to to saddress the the issue with uh
(29:02):
the water project, where we arewith that project, where we are
with crime, uh where we are withtransportation, and I suspect
the fourth one would be where weare with industrial development.
SPEAKER_01 (29:23):
Wow, yeah, and like I said, this is a great time to
be in Florence because it'shappening everywhere.
And so when I became, when Ibecame mayor, um I had not been
sworn in yet, but I had beengoing to meetings as mayor,
people um were calling me intothe meeting.
(29:43):
We had our a major water issue,and the city council and I
talked, and they said, Allright, you want to be mayor?
We need to see change.
And the reason they said that isfor years, people Have been
kicking the can down the road.
They say, Oh, we live in aswamp.
(30:07):
What you expect?
Well, I decided that, you know,I called the city manager and I
said, I can't, I can't settlefor that answer.
You you've got to give mesomething else.
Something has to be done.
Um, the hard decisions had to bemade.
Um, and um we I, you know, hadto be uh my first assignment, I
(30:34):
had to be firm and say, look,you're gonna, we hired you as
city manager, and we expect youto get this job done.
And can I tell you, he hasdelivered.
Now, some people may not see itbecause this problem is a$200
(30:56):
million problem just for surfacewater.
Wow.
That's not included, includingsewage, that it is just that
much for sewage.
So when we think about that,where's the money gonna come
from?
Who's gonna pay for this?
So we're applying for grants,we're trying to get private and
(31:17):
um public funds, um, but some ofthis money will be passed on to
the consumer.
No politician wants to tellsomeone their their water rates
is going up.
However, what was placed in ourlap was fixed the problem or it
(31:37):
gets worse.
And so we had to bite thebullet.
And we brought in experts fromeverywhere.
Um they were talking about maybewe need to sell to a water
authority, maybe, and when theexpert spoke to say everything
(31:58):
that this city manager has putin place is right on point, the
problem is it takes a while.
We have just borrowed, we've umpassed an ordinance where city
um the city manager could borrow$270 million.
Well, he can't use$270 millionbecause the developers are are
(32:24):
not moving that quick.
So we decided, well, he decidedto get$170,000,$170 million, um,
and we put some bids out there.
Well, the bids are coming inslow.
The reason being everybody hasinfrastructure problems.
(32:44):
And so these developers who areworking on this understand that
they can bid two and three timesmore than what it really costs
to do the job.
And so we had to take a backstep and rethink.
But we brought in specialists,we we are doing the skater
(33:06):
system.
The skater system is put on ourmoving in technology where
before we see the brown water,the skater system uh um detects
it, and then we can go out andflush the system.
Well, with the rapid growththat's going on in Florence.
(33:28):
So in Florence, even thoughwe're in the city, but all of
Florence who that's under our inour area, we control the water
and sewage.
And so when you have 8,000 homespermitted to be built within the
next year, that's a lot ofbuilding.
(33:50):
It is also a lot of knocking onpipes where old settlement falls
into the water, resulting withum residents getting brown
water.
Um, so now we have to put inplace that as soon as the skater
system tells us or we get callsthat there's brown water, we run
(34:13):
out and flush the water system.
So you will see a lot more ofour people, the firemen or our
um departments flushing firehydrants, and that's to help to
flush out some of the settlementthat's falling in the water.
Um we've had problems withstealing developers whose
(34:35):
billing instead of going in theright way to get water, they
just knock a pipe open and stealthe water.
And so what happens?
Settlement falls.
Um, but right now we are on agood path for our water.
It is just, I'm gonna askeveryone to be patient because
it's gonna take a while for usto fix a problem.
(34:59):
Our water system has really notbeen the pipes that we are
dealing with were done in the70s.
So Florence was a lot smaller.
The size of the pipes that weneed is much larger.
When you look at just inFlorence, South Carolina,
(35:20):
there's over 700 miles of pipes.
So for that to be replaced,you're talking about going to
Miami and back.
That's how much pipes are in,and we've got to do replacement.
That's not going to changeovernight.
(35:42):
So that's our water system.
SPEAKER_00 (35:44):
Okay, okay, wow.
That that's that's a meaningfulreport.
Uh, and it certainly suggestsprogress.
A problem uh that existed prioruh to your coming into office,
(36:04):
but you are uh managing it.
Thank you for that report.
Okay?
Now talk to us about this crimething and and the 15-year-old
shooting in the middle of thenight and that sort of stuff.
SPEAKER_01 (36:20):
Well, um one of the first things that I tackled was
crime.
And so um outside of the water,because that happened before I
was sworn in, by the time I wassworn in, I came up with a
five-point plan to um crime.
Um and um one of the main thingsout of the five-point plan was
(36:44):
policing through technology.
Um we look at TV, the N whatNCIS, NCIS um program, but that
is real.
We need more centers policing inthat way because it helps our
police to do a better job, andit also keeps them safe when we
(37:08):
can use technology.
So um we have a drone that's mybaby.
I I love the drone system thatwe have.
This drone system sits on top ofCity Hall.
Within 30 to 90 seconds, itcould be in any place in
Florence.
Uh, the only thing we got to dois enter the address.
(37:31):
Uh, when once it comes over, itwill actually just stay right
there.
Every police car has the datawhere the camera system where
they can see what's going on.
In 30 to 60 seconds, if ifsomeone has a break-in, we can
we can catch them at the placeor running away.
(37:52):
We also have a flock camerasystem, and that system um it
connects with other cities andtowns and states.
Anybody who has the flock cameraum system, um, we can connect in
it.
So when with we us having thedrones, us having the flock
camera system, when you drivepast, it reads the the um the
(38:17):
tag on it.
It also will allow if we the yousay the person that robbed the
store was driving uh uh graymission um Nissan, we put in
gray Nissan um the year makemodel.
Um it will pull up every one ofthem as that pass the cameras.
(38:42):
We have 66, I'm sorry, 68cameras around Florence.
Darlington has them, the countyhas them.
MacBee, I don't know if youremember, MacBee had a shooting,
uh, the cop was shot in thehead, and the person that did it
fled to Florence.
(39:04):
Because of the flop camerasystem, his car dinged our
police.
We were able to notify theMacBee police that he was in
Florence.
Our people got behind him.
He fled to state, the state, um,Lee State County Um Park, um,
(39:24):
and there he took his life, butit was because you you would be
surprised.
As of, I want to say, as ofSeptember, over 170 cases have
been solved because of our flockcamera systems.
And so policing throughtechnology works.
(39:48):
Um, and we're not stoppingthere.
We are looking to do bigger andbetter and more that um will
help to keep Florence safe.
We named the um camp for ouryoung people after um Terrence
Caraway, the officer that wasgunned down in the line of duty.
(40:10):
We brought that back.
We also are offering money toour police that live in um high
crime areas.
We will help to pay theirmortgage or their rent.
Um we are also the the um whatis it?
(40:32):
The um, I'm trying to think, thebusinesses that have a lot of
crime, we are actually saying,hey, we've got to look at your
license.
We've got to look at if youshould be licensed to have
businesses in Florence if you'regoing to be a hub for crime.
(40:55):
Uh so there is a lot going on.
SPEAKER_00 (40:57):
Okay.
All right.
What what what about thetransportation?
How how we come withtransportation?
What what's our what are welooking like in terms of how we
get people in our city from onepoint to the other?
SPEAKER_01 (41:14):
The county has done a really good thing.
Now you could ride for free.
The busing system is for freefor anyone.
Going to work, going out toshop, whatever, it is free.
The transportation I would liketo talk about is our airport.
Our airport is on the move.
(41:36):
And I would encourage all of thecitizens, if you want to see our
airport system grow, we've gotto help them grow by flying out
of Florence.
Most people will ride to MyrtleBeach or ride to um um
Charlotte, but we need toinvest.
(41:58):
We've got a new director, and heis on the money.
He is looking to bring in cargo.
Cargo is major, uh makingFlorence an international
airport where they could come inwith all of these tariffs and
things like that.
When you have a place where theycould come in so um um and bring
(42:25):
stuff in from overseas.
I think on the East Coast,outside of Charlotte, see uh you
there's not that at um MyrtleBeach.
So Charlotte has it, um Raleighhas it, but no one else does.
And so he's trying to move toget that and also bring in
(42:48):
cargo.
The cargo, the train system runsright by the airport.
We we are Florence is justsituated just perfect, just
perfect for everything.
The roads, all roads lead toFlorence.
Um, we're we've gotconnectivity, we've got access
through trains, through airport,through um, and and industry is
(43:12):
just booming, booming here inFlorence.
That tells us that they see thegym that we are.
SPEAKER_00 (43:20):
Okay.
Okay, well, finally, that's youare clearly a visionary.
So share with us your vision forFlorence.
Say five years from now, tenyears or twenty years from now.
(43:41):
Where do you see Florence going?
SPEAKER_01 (43:45):
Florence right now is growing, but growth brings on
problems, and we see a lot ofbigger cities with a lot of
growth, but with that growththey lose their connectivity.
That's something that really ishard to do when you're growing
(44:09):
fast, and so being intentionalabout our growth, being
intentional about where webuild, how we build, because we
got to live here aftereverything is all built up.
Um that's something that youknow we we need to empower our
(44:31):
people, one, to care for thisplace called Florence.
This is not just the electedofficial's job.
This is not the pastor and thechurch's job, the teachers and
the principal.
This is our job.
Bringing everyone on board issomething that that is major.
(44:53):
We we're looking at so manydifferent things that we're
doing, it's already happening,but I don't want us to lose our
connectivity, and that's what Iwant to be intentional about.
SPEAKER_00 (45:07):
Okay.
As a community, what can we doto support you and to support
council and to foster a better,greater Florence?
SPEAKER_01 (45:25):
That's a great, great question because there are
a lot of things that we coulddo.
We could you you could serve onboards and commissions.
You can um when COVID hit, wehad a time where we went to our
homes and we have not fully comeback the way we should.
(45:48):
Being engaged is something thathelps us.
It's almost as though we are thebody, but you tie a tourniquet
around stopping the flow of umeverything being able to go to
um one body.
We have to come back togetheragain.
(46:10):
It's it's funny we say the goodold days.
We call them a good old days fora reason.
Family was strong, community wasstrong, the church was was
strong.
You could trust people.
Getting back to basic 101 issomething that we really need to
(46:33):
work on.
And so I would say love yourneighbor as yourself.
I would say help each other,support one another, show up to
meetings and voice your opinion.
It is not good enough for you tostand on the sideline and
complain.
What are you gonna do about theproblem in your community?
(46:55):
How are you going to make adifference right where you live?
You know, you don't have to pickup a title, just pick up
whatever God has put in front ofyou.
Um, that's one of the ways thatyou can help.
SPEAKER_00 (47:09):
Okay.
Hey, it's been such a pleasurehaving you today.
Now tell us again the IolaJones, North Florence March is
what date?
SPEAKER_01 (47:24):
November the 8th at 10 o'clock at Dr.
Isla Jones Park.
Please come.
Please come.
You can come hungry becausewe'll feed you, but come ready
to unite as one as a community.
SPEAKER_00 (47:40):
And I think I've heard you say you you you would
love to see about 500 peoplethere.
SPEAKER_01 (47:45):
I we want 500 plus people.
So rep your your school, repyour class, rep your church.
Um, we want you to wear yourdifferent.
I'm glad you said that because Ididn't say this.
This will be videoed.
We want to do a video ofFlorence coming together.
And so we want to see yourpicture on there.
(48:06):
We want to see your facerepresenting on the video.
SPEAKER_00 (48:10):
Okay.
Thank you so very much forcoming and being with us today.
Thank you for coming and forbeing with us.
Uh, it's our intent uh to makeNative Drums more and more an
informative forum for thiscommunity, keeping you in touch
(48:31):
and empowered.
God bless you.
Have a good day.
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