A second try to pass a resolution in support on I-73 failed again on Thursday afternoon at a called meeting of the Dillon County Council when a motion to pass it died due to lack of a second.
County Council Chairman Archie Scott said there had been a difference of opinion about the “Corridor of Shame” being included in the resolution. He said Horry County was contacted, and those words were moved out of the resolution.
Councilman Macio Williamson then made a motion to pass the resolution.
Discussion then followed. Councilman Harold Moody said that over the planning stages of I-73, the state asked for public input, and many meetings were held. He said many Dillon County citizens voiced their opinions and concerns about the fact that Dillon County did not have an interchange. He said promises were made, but not fulfilled, and Dillon County was ignored.
H. Moody said he felt like that in the future when I-73 opens up, it will have an adverse effect on Dillon County especially on Highways 38, 9 and 301. He said he did not think it would economically benefit Dillon County.
Councilman Bobby Moody agreed. He said he did not think that Dillon County got treated fairly and that he was not in favor of it.
H. Moody said that if they did pass the resolution, it should be with a caveat that Dillon County gets an interchange on Highways 301 or 917.
Scott said they could do this, but it is what it is, and they should vote it up or down.
Scott said he agreed that Dillon County was not getting their fair share, but that a number of people from Dillon County owned property in Dillon County or took their vacations there and spent their personal money there.
Councilman Joe Johnson said he agreed with both Councilmen Moodys. He said that he thought they should stand up and request an interchange if they decided to pass this resolution.
Scott said he didn’t think there would be any benefit to pushing against this.
Charles Vance, a member of the Dillon County Public-Private Partnership Board, said all Dillon County got was promises. He said he liked the idea of a caveat that we’ll support this, but we want something too.
H. Moody said he was reminded of the words of USC Football Coach Steve Spurrier, “why not us?”.
He said four counties were impacted by I-73 and Marion and Marlboro Counties got interchanges. “Why were we excluded?, “ he asked.
Scott said if they did not approve the resolution, that they needed to be real and say that they felt that Dillon County had been deceived and be that plain about it.
Dillon County Economic Developer Tonny McNeil said that without a major interchange in a good location there would be no economic benefit to Dillon County. He said that should be their main reason for not supporting it. “If we can’t get an interchange at a good location,” asked McNeil, “then what benefit are we getting from I-73?”
At this point, Scott called for the second to Williamson’s motion. He did not get it, and the motion died due to lack of a second.
In other action, the county approved the purchase of the Aladdin/Mohawk Building with a grant from the Department of Commerce. Councilman H. Moody said they needed to bid out the repair work and he wanted a detailed budget on the expenses.
They also approved adding the Bennettsville Police Department to a multi-jurisdictional support agreement with the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office.
A recreation request was approved moving the balance of H. Moody’s recreation account, $397.52, to the Station Four Fire Department.