Denouncing Diggs ...

Dear Editor:
After hearing about the Tues. Feb. 13, 2007, Summerton Town Council meeting, I think it’s important that the following facts be acknowledged:

The Summerton mayor and the majority of council have done a remarkable job in reversing the downward financial spiral the town was in four years ago.

Summerton now enjoys developers acquiring tracts in and around our Summerton community that will change the future of Summerton in a major positive way.

The amount of effort and hard work put forth by town Admistrator Rebecca Rhodes has put Summerton in a position to provide an economic future for all of its citizens.

Summerton, in cooperation with the City of Manning and Clarendon County Council, is putting together regional water and sewer plans that insure a powerful future for all of Clarendon County.

The town, in unison with Clarendon School District 1, Dr. Wilder and the current board, has prepared an economic coalition that reinforces the school board’s effort to prepare our young people for a positive future within the Summerton community.

The group known as “Clarendon County Concerned Citizens,” whose president is Arnold Diggs, continues to attack the good works of our Summerton Town Council and the School Board. There is a viciousness in his attacks of the mayor, town administrator and school superintendent. I feel that Summerton is very fortunate and blessed to have talented women such as these, offering their unselfish service to our community. I denounce Diggs and his “cronies” continuing to disrupt positive efforts for our town.

Sincerely,
Carolyn T. Fields
Summerton, S.C.

Boat Club says ‘thanks’ …

Dear Editor:
On behalf of the membership of the Goat Island Boat Club, I would like to express our appreciation to the co-sponsored boat entry from the Goat Island Restaurant/Lounge and Goat Island Boat and Tackle Shop and the boat entry of Mr. Bobby Lambert for their participation both nights in the 2006 Goat Island Boat Club Christmas Parade.

Their participation is especially commendable in light of the unusual cold experienced this year on the nights of the parade.

As a result of their participation both parade nights, the club was pleased to donated $100 on their behalf to a charity of their choice. Both entrants chose the Animal Shelter of Clarendon County.

The club tentatively plans to repeat this offer for the 2007 parade and encourages everyone to start making plans now to enter their boats.

Sincerely,
Eddie Gleaton Jr,
2007 President
Goat Island Boat Club

‘An important part of our lives…’

Dear Editor:
I would like to share with you a few thoughts about The Manning Times.

We moved here from the Philadelphia area where we had a daily local newspaper, The Daily Local (whose claim to fame was Dave Barry). Over the years we lived in the area, The Daily Local became a big deal, but it was still filled with errors, typos and generally inaccurate reporting on local events.

No so The Manning Times! We thoroughly enjoy receiving The Times, both on Tuesday and on Thursday. The paper is filled with articles relevant to the area. Each story or article is well researched, filled with information and almost always free of typos, misprints or inaccuracies.

As co-chair of the fund raising committee for the Animal Shelter of Clarendon County, I would like to express my personal gratitude for the consideration you at The Times have shown our fledgling operation. The Manning Times has given us many needed “boosts up” on our long climb to opening and operating. Your willingness to provide space and words for our many activities has been invaluable to our current success. Together, hopefully, we can help the county understand the value of our animal companions and how to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Thank you for The Manning Times. It is an important part of our week, our activities and our lives.

Sincerely,
Sandi Tucker
Manning, S.C.