A lawsuit filed two years ago by the Laurens Residents for Quality Rural Living; a group of citizens concerned about plans for a large residential subdivision learned that the Judge has ruled in their favor.

The Judge ruled that Laurens County Council and the Laurens County Planning Commission failed to follow rules about when and how officials can enter executive session, and what has to be made known to the public. The Freedom of Information Act was violated (FOIA). The judge’s ruling also stated that the groups didn’t follow proper voting protocols and ordered the County to reimburse legal fees

The ruling brought much satisfaction to the citizen’ s group.

Nancy Garrison, the president of Laurens Residents for Quality Rural Living and owner of Garrison Farm. added these comments:

“This all started with me and other neighbors in the northern part of Laurens County noticing many high-density housing developments approved with no signage for public notification. We were totally left out of the process and had no chance to have a voice. No opportunity to voice our concerns as adjacent farm owners. So, we started attending council and planning commission meetings. We sent FOIA requests for many of these developments. When the county notified us, our requests were ready and that we could pick them up in Clinton at the county attorney’s private law office, we refused, saying we would pick up county documents at the county offices. Which they then made available to pick up at the county offices. We were charged for many blank and duplicate pages in the documents received. I wanted them to explain what we witnessed at the meetings. That is all explained in our suit. 

We are not a group against growth!! We know growth is here and I am sure more is on its way, but we want responsible growth. We would like to see more protection for rural/farmland areas, and that policy and procedure of our ordinances are followed as they should be. We wish that we would not have had to go this route, but maybe this has shed some light on how important transparency is to the citizens. That Freedom of Information Act (FOIA Law) was passed for just that reason.”

The basic function of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure citizens are informed, which is vital to the functioning of a democratic society.

Ashley Riddle and his wife Pam own Solid Rock Stables said, ‘It all started about three years ago when Laurens County planning commission and then County Council approved a very large 1000+ home development in Durbin Road, outside Fountain Inn. There was no notification to the residents in that area whatsoever. 

This is a rural area, and the development is right beside the Garrisons Horse farm. Nancy Garrison trains barrel racing horses. Joel and Tanya Storkey have a working cattle operation. On the other side. My wife Pam and I own Solid Rock Stables just a few hundred feet down the road. We and several other folks in the area started attending Laurens County Council meetings and planning meetings. We found that our concerns were falling on deaf ears, so we formed ‘Laurens Residents for Quality Rural Living LLC’. We found that the County was not always following their own ordinances, rules and procedures. When we voiced concerns about these things we were largely ignored so, we were forced to take the only other action available, we took them to court and we won. All we want is transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rules. 

We now turn our sites to Fountain Inn where we are facing pressure from the City Council wanting to annex its way down our road but that is a subject for another article. So, stay tuned.”

Chad O'Rear, a Simpsonville City Council member said, "This should come as a cautionary tale for not just local government but all government.”  O'Rear continued, "Our form of government is a representative republic and the spirit of that should be adhered to at all levels.  There are a few exceptions to the rules that govern open meetings and the decision-making process.  When these rules are consistently violated this will erode the trust of the citizens that are being represented whether the violations were purposeful or unintentional.”

Local governments are, and should be, much closer to the citizens that elected them.  What is done on the local level tends to impact the citizens much quicker they statewide or federal laws.  

Before my election I was one of the lead opponents of the blockading of Hunter St. and through the process of trying to stop this action I became very familiar with FOIA laws.  Doing things the right way is not just a legal issue, it’s a moral issue.  Being raised here in Simpsonville I was taught a lesson by my parents, always do the right thing even if no one is looking.  As an elected official you know that there are always people looking as they should!  

I am proud of the citizens of Laurens County that brought this action forward. Unfortunately, it should never have come to this. I can guarantee you that I will always do things the right and legal way.  

As I gain more experience in this role and learn more about the processes and procedures, I can make sure that I don’t make even an unintentional mistake." ●