Adkins, Schonfeld on how they’d grow York County’s rural areas from District 3 seat
Someone new will represent the biggest piece of property in York County, an area that covers nearly half the county including its entire western front.
Republican Tommy Adkins and Democrat Michael Schonfeld are on the ballot to replace York County Councilman Robert Winkler in Distict 3.
Winkler chose not to run for re-election. Adkins is a dairy farmer and mechanic who believes urban areas should grow while rural areas should be preserved. Schonfeld is a chiropractor and equestrian nonprofit founder who sees District 3 as the final frontier for county growth, in need of proper planning and a slower rate of growth.
All York County districts were redrawn using new population data from the 2020 Census. Lines were drawn to even out populations within each of the seven districts, so the most rural parts of western York County are much larger geographically.
Distict 3 spans York County’s entire western side from top to bottom. It runs to the Bowling Green and Roosevelt communities in Clover in the north, and Adnah Church Road and Hands Mill Highway in the center, with McConnells Highway on the south.
What have you learned from other areas of York County (Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, etc.) that have seen rapid growth? How would that impact the way you’d handle growth facing your district?
Adkins: “Very simply, it is a mess. Have you ever tried to pull over to get a cup of coffee in Fort Mill at 8 o’clock in the morning? I’ve learned that the infrastructure was not ready and it was not thoughtfully planned out. For District 3, I would take a step back and take a look at the whole picture. I support private property rights and encourage healthy sustainable growth. Healthy growth must include a plan for infrastructure while having realistic funding in place. We have a comprehensive land use plan and zoning that is supposed to be followed. I am preparing and learning and I don’t want to make the same mistakes in District 3.”
Schonfeld: “I want to plan growth for District 3 for the next 50-100 years, with what I call ‘smart’ hard and soft infrastructure planning. I would work to prepare for the future healthcare needs of our population, attracting more rural doctors and health clinics, increasing emergency services to make sure that all District 3 residents receive timely, lifesaving access. If we are to grow, we must conserve our way of life here in District 3 and protect our family farming and green space. The beauty of District 3 must be preserved.”
As a single vote on a council of seven, and serving a large geographic area with a different voter base than more urban areas like Rock Hill or Fort Mill, what’s your strategy to best advocate for your district?
Schonfeld: “Having a single vote on a council of seven, I know how to advocate for this district. I have served on dozens of local boards and clubs and know how to get my point across to create ‘bridges’ among members. I am committed to the District 3 way of life I love and appreciate.”
Adkins: “I will take in account the likes and dislikes of the other districts and use it as a tool for Distict 3. I can say that the overwhelming majority of District 3 is not in favor of this rapid growth. I will need to have a good working relationship with each of the County Council members in order to help stop the outside interests from impeding good healthy growth and stop harming the quality of life for each of the citizens of District 3.”
Should the county have done more, and what more could have been done, to save the failed Panthers headquarters project? What should the county’s role be as a new plan for that site is developed?
Adkins: “As far as the Panther issue, the county should not have been involved. Incentives (tax payer money) given to a billionaire is like feeding my pigs, eventually they become hogs and they can’t get enough. In other words an irresponsible free ride on the tax payers’ dime. This is special interest politics at it’s worst and what benefits it did not actually serve the citizens of District 3. My primary duty is to the citizens of District 3 first, then to the county in a way that it is beneficial to all of York County.”
Schonfeld: “Well aware of the recent Panther’s debacle and based on public reporting I say, ‘If we are going to play in the big leagues, we must up our game.’ While this site may be an eyesore now, one day it will be a sprawling, successful development and I want to have input on that effort, but not spend taxpayer money unnecessarily.”
This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 10:58 AM.
