Voice of the People - March 2, 2009
City policing derelict cars
There has been concern lately about the junk and derelict vehicles around town that are a detriment to the beautification of our city.
The city's Neighborhood Inspections Division routinely tags junk/derelict vehicles as part of its daily activities. With the assistance of the Rock Hill Police Department, we have conducted numerous neighborhood sweeps, resulting in the tagging of 60 to 100 cars in each neighborhood. Between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, inspectors responded to more than 1,900 complaints concerning junk vehicles.
We understand that junk vehicles are dangerous for a variety of reasons: They provide homes to rats, snakes and other vermin; they are dangerous to children; and they are neighborhood eyesores. Police Department Comstat studies indicate that a large percentage of crimes occur within 50 feet of junk and derelict vehicles.
City (and state) codes dictate that all cars not kept inside garages or carports must have current licenses and registrations. If not, owners are given seven days to comply, or the cars are towed. Those with extenuating circumstances may be given more time to bring the cars into compliance. Once a car is towed, it is the responsibility of the owner to pay towing and storage costs. To return the car to the property, they must obtain the proper documentation.
Neighborhood Inspections, a division of Housing and Neighborhood Services, is responsible for the tagging of junk/derelict vehicles on private property, while the Police Department is responsible for those left on sidewalks and streets.
We would like to help you keep your neighborhood clean and safe. To report untagged vehicles in your neighborhood, call 803-329-7014.
Ray Koterba
Director
Housing and Neighborhood Services
Rock Hill
School district has parents' attention
Thank you to Superintendent Larry Heath and the Chester County school board for not closing Great Falls Middle and High schools. I am a proud graduate of Lewisville High School, Class of 1990, and our schools are a concrete foundation with each of our respective communities. Proposing to close schools grasped everyone's attention. The fortunate aspect of all of this is that Mr. Heath and the board have the attention of the community. Now is the time to reach out and rally our families and students to work hard to meet AYP. Work harder to motivate and encourage our children to do well in all aspects of their education. You have the grand opportunity to make a major difference in the lives of our children with the attention that parents have now placed on you, the board. Take advantage of that. Thank you for listening to your constituents and remembering your purpose of fostering the best and most appropriate learning environment for Chester County students.
I would also like to express my regret and concern of the release of Coach Floyd Drum. We teach our children about being respectful and responsible each day. We teach our children about honor and loyalty, and that there is a respectable and courteous way to handle all things. Building relationships and earning the respect of children is a gift Coach Drum has mastered. With all the hard work and dedication he has offered to not only Lewisville High but also the community, there could have been and still is a better solution.
We are facing tough economic times all around. Chester County is resilient. We have seen tough times before. Things will get better, and we owe it to our students and to Coach Drum to talk this out and come of up with the best solution. An abrupt dismissal is not the way. Coach Drum, we love and support you.
Stacey Barber
Charlotte
Rock Hill is great place to live
As someone who grew up in a North Georgia small town, and moved to the Carolinas due to a job transfer, I have to say I love living in Rock Hill! When we came here nine years ago, we lived in North Carolina. And it was not good.
Then, two years ago, we found Rock Hill. We love the people and friends we have made in such a short time. As long as we lived in North Carolina, no one ever reached out to us. When we moved here, that all changed. I just want to say thank you for that. As for our family, this is like being in heaven -- large enough to have everything we need, but small enough to be home. And with the same beliefs, it helps us all.
Angelia, John and Rose Hill
Rock Hill
This story was originally published March 1, 2009 at 10:25 PM with the headline "Voice of the People - March 2, 2009."