A new letter and map were delivered to The Town of Irmo 3-28-07. The purpose of the letter is to have Irmo address our Ballentine incorporation issue at their council meeting Tuesday 4-3-07.

Our legal council says that:
A. They can be nice about it by responding and that clears the way for incorporation or
B. they can choose not to respond and we can still move ahead, but the Town can't be officially incorporated for 6 months.

In either case, Bruce Holland (Atty), Bert Cassell (Atty), and Howard Duvall (Executive Director of the SC Municipal Association) all believe that we are on solid legal ground to proceed with incorporation of these borders.

It is very important that this information is distributed to as many residents of the proposed Town of Ballentine as possible.
Please HELP by giving a copy of this to your friends & neighbors in the proposed town limits or direct them to our web site.
Copies of the map must be printed out to accompany the petition when requesting resident voters signatures.

The next Ballentine Dutch Fork Civic Association meeting is Monday April 2nd at 6:30pm at Ballentine Community Building...ALL invited. (located in Ballentine Park)

IF you are undecided and there are no new taxes, would that change your mind? Irmo residents don't pay any extra taxes and they still get the benefits of local representatives looking out for their needs first. The fact is, IRMO is cash rich and we have their financials to prove it. The Town of Irmo is in a great position to improve their residents quality of life or help people if a disaster strikes.

This incorporation effort is for the GOOD of the people. What is wrong with this picture if your taxes don't go up? Wouldn't you like to have local people you can go to and depend on for help if you need it? People that care about you and this local area. Your quality of life will be first and foremost.

ACCURATE INFORMATION IS KEY TO THIS BEING A GOOD IDEA OR A BAD ONE.
Don't rally people against the incorporation if your issue is only a tax increase. We are working hard to not have an increase. No one is involved in this to make money, there are no hidden agendas or tricks. Incorporation is the only answer that many good, local people came up with to deal with growth and quality of life issues that we face.

Please think of one good thing about incorporating and come share it with us. Some people are happy about the possibility of having a Ballentine mailing address instead of Irmo. Then think of one possible concern that you may have that is not tax related and share that with us. Give us a chance to answer your concerns. Call me at home if you are not convinced this is a good idea at 781-2995. We want you to be excited about signing the incorporation petition and looking forward to voting YES for Incorporation.

I'm serious - I firmly believe this is the last chance, or only chance, you will ever have of securing the future of your home in the Ballentine/White Rock/Hilton area. This is not the time to be short-sighted or to hold back from being involved. Come and learn how other people are working hard to help preserve your piece of heaven in Ballentine, White Rock or Hilton areas.

You CAN play a part in the creation of the first new incorporated town in Richland County in 50 years.
You need to know more about the facts. The cause is right and the time is right for you, plus everyone else, to get involved, get informed. Come, be a part of Ballentine/White Rock/Hilton history.

Les Tweed
President




CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 1st.......................................................Palm Sunday
April 2nd,6:00 pm........................................Board Meeting
April 2nd, 6:30 pm.......................................Community Meeting
April 6th.......................................................Good Friday
April 8th.......................................................EASTER SUNDAY