Legislative Delegation Replaces ACTC Member, Oks Green Pond Funding
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The Anderson County Legislative Delegation on Monday appointed a new member to the Anderson County Transportation Committee and approved a pair of recreational funding proposals.
Leigh Watson, a local educator, was selected to fill the remaining time for the seat of Richard Smith which runs through 2027. Smith, who earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Anderson University, currently serves as a reading coach for Anderson School Dist. 2.
Watson said three years ago she became interested in local and state government and wanted to be part of finding solutions to combat the tide of those who complain without taking action.
The Anderson County Transportation Committee is a seven-member, volunteer panel that decides how a share of the roughly $4 received from South Carolina’s gasoline-tax “C‑funds” is spent on local road and transportation work in Anderson County. It partners with the state Department of Transportation to select and prioritize projects such as paving, resurfacing, intersection and small bridge upgrades, drainage and sidewalk work, ensuring money goes to the most pressing needs on both state highways and local roads.
The delegation also unanimously approved $200,000 to be added to other funds for new launch lanes at Green Pond Landing and Events Center. The money comes from a portion of taxes on boats and fishing and hunting license fees.
Steve Newton, Governmental Affairs and Special Projects Director for Anderson County Government, said the money would be added to $100,000 from the county, all of which will be used as matching funds for a $1.2 million Sports Fishing fund grant from the federal government.
The additional ramps and docks were part of the original plans for the facility.
In just over a decade, Green Pond Landing has hosted some of the world’s top professional fishing tournaments, which brought an economic impact of more than $150 million to the area.
Newton said the updates will keep Green Pond competitive moving forward and be more competitive in the bid to host major fishing events.
In an administrative move requested by the county, the delegation approved the relocation of funds from the soon to be opened Piedmont Park to Dolly Cooper Park. The move addressed the requirement of a portion of funds that required a facility to be open 24/7 to maintain eligibility.
Newton said the funds were being replaced from another source.
S.C. Sen. Richard Cash said Anderson County Councilman Jimmy Davis, who represents the district where the two parks reside, is on board with the moves.
