Why are people in Lexington and Richland counties too cheap to pay for good food?

On Richland County

During one recent morning there were two stories on Page One of The State that sparked some interest.

One of the articles was about new Irmo Mayor Barry Walker; it raised questions about whether some of the passages in Walker’s swearing-in speech were plagiarized. The other article was about the audit that revealed that Richland County had misspent millions of dollars raised through the penny sales tax.

Walker’s speech only cost us 22 minutes of our time; meanwhile, what happened in Richland County has cost us big time!

I don’t believe that we can write off what happened in Richland County as just “poor office practices” And I surely don’t accept state Rep. Todd Rutherford’s explanation that “that’s how government usually works.”

The amount of money that has been misspent is incredible. I believe that crimes were committed, and there needs to be some accountability for that.

David Humphries, Irmo

On Public Service Commission

I attended the recent Public Service Commission town hall that was organized by the Conservation Voters of South Carolina. I showed up because I was frustrated by the Public Service Commission’s efforts to kill solar energy.

There was a packed room of concerned ratepayers and also a bipartisan panel of lawmakers: all of us share the same frustration about the Public Service Commission and all of us are committed to do what we can to fix the broken system.

I was encouraged when the lawmakers at the town hall made a commitment to taking a critical look at upcoming appointments to the commission.

In February I hope that these lawmakers will follow through on their promises when it’s time for the Legislature to vote on new commissioners for the Public Service Commission. Hopefully we will have a new Public Service Commission that is accountable to South Carolina ratepayers rather than to the monopolistic utilities.

Susan Carson Lambert, Columbia

On walkability

Part of the appeal of Soda City Market is being able to walk Main Street safely and unimpeded by motor vehicles. The Complete Streets plan embraces the accessibility that makes Soda City Market so popular.

On Main Street, Soda City Market transforms downtown from a sleepy cluster into a bustling destination that brings in 5,000 to 7,000 patrons every Saturday — and walkability is a huge component of our signature style and success.

Other annual events like PARKing Day, Jam Room Festival, Vista Lights and Pride are further proof that people are eager to access Columbia’s restaurants, shops and other businesses via foot.

Economic growth is associated with increased transportation options and outlets, and the Blue Bikes and the Soda Cap Connector are popular options for getting to Soda City Market.

The Complete Streets plan would lead to a smoother transition in creating more accessibility through biking, scootering, walking and running — and also provide a safer environment for locals and tourists alike.

Our citizens have a great desire to unite the community and create a stronger sense of belonging in Columbia, and that should motivate us to have more connectivity through walking and biking. A statewide Complete Streets policy will ensure that happens.

Columbia is for everyone and anyone, and our transportation options should reflect that belief.

Heather Curtis, Columbia

On buying local

I have this question for the citizens of the Midlands: Why isn’t anyone willing to pay for quality food and dessert in Lexington and Richland County?

Chocolate Nirvana? Closed. Nonnah’s? Closed. And the list goes on.

Meanwhile, fast-food restaurants in Lexington County are being built just as rapidly as the new multi-million-dollar subdivisions. In the Midlands, we tend to support fast-food establishments and average-quality food that’s provided by national chains. Why? You would think that with all of the money circulating around in both Lexington and Richland counties, people would support more local restaurants and bakeries.

I’m a small business owner, and it is unfortunate when customers want to argue about the price rather than show that they appreciate a product enough to pay for it.

It’s hard to do business in this area anymore because people just aren’t willing to pay.

Cathy Ayre, Lexington