NEWS

Field Day an 'overwhelming' success; HCCAR candidate town halls cancelled

Bluffton Today

There were scores of smiling young faces having fun at the HCCAR Field Day on Saturday.

A community Field Day held Saturday was an overwhelming success, say organizers, but some upcoming Hampton County Citizens for Active Restoration events have been cancelled.

HCCAR planned Saturday's Field Day as an event designed to bring people together, and by all reports the concerned citizens group was successful.

The message at the HCCAR booth was clear: the most important person in local government is you.

"The initial response from businesses, organizations and candidates to reserve a space was surprisingly overwhelming," said Faye Gooding, HCCAR organizer. "The positive feedback since Saturday has been continuous. While I do not have the exact number attending HCCAR'S Field Day, it was well over 500... Some of the comments included 'Best thing that has happened to Hampton County in a long time'."

Recreation Now, a concerned citizens group that is part of HCCAR, had a booth during the Field Day.

"In my opinion, the first HCCAR Fun Field Day was a huge success," added HCCAR organizer Randy Vaughn. "The comments and feedback have been very positive and we believe this event has the potential to bring a focus to Hampton County that has not been felt in quite a while. The opportunity for people to talk to each other, exchange ideas, and promote the many good things in Hampton County is important to all of us. The huge turnout to me indicates a willingness for positive change, accountability, open communication, and transparency. Those are the ideals on which HCCAR stands."

Almost all of the participants who registered for spots in advance showed up, added organizers. Visitors were amazed at how many programs there were in the county, they got to meet many of the local political candidates, and the fire truck demonstrations and a rescue helicopter landing were a big hit with the crowd.

Local firetruck displays were a big hit with the kids.

Other planned HCCAR events did not receive as much interest and were cancelled. The following is a statement released from HCCAR:

Town Hall Meetings canceled

Hampton County Citizens for Active Restoration (HCCAR) had planned Town Hall meetings in Yemassee on May 17 and in Estill on May 24 but those meetings have been canceled due to the lack of availability of some candidates. The deadline of May 12 found only Ashley Lawton, Jamie Norris, and Camille Welch able to commit and participate.

“HCCAR wanted the public to have an opportunity to hear the candidates articulate their various positions so voters may be better informed when they go to the polls, but if candidates are unable to participate, we have no choice but to cancel the events and we don’t want to prejudice the electoral process”, stated HCCAR organizer Dr. William Small Jr.

HCCAR promotes improved governance, accountability, transparency, and better opportunities for all Hampton County Citizens. HCCAR is now planning a Town Hall Meeting on Oct. 18, 2022, again inviting all County Council candidates.