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Tensions rise as vote for Indian Land incorporation nears

By Greg Suskin, wsoctv.com
By Greg Suskin, wsoctv.com

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office is investigating a report that 100 signs urging people to vote "yes” in a March referendum to create a town of Indian Land were stolen.

"They were stolen from people's yards and from public property as well, and some were replaced with 'vote no" signs,'" Matt McCusker, with Voters for a Town of Indian Land, said.

Opponents told Channel 9 that they've had signs vanish, too.

"Some businesses had put out signs, and they disappeared. We just replaced them," Beverly Williams, with Citizens Against a Town of Indian Land, said.

The tension has continued to increase as a March 27 vote nears on whether the booming area south of Charlotte will become its own city.

Last year, supporters finally convinced a legislative panel in Columbia to approve putting the issue to vote by a narrow 4 to 3 margin.

Since then, both sides have accused the other of spreading misinformation about what could happen if the 40-square-mile area is incorporated.

The push to make Indian Land a town began decades ago, but only recently did it gain enough momentum to finally reach the hands of voters.

Over the last decade, the area along Highway 521 has seen the fastest growth in the Charlotte area.  The population has boomed to roughly 25,000 people. Indian Land is responsible for nearly all the growth in Lancaster County and the overcrowded schools.

Supporters of incorporation argue that county leaders don't always represent Indian Land's best interests and just see the community more as an extension of Charlotte.

"It's time for Indian Land to take the reigns and control its own destiny," McCusker said.

Matthew Watt said he'll vote “yes” next month.

"I think this place is, basically, ready to be a town, based on all the explosion of businesses," he said.

Opponents are concerned that incorporation will come with a large tax hike, much larger than supporters claim.

Bill Fromm will vote “no.”

"I see no benefit from it.  We are already paying for police and fire protection, and now we'll just have to pay more," he said. "It's just going to be another layer of government that we don't need."

Each side blames the other for the negative tone of the campaign.

Supporters said they can keep new taxes to about $50 more per year on a $100,000 home, or $150 on an average home of $250,000. They believe residents will be better represented.

McCusker said supporters want a small and limited government that won't duplicate existing services and will keep expenses low.

However, opponents claim the budget proposed for a town of Indian Land is far too low and leaves out too many costs that they fear will be tacked on later.

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