Critics speak; council moves ahead with Y talks

Claims of dictatorship. Accusations of the suspension of democracy. Counter-claims of failing Camden's children. Assertions that residents have already spoken their minds.

New archives exhibit on S.C.'s colonial period

A new traveling exhibit on loan from the South Carolina State Museum is ready for public viewing in the Whiteley Room at the Camden Archives and Museum, 1314 Broad St., Camden. The 28 exhibit panels provide a comprehensive overview of the pre-Revolutionary period in South Carolina.

A mystery of tombstones

More than 15 years ago, Kershaw County Sheriff's Office deputies brought three tombstones to the Camden Archives and Museum, hoping the archives director and staff could help find their origins.

City council to try 'all-in-one' meeting

For the first time ever, a tape recorder rolled and Camden's city clerk took notes during a Camden City Council work session Sept. 8. City Manager Kevin Bronson made the decision to do so following inquiries by Councilman Willard Polk and the Chronicle-Independent as to whether the city was violating the S.C. Freedom of Information Act by not recording work sessions. <p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align: left; text-indent: ...

'Y gives you a great option,' says YMCA CEO

The YMCA of Columbia's chief executive officer said 893 households would become members of a Camden Y in its first year of operation. YMCA CEO Bryan Madden gave that figure to Camden City Council during a lengthy work session Thursday afternoon. Madden's appearance coincided with a discussion of a proposed memorandum of understanding (link to PDF; includes city manager memo to council, letter from Madden to council and complete text ...

Council to vote Tuedsay on YMCA document

Camden City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and YMCA of Columbia to operate a proposed sports complex the city plans to build on the former site of Boylan-Haven-Mather Academy. The item appears on a proposed agenda for Tuesday's meeting obtained by the Chronicle-Independent Wednesday evening.

9/11: A 'Camden connection' remembrance

"The entire building moved under my feet. Things started moving faster then, and we made our way down to about the eighth or ninth floor when smoke and other stuff started filling up the stairwell." --Brad Bradham, Manhattan, Sept. 12, 2001.

Nearly half of anti-sports complex petitioners not in city

An examination of a 36-page petition opposing Camden City Council's proposal to use hospitality taxes to build a YMCA of Columbia-managed sports complex reveals that nearly half of those signing the petition live outside the city limits of Camden.

City council to begin recording work sessions

Camden City Councilman X. Willard Polk is getting something he's wanted for a few months now. Beginning Sept. 8, council will tape record its work sessions. There is also a possibility that formal minutes will be taken of those work sessions.

City moves forward on sports complex

Camden City Council took another step forward on its path to build a possible YMCA of Columbia-run sports complex. On a split 3-1 vote, with Councilman Pat Partin absent and Councilman Willard Polk voting against, council authorized City Manager Kevin Bronson to enter negotiations with JHS Architecture of Columbia to design the complex.

Sports complex can be built with H-tax

The city of Camden can use proceeds from its hospitality tax to fund the construction of a proposed sports complex on the former grounds of Boylan-Haven-Mather Academy. That's the opinion of Margaret Pope, of Pope Zeigler Law Firm, who has often advised the city on the legal uses of public finances.

Last stand

From Liz Gilland, city of Camden Urban Forester:

Salkehatchie service

For a week, in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, a team from the Salkehatchie Summer Service worked to physically improve the homes of needy families in Clarendon County. With hammers and saws a group of 75 high school and college youth volunteers worked to improve the living conditions of 10 homes. Leading a team was Mayor Jeffrey Graham of Camden. Salkehatchie Summer Service is a program of the South Carolina Conference Board of Global Ministries and ...

Pack of dogs kills fawn

Kershaw County Animal Control is working to capture three to five dogs believed to be responsible for killing several fawns in Camden's historic district.

Staffing the city -- an in-depth report

Slowly, but surely, Camden City Manager Kevin Bronson got his team together.

Camden resident Tingen selected for fellowship

Dr. Martha S. Tingen , a native of Camden and Charles W. Linder Endowed Chair in Pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, has been selected to participate in the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.

New shopping center may be built on West DeKalb