Important Coalition Update: Please Call County Council Today!
Last week, Greenville County Council voted to approve the fiscal year 2021-2022 $319 million budget without any money included for the Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust.
Many residents have reached out to Council to show their support. As a result, there was a proposed amendment to add $1 million for the Historic and Natural Resources Trust annually for two years. However, the motion failed in a 6-6 vote. There was no funding included in the budget for the Trust.
We need to push harder. Please call County Council members today.
As you know, Greenville County Council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing the Trust and appointed a 12-member Board that has met repeatedly in preparation for getting to work. Now, the Board is left with the impossible task of protecting special historical and natural places in Greenville County without any funding.
Council members were split down the middle on the vote last week––Councilors Tripp, Ballard, Kirven, Seman, Dill, and Harrison all voted in favor of funding the Trust. Please thank them for their ongoing support.
Chairman Meadows and Councilors Shaw, Norris, Tzouvelekas, Barnes and Fant voted against the annual $1 million for the Trust. Please call them today and let them know you strongly disagree with their vote to provide zero funding for the Trust (see contact information below).
It is critically important that they hear from us. Please ask them to reconsider their vote, and let them know why conserving Greenville County is important.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to make a few phone calls. And please SAVE THE DATE for the July 20 County Council meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone in person at the meeting.
Council members who voted against funding the Trust:
DISTRICT 20
Steve Shaw
864.553.9713
DISTRICT 25
Ennis Fant, Sr.
864.467.2787
DISTRICT 18
Michael F. Barnes
864.877.9457
DISTRICT 19
Willis Meadows
864.419.8419
DISTRICT 22
Stan Tzouvelekas
864.467.4958
DISTRICT 23
Xanthene Norris
864.271.6798
Thank you for your time and calls, and please share this email with other people who care about the future of Greenville's green spaces and historical resources. Ask them to join our coalition at GreenvilleforGreenspace.com. Council needs to hear from many people to change course on funding the Trust.
Spread the word and thank you for taking time to make calls.