Buy a home at a reasonable rate with a VA loan in Moncks Corner, SC

On Tuesday, Jan. 2, it became official that Thomas Hamilton is now mayor of Moncks Corner. The political newcomer’s surprising victory over 10-year incumbent Michael Lockliear in November shocked even Hamilton. Fewer than 100 votes separated the two candidates.

But after taking office, he said he was ready to make some changes, beginning with having a more transparent town government.

Council chambers was standing room only during the event at town hall. The attendance may indicate the community wants to be a part of the governing process — something Hamilton believes is needed.

His first decision is to livestream town meetings. Livestreams are common with local governments throughout the area, but Moncks Corner chose not to make that move.

“I want people not only to watch but also get involved,” Hamilton said. “I think people are more involved now. I think I raised a lot of awareness that if you don’t get involved, you don’t know what’s going on with your town and don’t have any input into your town. I think we woke that giant up and are starting to pay attention more.”

The run for the Navy Veteran and 34-year Bosch employee started following a trip with his granddaughter to Lacy Park and the lack of response from the town to complaints about the park’s neglected appearance.

He said he is now committed to getting to work on the park and adding new amenities, including laying the groundwork for the construction of the recreation center.

“As we begin the process of picking the projects that are going to go forward on, I want to make sure we keep them aware so that they can also be involved,” he said, and he’s making good on the promise to offer his ear when needed. “One thing I’ve done is put my telephone number on the webpage. I’ve told people if they need me or want to talk to me, I will always be available to everybody.”

Hamilton said another of his early goals is to catch up on the town’s infrastructure needs for its nearly 15,000 residents. That effort starts with the budget process in February.

“We have a couple of key positions that we really need to fill, and we have to start looking,” he said. “Moncks Corner is the fourth fastest growing town in South Carolina. Some of our town infrastructure, like town hall and the fire department, are just running out of room. We must start addressing that aspect because the longer we wait, the more we are behind.”

Also sworn in Jan. 2 were council member David A. Dennis, council member Latorie L. Lloyd and council member James N. Law Jr.

The festival has donated nearly $1.2 million to local charities.

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Celebrate The Season is back for a 13^th year of warming hearts, creating special memories, and supporting local charities. Celebrate The Season’s Holiday Lights Driving Tour takes place daily from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. 24 through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25). In addition, Holiday In The Park festivities will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from Dec. 8 through Dec. 23.

Admission is only $10 per vehicle, with all ticket proceeds being donated to local charities. Visitors will enjoy Celebrate The Season’s mile-long Holiday Lights Driving Tour, where festive displays with thousands of colorful LEDs complement the natural scenery of Old Santee Canal Park. Visitors can enjoy the driving tour as many times as they like on the day they purchase their ticket.

Due to the success of last year’s event, Old Santee Canal Park has extended Holiday In The Park festivities, which take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. over three weekends – Dec. 8-9, Dec. 15-16 and Dec. 22-23. Bring your family and friends to get into the holiday spirit with food, local entertainment, holiday gift vendors, free visits with Santa, and many other activities. Entry is included with admission to the Holiday Lights Driving Tour. More information is available at www.celebratetheseason.org.

All the brilliantly colored LED lighting displays are powered by 100% Santee Cooper Green Power, which is Green-e Energy certified and meets the environmental and consumer-protection standards set forth by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. Learn more at www.green-e.org.

Since 2011, Celebrate The Season, presented by Berkeley Electric Cooperative and organized by Santee Cooper and Old Santee Canal Park, has donated nearly $1.2 million to local charities, including the Coastal Community Foundation’s Giving Back to Berkeley Fund.

Santee Cooper

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s largest power provider, the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state, and one of America’s Best Midsize Employers as named by Forbes. Through its low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper helps power South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.

COURTHOUSE: The County Courthouse will be closed Friday, December 22 through Tuesday, December 26, with the following Bond Court exceptions:

The County Courthouse will close again on Monday, January 1, with Bond Court being held at 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

LIBRARIES: All Berkeley County Library branches will be closed Friday, December 22 through Tuesday, December 26. All branches will close again Monday, January 1.

LANDFILL & CONVENIENCE CENTERS: The Landfill and all County Convenience Centers will be closed Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1. For a complete list of County Convenience Centers, go HERE.

ANIMAL CENTER: The Berkeley Animal Center will be closed Friday, December 22. Normal hours will resume Saturday, December 23. The Animal Center will close again Monday, December 25; Tuesday December 26; and Monday, January 1.

CYPRESS GARDENS: Cypress Gardens will be closed Sunday, December 24; Monday, December 25; and Monday, January 1.

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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –

Individuals may register to vote in one of the following ways:

VOTER REGISTRATION BY MAIL: Berkeley County residents can also pick up forms 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Berkeley County Voter Registration & Elections Office or at one of the following locations:

If you’ve registered to vote but recently moved, you can update your address at www.scvotes.gov. If you moved within the same County, you can complete your change of address on the back of your current voter registration card and mail it to Berkeley County Voter Registration & Elections Office at P.O. Box 6122 Moncks Corner, SC 29461.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS: Starting Monday, January 1, voters may begin applying for absentee ballots for all 2024 elections. Individuals may request an absentee ballot by going in-person at Berkeley County Voter Registration & Elections Office or by calling 843-719-4058. See important deadlines below:

**More information about early voting in Berkeley County is forthcoming.** For more information on voter registration in South Carolina, go HERE; visit berkeleycountysc.gov/dept/elections; call 843-719-4056; or email webvre@berkeleycountysc.gov.

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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –

The deadline to submit an online application for CDBG funding is 12 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31. To apply, go HERE. *Paper applications will be available upon request.*

Berkeley County is working in partnership with Civitas LLC to distribute these funds to eligible groups. Each applicant must meet certain eligibility requirements, listed HERE.

Berkeley County receives CDBG funds annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund activities that primarily benefit low-and moderate- income areas or persons in unincorporated Berkeley County. These funds are based on a formula for entitled cities and counties. Read more about the CDBG program HERE.

For more information about the CDBG program, go HERE. You may also contact Berkeley County Grants Specialist LeChele Brown at 843-719-4766 or LeChele.Brown@berkeleycountysc.gov.

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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCIV) — For Thomas Hamilton, Moncks Corner is home.

For nearly 30 years, Hamilton has resided within the community he's seen change with time. But when he heard that a plan was in place to build 88 homes, that was more change than he signed up for. So, when the local government voted no to the developer's plan to rezone Perry Hill, it was the outcome of Hamilton's hopes.

"It doesn't fit the fabric of Moncks Corner," Hamilton said with a subtle smile. "I'm so happy our council turned it down."

Moncks Corner: Local government curbs construction to keep local charm intact, and Thomas Hamilton, a long-time resident, shared his thoughts on the no-vote (WCIV).

Read more: Mother shares experience losing son to drowning, says drownings 100% preventable.

Underpinning Hamilton's reaction to the vote is a desire for Moncks Corner to stay small -- stay local. A place where big-box stores meet mom-and-pop shops, local eateries, and the culture cultivated through knowing the neighbors and saying hello to those seen in passing.

"I feel we can update and bring certain businesses to the area, but we really need to focus and support our smaller businesses in town," Hamilton said. "We don't want to become another Summerville with the congestion that they have. When I get to Moncks Corner, I want to enjoy moncks corner. I want to bring amenities to us to where we don't have to travel out."

And for those in local government, behind the vote to slow down building developments is a desire to understand the effects of construction on an intimate community.

"Council wants to pump the breaks a little on new construction to see how that impacts the town," said Michael Lockliear, Mayor of Moncks Corner. "We always try to put out the best product we can for the town. That is why we went through -- a couple years ago -- our ordinances to revamp and get the best product."

Read more: A finish worth the wait.

Hamilton plans to run for Mayor of Moncks Corner, and what is driving him is the insatiable desire to have his home feel like a place everyone who resides in it can recognize.

"I just want to have an all-inclusive Moncks Corner for everybody," he said.

And sometimes, that means saying no for now in the hopes of saying yes to something that better fits the community later.

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) - After days of planning workshops and community feedback, the town of Moncks Corner’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan draft is ready to be brought to the council.

Officials say it’s sort of like a bucket list for the town, and the more than 100-page plan boils down to addressing nine key elements: population, economic development, cultural and natural resources, community facilities, housing, land use, transportation, and resiliency.

The law requires a comprehensive plan every 10 years and to update it every five years. Moncks Corner is at the five-year mark, but decided it was time for a whole new plan.

“We’ve gone from about 6,000 residents to around 15,000 in 20 years,” Mayor Thomas Hamilton said. “So, it’s been a big jump for a small town like Moncks Corner and we don’t want to lose the Lowcountry’s Hometown feel. That’s why we’re being proactive.”

Due to future growth pressures, part of the draft focuses on how to maintain a small-town feel that appeals to both future and current residents.

“The Lowcountry continues to expand, and we hope to absorb some of that but absorb it in a responsible manner, so our current residents don’t feel left behind and that we actually enhance their quality of life from what they already expect from us,” Moncks Corner Community Development Director Justin Westbrook said. “Great fire service, police and recreation services, and that we also add to it for our future residents.”

The mayor said results from a community survey have guided the town to focus on providing outdoor activities residents can enjoy.

“Parks, pickleball, tennis,” Hamilton said. “Things that we can bring value and to have from our residents to be able to do in Moncks Corner instead of getting in their car and going to Goose Creek or North Charleston.”

Westbrook understands that planning and executing are two different things, and said that this is not a book that will collect dust on the shelf.

“You start saving for your retirement now and when you get there it may not be exactly what you envisioned because maybe you can afford more or maybe you have to scale it back a little bit, but this is a book that helps keeps us on that road map to which we’ve already collected the community’s voices, and will hopefully continue to use as we move forward,” he said.

The next step is for the town council to consider adopting this plan, which they will discuss at their February 20th and March 19th meetings. Members will be able to make recommendations to tweak or change certain things as they see fit.

To take a look at the draft, click here.

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