I believe land values are determined by location, connectivity to utilities, topography and perkability (sceptic tank potential). Stated differently, development potential of land is determined by location, connectivity to utilities, topography and perkability. This potential impacts the overall long term economic future of both the individual real estate owner as well as our county and region.
Edgefield County consists of 504 square miles of diverse land, with extremely varying levels of the four characteristics listed above.
For most individual American’s, their real estate investments are the most valuable assets they steward. This is also the case for local governments.
Individuals choose to invest in land / real estate for many reasons: hunting, timber, agriculture, long term investment, development, and for most: home ownership.
I believe it is important for those who serve in government, at all levels, to recognize that one of the foundations of our republic is property rights, and to acknowledge that due to the principles above, not all land is created equally. Our job as elected officials are to protect the economics of those rights.
For some, clearly during the last several decades, not simply during the last comprehensive planning and zoning process which took place from 2018 – 2021, the idea of allowing civil governance to “plan land use” is an unwelcome activity. But the truth is, even if we revisit colonial areas like Williamsburg, VA or Boston, Massachusetts, thought has always been given to how areas develop. This process is not new.
During my six years on County Council, from 2017 – 2022, the issue of planning undoubtedly was the most controversial aspect of Edgefield County Government. Although it wasn’t as controversial as was the process the county went through some twenty years earlier.
In short, I believe in property rights, and allowing the free market to work, according to the attributes of land listed above, to the best of our ability. We can take the history of this thinking back to John Locke, one of the main philosophical influencers of our nations Declaration of Independence.
As we move into the next phase of planning for our county, I believe we need individuals with long range planning and critical thinking skills to help execute what protects the rights listed above, while at the same time working to create an environment which benefits future generations.
I believe I have those skills and offer myself up for service during this next phase. Through my life experience living in several regions of our nation, I have witnessed this process done well, and I have witnessed it done exceptionally poorly. I believe we only have a couple more years to get it right for our future generations in Edgefield County. I want you to know that I am a strategist, not a reactionary.
It is my hope that our multi-generational family history of working to steward the resources in this community, to the benefit of the entire community, will speak volumes.
The Sweetwater Community Center, which was originally deeded to the Sweetwater Community by my great grandmother, and then re-deeded to Edgefield County in 2012 by my parents, after watching from a distance over a period of two decades the facility fall into disrepair by the local trustees, will serve as an example of our long-term commitment to our community, regardless of the outcome of this one election.
Regarding the time period of the planning process during the years 2018 – 2021, candidly there is quite a bit of misinformation. I am happy to speak with anyone who views this one issue as most important in this election. To help, below I am posting two video items for your review, where you can get some facts. If after watching these, you want to converse more, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 803-293-5087 or at my cell 540-455-9306. My e-mail address is h.scott.cooper@gmail.com.
Below is a Video I prepared just prior to a Community Meeting at The Sweetwater Baptist Church in February 2021 – as we were preparing for public hearings on proposed zoning:
Below is a Townhall I conducted in October 2020, following the last primary I ran in, which I did win. Even though these issues remained critically important to me, I did not run for re-election in 2022 due to the fact I was working through family health issues.
Scott Cooper for Edgefield County Council 