Mayor David Busby
Pine Ridge’s population is around 2100 people, and that is what we expect the 2010 US Census count to reflect. Yes we are still considered somewhat rural, but Pine Ridge is growing and going, that is we are growing like never before! New commercial development has brought a pharmacy, a doctor, a restaurant, and the Ridge Point Fine Arts center to Pine Ridge. Great news for our friends and neighbors, plus a lot more folks discovering the good life that is present in Pine Ridge. Families are waiting in line for homes in Pine Ridge !
Good schools, good housing, good recreation facilities, good churches, a community library, and a great place to grow families, or just a great place for a retirement home. The annual Pine Ridge Neighborhood Festival is scheduled for September 11 and 12, two days of family fun and entertainment. Special events, craft vendors, fun food, rides for everyone, the Great Turkey Shoot, Friday Night Fireworks, and a good old fashion parade on Saturday morning for all of the neighborhood families to enjoy.
The Pine Ridge Middle, Wood Elementary and Congaree-Wood Early Childhood schools are ready for the 2009-10 school year. The recreational facilities at the Midlands Dixie Youth Ball Park Complex have been upgraded and we even have a brand new canteen, along with new restrooms. Several of the All-star teams from Midlands have advanced to regional and State playoff levels. A new entrance for our Senior Center/Town Hall Complex includes a traffic control signal to make entering Fish Hatchery Road safer for everyone.
The 2009-10 Pine Ridge Budget is $384,631 and which includes a staff of one Town Clerk, one part-time clerk, two public safety officers, and five part-time public safety officers for Pine Ridge. Several new residential areas are currently under development in Pine Ridge, and they are Cottages at Indigo and Indigo Town homes. Several adjacent landowners have expressed a desire to be annexed into Pine Ridge and this is an ongoing project.
While we have accomplished much and have a great community, Pine Ridge continues to face a critical shortage of fire flow water service in the event of a residential fire, as well as municipal water and sewer services needed for expansion of our future commercial and current residential development. Town officials have sought out sources for community development grants to fund the planning of water and sewer systems, consulted with other suppliers of municipal water and sewer services to review feasibility studies and cost proposals, and are working with a group of local developers in an effort to fund the construction of a municipal water and sewer system to serve portions of the town.
Pine Ridge is your town, and town government needs your involvement, your comments, and your support to ensure Pine Ridge continues to be a great place to grow families. I want to personally thank all of the volunteers who serve on the various town committees, the individuals that help keep the sidewalks and streets of Pine Ridge clean, all the teachers at our local schools that teach, love and care for our children, the future of Pine Ridge.
Pine Ridge Town Council elections are scheduled for November 3, 2009 with the Mayor and two Council Seats up for election. Lexington County Election Commission conducts all Town elections.
Get involved, get to know what is happening in your Town, 2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:30 P.M.