An animated press conference in the sweltering heat of a parking lot was followed by many enthusiastic speakers opposing the Turnpike Extension inside at the Sumter County commissioners meeting.
No vote was taken but at least two of the commissioners, Doug Gilpin and Roberta Ulrich, indicated opposition to the new road. Perhaps it is no coincidence that both of these commissioners are up for re-election, and Sumter County voters opposed to the road have made it clear that No Build candidates are favored.
Environmental justice comes into play because the historically Black community of Royal would be impacted by the new road. This issue has already caught the attention outside the community as seen in an article in the Christian Science Monitor.
Jazmon Lovenguth, hardworking advocate Kathy Towns, spokesperson for Royal
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
