KCL Hosting 'Human Library' Notice of Public Hearing Citizen Participation Plan

Communities anticipating participation in the State of South Carolina’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Economic Development Program, and the Federal HUD HOME Program must provide for participation of their citizens in the planning and implementation of CDBG, Economic Development, and HUD HOME-funded projects, in accordance with Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended through 1987. Therefore, a Citizens Participation Plan has been developed for Kershaw County for the purpose of providing the citizens of this locality with a written, detailed plan for their participation in the planning and implementation of community and economic development projects which may involve CDBG and HOME funds.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., the Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments, on behalf of Kershaw County, will hold a Public Hearing at the Kershaw County Government Building, Room 207, 515 Walnut Street Camden, SC. 29020.

The purpose of the Public Hearing is to review and solicit public comment on the afore-mentioned Citizens Participation Plan, and to solicit public input on community needs and priorities for housing, public facilities, economic development, water/sewer facilities, public safety components and job creation with a Needs Assessment Survey.

The Citizen Participation Plan is available for review at the Kershaw County Administrative Offices, Camden, SC, and the Santee-Lynches RCOG office, 2525 Corporate Way, Suite 200, Sumter, SC between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Persons with questions or comments concerning the Public Hearing or the Citizen Participation Plan may contact Tammy Smith, Grants Coordinator, Government Services, Santee-Lynches RCOG, (803) 774-1377.

Kershaw County Library invites all members of the community to come and experience The Human Library® on Sunday, February 26 from 1 PM to 5 PM and Monday, February 27 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Camden branch. This is a free, interactive event and reservations are not required.

The Human Library® at Kershaw County Library contains a variety of books: people who have volunteered to be “checked out” for 20 minutes each. Each book will share their story in a one-onone conversation with their readers and encourage the readers to ask questions. Books will also present questions to readers to discuss their similarities and differences.

The goal of the Human Library® is for members of the community to learn more about each other, to explore and move beyond stereotypes, and to develop a greater understanding of each person’s unique story. The Human Library® was conceived in 2000 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Human Library® at Kershaw County Library was organized by varying staff members and local community and business leaders. Lifelong Kershaw County resident, David Partin, who is on the KCL Human Library committee, says “We hope that by hosting the Human Library here in Kershaw County, it will provide a unique opportunity for our community members to learn about each other, directly from each other.” You can meet David and the rest of the KCL committee at the event.

On Saturday, February 18, the SC Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) awarded Kim Stokes, CLC Special Projects Coordinator, the SC VFW Teacher of the Year at an awards banquet. Stokes was also presented a $1,000 check.

Stokes was awarded Elgin VFW Post 11079 Teacher of the Year, and advanced to Regionals, where she was named District 2 VFW Teacher of the Year. Stokes was then named the SC Teacher of Year, and now advances to Nationals, where she will compete against other states.

For more information on the Human Library® project worldwide, visit www.humanlibrary.org. For more information on the Kershaw County Library Human Library®, visit www.kershawcountylibrary.org/humanlibrary or call the Camden branch at 803-425-1508.

Trey Webb, Agent

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