Executive mayor elected by the people, elected legislative City council
55-499: Batesburg-Leesville is a town located in Lexington and Saluda counties, South Carolina , United States. The town's population was 5,362 as of the 2010 census and an estimated 5,415 in 2019. The town of Batesburg-Leesville was formed in 1992 by the consolidation of the neighboring towns of Batesburg and Leesville. Leesville was incorporated on February 23, 1875, and Batesburg on May 31, 1877. The first mayor of Batesburg-Leesville
110-715: A ban on alcohol sales on Sundays within the county. In 2015, long-time county sheriff James Metts pled guilty to charges of conspiring to harbor and conceal illegal aliens. Metts accepted bribes to keep undocumented immigrants out of federal databases. Metts had been sheriff since 1972. In 2022, the GDP was $ 16.7 billion (about $ 53,814 per capita), and the real GDP was $ 13.8 billion (about $ 44,563 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars . The Saxe Gotha Industrial Park near Cayce houses multiple distribution sites for major national companies, including Amazon , Chick-fil-A , The Home Depot and Nephron Pharmaceuticals . Near Lexington
165-555: A city manager can be assessed using composite indicators. Manager members of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) are bound by a rather rigid and strongly enforced code of ethics that was originally established in 1924. Since that time the code had been up-dated/revised on seven occasions, the latest taking place in 1998. The updates have taken into account the evolving duties, responsibilities, and expectations of
220-434: A city manager include: The responsibilities may vary depending upon charter provisions and other local or state laws, rules, and regulations. In addition, many states, such as the states of New Hampshire and Missouri, have codified in law the minimum functions a local "manager" must perform. The City Manager position focuses on efficiency and providing a certain level of service for the lowest possible cost. The competence of
275-403: A department head in local government, or as an assistant city manager. As of 2005, more than 60% of those in the profession had a MPA, MBA, or other related higher-level degree. The average tenure of a manager is now 7–8 years, and has risen gradually over the years. Tenures tend to be less in smaller communities and higher in larger ones, and they tend to vary as well, depending on the region of
330-434: A female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 37.9 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 52,205 and the median income for a family was $ 64,630. Males had a median income of $ 44,270 versus $ 34,977 for females. The per capita income for
385-419: A female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.01. In the county, 26.10% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.30% was from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.20%
440-533: A fundraising campaign, a permanent historic plaque now stands on the corner of West Church Street and Fulmer Street in old Batesburg commemorating the civil rights incident at the site of the original police station. Batesburg-Leesville is served by a council-manager style government. The town employs approximate 60 full-time employees, and 35 volunteer firefighters. The town operated from a $ 7.4 million budget in Fiscal Year 2018–2019. Batesburg-Leesville's mayor
495-526: A household in the town was $ 32,865, and the median income for a family was $ 40,040. Males had a median income of $ 32,447 versus $ 22,196 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 16,078. About 16.1% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over. Notable figures who were born in, lived in, or are otherwise associated with Batesburg-Leesville include: Lexington County, South Carolina Lexington County
550-609: Is Lancer Shull. The town council comprises eight elected council persons representing single-member districts. The current council members are: William Theodore "Ted" Luckadoo is the town manager and oversees the day-to-day administrative functions of the town. Luckadoo was named the third town manager of consolidated Batesburg-Leesville in 2014. Jason "Jay" Hendrix was named the assistant town manager on August 8, 2019. The Batesburg-Leesville Fire Department consists of two stations, five career staff members and 41 volunteer firefighters as of September 2019. The two stations are located in
605-629: Is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina . As of the 2020 census , the population was 293,991. Its county seat and largest community is Lexington . The county was chartered in 1785 and was named in commemoration of Lexington, Massachusetts , the site of the Battle of Lexington in the American Revolutionary War . Lexington County is the sixth-most populous county in South Carolina by population and
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#1732776526177660-438: Is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city in the council–manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are referred to as the chief executive officer (CEO) or chief administrative officer (CAO) in some municipalities. In a technical sense, the term "city manager," in contrast to "chief administrative officer" (CAO), implies more discretion and independent authority that
715-533: Is apparent due to the presence of two large processing plants: Amick Farms and Columbia Farms. These assist in making Lexington County the top poultry producer in the state. The South Carolina Poultry Festival (formerly the Ridge Poultry Festival) has been held on the second Saturday in May since 1987. The festival features live music, food vendors, craft vendors, a carnival, a parade, and to conclude
770-655: Is land and 58.62 square miles (151.8 km ) (7.74%) is water. The largest body of water is Lake Murray , while other waterways include the Broad River , the Saluda River and the Congaree River . Lexington County has urban , suburban , and rural landscapes. Much of the county's urbanization is in its eastern and northeastern areas. The elevation in the county is 392 feet (119 m). Lexington County averages 47 inches (1,200 mm) of rain per year;
825-771: Is located along the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line which separates the Piedmont region from the Atlantic coastal plain. Historically, U.S. Route 1 followed this line, and it presently separates the north and south sides of the duel town. Typically in this vicinity, the Piedmont area has a clay soil surface, while the Coastal Plain is sandy. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 5,270 people, 2,046 households, and 1,458 families residing in
880-528: Is not limited to national politics; its voters frequently reject Democrats at the state level as well. The county has supported the Republican candidate for governor in every election since 1982 when Richard Riley carried every county in the state. The last Democratic senatorial nominee to manage even 30 percent of the county's vote was Inez Tenenbaum in 2004, and no Democrat has carried the county since Ernest "Fritz" Hollings did so in 1980. In 1986, it
935-601: Is part of the Columbia , SC Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is located in the Midlands region of South Carolina. Lexington County was charted in 1785 and was named after the Battles of Lexington and Concord , fought at the outset of the American Revolutionary War . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 757.62 square miles (1,962.2 km ), of which 699.00 square miles (1,810.4 km )
990-426: Is set forth in a charter or some other body of codified law , as opposed to duties being assigned on a varying basis by a single superior, such as a mayor. As the top appointed official in the city, the city manager is typically responsible for most if not all of the day-to-day administrative operations of the municipality, in addition to other expectations. Some of the basic roles, responsibilities, and powers of
1045-599: Is the Michelin tire-production plant. Other manufacturers include Shaw Industries , Southeastern Freight Lines , and Flex , at which president Biden spoke in July 2023. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport serves as the main airport system for the greater Columbia area. In 2018, the airport served 1,197,603 passengers with 12,324 flights. Additionally, the airport is also the regional hub for UPS Airlines , transporting 136.7 million pounds of freight/mail in 2018. The airport
1100-592: The National Register of Historic Places . In February 1946 a black World War II veteran, Sergeant Isaac Woodard , was removed from a Greyhound bus in Batesburg after an argument with the driver. While still in uniform he was severely beaten by local police officers, including Sheriff Lynwood Shull, and permanently blinded. The attack became a cause celebre, becoming the subject of multiple radio commentaries by Orson Welles in July and August 1946, and
1155-413: The council-manager government form, was created in part to remove city government from the power of the political parties, and place management of the city into the hands of an outside expert who was usually a business manager or engineer, with the expectation that the city manager would remain neutral to city politics. By 1930, two hundred American cities used a city manager form of government. In 1913,
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#17327765261771210-793: The Leesville Historic District. The campus is within the boundaries of the Leesville College Park at the intersection of Main Street and College Street. Batesburg-Leesville has a public library , a branch of the Lexington County Public Library . Batesburg-Leesville is served weekly by The Twin-City News , which specifically focuses on local news, as well as that from immediately surrounding areas (mostly Gilbert and Monetta ). It minimizes national or world news. The Twin-City News
1265-522: The U.S. average is 38 inches (970 mm). The average snowfall is 1 inch (25 mm); the U.S. average is 28 inches (710 mm). The average number of days with any measurable precipitation is 103. On average, there are 218 sunny days per year in Lexington County. The July high is around 92.3 °F (33.5 °C) and the January low is 33.2 °F (0.7 °C). The comfort index rates
1320-492: The armed forces. In early 2018, the town of Batesburg-Leesville, with Town Attorney Christian Spradley, Police Chief W. Wallace Oswald, and Mayor Lancer Shull (no relation to Linwood Shull ), reopened the Woodard case to consider dismissing the 1946 charges. During a regular term of municipal court on June 5, 2018, Woodard's "drunk and disorderly" case was reopened and the conviction was vacated by Town Judge Robert Cook. After
1375-550: The city of Dayton , Ohio suffered a great flood , and responded with the innovation of a paid, non-political city manager, hired by the commissioners to run the bureaucracy; civil engineers were especially preferred. Other small or middle-sized American cities, especially in the west, adopted the idea. In Europe , smaller cities in the Netherlands were specially attracted by the plan. By 1940, there were small American cities with city managers that would grow enormously by
1430-893: The community and a captain in the American Civil War. Leesville was named for Colonel John W. Lee, a prominent resident of the community. The D. D. D. Barr House , Batesburg Commercial Historic District , Simon Bouknight House , Cartledge House , Cedar Grove Lutheran Church , Church Street Historic District , Broadus Edwards House , Hampton Hendrix Office , Hartley House , Henry Franklin Hendrix House , Thomas Galbraith Herbert House , J.B. Holman House , A.C. Jones House , Leesville College Historic District , Crowell Mitchell House , McKendree Mitchell House , Mitchell-Shealy House , Old Batesburg Grade School , John Jacob Rawl House , Rawl-Couch House , Southern Railway Depot , and Rev. Frank Yarborough House are listed on
1485-693: The construction of the new high school. The first class to graduate in Panther Stadium was the class of 1976. Prior to racial integration statewide, the local African-American students attended Twin-City High School and Hampton School. Twin-City High School was located on Maple Street in Batesburg where the Twin-City High School Park is now located. The park is owned by the Twin-City Alumni Association. The original two-story wooden Hampton School (1922)
1540-587: The county a 7.3 out of 10, where higher is more comfortable. The U.S. average on the comfort index is a 7 out of 10. As of the 2020 census , there were 293,991 people, 118,193 households, and 81,118 families residing in the county. At the 2010 census , there were 262,391 people, 102,733 households, and 70,952 families living in the county. The population density was 375.4 inhabitants per square mile (144.9 inhabitants/km ). There were 113,957 housing units at an average density of 163.0 units per square mile (62.9 units/km ). The racial makeup of
1595-495: The county was $ 26,393. About 8.5% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over. At the 2000 census , there were 216,014 people, 83,240 households, and 59,849 families living in the county. The population density was 309 people per square mile (119 people/km ). There were 90,978 housing units at an average density of 130 units per square mile (50 units/km ). The racial makeup of
1650-476: The county was 79.3% white, 14.3% black or African American, 1.4% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 2.7% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.2% were German , 14.0% were American , 12.5% were English , and 11.8% were Irish . Of the 102,733 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 13.0% had
1705-420: The county was 84.18% White , 12.63% Black or African American , 0.34% Native American , 1.05% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.79% from other races , and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 83,240 households, out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 11.60% had
Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina - Misplaced Pages Continue
1760-409: The county's vote in 1952. It supported splinter Dixiecrat candidates in 1948 and 1956. In the 2020 U.S. presidential election , Lexington County voted 64.2% in favor of Republican Donald Trump and 34.1% in favor of Democrat Joe Biden with 72.6% of the eligible electorate voting. This was the strongest performance by a Democratic candidate for president since 1976. The county's Republican bent
1815-440: The county. The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Lexington County. † = county seat Town manager Council - Manager Executive leader elected by the council from among themselves Elected mayor and cabinet Executive mayor elected by the people Committee system Executive leader and executive committees elected by the council from among themselves A city manager
1870-484: The district began operating just four schools, as they consolidated smaller, older schools into the new school. Historical schools which closed in 1984 included Hampton Elementary School (1954), Utopia Elementary School (1953), Leesville Elementary School and Batesburg Primary School. The Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School opened 1996 and replaced the Old Batesburg Grade School which had served
1925-537: The end of the century: Austin , Texas ; Charlotte , North Carolina ; Dallas , Texas ; Dayton , Ohio ; Rochester , New York ; and San Diego , California . In the early years of the profession, most managers came from the ranks of the engineering professions. Today, the typical and preferred background and education for the beginning municipal manager is a master's degree in Public Administration (MPA), and at least several years' experience as
1980-419: The event a cake auction and fireworks show. The public school system in all parts of Batesburg-Leesville census-designated place is administered by Lexington County School District Three , which consists of: All sports teams associated with School District Three use a panther as their mascot. The Panthers' colors are purple, gold, and black The Batesburg-Leesville Primary School opened in 1984. At that time
2035-530: The extent such news concerns Lexington County residents. Batesburg-Leesville has only one radio station transmitting from within its borders, WBLR 1430 AM. However, Batesburg-Leesville is in range of several radio stations broadcasting from the surrounding areas, including: Over-the-air channels receivable in Batesburg-Leesville include: Alternatively, digital cable providers Time Warner Cable and Pond Branch Telecommunications collectively cover
2090-490: The first edition. Most sources trace the first city manager to Staunton, Virginia in 1908. Some of the other cities that were among the first to employ a manager were Sumter, South Carolina (1912) and Dayton, Ohio (1914); Dayton was featured in the national media, and became a national standard. The first "City Manager's Association" meeting of eight city managers was in December 1914. The city manager, operating under
2145-658: The fourth and fifth grades and now serves as the Lexington School District Three Administrative Office. The new school allowed third grade to be shifted from the B-L Primary School to the new Elementary School give the current school breakdown by grade. The Batesburg-Leesville Middle School opened in 1999. This led to the closing of the old middle school campus which had originally been built as Batesburg-Leesville High School in 1921 with numerous additions through
2200-610: The majority of the greater Batesburg-Leesville area. Batesburg-Leesville is located in western Lexington County at 33°54′38″N 81°32′14″W / 33.91056°N 81.53722°W / 33.91056; -81.53722 (33.909767, -81.534296). A small portion of the town extends west into Saluda County. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 8.3 sq mi (21.5 km), of which 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km), or 1.19%, are covered by water. Batesburg-Leesville
2255-469: The population were below the poverty line , including 11.10% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over. Lexington County was one of the first areas of South Carolina to support the Republican Party . The last official Democratic candidate to carry the county at a presidential level was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, and the official Democratic candidate last won 40 percent of
Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina - Misplaced Pages Continue
2310-481: The profession; however the core dictate of the body of the code--"to integrity; public service; seek no favor; exemplary conduct in both personal and professional matters; respect the role and contributions of elected officials; exercise the independence to do what is right; political neutrality; serve the public equitably and governing body members equally; keep the community informed about local government matters; and support and lead our employ-ees"—have not changed since
2365-463: The subject of Woody Guthrie 's song, The Blinding of Isaac Woodard . Due to South Carolina's reluctance to pursue the case, President Harry S. Truman ordered a federal investigation. Shull was federally indicted and later acquitted by an all-white jury . This incident helped lead to Truman setting up the President's Committee on Civil Rights and issuing Executive Order 9981 desegregating
2420-548: The town was 52.82% White , 45.66% African American , 0.29% Native American , 0.20% Asian , 0.40% from other races , and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.61% of the local population. There were 2,167 households, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 22.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who
2475-545: The town's two historic business districts and are still identified as the Batesburg station and the Leesville station. The department boasts an Insurance Services Office Class 3/3B rating. The top employer in Batesburg-Leesville is Lexington County School District Three with four different schools and a district office. The next is Ansaldo STS , which has a 184,000 sq ft (17,100 m) manufacturing facility. The town's economic dependence on poultry harvesting
2530-497: The town. As of 2023, of the 5,270 people, about 4,830 live in Lexington County and 440 live in Saluda County. As of the U.S. Census of 2000, there were 5,517 people, 2,167 households, and 1,482 families residing in the town. The population density was 751.4 inhabitants per square mile (290.1/km). There were 2,446 housing units at an average density of 333.2 units per square mile (128.6 units/km). The racial makeup of
2585-417: The years. The Batesburg-Leesville High School opened in 1975. The new school was built on the former Summerland College campus on Summerland Avenue. The construction of a new school had been spurred by integration and student population increases. With integration a former building of Summerland College was used as a middle school in the early 1970s but a fire heavily damaged the building and eventually sped up
2640-450: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 3.03. In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males. The median income for
2695-433: Was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 44,659, and the median income for a family was $ 52,637. Males had a median income of $ 36,435 versus $ 26,387 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 21,063. About 6.40% of families and 9.00% of
2750-634: Was also the last mayor of Batesburg, Dr. Elza S. "Sandy" Spradley, Jr. Spradley had been a practicing pharmacist and business owner in the town, a town council member, a member of the Batesburg Water Commission, a founding member of the community’s rescue squad, and an 18-year Fire Chief on the Batesburg Fire Department, retiring after 33 years. Batesburg was named for Captain Tom Bates, a prominent citizen of
2805-430: Was established in 1925 and is Batesburg-Leesville's oldest continuously operating business. The town is also served by The State newspaper, which circulates amid most of the state. In 2007, Lexington County Chronicle and The Dispatch-News began appearing at town stores and business to complement their subscribers in the area. This newspaper covers all county governments, state, national, and international news, to
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#17327765261772860-553: Was located a few miles outside of town. View the Delmar School historical marker at. More photographs of these old school buildings may be seen at SC School Insurance Photos 1935-50. W. Wyman King Academy and the Ridge Christian School are private, nondenominational Christian schools accepting students in grades K-12. In 2008, Midlands Technical College opened a new Batesburg-Leesville satellite campus in
2915-791: Was named Lexington County Airport, and during World War II , trained pilots for B-25 Mitchell crews. Public transportation in Lexington County is provided by the COMET, or officially the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA). The bus system is the main public transit system for the greater Columbia area. In Lexington County, the bus system runs in the areas of West Columbia , Cayce , Irmo , Springdale , Seven Oaks , and Harbison. Additionally, COMET offers Dial-a-ride transit (DART), which provides personalized service passengers with disabilities. There are five school districts covering portions of
2970-451: Was replaced in 1954 by a single-story brick structure on South Lee Street in Leesville. The original wooden building was subsequently torn down, but a marker remains under a large tree in the parking lot of Friendship Baptist Church on South Lee Street. Other "colored" schools included Leesville Colored Primary School and Batesburg-Saluda Colored School. There were other older schools which had closed previously to include Delmar School which
3025-563: Was the only county in the state to support Hollings' Republican opponent, future Governor Henry McMaster . It was one of the first areas where Republicans broke the long Democratic monopoly on state and local offices; today, longtime state senator Nikki Setzler is the only elected Democrat above the county level. On November 4, 2014, Lexington County residents voted against a proposed sales tax increase. The money generated from this tax would have mostly been used to improve traffic conditions upon roadways. That same day, residents voted to repeal
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