Bucksport Residents Face Tough Choices as Local Sales Tax Vote Approaches
BUCKSPORT — The community of Bucksport is abuzz with anticipation as residents prepare to cast their votes on November 5 for the controversial Ride 4 local sales tax proposal. This $6.35 billion initiative, aimed at funding over 20 road and infrastructure projects, has sparked deep concerns among locals who fear it may permanently alter their beloved township.
Amidst the partially cloudy skies of a warm early November day, Kevin Mishoe, a dedicated farmer at Mishoe Legacy Farms, stands in a vibrant field brimming with blooming hibiscus plants. Each hibiscus flower represents not just a crop, but a piece of his family’s generational farming legacy.
Community Development vs. Preservation
As Kevin admires his crop, he worries aloud about the potential impact of the S.C. Highway 22 extension, a pivotal point in the Ride 4 ballot. This proposed expansion could slice right through Bucksport and Burgess, two historically Black communities, forever changing the landscape they hold dear.
“We’ve been here for generations, planting seeds and watching our community thrive. But the thought of a highway running through our backyards? That’s unsettling,” he shared. The S.C. 22 extension is projected to cost around $1.56 billion, stretching 28 miles from Aynor toward popular coastal destinations.
The local sales tax, if approved, would add a 1% tax on purchases, with funding primarily sourced from tourists flocking to Myrtle Beach, but locals will still feel the pinch starting May 2025. Kevin’s mother, Joan Giles, echoed his fears, saying, “This is our home, where we share love and food with family and neighbors.” One can sense the pride in Joan’s voice as she emphasizes the nurturing nature that has defined Bucksport for decades.
A Complex Vote for Local Residents
Residents are now posed with a dilemma: support necessary infrastructure improvements or risk losing the cultural integrity of their community. The Ride 4 plan includes vital projects like the widening of S.C. Highway 90, which has been a major traffic concern for locals. Residents like Daniel Pruitt understand the pressing need for these enhancements, stating, “Accidents and traffic have become an everyday struggle.”
However, a looming question hangs over the community: at what cost? The Coastal Conservation League, which advocates for the protection of South Carolina’s natural environment, has voiced strong opposition to the highway extension due to the potential harm it poses to local ecosystems and communities.
Environmental and Historical Concerns
Trapper Fowler, a representative of the league, highlighted the precarious balance between growth and preservation, stating, “Development shouldn’t come at the expense of nature or neighborhood heritage.” Alarmingly, ten of the sixteen proposed S.C. 22 routes traverse the environmentally sensitive Waccamaw River, drawing critical attention to the project’s ramifications.
Bucksport is no stranger to the fallout of infrastructure developments. The community, which has approximately 745 residents as of the last census, fears that extensive changes could lead to a loss of its identity. Kevin warns, “We’ve seen what happens when community values are disregarded for profit. We don’t want our past to repeat itself.”
The Heart of Bucksport
At the heart of this debate is Mishoe Legacy Farms, which has become synonymous with the unique hibiscus tea called sorrel. Kevin, who took on hibiscus farming in 2021, is passionate about promoting this flavorful crop but remains cautious about its future amid development pressures.
As he walks through his fields, he reflects on the lessons he learned from family elders about the importance of preserving community values while adapting to change. “We’re growing, yes, but we’re also losing parts of who we are,” he lamented.
A Call for Unity
With the election day fast approaching, the people of Bucksport are urged to weigh their options carefully. Will they rally behind the Ride 4 initiative to fund critical infrastructure, or will they prioritize safeguarding their cultural heritage? As the community comes together to celebrate its deeply rooted traditions, the outcome of this vote will undoubtedly shape the next chapters of Bucksport’s story.
As the countdown to the ballot continues, one thing is clear: this tight-knit community values its history, connections, and the peace they’ve cultivated over generations. A lot is at stake, and as Joan said with passion, “Here, we plant, we grow, we love!”
