By Mark Cowling | Florence Reminder
Before a full house of mostly supporters of a library and aquatic complex, the Town Council voted 5-2 to approve a nearly $13 million contract to build it Monday night.
Mayor Tom Rankin told the audience these new facilities will serve all age groups, “and it’s not going to affect your pocketbook.”
The council heard from 20 speakers, including three former mayors, over the course of the 3 1/2-hour meeting, nearly all of whom urged approval. Former mayor Marsha Day noted the town has built “a lot of good facilities the people need. … But it seems when it comes to the youth, we come to a screeching halt. We’ve got to do something not just for the youth, but for everybody.”
