BURNETTOWN, SC. () – A state representative is urging Aiken County officials to address pressing issues in the Horse Creek Valley region.

This appeal follows a recent town hall meeting where residents of Burnettown and Gloverville voiced significant concerns over increasing crime rates and homelessness.

State Representative Melissa Lackey-Oremus has formally reached out to the Aiken County Council, asking them to tackle these challenges, particularly the issue of homelessness.

However, she and local residents feel that their community has been overlooked for too long, and they are determined to ensure their concerns are addressed.

Jennifer Morris, who was present at last Monday’s town hall, is optimistic that these discussions will soon lead to concrete actions.

“I think it was a productive meeting. Sheriff Sawyer and Melissa Oremus were able to see that we’re really serious about wanting changes—and we’re not backing down,” said Morris.

After hearing those concerns, District 84 Representative Melissa Oremus has taken matters into her own hands.

Oremus sent a 2-page letter to Aiken County Council, requesting county leaders to take action in the area she says has been neglected for far too long. 

“The people of District 84, especially the Valley and outlying areas, are just tired of being neglected and overlooked by the rest of the county. One of my campaign promises was to make sure that they get their piece of the pie from Aiken County, and that’s not happened,” said Oremus. “The county just can’t turn a blind eye because it’s been overlooked for so many years since the mills closed.”

She wants to see an increase in law enforcement, a community watch network, and the creation of a task force to cleanup several blighted properties that homeless people are allegedly vandalizing. 

“These are turning into meth houses, and places where drugs are being made. Then you’ll see a burned down one or half burned down one, and it’s because some kinds of drugs have exploded,” she added.

Oremus is also calling on county leaders to launch projects to beautify the Valley area with grass cutting, litter removal, signage repair, and lighting improvements. 

“A lot of people are saying the Valley is that place that you drive through, and you just want to get through it. But, those good people that make up this community are still there, and they deserve to have a nice community to live, work, and play,” said Oremus.

Some of her long-term goals requested to county leaders include redeveloping the Graniteville Mills, which were closed more than 20 years ago following a historic train crash.

She also wants a reinvestment incentive program to help local taxpayers and to attract small businesses. 

“A lot of these people don’t have the wherewithal to make those home improvements, so we have to get them some incentive to be able to do that. To do the cleanup, to do the beautification of their home. They’d love to have a beautiful house, but we have to give them the help they need to do that,” Oremus said.

For residents like Morris, she says locals just want a seat at the table.

“I definitely think we aren’t last on the list, but we’re low on the list. Our whole community is fighting for change,” Morris said.

Oremus is having ongoing conversations with Sheriff Marty Sawyer about the best course of action from here—but she is hoping to sit down with county council soon. 

NewsChannel 6 has reached out to county leaders for comment, but have not heard back.