18 months later, church struggles to fix ditch
By Jessica Johnson
The Post and Courier
William Baker, of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Awendaw, wants something done about a ditch left behind by contractors when they installed a waterline in November 2007.
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AWENDAW — Near the end of 2007, contractors laid a town's waterline in front of St. Paul's Methodist Church property, leaving behind a messy uneven ditch.
Contractors filled the hole they dug for the line, but never leveled the ground, making it impossible to mow and maintain, said church member William Baker. Since that time Baker has called everyone he could think of to get something done.
Eighteen months and a notepad full of numbers later the steep ditch remains.
Baker last met with the S.C. Department of Transportation and town officials in June 2008. They promised the ditch would be restored, but it never was. Baker said a grass mat was laid but it washed away.
So Baker decided to call the Post and Courier's Watchdog.
A narrow muddy hole runs the length of the ditch just south of the church along U.S. Highway 17.
"Do you think this looks very neat? Do you think this fits in with the rest of the ground around the church? I don't think it does," Baker said.
Baker said the ditch had a gradual slope before the line was installed, and could be maintained.
J.D. Wilcox, DOT assistant district maintenance engineer, who met with Baker in June 2008, said Tuesday that he thought the problem had been resolved.
"We need to get with him and see what he wants," Wilcox said.
Reach Jessica Johnson at 937-5921 or jjohnson@postandcourier.com.
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Printer-friendly versionComments
Eye_on_You (anonymous) says...
Don't be shy.....list the contractor's name so all can see what they leave after they get paid and go to the bank
June 11, 2009 at 7:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Must be the wrong religion.
Next time say you are baptists.
June 11, 2009 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lemonhead (anonymous) says...
why not get some of ur followerss to help fix it.. isnt that what they are there for to help?? god doesnt care what is on the outside of building.
June 11, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
The contractor should have to resolve the problem...or face a huge daily fine until it is done.
June 11, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GuitarHero (anonymous) says...
List the contractor's name in the paper.
June 11, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustJennings (anonymous) says...
It doesn't matter what government agencies do or damage. I am sure no one will be held accountable. There might even be a raise in the near future!
June 11, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
If the DOT is involved they will get it fixed.....it will take seven guys (5 to watch and 2 guys with shovels).
June 11, 2009 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CombatCoastie (anonymous) says...
Don't forget that Mr. Baker most certainly would not receive any assistance from the Town Council of Awendaw. After all, they openly admit that they are racist and have no intent of changing their black:white population ratio of 64:36. This article from the P&C http://www.postandcourier.com/news/20... states it clearly. We all know what would've happened and who would have been involved if the stakes were reversed.
June 11, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
I know exactly what I would do. Put a cement landscaping border in front of the ditch, fill everything in behind the border, and plant a flowerbed with mulch in front of the border. Just based on that photo I could have that fixed in about a day.
June 11, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
The work was shoddy, and the follow up by the church has been shoddy too. 18 months is a ridiculously long time to bother with such a little problem.
June 11, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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