TRANSFORMATION
Aiken2025 is committed to strengthening the democratic fabric of the city of Aiken by empowering citizens, promoting transparent governance, and encouraging principled leadership. We believe it is possible to convert electoral cynicism into positivity, in a renewed spirit of partnership with our city's officials.
AVOIDABLE RANCOR
Most citizens see Aiken as a place of beauty that boasts a distinctive history, a strong sense of community, and a high quality of life. However, against this backdrop, there are some challenges. ​
​Portions of Aiken’s citizenry have developed an unhealthy distrust of the standards and decision-making transparency of its city government. There is avoidable friction in council meetings, and a string of controversies seems to flow every month. These range from Project Pascalis, to clear-cutting of trees at Smith Hazel Park, unauthorized tree removal at the Aiken Farmers Market, and recent controversies over the Hitchcock Barn and Fairfield Bridge.
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More generally, our community - which has a unique and special history as beautiful, quaint and distinctive - seems to be trending toward a path of uncontrolled sprawl, with property developers having disproportionate influence to erect characterless developments, and the pastoral landscapes surrounding the city increasingly under threat from development.
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Various social media channels “light up” most weeks with concerns over one policy or another. Many of these controversies could have been avoided if there were a greater spirit of community consultation and general adherence to existing city rules and policies. Despite the many hard-working City employees, much of their good work goes unheralded as a result.
MOVING FORWARD
Against this acrimonious backdrop, Aiken2025 sees a path to a future where many thorny or contentious topics can be addressed in a spirit of resourcefulness, collaboration, and transparency. Our community is rich with intelligent and passionate residents. We seek government leadership that harvests good ideas from the electorate, while bringing its own level of innovation, seeking to find common ground wherever possible.
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Aiken2025 does not stand behind any individual candidate or pet project. But we feel it is essential to adopt a set of governing standards, and to prepare an updated (and actionable) Comprehensive Plan: a roadmap for Aiken’s next 10-20 years. To achieve positive change, we are actively encouraging “fresh talent” to consider running for city council – guided by standards, but also animated by their own intellect, creativity, and judgment.
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Our group advocates a specific set of actions to join forces and project a spirit of hope and positivity, combined with a demand that elected and appointed government officials.
Adopt a more strategic, long-range, and actionable vision of what the city and region can be.
Formally commit to and follow a code of ethics, shown here.
Take a more assertive and energetic posture in “leaning into” the main topics affecting the city.
Slow the pace of unbridled growth, take a more measured and long-range view of economic development, housing, transportation, and infrastructure, and maintain this community's unique/special “character.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO
In Aiken, voter turnout in elections is low, with an average of about 10% of eligible voters casting a ballot. This presents a significant opportunity to increase civic engagement and voter participation in the community. Aiken2025 is committed to creating a fair and unbiased platform for candidates to express their priorities and commitment to our principals, through a series of published interviews. Through this initiative, there is hope that the energetic messaging and grassroots momentum will motivate local citizens to get involved and educate themselves regarding the commitments and principles represented by those running for office.
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Aiken2025's objectives will rely on "boots on the ground,” empowering Aiken citizens to offer their time in propelling this initiative. Simple things such as placing signs in yards, going door-to-door to inform neighbors, and encouraging competent, motivated friends/colleagues to run, will make a huge difference in these efforts to improve the quality of local government. Click the Get Involved icon, so we can contact you and guide you on helpful ways to contribute.. Make sure you are registered to vote and assert your electoral rights on voting day!