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JWumtr* ilnrmttg -taaJohn M. O'Dowd Junes A, Roger*im-im EditorSUNDAY MOANING, DECEMBER 27, 19701970: Success and PromiseYear - end is a time for measurement and summary.In a recent byline article on this page, we looked back upon some of the things that have taken place in Florence and the Pee Dee in 1970. In summary, we concluded that in terms of actual accomplishments and the promise written into those accomplishments — especially the promise — 1970 has been one of the better years of our regional history.Despite being a year of a generally slackened economy, the pace of Florence development has continued 'in healthy stride. Among the items previously cited were; the auspicious beginning of Francis Marion College; announcements of a General Electric plant to he built in. Florence; beginning of construction of a multi-story city-county government complex in downtown Florence; authorization Of funds for a major program of urban renewal in blighted areas of the city; the launching of large federally-backed projects to construct low - rent housing units; a successful fund -raising campaign for building a Family Y.M.C.A; another successful regional campaign to provide new facilities for the Salvation Army; funding for facilities at the Florence-Dariington Technical Education Center to support programs in paramedical education; the beginning of a movement to construct a majorregional medical center; start of a complete center for treatment of ’•the mentally retarded; and finalist rating for Florence in competition for a second All - America City citation.To these, others may also be added.The year saw the near completion of a Florence jelporl to serve the region’s need for a jet terminal and open the way for large expansion in .air travel.It also saw large progress in city planning, including a comprehensive proposal for meeting the city’s present and future transportation needs developed in concert between the State Highway Department, the City Council, the City Planning Commission, and Atlanta - based planning engineers.Added to the Florence School District No. 1 was a new high school — West Florence High — one of the most modern and complete schools in South Carolina.It was also a year in which Flor-*ence and the entire region made thetransition from dual to unitary schoolsin September with no more than thetensions normally expected from sodrastic a break with the past. Thisspeaks volumes about the emotional maturity which has emerged from the past years of deep concern for the future of the public school system. It also promises a new era in public education in which the energy previously spent in staying the inevitable can be directed toward improving the quality of education.Soon 1970 will belong to history. But what happened during the year should be bearing fruit for many years to come — in increased job opportunity for a greater number of people, in improved skills for taking advantage of job opportunity, in general education from the public school level through college and university, in better housing conditions, better ( family recreation, more orderly ur- lt;ban development, increased efficien- I ey in government, elimination of j blighted areas and general cultural , enrichment. fAll these are potential byproducts , of 1970 achievements. How well we i follow through is to be told by the ; year about to begin.
Newspaper Details
Florence Morning News
Florence, South Carolina, US
Sun, Dec 27, 1970
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Elizabeth W.
USA 15 Nov 2019
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