Wednesday morning, Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland found that newly planted wildflowers in the median on Hwy. 8 in front of the gym had been cut down. The vandalism happened sometime during the night following the Pelzer Town Council meeting Tuesday.
During the meeting, Mayor Will Ragland provided Councilmembers with a print-out of expenses related to the “Pelzer Wildflower Project”.
Over the last several weeks, Ragland has been planting wildflowers in medians and at various other locations throughout town.
The wildflowers and associated costs have been a concern for some residents and councilmembers. Questions have been raised about how much has been spent on the wildflower initiative and whether it falls within the mayor’s authorized spending limit.
Funding for the “Wildflower Project” is from the Town’s Hospitality Tax Fund – Special Projects Account. The print-out covered the time period from April 23 – June 9 and reflects expenditures for wildflower seed, plants for gym planters and premium topsoil dirt. The majority of the expenditures are for grass and dirt removal from locations throughout town.
The print-out shows that $734.01 has been spent on wildflower seeds, $818.07 on plants/related items and $4,474.27 on dirt and topsoil. Expense in the account for grass and dirt removal amounts to $26,400.
Mayor Ragland told The Journal that a majority of the expenses in the account are for dirt and grass removal throughout town, from the Pelzer Welcome Sign, locations along Lebby Street and to the bridge. He said the dirt and grass removed was used as fill dirt for a deep gully at the lower boat ramp on the Saluda River.
Most of the funding, for dirt and grass removal, has been paid to a local company, Jayce Childs (Southern Grass LLC). Payments for grass and dirt removal have been in smaller amounts, from $500 to a few dollars over $1000. Ragland said most of the work since April has been broken down into smaller projects since to save time.
Under Pelzer’s form of government, the mayor can approve purchases up to $1,000 without council approval.
Ragland said that the Wildflower Project has been discussed with councilmembers and they have been supportive of it along with other expensive work done at the Monkey Park in 2021 ($22,000) and land clearing and tree removal in Jan. of 2025 ($30,900) and other “beautification” projects in the past.
Speaking by phone to The Journal, Ragland said that he has been leading the effort to beautify Lebby Street and after many tries and research, found that the cheapest way to bring low maintenance and beauty year after year is to plant wildflowers.
“I informed the council of my goals, purchased seeds and some perennial plants, donated planters to the town that were given to Mill Town Players, paid a local company run by one of my former students to excavate grass and dirt all up and down Lebby Street and use it to fill in the gully down by the lower boat ramp, something residents have been wanting for years”.
Ragland said he purchased new dirt so the seeds would thrive. He also gave planters to local businesses.
“I personally planted everything, and I’ve been watering the plants by filling up 5 watering cans at a time. I used funds that the town collects from our hospitality tax, which are to be used for beautification projects, public spaces, parks, and anything that promotes tourism.”
Ragland said he has followed the town’s purchasing code and provided an itemized list of everything purchased for the “Wildflower Project” to the council.
“Yes, the total overall cost was sizable, but also similar to other recent projects funded with hospitality money.”
Ragland said the new seeds are now sprouting and there are some first blooms. “I think once the flowers are established, they will bring joy to Pelzer residents and motorists for years to come.”
The areas that (were) in full bloom were the medians.
“The orange and yellow cosmos flowers were thriving and the new low-growing, drought tolerant blue flax flowers were filling in nicely and about to bloom. We kept all of the flowers below the 3.5′ height requirement by SCDOT,” he said. “Yes, there were some weeds to be found in the midst of the wildflowers and some crabgrass. The blue cornflowers were past their prime. The last time I was out there pulling up weeds, a truck driver thanked us for making Pelzer beautiful and said he enjoyed driving through town from Laurens because of the wildflowers.”
“And now they are gone”.
