Mayor's Message

Stormwater Flooding | March 1, 2024

City of Simpsonville officials and staff are working hard on the stormwater flooding issues affecting our residents. Rest assured that we are not sitting on our hands. At my request on behalf of City Council, staff is exploring a stricter set of rules to propose for new construction and improving our standards from requiring plans for the 25-year storm threshold up to a 100-year storm threshold. These actions would change where new construction can be built and what level of stormwater retention is required. We will have the initial workings of a plan to present to Council very soon.

As your mayor, I am also representing you in our state capital. I took a trip to Columbia in the last week of February with the American Flood Coalition to get the attention of our lawmakers in the General Assembly. The AFC is a nonpartisan advocacy group that addresses flooding across the country.

As a mayor with a just cause and an invitation, I was going to be joined by a few other dedicated elected officials, including City of Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy. She is an amazing person, amazing mayor, and a perfect spokesperson for the AFC. With all those high-powered folks there, I had a simple plan: stand in the back and be a cheerleader, but plans changed.

For various legitimate reasons, the other elected officials were unable to make it. I suddenly (and unexpectedly) found myself walking from the dugout to home plate: "Batter up, Mayor Shewmaker!"

Me?!??

Next thing I knew, I was leading our team into the Senate Majority Leader's office to speak on behalf of the American Flood Coalition. Later in the day, they put me in front of a TV camera. It was a whirlwind of a day meeting senators, representatives and influential staff members.

Here’s the good news. My time in the batter’s box turned out to be simple: express appreciation for the actions taken by General Assembly members to address flooding. The House Ways and Means Committee led by Speaker Murrell Smith has already put $38.1 million of funding in the proposed budget for the South Carolina Office of Resilience. A large chunk of that money would be accessible to cities and counties across the state if the budget is approved.

Let’s remain optimistic but realistically optimistic. It appears this funding has good support in the Senate, and Governor McMaster has supported the creation and continued work of SCOR. The budget still needs to be approved by the Senate and signed by the Governor. He’ll have his own budget plans to submit before it’s all said and done.

And again: we need to be realistically optimistic. Thirty-eight million is not nothing, but when it comes to flooding, it’s not a whole lot either. There have been over $7 billion in flooding losses in South Carolina over the last 12 years. Since figures like that are hard to comprehend, I think about the thick binder that SCOR passed around when we met with them. It describes problems from across the state and was so thick and heavy that you could use it for weightlifting at the gym.

The staff at SCOR have lined the walls of their hallways in pictures of flooded out homes from all over South Carolina. I think this is to remind them of how important their work is and to show some places where they have helped. It also provides some perspective as we move forward to do all we can to address flooding in Simpsonville. It’s a perspective to keep in mind: flooding is truly a statewide problem and some folks have it way worse than we do. We need to prevent this problem from becoming as bad in Simpsonville as it is in other communities. We also need regional planning. We can do everything right inside Simpsonville, but if our neighbors outside the city limits don’t work together with us, we’ll still have problems.

Anyway, despite ending up in the batter’s box when I had planned to cheer from the dugout, it turned out to be a good day. Just goes to show, you never know when a curveball is coming and what can happen if you take a swing and hope for the best. That’s all any of us with the City of Simpsonville can do: our best to make Simpsonville feel Simply Home for residents and visitors.

Thanks for the support.

Cheers,

Mayor Paul

p.s. I’m going with the American Flood Coalition to Washington, D.C. in May to advocate for the Simpsonville community in Congress. It’s the federal government so wish me luck. And by the way, here is the most important point: your support matters and matters most. Contact your legislators and let them know how important the flooding issue is.

PHOTOS: Mayor Paul Shewmaker (fifth from the left) and the American Flood Coalition meet with Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, fifth from the right.

City of Simpsonville - State of the City

Jan. 23, 2024

As we embark on a new year filled with promise and possibilities, it is my honor to update everyone on the current state of our city. In this report, we will reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, outline the challenges we face, and consider our future of continued prosperity and success.  

If you would like to hear a podcast version of this report, please follow this link: The Simpsonville SIMPLY SAID. Podcast: Episode 8. 

An overview of significant achievements in Simpsonville in the past year 

The Municipal Association of South Carolina recognized us for municipal achievement by presenting the city with the Joseph P. Riley Award for Economic Development for the Simpsonville Arts Center. The arts center has an annual economic impact of over a million dollars every year. We’re in prestigious company having our city’s name engraved on the base of this award. Larger cities like Florence, Sumter, and Hilton Head Island typically win this award. It’s rare air. 

Our financial reporting received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 11th consecutive year. This is a big deal, especially based on how much Simpsonville was in a financial hole in years past. 

Our fund balance continues to improve. Just six years ago the balance stood at $8.6 million and now is over $19 million. This doesn’t include the balance we have on hand from bond money and ARPA funds that we are using for the municipal complex and downtown improvements. 

Regarding bonds, the City has significantly improved its bond ratings with Moody's and S&P. This increases our borrowing power and it allowed the City to obtain bond Issuances to fund the Downtown Revitalization and Municipal Complex projects at the very low interest rate of 2%. 

We continue to do fun things as well. Our Summer Music and Food Truck Rodeo remains hugely popular, and we just had our fifth!!! Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. We had an amazing turnout by our residents and the turnout is increasing every year. 

Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell asked me to recognize, congratulate and thank the employees of the City of Simpsonville for pledging almost $22,000 to the United Way of Greenville County in 2023. The United Way is a wonderful organization that aims to reduce poverty in Greenville County and help people become self-reliant. An impressive 140 employees (or about 70 percent of the workforce), contributed to that effort. For the 2022 pledge campaign, the United Way awarded City employees the Chairman's Award, and Justin and I are excited to see how the United Way recognizes the City of Simpsonville once again in 2024. The spirit of generosity that is present in our City staff is a wonderful example of “who we are”. 

Challenges and issues we face 

We face two main challenges. These aren’t new, but they are definitely ongoing. 

First is the sheer amount of growth and development and the increased traffic it brings. While the growth of the population in the USA is almost flat, our region has grown by an average of 1.5% per year over the last twenty years and more recently it has been higher than that, exceeding 4% in some years. Simpsonville’s population has doubled over the last 25 years. Managing how we grow, what our city looks like, how we deal with traffic, how zoning is applied, annexation requests, and so on; is one of the most difficult problems faced by City Council. Just saying “NO” to development doesn’t work and is fraught with legal issues. How we interface with development in the county is problematic as well. Growth is a good problem to have though, the alternatives are stagnation or decline. We don’t want either of those.  

Stormwater runoff and the flooding that occurs during very heavy rains is the second of our major problems. We have residents in our community who are impacted every time it rains hard. They are truly suffering. We are looking at some possibilities that will help the most severely impacted in the near term. Solving the larger problem is more expensive. Last year we had a culvert wash out and take about a hundred feet of road with it. That repair cost the city more than one percent of our annual budget. One culvert. And that points up the main issue. Funding solutions is the real problem. We inquired about funding with the South Carolina Office of Resiliency (SCOR), the state agency in charge of dealing with flooding. They were only able to offer low interest loans. When looking at the potential costs, borrowing the money is not a viable option. We need direct funding from the state and the feds. As mayor, I have joined the American Flood Coalition, a lobbying organization, and will be joining other leaders from across the state to lobby in Columbia in February, and in Washington, D.C. in May. It’s a long shot, but it’s our best shot. You can help by lending your voice through contacting your higher office elected representatives about this issue. 

Plans and the vision for Simpsonville’s future 

We are well under way on the new municipal complex and renovations to City Park. The roof has been put on the new City Hall and Police Department Headquarters. Brick is going up on the façade over the next couple of weeks. Windows are going in next month and then the building will be in the dry. It’s right on schedule to be completed in October. The Fire Department Station 1 and Headquarters, and combined Municipal and Summary Courts buildings are also on track. The park renovation will be completed in early 2025. It can’t be finished until the old police department and fire department buildings are razed to make way for The Great Lawn.   

Our downtown project will finally get under way. It was supposed to be in the works already. It has been delayed due to the availability of contractors. Every government body in the state is spending infrastructure dollars and contractors are staying very busy. We’re looking forward to improved traffic flow, better walkability, and a wonderful improvement to our “festival street,” the block of South Main between West Curtis and Trade Streets. Construction is going to put a crimp in our downtown, so I encourage everyone to be patient and to imagine how much better it will be when it’s all done. 

We continue working to complete the extension to the Swamp Rabbit Trail. When we’re done, we’ll have a protected path from downtown all the way to Heritage Park. With improvements to walkability included in the downtown project, we’ll have a very nice connection between City Park and Heritage Park. The main challenge we’re facing is working with property owners to get them to go along. We’re close and we’ll get there. 

A financial overview  

Here is a summary of the city's financial health and our budget. A+. It’s that simple. 

We continue to maintain a balanced budget that includes:  

1. Good raises for our city employees. 
2. Emphasis on maintaining essential services and facilities. We are doing a good job of keeping up with the stuff that’s “not sexy”. Things like keeping the roof in good repair on all our buildings, maintaining our sewer infrastructure, and rotating older equipment out and bringing in new. We’re doing this in an ongoing way so that we don’t get trapped again by everything breaking down at once, like what happened with the garbage trucks several years ago. 
3. Our budget includes funding for small projects to improve the City. These small projects add up over time to major improvement in the overall health of the City. 
4. Maintaining a capital reserve account for those rainy-day projects. This is what allowed us to repair that culvert washout last year without having to cut other essential services. 

Public safety and emergency preparedness 

We have great leadership in our emergency departments: Chief of Police Mike Hanshaw, and Fire Chief Wesley Williams. They do so much to promote a great culture in among our first responders.  

Simpsonville provides competitive pay to our first responders. We also increase our headcount to keep up with growth. But it’s not just about pay, maintaining a great culture in our public safety and emergency departments is why our first responders are proud to “be Simpsonville.” We maintain very low turnover and a low job vacancy rate in comparison to other cities. 

All of us should be grateful for our amazing first responders. When you see them out and about, please extend a thank you. 

Recognition and thanks 

I especially want to thank our outgoing councilmembers: Matthew Gooch, Ward 1; Jennifer Hulehan, Ward 3; and Ken Cummings, Ward 5. Together they represented 28 years of experience on Council. Their contributions were significant, and they will be missed. 

It’s important to recognize Robbie Davis, our Parks and Rec Director, and all his staff. Together they serve thousands or residents every month. We are blessed with great facilities such as the Senior and Activities Center, Heritage Park Amphitheater, and of course all our wonderful parks. 

I want to recognize our Public Works Director, Andy West. He and his department do a wonderful job. Especially sanitation. Sanitation is going so smoothly, so well, it’s such a great improvement over contracting it out. You can count on them and if there is ever an issue it’s resolved fast. 

The Simpsonville Chamber of Commerce deserves recognition. They are a great resource for our city, and of course all the businesses that make this such a great place to live. Thank you all. 

The Simpsonville Arts Foundation Incorporated, better known as SAFI. They are a great organization that helps Simpsonville be a city for the arts. Their energy and positivity are amazing and such a value. Melissa Sturgis, our fantastic Arts Center Manager who also has earned high praise, works closely with them, and together they make a strong combination. 

Diversity and inclusivity is a strong point for the city 

We have an emphasis on embracing diversity, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring equal opportunities for all our residents. I want to recognize that and some contributors to these things in our community.  

I mentioned the arts community earlier. We are honored to be hosting theater shows by No Dreams Deferred. The executive director, Clark Nesbitt, is an amazing gentleman. He has put on great shows, like Crowns, which have been absolutely the finest entertainment. His upcoming production of Raisins in the Sun will be very special, and I encourage everyone to attend. You won’t be disappointed. 

We have a special community that looks past color that elects minorities and women. Ken Cummings served as a council member for two terms and would likely have cruised to a third term if he wanted it. We had a minority candidate run for his seat and while he wasn’t successful, he got fair consideration and was truly a quality candidate. And we continue to elect women to our council. One of our female councilmembers was just elected by Council as our Mayor Pro Tem, Sherry Roche. She’s taking the place of our outgoing Mayor Pro Tem, Jenn Hulehan. 

Last year Simpsonville Council voted to add to the city holiday calendar. Juneteenth is now a paid holiday. It’s important to note that this holiday shouldn’t be considered a “Black” holiday. This is a day to reflect on our shared history and what it means to move forward together. 

We have women in key positions on our city staff. Our City Administrator, Dianna Gracely; Finance Director, Christine Furino; city judges, and a person I especially want to recognize holds multiple roles. Ashley Clark is African American. She is our HR manager, a city judge, and our city clerk. She is very good at wearing multiple hats. I depend on her a lot and I’m not the only one. 

Simpsonville can be proud of our diversity and how it’s reflected among our city staff. The big thing to point out here and be especially in our thoughts is that “Of course it is!” It’s normal. It’s just who we are. I say, well done. 

Closing remarks 

Simpsonville, the people who work for the City, the members of Council, all our residents: we’re all just ordinary folks. But together we are accomplishing great things. Last year was a great year and we have a great year to come. The state of our city is, well, just great! Thank you all for your support of this wonderful place to live. Simpsonville. Simply home. 

My Christmas Wish

Dec. 15, 2023

As the holiday season embraces our wonderful city, I have the warmest feelings for each and every one of you. You make it so easy to feel this way. Just look at the amazing turnout for the Fifth Annual Simpsonville Tree Lighting Ceremony. It was literally a dazzling success. Not just the tree, but every heart there illuminating our city with the joy and magic of the season. Throw in having our streets adorned with Christmas lights, and hearing from residents and visitors alike how much we share in joy and wonder just fills my heart with immense gratitude.

Simpsonville is truly blessed with remarkable people. Your spirit, your generosity, and your kindness are beyond measure. You support our community initiatives, like the Simpsonville Police Department's Stuff-a-Cruiser benefiting Toys for Tots, and you filled the bucket when our city staff volunteered to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. You embody the true essence of the holiday season.

The Simpsonville Arts Center is alive with enchantment. My family was mesmerized by the performance of "The Nutcracker" by Cornerstone Ballet. And that's not all: the Arts Center is showcasing the immense talent within our community. The festive ambiance and the vibrant Christmas spirit that envelop our town are truly amazing. Please catch a performance there. You won't be disappointed.

I am so profoundly thankful for the privilege of being a part of this incredible place. Simpsonville's warmth, unity, and festive cheer make it a haven to cherish. Do you know what that is? That is my Christmas wish granted. Let's continue to spread joy, extend kindness, and support each other, embodying the true spirit of this season.

Warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year,

Mayor Paul

PHOTO: The City of Simpsonville Christmas Tree was lit by Mayor Paul Shewmaker and Cub Scout Troop 767 at the 5th Annual Simpsonville Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 7, 2023 at Simpsonville City Hall on North East Main Street.

Nov. 12, 2023

Reflections on Simpsonville's Inspiring Veterans Day Celebrations

As Mayor of Simpsonville, I've had the honor of witnessing incredible community-driven initiatives, but the recent Veterans Day celebrations have left an indelible mark on my heart. Simpsonville stood tall, exemplifying unity, gratitude, and unwavering support for our veterans.

My day commenced with the rededication of the Freedom Shrine at Hillcrest High School. Officer Morris Madden's commitment to refurbishing the shrine was nothing short of extraordinary. What began as a personal project soon evolved into a collaborative effort involving the student body government, the senior marketing class, and school administration. Together, they orchestrated a complete replacement of the installation, culminating in a breathtaking, high-resolution mural made possible by cutting-edge printing technology.

Officer Madden's dedication didn't stop there. He orchestrated a grand unveiling, inviting dignitaries, the press, and the entire school to participate in the Veterans Day observance. His leadership was pivotal in making the event a resounding success. His efforts deserve recognition and a genuine round of applause.

Following this inspiring event, I had the privilege of MC'ing the City's Veterans Day program at the Simpsonville Arts Center. Our guest speaker, Alan Kan, moved the audience with a poignant recount of his father's harrowing experience in a Nazi concentration camp. Mr. Kan's heartfelt tribute emphasized the significance of Veterans Day and the profound gratitude he holds for the brave individuals who fought for freedom. His father was saved by American troops at literally the last minute.

The program was further enriched by the Upstate Men's Choir, whose moving performance added more emotional resonance to the program. What truly touched me was the overwhelming support shown by the community. Over 250 people were in attendance, marking our largest turnout ever for a Veterans Day ceremony.

The spirit of patriotism that engulfed Simpsonville on that day was palpable. The depth of respect and appreciation displayed for our veterans reaffirmed the strong sense of community that defines us. I cannot express enough gratitude to the people of Simpsonville for their unwavering support of our veterans. Your dedication to honoring their service is a testament to our city's values and the belief in the importance of remembering and honoring those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this Veterans Day a truly memorable and touching experience. Simpsonville is indeed 'Simply Patriotic,' and I am immensely proud to serve as Mayor of such a remarkable and compassionate community.

Sincerely,

Mayor Paul Shewmaker

PHOTOS: Simpsonville School Resource Officer Morris Madden and Mayor Paul Shewmaker attended the re-dedication of the Freedom Shrine at Hillcrest High School; Upstate Men's Choir performs at the Simpsonville Arts Center during the Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 10, 2023.

Nov. 8, 2023

My Heartfelt Gratitude

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your overwhelming support in the recent mayoral election. Winning re-election is a high compliment, and I am truly humbled by the honor you have bestowed upon me. It is a testament to the trust you have placed in my leadership and our collective vision for the future of Simpsonville.

For those of you who supported my opponents, I want to assure you that I will continue to work tirelessly for the good of our city, and I remain committed to representing ALL the people of Simpsonville. Every member of our community has an opinion, and I understand the importance of ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued. At the bottom of it all we share in the common goal of making Simpsonville simply better.

There is a set of important people who deserve real thanks, the poll workers. This is volunteer work with a lot of training and a very long day at the polls. I know enough about how our voting process works to have the deepest trust in the process and equal trust in our poll volunteers. You have my deepest thanks.

Please take a moment over the next few weeks to thank the three incumbents who are stepping down from their positions. Matthew Gooch, Ward 1, three terms; Jenn Hulehan, Ward 3, two terms; and Ken Cummings, Ward 5, two terms. Their years of service and dedication to our city are truly appreciated, and their contributions will not be forgotten. To the new council members joining us, I extend a warm welcome. You have big shoes to fill. I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with you to build an even stronger and more vibrant Simpsonville.

Lastly, I want to express my deep appreciation for the wonderful people who do the day-to-day work of our city—the dedicated city employees who are the real force behind making things happen. They deserve a council that supports and values their hard work, as they are the ones who truly make a difference in the lives of the people of Simpsonville.

Once again, thank you for your trust, your support, and your commitment to our community. Together, we will continue to make Simpsonville a place we are all proud to call home.

Sincerely,

Mayor Paul Shewmaker