The front page of the Dec. 24, 2025-Jan. 6, 2026 issue of the Daily Planet (Upstate S.C. edition) SCREAMED (at least to many Greer citizens, including me):

“$9M in extra funding OK’d for Greer sports/events center.”

South Carolina has a law that says all taxing authorities cannot incur bonded indebtedness of more than 8 percnt of the total assessed value of all property that is within the taxing district.  

There is a legal way go above that 8 percent limit — and that is to ask the people in a referendum for the permission to do so.  However, city officials elected to forego the legal route.

Why? They darnn well knew that voters would not go for such ridiculous outlandish projects. 

They chose to violate “THE RULE OF LAW” by establishing a “SHELL COMPANY” to borrow the needed funds to accomplish their aims. 

What are their aims?

I don’t know, but I do know that this and other projects (parking garages) can’t be for the good of the residents of Greer, as most will never use the facilities, but they will be taxed to pay for them. 

The people (Regnat-Populous) of Greer are angry. 

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Latin phrase “Regnat-Populous” means “the people rule” and it is the state motto of Arkansas.)

In the Nov. 4, 2025 city elections, voters ousted two (2) long-term city councilmen/women and came within a hair’s breath of ousting the third. 

A two- (2-) year campaign has begun to oust the mayor (rumor is that he is not seeking re-election) and the other three (3) councilmen. I’m confident that we will be successful in that campaign.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Rick Danner has served as Greer’s mayor since 2000 and was re-elected to his current term, which expires at the end of 2027. 

(Greer is billed as one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing cities. Greer’s “population is estimated (at) around 46,316 in 2024, growing from 35,308 in the 2020 Census, with projections and surveys showing continued growth, making it a significant city in the Greenville-Spartanburg area of Upstate South Carolina,” AI Overview noted.)

I have tried to get state officials involved with little success to date. Only one (1) of about 20 that I have contacted has responded favorably. 

Of the two (2) that I have contacted via phone, one (1) will not even even consider it, the other thus far is gaslighting me. One (1) will be up for re-election in 2026, the other in 2028. 

If public officials observe “THE RULE OF LAW” being violated and don’t act to stop it, they are just as guilty as those who violated it. Both must be held accountable for their action or inaction.

As I previously stated, Greer voters will work to oust the city councilmen who supported these outlandish projects in 2027.  

We plan also to go statewide with our campaign, informing voters which candidates are supporting their constituents and which are not.

This is a NO-BRAINER. There’s not one homeowner in S.C. that wants their homes mortgaged to the hilt by out-of-control government. 

And renters must get on board as well. They are taxed at a 50 percent higher rate than homeowners — only it is hidden in the cost of their rent.

The short-sighted city officials don’t see how their brain rot is not enhancing — but instead destroying — livability in Greer.  

They are contributing  to the cost of everything purchased in Greer. Businesses cannot absorb the increased taxes. The Greer inhabitants will not only pay higher taxes on their homes, cars, boats, etc., but will pay businesses share, too.

The flip side of this is that those who can... will shop outside the Greer city limits. Homes will be more difficult to sell in Greer. Businesses will move out of Greer because of decreased sales while others will elect not to locate in Greer.

Greer City Council says the new sports and events center will bring in $14 million in direct spending in its first year in and around Greer — and that it will generate  $17M to $25M from tourism annually.

I have attached statistics that clearly show that Greer citizens are consistently taxed at a far, far, far higher rate than any other city in Greenville County, S.C., some years more than the other five (5) cities in Greenville combined.

 Are tourists going to opt for staying and dining in Greer when more attractive options are available in Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, Hendersonville, etc.?  

“Around Greer” doesn’t help Greer.  

If it is successful, will it help the surrounding area, while Greer residents will be paying the bills.

“THANKS A LOT, THANKS A LOT, THE SURROUNDING AREA GOT THE GOLD MINE — GREER TAXPAYERS GOT THE SHAFT.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The statistics attached to the guest column above by retired S.C. Sen. Lewis R. Vaughn could not be included here because of the newspaper’s space limitations.