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August 20, 2008
City Council Appoints Five Points Parking Committee
At its August 6th meeting, Columbia City Council approved the appointment of a special citizens committee to address parking needs in the Five Points area to ensure that this important shopping village has the necessary parking to serve existing and future development.Category: Standard News | Read More
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August 8, 2008
A Historical Buzz Around Five Points Village
From its inception in the 1920s, Columbia's Five Points district has proved a popular destination for locals and visitors in search of services, food, drink, and socializing. The historic village of Five Points, formed by the intersection of Devine, Harden, Santee, and Saluda streets, is prized for its eclectic blend of restaurants, watering holes, specialty retail stores, and businesses.Category: Standard News | Read More
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August 6, 2008
Second Report of the Code Enforcement Tast Force to City Council
Executive Summary - Items ready for action by City Council...Category: Standard News | Read More
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August 5, 2008
National Night Out
Join your neighbors for on Tuesday, August 5th for National Night Out a special neighborhood crime prevention program. Now in its 25th year, the program will be highlighted in communities across the country and here in neighborhoods around our city.Category: Standard News | Read More
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August 4, 2008
A Communication From Your City Councilwoman...
I have previously communicated with you in a variety of capacities--as a prospective candidate for City Council, as an active candidate for the District 3 Council position and as your councilwoman-elect. It is my distinctive honor now to communicate with you as your City Councilwoman.Category: The Issues | Read More
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July 28, 2008
The Seventh Annual Columbia Choice Awards
The seventh annual Columbia Choice Awards, which honors individuals, neighborhoods, schools and organizations whose landscaping has enhanced the quality of life in Columbia, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Big Apple on Hampton Street.Category: Standard News | Read More
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July 28, 2008
Columbia Green Neighborhood Beautification Grant
The Columbia Green Neighborhood Beautification Grant program puts money directly into the hands of Columbia neighborhoods for beautification projects. Organized neighborhood associations and garden clubs can apply for a competitive grant to fund greening projects in public spaces.Category: Standard News | Read More
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July 21, 2008
Cities Mean Business: The Municipal Association Meeting in Charleston
I traveled to Charleston July 17-20th to attend the 68th annual meeting of the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC). The Conference theme was "Cities Mean Business" and various topics explored the ways in which South Carolina cities and towns serve as engines for our state's economic development.Category: Around Town | Read More
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July 15, 2008
Learning More About Our City
I am an advocate for strong neighborhood leadership that can address issues of concern with appropriate staff at Columbia City Hall. To this end I arranged a workshop for District 3 neighborhood presidents to make certain that our local leaders know about our various city programs and staff.Category: Around Town | Read More
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July 15, 2008
A Ride Through Rosewood
I joined Rosewood Community Council President Travis Wheeler and longtime neighborhood advocate Bob Amundson for a ride through Rosewood to learn more about the challenges and opportunities in this important city neighborhood.Category: Around Town | Read More
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July 1, 2008
Gergel sworn in to City Council
Belinda Gergel was sworn in Monday as the newest member of Columbia City Council. Gergel replaces Anne Sinclair, who served as the District 3 representative for 20 years.Category: Standard News | Read More
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June 30, 2008
Where Belinda Stands
During the campaign, I said that Columbia must be a city of "Choice, not Chance." We must, as a city, have the courage and political will to address the tough issues. We must recognize that at times the right decision may not be the most popular one. Now that I assume my role as a member of City Council, I pledge that I will continue the dialog with you on the issues we discussed in the campaign. In the coming month I will outline for you more specific ideas in each of these areas, and ...Category: The Issues | Read More
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June 30, 2008
A Center For Our Homeless
My good friend Dean Guess from the Rosewood neighborhood emailed me last week to urge my attendance at the June 26 press conference at the Salvation Army Center on Main Street. Dean shared the concerns of thousands in our city that it is now time for Columbia to address the issue of homelessness in a significant and compelling manner.Category: Around Town | Read More
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June 30, 2008
Swearing-In Ceremony Planned for City Council Members
The Swearing-In Ceremony for returning and new City Council members will be held on June 30, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall (1737 Main Street). Elections were held in April 2008 and the term of service begins July 1, 2008.Category: Standard News | Read More
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June 29, 2008
Our Wonderful Congaree River
I recently attended the June 27th announcement of the one-year anniversary of the Congaree River Blue Trails initiative and learned that this great river has received the prestigious federal designation as a National Recreation Trail. We are now on the map of important tourist destinations!Category: Around Town | Read More
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June 27, 2008
Improving Safety in Our Capital City
Public safety is the fundamental responsibility of local government. As your City Council representative, strengthening the Columbia Police Department is my top priority.Category: The Issues | Read More
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June 26, 2008
The city Columbia can become!
What kind of 21st century city will our Columbia become? This is one of the central questions I raised during our recent campaign.Category: The Issues | Read More
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April 1, 2008
Neighborhoods power Gergel to big win
Belinda Gergel was elected to Columbia City Council on Tuesday, offering a resounding victory to neighborhood leaders concerned about developers' influence in downtown growth.Category: Standard News | Read More
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March 31, 2008
Final Columbia City Council election results
Here are the final results from the Columbia City Council election, held April 1. A city-wide referendum was also on the ballot to allow alcohol sales in Columbia on Sundays.Category: Standard News | Read More
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March 21, 2008
The State Paper Endorses Belinda Gergel
Gergel better choice for Columbia City Council District 3Category: Standard News | Read More
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March 12, 2008
Brad Warthen's Blog features Belinda Gergel
When Belinda Gergel was an 18-year-old freshman at Columbia College, she first saw a house that she decided she must live in one day. Now, retired from chairing the history and political science departments at that college, she does.Category: Standard News | Read More