Speak Out: Do You Want to Live in Birch County?

A group of concerned citizens have placed an ad in a local Irmo newspaper seeking supporters of forming a new county.

The county would be called Birch and the reason for the move is for "freedom from government that taxes too much and listens too little," according to an ad in the New Irmo News. 

The ad states that a group of Lake Murray area residents, which includes Ballentine, Irmo and Chapin, are organizing and that public meetings will be announced.

Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland, recently wrote about this very topic on his website after some of his constituents approached him about the idea. 

Outside of forming Birch County, there's mention of those under Richland County becoming part of Lexington County. 

To become Birch County, Ballentine said it would take one-third of the registered voters in the “new county” to sign a petition, a special election on approval from the Department of Justice. 

To change to Lexington County, it would take 10 percent of registered voters in the “effected area” to sign a petition, a special election (see more) and approval from the Department of Justice. 

What do you think about this idea of forming a new county or joining Lexington County? Tell us in the comments.