Page 3 - Classically Carolina 2019
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INSIDE                             Mayor’s Message








 9 / Downtown  Welcome to Camden


 From fine handcrafted
 furniture to sweets galore
 to fragrant flowers, Camden
 is brimming with charm  If ever there is a perfect place to enjoy                opportunities  and  challenges  that
       South  Carolina,  it  is  right  here  in                                  small  communities  face. Through  a
       Camden. Our hometown is laid-back
 36 / People  I lively.  Timeless  and  thriving.                                 variety  of  work  sessions  and  social
                                                                                  gatherings  we  are  pleased  to  have
       and
       We  are  a  vibrant  place  to  eat,  shop,                                the opportunity to showcase Camden
 The arts are thriving at ACKC &                                     live,  work,  and  play,  with  award-  and all it has to offer.
 nationally syndicated editorial                                                                                                     winning  places  to  stay.  We  have
 cartoonist is drawn to Camden  entertainment,  history,  cultural  arts          Another new program which is key
       and education. We have great outdoor                                       to our economic vitality, is our city-
       sports,  waterways  and  signature                                         wide  redevelopment  initiative.  We
 43 / Music  annual events that draw visitors from                                are  partnering  with  some  exciting
       around the country and the world.
                                                                                  developers to help breathe new life
 Classic rock,  blues, classical:   As a Council, we are always focused           into  existing  retail  sites,  transform
                                                                                  and  expand  previously  neglected
 tune in to the sounds of   on  moving  Camden  forward  --                       sites, and bring a boutique hotel to
 Camden  positioning  it  in  the  best  possible                                 our iconic Clock Tower building.
       light by showcasing all the amenities
 56 / Growth  we get to enjoy daily. To that end, our Council and Staff  I am honored to serve as Mayor for the city of Camden
       have  accomplished  some  amazing  transformational  as  we  continue  creating  a  vibrant  community  for  our
       initiatives.                                            residents  and  visitors  alike.  We  are  a  classic  South
 New visitors center complex                                   Carolina destination. Come discover Camden.
 will be hub for history,   This year, the City of Camden serves as Host City for   Alfred Mae Drakeford
       the 2019 National League of Cities Small Cities Council
 tourism and attractions  Conference.  Here, we bring  together mayors and city
       council  members  from  small  towns  around  the  state                                            Mayor
 59 / Events  and  across  the  nation  to  talk  and  learn  about  unique



 Mark your calendar for festivals,
 horse racing, blues, barbecue,
 dog shows & holiday events  Camden City Council


 COVER: Three-time Pulitzer
 Prize finalist, editorial cartoonist
 Robert Ariail shares Camden’s
 magic, paying homage
 to the late Camden
 cartoonist Jak Smyrl,
 known for his action-packed
 and detailed cartoon maps.

           Joanna B. Craig      Deborah H. Davis      Jeffrey R. Graham     Stephen Smoak              City Manager
           Mayor pro tem                                                                               Mel Pearson


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