Code Enforcement in Batesburg-Leesville: A Call for Accountability and Reform

As a local physician, community activist, and CEO of Veritas Health Group—which owns and operates urgent care clinics and MedSpas in Lexington County—I have deep roots in this region. Living and working here has given me the privilege of treating countless patients from Batesburg-Leesville, including small business owners who contribute to the town's vibrant economy. Drawn by its close proximity to Lexington and its untapped potential for growth, I decided to invest in commercial real estate there. Over the years, I've acquired properties like the old Hardee's restaurant and historic landmarks such as Garber's Department Store. When I purchased them, these buildings had been abandoned for years—vacant eyesores in desperate need of significant rehabilitation to revitalize the community.

My efforts to restore these properties began innocently enough: cleaning the interiors in preparation for renovations. However, this quickly led to frequent, unannounced visits from code enforcement officers—first Al Wilson, and later Scott Perry, the town's sole code enforcement officers consequently. These agents repeatedly entered my properties without consent, despite clear warnings from me and my associates not to do so. 

Frustrated by these unwanted entries, I filed a police report with the Batesburg-Leesville Police Department against the code enforcement office. No action was taken. Instead, the situation escalated: Code enforcement returned with four additional police officers to my property in the Batesburg Historic Business District, forcing my associate to leave and issuing a citation exceeding $1,000. These unpleasant encounters, coupled with what appeared to be targeted harassment—particularly toward minorities like myself in the town—prompted me to dig deeper into the issue.

My research uncovered something scandalous. South Carolina law, specifically the Building Codes Enforcement Officers Registration Act passed in 1997, mandates that all code enforcement officers be trained, licensed, and registered with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). This requirement ensures that officers are qualified to enforce building codes safely and fairly, protecting public welfare. Shockingly, my findings indicate that Batesburg-Leesville's code enforcement officer is not licensed in the state. In fact, it appears the town has never employed a licensed code enforcement officer since the law's enactment in 1997, in blatant violation of state statutes.

I brought this to the attention of Mayor Lancer Shull and Town Manager Jason Hendrix, urging them to dismiss the unlicensed officer and address the problem. Regrettably, they refused to act. In light of this, all code violation tickets and warnings issued over the past 28 years may be invalid, exposing the Town of Batesburg-Leesville to enormous legal liability. This isn't just an administrative oversight—it's a dangerous situation where the town has operated without a qualified enforcer to ensure compliance with adopted building codes, potentially endangering residents and property owners alike.

It's time for government regulators to investigate and take decisive action. Batesburg-Leesville deserves better: transparent, lawful code enforcement that supports growth rather than stifles it through unauthorized intrusions and unchecked authority. As an investor and community member, I remain committed to the town's prosperity, but true progress requires accountability from our leaders. Let's correct this longstanding issue before it causes irreparable harm.