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Shop Owner Frustrated; Says County Should Maintain Ditch Near Her Store

"It's out of my control now," says Sandra Chastain, flower shop owner who has been fighting to get a ditch repaired by Richland County.

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Sandra Chastain says she's tired of wondering who can maintain a ditch that sits next to her flower shop.

She's owned Chaistain's Florist for eight years and worked to get help from Richland County on taking care of the ditch.

"We were told that there was an easement on the ditch and that we would have to pay taxes on it, but the county would be responsible for keeping it cleaned and maintenance," says Chastain.

However, she says that hasn't been the case. Instead, she's been responsible for the up-keep. She says recently someone from the county finally came out to inspect the ditch after her repeated calls and complaints.

"The guy that came out a couple weeks ago said 'our hands are tied, there's nothing we can do for you,'" says Chastain.

So, she called a private company to come out and address the falling tree limbs and overgrowth, but they couldn't get their equipment down there and said they didn't want to make the situation worse.

"The problem is, it's so deep that you can't get anything back here to keep it maintenanced."

Over the years, Chastain has had issues with people dumping trash and even living down in the ditch.

While she pays more than $3,300 in property taxes, her concern is future flooding and damage that could be caused by fallen trees.

"It's beyond my control now," says Chastain. "I cannot continue to maintenance it, as big as it is. I just need some people on my side about this."

News 19 reached out to the Richland County Ombudsman's office for help. We were told that the county maintains ditches on properties unless certain circumstances exist. As for what those circumstances are, we were told to contact the county's Public Information Office. We did and were told that they are checking on those answers.

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