Local Radar

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State, local officials gather for Intergovernmental meeting

web posted January 30, 2007

JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County Council hosted the annual Intergovernmental meeting Monday night at the Johnston Sertoma Club with local elected and appointed officials on hand from the county and three towns. State Representative Bill Clyburn and Sen. Tommy Moore rounded out the legislative delegation.

The meetings are designed for town, county, state, and federal officials to network and, to an extent, brag on the accomplishments made by the towns and county in the past year along with plans for the coming year. After dining on a catered Bar-B-Que dinner Edgefield County Councilman began the meeting by introducing the new County Administrator, John Pettigrew.

While standing Mr. Kneece pointed out that today was Mr. Pettigrew’s birthday.

Among the many officials speaking was Edgefield County School Superintendent Dr. Sharon Keesley who covered the many awards and recognitions the district schools achieved in the past year. Last year Strom Thurmond students were awarded $1,904,507 in academic scholarships and $292,000 in athletic scholarships. STH Career Center was awarded the Palmetto Gold recognition for student achievement and Douglas Elementary and Merriwether Elementary were the Palmetto Silver award.

South Carolina State Senator Tommy Moore (left) addressed the attendees on several issues from the state legislative side pointing out that the budget was currently in review and that always draws a lot of attention. “There’s always talk about pork,” Sen. Moore said, “If you’re trying to do something for Trenton, I don’t consider that pork. If we’re trying to do something for the water district... or the council on aging, or Oakley Park or you name it. But those that want to call it pork, have fun, have a good time.”

Sen. Moore pointed out there is a lot of discussion on cigarette tax increases. “I have supported cigarette tax increases and will continue to do that.”

Moore also spoke briefly on the restructuring of government and the changes of electing or appointing some constitutional officers. Sen. Moore said of the seven that came before the Senate only one gathered the needed 31 votes.

State Representative Bill Clyburn (Left) also spoke on the restructuring of making some offices cabinet level appointed positions saying the debate would be a priority issue this year. Rep. Clyburn also stated he supported the increase in cigarette taxes.

The educational reform “is not over yet,” Rep. Clyburn said adding that there was still a lot of debate on “the choice of schools” and said he support parents choosing the school their child attends “as long as it is in the public system or the money stays in the public school.”

Tax reform, he said, was also a priority for this year’s congressional hearing as will workman’s compensation reform, as long as it did not harm employers. Other issues to be addressed was a bill Rep. Clyburn was submitting addressing parents smoking in cars with preschool age children and requiring parents to attend an “orientation” each year at the schools where their children attend.

Trenton Mayor, Helen Summers spoke on the impact of CMC leaving and the recent arrival of Trenton Plastics, which is providing some 60 jobs and is set to add around 20 more in the near future with a proposed expansion of the facility.

Johnston Mayor Willie Campbell touched briefly on some of the projects such as the Sawyer Ally project, twenty years in the making, and a new $500,000 grant for improvements on Johnson Street. Mayor Campbell said his main directive was to“improve the quality of life for all citizens.”

Edgefield Mayor Ken Durham said he was very proud of the direction the Town of Edgefield has been taking over the past few years and spoke about some of the grants received and those the town are working on, such as expanding the walking trail if a needed grant is received. Mayor Durham also lauded the local businesses that came together for the Heritage  Holiday which directed advertising Edgefield Merchants. The Mayor also reminded everyone that SC ETV would be featuring Edgefield County in an upcoming “Roadshow” production that would be filmed in May around the county.

Among other who addressed the meeting were Chamber of Commerce Administrator Donna Livingston, Fred Humes of the Economic Development, Bettis Rainsford for the County Economic Partnership, Edgefield County Planning Commission Chairman Fab Burt, Transportation Chairman Sam Crouch Jr., Chief Magistrate Davis Parkman, and Richard Shafer of the County Water Authority.

County Administrator John Pettigrew took time to mention all the department heads in attendance and thanked everyone for their support and their future support in moving the county forward. With no other guest speakers the meeting was adjourned.
 
 
 

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