Local Radar

Edgefield Town Council presents awards at monthly meeting
web posted December 6, 2005

EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield Town Council held their regular December meeting Monday night and started the meeting by congratulating the Strom Thurmond High School Football team for the win in Columbia on Saturday for the AAA State Championship. The Mayor then went on and recognized Sonny and Wanda Seawright for their past, and continued, support of the Heritage Jubilee Festival as Chairperson for the last four years.

Mayor McKie awarded the two with two plaques which read, in part, “in appreciation continued support and devotion to the success of the annual Heritage Jubilee,” one plaque for 2002 – 2004 and the other for 2005. In addition the Mayor presented the Seawrights with mock-ups of the Edgefield Courthouse and the Old Edgefield High School.

Sonny Seawright said, “We could not have done it without the help of the town. The town is what did it for us. It was teamwork and we appreciate it.” Wanda Seawright said, “It was a joy and a privilege to have worked with each and every one of you,” adding that over the years they have made new friends.

The next item of business was a presentation by Piedmont Technical College’s Vice-president for Institutional Advancement, Jim Klauber. Mr. Klauber stated that the college was moving forward with the Center for Creative Economies push to create a pottery “arts incubator” at the Edgefield campus.

The idea behind the project, which should be open for classes in the fall of 2006, is to offer a one year certificate for completion of the classes and also to offer rental space in the building to help the new graduates start businesses of their own. “Spaces would be available, for a nominal cost through the foundation,” Mr. Klauber said explaining that once they were well established they could “spin off” and open their own storefronts in the community.

The presentation came with a request of funding as well in the amount of $50,000 which could be provided by the town in a lump sum or spread out over the next three years, the timetable for paying off the project Mr. Klauber said.

Councilman Bill Jackson asked if the spaces available for rent were just for students or could other individuals have access to the building. Mr. Klauber said that the spaces would be available on a first come first serve basis and priority would be given to recent graduates, “but if all the spaces are not rented we certainly would make them available,” to other prospective renters in the community.

Mayor McKie stated the town would consider the request over the next sixty days and would be in touch with the college. He also asked if there were any “in kind” help that the town could provide. Mr. Klauber said he would look into that and let the town know.

Councilman Ken Durham state, for the record, that prior to Mr. Klauber coming to the Town Council he has, “been working with these guys on cost estimates on buildings,” and other aspects of the project and stated he would not be taking part in the discussions or votes pertaining to the project to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

The next item was a request from the Edgefield Senior Citizens for the use of the Town Gym for December 6 for their Christmas Party. The Mayor stated such requests generally have to be made 30 days in advance but since this is an annual event and the group simply forgot to make the request in time that the council take a special vote to allow the use of the building. The council voted to allow the use of the gym.

The next item was the Administrator’s Report in Which Administrator Gambrell stated the Macedonia Street Grant information should be out later this month and that they have not received any negative information and the grant process “is looking good”.  Mr. Gambrell also stated the town had put in for a grant for the extension of the walking trail at Slade Lake and another grant to enlarge the parking lot of the soccer field parking area.

With no committee reports, new business, and no old business Councilman Durham took the time to say that the streetscape and lights that have been put up looked wonderful, “they really did a good job,” he said. The Mayor agreed and then took a motion and a vote to adjourn the meeting.
 

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