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 Johnston Town Council hears from newly formed "Afro-American Club" at first meeting of 2008 web posted January 15, 2008 JOHNSTON – The first meeting for the Johnston Town Council of 2008 got underway with the first speaker to take the floor being School Board member Mary Alice Jackson to inform the town she and others had joined together to address their concerns with the town. “We’ve organized,” Ms. Jackson said, “and we tried to stay away from black and white,” in the formation of a committee turned club. “But, this is all about our heritage and our culture. So we are naming it the Afro-American Heritage Club.” Ms. Jackson said the club first met in October and had a list of items they want resolved by the town. “Be it resolved,” Ms. Jackson began as she read to the Mayor and Town Council, “for the Town of Johnston to help us with the following resolutions.” First was that the Town of Johnston be responsible for the upkeep of the Nebo Cemetery. Secondly, “to put speed signs on the residential streets in the black neighborhoods,” Jackson said. Stopping the loitering at the old Fairway store came next. In the spring and the summer the group wants to grass on the shoulders of the roads kept cut in addition to keeping the old flour mill cleared and cut. To make sure blacks are included in the town’s heritage and to “do something” about the cars and the loud music in their neighborhoods. Also addressed were street signs that are down or not visible. Ms. Jackson said that they have noticed that when the town sprays for mosquitoes, “well, it’s not consistent, and, well, we want it to be more consistent.” Mayor Willie Campbell said that some of the items Ms. Jackson mentioned were already being addressed. Council frank Nicholson had volunteered to keep the cemetery cut and that Chief Aston and his department has been working to end the loitering. The Mayor said he has also had to call the police about the loud music coming from cars and suggested others call to file complaints. In addressing the remaining concerns Mayor Campbell said the town was “working on it”. Moving on to other business of the meeting the Mayor read a letter that stated the Johnston Jaycees has relinquished their sponsoring of the Peach Blossom Festival to the Johnston Development Board. The date of the festival has also been changed from the first Saturday in April to the first Saturday in May making this year’s festival fall on May 3. There will also be a change in the parade route which will leave Lee Street to Edisto Street open. The parade will still be held on Calhoun Street closing from Jackson Street to Butler Street. This will prevent traffic hazards with visitors having to cross Highway 121 downtown. Debra Aston, the festival co-chair spoke and said that they did want to include Lee and Butler Street in the closing, but that the festival was seeking an additional block to Jackson. Councilman Tommy Burton suggested placing a detour sign on Lee Street directing traffic to Highway 23 at McCreight Street and another on McQueen Street and again at Academy Street. Councilman Morris Holmes suggested looking into moving the festival back to Mims Park. In other business the council voted to place Lloyd Hatfield to an opening on the election committee. Under Old Business Councilman Burton asked if the town could seek cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation to expand the length of the walking track at the Jaycee Park. Councilwoman Tyra Miller said she would also like to see a budget workshop as soon as possible and the council set a date for February 4 at 4 pm for the town council and department heads to get together to set next year’s fiscal budget. Under the Administrator’s Report Olin Gambrell said the Johnson Street CDBG Grant Project was continuing and one house has been slated for work and two more were under consideration. Gambrell also said that bids have been advertised and would be revealed shortly for the remolding of the bathrooms at the Jaycee Ball Park. A new officer has been hired for the Johnston Police Department Mr. Gambrell said and named Douglas Kimball, who will begin duty on January 22. Administrator Gambrell also said the town has put in for a Forestry Commission grant for solid waste that could, if granted, be used to purchase roll out garbage containers. “I’m not making any promises,” Gambrell said. The Municipal Association Insurance is offering a grant to purchase cameras for the Tasers used by the Johnston Police Department. Chief Aston said the department has been using two that have been loaned out to them and the cameras are a very effective tool to justify an officer’s action when being forced to deploy the use of a Taser. Under the Mayor’s report Mayor Campbell said he wanted to thank the town council for their cooperation over the last year and admitted that some decisions have been tough and not always popular. The Mayor said he wanted to thank the citizens for their contributions to the advancements made over the year and looks forward to working with all citizens in 2008. With no other business the meeting was adjourned. ©
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