|
Featured Sections Headlines Opinion Obituaries Sports Crime Blotter Happenings Country Cooking Wandering Minds Classifieds Birthdays On The Record Church Listings Archives Featured Columns Pastor Howle Editor's Column Registered Sex Offenders for Edgefield County Contact us Contact Info Phone: 803-634-0964 day 803-279-5041 eve 803-279-8943 fax Mail to EdgefieldDaily.com PO Box 972 Edgefield SC 29824 Archived Columns Carl Langley Wise Tech Tips Dr. Skip Myers School System EC District Office School Board Strom Thurmond Charter Schools Fox Creek Private Schools Wardlaw Academy Public Offices Edgefield County Edgefield Johnston Trenton Political State and Federal Legislative Contacts Local Political Parties Republican Party Democrat Party Rep Women of EC Chamber of Commerce Edgefield County Chamber Historical Edgefield Genealogical Society News links The Citizen News The Jail Report Aiken Standard North Augusta Star The State Augusta Chronicle Atlanta Journal United Press Associated Press FOX News Reuters CNS News WorldNet Daily Newsmax Drudge Report GoogleNews Yahoo!News New York Times New York Post Los Angeles Times Washington Times Washington Post |
  Johnston Town Council Addresses Assorted Issues By Anne Waits web posted October 10, 2012 JOHNSTON – In the regularly scheduled Johnston Town Council meeting Monday night, few new items were addressed but ongoing discussions were held on several old items of business. During the public comments section of the meeting, Lucky Davis spoke to Council about the large cedar tree in front of Johnston Elementary School. Davis said the tree was obstructing the view and she would like to see it moved somewhere else. She was informed that the Town was already aware of the matter and had plans to use the tree to decorate elsewhere. This was followed by approval of the Sept. 10 Minutes and the September Financial Report, A question was asked about the excess amount under "miscellaneous" in the financial report, and the mayor answered that it was due to the Municipal Association's Insurance Fund. After it went out of business and after paying out claims, the remainder was divided with the Town and this accounted for the excess. Several new names were added to the Peach Exchange Committee appointments. The list now includes: Annette Holloway, Artie Emanuel, John Edwards Jr., Kay Campbell, Darlene Smith and Donna Livingston. Police Chief Chris Aston gave an update on the new police radar sign. He said that although some modifications had to be made, the sign was programmed and working properly. The mayor gave an update and a discussion followed on moving the Waterworks Park. At the last meeting, he had said he would find out who the adjacent property belongs to. The Town owns two small sections where they plan on putting it and it was discussed that the owners of the adjacent property may want to donate. He said he now has the names and will will write a letter. Council agreed that a children's park is a high priority. Councilman Tommie Burton stated that he had talked to neighbors and the consensus was for a children's park. Councilman Terrence Culbreath gave a report on the Website update. He stated that that the update is on the way, The research has been done and someone is working on it. Under old business, Mayor Andy Livingston brought up a request by Women in Unity that was mentioned at the last meeting. The organization has recently had some property on Lanier Road given to them and they would like to make a meeting place out of it. However, they do not have the funds or manpower to go in and clean up the property. They asked if the Town could help. "I really don't know how we can help," said Mayor Livingston. "The Town cannot go on private property to help." Council discussed it and came to the conclusion they could inquire around and see if people wanted to help clean up the property. Under new business, the Johnston Development Association had asked if the Town wanted to participate in putting a clock on the mural. He showed a drawing of the clock they are considering. "The clock could cost as much as $8,000, and by partnering with them, the Town could do up to $4,000," said the mayor. He mentioned that they could use money from the hospitality fund, which is money set aside for tourism, recreation, economic development and such. Concilman Culbreath said he would like to wait. Councilman Burton said he was not against the project if they could use money from the hospitality fund. The mayor said someone else was supposed to give a bid on the clock other than the one company. After discussing it more, Council agreed to wait and check further. Under police committee reports, CouncilwomanTyra Miller brought up that $75 stipends are available for police officers to purchase new boots, with the option to go up to $125, with the understanding that the offers will pay the difference if the cost exceeds that amount. "Of course, they could not go up to $125 every year, but some of them would not need new boots every year," she said. Chief Aston agreed that some of them purchase the expensive boots and they last several years. Miller said it was just something to think about. Under fire department reports, Councilman Burton mentioned that the fire department has been really busy lately and the mayor mentioned that he has applied for a forestry grant for the fire department that would be a 50/50 match. There was much discussion on the matter of the Town picking up roadside debris from people's yards. This is an ongoing issue brought up this time by Councilman Tommy Stone. The ordinance states that the Town will pick up normal yard rake from properties put there by the owners, but if contractors do the work, the contractor is responsible for hauling off the debris. Councilwoman Miller said they all know it has not been that way for a long time and in respect for older people who have to hire contractors to do the work and pay them more, the Town needs to rewrite the Ordinance. "Common sense tells you that," she said. They agreed and will put it on the agenda for the next meeting. The mayor reminded Council that flu shots are available at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday from 9 - 12. They are free to Town employees and the fee has been paid by the Town. The mayor also mentioned that he had received a call from a citizen about the overgrown condition of Mt. of Olives Cemetery. Although the Town owned the property at one time, all the plots have been sold and the owners of the plots are responsible for the clean-up. The mayor recommended that a committee be formed to establish a Friends of the Cemetery. In regard to the proposed redoing of the Streetscape on Calhoun Street, the mayor said one company has recommended putting in new trees and shrubbery to replace the ones that have died. They are expecting another company's recommendation and the mayor will bring it to Council when he receives it. The mayor announced that the Town has set aside the hours of 6 to 8:30 p.m. for Trick or Treating for Halloween. © Copyright 2012 All material is property of
Edgefield Daily and/or parent company ECL and
cannot be reproduced,
rewritten or
redistributed without expressed written permission.
|
NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section WEBNEWS – Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. Help create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts! Send in your submissions here. |
