By Stan Welch
Anderson County residents will see increases to various millages and fees as a result of the narrow passage of the 2013-2014 budget. The total budget, including the enterprise funds which are supposed to be self sustaining, is approximately $134 million. Of that amount, $60 million is allocated to the general fund for day to day operations.
Kyakers and tubers enjoy an outing on the Saluda River during the Saluda River Rally held over the weekend. The event was centered at the Dolly Cooper Sports Complex in Powdersville and featured 2.6-mile revolving paddle trips from the SC Kayak Fishing Club’s private access in Pickens County to the Dolly Cooper access and other activities.
Rally-goers enjoyed bluegrass music, local outdoor/recreation-based businesses, shuttle service, and food vendors. Sunday’s event featured a single 9-mile paddle from Powdersville to the Saluda River Grill in the Town of Piedmont, with shuttle service back to Powdersville. Luckily most of the participants were off the river when extreme weather hit the area Sunday evening.
By Stan Welch
Anderson County has built an enviable reputation in the last few years for attracting manufacturing and the quality jobs that usually accompany such large capital investments.
The efforts that have led to those investments and jobs have clearly paid off, as the unemployment rate in the county has reached its lowest point since July 2008. Figures released by the county this week show unemployment at 6.8 per cent, down from 8.3 per cent in April of 2012.The percentage of unemployed peaked at 9.2 per cent in June and July of last year.
By Stan Welch
Recent and persistent reports in the local daily newspaper that the County’s lawsuit against Joey Preston has cost $2.8 million have been questioned by members of the Council, who argue that the amount is the total for all litigation during the five years since Preston received his severance package.
By Stan Welch
A long dormant road project involving the Cherokee Road Bridge across US Hwy. 29 got at least a breath of air Monday afternoon, when the Anderson County Council finance committee approved a request to apply for a federal grant. The project was scaled down by the SCDOT last year, when District Seven Councilwoman Cindy Wilson sought to revive it.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a “Church Safety Training” seminar for members of our community churches and religious establishments on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the Anderson Civic Center starting at 8:00 a.m. The training comes from requests from community members that are concerned about the growing number of incursions and attacks on people in church and at church functions.
By Stan Welch
Following a mixed bag of public comments and an extended executive session to receive legal advice, the Anderson County Council voted Thursday (May 9) to “split the baby” represented by the question of whether to appeal a recent unfavorable court ruling in the County’s suit against former administrator Joey Preston.
Faced with the decision of whether to appeal or accept the ruling, which would allow Preston to retain the $1.2 million severance package he was awarded in 2008, as well as awarding Preston several hundred thousand dollars in legal fees, Council found a middle ground; or at least some breathing room.
Following an hour long executive session, the Council voted to authorize the attorneys to file the motion to reconsider, thereby preserving the County’s legal position. They also voted to instruct the County’s attorney to begin exploring possible settlement terms with Preston’s attorneys as well.
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will conduct its 21st annual food drive to combat hunger this Saturday, May 11. Letter carriers will collect non-perishable food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes.
It is the nation’s largest single-day food drive, and is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.
Letter carriers will collect the donations residents leave near their mail boxes, as they deliver mail. People are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing
By Stan Welch
In a decision handed down Friday by Judge Couch of Spartanburg, former Anderson County Administrator Joey Preston prevailed completely in the case of Anderson County’s lawsuit to rescind the $1 million severance package he received in 2008.
On Friday, Judge Couch identified four council members, Ron Wilson, Michael Thompson, Cindy Wilson and Robert Waldrep as having improperly cast votes concerning the severance package.
By Stan Welch
The Anderson County Council Finance Committee, chaired by District Five Councilman Tommy Dunn, voted Tuesday afternoon to recommend approval of the concept of building a commercial building on speculation. The recommendation, which encourages the concept but does not promote any particular site, will be presented to the full council at their next meeting. There are two sites under consideration.
