By Stan Welch
County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson will be honored for more than a decade of public service at a reception hosted by the Anderson County Republican Women (ACRW) on March 4. The reception is intended to acknowledge Ms. Wilson’s twelve years of service on the Anderson County Council, and to the Republican Party, said Debbie Gerwe, president of the ACRW.
By Stan Welch
A proposed partnership between the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and Anderson University led to some unusual circumstances at Monday night’s County Council meeting. The proposal, which would establish the county’s emergency operations center on the second floor of a building owned by the University, and also establish that center as the centerpiece for the proposed Excellence in Law Enforcement training facility, was both heavily opposed and adamantly defended.
By Stan Welch
Coyotes, cougars and cops were the subjects of discussion at Tuesday’s meeting of Anderson County Council. At the request of District Seven Councilwoman Cindy Wilson, information concerning the control and disposal of coyotes was presented by County Staffer Steve Newton, who said that two weeks ago, all he knew about coyotes was that they aren’t very good at catching roadrunners.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Office CATCH (Criminal Apprehension Through Community Help) Team K-9 Unit recently completed certification courses held by the APCA (American Police Canine Association). Each of the five K-9’s and their handlers completed the courses successfully.
Anderson County performed well in capturing South Carolina travel expenditures according to the 2010 U.S. Travel Association’s “The Economic Impact of Travel on South Carolina Counties.”
The study, which provides preliminary 2010 estimates of domestic traveler expenditures in SC, as well as the employment, payroll income, and state and local tax revenue directly generated by these expenditures, was prepared for the SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism by the U.S. Travel Association.
By Stan Welch
After weeks of observing secrecy, symbolized by the naming of a potential economic development project as “Project Cougar,” the company considering the investment let the cat out of the bag. Michelin, Inc. ran public notice of a public hearing on the proposal in the local daily paper, effectively removing any need for secrecy. The company, which currently employs more than 700 people at two facilities in Anderson County, is contemplating building two more facilities, which might employ as many as another three hundred people and involve a capital investment of more than $500 million.
Anderson County has received approval from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for the County’s recently submitted redistricting plan. District lines are reviewed every 10 years to make sure voting districts accurately reflect the population dispersion. The 2010 Census figures show Anderson County has a population of 187,126, with significant growth taking place in the Powdersville and Piedmont communities.
By David Meade
Anderson County Chief Engineer Judy Shelato presented information to the District One School Board about the Wren Schools Safe Routes to School Project the District and County are working on. During the board meeting Tuesday, Shelato said Phase II of the project will include a number of intersection and road improvements, primarily on LaRoache Drive and will complete sidewalk facilities interconnecting the Wren Primary, Middle and High Schools. Congestion on LaRoache Drive will be addressed by widening from the entrance to the Freshman Academy to Wren School Rd. and a turning lane will be added.
By Stan Welch
Anderson County officials are still waiting to receive final approval of its proposal for redrawing the County Council districts. County administrator Rusty Burns describes that approval as “imminent”. “We are anticipating no changes in our preliminary submission to the Department of Justice and should have final approval of the new District boundaries by February 5. As soon as that approval is final, we will of course make that information available to the public.
