Pelzer Council oks Veterans memorial

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In their July 12 meeting, Pelzer Town Council decided to proceed with allowing a Veterans Memorial on property at the Pelzer Monkey Park area and discussed annexation issues with interested citizens. Dianne Lollis, of the Pelzer Heritage Commission, asked the council if the group could proceed with a request to place a monument honoring Pelzer veterans of all wars.

Lollis had presented a proposal at a previous meeting which included a memorial and other improvements including landscaping and a small amphitheater on the property fronting Hwy. 20.

After some discussion on the memorial location and a promise that the Heritage Commission will raise the necessary funds, Council acted on a motion by Councilman Tony Riddle to allow the group to proceed.

There was also considerable discussion about vandalism in the Monkey Park and how to deal with it.

The town and the Heritage Commission are considering placing security cameras in the area to help curb the problem.

During public comments, a resident who recently made a request for annexation of property by the town spoke.

Gilbert Garrett was told at the last council meeting that attorney fees and survey to annex his property would cost about $2500.

Garrett said that he had done additional research into the annexation process and was told that having a survey and other costs was not necessary.

Garrett said the MAC officials and others told him that having a deed and plat and making a request to the town was 98 percent of what is needed. Some additional paperwork for the proper departments would be necessary, however he said he would research that and find out exactly what is required.

Garett said that the annexation process is a “learning process” for him and others.

Mayor Steve McGregor said that it was a learning process for the town also.

During the discusssion, six people who attended a meeting on Thursday in which crime in Pelzer and annexation were discussed, said that they would work with the town and were supportive of town officials.

McGregor said the town wanted to find out who is interested in becoming a part of the town and what is involved.

“We are trying to generate interest and get people interested,” he said. “Council is open to that.”