By David Meade
During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council approved several requests for upcoming events and heard details on a Spring photography contest.
Council unanimously approved a request to hold an event in Mineral Spring Park. The Praise in the Park event will be held on Sunday May 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include worship music and sermon, worship, games and activities for children and free food and beverages.
Council unanimously approved a request by the Palmetto Business Association (Former Greater Williamston Business Association) for $6500 in funding for two Party in the Park events.
PBA president Mike Simpson requested the funding for entertainment for the series which includes their first event on May 21 and a second to be announced for the last week of July or first week of August. The event includes free entertainment and inflatables for kids. Food and drinks will also be available.
Council amended the agenda to consider a request by a girl scouts group to use the Municipal Center auditorium on Apr. 21. The request, which was emailed to the town on Monday, was approved though there were some questions. Mayor Durham recommended approval of the request, waiving charges, pending the group serves local children. The town recently approved new guidelines and fees for use of town facilities.
Council approved second reading on a property transfer at 208 West Main St.
Council also unanimously approved second reading adopting the Community Master Plan as an ordinance.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Sonya Crandall reported that the program announced a Williamston in Focus photography contest beginning this week. The contest will run through May 10. Participants in the contest can submit photos celebrating local historic, cultural, recreational and economic assets, she said.
There are four categories, Williamston events, landmarks, businesses/organizations and people.
Additional details are available on the new EW website at www.envisionwilliamston.com
According to Crandall, Envision Williamston will soon have an events poster and cards available to promote upcoming events.
Crandall reported the EW Board recently held a retreat at the Career and Technology Center where they revised the program vision and mission statement and heard presentations on Main Street South Carolina and Williamston’s new Community Master Plan.
Council approved a resolution in support of an automated meter reader project. (See separate story)
During public comments, Pamela Owens addressed several topics. Owens pointed out a problem on Minor Street where the road is giving due to a culvert washout. She asked about cameras for the Gray Drive park and moving a picnic table due to vandalism and other problems at the park
Local celebrity and National Karate Champion Gregory Rowe was recognized by council.
Rowe is the 2015 Southeast Karate Alliance Champion and currently leads in points for the North America Sport Karate Association.
His next fight is Apr. 23 at the Anderson Recreation Center and then he will compete in the Gator National in Tampa FL, to extend his points for the 2016 National Title.
