During their meeting Tuesday, West Pelzer Town Council authorized the purchase of a new police vehicle and an $8000 PARD grant made available through the Anderson County Legislative Delegation.
West Pelzer Police Chief Alexis Eliopoulos recognized officers Scott Stoller and Ryan Morro who received promotions recently. Sergeant Stoller was promoted to Lieutenant and Morro was promoted to Sergeant. Both received badges for their new positions during the recognition. (Pictured l-r) Lieutenant Scott Stoller, Sergeant Ryan Morro, Chief Alexis Eliopoulos)
West Pelzer Town Clerk Paula Payton announced the planning commission will meet Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. to review the Code of Ordinances.
Crime Stats for July include 24 reports, 14 arrests, 129 tickets written and 53 warnings.
Twenty-one work orders were completed by the public works department. There has been a property status change requested from Anderson County on a property on Spring Street. The town will also proceed with clearing the property and fees will be added to the 2019 tax bill, Payton said.
In citizens comments, Gary Alexander mentioned that a sign at a local business was causing a safety hazard.
Council approved a resolution to recognize AED awareness and allocated $500 to help purchase an AED device for the West Pelzer Fire Department. The allocation was approved 3-0. Councilmembers Vickie Farmer and Donnie Jeanes were not present.
Council also approved a resolution to accept an $8000 PARD grant provided through the Anderson County Legislative Delegation with help of Sen. Mike Gambrell and Dist. 9 Rep. Anne Thayer. The grant requires matching funds from the town and will be used for a cleanup project on the old town hall jail located behind Chapman Park. Local Boy Scout troops will help with the project, according to Mayor Blake Sanders. “We will put that money to good use,” Sanders said.
Council also amended the budget and approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of a new police vehicle. The town budgeted $50,000 for the purchase of a 2019 Dodge Charger police cruiser.
Upcoming events include a Farm Fest on Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Mile Long Yard Sale on Oct. 5 and Westy’s Fall Vintage Market on October 19.
Following the meeting, Artist, Designer and Educator David Gerhard talked about his background and art which is currently on exhibit in the town’s GRAND GALLERY. Gerhard also talked about the South Carolina Governor’s School where he serves as Visual Arts Department Chair at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities, a residential high school for the arts. He teaches Senior Drawing, Graphic Design, and AP Art History. He also teaches in the Art Department at Clemson University.
Gerhard said his drawings stem from his daily experience as a dad and a teacher focusing on taking quiet moments of observation in a distracted world. He said his work draws on the “nonfiction” in graphic design and “poetry” in drawing. “Poetry feeds the soul,” he said.
Gerhard said there is a balance in his drawings which are “figurative” and “about people”.
He explained the drawing and teaching process for many of the drawings on display which included a variety of processes with charcoal, lithograph, blind contour drawing and digital arts including one which is screen print altered with digital.
Gerhard’s drawings will be on display in the GRAND GALLERY at town hall through September 20th by appointment during regular business hours. Visit www.westpelzer.com or contact the West Pelzer Municipal Center at 864.947.6297 for information.
A National Night out event was also held following the Town Council meeting. The event included music, informative displays, inflatables, food and interaction with fire and police departments. There was a tug of war between the West Pelzer Fire Department and Law Enforcement and the fire department demonstrated techniques they use to free victims from a wrecked vehicle. Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride, Lt. David Baker – Director of the Emergency Management Division, deputies from the Sheriff’s department, House Dist. 9 Rep. Anne Thayer and Miss Piedmont Teen Piper Holt were among those at the event.
