West Pelzer planning for election, events

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By Stan Welch

West Pelzer Town Council met Tuesday night, and filled two vacancies on the election commission, in advance of the upcoming November elections and the opening of filing for candidates in a special town election later this year. They also discussed ideas for several events.

Jim Riddle, chairman of the municipal election commission recommended Pat Alexander and Pat Black to fill the seats, and Mayor Peggy Paxton made the motion to accept that recommendation. The Council, reduced to a bare quorum by the absence of Councilman Blake Sanders and the recent resignation of Robert Alexander, unanimously approved the choices.

Mayor Paxton reminded everyone that the twelfth annual Fall Festival is scheduled for Halloween, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. She asked for volunteers to assist with the event. Jim Riddle was also on hand to present his ideas about bringing a musical event to Chapman Park, but conceded that the time frame to do so this year has probably become to tight to work with. “Most of the bands I have contacted are already booked, and to try and throw this together is not the way to go,” Riddle said. “The more successful the first one is, the better the next one comes together.”

Mayor Paxton agreed, and added that there are legal and liability issues to be considered if the town is going to sponsor such an event. She and Riddle, along with the rest of the Council, supported the idea of staging such an event once every three months or so. Riddle said that most of the bands he had contacted would require in the neighborhood of $500 to perform for an hour or two.

Mayor Paxton suggested that a meeting be held to begin organizing the event in January.

Councilman Jimmy Jeanes spoke about the repairs needed on the town hall, and expressed his preference for vinyl soffits instead of repairing and painting the existing ones. “It might cost a little more up front, but it will save money over time,” said Jeanes. Town Clerk Paula Payton was instructed to get several quotes on the possible cost for Council to consider.

Jeanes also repeated his concerns about an odor problem with one of the town’s sewer lift stations. Paxton said that there is a meeting scheduled with the Rural Development Authority, or RDA, Thursday. Once that is done, I think we’ll have a much clearer picture of the whole situation.”

The West Pelzer Crime Watch organization is having a community yard sale Saturday, October 18th at the WPFD. The funds raised will be used to purchase crime watch signs to be installed around town. Anyone with items they would donate can bring them, with prices attached, to the fire department the day of the sale, or contact the various crime watch captains, Justin Emory (934-7999). Joni Holt (630-9447) or Johnny Rogers (934-9789).

During the yard sale, Hey Bo Sassy Sow will be selling a special Crime Watch meal at the BBQ concession on Main Street. One dollar of the five dollar cost of a meal will go to the organization, owner Jim Riddle said.

T & D food vendors will be at the sale and will also donate ten per cent of their sales to the group. The sale will start at 8 a.m. Saturday and go until the goods are sold.