By David MeadeWest Pelzer Town Council held a meeting lasting approximately 20 minutes Tuesday. The highlight of the meeting was the swearing-in of a new police chief, Alexis Eliopoulos. Mayor Blake Sanders offered congratulations to the new chief who he said is the first female police chief in Anderson County, and they believe is the youngest in South Carolina history.
Retired Anderson City Police Sergeant Steve Ashley placed pins on Eliopoulos, Mayor Sanders placed the chief badge.
“We are excited about a different outcome for West Pelzer,” Sanders said. “We will continue to focus on traffic and crime, but will have the same mission and vision as Anderson County, which is community relations through community policing.
We have a police chief who is willing to go to the schools, partner with fire and EMS and help change the perception of policing in small towns.”
During the meeting Council approved a recommendation for Quinn Pearson to serve as a new member on the planning commission. The vote was 3-0 with the mayor recused. Councilman Donnie Jeanes was not present.
Council also approved a resolution to add “100” to addresses of residents on West Stewart Street. Sanders said he and Councilwoman Vicki Farmer and residents had concerns about public safety and renaming the streets. The change was coordinated with Anderson County and the Postal Service. Sanders reminded residents about the Dog Days of Summer event which will be held on August 3 and the National Night Out on Aug. 6. The event will follow the council meeting which will include the Grand Gallery. It will include inflatables, food and interaction with fire and police departments.
During her Clerk’s report, Paula Payton reported the planning commission will meet on July 11 and will review the code of ordinances.
West Pelzer will also partner with Anderson County on the 2020 Census and the US Census Bureau is looking for Census Takers in West Pelzer. Anyone interested can apply at 2020census.gov/jobs.
Police report for June: there were twenty eight reports, 15 arrests, and 131 tickets written.
The National Night Out will be held Aug. 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Chapman Park. It is sponsored by the West Pelzer Crime Watch and local businesses, she said.
The public works department completed 17 work orders. Anderson County crews cleared the ditch on Dunlap and Park Street and paving was completed the last week of June.
Payton said the town is working with the Anderson County Treasurer’s Office regarding an abandoned home on Spring Street. Sanitation will run as usual, unless notification is received, even on holidays, she said.
The 2018-19 budget was closed out on June 30 with a net total of $44,049.59 with income of 102.83 percent and expenses of 99.45 percent. Mayor Sanders said basically, the town brought in more money than it spent.
Photo – West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders, Councilwoman Vicki Farmer, Chief Alexis Eliopoulos, Councilman Jim Riddle, Councilman Johnny Rogers. (Not pictured – Councilman Donnie Jeanes)
