West Pelzer Municipal Clerk Paula Payton was recognized during the West Pelzer Town Council meeting Tuesday for recently achieving the Master Municipal Clerk designation.
City of Greenville Municipal Clerk Camilla Pittman, who also represents the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) – Region 3, presented Payton with a plaque recognizing the achievement. Pittman said the Region 3 organization is the largest in the organization representing South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Payton earned the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) in 2015 and the designation of Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) in 2021.
The Certified Municipal Clerk program is designed to enhance the job performance of clerks in small and large municipalities. To earn the CMC designation, a Municipal Clerk must attend extensive education programs.
Pittman said it takes 120 hours of study to qualify, then 100 more hours to achieve the Certified Municipal Clerk designation, which Payton obtained in 2015.
An additional 180 hours is required to become a Master Municipal Clerk.
“The program encourages growing, learning and continuing to learn,” Pittman said.
Payton thanked Council for their support in allowing her to pursue the designations, Pittman for being an example and her husband for his support. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve the Town of West Pelzer,” she said.
The Town of West Pelzer was also recognized as the first municipality in the upstate Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) region which includes eleven counties, to be awarded the Smoke Free Palmetto State Certificate.
SCDHEC Upstate Region Health Director Kandi Fredere made the presentation. She said DHEC deals with “all things public health” including COVID, chronic disease and numerous other health related issues. One of those issues is tobacco use.
“Years of studies show tobacco use has a negative impact on health,” she said. “West Pelzer has embraced the idea of health, and improving health, by implementing a tobacco policy.”
Fredere presented a plaque to Mayor Blake Sanders recognizing the town’s efforts.
West Pelzer Smoke Free – The Town of West Pelzer was recognized as the first municipality in the Upstate Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) region to be awarded the Smoke Free Palmetto State Certificate. SCDHEC Upstate Region Health Director Kandi Fredere presented a plaque to Mayor Blake Sanders recognizing the town’s efforts. Pictured (L-R) Mayor Blake Sanders, Councilwoman Pat Alexander, SCDHEC Upstate Region Health Director Kandi Fredere, Councilman Johnnie Rogers, Councilman Jim Riddle.
During her clerk presentation to Council, Payton reported there were 15 work orders completed in the month of November. She reminded that ReWa rates will increase with the February billing. Residential rates will increase from a base of $12 to $12.38 and the minimum rate will increase from $5.86 per 1000 gallons to $6.27 per 1000 gallons.
Commercial rates will increase from a base of $12 to $12.38 and minimum from $5.57/1000g to $5.96/1000g.
Police Chief Scott Stoller reported the department wrote up twenty reports. There were three arrests: one driving under suspension, one shoplifting and resisting arrest and another for shoplifting. Stoller said one search warrant was issued in connection with the Greenville Bank robbery arrest. WPPD had twenty tickets written and 16 warnings.
Chief Stoller said new stop signs have been installed at Holiday and Marguerite Streets.
“We are seeing good compliance with the three-way stop,” he said. Stoller said to allow people time to get used to the new stops being there, the police department is currently only issuing warnings for people who disregard it. He said regular enforcement will begin Dec. 18. Stoller said in addition to the stop signs, there are painted stop lines, orange flags installed and advanced warning sign, “all to improve motorist awareness and safety”.
Council, absent Councilwoman Vickie Farmer, unanimously approved meeting dates for 2022 beginning with a change to the second Tuesday of each month. The January meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 11. The rest of the year meetings will be held Feb. 8, Mar. 8, Apr. 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13. Planning Commission meetings will be Feb. 15, May 17, Aug. 16 and Nov 15 for mandatory training.
Mayor Sanders thanked Councilwoman Pat Alexander for coordinating the Christmas parade which had more than 30 entries. He also thanked Councilman Jim Riddle and his wife Sue for placing decorations in town.
Sanders acknowledged that news reporter Stan Welch, who covered West Pelzer for The Journal for many years, had recently passed away.
He also announced that newly elected council member Jeff Lee and returning incumbent Johnny Rogers will be sworn in at the January 7 meeting of Council.
