Looking Back at 2023 –
Area residents entered 2023 with hopes of a Happy New Year and the opportunities it brings.
January
Jan. 4 – The Anderson County Coroner’s Office reported two deaths related to cold weather associated with Winter Storm Elliot. One man died on Christmas eve due to power failure at his residence. According to reports, the victim was attempting to prepare his portable oxygen device when he collapsed. A second death occurred when the victim, age 91, went outside his residence to attempt a repair a broken water pipe. The victim was found wet and had been exposed to extreme temperatures throughout the night. The death was ruled accidental due to cold environmental exposure.
Jan. 11 – Former Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor was presented a plaque recognizing his service to the Town.
Pelzer Town Council approved a new fee schedule and heard updates on property purchases and legal issues. The Duke Energy Franchise Fee was increased from 3 percent to 5 percent to pay for additional streetlights. The new Planning Commission recommended a fee schedule for new construction and development in Pelzer. Donna Ide was elected Mayor Pro Tempore.
The Anderson County Coroner’s office investigated a motor vehicle crash in Anderson involving a waste removal truck that resulted in one person’s death. Anderson County Deputy Coroner Ty Blackwell identified the victim as Dennis Maxwell Beeman, Sr., 60, of Piedmont.
West Pelzer Town Council approved rezoning property on Woodcock Road to allow construction of residential townhomes and approved a resolution to accept a $20,000 PARD grant for Chapman Park.
West Pelzer’s new municipal judge Stephen Turner was sworn in for a four year term.
Williamston Town Council recognized holiday contest winners and approved a Mutual Aid agreement with the City of Belton. Councilman Chris Alexander was elected Mayor Pro Tempore.
Jan. 18 – Anderson County Council denied a zoning request that would have allowed a 360 unit apartment and commercial development between Liberty Highway and Hwy. 76, agreed to sell the Iva library property to School District 3 and approved a zoning change request in the Williamston area.
The Piedmont Historical and Preservation Society was awarded “Best-Themed Tree” as part of the Duke Energy World of Energy’s 10th Festival of Trees display and public voting contest.
Meritus Signature Homes of Anderson is working with the Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC)on a new Pelzer Veterans Memorial. The design includes a section to honor all Veterans and a Ring of Honor to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The memorial will be at Murray St. on the lower mill property owned by PHC.
Jan. 25 – Hannah Hoover, 2022-2023 Cadet Corps Commander in the Palmetto High School AFJROTC program, was selected to receive a J-100 Character-in-Leadership Scholarship.
The Piedmont Historical Preservation Society partnered with the Piedmont Public Service District for the first program of 2023. Chief Tracy Wallace provided a brief history of the Piedmont Fire Department and the Piedmont Public Service District.
The Woodmont High School Athletic Hall of Fame honored three new inductees to their Athletic Hall of Fame. Honorees included Sydney Tracy (Class of 2011), Fred Cook (Class of 1990), and Larry Sullivan (class of 1970).
The Anderson School District One Board approved funding for a new website service, network engineering services and approved a three year contract for Superintendent Robbie Binnicker. A resident of the District expressed concerns about CRT (Critical Race Theory) being introduced through two programs, “Leader in Me” and CASEL, being used in District One schools. She said the programs could be a “Trojan horse for a bigger agenda.”
FEBRUARY
Feb. 1 – Anderson County Council members Cindy Wilson (District 7) and Brett Sanders (District 4) were selected to serve a two year term on the Appalachian Council of Governments Board of Directors.
Feb. 8 – Anderson County Council recognized the Public Works Division, heard an update on Countywide EMS and heard concerns about a warehouse development on Long Road. Council recognized Emily DeRoberts on her retirement from Duke Energy and recognized Collin Smith and Brady Kimbrell for winning the 2022 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship held on Lake Hartwell.
Mike Strange, store manager of the Food Lion in Pelzer, was named a Food Lion Divisional Store Manager of the Year. Strange was one of just five Food Lion store managers to be named a Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager Excellence Award Division Winner.
Medshore, several QRVs, West Pelzer firefighters, and nearly a dozen deputies responded to a shooting in which a teenager suffered a gunshot wound and was flown to Prisma Health by MedTrans 1 helicopter. A 16-year-old juvenile was charged with Assault and Battery High and Aggravated and was taken to Columbia under DJJ custody.
The Williamston Police Department and Anderson School District One officials investigated a stabbing incident that happened on a District One school bus. Officers responded to a complaint of an altercation between two female students on a school bus at Brock Lane in Williamston. During the altercation, one student was cut on her hand with a pair of scissors. This injury was not life threatening.
The Williamston Police Department hosted vital law enforcement training attended by law enforcement agencies across the state. The United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association provided training in Active Shooter Response and Tactical Entry. Thirty-seven officers received the “no cost” training.
Feb. 15 – South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond announced the seizure of over $15 million in counterfeit merchandise from Kirk’s Collectibles at the Anderson Mall. The joint operation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Secretary of State’s Office. No arrests were made, but the investigation remained ongoing. Items seized included counterfeit Super Bowl rings, championship rings for the (NBA), (MLB) (NHL), and the (NCAA). Several rings and other items bearing the logos of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina were also seized. If the counterfeit items seized were legitimate, the value would have totaled $15,726,590.00.
Town of Williamston employees worked to remove a large tree that fell on North Academy St. as strong winds came through the Upstate. The tree took out several utility poles causing a power outage in the area including the traffic lights at the busy intersection of West Main (Hwy. 20).
Pelzer Town Council approved second reading on an increase in the Duke Energy franchise fee, approved new Planning and Development fees and held first reading on a new business license ordinance.
Williamston Town Council approved the annexation of property at the Career Center, a list of roads for paving, two contracts for sewer system repairs and a resolution authorizing the Acceptance of SC Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) Loan Assistance Monies.
Mayor Rockey Burgess said the Town received a RIA loan/grant of approximately $200,000 for repairs to the Town’s sewer effluent line on Big Creek.
The Wren High School Athletic Department announced the selection of Anthony Frate as the new Varsity Head Football Coach. Frate previously served as the Defensive Coordinator during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Feb. 22 – The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Anderson County Coroner’s Office investigated an apparent drive-by shooting incident that happened in the 100 block of Willingham Road in Belton which resulted in the death of a teenager. The victim, Elijah Delbert Allen Sergent, 14, Belton was inside the residence and was struck by a bullet fired from outside the residence.
Food Lion in Pelzer held a Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon cutting offering shoppers an expanded variety of new products and services and an easier shopping experience. The Pelzer re-opening was one of 8 Upstate stores celebrating a remodel along with expanded products and services.
West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders said his attendance of the Mayor Riley Design Fellowship in 2018 had shown results for the town including a thirty percent increase in revenue vs. expenditures and new businesses. He said it was the leadership of staff and council working with him to make things happen that produced the results.
MARCH
Mar. 1 – Anderson County Council and AIM, an Anderson-based nonprofit human services organization, joined forces to assist qualified homeowners with needed housing repairs.
The Anderson School District One Board recognized the 3A State Champion Wren High School Volleyball team and Coach, students who had perfect SC Ready science scores and authorized the Superintendent to negotiate land purchases for a new elementary school. New Wren High Head Football Coach Anthony Frate was introduced as was Stan Yarborough, who was named Athletic Director at Wren High,
Envision Williamston along with Piedmont Post-Acute and the Palmetto Business Association hosted a Be Mine Bingo that was well attended and enjoyed.
Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC) Vice President Larry Coker met with representatives of Upstate Warriors, Vets Helping Vets, Palmetto High AFJROTC and local Veterans to share information and receive input on a new Veterans Memorial. PHC plans to sell memorial bricks that will be used as part of the memorial.
Mar. 8 – The South Carolina EMS Association, in partnership with the South Carolina EMS Network, awarded Anderson County EMS the two highest awards available to EMS in the State, EMS System of the Year and EMS Director Steve Kelly was named EMS Director of the Year.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputies made an arrest in a homicide investigation in which two people were murdered at a car business on Hwy. 29 North, Williamston. Shamacus Tyrel Adams of Anderson is facing two counts of Murder, one count of Armed Robbery and one count of a Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime in connection with the incident. Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown identified the victims as Ernesto A. Blanco, 53, of Pelzer and his son Kevin Ernesto Blanco, 23, of Pelzer.
Anderson County Council recognized the 150th anniversary of the founding of Evergreen Baptist Church, the 220th anniversary of the founding of Neals Creek Baptist Church and recognized Roy Mack for his service to the Anderson Community. Council also heard a Fostering the Family presentation regarding helping foster families in Anderson County.
County Council increased pay for Clerk to Council Renee Watts and approved a seven percent pay increase for County Administrator Rusty Burns. Council Chairman Tommy Dunn said the Administrator’s salary of $199,020 “is on the lower end of other counties our size.”
The Palmetto High School Athletic Department announced the selection of Ryan Norton as the new Varsity Head Football Coach. Norton was a scholarship athlete on the Clemson Tiger Football Team and coached for six years at Powdersville High, three as Offensive Coordinator, before being name head coach at Palmetto.
Mar. 15 – Two people wanted in connection with a “drive by” shooting on Willingham Road that left a 14-year-old boy dead were arrested. Anthony Howard, 19, of Williamston, and Grace Smith, 37, of Piedmont, were arrested in Trumann Arkansas after the vehicle they were driving was observed by local authorities.
Anderson County announced the completion of improvements at the Gracie S. Floyd Event Center at McFall’s Landing on Broadway Lake. The project included access improvements to the courtesy docks and a patio extension with a decorative concrete finish.
A park bench donated by Anderson School District 5, custom-crafted by Anderson Institute of Technology’s Machine Tool and Welding Department, was presented in memory of former Anderson County Educator and Councilwoman Gracie S. Floyd.
Pelzer Town Council approved second reading on the new business regulation and licensing ordinance, approved 25 new streetlight placements and announced that an agreement had been reached on the Pelzer Heritage Commission Overlook Park properties. Developer Brad Skelton spoke to Council regarding certification of the upper and lower mill properties for SC Textile Tax Credits.
West Pelzer Town Council approved first reading on their $1,166,428 budget for 2023-24. The new budget reflects a variety of projects and improvements which are funded with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the town received to recover from COVID and improve the community. Council also recognized Emily DeRoberts for her contributions to the community and agreed to make Hindman Street one way.
Mar. 22 – Senator Mike Gambrell presented PARD grant checks for $5,000 each for projects in West Pelzer, Williamston, and Piedmont. In West Pelzer the funds will be used for improvements at the Senator Billy O’Dell Community Center; In Williamston the funds will be used for improvements at Brookdale Park and in Piedmont, for improvements at Thomas Pack Park.
US Congressman Jeff Duncan met with First Responders and Law Enforcement in Williamston and Powdersville as part of an annual tradition to honor and show support for First Responders and Law Enforcement throughout the Third District.
The Piedmont Historical Preservation Society hosted Dennis Chastain for their March program. Chastain, an outdoors writer, naturalist, noted historian and tour guide, presented a program on “Petroglyphs in the Upcountry of South Carolina”.
1LT William M. Heaton, a native of Pelzer who was only 24 years old when he was killed during World War II, was included in a memorial book published by a volunteer group in the Netherlands. Heaton is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in the small Dutch town of Margraten near Maastricht. His story is among 250 included in the book.
Mar. 29 – The SC Highway Patrol, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and Anderson County Coroner’s Office investigated a motor vehicle accident that occurred on I-85 North that was determined to be a suicide. Deputy Coroner Ty Blackwell identified the victim and determined that the victim died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, resulting in the vehicle striking the guard rail and wrecking around mile marker 10.
The Anderson School District One Board approved five policy changes, heard a draft budget presentation and were introduced to several new members of the athletic department at Palmetto High including Ryan Norton new Head Football Coach and Tim Broome, the new Athletic Director. Also Tim Jones was introduced and will serve as the quarterback coach at Palmetto.
APRIL
Apr. 5 – Investigators with the GCSO School Enforcement Unit charged a 4th-grade student after a firearm was located inside the student’s backpack at Cherrydale Elementary.
The Annual Easter PBA Egg Hunt and Easter Jam in Mineral Spring Park was postponed due to weather. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the rain date also called for cool temperatures and rain. so the event was canceled.
Williamston Town Council approved a parade ordinance, changes to the garage sale ordinance, an emergency repair on a storm drain and the sale of two properties. One of the properties, the town’s old water treatment plant on College Drive, is to be sold to a developer who plans a mixed use development. Mayor Rockey Burgess said the property will be deeded to the developers in exchange for a “letter of credit” from the developer’s bank. Should the developers not meet the stated timeline for development, the town will be paid the fair market value of approximately $250,000 for the property. The timeline includes deconstruction, cleanup, redevelopment and marketing of the facility to other businesses. The development will be called “Big Creek Station”.
Apr. 12 – The 13th Annual SC State Chili Cook-off Championship was held in Belton.
Pelzer Town Council certified six mill site properties to qualify for textile tax credits and approved five members of the new Board of Zoning Appeals. Mayor Will Ragland reported that Preservation South will start a ground penetrating survey of the Wilson Cemetery to map all burial sites and boundaries.
West Pelzer Town Council approved a property annexation, a property sale and swore in a new council member. Thomas Scarfo was recently elected to fill the remaining term of a seat on council left vacant when former councilmember Pat Alexander resigned. Council also approved the annexation of approximately 14.5 acres of property owned by Abundant Life Ministries located on Palmetto Road which will be zoned Conservation Open Space and will allow religious organizations.
Apr. 19 – Anderson County Council approved first reading on ordinances prohibiting certain vehicle traffic on two Powdersville area roads, a clear bag policy for county buildings and began preliminary discussions to consider options to fund road paving throughout the County.
Anderson County Finance Director Rita Davis and Roads and Bridges Department Head Matt Hogan presented information on costs to pave county roads and possible revenue options the county could consider to pay for road and bridge improvements. The three options presented for council included a vehicle fee, a vehicle tax, and/or a one cent sales tax. The option that would go the furthest in paving county roads would be a County-wide transportation sales tax of one cent, which would generate approximately $30 million each year. Roads in all seven County Council Districts would be included.
Envision Williamston announced a five week Spring Concert Series to be held on Friday nights in Mineral Spring Park. The Jamie Wright Band kicked off the series. Food and Beverage trucks were at each event. The concerts were funded with an Outstanding Agent Engagement Award Donation by Cristina Ortiz- State Farm- Williamston.
Apr. 26 – The Anderson School District One Board heard from two people with concerns about citizen input on instructional resources and library materials and heard an update on the 2023-24 budget. The State AAA Champion Wren Basketball team was recognized along with their coach Fran Campbell who was named the AAA Coach of the Year.
Anderson School District’s One and Two Career and Technology Center students were recognized for their State Championships in Culinary Arts and Graphic Communications competitions. Media Broadcasting students and the ACTC Pulse Radio station were also recognized for winning a National Championship.
A grand opening and ribbon cutting was held for the new Williamston Bojangles location, a franchise location as part of BOJ of WNC, the nation’s largest franchisee of Bojangles restaurants.
Candy Kern, 55, of Anderson, pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her role in a nationwide structured cash flow scheme that exploited military veterans in desperate financial straits and targeted elderly investors seeking a safe retirement investment. Kern was the managing partner of a small South Carolina-based law firm. From approximately 2012 through 2021, she used her law firm to facilitate a fraudulent scheme involving illegal assignment of veterans’ benefits. Over the course of the scheme, approximately $14 million in illegally assigned veterans’ benefits flowed through the accounts controlled by Kern’s law firm.
The South Greenville Fire District held a Dedication Ceremony for their new Training Tower and Rescue Truck. A new vehicle, Rescue 80, was also officially dedicated, and is replacing a 2007 American LaFrance Eagle Heavy Rescue that had been due for replacement for many years.
MAY
Connect Powdersville held the 2nd Annual “Rhythm on the River 2023” family outdoor event at Dolly Cooper Park on the Saluda River. The event included a day of live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, local business vendors, and more.
Anderson County Council approved first reading on the 2023-24 budget, limited truck traffic on Major Road and announced a grant for Dolly Cooper Park in Powdersville. County Administrator Rusty Burns said a grant award of $342,000 was obtained through efforts of former House District 10 Rep. West Cox and will be used for new playground equipment at Dolly Cooper Park.
Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby presented a check for $500 to Erica Bruce to help fund a mentor program at Palmetto Middle School. The donation will help cover the cost of the food and other needed items, for a semi-formal end of the year luncheon for those in the program.
Williamston Town Council approved ordinances selling three parcels of property including the old Water Treatment Plant building on College Drive. They also approved revisions to the garage/yard sale ordinance making it less restrictive.
Stephen Greer of Skylatics promotions presented information about an event called Unity Fest which he planned to hold in Mineral Spring Park on July 8.
May 10 – Legendary blues musician and Pelzer resident Mac Arnold was the first performer at a residency program for the new ‘Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock’ in Virginia.
Pelzer Town Council approved first reading on the sale of the town’s water system to Greenville Water. The deal had been in the works for more than a year and was on hold pending the approval of a $6.7 million SC Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) grant for water line improvements in Pelzer. The Town received notification that the funding, made available by State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), had been approved. Under the agreement, the Town will receive $300,000 from Greenville Water and Greenville Water will take over ownership, operation and maintenance of the entire system.
The Piedmont Historical Preservation Society hosted a presentation by Dr. Eric Emerson, director of the South Carolina Historic Preservation Office which focused on the history of the controversial state flag of South Carolina.
West Pelzer Town Council approved second and final reading on their $1,166,428.86 budget for 2023-24. Mayor Sanders pointed out that the budget had minimum financial burden on residents with no tax increase or increases in water, sewer, and sanitation rates and the town will maintain reserves above 20% per MASC recommendations. Planned Capital Expenditures included: Chapman Park Improvements $20,000 and Odell Co-Work Space/Community Center $5,000, funded with PARD grants secured by Senator Mike Gambrell.
May 17 – Anderson County Council approved second reading on the $277,943,230 budget for 2023-24 which included a general fund of $114,639,840 with a $15 million fund balance. Highlights of the budget include only three new positions added, one in the Parks Department and two in the Roads and Bridges Department, holding the line on health insurance costs, no increase in monthly departmental charges and no tax increase.
The Anderson School Districts 1 & 2 Career and Technology Center (ACTC) was recognized as a 2022-23 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. It is one of 262 high schools across the U.S. to receive the honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW’s computer science, engineering, and biomedical pathways.
Anderson School District One was recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. District One is one of 34 districts in the United States to receive the honor and the first in South Carolina. Superintendent Robbie Binnicker said District One’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students.
Anderson County Council recognized the Anderson School District 1 & 2 Career and Technology Center’s WPPB My Pulse Radio director and students and heard a report on return on investment from the Appalachian Council of Governments which brought in $4.6 million in funding for project in the County.
Council approved a resolution congratulating the ACTC’s My Pulse Radio for winning the 2023 High School Radio Station of the Year at the intercollegiate broadcasting system student media conference held in New York earlier this year.
Anderson County was awarded a $9,271,519 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Local Access Road program. The funds will be used to support improvements to the I-85 Exit 27 southbound off-ramp as well as construction of an extension to Orange Way, creating a new access roadway between Martin Road (S-4-166) and SC 81 North.
Hetvi Shah, a Senior at Powdersville High School and the Anderson Districts 1 & 2 Career and Technology Center (ACTC), was awarded a $1000 scholarship sponsored by the Palmetto Business Association.
The annual Pig in the Park Barbecue Festival and Cookoff was held in Williamston’s Mineral Spring Park. The event featured with a weekend of championship cooking of barbecue, food sales, vendors and other activities with eighteen cook teams competing for the Championship.
May 24 – All three Anderson School District One High Schools held graduation services at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson.
Williamston Town Council approved first reading on their 2023-24 budget during a special called meeting. Mayor Rockey Burgess made the case that the Town has one of the lowest property tax millage rates, water/sewer rates and garbage fee in the area and the Town has held the line on increasing those rates for a number of years. No one on Council could remember the last time the millage rate of 112 mills had been increased.
Burgess then recommended a 6.08 percent increase in the millage rate, a ten percent increase in the garbage fee, raising the current fee of $10 to $11 and a 10 percent in water rates, less than half needed to keep up with the AJRWA rate increases over the last five years.
May 29 – The Anderson School District One Board approved approved several changes to policies regarding how complaints or concerns about library materials are handled. The Board also heard from nine people with concerns about reading material in AD1 school libraries that they say is inappropriate and sexually explicit and others who support how materials in the school libraries are selected. More than 50 people were packed into the standing room only meeting held in the Boardroom at the District Office.
The District One School Board approved the 2023-24 budget in the amount of $106,344,364. The budget reflects a 10.03 percent increase in revenue and expense over the current year, The increase is necessary to add professional staff for growth, retain quality staff in a competitive job market, maintain and improve building quality and capacity and offset inflation.
Under the new budget, the current millage rate of 150.05 will increase to 158.05 and will generate an additional $1,163,000 in tax revenue. The District will also use $675,000 from the Fund Balance to balance the budget.
The Board also approved $50,000 to pave a parking lot at the Palmetto High Baseball Field in Williamston. The lot is located adjacent to the town’s youth recreation field which is also owned by the school district. Binnicker said District One sold a sliver of property, which was unusable to the District, to Ingles for $51,000 and agreed at the time the funds would be used to pave the dirt parking lot.
JUNE
June 7 – Brazilian artist Eliana Dos Santos finished a new mural on the 150 concrete wall located at the Pickleball Courts in Mineral Spring Park. The wall was constructed on each side of the concrete “mural” that was relocated from the original Palmetto High School.
The Piedmont Historical Preservation Society celebrated the completion of their SC Regrant for purchasing collection storage materials. Volunteers at the history museum worked to purchase materials and catalogue the collections donated by the Ropers, Paynes, Hammetts, and others. Joe Hursey, PHPC historian and archivist, along with a group from USC Upstate and volunteers, shared efforts to transcribe and catalogue the collections.
Williamston Town Council approved second reading pn a $7.5 million budget which included a 9.12 millage increase on property taxes, a 10 percent increase in water/sewer rates and $1 increase on the garbage fee. The new budget also included a two percent across the board pay increase for Town employees and allows for an incentive or merit bonus or increase at the discretion of the mayor.
June 14 – The Caroline Community Center hosted its annual Juneteenth celebration, bringing the community together to honor the historic event while focusing on unity, empowerment, and the future. The celebration, themed “Embracing Our Roots, Empowering Our Future,” featured a variety of activities and a program highlighting the significance of Juneteenth.
Pelzer Town Council approved first reading on their 2023-34 budget, tabled an ordinance dealing with a historic district and approved a new zoning map and setbacks.
West Pelzer Town Council held first reading to adopt an International Building Code, discussed removal of three-way stop sign and approved a Streetscape Landscape contract. Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Riddle conducted the meeting in the absence of Mayor Blake Sanders.
June 21 – The Anderson County Legislative Delegation announced several Anderson County recreation projects were funded in the state budget for the coming fiscal year.
The Anderson County sponsored projects and amounts awarded included: $750,000 for additional expansion of KidVenture playground; $500,000 for development of the new Piedmont Riverfront Park; $175,000 to be used for an engineering study of the old Highway 81 bridge next to Dolly Cooper Park; and $750,000 for installing ballfield lights at Dolly Cooper Park.
Anderson County Council approved final reading on their 2023-24 budget which included funding for a deputy coroner, two new sheriff’s deputies and a clerk. The budget also includds funding for improvements at the Sheriff’s Office including a new roof, a back up generator and tazers. It also authorized the County to issue a $7 million general obligation bond to renovate the Historic Courthouse. The budget also includes $53 million for construction of the new Detention Center. County employees will get a three percent across the board increase in pay under the new budget. There was no tax millage increase.
Pelzer Town Council approved second reading on a $1,906,201 budget for 2023-24 during a special called meeting. They also approved second reading on a new zoning map and setbacks ordinance. The budget includes a boost in revenue from a variety of sources including an increase in the Duke Energy Franchise Fee, new planning commission fees and new business license fees. The budget also includes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Cell Tower property sale funds and Hospitality Tax funds, that will be used for planned renovations and restoration of the Pelzer Community Building and the old Hospital Building, according to Mayor Will Ragland.
Ragland said the budget reflects, “Major changes with the sale of the town’s water system” to Greenville Water, which was expected to be finalized soon. The Town will receive more than $300,000 from the sale, however the revenue was not included in the budget and was not earmarked for any special projects or expenditures.
Pelzer Town Council approved an official zoning map for the town. The zoning map is in support of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan for existing and future needs of the community.
June 27 – The Anderson County Museum, Vets Helping Vets Anderson, and the Semper Fi Barn sponsored a symposium comprised of Vietnam Veterans who served in the field during the conflict. Local veterans who served in the war discussed their experiences.
The Anderson School District One Board of Trustees approved four policies regarding concerns and complaints about instructional resources and selection of library materials and two policies regarding parental leave. They also agreed to join a class action lawsuit against social media companies. During public comment, one community member and two Wren High students addressed the Board with comments on instructional resources and library materials.
Looking Back at 2023 . . . JULY – DECEMBER
