City Council Report
Posted:
June 12, 2013
7:16 AM
Al Harvey has agreed to extend his term as Interim City Manager.
Newberry City Council met Tuesday evening, June 11, at 7 PM. At the meeting, Interim City Manager Al Harvey gave the financial report saying that the city is comfortable with the
budget.
Mayor Foster Senn announced Al Harvey had agreed to extend his term as Interim City Manager, and that City Council had suspended its search for a permanent city manager.
"We've been impressed with Al's work as interim city manager since he started leading the city in early April," said Mayor Senn. “In addition to his experience, we've also been impressed by Al's energy and initiative to get things done. We asked him to extend his period as interim city manager, and Al agreed to do that. We will resume our search for a permanent city manager at a later date.”
Harvey served as Newberry's city manager from 1978--2000. He has served several South Carolina cities as interim city manager in recent years.
Council recognized the following people for their years of service:
Michael Wood, Police Department – 10 years
Bette Brannon
(pictured above with Mayor Senn and Interim City Manager Harvey), Senior Administrative Secretary – 35 years
For 21 years in a row, the City of Newberry has received a "Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting" which is the highest standard to receive for their accounting
procedures. Mayor Senn and Interim City Manager Harvey presented a plaque to Shannon Smith in
recognition of this honor.
Council conducted a public hearing of an ordinance to rezone the Speer Street School property to
planned development. The property was purchased by Newberry College who is planning to move the
Education Department to that location. No one spoke for or against the ordinance.
A public hearing to allow comment on the proposed budget was held. Interim City Manager Al Harvey
presented a summary of the FY2013-2014 Budget concluding his remarks that the budget total from
FY2012-2013 was 38,696,195. The FY2013-2014 budget total is 43,056,779.
Council passed second reading of an ordinance to rezone the Speer Street School property, identified as
parcel #343-2-3-1&2 on Newberry County's Tax map to planned development.
Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend city code to implement an electric rate increase.
Council passed first reading of an ordinance to adopt the budget and levy taxes for FY2013-2014.
Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend the code of laws of the City pertaining to the
International Fire Code. This is an administrative change.
A Special City Council meeting will be held June 25, 2013 at 5:30 pm in City Hall.
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be held July 2, 2013 at 7 PM in City Hall.
School Board Report
Posted:
June 11, 2013
7:25 AM
Newberry County School Board held their meeting last night, and
Council approved low bid of $43,900 for security systems to include special door locks and security
cameras.
The Board approved the personnel recommendations from Executive Session.
Superintendent Bennett made a special presentation to retiring secretary Mrs. Dorothea Simpson, who
will be retiring June 30, 2013 after 36 years of service with the county school system. Mr. Bennett
stated, "I will always thank you for your professionalism, but what I will miss the most is my friend."
Meagan Shealy updated the board with revised financial figures for the band program and Barry
Hartman, MCHS Band Booster Club President 2013-2014 gave an overview of their budget and
requested additional funding for the band program
Mrs. Dowd gave a report on budget transfers and the board agreed to those transfers.
The Board discussed, at length, the General Fund Budget offering two options. The first being not to
take a millage increase. Because there is close to 25% in the General Fund Budget, the board voted to
take this option and not take a millage increase.
Mrs. Dowd also gave a report on the cash flow.
Mr. Suber gave a report on the construction projects stating that they are experiencing rain delays this
week.
The next School Board meeting will be held July 15, 2013 at
7:30 pm.
NHS Graduation Held in Gym on Friday Night
Posted:
June 9, 2013
9:29 PM
After singing the school's almamater; Newberry High School graduates turn their tassles on their mortarboards at the conclusion of commencement exercises Friday night. Graduation ceremonies for both NHS and Mid-Carolina High School had to be moved indoors due to inclement weather from Tropical Storm Andrea. Be listening for salutes to our area graduates all the rest of June on WKDK and WKDK.com!
Photo courtesy of Ted B. Williams/Special to WKDK
County Council Report
Posted:
June 6, 2013
6:26 AM
Newberry County Council met June 5, 2013, at 7 pm in the Annex Building.
Council passed third reading of an ordinance to provide for the issuance and sale of General Obligation
Bonds of Newberry County not to exceed $1,215,000.
Council passed third reading of an ordinance enacting and adopting 2013 S-10 supplement to the Code
of Ordinance for Newberry County.
Council passed first reading of an ordinance to rezone a three- acre portion of a real estate parcel
totaling fifteen acres at the intersection of I-26 and SC Hwy 202 in Little Mountain from Single Family
Residential (RS-1) to Rural (R2).
Council passed first reading of an ordinance to rezone a 4.5 acre portion of a 6.1 acre real estate parcel
in Little Mountain from Single Family Residential (RS-1) to Rural 2 (R2).
Council passed first reading of an ordinance to rezone a 38.43 ac portion of a 40.48 acre real estate
parcel from Rural (R2) to Single Family Residential (RS1).
Council held a public hearing regarding an ordinance to provide appropriations for the Fiscal Year
beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014.
Council held a public hearing regarding an ordinance to provide appropriations for the Fiscal Year
beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014 for the Newberry County Public Library, Piedmont
Technical College and the Newberry Agency for the Disabilities and Special Needs.
Council approved consideration to accept Market Place Avenue into the County Maintenance System.
Wanda Hill, Human Resources Director gave a report from the Intergovernmental Relations Committee
held on June 3, 2013.
George Piersol was reappointed to the Board at Piedmont Tech. Joe Trainor and Jenny Lee Foster were
reappointed to the Hospital Board.
Future meetings include:
Budget Work Session – 6/10/13 @6:00 pm
"On the Move with Margaret" 6/17/13 @9:30 am
County Council – 6/19/13 @ 7:00 pm
Economic Development Committee – 6/24/13 @ 6:00 pm
School Board's Public Hearing on Monday
Posted:
June 4, 2013
7:25 AM
The Newberry County School Board held a public hearing on the General Fund Budget last night.
Buddy Livingston addressed the board to tell them he thought the board practiced good stewardship
with the citizens' money and he felt that they kept the needs of the children of Newberry County first
and foremost when making decisions for the school district. He said it would be beneficial for the board
to raise millage by one or two mils without it being a hardship to the citizens. He also said that 68% of
the information requested by businesses interested in locating in Newberry County ask about education.
One of the programs discussed is the STEM program.
Susan Dowd gave a report on changes the Senate has proposed and the effect they will have.
The board
discussed offsets to the changes in their work sessions. There was a change to the Federal allocation
that will allow the State to utilize unrestricted funds. Mrs. Dowd also cautioned the board of anticipated
sequestration issues.
The board discussed band allocations as requested by several parents at previous board meetings. Mrs.
Dowd received information from the Greenwood Consortium which showed Newberry County's band
budget is in line with several other school districts in our area.
No decisions were made at this meeting because it was a public hearing. Second reading will be held
next Monday, June 10, at 7:00 pm.
Three Cars, Bus Involved in Friday Morning Accident
Posted:
June 1, 2013
8:02 AM
Just after 8 AM Friday morning, a wreck involving three vehicles and a school bus occurred at the 34 Bypass and Nance Street in Newberry. EMS, Fire,Newberry County Sheriff's Office and the NPD also responded to the scene. According to authorities, an SUV ran a red light. The driver of the SUV identified as Brittney Cotney Lambert was taken to Richland, treated and released. Five special needs students were taken to Newberry Hospital and released. The bus driver was not injured. The driver of the SUV was not wearing a seatbelt.
Missing Man Found Tuesday Morning
Posted:
May 28, 2013
8:41 PM
Earlier on Tuesday, the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office needed assistance in locating a missing Clemson University student who was home over the holiday weekend and was missing.
Before he was found later on Tuesday morning, Gary Thinel Bishop, 22, 870 Quaker Road, Newberry, was last seen Sunday morning, May 26 at about 2:30am. He had been last seen wearing an orange Clemson University t-shirt with white lettering, blue jean shorts, and sport flip-flops with white socks. He had last been seen leaving his residence on Quaker Road.
He and his vehicle were located just inside Saluda County late this morning. Authorities remained on scene and no foul play was expected.
Tanker Truck Fire Causes Evacuation
Posted:
May 21, 2013 6:06 AM
Last night a mechanical issue resulted in a fire on a tanker truck carrying granulated ammonium nitrate at the intersection of S.C. Highway 39 and Rose Bud Lane in the Chappells section of Newberry County.
The motoring public should avoid this area as well.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Kiswire
Posted:
May 17, 2013 10:04 PM
The Groundbreaking Ceremony of Kiswire, Inc., Steel Cord Division, took place on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 PM at Twin Springs Road in Newberry County. Officials were there for the groundbreaking and WKDK's Jimmie Coggins was the emcee for the event. Photo courtesy of Ted B. Williams/Special to WKDK
Investigators Searching for Attempted Sexual Assault Suspect
Posted:
May 13, 2013 9:44 AM
The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to identify a suspect wanted in an attempted sexual battery on Friday night at a restaurant on Macedonia Church Road in the Prosperity section of Newberry County.
Investigators say that the suspect entered the restaurant and ordered food. The suspect then grabbed the waitress on her breast and then attempt to make sexual advances of the waitress. After she grabbed her cell phone, the suspect left the business.
The suspect is described as a white, male between the ages of 40 and 60. He is about 5’10” and has short brown hair. He also had a goatee. He has a medium build and was wearing a gray or blue shirt and tight blue jeans.
The suspect left driving a gold late 90’s model GMC extended cab pickup truck.
Fire in Loblolly Estates
Posted:
May 11, 2013 9:04 AM
This was a scene of the Newberry Fire Department
responding to a fire at Loblolly Estates on Friday afternoon. The fire was controlled shortly afterwards.