ST. GEORGE, S.C. - Mayor Anne Johnston announced prior to the start of September's St. George Town Council meeting that plans are under way to try to get the St. George Post Office moved back into the town limits.

Johnston said she met with St. George Postmaster Kim Williams who has also indicated a desire to make the move. The mayor said she will have to meet with Gov. Mark Sanford in early October to request a move of the facility with signed petitions from the residents in the 29477 zip code area asking for the approval of the Post Office move.

As part of this effort, Petition Day will be held this Saturday, Sept. 21 in St. George, Johnston said. Residents are urged to sign the petitions which will be located in various areas around St. George. Anyone 18 years of age and older may sign the petition. Petitions for those who work within St. George will be circulated as well as petitions to include the rural delivery customers of the 29477 zip code.

The petitions will be placed in the St. George Post Office, Cash Drug Store, Chamber of Commerce, First Federal Savings & Loan, Hutto Ace Hardware, Mac's True Value, Piggly Wiggly and St. George Town Hall. Johnston asked that residents spread the word about the petition drive and step forward to help get the post office brought back to town.

In other business, Administrator Jason Purvis reported that WiCarolina of Walterboro has approached the town about the possibility of connecting St.

George to a wireless, high-speed Internet service. A recommendation was made to send the proposal to the Finance Committee for further investigation into the franchise fee and contractual agreement.

Councilman Edward Jordan advocated for council to consider actively pursuing future annexations to the town. He mentioned possible properties that would involve and directly affect the financial condition of St. George if annexed into the town limits. A suggestion was made to grant the Finance Committee permission to discuss annexation with several businesses and to actively pursue other such annexations.

However, Johnston felt annexations should involve all committees and suggested that this be discussed and explored in greater detail at the council's upcoming retreat Sept. 27-28, which will be moderated by Ron Mitchum.

Councilwoman Clarine Barton reported that St. George was approved for a $16,000 grant towards the improvement of the St. George Town Park. Plans and details about the improvements will be revealed in the near future, she said.

Councilwoman Margie Ladson reported that several revisions were in the works for the Water and Sewer Ordinance to simplify the ordinance and make it more "people friendly."

Ladson also reported that the Christmas Parade Committee had met and wanted to suggest to the town the possibility of a night Christmas parade this year. She said the committee plans to discuss this in greater detail at a later meeting.

Also during the meeting:

* The mayor introduced two special guests, Anna Westbury, a senior at Dorchester Academy and DeQuincy Atterberry, a Woodland High School senior. Johnston noted that each month a student leader representative from the local schools would attend the meetings and experience local government in action. Atterberry delivered the opening invocation at the council meeting, and Westbury led the Pledge of Allegiance.

* Council voted to reimburse Sabrina Brunson for her medical expenses incurred when she fell over some damaged bricks located on the sidewalk, where the downtown fire occurred last year. Purvis said the brickwork was repaired after the fire and had once again become damaged. The reimbursement will be generated after a release of further liability from Brunson.

T&D Correspondent Sybil Butler can be reached by e-mail at butler_sybil@yahoo.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.