BLACKVILLE, S.C. - With only October's town council meeting left before the November municipal election, Blackville Mayor Jackie Holman Monday presented an update on the council's accomplishments during the past four years.

"Several repairs were made to the fire station including lowering the ceiling and purchasing a 2007 crash truck," he reported. "Concerning our police department, we were able to purchase new Crown Victorias and Motorola radios. We also purchased some body armor, a 2002 Ford Explorer and new X-26 Tasers."

Holman said the council was also responsible for purchasing some new vehicles for the town's streets and water department, and "a leak detector so that we will not have to cut up the streets so badly."

"We also replaced a pump and completed our streetscape project," the mayor said. "We worked with our County Economic Development Board to secure a Dollar General."

Blackville is "in good standing" financially, he said.

"Sometimes you only hear bad things about government, but we have a right to be proud of our council," Holman said. "We worked hard and accomplished many things, and we did it without raising the tax millage during these past four years. It is not easy operating a small town."

Holman said the council was unable to resolve the issue of what to do with the old Shamrock Hotel.

"That will be something for the next council to decide," he said.

Holman thanked the town hall staff, the council members and the members of all the departments "who have worked so hard to help us accomplish what we did."

Also during the meeting, the mayor announced that the council voted at the Aug. 27 special meeting not to allow the annual block party that was initially discussed during the regular August council meeting.

Councilwoman Ann Pernell also updated the council on the Blackville Civic Group, an organization of concerned residents who work on projects in and around the community.

"Our Christmas Parade will be held the first Saturday of December at 11:30 a.m., and the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. that same day," Pernell announced. "We are planning to have another Christmas in the Country, but that has not been finalized yet."

Membership in the Blackville Civic Group is open to anyone, she said, with membership dues at $10 a year. The group meets in the Edwards' Heating and Cooling building at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of every month, Pernell said.

Holman thanked Pernell and the Civic Group for their "dedication" and the donations they have made to various projects.

In other business, Blackville Police Chief John Holston introduced two new officers, noting that brings the total number of full-time officers, including himself, to six.

"We are still looking to hire one more officer," the chief said.

T&D Correspondent Sherryl Peters can be reached by e-mail at speters@surrealestate.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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