ELLOREE - Chad Lowder of Tri-County Electric Cooperative's Operation Round Up Board presented the Elloree Police Department with a check in the amount of $725 for the purchase of a ballistics vest for Officer Shawn Murphree during January's town council meeting.

Operation Round Up is funded through the "rounding up" of electric bills.

Lowder also presented a check to Jane Livingston of the Elloree Heritage Museum and Cultural Center for support with the museum's new elevator project.

Mayor Van Stickles thanked Tri-County and their customers for the generous donations.

Also during the meeting, Larry McDowell, Elloree Water Agency general manager, reported that 39 work orders were completed and 641 customers were billed in December along with 641. He said 364 customers were billed on behalf of the town for household trash services.

McDowell reported that water loss for the month was at 19 percent, down from 23 percent in November.

He also reported that the well project on Hampton Street is just waiting on contractors to install the sequestion agent needed.

McDowell said the water department received a $29,500 grant from the state for improvements to the system, and he thanked State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Town Administrator John Singh for their help with procuring the funds.

In other business, Chief Preston Avinger reported 18 calls for service and two arrests for the month. He said 21 warnings were written and 34 uniform traffic tickets issued.

Avinger also addressed the standoff with an emotionally disturbed individual that took place on New Year's Day. The incident ended with the individual being taken into custody and transported to the Regional Medical Center for mental evaluation, the chief said. He thanked all the departments that responded to help.

In addition, Avinger reported that Officer Murphree attended training on conducting undercover operations dealing with the sale of tobacco and alcohol to minors. He applauded the General Food Store for asking for proper ide.jpgication and refusing to sell to the two undercover people. The other three places in town sold to one or both of the undercover people and were charged appropriately, Avinger said.

Also at the meeting:

* Administrator John Singh said the Commerce Forum meeting will be held on Feb. 5 following the council meeting.

* Singh discussed the theft of the large aluminum umbrella from Joe Miller Park. If anyone has any information about the theft, they are asked to n.jpgy the town, he said.

* The administrator reported that phase III of the streetscape project has begun and should last about three months. Any concerns about the project can be addressed at town hall, Singh said.

* Singh said a public needs assessment meeting will be held on Feb. 12 to give residents a chance to discuss concerns and needs for improvement in the town. He stressed the need of public input and encouraged residents to attend.

* Town Clerk Chasity Canaday reported that the town received a $7,000 grant toward the $15,000 cost for the town's new toddler playground project. Stickles said the expenses are for equipment and materials only. The police department will be handling the labor.

* Singh asked that the town totally convert to the same holiday schedule as the state, and the council approved the change.

* Singh presented the council meeting and municipal court schedules for 2008.

T&D Correspondent Danielle Sanders can be reached by e-mail at crazyd_308@hotmail.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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