DENMARK -- The City of Denmark's new director of public works during the February council meeting delivered good news about one of the city's wells that has been offline for more than a year.

Public Works Director David Pittman, a former employee of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, reported that the Cox Mill well had passed all the required tests and that the department is now awaiting approval from DHEC to begin using the well. Once the approval is received, the well can go back online, Pittman said.

The Cox Mill well was one of two wells taken out of service as a precautionary measure after elevated solvent levels were found about 18 months ago.

The city has had to purchase water from the Bamberg Board of Public Works while the wells are being rehabbed.

Asked by the council members if the completion of the work on the Cox Mill well would relieve the city from purchasing water from the Board of Public Works, Pittman said it would depend on the demand for water usage, fire support requirements and other factors.

Also during the meeting, council approved a request made in December by former Denmark mayor Woody Binnicker for permission to erect a monument at his expense in the city recognizing the first 24-hour parachute endurance world record of 201 jumps on Jan. 13, 1973. Known as the Vikings of Denmark, Binnicker was the jumper who set the world record and Bobby Frierson was his pilot during the 24 hours.

Mayor Pro Tem Gerald Wright, presiding over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Carrie Simmons, asked Council Members Evert Comer, Bonnie Love and Bervay Carter to serve as a committee, along with any resident who wishes to serve, to come up with a recommendation on a site for the monument. It is anticipated the monument will be in place before the Dogwood Festival in April.

In other business:

* City Administrator Heyward Robinson reported a grant for $21,000 was available to construct rest-rooms at the Simmons-Davis Park. Robinson said he received only one bid for $64,404 on the proposed 30-foot by 15-foot rest-room facility. Council asked Robinson to resubmit a request for bids.

* After receiving a report from the fire department, council agreed to consider enacting an ordinance related to false fire alarms after it receives a model ordinance from the Municipal Association and other municipalities.

* Denmark Police Chief Leroy Grimes reported 40 case files created between Jan. 22 to Feb. 19, including simple assault, burglary, criminal domestic violence, traffic collisions, driving under suspension, malicious injury to personal property, disorderly conduct, trespassing, larceny, shoplifting, minor in possession of alcohol, disturbing school, missing person, vandalism, possession of cocaine and trafficking marijuana.

* Grimes reported that Officer Marie Baez is attending the nine-week training at the Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia.

* Council went into executive session for an update on the Bamberg County Hospital lawsuit.

T&D Correspondent Vic Whetstone can be reached by e-mail at vwhets@bellsouth.net or by phone at 803-793-3402. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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