BLACKVILLE – An ordinance prohibiting the parking of tractor-trailer trucks, farm tractors and other heavy vehicles on the streets in Blackville Garden Subdivision was amended during the town council’s August meeting to include all residential areas in the town.

 

The amended ordinance stipulates individuals may park a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, farm tractor, etc., on his/her own property but not on public roadways or street curbs unless they are loading or unloading the vehicles.

 

The rationale for the ordinance, it was noted, is one of safety in that it is difficult to see around a large vehicle, along with the fact that heavy vehicles damage town water-lines and other property.

 

Blackville Police Chief John Holston said officers will locate the driver of a vehicle in violation of the ordinance and give them a verbal warning first.

 

“We ask him/her to move the vehicle and remind them that the penalty ranges from $200 to $1,097. If we find them repeating the offense, then we charge them, Holston said. He said no one had been charged yet.

 

Lindsey Toomer, Family Literacy coordinator for Barnwell School District 19, presented information about the program, which she said is designed to foster parent/child literacy activities by enhancing parenting skills through workshops and other activities.

 

“We are primarily concerned with families of children 0-5 years old, but we also work with teen parents and their children. We conduct home visits for some 35 enrolled students, and we run a K3 program from 7:30 a.m.-11 a.m. We have been reviewing applications and plan to open this year’s program on Sept. 2,” Toomer said.

 

“Our main purpose is to stop the cycle of illiteracy and teen pregnancy as well as to help parents improve their parenting skills and achieve their GED or diploma if they do not already have one,” she added. “One of the main stumbling blocks to this goal is the fact that we have no GED teacher in Blackville. The nearest facility that has a GED teacher is in Barnwell, and many of our Blackville parents do not want to go there. And, for those who are willing to go, there is a transportation problem. We have no bus, so we often wind up transporting them in our personal vehicles.”

 

Toomer said the Family Literacy Program is facing some difficulties.

 

“We have no outside recreational facilities for the children and, of course, we are without a GED teacher. We have recently received some monies, though, and have been able to (start renovating) our designated area. I invite you all to come visit our program and ask that you continue to offer us your support.”

 

Ethel Washington of the Blackville Community Development Corporation was asked by Mayor Jackie Holman for an update on the CDC’s activities. She said the state CDC had dispersed $315,000 in emergency repair funds for homeowners who have been the victim of a disaster or other unexpected damage.

 

“We serve Barnwell, Bamberg, Hampton, Jasper and Orangeburg counties,” she said, “and there are a lot of people in need. If a homeowner finds himself in dire straits because of a disaster or other ... situation, I urge him/her to call us. I can be reached through town hall at 803-284-2444.”

 

In order to qualify for CDC, Washington said, the individual must own their home and be living in it at the time of a disaster.

 

“So far, we have helped two first-time buyers with down payments and, as of Aug. 8, we have four new modular homes completed on South Boundary Street,” she said.

 

She said some of the property was donated by the Blackville Town Council for this project.

 

“We are very grateful to the Blackville Police Department for the security they offered us during the construction,” Washington said.

 

The Blackville CDC meets the first Thursday each month in Blackville Town Council Chambers.

Also during the meeting, Holston introduced new Blackville Patrol Officer Elijah Fleming.

 

“Officer Fleming is fully certified, and I believe he will be an asset to our department,” the police chief said.

 

The Blackville PD is continuing to move forward by specializing positions, he said.

 

“For instance, Thomas Weiss will now specialize in investigations.” Holston said.

 

He also reported renovations to the police department are almost complete.

 

“We are still investigating the June bank robbery and have been working with other agencies. Copper thefts and other burglaries are down this month compared to surrounding communities, and open drug activities are, too,” Holston said. “We are aware that there is still a drug problem in Blackville and are taking a proactive approach to it.”

 

T&D Correspondent Sherryl Peters can be reached by e-mail at boykinbaby@surrealestate.com.

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