ELLOREE – Elloree has been designated a Tree City USA town.
Francis Waite and Liz Gillen of the South Carolina Forestry Commission announced the honor during Elloree Town Council’s September meeting and presented a flag from the National Arbor Foundation and a plaque in honor of the designation.
Elloree is one of only 39 communities in the state to receive the designation.
To qualify for Tree City USA, a town or city must meet four standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. The standards, which were established to ensure that every qualifying community would have a viable tree management plan and program, includes creating a tree board or department; adopting a tree care ordinance; implementing a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita; and establishment of an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Also during the meeting, Town Administrator John Singh announced the town will hold its annual Arts and Antiques Festival Oct. 17-18 on Cleveland Street downtown. The event will feature special store sales, street vendors, live entertainment, jump castles, and food vendors, he said. Vendor spaces are still available, he said, and those interested are asked to contact Elloree Town Hall.
Singh also announced the town’s Trunk or Treat will be held in Joe Miller Park from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. The event will once again be co-sponsored by the Town of Elloree, the Elloree Police Department and the Pythian Sisters of Elloree Temple No. 4.
In addition, the administrator announced the Elloree Heritage Museum will hold its Low Country Boil on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Museum. Tickets are available at the Museum, and entertainment will be provided by the Moonlighters.
Singh also reminded residents that a special election will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 7, to fill the remaining term of the late Councilman Barry Pauling, who served District 2. The election write-in election will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the courtroom of the Elloree Town Hall. He noted that October’s Elloree Town Council meeting will be moved to Oct. 14 because of the election.
In other business:
n Council gave first-reading approval to a request to annex a lot on Monsum Court. Second reading will be held during council’s October meeting, and a public hearing will be scheduled before the final reading in November.
n Larry McDowell, Elloree Water Commission general manager, reported the completion of 44 work orders and the billing of 642 customers during August. He said 349 customers were billed on behalf of the town for household trash services. The estimated water loss for the month was 12 percent, down from 20 percent in July, McDowell said.
n Police Chief Preston Avinger reported 14 calls for service and eight arrests last month. Police made 43 traffic stops and issued 28 uniform traffic citations, he said.
n Avinger commended Officer Shawn Murphree for his quick response to a call while off duty, leading to the immediate capture of one of the subjects involved in an incident on Harlin Street. Five people were arrested on charges ranging from first-degree burglary, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and assault with intent to kill, he said. Officer Lin Shirer also worked the case, Avinger said. He thanked both officers for a job well done. Councilman Barbara Butler also commended the officers.
n Singh reported on his meeting with the town’s auditor, Chip Summers, and the accounting firm of Schmoyer and Company regarding new accounting regulations. The town is utilizing Schmoyer and Co. to meet new accounting requirements and to produce monthly and quarterly financial statements, he said.
n Singh said Elloree Municipal Court will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16 instead of Oct. 2.
n It was noted the Citizens Advisory Committee for Parks and Recreation will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, at town hall.
n Mayor Van Stickles proclaimed Sept. 9 International Literacy Day, stressing the importance of literacy programs and the value of the Mentor Book Club of Elloree. That club was established in 1951 and has maintained the town’s library since 1953.
n Stickles proclaimed the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4 Lions Club Sight and Hearing Conservation Week and Oct. 3 Lions Club Candy Day.
n The mayor proclaimed Sept. 17 Constitution Day in Elloree as requested by Nell Irick of the Eutaw Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
n Stickles announced he was chosen to serve on the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
-- 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.