EUTAWVILLE – Eutawville Town Council at its Oct. 13 meeting voted to adopt the state retirement plan in order to offer retirement to the town’s full-time employees.

The town now employs full-time police officers Curtis Mizell and Kimberly Kite and its clerk/treasurer, JoAnn Russell.

“We’ve got some good police officers now,” Mayor Robert Collins said. “We need to offer this to keep them.”

Collins, following an executive session during the meeting, said the council is considering hiring Mizell as police chief. Currently, longtime chief Russell Parker, who took medical retirement from the post this summer, is serving as interim police chief.

“We’re looking to hire one more well-qualified, certified police officer,” Collins said.

Parker noted, “We’ve got a good lineup of officers now. I’ve had no complaints.”

Councilwoman Jean Akers also relayed only positive comments from Eutawville residents regarding the newest officer, Mizell.

“They all like Curtis,” Akers said. “He can relate well to everyone.”

Mizell, a certified officer, firearms instructor, radar Datamaster operator, marijuana analyst and traffic safety officer, previously served with the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office for two years and as acting police chief of Norway for the past year before joining the Eutawville department on Sept. 22.

Mizell is scheduled to earn an updated breathalyzer certification, and Kite is scheduled to enter the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy for officer certification in November, Parker said.

“The good news is this department is looking to have officers with every certification possible,” Parker said.

Also during the meeting, council members discussed available rental properties for Mizell, including two owned by the town and one owned by Akers.

“I’ve always liked a small town; I especially like it here,” Mizell said. “I used to work these streets sometimes when I was with the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office. I liked the town and the people then. I really appreciate it now and look forward to continued service here.”

T&D Correspondent Diane Gainer can be reached by e-mail at bcdthinktank@yahoo.com.

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