ST. MATTHEWS – Residents were asked by the mayor to get involved and start a Crime Watch during St. Matthews Town Council’s May 5 meeting.

Mayor Joe Sikes made the recommendation after resident Laverne Keitt expressed concern about crime in the town, saying his mother’s home had been broken into twice recently. Keitt said the neighborhood in which his mother lives was “a peaceful place” until some people changed all that.

”The house was destroyed. I’m concerned about the community,” Keitt said.

Sikes suggested residents start Crime Watch programs in their neighborhoods.

“As a small town, we have to help. It will take the whole town. We can make a difference,” the mayor said.

Also during the meeting, Town Administrator Dick Whetstone reported on efforts to get Flagler Circle paved. He said Town Clerk Tammy Carson checked all of records for the properties located on Flagler Circle. She said from what she learned from the records from 1933, much of that road is composed of two parallel alleys off Upper Muller Street that are connected by an undocumented semicircle taken from residential lots. One alley is 15 feet wide and the other is 18 feet wide, she said.

Councilwoman Eloise Shuler-Guinyard said the residents need access to their homes. Previously, the S.C. Department of Transportation and the county had refused to pave the road since it was not in the records.

Sikes requested that an enlarged map of the area be posted for public information and asked the administrator to ascertain the cost of paving the two alleys.

In other business, Kevin Strickling of Alliance Consulting Engineers reported completion of the wastewater treatment plant modification is “getting a whole lot closer.” He said he is awaiting Rural Development Engineering and DHEC approval. The wastewater force main replacement will be much simpler, Strickling said. Rural Development will not require the project to be advertised, and only three bids will be required, he said.

Ed Morris, chairman of the St. Matthews Area Revitalization Team, said the organization completed a town cleanup recently and is attempting to establish a date for the Rotary Club clock dedication. He said the dedication will probably be scheduled for the last weekend in May. The next SMART meeting is scheduled for May 28, Morris said.

Also on May 5:

* Whetstone reported the town received new street signs and sign replacement had begun. In addition, the town’s newest garbage truck, which is 11 years old, blew a head gasket and repair costs will be $3,300, the administrator said. He said the old truck, which is used as a spare, is 25 years old and the bottom is rusted out. Whetstone said he will attempt to find a welder to fix the floor.

* Whetstone thanked those who contributed their time and talents to Relay for Life. Calhoun County Relay Chair Larry Jordan said the event raised about $36,000 for the American Cancer Society but additional funds are expected to come in. Jordan thanked everyone for their support of the worthy cause. He singled out Tri-County Electric Cooperative for allowing the event to be held at its facility while the courthouse grounds are under construction.

* Shuler-Guinyard asked police to pay closer attention to speeders in town, and Councilman Harvey Howell said they should also enforce the law against double parking.

* Sikes expressed appreciation for town employees’ efforts to fix the eight-inch water main break on Dantzler Street. Sikes also noted that many owners of dilapidated houses had begun cleaning up their lots since the town tore down the first one at year’s end and charged the landowner. “Word has gotten around,” the mayor said. He thanked Building Inspector Clarence Larrymore for his efforts in identifying the buildings requiring attention.

* The police report for April was as follows: 50 traffic tickets, 112 calls, one burglary, one motor vehicle accident, 12 assaults, three larcenies and eight domestic disputes.

* The fire department report for April was as follows: 24 calls, four building fires, two brush fires and five motor vehicle accidents.

T&D Correspondent Larry P. Jordan can be reached by phone at 803-874-3276.

You must be logged in to comment.