HPD welcomes Stanley at City Council meeting
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Hartsville City Council convened a regular meeting July 14 and started the evening off with a rare applause break as Chief Jerry Thompson welcomed Mitch Stanley as the Hartsville Police Department’s newest Captain.
Thompson told council that he worked with Stanley during their days at the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, and characterized him as “dedicated and loyal” and a personal friend.
“That means the world to me, to have somebody that I can trust,” said Chief Thompson. “He’s going to be just that way to you all, and to the Hartsville people.”
Hartsville Police Chief Jerry Thompson (right) with HPD’s newest addition, Capt. Mitch Stanley.
Also at this meeting, Jessica Cohen was introduced at the city’s new tourism director, and Hartsville Fire Chief Jeff Burr announced promotions for Lt. Wesley Young and Engineer Tim Watford.
On council’s regular agenda, seven new ordinances passed first reading:
No. 4204 would lease property at the corner of Marlboro Ave. and Seventh Street to the Hartsville Rescue Squad for $1 per year. The current lease expires in September.
No. 4205 would lease property at 407 Mill Ave. to an HPD officer for $400 per month. This resident police officer is a required part of the city’s match for the Oakdale Village Renaissance Grant.
No. 4206 sets the city’s cable service provider franchise fee at 5-percent of the provider’s gross revenue (the maximum percentage allowed by state law), and No. 4207 grants the State of South Carolina consent to the application of Time Warner Cable Southeast LLC to operate cable and video service within Hartsville.
No. 4208 and 4209 would amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan to include a Transportation Element (to guide transportation efficiency for existing and planned development) and Priority Investment Element (to analyze projected funds for capital improvement projects).
Specific items cited for development in the Transporation Element include major roads (like Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Streets), bike and walking paths, parking, rail systems (for industrial and commuter use), the city airport, and public transportation.
Council member Teresa Mack noted the city lacks any method of public transportation since it pulled out of the HART bus project with Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority. She said some constituents have talked with her about the high cost of using taxi cabs and have asked whether it was possible to get reconnected to PDRTA.
City manager Natalie Zeigler replied that council had voted to withdraw from PDRTA due to lack of ridership and the high cost – roughly $100,000 a year – to continue the HART program.
“It was a budgeting issue at that point,” said Zeigler, adding that she could ask PDRTA to present council with other busing options if they wished. Mack asked her to investigate the matter and see if other busing options are available for Hartsville.
“We have some people that definitely need those services, as opposed to a taxi,” said Mack.
Council also passed Resolution 07-15-01, contracting to purchase a valve maintenance trailer for $58,375 from E.H. Wachs Company.
