Society Hill’s native son announces bid
Photo by Jana E. Pye
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
“Sheriff Wayne Byrd asked to be on the agenda tonight,” said Mayor Tommy Bradshaw. “I’d just like to say, we all know he is a native son of Society Hill and he’s been very helpful to us. I just want to share that from me and the council we’d like to wish him success in his future endeavors.”
Byrd will seek reelection for the office of Sheriff of Darlington County this year; he has held the office for 8 years. He was joined by his wife, children, and extended family at the Society Hill Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.
“Eight years ago when I first came to council to announce I was running for office of Sheriff of Darlington County, my daughter wasn’t much bigger than Maisie, and now she is taller than her mother,” said Byrd, referring to the little girl at the meeting. “You don’t think that eight years is that long, but it is. I am thankful I can be here tonight, and that the Lord has allowed me to have the success that I’ve had and the privilege of announcing my candidacy for Sheriff again this year. I would like to have your support in the upcoming election. I thank God for making it possible for me to be here and do that, and thank you for your support.”
According to Mayor Bradshaw, Byrd assisted the town when they were down to one police officer by setting up a “sub-station”and has been very helpful to the town on many occasions.
The council also discussed the financial audit of the town during the meeting.
The fund balance at the beginning of the year, July 1, 2014, was $9,073.00 which rose to $45,650.00 on June 30, 2015.” That’s the big thing.” said Bradshaw. “We need to try to maintain a fund balance of at least two preferably of our operating expenses – a $40 – $50,000 balance to carry through periods, and set $20,000 to $30,000 into a reserve fund for future grant matches.”
The town’s police cars will be paid in full in October of this year, freeing up more revenue for the budget.
Bradshaw noted that on next month’s agenda, the council will address the dilapidated houses that are “eyesores” in the town, using assistance from the Municipal Association and the contract help of Henry Chapman, Building Codes Enforcement Manager for the City of Darlington to address the Property and Maintenance Codes, an added feature of the International Building Codes which will address the unsightly areas of the town.
The Catfish Festival has pledged to help provide funds from their annual proceeds to clean up the town playground, removing an old fence and sprucing up the playground.
Town residents Lougenia Peterson and Connell Delaine appeared to ask for help on the water issues that plague the Church Street area, specifically Bethesda Church. Delaine mentioned that when three roads were paved, no drainage ditches were added which make the problem of flooding worse, including Hall Street and Cain Street.
Council suggested that SCDOT be contacted from the church directly as property owners.
The next town hall meeting is Tuesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m.
