PROSPERITY — Prosperity Town Council has welcomed a new addition to the Prosperity Police Department — Officer George Simmons.

Simmons was sworn in by Chief Wesley Palmore during Prosperity’s regularly schedule Town Council Meeting on November 19.

“First of all I’d like thank God for putting me here with this fine young lady (wife Nicole who is from Prosperity). Without her I wouldn’t be here in Prosperity,” Simmons said.

Simmons comes to the Prosperity Police Department with a background in both law enforcement and in the military. He completed 12 years of active duty in the military — finishing at Fort Jackson where he was a drill sergeant.

“I taught at the Drill Sergeant Academy there — finished up my active duty, went into the Army Reserves where I transitioned from a drill sergeant in the Army Reserve. Now I’m down at the University of South Carolina training the ROTC cadets in the Reserve Program,” he said.

After finishing up his active duty, Simmons went to Richland County where he worked as a deputy for about four years and was promoted to corporal as a supervisor on the road. Simmons was then promoted to detective and was an investigator for the last three years. He finished at Richland County as a burglary investigator. Simmons recently obtained his real estate license.

“I met with the chief one day and he offered me the opportunity to serve here locally. I’m proud to be here on a more local level — I’m proud of my time in Richland County, but it kind of felt like over there it wasn’t like I’m fighting for the home team — like I would be here,” Simmons said. “Now that I’m here, I’m glad to be part of the team and I hope to bring my experience from the military and from Richland County here.”

In other business, Corporal Corey Jones reported there have been 82 reports since the previous meeting, one kidnapping, domestic violence, high and aggravated nature (involved in the kidnapping) and 47 tickets (two driving of those were under the influence). Two warrants were served this month.

Plans for the Prosperity Christmas Parade (Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.) are underway. To avoid any traffic concerns, Jones said they will be blocking all intersections during the parade.

“Actually going to put barricades up at every intersection this year and keep the parade shut down for probably about 10 minutes after the parade ends, to allow people to push away from Main Street. Trying not to have that bottlenecking like we had last year at the Square, so we’re going to see how that works,” he said.

Other business:

• A motion was made by Councilman Chad Hawkins and seconded by Councilman Robert Martin to approve Dec. 24 as a closed half day paid holiday.

• Town Administrator Karen Livingston reported that effective Dec. 1, Town Hall will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. on a trial basis. The office will still be open until 5 p.m. on the last pay day.

• A motion was made by Martin and seconded by Councilman Allen Gallman to approve the second reading of the Corridor Overlay District Ordinance.

Officer George Simmons was recently sworn in as the Prosperity Police Department’s newest officer. Pictured, left to right: Chief Wesley Palmore, Officer George Simmons and his wife Nicole Simmons.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_Simmons.jpgOfficer George Simmons was recently sworn in as the Prosperity Police Department’s newest officer. Pictured, left to right: Chief Wesley Palmore, Officer George Simmons and his wife Nicole Simmons. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@championcarolinas.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.