NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County Council recognized numerous county employees and community members for their service to Newberry during last week’s County Council meeting.
Resolutions were presented to Vina Abrams and Walton J. McLeod for their respective years of service on the Board of Directors of the Central Midlands Council of Governments.
Abrams was recognized for 24 years of service. She was first appointed to serve on the Board of Directors by Newberry County Council in 2001 and has since been reappointed five times to the Board because of her dedication to improving quality of life in Newberry County and in the Central Midlands Region of South Carolina.
She also served on the Board Chair from 2011-2013 and Vice-Chair from 2009-2011 and was a member of numerous standing and special committees including the Regional Aging and Disability Advisory Committee, the Family Caregiver Support Program Subcommittee and the Rural Transportation Planning Advisory Committee. Abrams is a member of the Pi Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, is a former Rotarian and previously served on the Board of Directors of Rotary Club.
McLeod, who was unable to attend the meeting, was recognized for 49 years of service.
McLeod was first appointed to serve on the Board of Directors in 1976 and has since been reappointed numerous times.
He served as Board Chair from 1981-1982 and from 2002-2003, chaired the Rural Transportation Planning Advisory Committee, served as a representative on the Central Midlands Development Corporation and, like Abrams, participated in numerous standing and special committees.
McLeod was a member of the South Carolina General Assembly, served in the United States Navy and attained the rank of Captain, retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves, enjoyed a distinguished career as a prominent attorney, received countless awards and accolades and served his community on numerous boards, committees and charities.
A resolution was also presented to 12-year-old Newberry Middle School student Isaias Meza for his recent soccer accomplishments.
Meza was selected to join the 12U Barca Academy, a youth development program of FC Barcelona – one of the most successful and respected professional football clubs in the world.
He will have the opportunity to travel abroad this summer and compete in historic stadiums graced by many of soccer’s greatest players.
Meza recently represented the United States in a global soccer competition featuring over 2,000 participating from 50 teams and 26 countries where he scored two goals – one against Japan and one against Luxembourg. The United State finished 19th place overall.
Two employees were also recognized for their years of service to the county.
Rick Farmer was recognized for 10 years of service in Economic Development – Farmer is currently the Economic Development Director.
Before taking on his current role, County Administrator Jeff Shacker said Farmer wore a number of different hats, including working in retail, driving a tractor trailer and working in the newspaper industry at The Clinton Chronicle down the road in Clinton and The Index-Journal in Greenwood.
Joseph Bickley was recognized for 15 years of service with the Public Works Department. Shacker said when Bickley joined the county, he quickly became proficient on all of the equipment the Public Works Department uses. Bickley has also taken on the responsibility of working in the county’s sign shop as well as at the Newberry County Airport.
Other business:
• Ben Setzler, with the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District, updated Council on what they have been up to this quarter. He said Ag+Art Tour, held on May 10, brought out a lot of community members , with some sites seeing around 550 visitors. They have also distributed books to schools across Newberry County through a grant NSWCD received, participating in the Enoree fishing rodeo as well as working with high schools and local businesses to pick up litter. Setzler said in April over 3,000 pounds of litter was removed. He added that Camp Conservation will be held in June and that there were 60 kids signed up and additional kids on a waiting list. He noted that volunteers are needed for Camp Conservation.
• Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a fee agreement by and between Newberry County and Newberry PV1, LLC providing for a payment in fee in lieu of taxes, providing special source revenue credits and addressing other matters related.
• Council unanimously passed the second reading on a ordinance that would provide appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 for the Newberry County budget.
• Council approved a bid for renovations to classrooms and breezeway of Old Pomaria School – a 2022 Capital Project Sales Tax Project to On-Site Builder, LLC in the amount of $256,827.
• Council approved a bid for roadway improvements to Mawson’s Way at the S.C. 219 Industrial Park to Satterfield Construction Company in Greenwood, in the amount of $2,258,210.
• Council approved a bid for renovations to interior of Pope Building, located a 1119 Harrington Street, Newberry to W.E. Baker & Sons in the amount of $65,620 as well as including the alternate $3,975.
• Council approved a bid for renovations to the Whitmire City Gym in the Town of Whitmire – a 2022 Capital Project Sales Tax Project to W.E. Baker & Sons in the amount of $609,049.