NEWBERRY — In recognition of 25 years with the Newberry Fire Department, Newberry City Council honored Captain Blake Davis, a man Mayor Foster Senn said comes from a family with “a long history” of service and dedication to the city.
“I think it’s in his genes, he was bound to be a good public servant,” added City Manager Al Harvey, who hired Davis in 1991. “It’s a pleasure for me to congratulate him and thank him on behalf of the city for his service.”
Beginning his career as a firefighter, Davis was promoted to lieutenant in 1999 and in 2008 to captain.
“His service has been outstanding and he’s set an example for all the other guys with much less service,” Harvey said.
Under old business, council conducted second readings on ordinances that will clear the way for ThermoFlo, currently headquartered in Charlotte, to relocate within Newberry’s city limits.
The first ordinance annexed two land parcels located behind the Oakland Mill property totalling 3.2 acres while the second rezoned the parcels to basic industrial.
A motion and second to approve the first ordinance were made by Councilmen Zebbie Goudelock and Thomas Boyd, respectively, and a motion to approve the second was made by Councilman Lemont Glasgow and seconded by Councilman Edwin Wicker.
Both were approved unanimously.
A main entrance for ThermoFlo will be added on S.C. 121 so that an increase in traffic will leave the existing community unaffected.
Council also held a first reading of an ordinance to designate the Newberry County Superintendent of Education as an ex-officio member of the Newberry Opera House Foundation board, “in view of the many educational programs offered to school children by the Dufford Foundation,” said Senn.
A motion to approve the reading was made by Councilman Wicker and seconded by Councilman Boyd with all in favor.
In 2008 the president of Newberry College as well as the president of the Opera House Guild were designated ex-officio board members.
Harvey reported because the city is only a month into the budget there has not been “enough activity to cause any concerns or problems” and elected, pending council’s agreement, to reserve his report until next month.
With fall just around the corner, Council approved a request from parks and recreation to allow adult beverages downtown in specified areas during Oktoberfest, slated for Oct. 1.