Olar officials sworn in

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

Judge Franklin Gibson administered the oath of office to each of the newly elected members of the Olar Town Council at their monthly meeting May 3, in the Town Hall. Each council member was elected to a two-year term.

The official results of the Tuesday, April 13th Olar nonpartisan election, show that incumbent Olar Mayor Walter O’ Rear received 43 write-in votes to return to his office as mayor. In the race for four seats on town council incumbents Dickie Dickert received 51 votes, Lewis Orr received 48 votes and Steve Brabham tallied 48 votes. Wade Hough also won a seat on town council by receiving 48 votes as a write-in candidate.

Also during the meeting:

• It was noted in the financial report that the town’s accounts had the following balances: General Account $2,875.46; Police Victim $2,960.69; Regional Water System $3,936.26 and Fire Department $40,063.66.

• Mayor O’Rear reported that a test of the town’s water system has come back from DHEC “perfect” except for some discoloration. He noted that other reports on the water are not back yet.

• It was reported in the fire department report that the department answered six calls during the month.

• It was stated that the town’s audit would be in next week.

• Commission Dickie Dickert in the street department report stated that a lot of signs “30 something” are missing around town.

• Police Commission Wade Hough reported that the town had purchased a marked police car from the City of Irmo that was in very good condition. He stated that “the department is moving in the right direction.”

• Under new business Mayor O’Rear reported that he received a certified letter from Verizon Communication concerning a merger agreement on May 13th with Frontier Communications of the Carolinas.

• The Mayor announced the resignation of Municipal Judge Franklin Gibson effective August 1, 2010.

• Council member unanimously elected Dickie Dickert as Mayor Pro Tem of the Town of Olar.

• Mayor O’Rear told council members he was “looking forward to a good two years” noting that the town has crossed a lot of hurdles.

Hearts and Feet

Walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the ( American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Bamberg County gets underway with teams of residents gathering at Bamberg Ehrhardt High School on May 14th & 15th.

“Relay is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease,” said Mollie Brandemuehl, Event Chairperson. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that Bamberg County is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, we are joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”

Painting for Paws

Joyce M. Searson, Publisher

Jennifer Reynolds, owner of Art and Soul in Bamberg, said it all began when she got a phone call from MAMAS (Mary Ann Morris Animal Shelter) requesting that she paint two doghouses for them.

"I wanted to get kids to do this, so I decided to get donations for materials to build more doghouses and supplies for the shelter. Before I knew it I had received over $1500.00 in just two days and we were able to build four more houses. We ended up painting six houses today and we have more coming," said Reynolds.