Ehrhardt Town Council approves second reading of 2011 budget

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

Ehrhardt Town Council members held a public hearing and gave second reading approval to a $486,862 General Fund Budget and a $1,908,440 Water and Sewer Fund Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2011 at their June 15, meeting. It was noted the proposed budget was not an increase from last years’ budget and included no cost of living increase for town employees.

“We tried to stay with what we had last year,” Councilman Bill Edinger said. Town garbage customers will see a $1.50 per month increase in garbage rates as the rates increase from $7.50 to $9.00 per month. “It’s still a pretty good rate,” said Councilman Freddie Copeland.

Also during the meeting:

• Public Works Commissioner Freddie Copeland reported that the new water tank has been erected. The tank still has some welding, painting, landscaping and fencing to be done and should be on-line by September. Copeland noted that some flushing of the new system will have to be done and the new water system will supply 60-PSI of water pressure compared with the 50 PSI of the old system.

• Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Bill Edinger reported the Verizon Cell Phone Tower is now ready to go wireless to Smoaks and should be completed in the next couple of weeks.

• Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bennie Hughes reported it has been quite at the Copeland Ball Field in light of an incident that happened at the field last month.

• Police Commissioner Edinger reported the Town had “some break-ins” but the police department thinks they know who’s responsible. “It’s all going well in the police department we should be in excellent shape,” Edinger said.

• Public Works Commissioner Copeland reported one or two water leaks near Varnco which should be resolved when the new water system comes on line.

Fourth of July Celebration features Otis Brown

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

This year’s City of Bamberg Fourth of July Celebration sponsored by Tobul Accumulators & Phoenix Specialty will be held on Sunday, July 4, at the Ness Sports Complex. The evening’s events will began at 5:15 p.m. with prayer by Reverend Ella Bamberg, the welcome by Mayor Alton McCollum, the National Anthem by Satin McIntosh and the Occasion by Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Foster.

The entertainment portion of the event will began at 6:00 p.m. with Reverend Joe Banks, followed at 6:30 p.m. by local group Northwood Faust. At 7:30 p.m. David Garrick will perform followed at 8:15 by Otis Brown formerly of the Drifters. The evening’s activities will culminate At 9:00 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks display by Tobul Accumulators & Phoenix Specialty. The City of Bamberg reminds all spectators that alcoholic beverages are not allowed at this event.

City of Bamberg Fourth of July Celebration Chair Janeth Walker stated that even though this year’s event has been scaled back somewhat in the areas of rides and games, the committee wanted to keep up the best traditions of the annual event at a reasonable price.

“The committee was able to plan yet another year of family fun and entertainment on a very nominal budget,” Walker said. “We are sincerely grateful for having co-sponsors like Phoenix and Tobul Accumulators who donated the fireworks display and appreciative for our entertainers and vendors all of whom are committed to making this event possible. We want all family and friends to have a clean, safe and enjoyable time at our annual 4th of July Celebration,” said Walker.

Blood Drive

Jerry Durgan, Contributing Writer

“We had 34 people present to donate blood,” said Harriet Coker last week. The drive was named in honor of the Bamberg Chapter of the Red Cross Chair Johnnie Hyatt, a major volunteer for the Red Cross for more than 12 years. “Johnnie,” Bamberg County Red Cross Executive Director Harvey Kling noted, “has been a driving force in the county’s Red Cross for as long as I can remember, with a hand in virtually every event and program the Chapter’s been involved with.,” he said, “including the Toys for Tots and Teens and our annual fund drive, the Red Cross Bingo game each year.”

Volunteer of the Year

Jerry Durgan, Contributing Writer

David Schumaker was named Bamberg Chapter of the American Red Cross 'Volunteer of the Year' at the annual meeting last Thursday.

“David has been an outstanding volunteer for the Red Cross, not only for this year, but since he became a member of the Bamberg Chapter over a year ago. And,” Harvey Kling, Executive Director for the Bamberg Chapter of the Red Cross continued, “I suspect that he’s been a strong supporter of the Red Cross for many years before that. Since he became a member he has attended every workshop, meeting, event and training course that’s been available. Paul (Sandifer) at that time said that David would be ‘an asset to the organization’ and he’s certainly been that and much more.”