“It’s something we’ve been waiting for, for a long time,” Denmark Mayor Gerald E. Wright said at Monday night’s September meeting of Denmark City Council. Wright was referring to the $495,500 Community Development Block Grant Community Infrastructure Grant the city was awarded through the South Carolina Department of Commerce for repair of liners at its waste water treatment facility.

“I would like to express appreciation and gratitude to everyone and every person who was involved in any way in getting this to take place,” Wright said Tuesday morning as he accepted a ceremonial check from Lisa Kalsbeck of the South Carolina Department of Commerce in the historic Denmark Depot. “This is a much needed grant and it will serve the community and Denmark for a long time to come,” Wright added. “Congratulations and we’re happy to present this check to you for a very worthwhile endeavor,” Kalsbeck said.

Also during Monday night’s meeting:

• In the police department report, Captain Bernard Holman reported the department created 108 case files for the month. At the end of his report Council member Hope Long-Weldon asked Holman about the status of the investigation of the “officer involved” shooting that took place on August 4, where a Norway man was killed. Officer Holman stated he had no information. Long-Weldon stated that she was informed the officer who was allegedly involved in the shooting was still using a city vehicle, noting that if that was the case it would represent “a great liability, a very serious liability to the city.”

In the public comments portion of the meeting Denmark resident Vic Whetstone, noted he had received “lots of calls” from news media concerning the suspended officer. “They are asking questions. We understand the police officer is still on duty,” Whetstone said. Whetstone noted the matter was “a cloud over the town” that needs to be cleared up as soon as possible. “I looked it up, he should not be involved with the city,” Whetstone added.

“The officer is not on duty and any reports of that are erroneous,” Mayor Gerald Wright said adding “we know no more than you do.”

• Further in the meeting, in the financial report, it was reported that total revenue in excess of expenses was $27,696.91. In the water fund account through one sixth of the fiscal year revenue in excess of expenses was $27,797.08

• Council members gave second and final reading to an ordinance (37.02) to reflect that City Hall’s hours of operation will include Friday hours of 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.

• In the fire department report Chief Charles Breland reported the department responded to 13 calls last month which was “down for the month.” The chief noted the department had 26 members. He also noted the hiring of a fulltime member in Corey Sandifer, which has been “a big help.” Chief Breland stated a pumper and latter truck were in need of repairs and are very important because of Voorhees College and Denmark Technical College.

• Council members heard a report from Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce Co-president Jerry Bell on the Julius Daniels Memorial Blues Festival presented by The Historic Society of Bamberg County on October 22, at the Dane Theatre from 6:00-9:00 p.m.