WHITMIRE — Whitmire Mayor Billy Hollingsworth reported to Town Council on Monday that the Whitmire Fire Department was now the owner of a 1989 Hahn Walk-In Rescue Truck.

In its October council meeting, Whitmire Town Council discussed purchasing the truck for the Whitmire Fire Department to replace existing one, a FedEx van that can’t carry equipment needed during fires.

As reported in last month’s meeting, Councilman Michael Thomas and Randy Biddle flew to Pennsylvania to see the truck, determining that the price to purchase the truck would be between $10,000 and $12,000.

Councilwoman Debbie Harris made a motion to purchase the truck as long as it was in good condition. Councilwoman Chrystal Harsha seconded the motion. Thomas and Bodie abstained from voting, with the remainder of council members approving the purchase.

Hollingsworth reported that the truck has been purchased for $13,000. Once the equipment is taken off of the old truck, Thomas said the current truck will either be sold or handed over to the Public Works department to hold barricades and cones.

Other business:

• Beth Broom reported for Recreation that the football program has come to an end. Both teams were in the playoffs. They will have their banquet Thursday night, with no further details at this time. Broom also reported that basketball registration has started. Broom also advised Council that she will be getting bids to replace the doors on the city gym.

• Jeremiah Sinclair of the Whitmire Police Department reported that there were 88 incident reports and 128 citations. Some of the calls included firearms, possessions of a stolen vehicle, possession of marijuana and controlled substances, possession of heroin and cocaine, DUI and resisting arrest. There were also four traffic accidents reported for October.

“We are also working on finalizing two grants for body cameras bullet-proof vests. In order to get the body cameras, we’ll be using money we get from the state. We’ve got $2,500 on that and I ordered those on Friday. The other grant we received is the Justice Assistance Grant and we’ve got $2,500 on that grant to purchase bullet-proof vests,” Sinclair said.

• With the financial report for the month of October, Hollingsworth reported a beginning balance of $17,077.14. Deposits made in October were $40,484.88. Expenditures for the month came in at $44,617.12. The final balance for October was $12,944.90.

• Hollingsworth reported from the Public Works Department financial report, a beginning balance of $2,649.70. The Public Works Department brought in revenue of $77,099.41 and expenditures of $75,760.19. The ending balance for October was $3,988.92.

• Kim Wallace reported for the Whitmire Economic Development Board that a book signing for author Benilde Little, which was scheduled for Nov. 11, was postponed due to a family emergency. Wallace said the signing will be re-scheduled for some time in March.

• In October’s meeting, Wallace advised Council that they were awarded a $1,900 Emotional Awareness grant. Wallace requested $900 from Council for the project, a new program that promotes reading among adults in the area. The motion was made by Harris to approve the $900 and Harsha seconded. All council members were in favor of giving the $900.

• The Whitmire Jaycees will holding their Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at a location to be determined. The parade will be Dec. 10 with lineup beginning at noon and the parade beginning at 1 p.m.

• The Whitmire Jaycees are accepting applications for the Cheer Fund for children in Whitmire. The final date is Nov. 17 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.

• Council also agreed that the Whitmire Jaycees should have the Santa float in the parade this year and agreed to its purchase.

Mayor Billy Hollingsworth reported to Council that the Whitmire Fire Department has purchased the new fire truck that was discussed in last month’s meeting. The old truck will either be sold or handed over to the Public Works Department to use.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Whitmire-Council.jpgMayor Billy Hollingsworth reported to Council that the Whitmire Fire Department has purchased the new fire truck that was discussed in last month’s meeting. The old truck will either be sold or handed over to the Public Works Department to use. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.