NEWBERRY — Four local high school students were recognized by Newberry City Council on Tuesday as the 2017 recipients of the Newberry-PMPA Community Scholar Scholarship.
Danielle Reeder, Maria Martinez, Marylane Wilkerson and Bremen Sawyer will each receive a $500 scholarship to go toward tuition at the state school of their choice.
As one of 10 cities that receives their electricity from the Piedmont Municipal Power Agency (PMPA), the City of Newberry is provided $2,000 from PMPA to give back to the community and divide up among four $500 scholarships.
“College is very expensive and every little bit helps we like to believe,” said Mayor Foster Senn. “We’re really proud of each of you.”
Each student recognized was presented a certificate from the members of City Council.
Joe McMorris was also recognized by City Council for his 30 years of service with the city’s Public Works Department. McMorris began his employment on April 13, 1987 and holds the position of Heavy Equipment Operator.
“There is no question that our Public Works department gets its good name because of employees like Joe,” City Manager Matt DeWitt said. “He’s had a great impact on the City of Newberry and we couldn’t be happier that he’s been with us so long.”
Riverbanks Zoo President Satch Krantz received a key to the city presented by Senn and City Council on Tuesday for the vital role he has played in the education and enjoyment of generations of Newberry students and residents at the zoo.
In medieval times, Senn said there were walls surrounding cities, so if there was someone well-respected from another community, it was custom for them to receive a key to the city. When they came to the gate of another community with their key, they could enter in with no hesitation.
“It’s really quite amazing what Riverbanks has become,” Senn said.
Senn said he always thinks that Riverbanks Zoo cannot get any better, and then he is pleasantly surprised with new renovations and upgrades.
“Classes from Newberry schools have gone to the zoo and I know they’ve appreciated the experience, adults too,” Senn said.
Krantz will retire from his position on June 30 after over 44 years.
Old business
Under old business, second and final reading was passed of an ordinance to amend the zoning of a one acre parcel located at Player and Silas streets. Recently during the citywide rezoning of the city parks, the substation at Kendall Park was included in the open space designation. It was later deemed necessary to separate the city’s substation located on the property to its own parcel and tax map identification. The parcel has now been rezoned to accommodate the substation.
Second and final reading was also passed on an ordinance to separate the billing classes of the current water and sewer rate structure. Since the inception of the billing structure, both residential and commercial customers have been billed using the same rate table. Through communication from DHEC, it was recommended to cities across South Carolina that provide utilities to update their practice to ensure conservation and economic development.
New business
Under new business, Jim Parks was appointed to the zoning board of appeals to replace Jim Lander after his term expires Jan. 1, 2018. Senn said Lander had requested to retire from the zoning board after his term and that he had done an outstanding job for many years.
“We greatly appreciate his service,” Senn said.
City Council signed a proclamation Tuesday declaring June 2-3 as Hejaz Shriners Weekend. As they did in 2012, the Hejaz Shrine Temple will be holding their annual initiation weekend in Newberry, with this year’s event occurring on Friday June 2 and Saturday, June 3.
Senn recognized Jimmy Phibbs, Shriner State Potentate, Tuesday night who is coordinating this year’s event. Phibbs said he anticipates that 400 Shriners from all over the Upstate will gather in Newberry that weekend.
