Phi Beta Omega turns 30

By Carson Lambert

clambert@civitasmedia.com

The founding members of the Phi Beta Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority were honored for their various civic activities over the past three decades.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_Alpha-Kappa-Alpha.jpgThe founding members of the Phi Beta Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority were honored for their various civic activities over the past three decades. Carson Lambert | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — The Phi Beta Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority was honored by Mayor Foster Senn for their 30th anniversary at the meeting of city council Tuesday night.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha does much great work in our community. They are very active and just do a lot of giving back,” Senn said, capping off the distinction with a proclamation.

“Whereas, on April 27, 1984, 17 civic minded women of dignity vision integrity and dedication who were stewards of the community embarked on the course to become a chartered chapter in Newberry of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and then completed 18 months of community service in order to accomplish that goal,” said Senn.

He added that since its founding, the chapter has participated in service projects including winter coat drives, contributions to local food pantries and presenting scholarships to high school students across the county.

“Now therefore be it resolved that Newberry City Council hereby salutes the Phi Beta Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated on its 30th anniversary and thanks them for dedication and leadership in Newberry,” Senn said.

In addition, two employees were recognized for reaching the benchmark of 10 years with the city.

Robert M. Hawkins, known as Mike, was hired by the police department in December 2005 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2014.

“Mike does a super job for us and is a good ambassador for the police department, and he certainly does a good job in public relations,” said City Manager Al Harvey.

Also honored was Robert K. Dowd II, who goes by RJ. He joined the fire department in October 2005 and attained the position of fire engineer in 2008.

“Thank you for your service and leadership ability with the fire department,” Harvey said.

Also discussed was the consideration of adding a tennis complex to the Oakland Mill apartments.

“When the Oakland apartment buildings were envisioned, we talked about returning some of the tax money that is generated to that community,” Senn said. “And tennis courts are something we’ve talked about from the beginning.”

The council received a presentation from design firm Woolpert regarding preliminary layouts and costs.

“Any master plan or any development is a process and, I think, it’s been two or three years in the making,” said Andrew Pack of Woolpert.

The schematics for the proposal featured nine total courts — six hard and three softer, clay-like courts.

Additionally the complex would contain restroom facilities, office space and parking with a price tag of $1.24 million for all proposed elements.

The courts, which would service the needs of the Newberry College tennis program, would also be open to the public.

“The $1.2 million is more than we had allocated for this project,” Senn said.

A possible measure to reduce costs would be to not pave all areas of the complex to lower the total closer to the $800,000 the city has allotted for the project.

The most essential element is the courts themselves, the number of which would only be reduced as a last resort.

Harvey reported that Newberry College President Dr. Maurice Scherrens has expressed interest in assisting the city with upkeep, although a formal agreement has yet to be made.

If a consensus is reached, Woolpert would be responsible for a finalized design and the production of construction documents, the actual construction then being bid out.

Another item under old business was the approval of funding recommendations from the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, totalling just under $53,000.

The funds, which are derived from the hospitality and accommodation taxes, would be used for advertising outside of the 29108 ZIP code in an effort to boost the city’s tourism and would be split between the Downtown Merchants Association, October Fest, the Newberry Arts Center, Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the Newberry Opera House, which would receive the largest portion.

A motion and second were made by Councilmen Lemont Glasgow and Edwin Wicker, respectively, followed by a unanimous vote.

Other proceedings included the first reading of an ordinance to exchange property with the Newberry Rotary Club and the first reading of an ordinance to transfer authority to conduct municipal elections to the Newberry County Voter Registration and Elections Commission. Both passed unanimously.

Reach Carson Lambert at 803-276-0625, ext. 1868, or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.