As you approach major highway entrances to our community and ride around the City, you may notice signs designating Sumter as a Purple Heart City and County. Have you ever thought about what this honor means for active and retired veterans living in Sumter? Established by George Washington during the Revolutionary War, the Purple Heart was America’s first award to recognize the common soldier for...
Citizens are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Sumter Veterans Park, located along Highway 378 adjacent from Shaw Air Force Base. The parks new entrance is off of Oleander Drive. Officials from Shaw Air Force Base, the City of Sumter, Sumter County and the Sumter County Legislative Delegation will participate in a ceremonial ribbon cutting to dedicate the park. The event...
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) noted on Wednesday that COVID-19 cases in South Carolina and Sumter have plateaued. Analysis by SCDHEC has shown that the areas of the state that have mask ordinances have a lower rate of new cases than those who do not. The agency also advised that it expects a surge in cases in the colder months ahead. The City of Sumter...
We know that masks and separation are the key to slowing COVID-19. City Council has renewed the City of Sumter ordinance requiring masks three times. The current extension will be up for renewal again at our meeting on October 7. Analysis of data by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) has established that areas with a mask ordinance are seeing a reduction in...
In recent days, I have received emails and heard public comments regarding the non-compliance of mask wearing in businesses and locations in the City of Sumter. I feel the need to emphasize that the ordinance approved by City Council requires business owners to ensure that his or her employees are taking the appropriate steps to protect themselves and patrons. Additionally, the ordinance maintains...
Council held five public hearings this month to receive comments on : Use of a dditional funding through Community Development Block Grant , with specifics on use through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security Act (Care Act). Revision of an existing planned development , located at 1740 U.S. Highway 15 South, Pocalla Springs, to add Reli gious O rganizations to the approved uses list within the...
Council held four public hearings this month to receive comments on: Additional funding through Community Development Block Grant, with specifics on use through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security Act (Care Act). Revision of an existing planned development, located at 1740 U.S. Highway 15 South, Pocalla Springs, to add Religious Organizations to the approved uses list within the land use area...
Like so many of you, I am angered and disgusted at the actions of the Minneapolis police officers that took the life of George Floyd. There are no words that I, or anyone else, could offer to the Floyd family and victims of racism and violence to express the feelings of sorrow shared by the Sumter community. Now more than ever before, we are reminded of the challenge to change the racial biases...
Council held two public hearings last night. While our facilities are still closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we gave residents three ways to submit comments, via email, via public comment form on our website and we also set up a comment station at the rear entrance to the Opera House, so we could allow for in-person comments while maintaining appropriate physical distancing...
My friends, I know it has been a tough couple of months. First and foremost, I am proud of our community for remaining vigilant through this unusual time, but while many areas in our state and nation are preparing to transition back to normal, I want to encourage all of us to continue remaining vigilant—stay home as much as possible, and use caution when you need to go out. The experts at the CDC...