Greenwood, SC Council Meeting Discusses Suicide Prevention and Road Safety

Greenwood, SC — Council Meeting Discusses Suicide Prevention and Road Safety

The Greenwood County Council met on Tuesday for a meeting that touched on a number of local issues that are very important to the community.

Leath Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation

The meeting began with a significant moment as the council recognized September as Leath Suicide Prevention Month. Warden Thomas Robertson and Associate Warden of Programs Michele Carter from Leath Correctional Institution were present to accept the proclamation.

Carter spoke passionately about the importance of this initiative. “With September being Suicide Prevention Month, we are diligently trying to prevent suicides,” Carter said. “We wanted to bring awareness to inmates at Leath and residents in Greenwood County. Tell them that they all matter too and encourage them. It’s important for the community to come together and watch out for each other,” she added.

Upper Savannah Council of Governments Report

Rick Green from the Upper Savannah Council of Governments gave a presentation focusing on the alarming rise in fatal car and motorcycle accidents. Green detailed the increasing number of fatalities involving vehicles veering off the roads over the last year and a half.

To address this, Green mentioned several measures they are implementing, including widening shoulders, adding rumble strips, and expanding the space available for emergency pull-offs in surrounding areas. “These are crucial steps to ensure we can reduce these tragic incidents,” he stated.

Park Plaza and Courthouse Renovations

The council also approved pre-construction and construction contracts for renovations to Park Plaza and the Greenwood County Courthouse. This long-awaited project is expected to kick off on September 16.

The renovation will require the temporary relocation of several departments, including building inspection, planning, engineering, emergency services, and lake management, to the Airport Annex. The project involves five phases and is expected to cost $11 million, with a completion date set for 2026.

Appointment of Special Tax District Commissioners

The meeting wrapped up with the council approving the appointment of nine Special Tax District commissioners for districts 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7.

Future Meetings

The next council meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on September 17 at the Greenwood County Library.

Weather Outlook

For those planning to attend the next meeting or any other activities, it’s worth noting that the weather forecast for today suggests partly cloudy skies this morning, with a chance of a few showers developing in the afternoon. The high is expected to be 79°F with winds from the east-northeast at 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain stands at 30%. By nightfall, the forecast predicts cloudy skies with occasional rain showers, with lows around 62°F and a 50% chance of rain.

This meeting highlighted both pressing and ongoing community issues, showcasing the council’s dedication to tackling matters that affect the daily lives of Greenwood County residents.