Changes in Leadership at Ninety Six Town Council

News Summary

The Ninety Six Town Council recently convened to discuss important future plans and changes in leadership. Key discussions included filling vacancies at Cokesbury College and enhancing local projects with new funding. Significant legislative updates were shared, along with an unexpected termination of the Clerk-Treasurer. With upcoming elections ahead, several candidates are stepping forward, promising a new vision for the town as it navigates its strategic growth.

Exciting Changes Coming to Ninety Six Town Council!

Ninety Six is buzzing with activity as the town council recently held a crucial meeting to talk about future plans and some significant changes in leadership. This gathering brought together local legislators, including State Representative Daniel Gibson and State Senator Billy Garrett, along with Susan McIntyre, who aids the legislative delegation. They painted a picture of what’s ahead, discussing their upcoming meeting schedule, which will include sessions in March, June, September, and December. The next one is set to take place in Hodges, so mark your calendars!

Plans in Motion

Mayor Gregg Brown wants to ensure that all boards and commissions are running at full speed, and starting early in the year is part of that strategy. An important issue discussed was the vacancies at Cokesbury College. It’s a bit of a race against time since they need to fill those positions within 30 days. If they fail to do so, the town will have to publicly advertise those openings, which is something no one wants.

On a brighter note, Greenwood County’s PARD FUND currently sits at a healthy $121,260, and there’s a new allocation expected in September that aims to enhance local projects. One exciting plan includes about $20,000 earmarked for setting up a community kiosk at the Ninety Six visitors center. This kiosk will serve as a friendly guide for tourists, making their visits even better!

Legislative Updates

Senator Garrett did not shy away from sharing details about his bill, S. 157, which is designed to allow Duke Energy to issue bonds for operational costs totaling around $500 million. This could have a big impact on the local economy. Meanwhile, Representative Gibson introduced HB 3259, a bill aiming to protect local first responders from facing increased personal insurance rates resulting from on-the-job accidents. It’s great to see these individuals looking out for our community heroes!

Leadership Shake-Up

In a surprising turn of events, the Ninety Six officials took the bold step of terminating Clerk-Treasurer Ketekash Crump-Lukie during their meeting. This decision was made without cause and follows her dedicated service since 2018. Before joining Ninety Six, Crump-Lukie had a solid 12 years with the Greenwood County engineering department and council. The council went into a closed-door session to discuss personnel matters prior to this decision.

As they move forward, the town plans to revise the job description and compensation for the clerk-treasurer position before reposting it publicly. Ninety Six has faced some accounting challenges recently, including delays in submitting audits to the state. This has caused interruptions in funding from Greenwood County, which the town is actively working to resolve. The much-anticipated 2021-22 audit was completed months past the state-required deadline.

Upcoming Elections and Candidates

In more exciting news, Ninety Six is gearing up for an election that will see the selection of a new mayor, two town council members, and a CPW commissioner seat. Several candidates are stepping up to the plate. David Davenport is in the running for a council seat as well as the CPW seat currently held by Bruce Werts, who is looking to be reelected. Mayor Brown is focused on revitalizing the community and advocating for local businesses in his campaign.

Meanwhile, Greg “Chip” Griffin is also vying for the mayor position, bringing his previous town council experience to the table and aiming to connect with local students to involve them in government. There’s also Richard Jones, who has a vision to rebuild trust in local governance, proposing to seek grants for maintaining the town. Incumbent Mayor Mike Rowe has decided to withdraw from the race to devote time to his family, all while hoping to remain connected to the Ninety Six community.

Bridget Porter is hoping for re-election to the town council after successfully serving for eight years, with goals centered around promoting community pride and collaboration. Karen Chrisley Roller is running with an emphasis on transparency and ensuring community safety, further underlining the town’s focus on collaboration as it moves forward.

Ninety Six has faced some notable changes in leadership lately, reinforcing its aim for strategic growth designed to tackle local governance issues head-on. Residents are hopeful as their town seeks to embrace a new chapter filled with opportunity!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Filing Open for School Board Seats in Ware Shoals
Greenwood County School District 52 Launches Food Drive
Ninety Six Residents Arrested on Serious Drug Charges
Greenwood County Council Meeting Highlights Key Projects

Additional Resources

• Index Journal: Ninety Six Council Ends Employment of Clerk-Treasurer
• Al Jazeera: Six Dead as Boat Carrying Rohingya Fleeing Myanmar Arrives in Indonesia
• Index Journal: 3 Candidates Vie for Ninety Six Mayor Alongside Council Races
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Ninety Six
• Washington Post: Circulator Staff Layoffs
• Google News: Ninety Six Council