Jeff Washington resigns from North Town Council

North Town Councilman Julius Jones, left, and Mayor Patty Carson, right, present North resident Marlon Milhouse, second from left, with a florescent safety vest for his volunteer work to clean up the town and help citizens move their trash cans to the curb on collection days. Milhouse’s mother, Ruby Milhouse, is also pictured.

Tue, 11/13/2018

T&D CORRESPONDENT RON BAXLEY JR.

NORTH – Jeff Washington resigned from North Town Council effective Nov. 1, Mayor Patty Carson announced at Monday night's council meeting.

Washington, who was not at the meeting, did not return numerous telephone calls seeking comment about his departure.

Carson said she would contact the State Election Commission about scheduling a special election to replace him on the council.

Washington announced at North Town Council's September meeting that he would be a candidate for mayor of North in 2019.

Also during Monday's meeting, Councilman Julius Jones recognized resident Marlon Milhouse for his volunteer work to clean up the town and assist citizens.

The mayor presented Milhouse with a florescent safety vest so he will be easily visible to motorists when collecting trash.

“He pulls out trash cans to the curb for other citizens. He picks up trash in the town wherever he sees it,” Jones said of Milhouse, adding that he deserved to be recognized.

Milhouse's mother, Ruby Milhouse, accepted the vest with her son during the meeting.

In other business, Al Jenkins of U.S. Sen. Tim Scott’s office spoke during the meeting, noting, “The senator expresses a happy Veterans Day to all veterans. If any veterans need assistance from the senator’s office, contact me.”

He said Scott wants to assist with homeless veterans and veterans with substance abuse issues.

Carson, noting that Jenkins' message from Scott was a nice segway to information she wanted to share about a proposed Veterans Memorial for the town. She said the land behind North Town Hall was deeded to the town by CSX Railroad. Carson said she assisted with finding the property records, and has applied for grant funds for a Veterans Memorial Park on the property.

Council went into executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss “negotiations regarding sale of property/assets."

Upon returning to public session, council unanimously approved a motion to sell the town’s old SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) water system that the mayor said is no longer in use. The selling price had not been established as of press time.

In other business:

Councilman Daniel Jackson of the Christmas at the North Pole Committee said this year's event will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, with the parade starting at 10 a.m. The parade grand marshal will be the 1972 North Eagle state championship football team.

The event will feature games, vendors, food, local entertainment, a raffle drawing at 5 p.m. and a fireworks show at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact ChristmasattheNorthPoleSC@gmail.com or see the Christmas at the North Pole Facebook page.

The mayor said the Eartha Kitt Gala will get underway at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in the North High School gym. The late singer and actress was a native of North. Her daughter, Kitt Shapiro, will be the guest of honor at the gala, which will include dinner, a silent auction, a presentation by Sen. Tim Scott and a performance by Columbia City Ballet. Tickets are $20, and proceeds will benefit the establishment of a museum in North. For more information and to purchase tickets, call Barbara Jeffcoat at 803-614-2593 or North Town Hall at 803-247-2101.
Jones asked residents to contact him regarding street signs that need replacing. In addition, he reported that a FEMA grant the town was looking into could not be used for the purchase of a generator for the public works department. He said he will pursue other possible funding for the generator.