Elgin Town Council voted to endorse the One-Cent Sales tax and Referendum at Tuesday’s night meeting. The projects from the referendum are focused on building and updating schools in Kershaw County. Specific projects to the West Wateree area include: building new schools for Lugoff Elementary and Wateree Elementary, renovations to Stover Middle, Lugoff-Elgin High and additions to Lugoff-Elgin Middle and Doby’s Mill Elementary.

Emmons clarified she could speak about the projects despite being a Kershaw County School District employee

“I have been informed that since none of the projects have anything to do with our salaries and since none of the projects are geared towards the school I work at, I am able to discuss this,” Emmons said.

Emmons discussed the various problems at schools in the West Wateree Area citing issues with plumbing and electrical units.

“Most of you have children who have attended the schools on this list or are attending at this time …We have students at L-EHS (who) when it rains are walking through water in the hallways.  Wateree Elementary… was built with the intention to house middle school students so the back facilities are separate from the main part. It’s a situation I hope we would not want our students in.”

Emmons also said the heating and cooling units at some of the schools are difficult to find parts for because of their age. 

“With that being said, I am in support of the bond referendum and what I’m asking tonight is for (this council to) endorse the yes and yes referendum,” Emmons said, following which Councilman Brad Hanley made a motion to endorse the referendum.

Also during old business, council voted to table purchasing a business module so that council members could discuss prioritizing projects to be completed. The business module would assist with completing town business. A meeting was scheduled for Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. to discuss the module as well as Potter Community Park.

During her report on Potter Community Park, Councilwoman Dana Sloan informed council she is optimistic about the park receiving the funds needed. “It is still looking very favorable that the money is going to come in through the state… I also met last week with Pam Delk from Mid Carolina credit union,” Sloan said also explaining that Mid Carolina was interested in doing a match fundraiser on social media. Sloan said she expected to have more information for council at the Oct. 24 meeting. 

During Council briefings, Councilwoman Candy Silvers stated she enjoyed attending the Kershaw County Industry Expo held in Camden and learning about various industries in the county. 

Emmons announced that Salem United Methodist would host a yard sale and bake sale on Oct. 8 with proceeds going to the town’s benevolence fund.

Elgin Town Clerk Melony Hudson said police officers were invited to stop by during the sale for a free hotdog lunch. 

Councilman Hanley informed council he was looking into how the state government allocates money and projects for road and transportation repairs or installations. He requested the form explaining how much money is allocated and to what projects be posted on the town’s website for citizens to be aware of.

Council Ed Smith stated his approval of the cleaning up of a property on the corner of Bowen Street and U.S. 1.

Councilwoman Sloan addressed an issue of accusations against Elgin Town Council through social media.

“As council members we all understand that there will always be people who don’t feel pleased with our decisions yet we continue to make those hard decisions that serve the people in this town.  Sometimes politics creeps in and muddies the water of true servanthood through untrue or unflattering social media attacks made by a disgruntled former employee.  It has been addressed recently at our last meeting but the mistruths and bullying from behind the keyboard continue so I wanted to address it again here,” Sloan said. 

Sloan addressed accusations made against council members for not attending a ribbon cutting event for a new local business. She explained council members were not informed of the event due to an accidental oversight and therefore did not attend. 

Sloan also addressed other accusations made against council. 

“We have also been accused of showing up only once a month to collect a check … At the end of logging September hours, if I would have been paid by the hour it would have been a little under $2 for what we do. We do what we do to serve the town of Elgin. If most people knew of the majority of the checks are given to us, many are given back to the community whether it’s to support the police department or out local football teams, we are constantly giving back,” Sloan said

“I hope that I’ve shown the truth compared to what’s being posted.  I hope you leave here knowing, you are being represented by a council who doesn’t just love living in Elgin but we truly love serving the people of Elgin.”

During new business, council passed first reading of Election Ordinance 231 and the month of October was declared Alpha Delta Kappa month in the town of Elgin. Alpha Delta Kappa is an international honorary organization for women educators.