Pageland Mayor Hough's Blog

Pageland Pride Partnership recognized

2012-01-13T06:07:00.000-08:00

The Pageland Pride Partnership was recognized with a business improvement award at the recent Pageland Chamber of Commerce banquet. Mayor Brian Hough accepted the award on the organization's behalf. PPP is dedicated to creating a healthy downtown and sponsors the Business Improvement Grant (BIG) which aims to help businesses improve the appearance of their buildings.

Also pictured is Karen Odom accepting a non-profit of the year award for Chesterfield County First Steps. Many other awards were given, which will be detailed in our local newspapers' next issues. Be sure to find out who these movers and shakers are in Pageland and give them your thanks and support.

The Pageland Chamber of Commerce is to be commended for inspiring and encouraging businesses as well as individuals and organizations in their efforts to make Pageland a better town for all of us to live, work and play in. The Chamber is a dedicated organization that has evolved over the years, becoming stronger and more influential. We encourage our citizens and businesses to join with them in supporting their efforts, especially their fundraising ventures, without which, they cannot operate.

We appreciate our Pageland Chamber of Commerce.

January 3 agenda

2011-12-30T05:16:00.000-08:00

The next Pageland Town Council meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Arant building next to Town Hall. The public is welcome

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OATH OF OFFICE: COUNCIL MEMBERS DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3

ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO-TEMPORE

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS
1. Sidewalk Grant Application
2. Roll-out Garbage Carts
3. Place ad for Administrator

EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL & CONTRACTUAL

2011 Year in Review

2011-12-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

The past year saw some positive changes for Pageland and it was a year that set the stage for even bigger improvements in the coming year. Among the highlights of 2011 were many projects to beautify the town.

In January, the Pageland Town Council commissioned a new state champions sign to be erected on Hwy. 9 east of town. The new sign was ordered after the Central High School football team won the 2010 Class AA state championship. A few months later, the Lady Eagles won the 2011 state softball title.

In February, the town council approved an ordinance ratifying the agreement to trade land the Town owns on South Arant Street in exchange for the land and buildings of the Lynches River Electric Cooperative on West McGregor Street. The exchange made it possible for the Coop. to build a new headquarters complex on the new site. The Town will relocate its Town Hall and Public Works departments to the more spacious Coop. headquarters this spring.

In March, council approved a financing agreement with First Citizens Bank in Pageland which allowed the Town to purchase a new fire truck. The new truck will benefit all homeowners and businesses in town by helping the fire department to maintain its excellent Class 3 fire insurance rating.

Council also gained a new member in March. Jason Evans was sworn in after winning a special election in February.

In April, the 2nd Annual Heritage Music and Arts Festival was held in Pageland. A new treat for local youngsters was a chance to skate at the community center during the festival.

Council members painted the columns in front of the community center during Clean Up Week in April. Several downtown buildings also received facelifts thanks to volunteers from the Pageland Pride Partnership, Wal-Mart Distribution Center and various civic groups. The Chamber of Commerce installed a second set of steps off Pearl Street at Moore's Park, making the park more accessible.

The beautification effort continued in May with the awarding of five Building Improvement Grants (BIG) for local businesses to use in making improvements to their storefronts. In the past four years, more than a dozen buildings have been renovated through the Town funded BIG program.

In June, council approved a historic buildings ordinance. This will allow building owners to seek state and federal grant money to preserve the Town's historic buildings.

In July, the Town authorized the administrator to create a Facebook site for the Town to keep citizens informed of Town policies and upcoming events.

Town Council members handed out more than 400 slices of watermelon at the hospitality tent during the Watermelon Festival this year. The Chamber of Commerce sponsored event was a huge success.

The Town was saddened by the death of former mayor Carroll Faile on September 18, 2011. Faile was theTown's longest serving mayor with 16 years of service from 1994 through 2009.

In November, council was informed by engineer Nicky Kellahan that the long awaited sewer pipeline project connecting Pageland to a new state-of-the-art treatment plant in McBee, operated by Alligator Rural Water & Sewer Co., will begin in 2012. The project will be divided into two phases with phase one to include the installation of new radio read water meters, fixing the Town's leaky sewer lines, and refinancing of the Town's existing water and sewer debt at a much lower interest rate. Phase two, to be completed the following year, will involve construction of the pipeline from the N.C. state line to the sewer plant south of McBee.

In December, council approved the purchase of new roll out garbage containers for all Town residents as part of the 2012 Town Budget Ordinance. The new carts will be ordered this spring. In addition to making trash collection more efficient, the new carts should eliminate much of the problem of trash placed in bags being scattered by dogs.

The past year has been a good one for the Town and we hope to see even more improvements in the coming year. On behalf of the Town Council, I would like to wish all Pageland residents a Happy New Year in 2012.

December 6 Pageland Town Council Agenda

2011-12-01T12:56:00.000-08:00

The monthly Pageland Town Council will meet Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers in the Arant Building next to Town Hall.

BUDGET WORKSHOP
1. Call to Order
2. Opening Prayer
3. Adoption of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes of Nov. 1, 2011 Budget Workshop & Regular Council Meeting

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL
Ms. Judy Elder-Talbert & Bright-Airport Update

OLD BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 327 - Second Reading - 2012 Budget
2. Ordinance 328 - Second Reading - No Thru Trucks - Mungo, Holley Lynn & South Arant

NEW BUSINESS
1. Administrator's Report
2. Department Head Reports
3. Council Comments

EXECUTIVE SESSION-PERSONNEL & CONTRACTUAL

Roll-out garbage cans on the horizon

2011-11-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

If any of you practical minded husbands are thinking about surprising your wife with a new garbage can this Christmas, if you live in Pageland, you can cross that item off your holiday shopping list. The Town of Pageland is planning on providing new roll out carts for all our customers sometime next year. The Town budget for next year includes funds for the new roll out carts, which will be paid for by a one dollar increase in the monthly garbage collection fee.

The roll out carts will help to make our Town's trash collection service more efficient. Presently, our sanitation crew has to pick up trash in a variety of containers. Some of these containers are in poor condition or difficult to pick up. In some cases, our workers have to resort to taking the bags of trash out of the containers in order to carry them to the truck. This slows down the process of trash collection since multiple trips back and forth to the can are often necessary.
In some cases, residents have more trash than will fit in their can. They place their excess trash bags beside the can, which makes them a tempting target for stray dogs to rip open and scatter the trash. The new roll out carts will have plenty of storage capacity and will come with a secure lid to prevent dogs from creating a mess. This will help to make Pageland more attractive and spare homeowners from the chore of picking up scattered trash.
I don't know of another town in the county that doesn't already have roll out carts. Most rural trash collection services also rely on roll out carts. Pageland needs to modernize its trash collection service and the roll out carts will allow us to do that. So, instead of buying your wife a garbage can, maybe you can get her a new broom, or better yet, a box of chocolates this Christmas.
In other matters, I know everyone wants to know when the sewer line from Pageland to Alligator Rural Water's new sewer treatment plant in McBee is going to be built. This project has been awaiting federal funding for the past two years. Recently, the Town and Alligator were advised by Rural Development officials that it will be necessary to split the $18 million project into phases. The good news is that we are hoping to begin the first phase of the project early next year.
The initial work will involve fixing leaks which allow rainwater to enter the Town's aging sewer system. This storm discharge can double the flow at our treatment plants, which significantly impacts the cost of treatment. We also plan to upgrade our water meters to a radio read system. This will allow us to read meters without sending a meter reader to the customer's home. An added benefit is that water use can be monitored on a daily basis and customers can be notified quickly if they have a leak. The third part of the initial phase will be to refinance the Town's existing water and sewer debt at a much lower interest rate. This will produce major cost savings, which will help pay for the new system.
The second phase of the project will be to construct the pipeline. Alligator and the Town are splitting the cost of this project. The Town will share in future revenues from all customers who connect to the pipeline, which will run beside Hwy. 151 from the N.C. state line through Pageland and Jefferson to the treatment plant south of McBee. This new line will provide sewer service on the entire length of the Pageland bypass, which will make future development possible in areas which now lack sewer service. This project is extremely important not just to Pageland but to all of western Chesterfield County. It will be at least another two years before the pipeline is built and put into operation.
Before I sign off, I want to thank the town council members who put up and take down the American flags downtown for all the military holidays. These flags are put up to honor our veterans. I hope all our veterans had an enjoyable Veteran's Day and I want to wish everyone a Happy Thansgiving.

Clean Up Week Successful

2011-10-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

Our new Miss Pageland 2012 Emily Moody and Miss Pageland Teen 2012 Kerri Gardner, joined Councilman Joe Clontz, (left), and Mayor Brian Hough last Saturday to prune shrubbery at Moore's Park and behind the Town Hall. Clontz and Hough also pruned Crepe Myrtles on Friday along McGregor Street.

Councilman Johnny Knight and his wife, Sheila, helped Saturday by pruning the Crepe Myrtle trees in the downtown, especially on Pearl Street. Others picked up litter and painted around town. A number of citizens cleaned up their own property and the Town's Public Works Dept. hauled away their refuse.

Everyone who participated in some way to make Pageland a cleaner, brighter place is appreciated. Keep up the good work every day! Be proud of Pageland and keep it clean!

November 1 Agenda

2011-10-28T13:39:00.000-07:00

The public is welcome to attend the monthly Pageland Town Council meeting which will next be held Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers in the Arant Building next to Town Hall.

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 326 - Second Reading - Rezone Property on North Pearl Street
2. Update repairs at Gazebo

NEW BUSINESS
1. Brenda Workman, County Economic Development Director, proposal to establish a multi-county industrial park
2. Nicky Kellahan and Glenn Odom, report regarding joint sewer pipeline project with Alligator Rural Water & Sewer Co.
3. Ordinance 327 - First Reading 2012 Budget
4. Ordinance 328 - First Reading No Thru Trucks: Mungo, Holley Lynn and South Arant
5. Administrator's Report
6. Department Head Reports
7. Council Comments

EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL & CONTRACTUAL

Fall Clean Up Week Oct. 17-22

2011-10-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

President John F. Kennedy advised Americans to "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
It is in that same spirit of community spirit that I am asking all Pagelanders to do what they can to beautify our town during Fall Clean Up Week, October 17-22. We need volunteers to pull weeds from flower beds, paint buildings and do other chores that will make our town a more attractive place to live.
Our Spring Clean Up Week, under the direction of the Pageland Pride Partnership, was successful in painting several downtown buildings, as well as beautifying our parks, planters and greenspaces. Town Council members painted the columns in front of the community center.
While parks and the community center are town property, and therefore belong to the community, some folks may wonder why they should be asked to clean up and paint store buildings, which are private property. The answer to that question is that all of us benefit from having a more attractive downtown area where we can shop, watch parades or simply go for a walk. Visitors to our community develop an opinion about the people of Pageland based on the appearance of our town. We want to make a good impression, especially for industry prospects who bring jobs to our community. Many of our downtown building owners are unable to undertake a major renovation of their property without some help. Our policy has been that if the business or store owner will buy the paint and materials, we will provide the labor to fix things up.
The Pageland Pride Partnership, which is a group consisting of representatives from the Town, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Pageland Garden Club, has assisted several downtown building owners in making improvements to their property. This assistance has come in the form of grants to erect awnings, replace broken windows and paint the front of these stores. The Pride Partnership has also enlisted the help of volunteers to paint and beautify store buildings during the twice a year clean up weeks. Volunteers from the Wal-Mart Distribution Center have been particularly helpful in performing these tasks. One of the Wal-Mart projects for the upcoming clean up week will be to install paver bricks in the downtown greenspace on North Pearl Street. This will make this mini-park more attractive and easier to maintain.
The Pageland Garden Club has undertaken a number of projects to beautify our town, including purchasing shrubs and flowers for the downtown planters. Club members also pitched in to beautify the greenspace earlier this year.
Town employees are also involved during clean up week with the Town sponsoring a large item pick-up for town residents. Unwanted large items, such as furniture and appliances, can be placed near the street for collection during clean up week. Be sure to call the Town Hall at 672-7292 before putting anything out for collection to make sure that it is something the Town can dispose of and to alert our staff that there is something to be picked up at your location.
Fall Clean Up Week will conclude with a flurry of activity on Saturday, which is when most volunteers do their part. If you are part of a civic club or a church group that would like to help out, you can contact the Town Hall to get on the volunteer list. You don't have to be part of a group to help out. Anyone is welcome. Just show up at Moore's Park by 9 a.m. Saturday and you will be able to join one of the groups working to make Pageland a better place.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Brian K. Hough, Mayor
Town of Pageland

October 4 Town Council Agenda

2011-09-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

The public is welcome to attend the regular Pageland Town Council meeting to be held Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Arant Building next to Town Hall.

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL.

DEPARTMENT HEADS 2012 BUDGET REQUESTS.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Ordinance 325-Second Reading-Bath Salts.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Ordinance 326-First Reading-Rezone Property at Godfrey to North Pearl.

2. Clean Up Week October 17-21, 2011.

3. Repairs at the Gazebo and wiring for the Christmas Tree lights at Moore’s Park.

4. Window replacement at Town Hall.

5. Administrator’s Report.

6. Department Head Reports.

7. Council Comments.

September 6 Agenda

2011-09-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

The monthly regular Pageland Town Council meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Arant Building next to Town Hall. The public is welcome.

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 324 - Second Reading - Budget Amendment
2. Tax Millage & Tax Credit Factor 2012
3. Update regarding inmate labor

NEW BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 325 - First Reading - Bath Salts
2. Town Delegate Policy
3. Administrator's Report
4. Department Head Reports
5. Council Comments

August 3 Town Council Agenda

2011-07-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

The Pageland Town Council meets in the Arant Building next to Town Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. The public is welcome.

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS

1. Ordinance 323, Second Reading, Council Compensation
2. Update regarding inmate labor
3. Truck route update
4. Update on Facebook posting for Town
5. Municipal Assn. reports by Hamilton, Baker, Hough

NEW BUSINESS

1. Proposed tax millage for 2012
2. Budget amendment, hospitality tax expenditures
3. Administrator's report
4. Department head reports
5. Council Comments

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Legal and Contractual

Town Council Agenda for July 5

2011-07-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

The public is welcome to attend regular town council meetings held the first Tuesday of the month in the Arant Building Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.

Auditor Eve McCoy - Report Regarding 2010 Audit

Persons Appearing Before Council

Old Business:
1. Sign Ordinance Revision - Ordinance #321, Second Reading
2. Historic Building Ordinance #322, Second Reading
3. Report of findings regarding "Children Playing" signs

New Business:
1. Annual DJJ Agreement
2. Website and Face Book Account for Town
3. Use of Inmate Labor
4. Council Compensation - Ordinance #323, First Reading
5. Discussion of "No thru trucks on South Arant Street"
6. Administrator's Report
7. Department Head Reports
8. Council Comments

Executive Session - Personnel

Queens Recognition Day

2011-06-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Whereas, Miss Pageland Erika Bryant and Teen Miss Pageland Meghan Black are serving as goodwill ambassadors for the Town of Pageland; and

Whereas, the queens have appeared at numerous civic and community events in Pageland and in other towns throughout the state; and

Whereas, the Pageland Town Council wishes to express their appreciation for the services performed by our queens;

Now, Therefore, I, Brian Hough, Mayor of the Town of Pageland, do hereby proclaim Friday, June 24, 2011 to be Queens Recognition Day and encourage all Pageland residents to join with council in saluting our queens and to wish them well in their upcoming pageant appearances.

Mayor's Melon Mile Relay Race

2011-06-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

Entries are now being accepted for the Mayor’s Melon Mile which will be held on Saturday, July 16, as part of this year’s Pageland Watermelon Festival.

Teams of runners will race the lenth of the parade route on McGregor Street carrying a watermelon. The race begins at 10:30 a.m. prior to the start of the parade. The winning team will receive a $100 prize and get to ride in the parade.

“The Melon Mile is a fun event and anyone can participate,” said Pageland Mayor Brian Hough, who is sponsoring the race. “The parade spectators enjoy cheering on the runners and we have had some very exciting races in the past.”

Teams must consist of five runners and each runner must carry the melon for two blocks. The melon can either be handed off or tossed on the exchange between runners but if a runner drops the melon and it splits, the team is disqualified.

Entry forms are available at the Pageland Town Hall and the Chamber of Commerce office, both on North Pearl Street downtown. There is no entry fee but runners must turn in an entry form prior to the race. For more information, call Mayor Hough at 672-7294.

Shown are melon mile relay racers at the start of
the 1997 Pageland Watermelon Festival parade.

June 7 Council Agenda

2011-06-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Persons Appearing Before Council

Old Business
1. Historic Buildings Ordinance #320 - first reading

New Business
1. Sign Ordinance Revision Ordinance #321 - first reading
2. Sheriff's Dept. request for animal care funding
3. Designate location for "Children Playing" signs
4. Administrator's Report
5. Department Head Reports
6. Council Comments

Executive Session - Personnel

May 3 Council Agenda

2011-04-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

The public is invited to the regular Pageland town council meeting on Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. in the Arant Building Council Chambers.

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS
1. List of streets for resurfacing

NEW BUSINESS
1. Highway 9, 151, 501 intersection enhancement plan update
2. Lynches River Cooperative building plan update
3. Building Improvement Grant recommendations
4. Administrator's report
5. Department head reports
6. Council comments

Saturday's Pageland Pride effort

2011-04-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Due to the bad weather, some of today's clean up activities have had to be postponed, but a small group representing the Pageland Town Council did some landscaping work at the Pageland Community Center in the morning between the raindrops.

Councilman Joe Clontz and Mayor Brian Hough get down and dirty

as they clean up the shrub beds prior to putting out pine straw.

Amelia Clontz is ready to do her part to make Pageland beautiful.

Councilman Jason Evans is an expert at spreading pine straw.

Jane Hough spreading pine straw.

Payton Evans and Joe Clontz admire their work.

Our Community Center looks nicer now. Let's all try to keep it that way. Please, everyone do your part everyday to make your hometown a lovely place to live and to inspire visitors to say "now that's a pretty town!"

Pageland Pride Week

2011-04-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

A few photos from this week's Pageland Pride clean up activities. Special thanks to Tommy Rivers for coordinating this effort. Also Wal-Mart Associates, First Baptist Church and many others who participated. Please take pride in your hometown, keep it clean and neat! Consider how we look to visitors and to each other. Make an effort every day to do your part to improve the appearance of your home or business and see how "great" a small town like Pageland can be!

Mayor Brian Hough, Pageland Recreation Director Andre Singleton, and Councilman Joe Clontz pressure wash the columns at the Pageland Community Center prior to painting.

Mayor Hough's version of "painting the town".

Aaron Joyner and Tommy Rivers paint this downtown building.

Tommy Rivers is chairman of Pageland Pride Partnership and coordinator for this week's clean up activities. His hard work and dedication are appreciated!

Town employees weed the flower beds.

This downtown building's upper story window openings were restored thanks to

the assistance of Wal-Mart Associates.

Wal-Mart Associates also painted the fronts of these buildings

with paint provided by the owners.

Spring Clean Up Week is April 11-16

2011-04-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Pageland residents are being asked to volunteer to help clean up the town next week.

Volunteers are needed to paint downtown buildings, clean up parks and greenspaces and work to beautify the downtown flower beds.

The Pageland Pride Partnership is coordinating the clean up activities. The group is composed of representatives from the Town, the Chamber of Commerce and the Pageland Garden Club.

"We have more than a dozen downtown buildings scheduled to receive facelifts," said Pageland Pride Board Chairman Tommy Rivers. "Any church or civic group is welcome to help out. We need people to paint, pull weeds and maybe do a little planting."

Any groups wishing to sign up for the clean up can contact Rivers at 680-2876. Any individuals who would like to help out can report to the Moore's Park gazebo on Saturday, April 16, at 9 a.m. to be assigned to a work group.

The week of April 11-16 is being designated as Spring Clean Up Week by the Pageland Town Council, who will paint the columns in front of the community center as their project this year.

The Town will also sponsor a pickup of large items, such as old furniture, stoves and refrigerators, during Clean Up Week. Be sure to call the Town Hall at 672-7292 before placing an item at the curb.

The Town's Clean Up Week is part of the state and national efforts sponsored by Palmetto Pride and Keep America Beautiful. Palmetto Pride is providing gloves, litter bags and hand sanitizer.

Local groups signed up for the Adopt-A-Highway Program sponsored by the S.C. Department of Transportation are encouraged to clean up their adopted street or section of highway during Town Clean Up Week.

Business owners are reminded that April 29 is the deadline to apply for a Business Improvement Grant. The grants will pay up to 50% of the cost of installing new windows, erecting an awning, or painting the front of a building. Application forms are available at the Pageland Town Hall.

April 5 Council Meeting Agenda

2011-03-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

Regular monthly Pageland Town Council meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Arant Building next to Town Hall. The public is welcome.

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS
1. List of streets for resurfacing

NEW BUSINESS
1. Clean up week April 11-16
2. Proclamation - Week of the Young Child - April 10-16
3. Moore's Park Improvement
4. Municipal Association Attendance June 16-19
5. First Quarter Financial Review
6. Law Enforcement Mutual Aid - Horry County
7. Adminstrator's Report
8. Department Head Reports
9. Council Comments

March 1 Council Agenda

2011-02-24T14:25:00.000-08:00

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Fire truck financing bids

SWEARING IN OF JASON EVANS

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Floor cleaner for the Community Center
2. Water bill adjustment policy
3. List of streets for resurfacing
4. Administrator's report
5. Department head reports
6. Council comments

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS - Contractual & Legal

February 1 council meeting agenda

2011-02-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

Persons appearing before council

Old Business
1. Ordinance 319 - Second reading - Sewer Ordinance Amendment
2. Boards & Commissions

New Business
1. Airport-Stormwater pollution prevention plan & spill prevention control plan required by DHEC
2. Recommended changes to Pageland Parks & Recreation fees per Mr. Singleton
3. Municipal Association resolution
4. Administrator's report
5. Department head reports
6. Council comments

Executive Session - legal briefing & personnel

January 4, 2011 Agenda

2010-12-30T13:56:00.000-08:00

Regular council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 7:00 p.m. in Arant Building Council Chambers next to Town Hall. Public welcome.

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS
1. State Champions Sign

NEW BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 319 - First Reading - Sewer Ordinance Amendment
2. Boards & Commissions
3. Confirmation of 2011 Fire Department Officers
4. Administrator's Report
5. Department Head Reports
6. Council Comments

Response to Dec. 28 Letter to Editor

2010-12-30T12:18:00.000-08:00

I have submitted the following letter to the Pageland Progressive-Journal:

To the Editor:

In response to Ben Cook's letter in last week's paper, I believe Mr. Cook would have a very different opinion about who is due an apology if he had been in attendance at our town council meeting. Those who were present saw an outrageous display of rude behavior by Jim Leaird, who refused to abide by the rules under which we conduct our meetings. Mr. Leaird was loud, aggressive and ultimately had to be escorted from the meeting by police officers because he acted in such a disorderly manner.

As a former newspaper editor, I have great respect for freedom of speech. However, free speech does not mean the right to speak before a governing board for an unlimited amount of time. As mayor, my job is to enforce Town rules. We have had a long standing public participation policy which allows anyone to speak to council for five minutes. Mr. Leaird got his opportunity to speak. The fact that he wasted most of his time arguing that he needed more time is his fault, not ours.

With regard to Mr. Cook's assertion that the Town's policy forbidding personal attacks on council members is misguided and likely illegal, I would like to point out that our policy does not forbid making complaints about council members. It says that personal complaints regarding employees and council members shall be made in writing and submitted to the town administrator for investigation. We don't know what people are going to say when they appear before us and whatever they blurt out is likely to end up in the newspaper for all to see, whether it is true or not.

I agree with Mr. Cook that anyone who appears before council should be required to "be civil and move his point forward." In my opinion, Mr. Leaird failed to do either of these things. Therefore, he is the one who should be doing the apologizing.

Whether we get an apology or not, Mr. Leaird, and anyone else for that matter, will continue to have the right to address council at all of our regular monthly meetings. The five minute rule will remain in effect, so, please be brief and behave the way you would like to be treated yourself.

Sincerely,

Mayor Brian Hough

December 14 Town Council Meeting Agenda

2010-12-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

Due to Tuesday's election, the December Town Council meeting was moved back to Dec. 14 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of the Arant Building. Public is welcome.

OATH OF OFFICE - New Council Member Johnny Knight

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 317 - Second Reading - 2011 Budget
2. Ordinance 318 - Second Reading - Mobile Homes

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Airport Plan
2. Auditor's Contract
3. State Champions Sign
4. Administrator's Report
5. Department Head Reports
6. Council Comments

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Contractual

Special Council Meeting

2010-11-12T20:14:00.000-08:00

Public Hearing Budget
Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Arant Building - Council Chambers

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 314 - Second Reading - Municipal Electric Service Agreement - Progress Energy
2. Ordinance 316 - Second Reading - Franchise Agreement - SCE&G
3. Addendum - Lynches River Electric Franchise Agreement

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 317 - First Reading 2011 Budget

November 2 Council Meeting

2010-11-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 315 - Second reading - Rezone property owned by Town from R8 to LI.

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 314 - First reading - Municipal Electric Service Agreement - Progress Energy.
2. Ordinance 316 - First reading - Franchise agreement - South Carolina Electric and Gas.
3. Addendum - Lynches River Electric Franchise Agreement
4. Property Sale Agreement - Lynches River Electric.
5. 2011 Budget - Information only.
6. Schedule special meeting on Nov. 16, 2010 at 7 p.m.
7. Administrator's report.
8. Department Head reports.
9. Council Comments.
10. Requests for funds.

EXECUTIVE SESSION - CONTRACTUAL

October 5 Regular Council Meeting

2010-09-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

Regular Council Meeting held October 5 at 7 p.m. Public welcome. Location: Arant Building Council Chambers next to Town Hall.

Persons appearing before Council:
1. Hope Family Worship - request use of Community Center

Old Business:
1. Proposed Utility Franchise Fee Increase

New Business:
1. Ordinance #315 Rezone property owned by town from R8 to L1.
2. Administrator's Report.
3. Department Head Reports.
4. Council Comments.

Clearing Brush at Pigg Park

2010-09-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

Clearing brush along the soccer field fence line at Pigg Park on Thursday morning were Donald Moore, a member of the local chapter of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, and Pageland Mayor Brian Hough. Hugh Haigler, who was on a Gatorade run, missed being in the photos.

It was hot, sweaty work and not all completed yet. The object is to have a clear area to retrieve any balls that go out of bounds. This area is too overgrown.

Later that afternoon, the first practice for the Recreation Dept. soccer program was held at Pigg Park. There are 19 players, ages 12 and under, signed up to play. Mayor Hough is serving as director for the youth soccer program.

Sept. 7 Agenda

2010-09-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Appointment to Construction Board of Appeals - Council Member Hamilton
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Conbraco Joint County Industrial Park Resolution
2. Ordinance #314 - Progress Energy Franchise Fee-First Reading
3. Designate Town representative to attend Lynches River Annual Meeting
4. Schedule date for special election due to Council Member Steen's resignation
5. Employee poll results - Christmas party or Gift certificate?
6. Administrator's report
7. Department head reports
8. Council comments.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Contractual

August 3 Agenda

2010-07-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

Council open to public. Starts 7 p.m. in Arant Building next to Town Hall.

Old Business:
1. Road Paving List
New Business:
1. Water & Sewer Bill Adjustment Policy Revision
2. Appointees to the Construction Board of Appeals
3. Appointees to the Safety Committee
4. Municipal Association Report
5. Administrator's Report
6. Department Head Reports
7. Council Comments
Executive Session:
1. Wrecker Policy

Working up a sweat

2010-07-29T06:03:00.000-07:00

Your mayor and Ken Caldwell of SCDOT are working up a sweat this morning trimming the crape myrtles in downtown Pageland. These are the clippings from just 4 blocks of trees. Only a zillion trees to go, or so it will seem!

What's new with the town's recreation department

2010-07-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

Summer has been a busy time for the Pageland Parks and Recreation Department. First, we concluded the Dixie Youth baseball and girls’ softball seasons by hosting a district baseball tournament at Conbraco Park.

On July 19-23 the Recreation Dept. hosted a youth sports camp with about a dozen boys and girls ages 10 and under participating. I helped Recreation Director Andre Singleton conduct the camp activities and enjoyed playing a variety of activities with the kids, including kickball. One day, I brought a watermelon from my garden to camp and we had a seed spitting contest. (See the July 27 issue of The Pageland Progressive-Journal for a story about this sports camp.)

The Recreation Dept. is also sponsoring an adult volleyball league with five teams participating each Monday night at the community center. I am playing in that league myself and all of the matches have been very competitive.

Plans for this fall include renovating the Pigg Park athletic field, which will be used for youth football and soccer. The Town has received a state grant which will help pay for soccer goals, additional bleachers and other improvements at Pigg Park.

Watermelon Festival Parade

2010-07-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

I want to thank the citizens of Pageland for electing me mayor and giving me an excuse to ride at the front of the Watermelon Festival parade this year. Last year, as a candidate, I cleaned up behind the horses. My campaign slogan was “Cleaning up Pageland one mess at a time.” I am following through on that promise with the help of the Town Council.

Thank you to the Pageland Chamber of Commerce, town employees, and all the volunteers who made this year's Watermelon Festival a success. It is a lot of hard work and your efforts are appreciated. Thank you to the citizens for welcoming guests to our town for this annual event.

Thank you to everyone involved in the Miss Pageland pageants, especially to Tim Griffin for his major role in reviving the pageant. Thank you to all the participants, and to our lovely Miss Pageland 2010-2011, Erika Bryant, who already is representing our town so well.

Thank you to all the sponsors whose financial support makes the annual Pageland Watermelon Festival possible. For those who think the Festival doesn't have enough watermelons, look below. There was a load of them!

Or you could do what I do, grow your own tasty watermelon!

July 6 Council Agenda

2010-07-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 313 - Second Reading - Purchasing Policy
2. Insurance coverage changes

NEW BUSINESS:
1. List of roads to submit for paving
2. Building improvement grant applications
3. Department of Juvenile Justice agreement
4. Administrator's report
5. Department head reports
6. Council comments

Habitat for Humanity

2010-06-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

The second Habitat for Humanity house in Pageland is underway. Work on the first one is behind a couple weeks so today we ended up mostly shoveling dirt rather than painting. Jane and I were joined by a hard-working group of Presbyterians from Cheraw. Habitat needs 18-20 volunteers every Saturday. To book a group of volunteers or for more information, call Tamara Dwyer at 704-296-9414 or 843-320-1014 or send an email to Tdwyer@unionhabitat.org. You know the old saying: many hands make light the work! It gets done faster, too.

June 1 Council Meeting - 7 p.m.

2010-05-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 312 - second reading - water tap fees
2. Hope Family Worship - review dates not using Community Center

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance 313 - first reading - purchasing policy
2. Airport appraisal
3. PARD Grant
4. Change in water bill due date
5. Elimination of public works dumpster
6. Insurance coverage changes
7. Youth sports camp
8. Administrator's report
9. Department head reports
10. Council comments

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Legal

Town Hall Renovations

2010-05-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Pageland Town Hall, come on in!

The entranceway to the Pageland Town Hall now features a new look. Volunteers and service organizations came together to refurbish the entire building. Tim Griffin took the lead in directing the renovation work with help from Neil Griffin, Katalin Leaird and Town employees. The Griffins and the Chamber of Commerce helped fund the project. The chandelier in the lobby was donated by Michael Key.

Pageland’s past is portrayed in photos on display in the Town Hall lobby. The framed postcard prints were donated by Adam Foard.

The customer service window at Town Hall is now more convenient for customers, while the security door on the right makes the work area inside more secure. Town employees installed the door and window.

Thank you to everyone, especially the volunteers, who help to make Pageland a better place. You are appreciated!

Unpaved roads in Pageland

2010-05-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

In the May 11 issue of “The Pageland Journal”, editor Wallace McBride says Town of Pageland officials should be ashamed that there are unpaved roads in town. He implies that Town Council members are unwilling to do anything because these unpaved roads are on the poor side of town.

As mayor of Pageland, I can assure our citizens that every effort is being made to get all roads in town paved. The problem is that funds for road paving are very limited. Town officials realize this and don't want to give citizens false hopes that their road will be paved any time soon.

According to Sammie Copeland, who is the chairman of the Chesterfield County Transportation Committee, the State provides enough funding to pave about one mile of road in Chesterfield County each year. Considering that there are hundreds of miles of dirt roads in this county, the chances of any particular road being paved in the coming year are just a little better than your chances of winning the state lottery jackpot.

Mr. McBride suggests that Pageland establish its own road paving fund and tackle our road paving issues one road at a time. The likelihood of the Town starting a road paving program in the midst of the worst recession in recent history is slim to none. Town Council could not afford to give our employees a raise this year. Programs have been cut to reduce our budget.

Mr. McBride advises citizens who want their roads paved to come to town council meetings, because, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." He notes that during the public comment period at council meetings citizens can "spout off" about anything and "It doesn't even have to make much sense." The same can be said about the editorial page of this newspaper. However, the point here is that even the most generous amounts of spouting won't change the fact that the Town Council doesn't have any money to pave roads.

What I do plan to propose to Town Council at our next meeting is that each council member make a list of unpaved roads in their district and then have council come up with a priority list for paving. In my opinion, the Town Council should use the same criteria as the Transportation Committee for prioritizing roads, which is the length of the road and the number of residents living on it.

The list will be submitted to the Transportation Committee and we will continue to do what we have always done: wait for funds to be made available by the State.

May 4 Council Agenda

2010-04-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

PUBLIC HEARING - 7 p.m., The purpose of the Public Hearing is a requirement for the Town of Pageland to apply for RDA grant funds to purchase a new fire truck and roll out garbage containers.

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - to follow Public Hearing
Old Business:

Multi-day Fee Schedule for Community Center
Update Tree Cutting
Update Sidewalk Paving
Update Conbraco

New Business:

Request received from Chamber of Commerce regarding Watermelon Festival, July 16-17
Ordinance 312, First Reading, Water Tap Fee Increase
Administrator's Report
Department Head Reports
Council Comments

Executive Session - Legal

Clean Up Week

2010-04-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Mayor Hough used his chainsaw to cut down several trees behind Town Hall. The trees were growing through phone and power lines.

Before (above) – Trees growing too close to downtown buildings are unsightly and pose a hazard to phone and electric lines.

After (above) – With trees gone, the rear view of this business, next to Town Hall, is much improved.

Volunteers from South Pointe scraped the old paint off the former video store on the corner of McGregor and Pearl Streets on Saturday and then painted the trim during the Pageland Pride Week clean up effort.

Painting the trim on a downtown storefront is Neil Griffin.

Rena Smith paints the door and trim on Mickey’s Restaurant.

Chamber Director Sondra Price worked hard painting storefronts during Pageland Pride Week.

A facelift for this building is provided by Tim Griffin.

Volunteers pick up litter in the downtown flower beds.

The Green Space Park on North Pearl Street looks beautiful after landscaping work done by volunteers during Pageland Pride Week. Pageland Garden Club created the space and paid for a new fence to block the view of the alley. Check it out!

Lunch for the volunteers was provided by Wal-Mart who served up hot dogs at Moore’s Park following the clean up. Thanks to everyone who participated, your work is appreciated!

Sewer Pipeline Update

2010-04-06T10:17:00.001-07:00

The delay in construction of the Alligator sewer plant and the Pageland to McBee pipeline due to the court appeal filed by McBee Mayor John Campaolong and others is potentially very costly to the Town of Pageland.

A delay of six months to a year in the start up of the two projects could result in a 10% increase in the cost of pipe, which would add $500,000 to the cost of the pipeline. If you add an additional 10% across the board increase for labor and other project costs, that adds an additional $900,000 for a total increase of $1.4 million.

Interest rates are also likely to go up. A 1% increase on the loan portion of project costs will add $2.4 million to the project cost over the life of the loan. A 2% increase in interest rates will mean almost $5.0 million in added cost.

Assuming a 10% increase in project costs at $1.4 million and a 1% increase in loan interest rates at a cost of $2.4 million, a delay of six months to a year will add $3.8 million to the cost of the sewer system improvements.

That would boost the cost of the pipeline from an estimated $16 million to nearly $20 million.

The cost of the project will be paid for by the citizens of the Town of Pageland and the members of Alligator Rural Water & Sewer Co. in the form of higher rates. If the cost of the project goes up by 25%, you can expect a similar increase in rates.

In addition, until the Town has a guaranteed means of providing additional sewer capacity, we must limit future growth, which means we can’t expect any additional revenue from new homes for water and sewer fees or taxes. We will have to limit industrial growth as well, which will mean no new tax revenues from that source and no new job opportunities for citizens of Pageland and all of western Chesterfield County.

This is an unfortunate situation since the appeal to the state appeals court is based on the same grounds as a similar appeal to the Dept. of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Board. The DHEC Board found the objections to the project to be without merit and voted unanimously, 7-0, to reject the appeal.

The only way this roadblock to the pipeline project can be removed is if the plaintiffs drop their appeal or the case is resolved in court. We can only hope that the appeals court will hear the case quickly and reject the appeal.

April 6 Council Meeting Agenda

2010-04-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

The public is welcome. Meeting starts 7 p.m. in the Arant Building next to Town Hall.

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Tree Cutting Bids for Pigg Park

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Safety Resolution
2. 2010 Heritage Music and Arts Festival Proclamation
3. Pageland Pride Week Proclamation
4. Sidewalk Bid Results
5. Hope Family Worship request to use Community Center for community wide Vacation Bible School, August 4-6, 5-9 p.m.
6. Sewer Situation Update/Conbraco Request
7. March to the Mailbox April 10, 2010 for Census (information only)
8. Administrator's Report
9. Department Head Reports
10. Council Comments

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Personnel - Police Chief Position

Clean Up Week

2010-03-03T05:47:00.000-08:00

You can help make Pageland a nicer town by participating in Pageland Pride Week, April 11-17. The Pageland Pride Partnership and the Town are co-sponsoring this year's annual spring clean up. The Town will conduct its usual pick up of old furniture and appliances for residents. Churches, civic groups, businesses and individuals are asked to participate in the community clean up effort by picking up litter and beautifying their own property and by adopting other sites in town to paint and fix up. If you would like to volunteer to help, contact Mayor Brian Hough at 672-7294.

March 2 Council Agenda

2010-02-26T14:04:00.000-08:00

The public is welcome to attend at 7 p.m. in the Arant Building next to Town Hall. The usual meeting format will be used with these topics under old and new business:

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Boards and Commissions
2. Fire Truck Bids

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Mr. Ron Gaines, 2010 Heritage Music & Arts Festival, April 7-11
2. Tree Cutting at Pigg Park
3. Pageland Pride Partnership Incentive Grants
4. Fee Increase for Zoning Request Changes
5. Clean Up Week/Pageland Pride Week April 11-17
6. Administrator's Report
7. Department Head Reports
8. Council Comments

EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL

Regular Council Meeting Agenda, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.

2010-01-29T17:42:00.001-08:00

1. 1. Call to Order

2. 2. Opening Prayers

3. 3. Adoption of Agenda

4. 4. Approval of Minutes of Jan. 5, 2010 Regular Meeting and Jan. 19, 2010 Special Meeting

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS

1. 1. Verizon Wireless to discuss building plans

2. 2. Boards and Commissions

3. 3. Police Department Door

NEW BUSINESS

1. 1. Fire Chief Eddie Rivers to present Specifications for new Fire Truck

2. 2. Discuss request received regarding Census training at Community Center Room

3. 3. Vocational Rehabilitation request use of Community Center Room

4. 4. Pee Dee Coalition request

5. 5. Administrator’s Report

6. 6. Department Head Reports

7. 7. Council Comments

EXECUTIVE SESSION – PERSONNEL

Council finally approves sewer project

2010-01-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

The Pageland Town Council took a long overdue step forward when we voted to proceed with the sewer pipeline grant application process at a meeting Tuesday evening. Town Council voted 6-1 to partner with Alligator Rural Water & Sewer Co. in building the sewer line, which will run along Hwy. 151 from the N.C. state line through Pageland and Jefferson to a new state of the art wastewater treatment plant south of McBee. The Town and Alligator will share in the expense of building the pipeline and will also split the future revenues from any new businesses and homes which connect to the pipeline.

Once the pipeline is completed, the Town will be able to shut down both of its aging sewer plants, saving the Town $300,000 per year. The change will also be beneficial for the environment since the Town will no longer discharge its wastewater into Black Creek and the Lynches River.

It is anticipated that the project will be funded by grants and loans obtained through the U.S. Rural Development Agency. It is possible that the project will receive 50% or more grant funding through federal stimulus funds aimed at creating jobs.

Council also voted 6-1 to award the engineering contract for the project to Kellahan & Associates, the firm which did the preliminary engineering work for the project. Conbraco Industries helped fund the preliminary engineering work along with Alligator. This allowed the project to advance to the grant application stage in time to meet the federal funding deadline.

Voting for the project to proceed to the grant application stage were Mayor Brian Hough and Council members Jimmie Baker, Shane Hancock, Joe Clontz, Susan Breisch and Joe Steen. Martha Hamilton cast the lone no vote.

Pageland voters expressed their approval for the sewer pipeline project two years ago, voting 277-34 in favor of the plan in a town referendum. However, Town officials failed to follow through until after the 2009 election when voters chose a new mayor and two new council members. If all goes according to plan, the pipeline will be built within the next two years and be operational by late 2011 or early 2012.

Chamber Award

2010-01-13T06:41:00.000-08:00

The Pageland Pride Partnership was recognized with a Community Service Award at the Pageland Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet on January 12. Pageland Pride is a group devoted to improving the appearance of Pageland’s business districts. It assists building owners in making improvements to their buildings. The group is a coalition of representatives from Town government, the Chamber of Commerce and the Pageland Garden Club. I served as chairman of the group in 2009. The new chairman for 2010 is Greg Lawrence.

I was sworn in as Pageland’s new mayor on January 5, 2010 along with new council members Joe Clontz and Joe Steen, and Susan Breisch, who was reelected. I believe we have a council that will work together for the good of Pageland. Our first vote of the New Year was to elect Shane Hancock as mayor pro tem. If the mayor is absent or otherwise unable to perform his duties, the mayor pro tem takes charge. I know Shane will prove to be a very capable mayor pro tem.

Council also appointed several local citizens to various boards and commissions at our first meeting. I want to thank these individuals for volunteering their time to work for the betterment of our community.

Council will be earning their pay in January with a special meeting set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, to discuss the sewer pipeline project. I believe this project is crucial to the future development of Pageland and all of western Chesterfield County. It is time to proceed with this project while federal stimulus funds are still available. We anticipate receiving at least 50% grant money for the pipeline project.

Office Hours

2010-01-08T05:39:00.000-08:00

I will be at the Pageland Town Hall on Thursdays and Fridays from 2-4 p.m. The direct phone line to my office is 672-7294. If I am not in my office, a message will be left on voice mail, which I won't check until the next time I am at town hall. Therefore, if you have an urgent need to speak to me, it would be better to call the town hall at 672-7292 and they can reach me.

It's official

2010-01-06T09:12:00.000-08:00

The new mayor and council members were sworn in Tuesday night at the first regular council meeting of the new year. Judge Paul Burch officiated as Rev. Joel Dale held the Bible and offered a prayer for a good year for both town officials and citizens.

Shown (l to r) are Mayor Brian Hough with Councilmembers Joe Clontz, Joe Steen and Susan Breisch.

During the council meeting, Shane Hancock of District 3 was elected Mayor Pro Tem.

Council Agenda for January 5, 2010

2009-12-31T17:07:00.000-08:00

AGENDA

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING at 7:00 P.M.

ARANT BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Call To Order

Opening Prayer

Adoption of Agenda

Approval of Minutes of Dec. 1, 2009 Budget Workshop/Regular meeting and Dec. 8, 2009 Special Meeting

Persons appearing before council

Old Business

1. Church’s request to use community center

Oath of Office Ceremony

New Business

1. Election of Mayor Pro Tem

2. Appointments to Boards and Commissions

3. Town Hall Renovations

4. Set Date for Special Meeting on Sewer Project

5. Discuss Replacement Door at Police Dept.

6. Administrator’s Report

7. Department Head Reports

8. Council Comments

9. Adjourn

New Recreation Dept. programs

2009-12-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

The Pageland Recreation Department will offer a variety of new programs starting in January. Adult volleyball and basketball leagues will be formed and there will also be a Family Game Night at the Pageland Community Center once a month.

Volleyball will be offered on Thursday and basketball will be held on Friday evenings at the Community Center. The registration fee will be $20 per player. The season for both sports will last eight weeks with six regular season games and two playoff games. Men and women are encouraged to sign up for both sports programs.

Players can sign up at the Community Center or at the Pageland Town Hall. Teams, consisting of eight players, will be chosen following a night of free play for volleyball players on Thursday, January 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. and a free play basketball session on Friday, January 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. League play will begin the following week.

Youth basketball season is set to begin on Tuesday, January 19. (Note: this is a change from Jan. 11.) Games will be played on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and some Saturdays.

A new program for kids and adults will be Family Game Night. Anyone is welcome to come to the community center on Tuesday, January 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. to play board games, such as Monopoly; card games such as Uno; or any other game of their choice. Players should bring their own games. Tables will be set up in the community center meeting room. There is no admission fee.

For more information contact Pageland Recreation Director Andre Singleton at 672-6858.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2009-12-23T06:57:00.000-08:00

On January 5, 2010, Brian Hough will be installed as the new Mayor of Pageland, SC, for the next four years. This blog replaces the "AskCouncilmanBrian" blog because, obviously, Brian is no longer the Councilman for District 4. Joe Clontz has been elected to that position. Also new on the council will be Joe Steen in District 6. Susan Breisch was re-elected but will now represent District 5. Shane Hancock remains councilman for District 3, Jimmie Baker for District 2, and Martha Hamilton for District 1.

The purpose of this blog is to help keep Pageland citizens informed about town events. Our regular monthly council meetings are the first Tuesday each month at 7 p.m. in the Arant Building next to town hall. The public is welcome. The agenda for each meeting will be posted here prior to the meeting.

Comments are welcome to this blogsite. However, they will be reviewed before posting. Comments can be anonymous, but they must be decent and not libelous in order to be posted. To protect this site from computerized spam, anyone submitting a comment will be asked to key in the letters shown in a box before making a submission. It is easy to do and that is the reason for it, just so you know. Please feel free to contact Mayor Hough with concerns or ideas. He will be keeping office hours at the town hall and those will be posted here when finalized.