By Brandon Shanesy

brandon.shanesy@tryondailybulletin.com

 

Ellen Henderson, president of the Landrum Quilters, kicked off Landrum City Council’s June 14 work session held prior to their regular council meeting with a recap of June’s quilt show.

 

The three-day event saw more than 1,000 participants, 250 quilts, and attracted quilters from 13 states, according to Henderson.

 

“The business and restaurant owners had great things to say about the foot traffic on those days,” said Caitlin Martin, Landrum’s city administrator.

 

Brannon Poore, lead pastor for The Well, also attended the work session to present the council with plans for their 2015 Labor Day event. Poore estimated 3,000-4,000 attendees at last year’s event that featured seven carnival-style rides, fireworks, food, and live music that was free to the public.

 

“We just wanted to love on the community,” said Poore. “We wanted to reach out to people that couldn’t afford to go out, and we accomplished that.”

 

For 2015, Poore plans to set up equipment for background music instead of live music, and focus more attention and funding on the carnival and giveaways.

 

The Labor Day event will be held on Saturday, September 5, from 4-9 p.m. Poore requested a $5,000 dollar donation from the city, which will be matched by the Well.

 

The request was approved in the following meeting held in the council chambers.

 

“Last year Columbus had to postpone their Fourth of July fireworks until Labor Day, so this year we’re expecting a bigger crowd,” said Mayor Robert Briggs.

 

Briggs addressed the North Trade Street and Highway 14 intersection issue brought up in June’s council meeting by Petty Funeral Home owner John Petty.

 

Petty’s request to remove the median and create a left turn from North Trade Street onto Highway 14 was investigated by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Upon surveying the intersection, the SCDOT agreed with the current right-in, right-out restriction.

 

Briggs read to council an email sent by Eric Dillon, SCDOT Traffic Engineer, to the council, which stated, “There was not sufficient room to create adequate storage for left turn motorist onto N. Trade Street which also created issues at US 176 intersection. Sight distance to the left was another hazard for motorists turning left out of N. Trade Street.”

 

Dillon stated that the current configuration reduces roadway conflicts for both motorists and pedestrians.

 

The public restrooms discussion was postponed in anticipation of a response from Green River Log Cabins, which has been closed for vacation, according to Briggs. City council has been examining bathroom options for several months available through the log cabin builder.

 

With the help of Upstate Forever, a nonprofit organization that promotes local environmental health and growth, the city of Landrum will be updating its comprehensive plan.

 

The comprehensive plan establishes long-term goals and is required to be updated every 10 years. Under the direction of Martin, the revamp will begin in August.

 

Page Rogers was appointed by the council to the planning commission board, and will assist with the comprehensive plan update.

 

Landrum Police Chief Tim Edgens, for the month of June, reported 94 citations, 20 arrests and 202 warning citations.

 

Edgens also disclosed a grant to supply nine digital cameras for the city’s squad cars. These cameras will replace the existing cameras that record to VHS, an estimated $40,000 value.

 

“They’re getting old, and it’s getting hard to find VHS tapes,” said Edgens.

 

The department applied for the grant in 2009 and received a response in early July, according to Edgens.

 

The newly created Landrum Special Purpose Fire District reported 33 calls, with 11 being vehicle accidents and six medical related.

 

“Our last couple of months have really been picking up,” said First Lieutenant Calem Upton.

 

For the 2014-2015 budget year, Landrum’s code enforcement officer, Jack Davis, reported 69 violation letters and six tickets. Davis received 28 weed and grass, 16 rubbish and debris, 20 animal and nine vehicle complaints.

 

In the city administrator’s report, Martin cited 5,100 website visits with 88 percent stemming from first-time visitors.

 

The next Landrum City Council work session will be held on Tuesday, August 11, at 4:45 p.m. at the Landrum City Hall. The council meeting will follow at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.

 

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