LABA offers help with selection

LANDRUM — During its regular work session Tuesday, the Landrum City Council discussed the hiring process for the new chief of police.

City Administrator Rich Caplan said he had received eight applications and expected to get a few more.

“Of the eight, seven are South Carolina officers and one is from out of state,” he said. “Five or six look good on paper.”

Caplan said he and the advisory committee will go through and chose a few applications to present to the council.

During the regular council session, Landrum Area Business Association President Diana Winkler said that area businesses have a stake in keeping the town safe.

“We want to offer the LABA’s help in choosing the new police chief,” she said. “We’d like to recommend that an LABA officer sit on the committee to choose this officer.”

Landrum Mayor Robert Briggs said they would take the LABA’s recommendation under advisement.

During the reports section of the council meeting, acting Police Chief Robert Smith said the department was one officer — plus the new chief — away from having all positions filled.

“We have two officers in the academy right now,” Smith said. “We hired another officer today that will be going to the academy.”

In other business, the council approved the closing of North Trade Street on Saturday, Sept. 8, for Hogback Mountain Day. The council also approved the second reading of ordinance No. 2018-05 adopting regulations for flood damage prevention.

Caplan gave a short presentation regarding the arrival of the rail car. He said all was on track, and they were tentatively planning a ceremony for at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3.

During the work session, Caplan also announced that the final numbers were in for the budget, which showed the town had received a little more in state funds and hospitality tax funds than originally anticipated. He said they did have the additional funds earmarked for improvements to sidewalks, the Highway 14 and Highway 176 intersection, and for part of the cost for moving the rail car.

Winkler gave a short presentation regarding the “Airing of the Quilts” on July 21. There was no public comment.

Council members John Carruth and Jon Matheis were unable to attend and, though council member Joyce Whiteside was present for the work session, she had to leave before the actual council meeting.