News

The community was invited to a special meeting at Town Hall on Thursday, March 7th to see the early results of the Bike and Pedestrian study. The plan as drafted provides insight for community leaders and ideas on how to increase walking and biking in our community. A copy of the draft can be found here. 

For those who were not able to make it, the boards that were shown and the results of those who voted for their favorite project are provided below.

Lastly, there is still time to provide input and vote for your favorite project. Please use this link to leave your opinion about plan and the Catalyst Project : Next-to-Rail Trail.

The annual Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale event is right around the corner. Now in its 13th year, this year's event will be held on Friday, May 31st through Saturday, June 1st. Spots are limited, but in partnership with Batesburg-Leesville Dream Catchers, spots are available to rent in along HWY 23 in Historic Leesville Downtown District. Check out the flyer below for more information. 

Located on "The Ridge" in rural South Carolina, The Peachtree 23 Yard Sale event is a one-of-a-kind "stop and go experience" you don't want to miss!! You'll meet some great folks as you wind your way along a beautiful stretch of rural South Carolina dotted with charming small towns, beautiful old Southern homes, and historic places.

Expanding 44 miles along SC Highway 23 - Batesburg-Leesville to Modoc - running through 7 towns you will find everything from clothing, jewelry, furniture, household items, and many more items. Also, along the route you will find Farmers & Artist's Markets carrying fruits and vegetables in season, and local restaurants will be ready to nourish you when you need to re-fuel!

For more information please about spots available to rent with the Dream Catchers please call Susan Whittle at 803-687-4527. Click here to download a reservation form. 

For general information, please call Town Hall at 803-532-4601. 

The Town of Batesburg-Leesville along with the State of South Carolina, Disabled American Veterans, and the Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. Historical Association honored Sgt. Woodard with a historical marker remembering his tragic blinding in 1946. More than 300 people attended the event including his nephew and caretaker Robert Young. 

The blinding of Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr., an African-American World War II veteran, in February 1946 at the hands of law enforcement in Batesburg, sparked a series of events culminating in President Harry Truman’s creation of the President’s Committee on Civil Rights – the first national civil rights commission. Following the commission’s report in late 1947, President Truman desegregated the U.S. military in July 1948.

The incident also changed forever the thoughts and feelings of federal judge, J. Waties Waring. Judge Waring, upon seeing the acquittal of police officers charged with violating Sgt. Woodard’s civil rights, would go on to issue landmark civil rights rulings including a dissent in Briggs v. Elliott (1952). This ruling would become the model for Brown v. Board of Education (1954).

The placement and dedication of the marker is the culmination of more than two year’s effort by numerous groups and individuals. 

For more information: 

• Video of Remarks and Marker Unveiling
• Event Program
   

Town Council Members including Mayor Lancer Shull, Council Members Olin Gambrell, Shirley Mitchell, and Jason Prouse recently graduated from the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Municipal Elected Officials Institute. The group participated in a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, February 5^th during MASC’s Hometown Legislative Action Day.

The Municipal Elected Officials Institute consists of both in-person and online courses designed for newly elected local government officials. Participants must complete seven required courses to graduate including two full-day sessions. Courses cover topics such as Conducting Public Meetings, Ethics, Budgeting and Municipal Finance, Freedom of Information Act, and much more.

For more than 30 years, the Association has offered the South Carolina Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government. The first class graduated in 1988.  

These officials join past graduates Mayor Pro Tem Charles Simpkins and Council Member Steve Cain.

AGENDA

Wednesday, February 6^th, 2019 @ 6:30pm

TOWN HALL COMPLEX

120 West Church Street (Bldg. B)

      I.          CALL TO ORDER

    II.          APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A.    Approval of 10/17/2018 minutes

B.    Approval of 1/23/2019 minutes

  III.          ANNOUNCEMENTS

 IV.          AGENDA ITEMS

A.    Project Idea Discussion

   V.          ADJOURNMENT

A historical marker memorializing the “Blinding of Isaac Woodard” will be dedicated on Saturday, February 9th at the site of the old Batesburg Police Station (corner of W. Church Street and Fulmer Street). The public is invited to take part in the unveiling and should gather at the marker beginning at 11:45am.   

In February 1946, while traveling home to Winnsboro, South Carolina from Fort Gordon, Ga, newly discharged Sargent Isaac Woodard, Jr., an African-American World War II veteran, was riding on a bus when a disagreement between Woodard and the driver occurred. At a stop in Batesburg the driver contacted local police who ordered Sgt. Woodard off the bus. As Woodard began to explain himself, he was struck with a night stick by officers. The initial beating and subsequent beatings while in custody left Woodard blind in both eyes.  He was charged with “drunk and disorderly” and ordered to pay a fine. Sgt. Woodard would spend more than three weeks in an Aiken hospital recovering from his injuries.

The blinding of Sgt. Woodard, Jr. in February 1946 sparked a series of events culminating in President Harry Truman’s creation of the President’s Committee on Civil Rights – the first national civil rights commission. Following the commission’s report in late 1947, President Truman desegregated the U.S. military in July 1948.

The incident also changed forever the thoughts and feelings of Federal Judge, J. Waties Waring. Judge Waring, upon seeing the acquittal of police officers charged with violating Sgt. Woodard’s civil rights, would go on to issue landmark civil rights rulings including a dissent in Briggs v. Elliott (1952). This ruling would become the model for Brown v. Board of Education (1954).

The placement and dedication of the marker is the culmination of more than two year’s effort by numerous groups and individuals.  Sponsors for this event include the Sgt. Isaac Woodard Historical Marker Association, Disabled American Veterans Organization, and the Town of Batesburg-Leesville.

“I am beyond grateful and humbled by the effort put forth by so many to cast light on how this horrific event triggered the creation of laws needed to fight inequality. This was the spark which ignited President Truman, and so many others, to uphold what all of us are afforded in the Constitution. That all are created equal.” Said Mayor Lancer Shull

Last summer in order to right the wrong (to the extent possible) of this injustice, the Town vacated the conviction of Sgt. Woodard.

“Our Town Attorney Chris Spradley, Police Chief W. Wallace Oswald, and Town Judge Robert Cook got together, reopened the case and dismissed the charges against Isaac Woodard,” said Mayor Shull. “Although Sgt. Woodard died in 1992 and has no direct descendants, we wanted to do something to make it right. As right as it can be. Batesburg-Leesville is a wonderful place in 2018. We’ve come a long way and our future is very bright.”

Prior to the event an RSVP only ceremony with remarks from special guests will be held at Southern Occasions starting at 11:00am. Audio equipment will be setup outside of Southern Occasions for members of the general public.

The Town of Batesburg-Leesville is proud to announce that Wastewater Operations Manager Joey Rivers has been honored with a Life Time Service Award by the Water Environment Association of South Carolina. Mr. Rivers received the award at an annual awards ceremony on January 17^th.

“For more than 40 years, Joey Rivers has dedicated himself to public service, the environment and the safe operation of wastewater treatment facilities,” says Ted Luckadoo, Town Manager. “He is an integral part of our team and we are proud to have him here in Batesburg-Leesville.”

Mr. Rivers began his career in the Town of Leesville where he literally powered a motor boat in the Town’s aerating lagoon before the aeration system was installed. His career moved on from Leesville taking him to other municipalities until eventually arriving at SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

Over the course of 18 years with DHEC, Joey severed in numerous capacities including a sampling technician, field inspector and compliance monitor. After many years in the field, Joey became the compliance section trainer for field inspectors in Columbia until being hired by Richland County to serve as the Operations Superintendent.

Eventually Joey would long for the days of riding around in Leesville’s lagoons and so in 2016, he came back to Batesburg-Leesville. Now consolidated and somewhat modernized, Joey found that the Town has since retired the old motorboat he used back in the day for a disk aeration system. Joey now serves as Batesburg-Leesville Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Manager.

In addition to his many years of service to the public, Joey is a husband, father, and grandfather. When asked to describe the traits that make Joey, Joey, his colleagues have said that he’s trustworthy, humble, hard-working, and committed to success.

“We are grateful for Mr. Joey Rivers’ contributions to the field and are excited for his recognition,” said Mr. Luckadoo.

HOSPITALITY TAX ADVISORY PANEL
AGENDA
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 @ 6:30pm
TOWN HALL COMPLEX
120 West Church Street (Bldg. B)

I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
III. AGENDA ITEMS
  a. Information on economic items in action
  b. Project idea discussion
IV. ADJOURNMENT

The Town of Batesburg-Leesville is excited to announce the graduation of two staff members from Leadership Lexington County. Jeremy Driggers, fleet services supervisor, and Seth Duncan, assistant town manager, completed the year-long course on January 10^th.

Leadership Lexington County, or LLC, is a non-profit educational organization that offers a stimulating program to develop leaders in our community. The program incorporates hands on learning opportunities that inform participants of the resources and challenges in our region and promotes community action.

In addition to leadership development activities, the pair participated in a 12-month long community service activity. LLC Class of 2018 sought to enhance the mentoring and leadership activities of the Scooter Scott Project, a West Columbia based non-profit that serves disadvantaged youth and families.

Specifically, Jeremy and Seth were instrumental in completing the class project of raising funds to provide an activity bus, the refurbishment of 14 laptop computers and 5 desktop computers, creation of a new logo, and completion of more than 500 hours of mentoring.

“We are proud of their service and continued commitment to the residents and businesses of Lexington County,” said Ted Luckadoo, Town Manager and LLC alum.

Jeremy and Seth now join the ranks of LLC alumni along with fellow employees Tim Schumpert, Jay Hendrix, and Chris Spradley. Utility Billing Supervisor Cindy Apple has been selected to participate in LLC’s Class of 2019.

LLC accepts applications in the fall each year and is open to individuals who live or work in Lexington County.

The Town of Batesburg-Leesville recently honored employees who continue to serve with distinction and perform above and beyond the call of duty. Each year the Town recognizes a series of employees to honor their performance and commitment to the Town.

On hand for the event were Mayor Lancer Shull, Council Members Olin Gambrell, Magen Hallman, and Cynthia Etheredge.

Employees recognized include:

Employee Honors

Employee of the Year – Cindy Apple (Utility Billing)

Supervisor of the Year – Judy Edwards (Administration)

Department of the Year – Batesburg-Leesville Police Dispatchers (Barbara Cribb, Wanda Hartley, Amanda Wyatt, and Sandra Jordan)

Rookie of the Year – Joshua Frye (Fire Department)

Team Player of the Year – Jeff Padgett (Fire Department)

Inspiration Award – Seth Duncan (Administration)

Fire Fighter of the Year – Jason Herbert

Fire Officer of the Year – Dustin Crapps

Service Awards

Randolph Driggers – 5 years

Deepak Harpalani – 5 years

Denise Prior – 15 years

Judy Edwards – 40 years

The Batesburg-Leesville Police Department will select its Officer of the Year in a separate ceremony in early 2019.