News

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.

The Town of Batesburg-Leesville has been busy this fall installing “Keep Batesburg-Leesville Clean and Proud” signs to remind visitors and residents to do their part to keep our community litter free.

As part of this year’s PalmettoPride grant, fifteen additional signs have been placed along secondary roadways throughout the community.

“This year we wanted to focus on installing signs in areas that have been problematic from a litter control standpoint,” said Ted Luckadoo, Town Manager. “We are thankful for PalmettoPride’s continued help in combating litter in our community.”

The Town has been actively working with residents and civic organizations to address this issue over the last few years. In addition to new signage, standalone recycling cans and dual trash and recycling cans have been deployed throughout our historic districts, parks, and at Town Hall. Further, groups such as the Dream Catchers, Twin City Rotary, and B-L Gym have held numerous litter pickup events to help do their part.

“Keeping our community litter free, encouraging everyone to be prideful of themselves, takes all of us. Every resident, business, and visitor,” noted Mayor Lancer Shull. “I challenge every organization and resident to adopt a section of Town and organize a monthly litter pick-up program. Lift each other up and help each other out as together we ARE making a difference.”  

Since 2015, the Town has received more than $12,000 in grants from PalmettoPride to fight litter and educate the public.

Advanced Disposal has informed town officials of a change in scheduling for recycling collection that will take effect the week of December 31^st. This change will only impact recycling customers inside town limits and only shifts the week of bi-weekly pickups.

“Advanced Disposal will continue with bi-weekly pickups, but notified us that they need to shift our pickup week,” said Ted Luckadoo, Town Manager. “From what we were provided this will help them ensure route efficiency throughout the region.”

Recycling will be picked up the week of December 24^th and then again, the week of December 31^st. Afterwards, recycling will continue bi-weekly, or every other week.

No trash or recycling pickups will occur on either Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Service will be delayed by one day.

The annual Chamber Christmas Parade and Town Tree Lighting will be Sunday, December 2nd starting at 5:30pm. More info below. 

The Town of Batesburg-Leesville is seeking input to improve biking and walking throughout our community. Thanks to a grant, the following map has been created to better understand biking and walking routes, and the challenges people face. Click the link below to share your route. Thanks for your support.  

Online Wikimap

Mayor Lancer Shull will host the first meeting of the H-Tax Advisory Panel on Wednesday, October 17th at Town Hall. More info below.