November 2018 Council Highlights

  • The city has annexed and rezoned, at the owner’s request, 11.29 acres located at 1495 Camden Highway. The owner of this property will be constructing a gas station and convenience store.
  • The City also transferred a 0.86 acre parcel located at 129 E. Hampton Street to Sumter County. This is the location of the old fire department headquarters, which will now become the Sumter County EMS facility. This is a much-needed upgrade to EMS, which will allow them to store their vehicles inside.
  • City Council recognized students from across the Sumter School District who are taking part in an inaugural economic development program called Emerging Leaders. This program is a year-round leadership experience for high school juniors, which introduces economic and community development concepts to students through monthly interactive sessions, including: Philanthropy and non-profit services, government and legislation, crime, victim & justice, career and high education, industry and commercial development, investment & finance, arts & culture, and health & wellness. Participants strengthen soft skills and self-awareness while learning from professors, career professionals and in practical situations. At the completion of the program, students earn 3 college credits through the University of South Carolina- Sumter campus as well as placement on a community board or committee to serve as Regional Ambassadors for Sumter community during their Senior year. More info available at TheLinkSC.com.
  • The City will be moving forward on a water and sewer replacement project on Cuttino Road. This project will remove and replace both lines along the entire length of Cuttino Road, which lies between Broad and Rast Street (street beside Gamecock Lanes).
  • Council held a special meeting this month to approve a resolution to certify the November 6thelection results in the City. Starting at our December 4thmeeting, residents will observe that we have a new Council member, Mr. Colin Davis, representing Ward 5. Calvin Hastie, Sr., Ward 3 and Thomas (Bubba) Lowery, Ward 1, were both reelected in their areas. We welcome Mr. Davis to the team. Swearing in Ceremony will be held next Thursday, November 29 at 6 PM in the Sumter Opera House.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Central Carolina Scholars, funded in part of the City and County, provides the first two years at Central Carolina Technical College tuition-free. It is an economic development tool for existing and new industries and will afford expanded higher education opportunities to students in Sumter, Clarendon, Kershaw and Lee counties. The Scholarship is good for six consecutive semesters and is available to high school students in the graduating class of 2019 that meet Central Carolina Scholars Criteria. Visit CCTech.edu for more information, including a complete list of the criteria and the Scholars contract for participation.
  • The City and County Councils assembled recently to hear about projects throughout Sumter and visit the new Patriot Park Pavilion – a delightful new facility at Patriot Park, which will be used as the headquarters for all tournament play at the park and available for private rentals (contact the county Parks & Rec office for more info at 803-436-2448). During that presentation, the City Manager and County Administrator gave updates on current and future projects. Projects included recreation areas, like Dillon park, the new veterans park, swan lake and memorial park to name a few as well as public safety and infrastructure projects, all totaling around $64 million dollars. Of course, many of these projects in the works are from the 2014 Penny for Progress initiative, voted on and approved by the citizens from both the City and County of Sumter.
  • Help put a smile on the face of a local child on Christmas morning by donating a new, unwrapped toy during our annual Cram-A-Cruiser toy drivein partnership with the Salvation Army. Toys will be collected at our police vehicle parked in front of Walmart on Broad each Saturday through Dec. 15.Cash donations cannot be accepted.Your toy donations will remain in the Sumter community.For more information, contact the Sumter Police Department at (803) 436-2700.
  • The annual opening of the Fantasy of Lightswill take place on Saturday, December 1 at 6 PM at Swan Lake Iris Gardens. Traffic is expected to be heavy and the gates will be shut during the ceremony, so get there early for the opening ceremony. As always, the lights will remain on through December 31, Sunday-Thursday until 9PM, Fridays and Saturdays until 10 PM. We welcome one and all to join us for the countdown!
  • Santa’s Villagewill be open December 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 from 6-8 PM where visitors can get their pictures taken with Santa, support the evening pilot club buy purchasing hot cocoa and other snacks, then sit back and relax while listening to the sounds of the holiday season buy many local chorus and dance groups at the Heath Pavilion. The girl scouts will also be on hand to assist children with writing their letters to Santa! All this, plus the Fantasy of Lights are free admission!
  • Palmetto Tennis Centerwill host Christmas Adult Mixer and Kid Play in conjunction with Toys for Tots. Saturday, December 8, 12 Noon-2:30 PM. Entry fee is to bring a new toy to be donated to the Boys & Girls Club. Cookies, beverages and music throughout the event. This and more at the PTC, visit sumtertennis.com
  • Sumter Opera Housewill be hosting two holiday events, including the annual showing of the Movie and Pajama Party for Polar Express. Admission the entire movie and party is $5 at the door on December 14that 6 PM. The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra Holiday Concert will also be held on Sunday, December 9 at 4 PM. The play music from Motown, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Elvis and more! Tickets range from $23-30 and can be purchased online at sumteroperahouse.com.
  • If you could make a wish for a deserving friend or family, what would it be? The City of Sumter wants to make your wish come truethis holiday season! Let us know how we can help, and we’ll draw one qualified entry at random for someone to receive up to a $500 wish come true! To enter, download and print out or pick up a printed application at the Opera House or Visitors Center, then fill out the form nominating a worthy wish recipient, and drop in one of our Letters to Santa mailboxes located in front of the Sumter Opera House and at the Swan Lake Visitor’s Center. Contest runs November 19-December 14, 2018. Winner will be chosen by December 24, 2018. Certain rules apply. Good luck and may all your Christmas wishes come true! For more information, visit sumtersc.gov.
  • More events and details at sumtersc.gov:
  • Holiday House and Tea Tour, December 1, 12-6. Tickets $15 available at Swan Lake Visitors Center.
  • Evening Optimists Sumter Christmas Parade, Sunday, December 2 at 2 PM
  • Home for the Holidays – 282ndArmy Band, Thursday, December 6 at 7PM. Admission is free, but seats are limited.
  • City Administrative Holidays have been released for the 2019 calendar year. All admin offices will be closed on:
    • Tuesday, January 1
    • Monday, January 21
    • Monday, February 18
    • Friday, April 19
    • Monday, May 27
    • Thursday, July 4
    • Monday, September 2
    • Monday, November 11
    • Thursday, November 28
    • Friday, November 29
    • Tuesday, December 24
    • Wednesday, December 25
    • Thursday, December 26 
  • The City of Sumter will pick upresidential trash and recycling as usual on ALL holidays, except Christmas Day, December 25 (other exceptions may include during high winds, flooding and ice storms).
  • City Council meetings are Regular City Council meetings are held on the first Tuesday in the Council Chambers on the 4th floor of the Opera House. City residents are encouraged to attend. Next month our meetings will be December 4 at 1 PM and the 18that 5:30 PM.

For more information on these events and more, visit our online calendar of events at www.sumtersc.gov.