September 2018 Council Highlights

  • Council approved changes to the city’s burn ordinance. This ordinance applies to all open burning and reuse burning within City limits. The ordinance clarifies some of the code to better manage safety and nuisance concerns. The changes clarify how campfires need to use clean wood and must be confined by a control device or structure, such as a barrel, fire ring or fire pit. It also defines forestry management and the burning of construction material, among some other smaller clarifications. 
  • Council approved a flood damage prevention ordinance at our September 4th meeting. This ordinance adopted the revisions to the Wateree Watershed Maps and Flood Insurance Study, which go into effect as of September 28, 2018. Staff worked with affected property owners prior to this approval of this ordinance, so everyone knew of the changes and how it would effect their property.
  • Council approved sewer line improvements and replacement to Manning Avenue, from the bridge tot Andrews Street. This project starts immediately so it can be completed prior to the Penny for Progress revitalization project for Manning Avenue and North Main Streets.
  • Council approved a resolution to allow matching funds for a $25,000 state economic development grant, which will support a new program at the City called the Science of Success. This hands-on program, comprised of 16 lessons, has a goal of helping teenagers learn positive workforce readiness, leadership, financial literacy and soft skills necessary to prepare them for a post secondary destination and/or career. Some of the lessons include mental attitude, going the extra mile, taking initiative, desire, self-discipline and teamwork. Because many of today’s teenagers equate leadership with position, abuse of power, bribery, and corruption, few young people have a healthy and correct understanding of what leadership is and how they can apply it to their lives and the lives of others. This program seeks to strengthen Sumter’s future workforce pipeline by equipping all participants with life skill knowledge and practices necessary for them to carry out their next steps in life. City staff, working with Sumter Schools, provides guided discussion format where students discuss the ideas and are tasked to complete homework assignments each week. 

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Due to Hurricane Florence, the City did not pick up residential customers garbage or recycling, this past Friday. However, we do want to let our Friday customers know that we will be picking up on your regular day this week. We understand that these customers may have more trash than usual, because of the weather delay. So, if you are a Friday customers, extra bagged trash can be left alongside your trash can, by the road and crews will work diligently to pick it all up. Please have patience as the added refuse may overload trucks where we could take longer than usual.
  • Last few days for the community to contribute to our Sumter 2040 survey. If you haven't had the opportunity, please fill online at www.sumter2040.com. The survey closes on September 30th.  If you would like the planning staff to provide updates and what’s happening with the plan, please call 803-774-1660 to schedule a guest speaker. Staff will be on hand at Art in the Park this Saturday to encourage more input from our residents.
  • Come one, come all to the 2018 Sumter Green Fall Feast to be held on Thursday, September 20th from 6-8:30 PM at the USC Sumter Nettles Building. This year will feature local professional and home cook chef’s serving up some of the most delicious foods in the South. One price, gets you everything! Try alligator, frog legs, quail and many other southern favorites and international cuisine with lots of sweet treats and beverages to compliment! Advance purchase tickets are $35, or $45 at the door. Tickets for sale at the Swan Lake Visitors Center. Adult’s only and live music provided by the band “Bad Water.”
  • The 2018 Art in the Park event is coming up on Saturday, September 22 from 9 AM to 4 PM. Located in the Historic Memorial Park, Sumter SC. Skilled and talented artists will be displaying and offering everything on your wish list… and more! There will be glass, pottery, fabric, mosaics, textiles, appliqué, crocheting, embroidery, knitting, quilting, weaving, woodcraft, and jewelry. Local entertainment... with Sumter & Shaw AFB nonprofits providing a variety of food and beverages (available for purchase). This event is FREE admission and open to the public.
  • Sumter's largest Main Street Party OKTOBERFEST will be held this Saturday, September 22. This will be the ninth year that Hamptons has presented this festival. The event starts at 5pm. The Happy Musicians will be the German band playing on Main Street until 9pm. D.J. Howie D will continue the party in La Piazza. This is the perfect time to don your favorite lederhosen. Advance tickets are $10. Day of festival tickets are $15. More info at SumterOktoberfest.com. 
  • The Annual Sumter American Legion Fair Sept 25 - 30, 2018 sponsored by Sumter's American Legion Post 15. Advance gate admission is $5, at the gate admission $8. Discounts available. Advance ride all day pass is $20. More info at SumterFair.com. 
  • The last Downtown Fourth Fridays of 2018 will be held on September 28. This month, the band ‘Jus Tru Blac’ will take the stage at 6:30 pm. Fun for the whole family, bring your chairs and dance the night away to some great R&B hits! Food and drink will be available for purchase, no coolers please. For more information call 803-436-2635 or visit www.DigItDowntown.com. 
  • Grammy Award winner Paula Cole is coming to the Sumter Opera House Saturday! Initially breaking into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997 with "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", Paula Cole's music has grown and expanded over the years to include songs that are reminiscent of greats like Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan, John Coltrane, and Nina Simone. Her variety and mastery is something you surely won't want to miss! Come see her LIVE on our stage on September 29th at 7:30 PM! Ticket Pricing: $35 / $32 / $29. More info at www.SumterOperaHouse.com.
  • The City will be participating in the upcoming eSTEAM event on Saturday, October 6. Developing our talent pipeline is critical to the continued success of this region. Hosting a festival to celebrate advancement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math allows show goers to see, experience, and dream about future careers while interfacing with industries and organizations that can make their dreams a reality. More recently, the ‘Arts’ were added to the commonly known acronym forming STEAM—because employers understand that creativity and soft skills add vitality to any program, project, or work environment. eSTEAM Sumter, is our way of bridging the gap, shoring up our workforce, talent and highlighting the development and growth of our region. For more information visit esteamsumter.com. 
  • More events and details at www.sumtersc.gov:
    • Porches of Sumter, October 4
    • Amborsia at the Opera House, October 4
    • Ranky Tanky at the Opera House, October 5
    • Carolina Backcountry Harvest, October 13
    • Pete the Cat at the Opera House, October 13
    • Fall for the Arts, October 15-20
    • TriSumter Triathlon, October 20
  • Little Shop of Horrors, October 18-November 3• 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 October 2nd at 1 PM and the 16th at 5:30 PM.

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