While weather-related disasters are impossible to prevent, there are plans in place to prepare, respond and recover.
This year brought an unexpected and unpreventable new crisis COVID-19.
Thanks to quick action and using proven resources, the team under Director Doug Bryson and Assistant Director Robbie Swofford met the challenge. This was a herculean lift that was accomplished by them, Deputy County Administrator Earl Alexander said. Their works should not go unnoticed.
The department was recognized at a recent county council meeting.
Above the call of duty
Alexander said Bryson, Swofford and 14 volunteers have put in more than 1,000 hours of time beyond their normal workload.
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Since early March, the coronavirus pandemic has prompted a number of temporary business closures, caused layoffs, and canceled events and tourism plans for many nationwide.
Spartanburg County has seen some restaurants and other stores close permanently because of the pandemic. Meanwhile, others are struggling to survive.
Eight months ago, Gov. Henry McMaster issued executive orders closing restaurants and many stores to stop the spread of the virus. No stay-at-home orders or mask mandates were issued but residents were encouraged to stay at home and health officials continued to urge residents to wear face coverings and practice social distancing guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Gene Pitts said he finally decided to speak out after noticing that Michelin and Milliken were getting extended tax breaks from Spartanburg County.
Pitts, director of operations at Marchel Industries in Spartanburg, said he s long wondered why smaller companies that pay the standard 10.5 percent property tax rate couldn t get the 6 percent rate that Michelin, Milliken and a host of other large companies get. I understand why we do it. We need big business here, Pitts, whose injection molding company was founded in 1992 and employs 34 people, told Spartanburg County Council earlier this month. My question is, are there any plans to make these kinds of tax breaks and incentives more equally available to small business owners who have operated and supported Spartanburg County long-term?
Spartanburg County Council OKs pay raises over residents objections
Minutes after some residents called it reprehensible and bad optics, Spartanburg County Council members voted on Monday to give themselves a pay raise the first in 30 years. In essence, council is giving themselves a pay raise plus an additional raise every year without voter input, said Kirsty Schenkel. I don t know of anyone outside of a government employee who receives a pay raise without any consideration of job performance.
Last month, council passed the second reading of an ordinance raising the pay of council members from $12,500 to $19,500, and to $23,500 for the chairman.