Council approves second reading of ordinance for Darlington appointees

By Chad Rhoad
Editor/ The Messenger
Published: July 21, 2008

Darlington County Council members have approved second reading of an ordinance that would require all those appointed by the Darlington County Council to serve on boards and commissions to be and remain legal residents of Darlington County, placing it a step closer to passage.

Darlington County Council members approved second reading of the ordinance, which is an amendment to the Darlington County Code of Ordinances, during their regular meeting Monday night.

The ordinance requires a public hearing and third reading before taking effect. Both are expected to be placed on the agenda for council’s next regular meeting, scheduled for Aug. 18.

Also on Monday night, council also approved a grant application for Darlington County Sheriff’s Lt. Mark Luce and Deputy Russell Harrell for $500,000 from the Department of Justice for the Child Sexual Predator Program.

The program would allow the sheriff’s office to hire two officers and an administrative staff member to monitor and effectively handle sexual predators in Darlington County.

Luce said the grant would allow the sheriff’s office to be more proactive in its investigation and monitoring of sexual predators in the county, especially those who live around daycare centers and schools.

In other business, councilwoman Wilhelmina Johnson also requested a workshop to discuss the roles, responsibilities, duties and liabilities of Darlington County Council to Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments and the Pee Dee Workforce Investment Board, as well as to receive an update and make decisions for moving forward.

Johnson said she had several questions regarding the council and board.

Councilwoman Anne Warr, who serves as a member of the Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments, attempted to answer some of Johnson’s questions during the meeting.

Johnson’s motion was defeated.

Council members will reconvene Friday for a meeting with members of the Darlington County Jetport Commission. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Darlington County Courthouse Annex/EMS Building, 1625 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington.