The Georgetown County A monthly e-newsletter produced Chronicle by Georgetown County, S.C., for its residents and visitors. Inside this Issue Volume 8, Issue 4 December 2019 Tea and Poetry Series returns in Jan., Page 3 All but one viable sales tax projects completed Georgetown Library joins national boycott, Page 4 new police and fire complex in the A Town of Andrews is the last item Sheriff issues tips to avoid remaining to be completed from the original holiday fraud, Page 5 projects list that was part of a 2014 Capital Live music series returns to Project Sales Tax referendum. the library, Page 6 The sales tax expired in the spring of this year, having raised just over $41 million. The Paid Census takers total was significantly more than anticipat- needed in area, Page 7 ed, and will leave Council with about $18 Public Services employees million in excess funds that they will have to receive awards, Page 9 determine how to spend sometime next year. Volunteers needed for com- Following is the latest on where the origi- munity garden, Page 11 nal projects from the referendum stand. • Andrews Fire and Police Complex. This project site preparation for the Confined Disposal Facility was Calendar was originally earmarked for $1.5 million and has not not required due to cost savings in mechanical/gravity Dec. 14 – Friends of the Georgetown yet been completed, as the County awaits action from dewatering bag methods that were employed. Origi- Library Yuletide Home Tour and craft the Town of Andrews. The Town is going through the nally budgeted for $10.3 million, this project was com- show, 1-5 p.m. See page 4. procurement process and the County is ready to move pleted for $8.85 million. Dec. 14 – Wreaths Across America, forward with funding as soon as the Town is ready to • Road Resurfacing. All road resurfacing projects 10 a.m. at the Georgetown War begin construction. No funds have yet been expended. (approximately 100 across the county, including in Memorial. See Page 10. • Murrells Inlet Dredging. This project was com- municipalities) have been completed. Total projects Dec. 19 — Georgetown County pleted in May of 2017, along with beach renourish- equaled 44.5 road miles. The County anticipates re- Planning Commission Meeting, 4 ment at Garden City, which was done using spoils ceiving reimbursement of some funds from SCDOT, p.m., in the historic County Court- material from the dredging operation. The disposal house on Screven St. Note deviation See “Capital Projects,” Page 8 from usual start time. Dec. 17 – “A Traditional Christmas” Library to move ahead with improvements at main branch live musical performance at the Waccamaw Library, 5:30 p.m. See With the full support of Moody spent so much time, and page 6. County Council, the that a portion of the improved Dec. 24-26 – County offices closed Georgetown Library Board is building be named in her honor. for the Christmas holiday. Check our ready to move forward with Though the Library Board has website for the landfill schedule. a plan for expansion and discretion over how the funds Jan. 1 – County offices and facilities improvements at the sys- are used and didn’t need Coun- closed in observance of New Year’s tem’s main branch in cil’s approval, they did want Day holiday. Georgetown. County Council council’s support, as well as per- Jan. 3 – Last day to register for Tot enthusiastically and unani- Library board members and staff listen to a mission to use the county-owned Basketball. See Page 7. Season starts mously gave its blessing last presentation from architect Michael Walker on Library Park adjacent to the li- Jan. 13. month to the board’s plans, plans for improvements to the library. brary on Cleland Street for the Jan. 9 – Good Manners for Beginners which include using a small, county- a regular user of the Georgetown expansion. Council gave both. dog training classes start at the owned park for the construction Library from around 1955 until her Council heard from several resi- Murrells Inlet Community Center. component of the project. death in late 2017 at the age of 96. dents who expressed their own sup- See page 11. The Library received a bequest of The Library Board gratefully accept- port for the project and talked about Jan. 14 – Georgetown County Council $1.16 million earlier this fall from the ed the gift and decreed it should be their visions for the future of the meeting, 5:30 p.m. in the historic late Jean Flournoy Moody, who was used to improve the facility where See “Library,” Page 3 courthouse. Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 2 In Memoriam: County mourns former Council Member, friend The Rev. Thomas three young adults in advancing their educa- Georgetown, who was reared as his sister; Earl Drayton, a for- tion. and two special nieces, Laura (Khalil) Smith mer Georgetown As a community leader and public servant, Ahmed and Neomi (Herbert) James, both of County Council he was recognized with the following who resided in their home in New York; a Member, passed awards and life achievements: the Palmetto best friend of more than 50 years who is away Nov. 22 at Conference Sons of Allen Hall of Fame for considered a brother, Alonzo (Shirley) Jin- Tidelands Health in community leadership, 2019; Recognition of wright of Charlotte; a special nephew who Georgetown. He Public Service to Georgetown County by the he considered a son, Kenneth was 79. S.C. Senate and S.C. House of Representa- “Biggie” (Barbara) Drayton; two special He was born to tives, 1996; and the Sharon F. Wood Award grandsons, Zharbray Livingston of the late Rev. Henry for Outstanding Services from the Georgetown, and Jordan Manigault of Thomas E. Drayton S. Drayton and Georgetown County Alcohol and Drug Georgetown. He is predeceased by siblings Sarah Williams Drayton on June 20, 1940, in Abuse Commission, 1994. Bertha Williams, Hester Bryant, Susan the North Santee area of Georgetown Coun- Drayton was a loving and deeply devoted Brown, the Rev. Annie Green, Ruth Frost, ty. Growing up in North Santee, he acquired husband, father, grandfather, great- Emma D. Smith, Willie Drayton, Luther Dray- his education at Rosemary and Howard High grandfather, brother and uncle. He was ton, James Drayton, Mary Drayton Ravenell School. Following graduation from Howard, fondly known by many and well respected and Beatrice Chisolm; a host of nieces, to Drayton married his high school sweetheart, by all throughout the faith community, pub- include two special nieces, Mickie Livingston the former Emma Ravenell, on June lic officials and the North Santee communi- and Gwen Wearing; nephews and friends, to 23,1961, and from this union three children ty. He was an honorable man with integrity include special family friends Elder David were born: Kerry Bernard, Keesha Belinda and grit that is often lacking in today’s socie- Grayson of Open Bible Tabernacle, Michael and Kia Benita. The couple relocated to New ty. He cherished and honored the legacy of Johnson, Nehemiah Witherspoon,Vergie York, where he enlisted in the Army in 1961 the name passed down to him by his father Doiley, Sherry Livingston, Jackie Kennedy, and served two years. During his time in (Drayton) and lived his life in a manner to Rita Cromedy, Francis Swinton, Martin New York, Drayton was employed by Mont- ensure that legacy continues. Mayes Jr., Phenie Bell Moultrie and daugh- gomery Ward, Coney Island Hospital, United He leaves to cherish his memory a devot- ters and many more. Postal Service and the New York Sanitation ed wife and love of his life, Department. He and his family returned Emma Ravenell Drayton; home to North Santee in 1976 and he began three loving daughters, working at International Paper Company. He Keesha Belinda Drayton of was elected to the Georgetown County Hartford, Conn., Kia Benita Get the Chronicle Council in 1985 and served in political office Drayton of Georgetown for 20 years representing North Santee Dis- and Victorious Emma At Georgetown County, we want our residents trict 3. Mitchell Drayton of the and property owners kept abreast of what’s Drayton was licensed to preach at Mt. home; three sons, Kerry going on inside their local government. That’s Zion AME Church in North Santee under the (Marilyn) Bernard Drayton Rev. Alfred Darby. He also served at Bethel of St Johns, Fla., Anthony why we created the Georgetown County AME Church in Georgetown, assisting the Edward Mitchell Drayton of Chronicle. It’s a vehicle for information about pastors and ministry with the approval of the home and Terrence county services and events, important the official boards of both churches. He (Batise) Humes of Darling- messages from county officials and behind-the served six pastors at Bethel AME Church ton; three grandchildren, -scenes glimpses at how government works. and, currently, Pastor Dr. Betty Clark until Shannon Donte’ Wallace, his health declined. Drayton often expressed Aiyanna Nicole Drayton and You can find the Chronicle on our website at his love for ministry and thanked the Sierra Humes; three great- www.gtcounty.org or through our Facebook churches for the opportunity to serve. grandchildren, Imani Maria page. If you’d rather have it delivered to your He was a devout public servant of the Cameron Drayton, Sydney inbox, e-mail [email protected] with the Georgetown community and served in vari- Wallace and Antoine Lamar subject line “send me the Chronicle.” ous capacities to support the educational Cameron III; one surviving advancement and well being of youth, men sister, Vivian (John) Wal- That’s also the place to send questions and and senior citizens.