A motion to donate $100 to Columbia County Alternative School died during the Grovetown City Council’s meeting, Monday.
During the work session directly preceding the regular meeting, Councilwoman Ceretta Smith told her fellow councilmembers that she had participated in a walkathon fundraiser for the alternative school, which is located on Ford Avenue in Grovetown.
Though she donated herself, she said, the staff asked her about the city offering a donation.
“They don’t get a lot of things that they sometimes need,” Smith said, noting that the staff had given her a tour of the school, where she observed that many of the desks were donated by staff, and that the facility needed a microwave and various basic items such as copy paper. “I just wanted to put it on the agenda for us to consider donating $100 to the Alternative School here in our city, just as a way to give back and support the community.”
Referencing a detail in an email the council received from the school about the donation, Councilman Richard Bowman asked Smith if students were restricted from participating in fundraisers.
Smith responded that she was told that the county limits the kind of fundraising activities students may take part in, noting that something like the walkathon may hold the school district liable for any adverse incidents that may happen—such as a child being injured.
Councilwoman Sylvia Martin mentioned that Grovetown Elementary School would be having its own fundraiser, the Grovetown Fun Run, on Thursday, in which kids will participate.
Smith said, ultimately, that her understanding was that the school would be liable if children took part after school hours.
“It’s in our city. They have a need, and if we are able to assist them, I think we should,” she said.
During the meeting, Smith motioned to approve the donation, but none of the other councilmember seconded, effectively killing the motion.
Park improvements
The council would vote unanimously to allocate $150,000 in SPLOST funds toward upgrading Kiddie Park. City Administrator Elaine Matthews referred to the city’s recent budget hearings, during which the matter of improving the park was raised. Matthews examined the budget to address the issue of how such improvements would be funded, and recommended to the council using SPLOST funds.
The monies would go toward purchasing new equipment for the park, and then another allocation for additional upgrades could be discussed during the new budget hearings, Matthews said, as delivery of the equipment after it’s ordered can take months.
“If we encumbered the $350,000 now, we would not be able to use that before the end of the fiscal year,” said Matthews. “If we do $150,000 to get started, then if we need more, I can come back to you.”
Matthews then said that, moreover, increasing the equipment at the park could draw more people to use it, which would then require restrooms, an amenity the park doesn’t currently have but could be part of another phase of upgrades.
The city honored Sgt. First Class Richard Miller during the Veteran Recognition portion of the meeting. Miller served a tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam during his 22 years in the Army. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, a Meritorious Unit Citation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, a Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation, a Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and four overseas Service Bars.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
