More than a dozen North Augusta High School students spent April 18 participating in the Youth Appreciation Day sponsored by the North Augusta Optimist Club.
The club’s Facebook page describes its mission as:
“A local civic organization whose goal is to support the youth of the community in the areas of sports, civic awareness and education.”
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Mayor Briton Williams said the students spent the morning touring the Municipal Building, other city-owned facilities and SRP Park. They returned to attend, and preside over, Monday night’s council meeting.
“I think this is an amazing program, because what it does is it helps them understand that local government is different than national government, they actually will have the ability as elected officials to make a difference in your local community because they’re dealing with issues that impact us in North Augusta,” he said.
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Amelia Murphy served as mayor with Hailey Gross, Annsley Elise Baxley, Griffin Pruitt, Simone Bultron and Trinidy Hammond sitting in as council members. The role of city administrator was filled by Hannah Gutshall while Katelyn Cochran, McKenzie Love, Imer Perez Lopez, Paul Stevens, Adreeana Warren, Jack Livingston, Caitlynn Sykes, De’Juan Carson, Keiri MacKie and Andrew Aldrich stepped in as department heads.
Formal actions were taken by council members. However, the students, based on the department head they shadowed, were tasked with reading proclamations and resolutions.
As city dministrator, Hannah Gutshall presented council members with the resolution accepting the new site plans for the public safety headquarters to be built on Georgia Avenue.
“This resolution also authorizes such steps as necessary to complete contractual arrangements with the requirement to bring a funding resolution back to the council upon receipt and finalization of construction bids of the project. It is my intention to have a groundbreaking ceremony in 2022,” Gutshall said.
Council members unanimously approved the resolution. It clears the way to begin the bidding process for the project.
The updated site plan showed the addition of an entrance off Georgia Avenue. The previous design had entrances on Butler and Observatory Avenues. It also showed the building is set back a little farther from the property line.
The modification creates an overlook with the potential to establish a memorial at the location. The new plan still maintains the two legacy buildings on the Flythe/Seven Gables property that were part of a hunting lodge built by North Augusta’s founder, James U. Jackson. Historic North Augusta and the Punch and Judy Theater have both expressed interest in restoring and using the two structures.
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Following the meeting the students, parents and school Superintendent King Laurence were guests at a reception in the Palmetto Terrace.
Williams said he hopes the experience will prompt the students to be involved in the city in the future.
“It doesn’t have to be an elected official. It may be a board or commission. It may just be volunteering. But my hope is that this gets them excited to want to be involved. We need young people involved in this country and young people involved in this community,” said Williams.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
