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WHAT'S HAPPENING

 

7th Annual

 

 

Featuring

Lee Roy Parnell

Live from Nashville

 

 

 

The City of West Columbia hosts its 7th annual Riverwalk Music Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater located at 109 Alexander Road, beside the Gervais Street Bridge.  The concert is free and parking is available at several sites near the park at no cost.  Handicapped parking also is available.

The Riverwalk Music Festival kicks off at 2 p.m. with Buck Stanley, followed by Loose Change at 3:30 p.m.  Hometown favorite Rob Crosby takes over from 5 to 6:30 p.m.  Headliner Lee Roy Parnell performs from 7 to 9 p.m.  A well-known Nashville singer-songwriter, Parnell is an accomplished guitarist who has produced major hit records showcasing his special blend of country, blues and Southern rock infused with a Texas twist.  Parnell was awarded the Orville H. Gibson Award for Best Male Guitarist in 1998.  He has two Grammy nominations, three CMA nominations and received the Star of Texas Award for the preservation of Texas music.  His number one hits include “I’m Holding On” and “She Won’t Be Lonely Long.”

A special separate event this year is the Wine on the River fundraiser sponsored by the West Columbia Beautification Foundation.  Savor a variety of wines featuring a cross-section of reds and whites (domestic and imported) complimented by tasty hors d’oeuvres for $25 in advance or $30 at the park.  Purchase tickets online at http://wcbfwineontheriver2013.eventbrite.com/, or from Customer Service at West Columbia City Hall, 200 N. 12^th Street (at Jarvis Klapman Blvd).  All proceeds benefit the West Columbia Beautification Foundation.

The West Columbia Riverwalk Music Festival offers a marvelous cultural experience by merging the fluid sounds of music with a sensational view of the Congaree River and the Columbia skyline.  The West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater is handicapped accessible and dog-friendly.  A variety of foods and beverages can be purchased on site.  Music, fun and laughter will fill the air as the festival draws people from all over the Midlands region to enjoy great music and food in a unique venue at the edge of the beautiful Congaree River.

For more information contact Mardi Valentino, Public Information Officer, at the City of West Columbia (803) 939-8603 or mvalentino@westcolumbiasc.gov.  News release issued at 11 a.m. on March 14, 2013.

 

 

West Columbia Forms Community Advisory Committee

 

The City of West Columbia announces the formation of the West Columbia Community Advisory Committee, which is comprised of citizens representing the council districts and city’s business community.  The 21-member committee will provide an organized framework to promote, preserve and enhance the values and quality of life in West Columbia neighborhoods and commercial areas.

The Community Advisory Committee meets on a monthly basis with the time and date posted on the Committee’s page on the City of West Columbia website at www.westcolumbiasc.gov.  The next meeting will be Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 6 p.m. in the New Brookland Room at the West Columbia City Hall, located at 200 N. 12^th Street in West Columbia (corner of 12^th Street and Jarvis Klapman Boulevard).

For further information contact Mardi Valentino, Public Information Officer, at (803) 939-8603 or by e-mail at mvalentino@westcolumbiasc.gov.

 

Issued at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2013.

 

Three kayakers are grateful today for the sharp eyes of a West Columbia park ranger making his afternoon rounds at the West Columbia Riverwalk.  Ranger Steve Metro spotted an overturned kayak being swept down river with one person clinging to it and two other persons grasping tree branches in the rain-flooded Congaree River on January 18.  Metro immediately reported the dire situation to West Columbia Police Dispatch.  Four police officers quickly arrived on the scene and responded to the life-threatening emergency by going into the freezing cold and fast-moving river to attempt a water rescue.  Within minutes the officers reached the two victims hanging onto tree limbs and pulled them safely to shore where they were treated for exposure by Lexington County EMS.  Meanwhile, Metro ran downriver along the Riverwalk path following the kayak until it came close enough to shore for Metro to pull the third victim onto the river bank.  None of the kayakers sustained any life-threatening injuries.

Corporal Art Seboe, Patrol Officer 1^st Class Trip Holland, Patrol Officer 1^st Class Mark Howard, Investigator Leah Smith and Ranger Steve Metro will be recognized for their heroic actions in the face of great personal danger at the Regular Council Meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2012 at the West Columbia City Hall.

 

For further information contact Mardi Valentino, Public Information Officer at (803) 939-8603 or by e-mail at mvalentino@westcolumbiasc.gov.

 

Issued at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 28, 2013.

Heroic River Rescue (Content provided by WLTX)

http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=222905

 

 

Mayor Pro-Tem Jones Appointed to National Steering Committee

 

Mayor Pro-Tem Boyd Jones has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2013 Community and Economic Development Steering Committee.  This Committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation and international competitiveness.  The appointment was announced January 3, 2013 by NLC President Marie Lopez Rogers, Mayor, Avondale, Arizona.

 

Mayor Pro-Tem Jones stated, “I am honored to represent the City of West Columbia at the NLC.  My appointment to such an important national committee allows me an opportunity to work with developing broad-based federal policies that can assist not only West Columbia, but other small and mid-sized municipalities in South Carolina.”

 

As a member of the committee, Mayor Pro-Tem Jones will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions, while advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns on Capitol Hill, with the Administration, and at home.  The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

 

Mayor Pro-Tem Jones has served as a member of the West Columbia City Council since December 2005 and was elected mayor pro-tem in December 2011.  He represents Council District Five and is a life-long member of Turner Memorial AME Church in West Columbia.  Mayor Pro-Tem Jones recently earned the Bronze Leadership Certificate through the NLC Leadership Training Institute.

 

Issued at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

Palmetto Pride Awards West Columbia Beautification Grant for Fowler Park

The City of West Columbia received a Palmetto Pride Grant in the amount of $3,100 for a beautification project at Eric Fowler Park.  The recreational area, located off Augusta Road at C Avenue and 17^th Street, has picnic areas, shelters, and modern playground equipment.  The city applied for a beautification grant to fund the cost of planting flowering trees and shrubs along the perimeter of the park and was notified on December 15, 2012 that it was a 2013 grant recipient.  Beautification plans include installation of colorful plant materials such as azaleas, daylilies, and crepe myrtle trees as well as an irrigation system to ensure the plantings will remain healthy and thrive.  Long-needle pine straw, readily available from pines trees in Fowler Park, will provide ground cover and natural insulation.  The renderings below indicate the vibrant transformation.

Before and After

     

City staff designed a thoughtful approach to providing color throughout the park while skillfully screening nearby housing.  The location of the planting beds will maximize visual impact while preserving areas used for recreation.  Fowler Park can be accessed from Augusta Road at 17^th Street.  Eric Fowler Park is one block on the right.

 

Lakeview Tigers Football Legacy Recognition

 

Click HERE for more information

West Columbia Adopt-a-Child Star Tree

 

Individuals, churches or civic groups are encouraged to visit the West Columbia Fire Department at 610 N. 12^th Street to choose a star-shaped ornament bearing a needy child’s name, age and gender.  Buy a gift, wrap it, and use the star ornament as a label then return it to the Fire Station to bring smiles of joy to a young child this holiday season.

 

The Fire Department lobby will be open everyday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. beginning November 27, 2012 through December 17, 2012.  Please make this Christmas special for everyone.

  

 

GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting

News Release

City of West Columbia Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting

 

The City of West Columbia has been awarded the Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive financial report (CAFR) covering fiscal year 2010-2011.  The City of West Columbia has earned the award from the GFOA for 21 consecutive years.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.  The award represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management staff.  City Treasurer Richard K. Hodge, CPA, is the city official primarily responsible for the preparation and publication of the City’s award-wining CAFR.

The CAFR is judged by an impartial panel to determine if it meets the high standards of financial reporting, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate the City’s financial story.  The GFOA is a non-profit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, DC.

For further information, please contact Mardi Valentino, Public Information Officer at (803) 939-8603.