John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Exciting news came out of Greenville during the regular scheduled town council meeting on Monday, Feb. 12. In the recent months, Greenville Elementary School's (GES) sewer system has been a topic of concern, but it is expected those concerns will soon be put to rest. In attendance were Mayor Calvin Malone, Vice Mayor Brandi Seabrooks and councilwomen Barbara Dansey and Joi Collins. Also in attendance were Town Manager Edward Dean and Town Attorney John Reid.
During the meeting that began at 6 p.m., Dean reminded the council that he put in a request to receive a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The request of one million dollars was for the Greenville Elementary School's pump station and force main. At the time of the request, GES had a failing pump station on school grounds.
It was determined that GES cannot function without the proper equipment to serve the pump station and a failing pump station jeopardizes the school's future, as the Madison County School Board would be forced to close the school without a reliable sewer system. The thought of GES closing has been the source of anxiety within the community of Greenville.
During his first week on the job, Dean asked Kimberly Reams, Greenville Town Clerk, to schedule a meeting with FDEP to discuss solutions to alleviate the problems GES was having with their sewer system. Dean then put in a one million dollar request to completely construct lift station number five.
Approximately two weeks ago, Dean followed up with FDEP, and it was discovered that Greenville was granted their request to construct a new lift station for GES. “Hopefully we can turn this project around by the end of the year,” said Dean. “[FDEP] made an exception for Greenville. Normally, they don't even entertain doing new grants when you have a grant open, but given the emergency nature, [they granted Greenville the request].”
GES currently is the largest employer in the Town of Greenville. GES has approximately 135 students and 16 faculty members. In addition, the sewer system will also serve 20 Head Start students and five faculty members of that program.
The first annual Greenville Day was discussed, as the meetings at the Florida State Capitol took place one day after the regularly scheduled meeting. Along with the request for the GES sewer system construction, which was granted, Dean, the council and other citizens who wished to participate were to meet with Representative Halsey Beshears and Senator Bill Montford about what the intended use of the request was for and the urgency of the request.
Dean expressed that “we're moving with all due diligence to bring that youth bill together.” The youth bill has been a topic in the Greenville City Hall since the beginning of Dean's time as City Manager. The youth bill is a grant through the Florida Department of Labor that facilitates people ages 16-24 receiving their high school diploma or GED. The bill allows this age group to get their basic education, then allows them to get proper job training skills in the area of construction.
“We need to get the kids something to do and give them an opportunity. Trying to lock them up in jail and put them [to where] they never can do anything; that's not the route I'd like to see us go,” said Dean. He expressed that he plans to meet with Superintendent of CareerSource, Diane Head to put together a strong application to give kids the opportunity to better themselves.
The next regularly scheduled town council meeting will take place on Thursday, March 15, at 6 p.m., with a swearing-in ceremony for the newly-elected council members. Elections for the Group 1, Group 2 and Group 5 Greenville Town Council seats will take place on Tuesday, March 13. Greenville Town Hall is located at 154 SW Old Mission Ave., in Greenville.