ED DRIGGERS
Greer Relief's 75th anniversary celebrates community, volunteers
MAY 24, 2012
Caroline Robertson, Executive Director of Greer Relief, told today’s gathering at the J. Verne Smith Center, “When you come to work you never know what you will get. Some days 20 people will walk through the door. Other days 350 people will come in.”
Robertson and her staff entertained civic and business leaders and volunteers to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Greer Relief and Resources. These same citizens continue to serve an agency dependent on the communities’ financial and material support.
Cannon Centre keeps history and location intact
MAY 9, 2012
The Cannon Centre will become the name for Greer’s multi-purpose event center at the City Hall complex, said City Administrator Ed Driggers. The name change will be on city council’s May 22 agenda.
The renovation of the Horace McKown Center and name change keeps the history of the building and its location intact. The building fronts Cannon Street.
Council amends venue fees; sets rates for McKown Center rental
MAY 9, 2012
City Council unanimously approved, 7-0, amending the comprehensive fee schedule for event halls at Greer City Hall, City Park and the renovated McKown Center.
Laurie Campbell, Events Supervisor, and council members discussed leasing each component (event hall, gazebo and amphitheater) of the park or its entirety that includes all the venues excluding the McKown Center. Council did not discuss the actual fee schedule and there were no public or businesses speaking for or against the fees.
City sets fee schedule to compete with event venues
APR 25, 2012
Greer City Council is charging ahead in its quest to create a bigger footprint in Greer Station’s event hosting business. The city’s march forward, without restraints in place, is also beginning to limit the public’s weekend access to the park.
Greer City Council Tuesday night gave unanimous approval (7-0) to a first reading for a new rate structure for its events facilities that include the McKown Center as a multi-purpose venue. The McKown Center, costing around $1 million, is undergoing its final punch list and is ahead of its planned mid-summer opening schedule.
Officers were suspended before their resignations
APR 11, 2012
City Administrator Ed Driggers said the Greer Police Department is working to fill vacancies created by the resignations of two officers a week ago.
Married couple Tasha and Frank Cone resigned three days after police were called to their home at Fawnbrook Drive to answer a domestic disturbance call. No arrests were made that night. A follow-up investigation by detectives on Saturday, March 31 led to their resignation on Monday, April 2. Tasha Crone was charged with criminal domestic violence the next day.
Barney Fife pokes fun at public safety officials
MAR 23, 2012
Barney Fife came close to offending some people in front of the wrong crowd tonight.
Fife was the featured entertainment at the inaugural City of Greer Public Safety Appreciation Dinner at Greer City. Police, fire and emergency medical responders were honored with a free dinner and all the ridicule from Fife they could handle, in good-natured fun.
BB&T receives inaugural Greer Development Chairman's Award
MAR 22, 2012
John Bolt, Vice President of BB&T in Greer, accepted the inaugural Greer Economic Development Chairman’s Award today on behalf of the bank at the GDC's 10th anniversary luncheon at City Hall.
Reno Deaton, GDC Executive Director, gave the annual report that reflected positive gains in 2011 and good early growth in the first quarter this year. Dennis Hennett, vice chairman of the board is rotating off to concentrate on his duties as CEO at Greer State Bank. Hennett retired and was recalled to lead the bank. Dave Edwards, Executive Director at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport in Greer, has been approved as Hennett’s replacement.
75 percent of fire alarms were for medical reasons
MAR 14, 2012
Greer Fire Chief Chris Harvey told city council Tuesday night that his department responded to 3,340 alarms with 2,517 for medical reasons. Harvey and his staff presented the 2011 Fire Department report to council.
The report showed the department's annual cost continues its 3-year decline with 2011 reporting at $2.3 million, a $200,00 decrease from 2010. The cost per city resident last year was $93.36. The daily cost is reportedly $6,525.
Downtown apartments favor fixed income 'elderly'
FEB 29, 2012
Greer City Council enthusiastically approved two parcels of land for rezoning tonight to accommodate proposed apartment complexes. Skepticism quickly replaced the enthusiasm when it came time to approve first reading of the proposed 54 and 56 apartment units, respectively, specifically a 4-story complex planned across from Greer City Park.
The Cannon Street Elderly Apartments would be built on 1.6 acres owned by Greer Partners at 217 Cannon Street. The C-1 (Central Business District) property, was approved for DRD (Design Review District). A parcel of land owned by Brenda Medlock at 706 West Poinsett Street was approved to be rezoned to RM-2, residential multifamily, from its former C-2 and R-12.
City's responsible driving program earns state's top award
FEB 28, 2012
The methods the City of Greer Police Department uses to help educate young drivers earned their own reward Tuesday when the Alive at 25 program and SIDNE go-kart training tool won the 2012 Municipal Association of South Carolina Achievement Award for Public Safety.
“The MASC Achievement Awards annually highlight the most innovative programs in South Carolina. It’s highly competitive and we’re thrilled that the judges have honored the City of Greer’s program to curtail distracted and impaired driving,” City Administrator Ed Driggers said. Driggers made the announcement tonight at the City Council meeting.
Greer municipal elections scheduled July 24
FEB 28, 2012
The Greer municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, July 24. Mayor Rick Danner and city council will announce the election date and timing for candidates to file at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting.
Council will give the measure its first reading tonight and it becomes effective after the second reading scheduled for March 13.
Big turnout at Chamber for minority open house
FEB 23, 2012
The Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce with Allen Smith and John Mansure paving the way, are trying to put a new face on the business organization.
"We've been male, pale and stale for too long," Smith, President and CEO of the chamber, repeatedly tells audiences at his public speaking engagements.
Riverside's Williford is a young driver with a message
FEB 23, 2012
Riverside High School senior Read Williford thought he had everything under control.
After all, he was only maneuvering a go-kart at a very slow speed inside a small auxiliary gymnasium with cones strategically placed and he was being monitored by Greer Police Department officers.
City Council approves purchase of land for recreation
FEB 15, 2012
Greer City Council gave its approval Tuesday night to purchase land for recreational purposes. The action was approved in executive session and the price and location of the property was undisclosed.
"As Greer is expanding we need to look for opportunities to offer our citizens expanded services. Parks and Recreation needs land and this is an opportunity for us to acquire it," Mayor Rick Danner said.
Song and essays celebrate Black History Month
FEB 10, 2012
Alexander Poteat and Alexis Wilkins read their winning essays who their African American heroes were and why at the Black History Month celebration at Greer City Hall tonight.
It the first of two programs organized by Wayne Griffin and sponsored by Village Hospital that celebrates Black History this month. The Black History Gala is scheduled Friday, Feb. 17 beginning at 7 p.m. The cost is $10.
Honorary Police Chief Jones vows to 'keep bad guys off streets'
FEB 10, 2012
Honorary Police Chief Jade Jones gave the thumbs up to to the Greer Police Department Thursday and reported "There are no bad guys on the street today."
Jade reported to Greer City Hall and assumed his unofficial duties with a swearing in ceremony performed by Mayor Rick Danner and Greer Police Chief Dan Reynolds. Jade's photo replaced Reynolds' at City Hall and visitors were greeted with the city's TVs showing the 5-year-old with a "Welcome Chief Jade Jones" slide.
Village Hospital hosts 2 Black History events
FEB 6, 2012
Black History Month will be celebrated by Village Hospital with two programs and the recognition of winners in the Black History Month Essay Contest.
Music, drama and the written word will be performed some of the Upstate’s talented youth at 6 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 10) at the Events Center at Greer City Hall. Middle school and high school students will be recognized for their essays on African-American heroes who have helped change the American landscape and influenced their own lives.
P&R program is teaching children valuable social skills
JAN 27, 2012
Children are learning social skills in etiquette and manners workshops conducted by the Greer City Parks & Recreation Department.
Children ages 9-12 learned etiquette and manners at a class Thursday with instructor Cathy Barnett demonstrating the basics of social skills.
Deaton's staff painting a greener landscape in Greer
JAN 26, 2012
Reno Deaton, Executive Director of Greer Development Corporation, has the enviable job of being the front man selling Greer to business and industry. This month is the 10th anniversary of GDC.
The first month of 2012 first quarter has Deaton's 3-person staff on pace to promote Greer's new businesses with the creation of nearly 500 jobs. Numerically, that represents nearly 2 percent of Greer’s 25,500 population.
Reno Deaton: Signs point to jobs, commercial and residential growth
JAN 26, 2012
Reno Deaton discussed with GreerToday.com, Greer's economy, growth and prospects for the future. He said, on the advice of city attorney John Duggan, he couldn't respond to questions on Allen Bennett Hospital and Huntington Rehabilitation Center that is in foreclosure proceedings. Deaton did speak about Greer's growing vitality and prospects for a vibrant 2012 in economic development. But he deferred talking about Kohl's enty into the Greer market, referring all question to its corporate headquarters.
GreerToday.com: QuikTrip is a new fuel/convenience player in Greer. How do you see that developing?
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