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Gov. Sanford expected to attend Maize Days street dance

SANTEE -- Plans for Santee's Maize Days festival next weekend are well underway, and the event is shaping up to be a fun-filled, family event. The town is also expecting a very important VIP to add to the excitement this year.

The festival, which is scheduled for May 14-16, will include a parade, a street dance featuring The Catalinas and a delicious "Taste of Santee."

Gov. Mark Sanford will be paying a visit to the town next weekend as he continues his statewide bike tour, and he is scheduled to attend the Maize Days street dance on Saturday. Sanford will be accompanied by his wife and four sons and plans to dine and stay in Santee on May 15.

Santee Tourism and Special Events Coordinator Joanie Schneider during Wednesday's town council meeting encouraged residents to come out to the festival to show their support for the town and for the governor. Advertisements are running on the radio and in local newspapers, and rack cards have been placed throughout the state to bring visitors to the event.

Schneider also noted that the town placed a full page ad with AAA's World Magazine, inviting people across the country to visit Santee. Visitors will soon have a new reason to come to Santee. The town's Cultural Arts Center will be a stop on the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor.

Also during the meeting, Police Chief Robert Williams advised council members that the police department is stepping up its security efforts for the governor's visit and plans to seek help from neighboring departments to guarantee the proper protection and VIP treatment. Members of the governor's security staff have been in contact with Williams to ensure a smooth, safe trip for all involved.

Williams also reported that the police department's mock trial was a success. Students from Holly Hill-Roberts, Elloree, Bowman, and Calhoun County high schools participated as well as local attorneys Glenn Walters and Thomas Sims. Former South Carolina Supreme Court justice Ernest Finney presided over the trial, which ended with a hung jury.

Santee Municipal Judge Frank Quattlebaum swore in newly reelected council members Sheryl Patrick and John Gilmore. Both pledged to exercise the trust placed in them by town citizens and to act in the best interests of the town.

In other business, council members approved a steering committee as recommended by the town's Planning Board. The steering committee will development a master plan for the development of Santee, and will include William Clark, William Dendy, William Larson, Margaret Smalls, Donnie Hilliard, Silas Seabrooks and Sheryl Patrick.

Council members also approved the acceptance of a qualifications package for Phase IV of Santee's ongoing sidewalk project. Six companies submitted proposals, and council members agreed to negotiate with them for the most cost-efficient service.

Phase IV will encompass Bass Drive from the stoplight down to Bonner Avenue. Phase I was completed by W. K. Dickson, while Phases II and III were completed by Seamon, Whiteside and Associates. Both companies submitted proposals for Phase IV.

Town Administrator Donnie Hilliard also advised council members that the Gateway Project planned for Exit 98 on I-95 is under way. The initial plans have been completed, and the state will begin accepting bids for the project on May 11.

Also during the meeting:

-- Council discussed a proposal for Phase I of the town's Voice Data and Network Infrastructure upgrade that will provide Internet service for the Town Hall Complex as well as upgrade the phone lines and install fiber optic network links. Two bids were received for the project from IST II and Universal Solutions. The council tabled the proposal for further research and discussion.

-- Local business owner Javed Khan appealed to the council for relief in his water bill this month due to circumstances beyond his control. Khan owns the Swamp Fox Motel on Highway 15 in Santee. A home fire adjacent to his property occurred earlier this month, and during the mayhem of putting it out, a main water line on his property ruptured, spilling approximately 38,000 gallons of water onto the property.

Khan said his property uses an average of 3,000 gallons of water per week, with an average monthly water bill of $225 dollars. His bill this month was $703 dollars, due partially to the massive water spill that occurred the night of the fire. He asked council members to consider his circumstances and to adjust his bill. The council agreed and asked Hilliard to help them reach a fair resolution to the issue.

T&D Correspondent Chasity Sanders Canaday can be reached by e-mail at sereneconfusion@hotmail.com or by phone at 803-854-4657.