By David Stephens
Hometown News
Chesnee Mayor Max Cash convened city council in monthly session on Monday, July 12, with all council members present. After the minutes from June were approved the mayor opened the floor for public comments with no one coming forward.
In the first order of business and in accordance with procedure, the election of a new mayor pro-tem was called for. After nomination and a second Councilwoman Alaree Dawkins was unanimously elected as Mayor Pro-Tem for a two year term.
City Administrator Becki Hood then stated that the city had finished the fiscal year ending June 30 in “good shape and with a healthy fund balance.” Hood said, “This has taken a lot of effort and pulling together on everyone’s part, but those efforts have really helped the city budget.”
Hood then gave the council a brief explanation of the budget report and what various items meant. Mayor Max Cash then presented two forms for approval by council. One is a sign-out sheet for city property and the other is a formal written request for hospitality funds. The forms were approved by a vote of 4-1 with Councilwoman Crawford stating that one of the forms should contain more information.
Next, the annual Charter cable franchise renewal was presented and first reading approved.
Chesnee High School wrestling coach Jonathan Rentz then addressed council with a request for hospitality funds. Rentz said the funds would be used to advertise and promote a Chesnee Pro Wrestling event to be held on July 23 at the high school with proceeds to benefit the high school wrestling team. Rentz presented a budget of $2800.00 with his request which was unanimously approved by the city council.
Councilman Bruce Mahaffey then presented for first reading a no smoking in city restaurants ordinance that was originally proposed by Councilman Doug Pye. Mahaffey said he was at first opposed to the ordinance but said, “After talking with some folks as well as the owners of two of the longer established restaurants in Chesnee, David Walker and Ken Scruggs, I now support it. Walker and Scruggs both said they would welcome a no smoking ordinance.” After being read in its entirety by Councilman Mahaffey, the ordinance was given unanimous first reading approval. The ordinance would ban all tobacco products from city restaurants and carry a fine of $10 to $25 dollars.
For the rest of the story, see this week’s Chesnee Tribune.