Richland County Month in Review: December

COLUMBIA, SC – The following are highlights from Richland County Government in December:

• Several volunteers gathered at the retention pond at the County’s Public Works facility on Powell Road to participate in a day of mini-projects organized by the Richland County Stormwater Department and Carolina Clear, a waterway protection organization of Clemson Extension. Personnel from the County’s Stormwater, Support Services and Roads and Drainage divisions helped put down erosion control blankets and plant a buffer of native vegetation that will stabilize the shoreline soil and trap sediment, resulting in better water quality. The renovated area now serves as a place for residents to visit and learn more about clean water practices.
• Richland County Vector Control Director Tammy Brewer and Technician Katherine Sandel were honored by the SC Mosquito Control Association (SCMCA). Brewer received the L.A. Williams Jr. Award, the highest and most prestigious award presented by the SCMCA, and Sandel received the SCMA Technician of the Year award. With these two honors, every member of the County’s Vector Control team has now been recognized by the association.
• Richland County released two publications and a video to culminate celebrations of the County’s 215th anniversary. One booklet, “A Brief History of Richland County,” gives a quick overview of the County from its beginning to modern times. The “2014 Year in Review” booklet offers highlights from the year and has an accompanying video. Thee “2014 Year in Review” video can be viewed here and the digital publication can be viewed here. Click here to view the digital publication of “A Brief History of Richland County.”
• Richland County hosted a special community drop-in Dec. 18 that commemorated the County’s 215^thanniversary. Held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, a crowd of residents attended the event where they celebrated the County, mingled with friends and neighbors, and chatted with Councilmembers and Richland County Government personnel.
• Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and Richland County Sustainability Manager Anna Lange were among the individuals and organizations recognized at Keep the Midlands Beautiful’s Gala for a Greener Midlands. Lott was named the Green Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and Lange received the Green Sustainability Leadership Award.
• Richland County began informing residents about the third and final phase of its efforts to increase recycling availability to residents. Nearly 48,000 new recycling roll carts will begin being delivered to households in the northern part of the County. Information about what can and cannot be recycled and a calendar detailing each household’s specific recycle collection day will also be delivered, to the make the transition as easy as possible.