The New Survey - Eau Claire Community Council

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Page 2 • June 2011 The New Survey Editor - Becky Bailey Published by The Eau Claire Community Council www.eauclairecommunity.org Mail Submissions and Requests for Advertising to: The New Survey 830 Wildwood Avenue Columbia, SC 29203 Voice: 454-0088, 691-1168 FAX: 691-1187 E-mail: thenewsurvey@aol.com IN THIS ISSUE Advertising and Publication Deadlines 20th of each month Circulation: 20,000 readers The New Survey is printed by Florida Sun Printing - Callahan, FL North Columbia schools excel Following years of struggling to reach academic goals, schools in North Columbia are beginning to reap big rewards. How they are doing it is all part of a process. This issue of The New Survey is dedicated to the educators, the schools, and the community involvement that is making an impact. For more, see stories beginning on page 4. A Fond Farewell Two community leaders who have contributed greatly to the growth and development of our community say, “farewell.” Page 11. Movers & Shakers The Eau Claire Community Council gives credit where credit is due. This year’s class of community, business and educational leaders who make North Columbia a great place to live, work, and educate your kids are featured on Page 16. Regular Features Eau Claire Community Council News Page 7 Matters of Faith Page 10 Government Calendar Page 12 Becky Bailey, Editor VIEW FROM THE TOWER The New Survey The Awards Season It happens every year about this time. Somehow with the end of the school term, with its promotions and graduations of students from one grade to the next, from one school to another, and to future plans, we have adopted in our culture a season of giving kudos for achievement. We honor our students, of course, who, this year have done amazing things in North Columbia as you’ll read in the pages to follow. We honor our public servants who every day go over and above the call of duty to help people in need, to give a little more. It’s a great time of year. It’s Thanksgiving in June. It’s the beginning of the growing season, the time of many new beginnings.It’s when we assess where we’ve been and to take stock of where we want to go. In political circles, summer is often referred to as “the silly season.” The season when all the politicians step outside of their somewhat professional roles and loosen their ties, hike up their skirts and kick up their heels for a little “over the top” merriment. It’s a time when off the cuff comments can make or break a political hopeful. It’s the separating of the wheat from the shaft. Throughout Columbia we’ve been celebrating achievements of community volunteers. From the Eau Claire Community Council’s annual Appreciation Dinner in May, to the Columbia Council of Neighborhood’s annual Awards Banquet held recently, we feel a need—as community activists—to give credit where credit is due. We honor those who serve, often a salute reserved for military, and rightfully so. But also those who serve as civilians. In their neighborhoods. “On the ground” as some would say, where the action is. Where the problems are. Where the need is greatest. In his comments before CCN’s annual “thank you” event on June 11, associate editor for The State Warren Bolton reminded us that, “community minded people don’t leave anybody behind.” He told the story of starfish washing upon a shore and a child tossing them back into the sea as quickly as he could to save their lives. “You’ll never make a difference,” he was told by a passerby. After listening politely, the boy picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the surf. “I made a difference for that one,” he said. “The people we honor,” Bolton told us, “are not elected officials, not paid municipal employees. Rarely are they seen on the evening news or in the daily papers. But they are all making a difference.” Make a difference in your community today. And thank you for all you do! On the Cover A sea of orange filled the Carolina Coliseum on May 27 as 120 seniors sang their alma mater for the last time as students. A bittersweet occasion, the Class of 2011 and the Eau Claire community also said farewell to Principal, Rodney Zimmerman, “Mr. Z,” who is leaving the school after four successful years of improved academic achievement.
& North Columbia News Newsmakers Brian South Named Richland County Developer of the Year The New Survey June 2011 • Page 3 Brian South of The South Company has been named Richland County Developer of the Year by the Richland County Community Development Department. South is the developer of the current phase of the Ridgewood Neighborhood Revitalization project, which Richland County began in 2004 with federal Community Development Block Grant funds. A real estate developer in the Carolinas for 34 years, South has been recognized for revitalizing city neighborhoods in Columbia, SC, and Charlotte and Durham, NC. In Columbia, South’s developments include Laurel Hill and McCants Townhomes in Earlewood, Graymont in the Rosewood area, and Willowbrook in the Keenan Terrace area. The Historic Columbia Foundation recognized South for new construction in an historic context, and The Historic Preservation Society of Durham awarded South for architectural conservation. Valeria Jackson, director of community development for Richland County, presented the Developer of the Year Award, which states “Thank you for your outstanding contributions toward our goals, and for making our organization stand above the rest.” South resides in Columbia and is a graduate of Dreher High School and North Carolina State University. In April, the Ridgewood Community dedicated a new, handicapped accessible home, and a renovated home, both built by The South Company, as part of the community’s revitalization program. Both homes are available for purchase. For more information, call 429-9433. Submitted by The South Company Eau Claire Rotary Club inducts thee new members in May Developer Brian South (center) joins Ridgewood Community leaders (l-r) Willie Mae Long, Edna Grant, and neighborhood president Angela Bishop in April, for the dedication of a new, handicapped accessible home built by The South Company at 814 Dixie Avenue. This and a home remodeled by South at 5131 Woodbrier Road are part of the community’s revitalization program. City of Columbia Neighborhoods Win Big at NUSA 2011 Conference The Columbia Council of Neighborhoods attended the 36th Annual Neighborhoods, USA Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, May 25-28. The Historic Waverly Community won third place honors in the Multi- Neighborhood Partnerships category of the Neighborhood of the Year awards program. The prestigious award is presented to the community demonstrating exceptional accomplishments by neighborhood organizations during 2010. The Historic Waverly Community competed against hundreds of other neighborhoods from all over the United States. The New Survey from the Eau Claire Community Council received Gold Level honors in NUSA’s inaugural neighborhood newsletter competition. Richland County also received an award claiming fourth place honors in NUSA’s Best Neighborhood Program Award competition. Mayor Benjamin and City Council recognized Historic Waverly Community President Mrs. Doris Hildebrand, and Mr. Henry Hopkins, and Ms. Becky Bailey of the Eau Claire Community Council for ther achievements at the City Council meeting on June 7. Submitted by the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods Three new members were inducted into the Eau Claire Rotary Club in May. They are financial planner Sammie Taylor, community activist and president-elect of the Eau Claire Community Council Reggie McKnight, and Columbia Police Department Chief Deputy Wash James. Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The Eau Claire Rotary Club will hold its annual gold tournament on June 30 at Oak Hills Golf Course. For more information call Sammie Taylor at 361- 5991. Three Richland 1 schools removed from troubled school program Fifteen South Carolina schools were added to a program for schools that face the possibility of state takeover due to their lack of academic progress, while 20 others, including three from Richland 1, were released, the State Board of Education announced on June 10. C.A. Johnson and Eau Claire HIgh schools and W.G. Sanders Middle School were removed from the Palmetto Priority list, after the schools showed improvements in student achievement. Former Superintendent Jim Rex created the initiative in 2007 for schools that repeatedly miss student learning goals under the state’s education accountability law. That law gives state takeover as an option for schools that consistently receive “at-risk” state report card ratings. The program includes extra assistance from the state and collaboration with colleges. The 15 added schools are in 10 counties. None are from Richland, Lexington or Kershaw counties. About 57 percent of students in the newly identified schools live in poverty. The schools join 17 other in the project. from The Associated Press
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The New Survey - Eau Claire Community Council

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