ELLERBE— At Monday’s Ellerbe town meeting, Pamela Hill of Richmond County Aging Services shared updates on local programs supporting seniors, including Meals on Wheels, veterans’ outreach and weatherization assistance.
“We don’t have a lot of new information this month, but we are in our new fiscal budget year, so we have been able to add a few seniors to our Meals on Wheels,” Hill said.
Hill encouraged veterans to sign up for the Aging Services newsletter to stay informed about events like veterans’ breakfasts and lunches, where important resources are offered.
“If you know a veteran, or you’re a veteran, we ask that you call the office and sign up for the events that we have going on because coordinately, we either have the veteran’s breakfast or lunch and then they get information at those events,” she said.
She also reminded attendees that applications are still being accepted for the Duke Energy Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps income-qualified residents improve home energy efficiency through upgrades like air sealing, insulation, HVAC improvements and refrigerator replacement.
“We still have the Duke Energy Weatherization program going on with applications at our office. You don’t have to own your home, but your light bill has to be under your name, whether you rent or own,” Hill said. “We have to have your light bill as well as your awards letter or check stubs. We’ll turn that in and the people will give you a call and assess your homes.”
Hill added that Aging Services continues to take ramp assistance applications through Second Baptist Church. Habitat for Humanity applications are expected in the coming months. Another program to help seniors with light and water bills is also on the horizon.
“As soon as I get those applications, I’ll try to bring them to Ellerbe so you all can have them,” Hill said.
Later in the meeting during commissioner reports, Mayor Brenda Capel announced that the town lost $159,000 in funds originally intended for paving projects.
“Under the new administration, we lost $159,000 of our money that was for the water system/paving. From what I understand, the paving part was added on and they took all of the funds back for everything that was an add-on,” Capel said.
Despite the setback, paving is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks, according to updates from engineering firms LKC and SKC. Capel said she is working to recover the lost funds.
“I’m diligently working to get the $159,000 back. It may or may not happen. If it does not happen, we’re going to be about $14,000 short on our paving,” she said.
If additional funds are not recovered, Capel said a special called meeting may be necessary to address the shortfall. She also reported that the water cutoffs throughout town should now be complete.
“Unless there’s something else going on that I don’t know about. The one that happened the other day should’ve been the last one that we had,” she said.
Capel addressed the growing issue with graffiti at the Parks and Recreation area. She pushed for the installation of security cameras to help identify the individuals that are responsible for it.
“I would really like to see us moving forward with getting some cameras so something can be done. It’s been going on for too long,” Capel said.
Councilman Jeremy McKenzie confirmed that the vandalism has been ongoing for at least four to five months. Capel said maintenance crews continue to clean the area, but the graffiti keeps returning.
“It’s just a cycle that we’re going through where they do it, we clean it up. It’s time for that to stop. We can’t do that without the cameras, so we need to get that resolved as soon as possible,” she said.
During the public forum, resident Lee Freeman raised concerns about children in golf carts around town, often without child safety seats.
“They hit a bump, they go off and hit their head,” Freeman said. “The fact they’re not complying with child safety seats— that’s just an accident waiting to happen.”
District Attorney Jamie Adams, who serves District 21, including Richmond, Scotland and Anson counties, attended the meeting to hear residents’ concerns and offer support.
“I am glad to be here because I have learned a lot from just a couple of minutes sitting here of some of the concerns here in Ellerbe,” Adams said. “Part of the reason why I did want to come out here is I know there have been a number of shootings and things that have taken place in the area. I want you to know I’m aware and we’re taking care of it.”
Capel also expressed support for Wendell Robinson, Ellerbe’s public works director, whose son was tragically shot over the weekend.
“Our Public Works director’s son was killed over the weekend, so we ask everybody to be in prayer for that family,” Capel said.