July 21, 2023 | Issue 14

Highlights from the Town of Fort Mill

Town of Fort Mill officials recently announced exciting news- the creation of a new Operations Center.

During a press conference on June 27, 2023, in front of the current Utilities building, Town leaders announced that the Town had purchased property near the end of Banks Road for the development of a new Operations Center. The new building will eventually house the Public Works and Utilities departments along with space for other Town offices.

S.C. House Rep. Raye Felder spoke at the press conference to announce the recent securing of $25 million in state funding to assist with the construction of the project. This will allow the historic armory building, which currently houses these departments, to be repurposed for a more beneficial use.

This project stems from the preliminary findings of a Town Facilities Study that began in 2022 to examine all Town facilities and determine their conditions and needs for updates, expansions, additions or replacements.

Ribbon cutting for Fort Mill Stormwater Department Mural Project

Surrounded by sponsors, Town officials and several local artists, the Town of Fort Mill Stormwater Department held a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 16, 2023 for its new sidewalk mural at Kingsley Town Center.

The large crowd gathered near the new mural, which was painted in the sidewalk area adjacent to the stormwater pond at Kingsley between the restaurants Napa and Taco Molino. Titled “It’s In Our Hands,” the mural is an innovative new public art project that focuses on the local flora and fauna of our region and encourages the public to reflect on ways to keep local waterways clean.

The ribbon cutting ceremony featured remarks from Stormwater Coordinator Mina McLean MacDonald, as well as Domtar’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs Jan Martin, York County Arts Council Executive Director Lori Robishaw, lead mural artist Debbie Whitsett, and Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage.

MacDonald told the crowd that the idea for the mural first began several years ago when Stormwater employees considered commissioning art around storm drains throughout Town. The idea eventually grew in size.

“It has just blossomed and we are amazed by what this has become,” MacDonald said.

Created by Whitsett, owner of Olive’s Mud Puddle and current president of the Catawba River Arts Guild, the mural was inspired by the artwork of local Fort Mill School District students who participated in a recent art contest held by the Stormwater Department. Whitsett and a team of Catawba River Art Guild members created the initial design for the mural. Whitsett later added details to the mural concept, while also coordinating more than 75 community volunteers to help paint the mural in May 2023. The mural took more than 500 hours of work to complete. Funding was provided by Domtar, Arts Council of York County, Clear Springs, LPL Financial, York County and the Town of Fort Mill. Sherwin-Williams generously donated all of the concrete stain.

“I’m really excited to see how people react and how they’re going to find all the animals that are hidden in it, and see how many people take pictures of themselves on the raft or jump over the bridge,” Whitsett said. “I’m excited to see how people interact with it.”

Click here to learn more about the mural on the Town’s Stormwater Department page.

Fort Mill Had a Blast on Independence Day

The Town of Fort Mill celebrated the Nation’s 247th Birthday with food, fireworks and fun at our Independence Day Celebration on Monday, July 3, 2023. 

The event was held at the Fort Mill Amphitheater and featured music, vendors, food trucks, a special ceremony, roving entertainment and our amazing fireworks show. There were also children’s activities, including face painting, balloon artists, kids’ crafts, and kid-related vendors. 

Our entertainment included performances from the Rockie Lynne Patriotic Show and Autumn Tyde. 

The Town also celebrated its 150th Anniversary with a special party, which featured patriotic songs, special remarks from Town officials, and a presentation of the Town's 150th Anniversary resolution. As part of our 150th Anniversary Celebration, we gave away 1,000 Fort Mill cookies, handed out several anniversary-branded items, and had our Fort Mill 150 Historical Photo Display available for viewing, while also showing off our new life-size anniversary cakes/photo ops!

Click here to see more photos and watch a video from our event below!

It was an exciting night on July 10, 2023 for the members of the Fort Mill 8U Softball team when they were recognized by Fort Mill Town Council for winning the inaugural 8U softball championship. The team, which is the first of its kind for Fort Mill, went undefeated in the York County All-Star tournament on June 17. Head Coach Jarodd Webb was on hand with several members of the team to accept an Acknowledgement of Achievement from Town Council.

With a large plaque in hand, Fort Mill Police Capt. Bob Cashier recognized Sgt. Marion Heriot at Town Council's June 12, 2023 meeting for the officer's life-saving actions earlier this year.

Cashier recounted the harrowing experience which began with Heriot responding to a scene near Springfield Elementary School. A driver who had been evading law enforcement had lost control of his car in an embankment, where it crashed and caught on fire. The driver and passengers were severely injured.

"Sgt. Heriot was the first to arrive on scene. He quickly assessed the scenario, switching from an engagement and enforcement act to a lifesaving act," Cashier said.

Heriot found that one of the passengers had been ejected from the car.

"(He) made some excellent, excellent decisions. He was able to move the young man away from harm's way; with the vehicle being on fire, it wasn't safe to provide medical attention," he said. "He did an outstanding job."

Heriot realized the man was not breathing and was unconscious.

"Sgt, Heriot began giving him CPR right away and was able to get this young man breathing again. Heriot continued to provide care until fire and EMS arrived to help. Then he quickly changed gears into enforcement mode and started securing the scene, started giving direction to other officers," he said. "It was really a great sight to see and a great model for all of our officers to follow, so we'd like to honor Sgt. Heriot for an outstanding job as always."

The event ended with a standing ovation from Town Council and those in attendance, including several of Heriot's fellow officers.

Through Oct. 28: Fort Mill Farmers Market season, Veterans Park, 106 N. White St., 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Aug. 18: Tribute Fest, Amphitheater, Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., 6-9 p.m.

Sept. 23: Decades Night, Amphitheater, Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., 6-9:30 p.m.

Oct. 6-31: Scarecrow Crawl, Downtown Fort Mill

Oct. 21: Fort Mill Fall Festival, Amphitheater, Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., 3-7 p.m.

Click the links above or visit www.fortmillsc.gov/TownEvents for more information.

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