Rock Hill honors Inside Rock Hill graduates, proclaims Public Works and Police weeks

The Rock Hill City Council on May 12 recognized graduates of the city's Inside Rock Hill civics program, proclaimed May 2025 as National Public Works Week and declared May 15, 2025, National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Mayor Geddes opened the meeting by introducing the 42nd session of Inside Rock Hill, the city's free 10-week civics course that covers city operations and requires students to accumulate points by attending events and volunteering. The mayor called out a list of graduates and invited them to the dais for a group photo; the transcript names several graduates including Betty Finley, Forrest Warstow and others.

A city public-works representative, Terrence, thanked the council for recognizing Public Works Week and outlined the work performed by city crews, saying “our efforts are essential to daily life.” The council then moved to proclaim May 2025 as National Public Works Week.

The police chief thanked the council for recognizing National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day and noted other recent public-safety observances, including National Correctional Officer Week and Public Safety Communicators Week. The chief named historical Rock Hill officers who died in the line of duty, including R.J. Johnston, while closing remarks thanked current department members for their service.

Council also announced winners of two utility-bill credit programs: Andrew Damien Rancher won the Smart Switch award and Wendy Yergen won the Customer Connect award; each will receive a $50 credit on their next utility bill. The recognitions and proclamations were approved on the consent calendar by voice vote with no additional debate.