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Salvation Army outlines local services; residents urge oversight and community investment
Summary
Rebecca Sullivan of the Salvation Army briefed council on local programs and needs; public commenters — including a veteran with an ongoing dispute with the school district, a community advocate and a former school‑board director — called for more oversight, road repairs and a millage oversight committee to track school spending.
Rebecca Sullivan, who leads the local Salvation Army, described programs that serve Sumter County, Clarendon and Lee counties — including utility and food assistance, after‑school programming at the Red Shield Youth Center and a summer‑program pickup from eight schools. She said the organization is seeking a permanent thrift location to support its red‑kettle fundraising and local services.
During public comment, Ronald Pace, a local resident and veteran, said he has active legal action involving the school district and urged council members to contact him so he can explain his concerns in detail. Tony Williams of the South Sumter Advocates Alliance praised higher voter turnout and urged council support for road paving, property cleanup and expanded emergency services in South Sumter.
Dr. Elaine Brunson, a business owner and former school‑board director, proposed that council create a public millage oversight committee to provide residents ongoing, citizen‑level review of how school millage funds are spent. She offered to assist in forming the committee and said annual budget presentations alone do not provide sufficient transparency for taxpayers.
Chair closed public comments and the council adjourned for the evening.
