It was a busy year full of mostly good news of Anderson County in 2013. The following are some of the most important events of the year.
East-West Parkway opens after almost five years. It was worth the wait. Traffic patterns in Anderson have vastly improved as a result of the road connecting S.C. 81 North and Clemson Boulevard.
Record Rainfalls fill Hartwell Lake to well above full pool. A cool, wet summer - including one stretch of 40 consecutive days of precipitation - brought a record rainfall of more than 52 inches of rain, almost 10 inches above the 44.21 average for the area.
Economic development helps bring Anderson jobless rate below 6 percent. Anderson County’s department of economic development led by Burriss Nelson and Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, brought in hundreds of jobs and are promising an even better picture for 2014.
Anderson County Council loses all accounts on appeal of rulings in the case against former Administrator Joey Preston, and yet voted 4-3 to appeal yet again. Current estimates indicate the cost of the legal action against Preston has already exceeded $3 million.
Three new superintendents take over in Anderson County school districts: Tom Wilson, District 5; Richard Rosenberger District 2; and David Havird, District 1. Wilson and Rosenberger are graduates of T.L. Hanna and Havird is a long-time employee of District 1.
City opens Lindley Park, and the downtown Carolina Wren Park. A totally re-landscaped Linley Park, featuring a new walking track, opened in the summer, but the parking part of the project is still in limbo. The city also opened a great space downtown in Carolina Wren Park. If only DHEC had not required swimming-pool quality water for the falls and fountains and the silly “No Lifeguard on Duty” signs for a place where the water never exceeds 1/8 of an inch in depth. The venue should provide lots of accessible space for downtown events, including the weekly block parties.
City of Anderson Christmas Parade cancelled for first time in history due to rain. The city of Anderson cancelled the parade and said it was impossible to reschedule. Meanwhile a small group put together a alternate parade on balloon hill at the Anderson County Civic Center, which was well-attended and which may or may not become an annual event.
Coming Tuesday: Predictions for 2014.