Clarendon town mayors reassure, thank residents in pandemic

CLARENDON COUNTY - Clarendon County folks are tough. They are resilient in the face of adversity. They look out for each other. And the majority of them are heeding the suggestions made by local, state and national officials, according to local officials from across the county.

In Manning, Mayor Julia A. Nelson said she and other city officials are making the needed decisions to "best protect our citizens."

"It is important for all citizens to follow the instructions and best practices of DHEC and should consider everyone that we encounter or anything that we touch may be infected with COVID-19," Nelson said. "The City of Manning is closely following updates from federal and state officials concerning COVID-19."

Nelson said that "these are unprecedented and uncertain times" and that "honestly, most may consider this time to be scary due to the COVID-19 threat."

"I know that we're a community of prayer, faith, hope, wisdom and resilience with a spirit of cooperation," she added. "We will get through these times by what we do best, coming together to help one another and doing what's best for all concerned."

In Summerton, Mayor Mac Bagnal said his residents are doing "pretty good" and for the most part they are "staying tight."

"They aren't venturing out too much," Bagnal added. "Several of our local restaurants are open for pick-up orders and have put safety measures in place for those who are waiting on their orders. The Summerton Diner has placed picnic tables outside their doors where people can sit and wait on their food. Our new grocery store is open and well stocked."

Owned by Ron and Lisa Mosier, The Summerton Market, 4 N. Cantey St., is now open for business. Most folks in the Summerton area will remember that location as the former Sunshine Restaurant. According to Bagnal, the store is offering most grocery essentials including meats, produce, fruit and staple items such as rice, flour and sugar. The store even carries a variety of paper products.

Bagnal said Summerton Drugs on Main Street is open for residents needing medicines, health care items and essentials and a variety of household needs.

"Even though everyone is hanging tight, they are continuing to support our local businesses," he added.

Bagnal said local churches have stepped up to offer online and Facebook services.

"The church that my family and I attend has started texting Bible verses to their congregation members," he said. "The churches are also using their list of members to check on elderly members to see if they are OK or need anything."

While adults aren't too sure of how to deal with the restrictions and limitations because of COVID-19, Bagnal said the young people are even more confused and unsure of what's happening.

"They don't know quite how to cope," he added. "They are out of school. They can't visit or play with their friends, and they are missing out on a lot."

Bagnal said his teenage daughter is a senior in high school.

"She and her classmates are missing out on a lot," he added. "Her worries are very important to her. What about the senior prom? She's on the yearbook staff. No athletics. No afterschool programs. She's missing all of that. All students are missing out on events that they've looked forward to, and it's extremely disappointing to them."

But it's more than missing school for the youngsters and teens, Bagnal said.

"They can't spend time together. They can't visit. They can't go to the park. We as grown adults don't understand it, so how can we expect our children and youth to understand it?"

Bagnal said the town is faring well as of now.

"If our folks need immediate assistance, they can call 911," he said. "We are encouraging our folks to check on their neighbors and loved ones. Some of our churches are checking on the elderly folks who live around the lake by going door to door."

"We need to hang tight until we're past this," Bagnal added. "Town officials are here if you need us. Call town hall and leave a message, and we will get back with you as soon as possible."

Summerton Town Hall can be reached at (803) 485-2525.

On the western edge of Clarendon County near the Sumter County line, Paxville is seemingly doing well.

Paxville Mayor Wade McLeod said it is quiet and most folks are staying home.

"We are communicating with county officials and keeping up on information," McLeod added. "We've closed our park, and so far we haven't heard of any cases here."

McLeod said neighbors are doing a great job of keeping a check on elderly folks.

"A school bus has been here setting up Wi-Fi, and the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office has been patrolling the area regularly," McLeod said.

Like in the Summerton area, local churches in the Paxville area are checking on their members, the mayor said.

"The Paxville Community Development Corp. has been helping folks," McLeod said. "They have a monthly food distribution that is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I haven't heard anything about it being cancelled."

"For now, everything is quiet here," McLeod said. "We're listening to officials and going from there."

Over on the northern end of Clarendon County, Turbeville Mayor Kathryn Turbeville said her town is "going OK and quiet. It's like we're in a time warp."

"The park is closed," she added. "Most of our restaurants are open for pickup."

Several years ago the town initiated what it calls "Code Red," during which it can send out messages to the residents in town to keep them informed of what's happening.

"We've sent out a Code Red," Turbeville said. "We've closed town hall to the public, but if someone needs to get in or see us, they can call first, and we'll let them in."

Turbeville also said the town has received a call from Waste Management about trash pickup.

"In an effort to keep their employees safe, they will be picking up trash from carts only," she added. "So our folks need to know that they need to put all of their trash inside their carts."

The Turbeville IGA, Family Dollar and Dollar General continue to be open and are "doing good," the mayor said. Other businesses are also open; however, folks might want to call ahead of time to make sure the business is open.

"I think that most people are checking on their neighbors," she added. "The Clarendon County Sheriff's Office is doing an excellent job getting out and about in our area."

"This community takes care of each other at a time of crisis, whether it's a death, a natural disaster or even if someone is just down on their luck," Turbeville said. "I want to stress that if anyone needs us, to please call town hall."

Turbeville Town Hall can be reached at (843) 659-2781.

Clarendon County officials are continuing to follow the directions and recommendations of our state's public health officials, including South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Based on the current situation and the best information available, Clarendon County began enhancing its preventive measures on Thursday, when officials closed all county buildings to the public.

County administrator David Epperson said limited services will be available by phone and email, by curbside when appropriate or by appointment. He said these measures would be reevaluated daily.

Clarendon County facilities and services that will remain open and available to the public include Clarendon County Landfill, Clarendon County's Recycling Centers, Clarendon County's collection sites and the airport.

For up-to-date information, log onto the county's website, www.clarendoncountygov.org, or check out its Facebook page.

Upon the request of A Second Chance Animal Shelter, Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley has closed the facility immediately and until further notice to all incoming dogs with the exception of emergency cases regarding vicious and injured dogs.

For more information from the CCSO, please log onto its website at www.clarendon-sheriff.org or the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

In case of emergencies, please call 911.