Anderson Observer Podcast

Interviews

Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess

School Dist. 5 Superintendent Tom Wilson

School Dist. 1 Superintendent Robbie Binnicker

School Dist. 2 Superintendent Jason Johns

Career & Technology Center Executive Director Holly Harrell

Interviews

Anderson County Vice Chairman Brett Sanders

Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts

Anderson County Librarian Annie Sutton

Artist Nat Morris

Anderson Arts Center Director April Cameron

Anderson County Emergency Service Director Josh Hawkins

Interviews:

Ben Phillips, Anderson Bluegrass

Anderson County Council Vice Chair Brett Sanders, Council Recap

Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor Summer Update

Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland Summer Update

Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton Summer Update

Anderson County Museum Curator Dustin Norris on new Music Exhibit

Interviews

Anderson Reconciliation and Remembrance Initiative/Juneteenth:

Stuart Sprague

Juana Slade

Ankoma Anderson

Grant Cunningham (health initiative at events)

Carol Burdette (United Way work communitywide)

West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders

Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn

Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw

Welcome to the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust, our first episode of the screaming hot summer of 2022.

A lot going on locally. The Anderson County Farmers Market opens with full produce options on Saturday. I am dubious there will be real summer tomatoes, it’s a little early, but we shall see. Lots of other stuff available though, including early peaches, strawberries, squash and more.

Juneteenth celebrations today and tomorrow in Anderson will mark the final end of slavery, a date long after the Emancipation Proclamation. Will talk more about these events with interviews tomorrow.

Summer is here and last week was the annual boat parade at Broadway Lake.

Roy and Peg Ivey had this to say about the event.

Primary elections were held this week, and three local incumbents lost to political newcomers: S.C. Rep. Brian White who had held his seat since 2001, who lost to April Cromer, West Cox from Dist. 10, who lost to Thomas Beach and Anderson County Council Member Ray Graham from Dist.. 3, who lost to Greg Elgin.

JT Foster won the primary election for the Probate Judge position, which will be left vacant by the retirement of the amazing Judge Martha Newton who has served for four decades.

The unexpired term of Anderson County auditor, left vacant by the death of long-time auditor Jacky Newton, is in the midst of a recount and should be settled later today. The unofficial count had Anderson Businessman John Benca, owner of McGee’s Irish Pub, 17 votes ahead of assistant auditor Danni Caldwell.

The next few podcasts will be a special series of my regular seasonal interviews with the county’s leaders and mayors, plus a special interview with an animal lover well-known for other things.

My interview with Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, recorded a week ago, offers a wide spectrum of updates on the county economic development, recreation, the upcoming budget and more.

The Anderson County Finance Committee will meet 2 p.m. Monday to put final touches on the fiscal year budget. The public in invited as well as a public hearing June 29 on the final vote.

Meanwhile, up in Pelzer, Mayor Will Ragland, as if he was not already busy enough running a town, the Mill Town Players and the new Simpsonville Performing Arts Center, has a new title, Will Ragland: Cat-Rescuer.

Ragland’s Mill Town Players finish up their run this weekend of “Rex’s Exes,” a southern fried comedy. The Clemson Little Theater at Pendleton Playhouse has Busted Wedding Belles going on as well. A lot of theater in town. The Mill Town Players “Shrek,” which finished Monday brought enthusiastic crowds to Carolina Wren park for the shows which got excellent reviews.

That’s it for this edition of the Anderson Observer Podcast. Join me again tomorrow for interviews and details on Anderson Juneteeth celebrations, news and interviews from Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn and Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw, and more on the Anderson Observer Podcast, news from people you trust.

January updates from Anderson County Council, Legislative Delegation, news, events and more on the first podcast of 2022.

Interviews/Sound clips:

Gracie Floyd

Brock Elder/Walter Lanier,  Wellinton Project

Ko Anderson, Reconciliation, Equal Justice Initiative

David Phillips, Hope Missions of the Upstate

Rusty Burns, Anderson County 2021 in Review

Terence Roberys, City of Anderson, Year in Review

Don Chapman, Candidate for S.C. House Dist. 8

It's time to help our charities, as the holidays bring the peak of demand. AIM, the Haven of Rest, Hope Missions of the Upstate, the Anderson Free Clinic, Clean Start all tell you how you can help.

"The Magic Sled" author Scott Foster talks about the magic downtown Christmas story.

Updates from Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns, Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess, Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor, news and more....

Christmas is coming and the Anderson Observer is helping launch a campaign to shop locally and give locally during the holidays. This podcast features Anderson Area Chamber CEO Pamela Christopher, City Seed at the Station Owner Donna LeBrun, Indigo Framing and Artisan Market Owner Mellisa Moore, Meals on Wheel Anderson Dir. Laurie Ashley, Salvation Army of Anderson Maj. Joseph Irvin, West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders, The team that made the Pelzer mural possible, Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride, Anderson Police Chief Jim Stewart and Ben Phillips, co-founder of Anderson Christmas Lights.

News updates, events and more, including interviews with:

Kimberly Spears 1:50 Soirée

Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton 13:30

Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland 22:02

Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess 40:14

Abigail Burden, Belton Museum Director 58:15

Belton Museum Board Member Jeremiah Palmer (Geer-Gantt High School). 59:50

Nashville Singer/Songwriter Margaret Haynie 1:02:50

Hope Mission Dave Phillips. 1:11