OPINION: Thumbs up to SCDOT panel for approving contract

Thumbs up to the S.C. Department of Transportation Commission for approving a bridge replacement contract with Florence Concrete Products Inc., allowing 25 laid-off employees to return to their jobs. “We will now be operating with a full shift of 100 employees who will be earning paychecks and benefits,” company president Sherry M. Jones said. The contract, valued at a little more than $2 million, calls for Florence Concrete Products to provide SCDOT Maintenance units with 18 pre-stressed concrete replacement bridges that can be installed at locations in 10 counties. Florence Concrete Products is only one of four companies in the country that produces off-site concrete bridge replacements. Florence Concrete Products will provide bridges that will be used in Abbeville, Colleton, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper, Laurens, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union and York counties. “We have an ideal situation anytime we can award a contract to a company in our state that will improve our roads and bridges, and provide jobs for South Carolinians at the same time. This is a complete win,” Transportation Secretary H.B. “Buck” Limehouse Jr. said in the release. We couldn’t agree more.

Thumbs up to Wilson High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC Unit, which has been selected as one of 393 units to receive the 2008-09 Air Force JROTC Distinguished Unit Award. It’s the second straight year Wilson’s Unit SC-051 has won the award, and the fifth time in the school’s history. In addition, aerospace science instructor Master Sgt. Patrick Bubacz received the Outstanding Instructor Award from the Air Force JROTC program. The Distinguished Unit Award recognizes Air Force JROTC units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations and have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force JROTC mission of developing citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. The Outstanding Instructor Award is given to the top 20 percent of more than 1,930 instructors who are selected based on their individual contributions and impact on cadets, their school or unit, and the community. These awards bring honor not just to Wilson High School, but to all of Florence and Pee Dee community at large. Congratulations to the cadets and their instructors for representing us so well.

Thumbs up to Francis Marion University Police Officer Alan Sayre for being named the S.C. Commission on Higher Education as the Campus Safety Officer of the Year. Sayre, 25, was a Florence County E-911 dispatcher and a volunteer dispatcher for FMU before he joined the 12-member FMU police force in 2006. He said was surprised by the award and looks at his job as “a lifestyle, it’s a public service.” He’s a member of the university’s alcohol education program and the Alcohol Enforcement Team, and is pursuing his criminal justice degree at the university. FMU Campus Police Chief Richard Austin said Sayre is an excellent representative of both the police department and the university. “(Sayre) has a knack for dealing with members of the off-campus community as well as faculty, staff and students,” the chief said. While Sayre maintains he’s just doing his job, we think it’s great he’s been recognized for doing it so well.

Thumbs up to the Hartsville Police Department Explorer Cadets who graduated June 19 from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia. Hartsville Police Chief Tim Kemp said cadets from Hartsville have held distinguished leadership positions in the academy, from chief of cadets to squad leader. Hartsville American Legion Post 53 raises money to send cadets to the academy by hosting fish frys and chicken bog sales at their hut located on Society Avenue in Hartsville Post 53 sponsored six cadets this year “who represented the city of Hartsville, the police department and community in an exemplary fashion,” Kemp wrote.