County Council Honors Retiring Employees

Here News – In Newberry, a recent County Council meeting brought to light the tireless service of five dedicated employees. On Wednesday, April 17, the Newberry County Council recognized Heather Chapman, Clarence Turner, Andrew Stout, Bridget Fain, and Carolyn Tobe for their respective contributions to the county.

Acknowledging Years of Service

Heather Chapman, known for her steadfast commitment at the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office’s detention center, received recognition for her five years of service. Even though Chapman was unable to attend the event, County Administrator Jeff Shaker commended her for her role as the dayshift booking officer.

For the past 10 years, Clarence Turner has dedicated his time to work for county facilities and coach softball. Although he couldn’t attend the meeting due to coaching commitments, the council celebrated his achievements. His dedication has seemingly paid off, with his team enjoying an undefeated run.

Andrew Stout, an employee of the Newberry County Sheriff’s office, was recognized for his remarkable 20 years of service. Having held the dispatcher position since 2004, Stout, a night shift leader, has been praised for his ability to maintain calm under pressure.

Bidding Farewell to Retirees

Bridget Fain and Carolyn Tobe, two employees reaching retirement, were also acknowledged. Fain’s 19-year career spanned Planning and Development Services, Building and Zoning, and Storm Water Management.

Carolyn Tobe, who spent 20 years at the Auditor’s Office, started as a property tech specialist and rose through the ranks. Tobe was highlighted for her warm personality, attention to detail, extra-mile mentality, and team spirit.

Recognizing Newberry’s Rising Talent

The council went further than acknowledging the employees. Two students from Reuben Elementary, Harper Rowe and Ali Chapman, were recognized for co-writing and illustrating “Phoenix and the Town Power Outage.” The students had previously been awarded by the Newberry County Electric Co-op for winning the enLIGHTenSC Book Challenge. The book will now be published and sent statewide, providing resources for other schools to educate students about electric co-ops.

National Therapy Animal Day

In addition to honoring the outstanding employees and talented children, the Council declared April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day. The proclamation aims to appreciate the supportive and therapeutic roles animals play in many people’s lives.

The County Council, after bearing witness to such a wealth of talent and dedication within its community, will meet again on Wednesday, May 1. The meeting is set to commence at 5 p.m., followed by the usual proceedings at 6 p.m.