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From YouTube: State of the City Address 2020
Description
State of the City Address 2020
Mayor Rick Osbon January 27, 2020
AECOM Center for Performing Arts
126 Newberry St. SW Aiken SC, 29801
A
A
After
the
invocation
by
Reverend
Steelman,
we
will
have
the
presentation
of
colors
by
our
Department
of
Public
Safety's
honor
guard,
followed
by
the
Pledge
of
Allegiance,
led
by
Donald
Butler,
commander
of
Air
American
Legion
Post
212
in
a
retired
lieutenant
from
Aikens
Department
of
Public
Safety,
and
we
will
conclude
this
portion
of
the
program
with
the
national
anthem
to
be
sung
by
Aiken
County
Council
vice
chairman
and
district
seven
representative
Andrew
ciders.
So
if
you'll
please
stand
while
Reverend
Steelman
comes
to
lead
us
in
our
invocation.
B
Let's
pray
God.
Thank
you
for
tonight.
Thank
you
for
the
the
city
of
Aiken.
Thank
you
so
much
that
we
get
to
come
tonight
and
hear
about
a
thriving
place
and
that
you
have
blessed
and
you've
set
aside,
and
so
we
pray
just
like
Psalm.
1
says
that
blessed
is
the
man
or
the
woman
or
the
city
who
walks
not
in
the
counsel
of
the
wicked
nor
stands
in
the
way
of
sinners,
nor
sits
in
the
seat
of
scoffers.
But
his
delight
is
in
the
law
of
the
Lord
and
on
his
law.
B
B
We
pray
that
for
our
city,
we
pray
that
for
the
leaders
in
our
city
we
pray
that
we
will
be
men
and
women
of
integrity
who
looked
to
you,
the
author
and
the
perfecter
of
our
faith
and
say
yes
to
whatever
it
is
that
you
wish
to
accomplish,
and
thank
you
Jesus
that
that's
always
a
thriving
thing
and
not
a
shrinking
thing.
So
we
love
you
God.
We
honor
you
and
tonight
is
for
you
and
from
you
it's
in
your
name
that
we
pray,
amen.
C
D
Say,
can
you
see
by
the
dawn's
early
light?
What
so
proudly
we
hail'd
at
the
twilight's
last
gleaming,
whose
broad
stripes
and
bright
stars
through
the
perilous
fight
or
the
ramparts
we
watched
were
so
gallantly
streaming
and
the
Rockets
red
glare.
The
bombs
bursting
in
air,
gave
proof
through
the
night
that
our
flag
was
still
there
oh
say:
does
that
star-spangled
banner
yet
wave.
D
A
Again,
we
welcome
you
here
tonight
to
our
fourth
annual
stay
to
the
city
event,
and
tonight.
I
am
pleased
to
rekt
to
introduce
our
mayor,
Rick
Osmond,
mayor
Osmond,
tirelessly
works
at
his
day.
Job
at
osmond
cleaners,
in
his
part-time
job
serving
the
city
and
I,
am
pleased
to
welcome
him
to
the
podium
to
make
some
presentations
and
to
share
with
you
and
the
rest
of
those
watching
electronically
about
our
wonderful
accomplishments
over
the
past
year
and
for
him
to
share
his
vision
for
the
city
over
the
next
year.
E
Thank
you.
One
of
the
greatest
pleasures
of
this
annual
event
is
for
me
to
have
the
opportunity
to
honor
some
pretty
amazing
people,
people
who
I
respect
and
admire
for
the
contributions
that
they
have
made
to
our
city
of
Aitkin
and
the
character
traits
that
they
exemplify
in
their
life.
The
Aiken
award
is
a
small
token
compared
to
the
impact
the
our
honorees
this
evening
have
been
made
to
all
of
us.
E
Our
first
recipient
tonight
has
made
contributions
to
our
city
that
will
last
for
generations,
which
is
fitting,
because
his
family
has
been
a
part
of
the
Aiken
fabric
for
generations.
He
appreciates
history
and
has
a
pragmatic
vision
towards
successful
preservation.
His
dedication
to
the
restoration
of
communities
is
unparalleled,
it
is
said,
faith
can
move
mountains,
and
that
may
be
so,
but
I
know
for
certain
that
the
vision
and
determination
of
this
recipient
can
certainly
move
a
house.
F
I
selected
the
word
resourcefulness
too,
as
a
one
of
bills,
character
traits
because
just
like
the
word
means
to
find
practical
uses
for
things
that
others
want
to
discard.
He
has
that
same
philosophy
about
old
homes
and
old
buildings
in
the
community.
My
sister,
not
only
ones
left
in
my
family
and
I,
wanted
to
move
here
to
be
closer
to
her,
and
when
I
told
her
about
that,
she
was
really
excited
and
I
said
well.
I'm
gonna
have
to
find
someplace
to
live.
She
said
well
as
it
turns
out.
F
We
just
got
a
piece
of
property
right
on
our
street
that
we
want
to
restore
an
old
house
and
because
of
his
strong
background
in
renovating
homes,
he
was
able
to
renovate
the
house,
but
he's
really
very
passionate
about
improving
the
neighborhood,
preventing
the
tearing
down
of
so
many
buildings
in
the
community,
which
can
help
the
community
rundown
and
very
much
in
favor,
of
keeping
and
maintaining
and
improving
the
character
and
the
quality
of
life
in
the
neighborhood.
A.
G
True,
visionary,
that's
Bill,
McGee,
with
historic,
Aiken
foundations
that
share
the
awards.
Committee
was
my
honor
and
privilege
to
be
able
to
recognize
numerous
projects
that
bill
has
done
over
the
years
and
the
one
that
comes
to
mind.
That
really
shows
his
vision
is.
It
was
the
old
parsonage
located
behind
United
Wesley,
Methodist
Church
and
the
church
wanted
to
demolish
the
building
and
Bill
said
no.
G
H
Dedication,
that's
the
most
important
care
to
trade
up.
You
can
think
of
when
I
think
of
Bill
McGee
he's
dedicated
to
preserving
the
craft
of
what
he
learned
from
his
grandfather
and
other
members
of
his
family,
the
Entrepreneurship
of
being
able
to
have
your
own
and
being
able
to
preserve
that
and
he's
dedicated
in
doing
that
and
he's
dedicated
to
making
sure
his
sons
are
following
in
his
footsteps
and
learning
those
trades
as
well
and
I.
I
I
He
doesn't
just
delegate
the
task
to
somebody
he's
in
there
working
on
it
and
he's
he's
just
a
good
person
and-
and
it
just
shows
a
lot
of
commitment
to
me
well,
I
can
definitely
benefits
because
he
is
saving
a
neighborhood,
and
you
know
once
a
few
houses
are
gone
from
that
neighborhood.
It's
just
not
the
same,
but
mr.
McGee
is
putting
that
effort
behind
to
save
those
houses
in
the
neighborhood,
and
he
really
should
be
commended
for
that
bill.
F
I
E
E
E
Our
next
award
recipient
has
been
an
ambassador
frakin
for
over
40
years.
He
has
demonstrated
what
client
service
is
supposed
to
be.
He
lives
his
life
to
add
value
to
those
around
him.
Family
has
always
been
a
priority
in
the
recipients
of
his
business
and
every
visitor
feels
like
they're
part
of
his
family
before
they
leave.
There
are
people
who
live
around
our
country
and
world
who
planned
trips,
so
they
can
come
visit
his
retail
establishment.
He
falls
into
a
unique
group
of
people
who
are
simply
identified
by
one
name.
E
J
K
He
is
a
person
that
if
he
ever
met
you,
he
knew
your
name.
He
never
forgot
it
and
that
he
still
does
that
today,
Smitty
always
had
the
aspiration
of
owning
his
own
men's
store
and
through
that
I
think
it
takes
determination,
competitiveness
to
attain
all
of
those
things
which
he
did
and
has
continue
to
do
so
throughout
his
lifetime
and
through
the
years
I
think
we
I
have
tried
to
do
that.
He
still
today
is
my
mentor.
K
L
Word
that
I
would
choose
for
Lionel.
My
dad
is
wisdom,
so
growing
up.
He
showed
me
the
way
when
working
in
the
store
I
would
help
him
out
in
the
store-
and
you
know,
do
little
things.
I
do
work
in
alterations,
I'd
be
out
front
and
he
taught
me
how
to
tie
a
bow
tie,
a
real
bow
tie.
He
taught
me
to
do
that.
He
taught
me
a
really
good
work
ethic.
L
L
The
foresight
of
what
people
would
need
in
the
akin
area
in
the
men's
clothing
world
he's
not
only
been
a
great
father
to
myself
and
my
brother
van,
but
also
a
great
husband
to
a
mom
for
over
50
years.
That
I
don't
even
know
how
long
they've
been
married,
but
it's
a
long
time.
So,
thank
you
so
much
and
I
love
you.
M
Dependability
is
the
character
words
that
I
would
use
for
you
dead,
you've
always
been
there
for
everybody.
You
put
them.
First
put
us
first,
you
have
the
ability
to
make
everybody
feel
special
and
you
do
a
lot
of
things
for
everybody.
Several
things
I've
learned
from
you
is
you
put
God.
First,
second
is
family
and
friends
and
you're.
You
were
always
third
I,
really
respect
that,
because
you
put
everybody
into
a
position
that
is
better
than
you,
which
is
very
professional
and
also
is
very
family-oriented.
M
L
Daddy
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
for
everything
that
you've
done
for
me.
The
guidance
that
you've
given
me
in
life
and
work
in
everything
that
I've
done.
Even
when
I
don't
agree
with
you.
Sometimes
you
still
accept
it,
and
you
accept
me
and
I
really
appreciate
that.
So
thank
you
and
I
love.
You
Lonnie.
J
E
E
E
Smart
man
would
probably
say
thank
you
and
good
night
right
now,
wouldn't
he,
but
my
fellow
awakened
nights
I'm
pleased
to
see
you
all
tonight
and
to
share
with
you
just
a
few
of
the
exciting
accomplishments
we've
made
together
over
the
last
year,
along
with
some
big
goals
for
the
years
to
come.
First
I'm
so
proud
that
you
once
again
had
confidence
to
elect
me
as
your
mayor.
Your
support
last
November
is
appreciated.
I'm
here
tonight
to
say
thank
you.
E
I'll
work,
each
and
every
day
to
live
up
to
your
expectations
and
to
serve
you
to
the
best
of
my
ability.
Thankfully
I
won't
have
to
be
alone
in
facing
the
challenges
ahead.
Well,
I
have
the
honor
of
being
up
here
and
to
deliver
these
remarks.
I
do
this
each
year
on
behalf
of
your
entire
city,
council,
the
men
and
women
who
I
serve
with
are
all
exceptional
public
servants
now
I'm
proud
to
have
them
here
with
us
tonight
and
I'd
like
to
recognize
them
at
this
time.
E
E
Your
mayor,
pro-tem,
Councilwoman,
Leslie,
price,
councilman
Waltz,
is
not
able
to
be
with
us,
but
he's
here
in
spirit
I
want
to
let
you
know
these
are
some
of
the
hardest-working
individuals.
I've
ever
had
the
opportunity
to
be
with
him
and
I.
Thank
you
so
much.
This
is
a
pleasure
to
serve
because
of
your
dedication
and
thank
you
so
much
for
your
support
that
you
get
for
our
city
and
for
me
personally,
just.
E
As
I
could
not
do
anything
without
these
amazing
partners,
our
council
depends
on
the
hard
work
and
dedication
of
our
city
staff
from
the
public,
all
safety
officers
who
keep
us
safe
to
the
public
service
folk
who,
who
worked
so
hard
to
keep
our
neighborhoods
clean
and
beautiful
to
the
crews
who
keep
our
water
sewer
system
up
and
running
as
they
should.
We
owe
a
debt
of
gratitude
to
the
whole
team
that
keeps
the
city
the
wonderful
place
it
is,
and
that
team
more
than
400
strong,
is
led
by
city
manager.
Stuart
Beaton
ball.
E
E
Thank
you
for
all
that
you
do.
Sadly,
this
past
year
we
lost
some
members
of
our
city
of
Aitkin
team.
Chief
charlie
cup
died
in
April
of
2019
at
the
age
of
88.
Chief
cup
joined
the
Aiken
fire
department
as
an
auxilary
fireman
in
1954.
In
what
led
to
a
38
year
career
with
the
city
of
Aiken,
he
was
assistant
fire
chief
from
1965
to
1977,
when
they
can
fire
and
police
departments
were
combined
as
the
Aiken
Department
of
Public
Safety.
He
remains
as
him.
E
He
remained
as
a
major
in
the
fire
division
until
his
retirement
in
1992,
James,
lightning
coior
died,
January,
10th
2020
at
the
age
of
59.
He
was
a
38-year
utilities,
employee
who
taught
many
of
our
current
staffers.
All
the
tricks
of
the
trade
lightning
was
one
of
the
many
people
that
makes
our
community
so
special.
They
will
both
be
sorely
missed.
Let's
have
a
moment
of
silence
in
their
honor
and
for
the
loved
ones
we've
lost
over
the
last
year.
E
Thank
you.
While
we're
talking
about
our
team,
our
city
of
Aitkin
family
I'd,
like
to
review
some
of
the
milestones
that
staff
has
guided
us
through
over
the
last
year
and
it's
hard
at
work
on.
Even
now,
one
of
the
projects
II
councils,
most
proud
of,
is
the
one
that
goes
to
the
heart
of
our
highest
priorities:
elected
officials,
protecting
the
lives
and
property
of
the
people.
In
Aitkin
this
past
year
we
moved
into
the
new
Beaufort
Street
a
46
thousand
square
foot
state-of-the-art
facility.
E
This
facility
was
a
creative
and
cost-effective
combination
of
repurposing
and
renovating
of
an
old
Food
Lion
grocery
store,
along
with
several
new
building
additions,
and
it
turned
out
wonderfully
also.
This
year
we
were
excited
to
add
a
crime
analyst
to
Public
Safety
staff.
This
analysts
will
be
able
to
predict
and
evaluate
crime
trend
trends.
The
analyst
will
assist
in
efficient
allocation
of
patrol
and
investigative
resources
to
address
current
and
future
crime
trends
and
to
help
us
to
begin
fighting
crime
before
it
happens.
The
best
time
to
do
it
to
further
enhance
our
security.
E
As
a
city
bids
have
been
received
and
a
contract
has
been
awarded
for
the
construction
of
a
downtown
camera
system,
this
security
network
will
help
deter
crime
and
assist
with
the
investigation
of
any
crimes
that
do
occur
in
our
downtown
area.
Public
Safety
will
have
the
ability
to
access,
live
and
recorded
footage
from
any
of
these
camera
locations
and
Public
Safety
we'll
be
partnering
with
our
downtown
businesses
to
implement
this
project.
This
project
is
expected
to
be
completed
by
the
end
of
summer
2020.
E
Speaking
of
our
downtown,
our
planning
department
did
an
excellent
job
this
year
on
the
expansion
of
the
downtown
business
or
DB
zoning
district.
This
change
protects
more
than
150
parcels
on
the
eastern
side
of
Aiken
central
business
district
that
had
for
years
been
general
business.
The
long
and
the
short
of
it
is
that
the
changes
protect
this
largely
residential
area
by
allowing
property
owners
there
to
use
their
property
from
both
business
existing
residential
uses.
E
It
also
allows
for
less
restrictive
on-site
parking
requirements.
It
really
was
a
win
for
both
business
people
who
want
to
open
and
create
jobs,
and
it's
also
for
the
homeowners
who
want
to
continue
to
live
in
an
urban
mixed-use
community.
The
Planning
Department
also
led
the
charge
on
the
implementation
of
our
parkways
task
force
plan.
If
you
haven't
seen
the
results
of
this
first
phase
of
the
Parkway,
you
need
to
go:
walk
between
Park
Avenue,
on
Park
Avenue,
between
Laurens
and
Union
Street.
E
The
bio
swells
have
been
reduced
in
size
and
improved
greatly,
and
you
can
now
walk
along
an
amazing
network
network
of
paved
paths
under
the
canopy
of
our
trees
work
to
complete
lighting
on
the
paths
for
evening.
You
should
be
complete
in
the
next
several
weeks.
It's
just
a
great
addition
to
our
downtown
and
it's
just
the
first
leg
of
a
Parkway
trail
around
our
city
that
we'll
be
working
on
for
years
to
come.
The
trees
are
really
the
stars
of
our
Park
ways
in
our
city
in
general.
E
We
continue
our
work,
graciously
funded
by
now,
well,
more
than
1
million
dollars
from
the
Aiken
Land
Conservancy
to
protect
our
treasured
urban
forests
with
a
management
plan
and
a
pledge
to
plant
three
trees
for
each
tree.
We
lose
to
age,
disease
or
disaster
work
to
place
utility
lines
underground
along
the
picture
of
our
postcard
south
boundary
Oaks
is
nearing
completion
and
will
soon
reduce
the
need
for
trimming.
E
That
comes
thanks
in
part
to
matching
funds
from
my
partners
at
Dominion
energy
once
those
lines
are
under
grounded
and
the
trees
are
free
to
grow
as
naturally
possible.
There
are
plans
to
start
a
tree
nourishment
program
designed
to
keep
public
trees
around
the
city
as
happy
and
healthy,
as
we
all
want
them
to
be.
Our
parks,
recreation
and
tourism
department
has
certainly
been
hard
at
work.
This
past
spring
they
held
a
ribbon-cutting,
for
it
was
already
proving
to
be
a
very
versatile
and
popular
facility.
E
The
lessee
B
price,
Aiken
senior
and
youth
center
I'm
telling
you
this
has
been
an
incredible
addition
to
the
uses
park
community
and
to
the
city
as
a
whole
and
cost
over
that
project.
Prt
also
upgraded
the
surrounding
Park
and
in
turn
it
turned
out
so
well
that
they
actually
want
to
state
award
for
it.
Each
year
the
South
Carolina,
Recreation
and
Parks
Association
recognizes
agencies
across
the
state
with
awards.
E
During
their
annual
conference
for
2019,
the
city
of
Aitkin
PRT
won
for
the
park
excellent
award
for
their
work
at
uses
and
the
revitalization
work
there
by
the
end
of
the
next
year.
I
expect
them
to
bring
home
another
one
of
those
one
of
those
prestigious
honors
for
the
work
that
they're
doing
right
now
to
replace
a
Smith,
Hazel,
Recreation,
Center
swimming
pool
and
to
add
restroom
and
dressing
facilities
there.
E
This
is
a
key
facility
not
just
for
fun
in
the
Sun,
but
for
teaching
young
people
an
aching
water
safety
with
the
expansion
I
expect
this
will
be
a
real
attraction
for
the
Smith
hazal
pool
and
truly
become
a
destination
for
residents
all
over
our
city.
We
expect
this
project
to
be
completed
this
summer.
E
Not
every
department
gets
to
do
the
things
as
flashy
as
building
your
swimming
pool,
but
their
work
is
just
as
important,
if
not
more
so.
In
some
cases,
our
information
technology
department,
with
these
new
facilities,
I've
been
bragging
about,
has
worked
tirelessly
behind
scenes
in
the
walls
and
the
ceilings
under
the
floors
and
a
lot
of
other
unglamorous
places.
They've
worked
to
tie
all
of
our
existing
buildings
and
all
of
our
computers,
telephones,
security
and
other
key
systems
into
a
redundant
always-on
network
protected
from
constant
cyber
attacks.
E
We
can't
forget
our
public
services
department,
which
will
soon
successfully
have
completed
the
transition
from
antiquated,
rear
loading,
trash
trucks
to
side
loading,
automated
trucks.
That
change
alone
has
increased
the
efficiency
and
speed
of
traffic
trash
collection,
while
eliminating
the
dangerous
need
for
staff
to
ride.
On
the
back
of
the
trucks
and
roll
out
the
cart.
E
As
you
know,
we
plan
to
take
over
the
historic
Henderson
Hotel,
which
was
most
recently
the
downtown
branch
of
Regions
Bank,
and
build
a
modern
and,
most
importantly,
consolidated
City
Hall.
That
will
serve
this
community
for
decades
to
come.
We've
already
made
progress
with
the
goals
of
returning
our
surplus
real
estate
to
private
hands
and
back
on
the
tax
rolls,
through
the
agreement
approved
last
month
to
sell
the
current
finance
and
administrative
building
at
135
Lawrence
Street.
E
The
blueprints
are
in
the
works
and
nearing
completion
now
we'll
make
sure
to
share
those
plans
and
construction
squad
schedules
as
soon
as
they're
firmed
up
and
that's
not
all
we'll
bill
bill
will
be
building
we're
going
to
be
designing
and
building
roads
over
the
next
year,
I
will
get
started
with
our
new
Owen's
extension
between
whiskey
and
Nelson
Street.
That
will
allow
traffic
to
flow
all
the
way
to
Pine
log
and
silver
bluff.
E
Roads,
right-of-way
acquisition
is
well
underway
and
final
engineering
is
the
work
for
a
connector
that
will
tie
Centennial
Parkway
to
east
gate
Drive.
These
will
be
the
first
concrete
steps
to
build
the
initial
phase
of
the
powder
house
and
parney
Neilson
connectors.
These
roads
will
provide
parallel
connections
to
whiskey
road
and
reduce
congestion
there
as
they're
completed.
We
have
applied
for
state
and
federal
funding
to
help
get
get
this
all
done,
but
we
can
no
longer
wait
to
get
it
started.
E
E
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
this
is
our
city,
and
this
truly
is
our
time
as
we
embark
on
a
new
decade
this
year,
I
believe
history
will
show
that
2020
will
be
the
beginning
of
something
important,
some
important
improvements
for
our
a
blessed
community
things
that
will
make
us
even
stronger
and
more
resilient
community
for
decades
to
come.
I
hope
we'll
look
back
at
2020
and
it
will
be
much
like
another
watershed
event
that
we
celebrated
this
year
with
the
70th
anniversary
of
the
founding
of
the
Savannah
River
Site.
E
Clearly
that
event
in
1950
profoundly
impacted,
Aiken
and
helped
make
us
who
we
are
today.
As
we
know,
the
Department
of
Energy
Savannah
River
Site
was
established
in
the
early
days
of
the
Cold
War
to
support
the
nation's
nuclear
defense,
a
mission
that
continues
to
this
day
the
work
of
SRS
employees
in
the
state
of
South
Carolina
helped
America,
win
the
Cold
War
and
maintain
global
nuclear
deterrence.
Even
today,
as
a
nation's
facility
for
extracting
recycling
purifying
and
reloading
tritium
as
much
as
we
may
wish,
we
didn't
need
these
weapons.
Are
these
tools
of
war?
E
We
do
and
I'm
proud
a
kenaz
placed
such
a
critical
role
in
keeping
our
nation's
strong.
The
economic
impact
of
the
site
has
been
and
continues
to
be,
enormous
to
the
city
and
the
entire
region.
The
SRS
annual
budget
is
approximately
2.3
billion
with
a
B.
The
site
employs
a
highly
skilled
workforce
of
more
than
11,000
people
and
key
defense,
research
and
development
and
cleanup
missions.
What's
more
SRS
has
a
driven
track
record
of
being
one
of
the
safest
sites
in
the
do-e
complex
and
one
of
the
safest,
major
industrial
sites
in
the
world.
E
What
this
enterprise
has
done
to
increase
the
pure
brain
power
in
this
town
is
astonishing.
The
site
is
home
to
the
Savannah
River
National
Laboratory,
one
of
only
17
national
in
the
United
States,
and
whether
it's
1,000
scientists,
engineers
and
support
staff.
That's
a
lot
of
smart
people
and
about
80%
of
them
call
Aiken
home
Savannah
River
nuclear
solutions
has
created
a
brief
video
that
captures
the
invaluable
contributions
of
the
site
and
reviews
its
story
pass
at
this
time.
Let's
take
a
look.
O
O
For
seven
decades,
the
nation
has
counted
on
SRS
to
be
a
force
in
science
and
technology.
Innovative
research
performed
by
Savannah,
River,
National
Laboratory
scientists
and
engineers
has
led
to
countless
patents
and
publications
for
do-e
that
benefit
the
nation's
security
and
bring
energy
independence.
O
From
the
time
of
the
Atomic
Age
homesteaders
in
the
1950s,
until
today,
SRS
has
attracted
the
nation's
brightest.
Most
diverse
talent,
diverse
backgrounds,
bring
diverse
experiences
and
expectations,
and
the
benefits
from
the
resulting
social,
academic
and
economic
transformation
to
communities
on
both
sides
of
the
river
can't
be
denied.
O
For
seven
decades,
SRS
has
earned
the
community
support,
trust
and
respect
with
reliable
stewardship
of
the
environment
and
the
nation's
assets.
Safe,
effective
cleanup
of
Cold
War
legacy,
nuclear
materials,
continued
breakthrough
treatment,
technologies
at
the
defense,
waste
processing
facility
and
salt
waste
processing
facility,
help
safely
contain
and
dispose
radioactive
liquid
waste
deactivation
and
decommissioning
of
obsolete
facilities
also
saves
taxpayers
dollars.
O
For
70
years,
SRS
has
provided
unparalleled
community
service
and
economic
impact
to
the
region
through
employee
and
corporate
support
of
nonprofit
agencies,
colleges
and
universities,
educational
outreach,
as
well
as
business
and
economic
development.
The
site
has
a
two
point:
six
billion
dollar
annual
regional
economic
impact,
with
200
million
dollars
spent
annually
in
local
procurements
and
over
the
past
ten
years,
SRS
has
donated
millions
to
the
local
communities,
which
is
matched
by
SRS
employees
through
United,
Way
and
other
charitable
contributions.
O
Today,
site
missions
are
diverse,
but
our
foundational
values
remain
as
we
advance
the
goals
of
the
DOA
Office
of
Environmental
Management
and
National
Nuclear
Security
Administration
in
an
ever-changing
and
always
challenging
world
SRS
looks
toward
the
future.
With
anticipation,
the
NNSA
announced
plans
to
invest
three
billion
dollars
at
SRS
over
the
next
five
years.
For
both
the
proposed
plutonium
mission
and
upgrades
to
the
site's
tritium
production
facilities,
our
missions
may
be
challenging,
but
for
SRS
there
is
one
goal
supporting
all
others.
We
make
the
world
safer.
E
And
now
representing
Savannah
River
Site
Amy
Boyett
who's,
the
director
of
the
office
of
External
Affairs
for
the
US
Department
of
Energy,
Savannah
River,
Operations,
Office,
Edwin,
Deshawn
assistant
manager
for
plans
and
programs
with
the
NNSA
surrett
Savannah
River
field
office,
Rick's,
Greg
senior,
vice
president
of
environmental
safety,
health
and
quality
of
Savannah
River
nuclear
solutions
and
Tom
Foster,
president
and
project
manager
of
Savannah
River
remediation
and
Charley,
and
Liddy
Hansen,
who
are
savannah
river
site
retirees
and
community
chairs
for
the
sr-71.
A
very
committee.
E
E
E
E
We
also
have
I
know
I,
our
newest
representative,
just
got
sworn
in
and
I
think
she's
already
straightened
him
out
right
bill.
Only
things
are
going
right,
representative,
Melissa
arenas,
Melissa,
you
honor
us
would
be
in
here
today
also
newly
elected
mr.
Kim
Nestle
is
here
kam.
Thank
you
for
being
here
with
us.
E
Think
we
can
all
agree
that
President
Harry
Truman's
decision
to
create
the
Savannah
River
Site
in
1950
was
auspicious
one
for
the
city.
We
heeded
the
call
to
devote
ourselves
to
the
defense
of
our
nation
with
the
newest
and
most
critical
technology
in
of
the
area
era,
as
I
mentioned
at
the
outset.
This
is
our
city
and
once
again,
it
is
our
time
time
to
heat,
a
new
call
once
so
familiar
to
this
area's
Patriots
to
embrace
new
technology
and
keep
world
safe
for
the
American
ideals
and
values
that
we
all
hold
so
dear.
E
While
we
continue
to
contribute
on
the
nuclear
front
through
SRS,
the
frontier
at
which
we
stand
now
is
a
digital
one.
The
CSRA
and
Fort
Gordon
are
becoming
an
international
center
for
the
development
and
practice
of
cybersecurity
and
cyber
warfare
that
will
have
just
a
dramatic
effect.
As
the
efforts
of
the
last
seventy
years
have
had.
Governor
Henry
McMasters
recently
released
his
executive
budget,
which
included
15
million
for
the
South
Carolina
National
Guard,
to
begin
construction
for
the
innovative
dream
port
cybersecurity
collaborative
facility
at
the
University
of
South
Carolina
Aiken.
E
The
purpose
of
the
dream
port
facility
will
be
to
increase
State
cyber
response
capabilities
through
partnerships
to
keep
pace
with
the
increasing
cyber
threats
and
technology
initiatives,
as
they
will
do
it
in
a
new
world-class
facility
on
the
campus
of
our
own
USC
Aiken,
my
alma
mater
I
can't
say
enough
about
the
efforts
of
Chancellor
Sandra
Jordan,
who
coordinated
with
the
National
Guard
to
bring
attention
to
this
initiative
and
helped
foster
critical
partnerships
which
made
it
happen.
The
Aiken
standard
recently
named
dr.
Jordans
Person
of
the
Year,
with
very
good
reason.
E
E
Thank
You
Sandra,
as
she
described
it
to
me,
the
dream
port
facility
will
really
provide
classified
and
unclassified
environments
where
experts
can
solve
some
of
the
most
pressing
challenges
in
the
cyber
cyber
realm
and
utilize.
The
National
Guard's
cybersecurity
expertise
to
the
benefit
of
our
state.
E
This
work
will
be
important
from
the
battlefield
to
the
boardroom
and
each
one
of
us
as
we
must
conduct
our
connected
lives
each
day.
That's
because
cyber
crimes
not
only
impact
governments
and
the
military,
they
impact
businesses
and
they
impact
individuals
beyond
those
benefits
to
the
nation.
Clearly,
this
project
will
pay
dividends
economically
for
the
region
by
creating
an
environment
for
entrepreneurs,
non-traditional
companies,
small
businesses,
industry
and
academics
to
develop
new
technologies
and
new
well-paying
jobs
for
our
area.
E
The
dream
port,
along
with
advanced
manufacturing
collaborative,
seem
to
be
constructed
on
the
campus
as
well
will
be
true
game
changers
for
our
area,
dr.
jordan
and
the
university
of
aligned,
USC
Akins
curriculum
programs
to
capitalize
on
the
state-of-the-art
research
that
will
be
will
bring
the
important
work
of
the
Savannah
River
National
Laboratory,
outside
the
gates
of
SRS
into
the
heart
of
Aiken.
This,
too
will
serve
to
develop
innovative
new
work
product
while
preparing
the
workforce
in
very
high
demanding
fields.
It
really
is
our
time.
Isn't
it
speaking
of
time
I'm
not
gonna.
E
P
Thank
You
mr.
mayor,
it's
exciting
to
be
here.
A
wittle
hat
asked
one
favor
Smitty.
Can
you
teach
me
that
I
had
to
have
a
boat
I
know
it's.
The
timing
is
really
superb.
The
mayor
was
kind
enough
to
invite
me
to
formally
announce
our
first
major
commitment
at
the
mall
and
was
kind
enough
to
include
us
in
the
program.
P
The
announcement
we're
making
tonight
really
during
the
process
of
doing
market
research
and
what
have
you
we
found
that
the
number
one
multifamily
community,
according
to
the
research
people
we
had
is
the
development
along
whiskey,
road
called
the
colony
of
South,
Park
I'm,
pleased
to
say
us
look
back.
We
developed
that
project
over
30
years
ago.
P
P
One
who's
so
progressive
and
so
willing
to
work
and
push
and
see
their
community
grow
than
Aiken,
the
city
of
Aiken
and
mr.
Commissioner
mr.
Chiu,
the
county
of
aiken.
We've
all
worked
together
to
put
in
place
to
turn
around
the
mall,
and
I
could
not
be
more
pleased
or
honored
to
be
able
to
ignite
to
announce
the
first
major
commitment
and
we'll
talk
about
that.
So
did
you
ring
here?
We
go
okay.
This
is
the
the
as
of
at
least
a
few
weeks
ago.
P
This
was
is
our
current
development
plan
for
the
mall
and,
if
you'll
notice,
the
areas
that
there
are
eight
buildings
that
are
Class,
A,
multifamily
or
apartments,
they
are
a
plus
apartments.
As
a
matter
of
fact,
the
same
architect
who
we're
working
with
and
have
employed
on
this
development
are
the
same
architects.
Who
did
our
water
walk
development
at
Hilton
Head?
So
we've
gone
to
the
top
and
we
could
not
be
more
excited.
It
took
a
lot
of
research
and
a
lot
of
support,
a
lot
of
people
to
be
able
to
announce
this.
P
P
The
fundamentals
which
we
shared
for
early
on
for
a
redevelopment
of
a
mall
such
as
Hilton
Head,
to
be
successful.
There's
there
are
about
four
ingredients,
one
you
need
to
have
entertainment
number
two.
You
need
to
have
shopping,
we
need
to
have
Fitness
and
we
need
to
have
livability
the
apartment
community,
as
planned
will
offer
257.
Let's
give
you
256
luxury
apartments.
There
will
be
three
story
and
design
and
there
will
be
a
combination
of
one
bedrooms,
two
bedrooms
and
probably
some
three
bedrooms,
but
most
will
be
one
in
two
bedrooms.
P
This
will
be
the
largest
financial
investment
that
we
will
probably
make
in
this
entire
development.
Current
budgets
exceed
30
million
dollars,
so
we
are
making
and
making
another
commitment
to
the
town,
a
vacant
city
of
Aitkin
into
Aiken,
County
jeremy
bunker,
and
which
is
very
confident
that
there
is
a
strong
need
for
high-quality
multifamily
in
the
aiken
market.
We.
Q
P
Mayor
has
and
andre
and
view
the
commissioners
have
talked
about
a
can.
We
lose
a
lot
of
people
to
North,
Augusta
and
Augusta,
and
what
have
you
so
we're
working
with
Council
about
an
advertising
and
marketing
campaign
that,
if
you're
going
to
work
at
SRS
or
somewhere
in
this
area,
there's
not
a
better
place.
I
guess
for
me
to
show
that
maybe
there's
not
a
better
place
to
live
than
in
Aiken.
So
we're
going
to
ask
your
help
in
trying
to
continue
to
promote
that.
Let
me
talk
a
little
bit
about
the
the
retail
Belk.
P
Like
I
said
stage.
We
are
plans
currently
to
have
a
an
upscale
hotel
facility
on
the
site,
retail
fitness,
restaurants,
multi
and
the
apartments.
So
as
we
mixed-use
development
as
to
his
sense
timing-wise
and
that's
always
question
when
we
when
we
first
announced
the
project,
we
told
you
it
takes
a
lot
longer
than
any
of
us,
particularly
us
to
pull
this
off.
We
look
like
last
year,
at
the
end
of
the
year,
we
leased
our
last
space
at
Hilton,
Head
I,
look
back
before
tonight.
We
have
owned
it
for
seven
years.
P
So
hopefully
this
is
not
going
to
take
as
long,
but
it
just
takes
a
long
time
a
lot
of
capital.
A
lot
of
hard
work.
I
would
also
like
to
recommend
to
recognize
Jason
long
Jason
led
the
development
of
the
Public
Safety
Building.
He
and
his
and
his
team
are
developing,
we'll
be
developing
this,
the
multifamily
community
as
well.
He
will
be
here
after
meeting
to
respond
to
questions
as
well.
If
we
go
the
next
slide,
please,
oh
you
don't
have
that
one!
Okay,
I'm!
Sorry!
Okay!
Will
we
will?
P
The
newspaper
will
have
it
in
the
morning,
so
the
or
they'll
actually
have
it
tonight,
but
the
elevations,
what
we've
done,
and
we
actually
brought
the
architectural
team
some
time
ago
to
Aiken
and
we
spend
a
day
and
longer
to
actually
work
on
the
design
so
that
we
can
incorporate
the
fabric
a
vacant
much
as
we
were
able
to
do
thirty
years
ago
in
the
colony
apartments.
So
mr.
P
E
Thank
You,
Vic
and
Jason,
and
your
team
they've,
been
terrific
partners
for
us
and
I
have
to
say
good
luck
with
this
very
exciting
project
that
none
of
us
can
wait
to
see
completed.
What
time
is
it
folks
say
it
with
me
it's
hour,
that's
right!
Even
as
we
look
to
a
bright
future,
we
have
to
look
at
one
of
the
foundations
of
Aikens
story
to
Quine
past,
with
the
exception
of
a
major
event
in
Augusta
every
April,
the
spring
steeplechase
has
long
been
among
the
largest
single-day
spectator
sporting
events
anywhere
in
the
CSRA.
E
The
spring
event
here
opens
a
steeplechase
season
and
the
fall
race
closes
it
out.
Each
event
draws
thousands
to
our
community
to
enjoy
the
races
in
the
day
of
tailgating,
that
is
legendary,
not
just
an
Aiken,
but
all
around
the
South.
The
event
has
gotten
so
large.
In
fact
that
has
outgrown
the
longtime
home
Bruce
is
filled
a
vacant
horse
Park.
E
At
the
same
time,
the
the
Horse
Park
has
embraced
the
growing
of
binning
disciplines
that
it
hosts
each
year
round
now
and
they
bring
world-class
athletes
to
our
community,
not
just
human,
but
a
horse
for
our
equestrian
community.
The
events
there
have
grown
to
such
a
degree
and
there's
so
many
wonderful
plans
to
expand
them
in
the
future
that
the
steeple
say
chase
association
began
looking
for
a
new
home
several
years
ago.
E
They
looked
at
a
lot
of
sites
and
some
of
them
were
quite
a
distance
from
the
namesake
City
that
has
hosted
this
event
since
1930,
as
was
announced
last
month,
the
steeplechase
association
in
the
end
decided
that
continuing
to
call
Aiken
home
was
important
for
their
event
and
important
for
our
city
itself.
This
association
selected
a
site
on
the
eastern
edge
of
the
city
limits
at
the
corner
of
Richland
Avenue
and
Rudy
Mason
Parkway.
E
This
144
acre
site
will
soon
be
home
to
a
new
track
and
over
time,
permanent
facilities
like
barns,
a
grandstand
and
others
needed
to
support
races
that
will
be
bigger
and
better
than
ever
before.
They
asked
the
Aiken
City
Council
to
help
and
we
were
pleased
to
work
with
them
and
provide
a
grant
for
1
million
dollars
in
funds
that
must
be
spent
by
law
on
supporting
and
encouraging
tourism
in
our
area.
What
a
win?
A
win
for
our
city,
the
steeplechase
and
the
horse
part
I'm,
so
thrilled
that
the
races
will
remain
in
Aiken.
E
Another
major
announcement
I
have
for
you
this
evening.
Is
that
the
time
frake
is
wonderful,
Northside,
Park
generation
part
to
come
into
the
city
limits
is
here
soon
the
city
will
close
an
innovative
land
deal
with
W
art,
Grace
&
Company.
That
will
make
the
long
pass
to
annexation
a
reality.
Grace
is
a
large
landowner
between
the
currency
limits
and
the
park
property.
They
are
in
the
Cailin
mining
business
and
operate
a
packaging
facility
just
north
of
the
city
limits
and
just
south
of
generations.
Park.
E
We
needed
to
annex
that
park
and
grace
needed
something
from
us.
They
needed
to
tap
into
our
water
services,
improve
the
fire
protection
for
their
Kailen.
Kailen
rose
facilities,
bill
Blackmore,
the
general
manager
of
Grace's
Aiken
facility
is
here
with
us
tonight
and
I'd
like
to
recognize
him
for
his
efforts
on
the
Seas
behalf
to
get
this
done
bill.
Please
stand
up
and
take
a
bow,
sir.
E
It's
our
time
time
to
do
the
things
that
make
sense
and
they
grow
our
city
in
our
tax
base
in
smart
and
efficient
ways
that
will
benefit
us
all,
not
just
for
generations
part
but
for
literal
generations
of
vacant
nights
to
come.
God
bless
each
of
you
and
God
bless
Aiken,
South,
Carolina
and
don't
forget,
as
we
move
through
2020,
we
can
all
let
everyone
we
meet
know
what
time
it
is
it's
our
time.
Thank
you
and
good
night.
God
bless
you.