PICKENS — Pickens City Council kicked off the business of 2016 on Monday with its first monthly meeting of the new year, including naming a new mayor pro tem and honoring three who had served in the same position in previous years.

Before electing the mayor pro tem for the new term, council dealt with other business to begin the new year including the first reading of two ordinances for the annexation of property.

Locations at 2974 Gentry Memorial Highway and Lots 104, 108 and 112 on Robinson Lane were the specific locations to be annexed. The first reading passed by a vote of 5-0 on each with one council member absent.

During the committee reports, it was announced Chief Travis Riggs of the City of Pickens Police Department will be holding a session for senior citizens in the community to combat fraud.

The gathering is intended to arm seniors of the signs of fraud and how to avoid becoming a victim of scams. It will be held at the Senior Center with more details forthcoming.

Riggs also announced a Block Part to be held at Ebenezer Methodist Church on Jan. 30.

The position of mayor pro tem, the official who presides when the mayor is unavailable, was also decided by a vote on the part of council.

Donnie McKinney was nominated and selected to serve the next term in the position by a vote of 4-0 with one member absent and McKinney abstaining.

Mayor David Owens, in a first, also took a moment to honor the three previous mayors pro tem — Patrick Lark, Fletcher Perry and Patti Welborn.

Owens presented each with a certificate of appreciation for their service.

Pickens Mayor David Owens presents certificates of appreciation to three former mayors pro tem — Patrick Larkin, Patti Welborn and Fletcher Perry — following the election of Donnie McKinney as mayor pro tem for 2016.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_IMG_0390.jpgPickens Mayor David Owens presents certificates of appreciation to three former mayors pro tem — Patrick Larkin, Patti Welborn and Fletcher Perry — following the election of Donnie McKinney as mayor pro tem for 2016. D. C. Moody | The Easley Progress

By D. C. Moody

dmoody@civitasmedia.com

Reach D. C. Moody at 864-855-0355.