By Nikki Rutledge
For The Courier

nrutledge@thepccourier.com

SIX MILE — Vandalism has become a problem at Ponderosa Park in Six Mile, and town officials discussed the issue at last week’s town council meeting.

“These reports are very upsetting,” mayor Roy Stoddard said.

More than 400 feet of copper wiring was stolen from eight of the lamps around the walking trail at the park recently. The theft came after a separate incident in June, when the equipment room at the park was broken into and a P.A. system, along with baseball and softball equipment, was stolen.

Stoddard told council members Pickens County sheriff Rick Clark suggested council consider installing security cameras at the park.

Liz Avery, manager of Six Mile’s new bank, “Our bank,” was also in attendance at last week’s meeting to give council and residents an update about the bank’s progress.

The bank has acquired more than 250 new deposit accounts since opening and has closed on several mortgage loans.

“We are on track for all of the goals we set,” Avery said. “I also want to personally thank the Town of Six Mile for being so open and welcoming.”

Sandy Gillespie, daughter of longtime Six Mile resident Bill Holder, who passed away in June, spoke during public forum to present the Town of Six Mile with WWII practice bombs that her father uncovered in his yard in the early 1970s.

“My father lived here his whole life, and he loved this town,” she said. “He was very proud of these bombs, and we feel like he would love for the town to have them.”

Gillespie said the family hopes Council will display the bombs as a memorial in a part of Six Mile that has yet to be determined.

Council entertained two bids for landscaping in front of Town Hall since the 100-year-old trees had to be removed, and the best option came in at around $8,000.

Stoddard told council he would like to contact officials in the horticulture department at Clemson University to see if they would be interested in taking the job on as a class project before any further decision is made.