ALC Class of '65 Reunion

The infamous A. L. Corbett High School Class of 1965  56th class reunion was held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Roy Warner Memorial Park, 4287 Festival Trail Road, Wagener.

The theme for the reunion was "Fifty-Six Years: Reflections, Peace, Gratitude, and Praise."  Attire was casual with blue/gold colors.  CDC guidelines for Covid will be followed.

Music was provided by DJ Mike Ro. Photos were taken throughout the day. Activities included music, comedian, bingo, checkers, Biblical trivia, horseshoes, charades, spades, Uno, etc. The park provided an outdoor shelter with picnic tables and benches, concession building with refrigerator, microwave, 8 tables and 60 chairs.

Contact: Mary Frances Landy Brown, 706-631-7281.

Click on the blue link above and the blue link below for more information about this amazing group of classmates.

History of the ALCHS Class of 1965 and memorial of the 50th reunion.

WPD Participates in Aiken Memorial Day Parade

The Wagener Police Department was happy to participate in the Aiken Memorial Day Parade 2021. Chief Titus is in the white shirt with Officer Byerly marching alongside in the blue uniform shirt. Sgt. Wright is driving the black Tahoe and Officer Taylor is driving the white Tahoe. All of the department members were proud and grateful to have participated in the parade and were well received. 

 

David Watson Appointed Chief WVFD

The Town of Wagener hired David Watson as Fire Chief for the volunteer fire department in mid-February. Watson replaces Gerald Taylor who served as interim chief from November 2020 until February 2021.

The Wagener volunteer fire department currently has 14 active firefighters. The position of Assistant Chief has not been filled at this time. Serving as Captain is Travis Kennedy and serving as Lieutenant is Eric Middleton. Kennedy is second in charge until an Assistant Chief is named.

“We’re trying to move forward,” Watson said recently. “The group that was here did an amazing job. Mark was a phenomenal fire chief. Gerald Taylor did a fabulous job to make sure people were still protected. The community is protected and well taken care of. The fire department is here for the community.”

Watson has had quite a few calls in the month that he has been here including two structure fires in Salley, two in New Holland, a couple of medical calls and standing by for Couchton during the barn and brush fire.

Wagener Fire Chief Suspended

On Nov. 11, the town council suspended the chief of the Wagener Fire Department, Mark Redd, as well as the Assistant Chief, George Day. Gerald Taylor is assigned Interim Chief. According to the Fire Marshall’s office, the only two officers listed are Chief Redd and his son Stephen Cody Redd. However, in local records, we see George Day listed as Assistant Chief.

A current investigation is being conducted by SLED and that investigation requires limited public comment.

There are twelve firefighters in the fire department and each one will have to decide whether to stay or go. Acting Chief Taylor will meet with each one individually to determine which will remain.

The suspension arose due to inappropriate use of social media and insufficient bookkeeping documentation regarding the finances of the Wagener Fire Department.

There have been considerable difficulties between the fire department and the town council and mayor in the past few years. There have been repeated breaches of security and a repeated lack of response from the fire department when asked for bookkeeping documentation. Funding was used by the fire department without proper documentation.

“If any state or federal official questions where money comes from, we have to tell them.“ Wagener Mayor Mike Miller said.  “These (suspensions) are temporary arrangements, but some people involved have elected to make them permanent…….. Why can’t we work together? I’m not accusing anyone of wrong doing, but why are we unable to work together.

“We appreciate their service, but it’s not a closed domain.  It’s a department of this town and everybody is entitled to information. We repeatedly received no response from the fire department when we had questions regarding the bookkeeping. It is a breach of security.”

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