Mayor, Councilman, Chief Talk about Wagener in 2020
By Valerie Sliker, Courtesy Wagener Monthly
The Wagener town hall, although in temporary housing, is busy and full of hope for the new decade. “There’s a lot of good going on,” Mayor Mike Miller said, “But we’ve had a lot of negative interference and I pay too much attention to it.”
The recent election for two town council seats got a little heated and both the mayor and council have been under fire from a few disgruntled people, but Councilman George Smith has put it all behind him. “We don’t have to worry about who said this or that. That’s all on my back list for 2019, it has nothing to do with 2020. The town is on an upswing, positive things are expected for the new year. One of the best things we have going is a new town complex.”
Plans are well under way to move the town hall to a complex that will house the town hall, police and fire departments and a heliport all at one site. Land has been donated, grants have been received and the architect is on board. The town hall should be able to relocate to the new complex by Summer.
The town complex, Ponder Municipal Park will be located around the current fire department on land donated by Henry Ponder. Senator Nikki Setzler and Representative Bill Taylor combined efforts to get a grant for a playground for this park. The Aiken County Council awarded a grant for the restoration of a couple of historic buildings that currently sit on the Ponder Park property, one of which will house the town hall; the other, a visitor and parks center for Wagener and Aiken County in general.