The town of Lake Waccamaw had a brief meeting on Tuesday evening honoring those in uniform, tabling the APS contract, and renewing one with the Cape Fear Council of Governments. The meeting ended with the mayor and commissioners adjourning the public portion to go into closed session. 
Lake Waccamaw police officer Jeff Marlowe has been putting in some extra hours to accomplish something that has only been achieved once in the history of the municipality. Scott Hyatt was the first to earn his advanced certification in law enforcement, and now Marlowe will join the ranks of his police chief. The credentials require hundreds of hours of online and in person classes, training, and extra curricular service.
Marlowe was presented his diploma by Hyatt.
“You’re an outstanding officer, Jeff,” said Hyatt. “I just can’t thank you enough for all your hard work.”
Another official was also recognized Tuesday night. Wildlife officer Andy Buchanan has been with the Lake Waccamaw State Park for 13 years and has put in over 480 hours to up his Ranger certification. Twenty hours of class time is equal to one point, and Buchanan’s next step up required him to earn 24 points. He was presented his certificate by Park Superintendent Toby Hall.
Commissioners and town leaders decided to table the proposed contract from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services during the meeting. The document was first presented in June of this year, but it was put aside until the town’s attorney Scott Sessions could look further into the agreement after some amendments were made.
The contract has now been corrected from the previous errors, but questions arose about the schedule of fees. Sessions said a member of the APS was requested and granted during his tenure at Fair Bluff to clear up any confusion, and Town Clerk Meredith Parker will be contacting the department for an officer to do the same for a future Lake Waccamaw meeting.
The town will be renewing their contract with the Cape Fear Council of Governments (COG). The COG has performed many services for the town over years including looking into zoning issues and helping to file some grants for projects in Lake Waccamaw.
” They’re an invaluable asset to the town,” commented Sessions.
Sessions went on to say that COG Executive Director Alan Serkin has helped the planning board make many decisions with his wealth of knowledge and input.
Fall festivities are planned at East Columbus High School on Halloween. The school will host the town’s annual Safe Nite previously held at the Boys and Girls Home of N.C. Scheduling conflicts kept the BGHNC from being the venue for the annual event this October.
Safe Nite will be in the faculty parking lot at the school from 6-8 p.m., and parking will be set up for the public in the student parking area. East Columbus is located at 32 Gator Lane in Lake Waccamaw.
