Gerinda Doctor named 2012 Citizen of the Year

The Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) has chosen Mrs. Gerinda W. Doctor to receive the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award. Gerinda has been a resident of the Forest Hills Neighborhood since 1977.

Ms. Doctor is actively involved with the Forest Hills 1 Neighborhood Association, serving as President for the last 6 years. She continuously works with Code Enforcement and the Police Department to address and improve the quality of life within her neighborhood. Ms. Doctor was instrumental in facilitating a community center and the installation of sidewalks for Forest Hills 1.

Gerinda served 4 years on the CAC and 1 year as Chairperson. While serving, she initiated a program to honor Police Officers who went beyond the call of duty. She has served 2 years on the North Charleston Police Department Community Advisory Panel, where she helped implement recommended solutions between the community and Police Department.

Gerinda Doctor has served as the Leader for Girl Scout Troop 689 for over 25 years. Many of the girls that Ms. Doctor has mentored have grown up to be confident young women who have followed in her footsteps and are now working in the community.

North Charleston selected as Regional Veterans Day Site by National Committee

The Department of Defense and the Veterans Day National Committee has once again selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2012. North Charleston is the only regional site in the State of South Carolina and has been selected for 3 consecutive years.

The City of North Charleston will host its annual Veterans Day tribute on Monday, November 12, 2012 from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm at Park Circle. We ask veterans and the public to join Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council in this special ceremony. Last year, over 500 veterans in attendance were honored.

Prior to the ceremony, from 9:30 am – 10:30 am, a story swap will be held in the Felix Davis Community Center. Veterans will have an open opportunity to share memories and stories about their service with fellow veterans. The story swap is open to the public.

Additional details about North Charleston’s Veterans Day event will be released over the coming months.

From past Veterans Day events
Photos: Veterans Day 2011
Photos: Veterans Day 2010
Video: Medal of Honor recipient Major General Livingston on Veterans Day
Video: 10 year old Tre’ Williams on what it means to be a veteran
Video: Major Joe Lysaght on the history of the Pledge of Allegiance

Officer DeCorte honored for off duty actions

Office Jason Lee DeCorte of the North Charleston Police Department was honored at City Council on July 27, 2012 as the City's employee of the quarter for his off duty actions last spring.

On May 15, 2012, Officer DeCorte traveling on Dorchester Road when he observed a vehicle swerving across all lanes of traffic.  Although off duty, Officer DeCorte went forth with a standard traffic stop to prevent the car's occupant from injuring himself, other motorist, or pedestrians.

When Officer DeCorte approached the vehicle, the motorist would not roll his window down or open the driver's door as was instructed and appeared to be in a daze with his eyes opening and closing very slowly.  When the door was finally opened, the motorist's legs appeared to be very swollen, his shirt and pants soaked from sweat, and his reactions delayed.  In addition, the motorist could not answer any of Officer DeCorte's questions.

Quickly realizing the motorist needed medical treatment, Officer DeCorte requested an EMS Unit to respond immediately.  After their arrival it was discovered that the motorist's blood sugar was dangerously low.  If a few more minutes had passed, the motorist could have lost his life.

Officer DeCorte, while off duty, prevented what could have been a tragic ending.  His actions saved a life and removed a very dangerous situation from our community's roadway.

Veterans Day in North Charleston, a Tribute to our Veterans

The City of North Charleston will hosts its annual Veterans Day tribute on Friday, November 11, 2011 from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm at Park Circle with keynote speaker Colonel Frank S. Taylor. We ask veterans and the public to join Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council in this special ceremony. Last year, over 500 veterans in attendance were honored.

Ceremony Program

The Department of Defense and the National Committee for Veterans Day has once again selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2011. North Charleston is the only regional site in the State of South Carolina.

All veterans in attendance will be called by name and will receive a commemorative medal. Veterans are urged to RSVP no later than October 25 to (843) 740-5809 or via email at cdambaugh@northcharleston.org.

Prior to the ceremony, from 9:30 am – 10:30 am, a story swap will be held in the Felix Davis Community Center. Veterans will have an open opportunity to share memories and stories about their service with fellow veterans. The story swap is open to the public. Veterans wishing to speak should RSVP to (843) 740-5809.

The event’s keynote speaker, Colonel Frank S. Taylor, RET USAF is a native of Charleston, South Carolina and has commanded the 3rd Light Coastal Brigade, South Carolina State Guard since May 16, 2009. Col. Taylor is a graduate of The Citadel, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, Air University, earning his master’s of military operational art and science, and Air War College. His major awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Armed Forces Services Medal amongst others. Col. Taylor retired from the Air Force Reserves on January 4, 2007, after which he was commissioned a Palmetto Patriot on January 14, 2011 by the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina.

Mayor Summey receives American Institute of Architects award

The following was read aloud at the 2011 American Institute of Architects Charleston Honor Awards ceremony:

The Government Affairs Award
This award recognizes an official elected, appointed or employed in a governmental position at any level, for their efforts toward improving the community or built environment.

Although North Charleston mayor Keith Summey’s accomplishments are broad and far reaching, AIA Charleston specifically recognizes his work in improving the built environment by championing sustainable and livable communities.  For each of the 16 years that Mayor Summey has provided regional and local leadership, the City of North Charleston has been first among all statewide municipalities in gross retail sales; however, his greatest impact may be in improving the access to quality development and thus, the quality of life for each citizen.

In 1994, when he was first elected, Mayor Summey inherited the closure of the Charleston Navy Base and Shipyard – one of the hardest hitting jobs killers in the State.  Looking back today, Mayor Summey has played a vital part in North Charleston’s economic growth and revitalization, claiming a leadership role in the development of a regional Convention Center, Coliseum, and Performing Arts venue, the expansion of our regional airport, the Vision and Development of the Noisette Neighborhood and redevelopment of the former Navy Base – as well as recently solidifying the Boeing Assembly Plant and the Clemson Restoration Institute Research park.  These accomplishments have together contributed to North Charleston’s current position of regional prominence.

Additionally, Mayor Summey has played a key role in promoting sustainable development through neighborhoods like Oak Terrace Preserve and LEED NC pilot neighborhood – The Navy Yard at Noisette.  The recently renovated City hall is LEED Certified, and in 2009, North Charleston was awarded 1 of only 2 National Awards of Excellence in Sustainable Community Development by the Home Depot Foundation.

An AIA Charleston Honor Award for outstanding service to the community and the design profession goes to: Mayor Keith Summey.