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HIGHLIGHTS:Mayor’s Walk Against

Domestic Violence

Finance Department receives top award for 4th Consecutive Year

Fire Department Hiring Firefighters

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MAYOR BENJAMIN AND CITY COUNCIL PASS PROCLAMATION TO “SOLARIZE

COLUMBIA”Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and City Council issued a proclamation at the September 5, 2017 Council meeting launching “Solarize Columbia” and urging all Columbia residents to learn if solar energy will work for their home.

The Proclamation reiterates the partnership between the City of Columbia, and the nonprofit SmartPower as they launch another round of the successful program “Solarize South Carolina.” Columbia was the first municipality in the Midlands to officially participate two years ago in the statewide, residential solar power initiative.

Solarize South Carolina is a community outreach program designed to help Columbia residents go solar and save on electricity costs. When 50 or more Columbian residents sign a contract for solar before January 23, 2018, the City will earn a free 5 kW solar system for any of its municipal buildings.

“SmartPower has been a great partner over the past two years,” said Columbia Mayor Stephen Benjamin. “By re-launching our solarize program with SmartPower, we are helping our residents become informed citizens about solar energy and make the best decision for themselves and their homes – while working to fulfill our goals of 100 percent renewable by 2036 through Ready for 100.”

Solarize Columbia will help local residents go solar, accelerate the adoption of solar and increase public awareness of solar-friendly state rules that allow net metering, giving significant financial

advantage to residents who go solar. Homeowners in South Carolina can still take advantage of some incentives that exist. There is a 30 percent Federal Tax Credit, a 25 percent state tax credit, and some utilities offer net energy metering. The net energy metering program from SCE&G credits the solar customer at the same rate the utility charges for service. The excess energy that is not used by the home is then pushed back into the energy grid at the same rate.

“Columbia residents have seen friends or family go solar and wonder if it will work for their home,” said

Sara Hummel Rajca, SmartPower’s Community Outreach Manager for Solarize South Carolina. “We’re excited to work with the City of Columbia – and all Columbia residents to help people decide if solar energy works for them.”

Solarize Columbia kicks off with its first event on Thursday, September 28, at 6:30 pm, at the Earlewood Community Building, 1113 Parkside Drive.

For more information about Solarize South Carolina and Solarize Columbia, contact Sara Hummel Rajca at shummelrajca@smartpower.org.

Residents who want to see if their home is good for solar can get started at www.solarizesc.org.

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FINANCE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES TOP AWARD FOR

4TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

The City of Columbia has earned the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Government Financial Officers Association of the United States and Canada issues the award to governmental agencies which demonstrate a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story. The City of Columbia has earned the award based on the comprehensive annual report that was submitted for the 2016 fiscal year.

In presenting the plaque and brass medallion on Tuesday, September 5, City Manager Teresa Wilson said, “Our diligent and hard-working financial team should be commended. The City of Columbia has received this recognition in previous years and it is a testament to our continuous focus on fiscal responsibility.

On receiving this award, Palen says, “I work with a team of amazing men and women who guard the fiduciary interests

of the City of Columbia with sound practices and most importantly integrity. This award is confirmation of their daily commitment to transparency and high quality municipal services.”

Finance Director Jan Alonso says, ”This the fourth consecutive year that the City has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The staff has worked hard to make this happen and we are fortunate to have a City Council and Executive Management team who understand the importance of this award.”

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounts and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment.

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PARK(ING) DAYPHOTO GALLERY

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COLUMBIA ANNOUNCES 17 PET ADOPTIONS

Columbia Animal Services hosted a pre-owned pet adoption special and 17 adoptions were made. Columbia Animal Services would like to send a heartfelt thank you to our community for the community's support of the Adoption event this past weekend, September 22-23, 2017.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of last weekend’s adoption special. These events are a wonderful way to remind the public of just how many animals we have here at the shelter in need of homes. We are already looking forward to our next

upcoming event in October,” said Victoria Riles, Outreach Project Coordinator.

The adoption event took place at Columbia Animal Services as well as the local pet store “Petsense”.

Visit other pets available for adoption at the Columbia Animal Shelter, 127 Humane Lane. Visit www.columbiasc.net/animal-services or call 803-776-PETS for more information.

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The City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities Director Tina Herbert was announced a recipient of the Women in Economic Development and Civil Leadership Awards on Monday, September 11, 2017. Walker’s Legacy and the Walker’s Legacy Foundation proudly announced the recipients of its Women in Economic Development and Civic Leadership Awards in partnership with the African American Mayors Association (AAMA).

Recipients of the Women in Economic Development and Civic Leadership Awards are recognized as champions of policy and programs to advance economic development, entrepreneurship ecosystems and job opportunities within their community. Recipients must work for a government, non-profit or chamber entity.

“There is much work to be done to help multicultural women recognize and realize not only their spending power, but their growing potential to generate economic opportunities for themselves and for their communities,” said Tina Herbert. “I’m happy to be a part of the movement.”

This year’s honorees include:

• Aisha Glover, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (Newark, NJ) • Barbara George Johnson, Executive Director, John S. Watson Institute (Trenton, NJ)

• Carlecia D. Wright, Chief Diversity Officer & City Department Director, City of Houston (Houston, TX) • Courtney Johnson Rose, Chairwoman, Houston Black Chamber of Commerce (Houston, TX) • Courtney R. Snowden, Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity, Government of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC) • Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and Chief Executive Officer, Invest Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) • Lisa Cooper, Director of Economic Development, City of Birmingham (Birmingham, AL) • McClain Bryant, Director of Policy at the Office of the Mayor, City of Kansas City (Kansas City, MI) • Tiffanie Stanard, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Stimulus (Philadelphia, PA) • Tina Herbert, Director, Office of Business Opportunities, City of Columbia (Columbia, SC) •Valerie Jackson, Director of Policy, Planning, and Development, City of East Orange (East Orange, NJ)

The program is chaired by Chair-women Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence (D-MI), Marie C. Johns, former deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and managing partner at Leftwich, LLC and A’Lelia Bundles, author, biographer, and great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker. The program will also include the participation of Mayor Catherine E. Pugh (Baltimore City, MD), Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson (Gary, Indiana), Mayor Lovely Warren (Rochester, NY) and Mistress of Ceremonies, Lesli Foster, WUSA-9 anchor.

The panel program and awards reception to follow will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017 during Annual Legislative Conference at the Microsoft Policy and Innovation Center. The panel program will begin at 4:30pm to be followed by the awards reception at 6:30pm.

For more information on the Walker’s Legacy Women in Economic Development and Civic Engagement Panel and Awards or to attend, please visit here.

CITY OBO DIRECTOR BECOMES RECIPIENT OF WOMEN IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

& CIVIL LEADERSHIP AWARDS

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The Columbia Fire Department launches hiring campaign for the next CFD Recruit Class, 18-01

Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins announced today that the Columbia Fire Department is accepting applications for Firefighter. The application process will close midnight on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

The Department is the largest in the state and is responsible for serving nearly 500,000 citizens within the City of Columbia and Richland County. Firefighters respond to 35,000-40,000 emergency incidents per year from rural to densely urban areas. Fully staffed, the Columbia Fire Department has 500 personnel covering 32 fire stations.

The application period is currently open, as per the posting on the City of Columbia website https://columbiasc.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?site=1&id=377. All applicants are strongly encouraged to provide an email address as requested on

the Columbia Firefighter Application. Applicants will be notified via email for pre-qualification testing dates. This will be a progressive process based on minimum passing scores for each of the testing phases.

Phases of the pre-qualification testing process include:

Application, to include a 10 year driving record and criminal background check from the state of residency. General aptitude written test. Maze and Physical agility test. Final Application Review. Selected Candidate’s Interview.

*Follow link (https://colafire.net/recruitmentapply/firefighter-hiring-process/ to purchase study guide for written aptitude test and to view Maze & Agility test video tutorials.

Any questions that you may have can be e-mailed to Captain James Bostic, CFD Recruiter at cfdrecruitment@columbiasc.net or call the Columbia Fire Department at (803) 545-3331.

FIRE DEPARTMENT HIRING FIREFIGHTERS

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WALKABLE 29203 PUBLIC HEARING

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WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE

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Teresa Wilson is the City Manager for the City of Columbia, SC. For more details on the City Manager, visit Co-lumbiaSC.net/City-Manager. For more information about the City of Colum-bia, visit ColumbiaSC.net.

ABOUT TERESA WILSON