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TO CELEBRATE THE DEDICATION OF THE BELL AT KEOWEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN OCONEE COUNTY TO MR. JERRY OPPERMAN.
Whereas, Oconee County's Keowee Elementary School is celebrating the 100th year of the school's existence on Saturday, May 18, 2013, with a community celebration; and
Whereas, during the celebration ceremony, the school will conduct an item on its agenda: "Ringing the Bell". The original bell used by the Keowee School is believed to be a part of the original building when it opened in 1912-13. The bell will be rung for the first time in many, many years; and
Whereas, at that time, there will be a presentation and dedication of the bell to Mr. Jerry Opperman. Jerry has been a loyal and strong supporter of the Keowee School (original name); and
Whereas, Jerry was Chief of the Keowee-Ebenezer Fire Department from 1968 to 1981. He was also a founding board member of the Oconee County Sewer Commission until his retirement in 2011 and a member of the Oconee Memorial Hospital Board; and
Whereas, Jerry worked for Triangle Construction Company, the winning bidder in 1984 for demolition of the old school and construction of the current building; and
Whereas, while demolition was underway, Jerry used his construction crew to retrieve the bell from its tower. Being its immediate past Chief, Jerry gave the bell to the Keowee-Ebenezer Fire Department; and
Whereas, the fire department, which is adjacent to the school, has possessed the bell for almost thirty years. It has been a longstanding goal of the fire department to restore the bell and mount it in a permanent location in front of the fire station; and
Whereas, when the fire department heard of the school's 100th anniversary celebration, plans were accelerated to restore the bell; and
Whereas, plans are underway for the bell to be mounted in its permanent location between the school and the fire department; and
Whereas, it is appropriate for the members of the Senate to pause in their deliberations to observe this honor of Mr. Opperman. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, celebrate the dedication of the bell at Keowee Elementary School in Oconee County to Mr. Jerry Opperman.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Jerry Opperman.
This web page was last updated on May 16, 2013 at 2:37 PM