Is it time for an Oconee community relations council?

The state agency whose mission includes efforts to promote harmony, understanding and mutual respect among all South Carolinians believes that the discord between some police departments in the country with minority members of their communities demonstrates a need for people of all backgrounds to sit down together to talk about problems. And that’s why Saundra Ligon, representing the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, made a return visit to Oconee County Council. Eleven months ago Ligon tried to interest the County Council in organizing a local community relations council. Her return visit to last night’s council meeting proved to be the charm. At her request, the council agreed to consider next month a resolution creating a group of volunteers to work together for common purposes and identify potential problems. Ligon requested that all council members nominate a resident of their district to serve. She said there are no costs associated with community relations councils, such as the ones that are being organized in Beaufort, Hampton and McCormick counties.