Silver Crescent Award winner Lamar Bailes

Walhalla’s Lamar Bailes left his Rotary Club meeting today with the state’s highest honor for community service. On behalf of Governor Nikki Haley, State Senator Thomas Alexander bestowed the Silver Crescent award to Bailes recognizing him for government, political, social, and religious work in a public sector career that dates back at least 50 years. Bailes is 77 years old today and still active. Alexander said he’s personally aware that Bailes service goes back to at least 1963 when the Walhallan was elected to a seat on city council. If you know anything about Bailes, the following description will make sense to you: “If Lamar Bailes doesn’t immediately answer his cell phone, it’s because he is attending a meeting.” As Alexander pointed out, Bailes’ service isn’t confined to Walhalla and Oconee County. He holds a position of regional government service and is part of the state’s Silver Haired Legislature, as an advocate for South Carolina senior citizens.