electrician in Summerville, SC

William “Mr. Bill” Cleary, 80, passed peacefully in Summerville, SC on January 14, 2023. Bill, a father to many and a friend to all, resided in Summerville for the past 14 years, where he and Penelope Cocking have enjoyed not shoveling snow, visiting various historic sites, and getting to know the local restaurant scene. Formerly of Mansfield, Easton, and Quincy, MA, Bill was the brother of the late Judith Landry and the late Michael Cleary; he was married to the late Carol (Drysdale Haack) Cleary and the late Sheila (Bartlett Stowe) Cleary and father to the late Brian Haack.

He leaves behind his younger brother Robert Cleary of Quincy, MA and his beloved partner, Penelope Cocking along with her children and his supportive friends, RJ Hyson and Mariah Levine. Bill also leaves his loving children: Jeffrey Haack of Harmony, ME, Richard Drysdale of St. Louis, MO, Timothy Cleary and his wife Donna of Sandwich, MA, Walter (Sunny) Stowe and his wife Mary of Bellingham, MA, Ken Stowe and his wife Millie of Palm Coast, FL, and Jackye (Stowe) Hughes and her husband Mike of Norton, MA; 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; dear nieces and nephews, and countless treasured friends.

For many years, Bill was a long-haul truck driver, often forced to leave his family to earn a living as a furniture mover. He prioritized making it home for Christmas and other important family events. Along the routes he traveled, he built friendships across the country and created homes away from home. He often took one of his children, nieces, or nephews with him cross country and in the process fostered strong work ethics, appreciation for warm showers, and created treasured memories. In later years of his career he traveled with his spouse, Sheila Cleary, introducing her to a sense of adventure.

Bill took pride in the accomplishments of those around him and offered encouragement in times of need or stress. An avid Boston sports fan, he proudly wore his teams’ logos wherever he went, regardless of their win-loss record. Having spent much time on the road as a driver into his 70’s, Bill always thrived in the company of others. Appreciative of a good pour or a cold bottle served by caring and smiling people, Bill enjoyed spending time in the community created at both Maguire’s of Easton, MA and the Dog and Duck of Summerville, SC.

Small, local gatherings of family and friends will take place in the immediate future, and Bill’s life will later be celebrated by his family when they are able to gather together this July. Donations may be made in his name to https://www.rizema.org/donate/, an organization dedicated to tackling the opioid crisis, and a cause near and dear to Bill’s heart.

COLUMBIA — Any drama was erased early.

Summerville’s Cole Messina cracked a two-run homer to pace a three-run third inning and break open No. 23 South Carolina’s 20-3 season-opening victory over UMass Lowell on Friday. The Gamecocks’ bats exploded with eight runs over the third and fourth frames to begin coach Mark Kingston’s crucial sixth season with a win, and got starting pitcher Will Sanders off the hook after a merely decent outing.

“Great Opening Day for us. I don’t know what to say that that game didn’t say for itself,” Kingston said. “I can’t complain about 20 runs.”

A team with 20 new faces after Kingston scoured the transfer portal and welcomed a robust recruiting class, the Gamecocks (1-0) felt very confident in their pitching but wouldn’t know about their offense until it took the field. Yet it was the opposite on Friday: The offense immediately took over while Sanders struggled.

The righty, viewed as a first-round draft prospect, was spotty with his control and plunked two batters within two innings, each of which came around to score. He labored through a 35-pitch second inning, working behind four of his seven batters, and ninth-hitter Trey Brown lined a 1-2 fastball past first base for the River Hawks’ first run.

“He just was not very sharp,” Kingston said, pointing out that Sanders didn’t throw in summer or fall. “We don’t worry about Will at all. Will will be just fine, we’re sure about that.”

USC’s batters welcomed their ace to the dugout and told him to relax. They had him.

Boy, did they have him.

Talmadge LeCroy started the second with a triple, scoring on Gavin Casas’ sacrifice fly. The Gamecocks took the lead when Will McGillis smashed a solo home run.

Even when the River Hawks evened the game at 2, there was no panic. Caleb Denny drove in Carson Hornung with a groundout — making the Gamecocks’ first three RBIs courtesy of three transfers — and then Messina teed off.

USC added five runs in the fourth and seven in the sixth to make an Opening Day win a conclusion long before the last pitch. James Hicks, lost for the season after seven innings last year, earned the win by relieving Sanders for two innings and the Gamecocks were able to get through the game using only four pitchers.

McGillis deposited another pitch over the wall to become the first USC player with two home runs in a game since Josiah Sightler did it last year, while Hornung collected five RBIs.

“Obviously, I saw the ball well today. But just when you start feeling really good in baseball, things can end up catawampus,” McGillis said. “Just try to play the game the same way every day.”

Kingston was able to play 16 position players and see some of his starters at different positions. It was an easy, pleasing day, but it was one of 56.

The coach was the first to say it.

“Great job, now go do it again tomorrow,” Kingston said.

Next up

Game 2 of the series is at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — It remains to be seen exactly what Ian will bring our way this weekend, but residents of a Summerville community are worried about potential flooding after a history of problems in the past.

ABC News 4’s Sean Mahoney reported on this area near main street exactly a year ago where residents like Todd Hubbard claimed the drainage system in the city was dangerously worn out.

He said after just a small rainstorm in his backyard is turned into a swimming pool and he is worried about what could come with Hurricane Ian on the horizon

Hubbard’s home is on a six-foot decline from main street in district two of Summerville, which causes the water to rush down at high speeds.

Hubbard says it has gotten so bad he took out a flood policy even though it is not in a flood zone. he says the city has been slow in responding to his requests for solutions over the past year and is worried about the impact Ian could have

“It makes me nervous, you know, having almost flooded before the water has literally been within an inch of my doorstep,” Hubbard said, “You know, so a storm of this size. They're saying it's it'll be slow moving. Yeah, it concerns me, you know, because not all the drains going up the hill are adequately taking in water.”

Hubbard did say the city has installed open drain systems around his neighborhood since our story last year, however he says at times the water has backed up from those drains and went into his backyard.

We reached out to the town of Summerville for a response about Hubbard’s specific property and they did say they are working on a plan to possibly raise the main drain in his neighborhood to allow more water to come in and prevent blockages.

They have taken preventative measures in major parts of the city to fix their drainage systems, such as raising drain outlets and working to update full system, but town officials say their hands can be tied when it comes to making major changes.

Town Administrator Russ Cornette said many of these drainage systems go under houses and they don’t have the easement (or right) to be able to go into someone’s land to make major changes to drainage systems.

Cornette said they've been helping with flooding on private property, but they say this is just a courtesy.

He says the city does the best they can to install ditches and open drains to try and relieve some of the excess water in big rainfalls but just some areas, just by the geography of the town, will naturally get it worse.

“There's certain there's areas in town as his portfolio falling, the flooding and other areas of low lying areas obviously going to collect more water than areas on top of ridges and hills and we address those in best we can make sure they're free and clear,” Cornette said.

Cornette did say the city has been preparing for Ian over the past couple of days by visiting several “high risk” areas to see if drainage pipes are not clogged and there are not debris in ditches which could cause overflow.

Cornette also asks residents who live near a ditch or “organic structure” to make sure there is no debris blocking possible paths of water and if there is a problem to call the town.

On August 16, well-known local businessman, Richard Miler, stepped out in front of the process to announce his candidacy for Mayor of the Town of Summerville. Elections for that office will take place in November of 2023. Voters elect a mayor on a non-partisan ticket.

“I made the announcement this far in advance because the last time I ran, I did not announce my candidacy until late and I was behind the game at the get-go,” said Miler. “Lots of people, including my wife, said if you’re going to do this, be proactive. It’s always wise to seek prudent counsel from others.”

Miler lost his first bid for mayor twelve years ago to former Mayor Bill Collins.

Miler is owner and president of Miler Properties, which also operates under the name Miler Property Management. The real estate sector business has been in operation for close to 40 years and generates an estimated $3.6 million in annual revenue. The company, located on Old Trolley Road, typically employs 12 people.

A Summerville native son, Miler graduated from Summerville High School before completing studies at The Citadel in 1978. His background includes mortgage banking, teaching and coaching, and retail management. Miler has served as a board member on numerous organizations. He and his family are actively involved in the community.

“My family has been in this town for a long time,” said Miler. “My great grandfather, Dan Miler, was the first mayor of Summerville. My great, great grandfather, Edward Hutchinson, was the first attendant (the title in use before the term mayor was established). Hutchinson Square was named after him.”

Miler referred to the desire to be involved in public service as the footprint of his family. “It’s a passion that lives in your blood. The mayor is not a retirement job. You have to do it from the heart.”

Miler sees his role as a cheerleader to bring a positive vibe to the Town, working with a dynamic staff and town merchants, whom he calls the ‘heart of our town.’ “Everybody wants to make Summerville work; not just Downtown and Hutchinson Square. It’s growing like a weed,” he said, citing Nexton and Summers Corner.

There are a number of goals and issues that are top-of-mind for Miler:

• Prudent annexation to grow tax revenue without burdening the taxpayer and property owners - “We all pay property taxes regardless of our home, but that money is not nearly enough to fund the town coffers to pay for safety and other necessities or increase opportunities like parks and bicycle paths – that base comes from the commercial side. People think if they are annexed, their taxes are going up but that’s not always the case. There are so many doughnut holes in our current annexation. The Town can’t annex any whole entity; it’s one property at a time and they skip over each other like a jigsaw puzzle. There’s never been a game plan, a vision. As an example, there are seven subdivisions on Trolley Road — some are in the Town of Summerville; some are not.”

• “I am a strong, 100% supporter of the one-cent tax.” The 1% Transportation Sales and Use Sales Tax has been in effect for the past fifteen years and is scheduled to expire this year. This November, voters have a chance to renew it for up to fifteen years and generate up to $735 million to further investments in roads, streets, bridges and other transportation-related facilities as well as drainage facilities and mass transit systems. “That’s a lot of money to help with lots of projects.”

• “I’d like to see Summerville increase the downtown shopping district. It’s pretty and quaint, but it can grow — with shops, restaurants, a winery — there are so many people coming in to that district. It has to be safe, always, for little kids, carriages and strollers and bicycles. Lighting is important, and beautification.” Miler hopes to partner with the Flowertown Garden Club for beautification. “I have a real passion for that cause.” “What we don’t need is another real estate or lawyer’s office that shuts up at 5 p.m. and everybody goes home.”

• Parking in the Town’s parking deck should remain free, according to Miler. “It was built on the promise of free parking. I am interested in opportunities for parking relief. New businesses and restaurants are coming in and there are complaints that there’s no parking. People don’t want to go to an area and be bussed into town; they want to park.”

• “Traffic issues never really go away in a small town,” said Miler, with respect to ongoing issues. It’s an ongoing challenge but I’m thinking about what we can do now to improve quality of life.” “Plus, I would rather have those problems than live in an area that has no traffic problems, but where nothing is going on. When you have traffic problems, you have a good problem. People want to live there, work there.” Still, Miler says that as a mayor of a small town, he would vote to raise the gas tax to improve the roads and support user taxes such as toll roads coming in from other states.

• Affordable housing also has Miler’s attention. “My prayer is that there is a role for a mayor. There is a housing crisis and rents are incredibly high; the resale market has gone up. There is no such thing as affordable housing right now.” The problem will only be solved with a lot of people coming to the table to create solutions, getting developers on board, according to Miler. “It’s got to be without creating a stigma like affordable housing is a bad word. It’s not a bad word.”

Successful business is about establishing a staff that you work well with, selling or developing a product to sell to repeat clients and then doing what everybody has to do — embodying a trust that everyone can appreciate, according to Miler. “We’ve done that for 36 years. I see my business as a housing ministry. People buy or sell for different reasons: downsizing, growing, splintered by hardship — I’ve seen it all and it increases empathy.”

“Our business is people serving other people. I would take that approach whatever business I was in — taking care of people and being consistent. I think this perfectly prepares me to be mayor — to serve people from all walks of life, sexes, races, creeds, religions and ages.”

“My mission is to find out what can we do to help each other grow and support each other. If I am mayor, my policy is open door,” said Miler. “I believe in total transparency. You can call me anytime. It doesn’t fatigue me, it energizes me.”

No other individual has announced candidacy for Town of Summerville mayor thus far. Formal filing does not occur until spring.

SUMMERVILLE — A longtime Lowcountry manufacturer is reshuffling its global supply chain and moving more manufacturing work back to South Carolina under a $40 million plan that’s expected to double the production capacity and employment at its Summerville operations.

Kion North America, which makes forklifts and other compact “industrial trucks” for moving heavy materials, marked the official kick-off of what it is calling “Project Home Turf” on Dec. 1.

The 18-month expansion at Eastport Industrial Complex is expected to create 450 jobs and add 410,000 square feet of space over the next few years.

The new production site is just up the road from Kion North America’s headquarters and main plant off U.S. Highway 78. It will be equipped with assembly lines, robotic welding systems and automated painting facilities to make vehicles that meet the specific requirements of customers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Gov. Henry McMaster joined company officials Thursday as they broke ground on a 120,000-square-foot warehouse to be built behind the new Eastport factory. The structure will store raw materials, such as steel that will come from West Virginia rather than suppliers in China or Germany, Kion North America CEO Jonathan Dawley said.

The new factory also will manufacture and install “core components” such as metal forklift masts that previously had been made overseas and imported to South Carolina.

“So, a lot of onshoring ... associated with this activity here,” Dawley said Thursday.

“This onshoring ... is exactly what we need to do,” McMaster added. “All we want to do is onshore anything that’s important — anything that we have to have we want to be sure to have it here.”

The S.C. Commerce Department’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved tax credits that Kion can claim if it meets certain employment thresholds. The state also is providing a $500,000 grant to offset site preparation and construction costs.

Last month, Dorchester County Council approved property tax breaks for the company.

Kion has been in an expansion mode in recent years by adding production space and a storage site for critical parts. It also set up a training center to support about 400 dealer technicians who repair and maintain its vehicles.

Dawley said the company is now the world’s second-largest maker of material-handling equipment. He estimated that over the past two years Kion’s business has jumped about 300 percent while its payroll has increased by 60 percent. The company’s vehicles are sold under the Linde and Baoli nameplates.

“You know the flywheel is really starting to move our organization,” Dawley said.

He attributed some of the recent sales growth to Kion’s decision to refine and strengthen its U.S. dealership network, which is now made up of 81 distributors across the country.

“Some of them were working well for us, and some of them weren’t, and we’ve had to work to develop them — either bring new ones in or transition existing ones out, or just work with them to develop their business so we could serve our customers in a new way and take care of our customers as we’re selling to them,” Dawley said.

The company is part of Kion Group, a German business that moved its North American manufacturing unit to Summerville in 1985.