Roofer in St. Stephen, SC

The interim order was subsequently challenged in the Supreme Court by DU and the UGC in two separate orders

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with a Delhi high court interim order, allowing St Stephen’s College to conduct interviews of Christian candidates seeking admission under the minority quota, and said that any order passed at this stage will be “too late” and will result in “uncertainty” among students.

The high court, in its July 21 order, permitted St Stephen’s College to admit Christian minority students on the basis of 85% weightage for their Common University Entrance Test (CUET) scores and 15% weightage for interviews. The court, however, clarified that for non-minority students, the varsity will adopt the marks secured in CUET alone as the sole eligibility criteria.

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The interim order came on a petition by the college, asking for a stay on a December 8, 2022 decision by the Delhi University executive council, insisting that all colleges consider only CUET scores while granting admission to minority candidates.

The interim order was subsequently challenged in the Supreme Court by DU and the University Grants Commission (UGC) in two separate orders.

Dismissing the two petitions, a Supreme Court bench of justices AS Bopanna and PS Narasimha on Monday said, “Taking note that the order passed is an interim order and the high court has made admission subject to the final outcome of the writ petition, we see no reason to interfere at this stage.”

DU, represented by solicitor general Tushar Mehta, told the court that the last date for the close of admissions is August 31, and St Stephen’s should not be permitted to proceed with interviews of minority candidates. Defending the December 30, 2022 notification, Mehta said, “Last year, the college was allowed to give 15% weightage to interview. This year, we insisted they can select only meritorious students based on CUET scores against the minority seats. Due to the HC order, meritorious candidates are being left out.”

St Stephen’s, represented by senior advocate A Mariarputham and advocate Romy Chacko, said that the admission process for this academic year is over. The senior counsel stated that the admission was not “unilateral” as DU was supplied with the final list of students admitted under the Christian quota. The list was approved and DU sent email to students for paying fees, they said.

The bench told Mehta, “It will be unfair to students to interfere at this stage. There will be uncertainty among student community.” Pointing out that DU has endorsed the admissions, the bench said, “You have written to the students to pay fees and the letter does not say the admission will be subject to the order (of high court). You are a little late to approach us.”

Mehta told the court that DU was bound to process the admissions, else there would be contempt of the HC order. The court said, “The high court order is of July 21 and one month has passed. You should have approached us before. The 15% weightage is an issue you will have to argue before the high court.”

The bench wished to know during the hearing if any meritorious students had approached the court, complaining against the interview process. Senior advocate Arun Bhardwaj, appearing for a Christian candidate, said that a petition is in the process of being filed as the petitioner attended the interview but did not get admission. The solicitor general told the court that it is only a matter of opening a small window for such candidates.

“St Stephen’s is a prime college where admission cut-offs end at 98-99 %. If a window is provided, the admission process can be over within a day,” Mehta said.

The bench maintained its stand and said, “At this stage there will be more confusion if we interfere as some students would have already been interviewed. It could happen next year. As per the interim order, let admissions go on.

St Stephen’s had earlier argued that over the years, it admitted candidates to undergraduate courses by earmarking 15% of the score for a personal interaction or interview. Last year, with the introduction of CUET, the college had to admit students to its general category seats solely on CUET scores. However, a controversy over CUET being applicable to minority quota seats had arisen, following which the high court permitted St Stephen’s to conduct interviews for its Christian minority candidates. Relying on this order, the high court extended the benefit to the college for this year too.

After moving to St. Stephen in 2021, Dan Kredensor was looking for a coffee shop and ice cream shop and found there to be neither for over 18 miles.

In January of 2022 he took matters into his own hands and began creating a business plan to share his love of coffee, ice cream and entrepreneurship with the people of St. Stephen. On June 23, Kredensor saw his plan come to fruition with the ribbon cutting ceremony of his new coffee and ice cream shop, Lowcountry Coffee Co.

Known as “Uncle Johnny’s Store,” Kredensor’s Lowcountry Coffee Co. resides in the oldest surviving commercial building on Main St. in St. Stephen.

“Uncle Johnny's store was quite active until his death in 1931,” said Kredensor. “His death along with the Depression started a chain of events where ownership changed hands many times. In my lifetime I recall it being a general store, a dress shop, a bank and an insurance company.”

Lowcountry Coffee Co. is just one of many businesses recently making a name for itself in St. Stephen. The town has seen the opening of many new businesses including a sandwich and burger joint called Freda’s, a local gun store called Lowcountry Munition, Old Town Feed and Supply and The Capital Grille and Seafood. St. Stephen will also soon see the opening of a traditional Trinidadian restaurant called Ma Gloria’s.

Along with the town’s new booming businesses, St. Stephen also holds the Catfish Festival in the Spring, the Community Festival in October and the Berkeley Showoffs Car Show in November. Additionally, the town holds a farmer’s market every Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. at Alice Park.

“St. Stephen is beginning to have a major turn around,” said Kredensor. “For me it all started in November of last year as I was able to meet with the town and propose a lease for the coffee shop and ice cream parlor. The goal after speaking with the mayor and some town council members was to create a space that could be the spark to begin to reinvigorate the St. Stephen Main Street Business District. We have also been working with Berkeley County Economic Development Office, the Berkeley County Supervisor's Office, Santee-Cooper Economic Development Office, and the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) Economic Development Office on ways that we can continue to attract and keep small businesses in St. Stephen.”

He said the goal for Lowcountry Coffee is to inspire more small businesses in a town that is ready for them.

“We know that growth is going to come slowly to St. Stephen," he said. "We want to be a spot where you can come and bring the family, meet a business partner and get a great cup of coffee or a delicious scoop of ice cream.”

“[The most rewarding part of running LowCountry Coffee Co] is seeing people smiling after they have the first sip of coffee or the first taste of ice cream because coffee and ice cream do have an uncanny ability to put smiles on just about everyone,” Kredensor added. “Listening to the stories and history of all our amazing customers is a blessing. Also giving people a safe space to meet for coffee or ice cream, whether it be a date, a celebration or a business meeting is wonderful to see every hour.”

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Thursday, September 15, 2022) – At its meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022, Berkeley County Council approved a $500,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment grant to help fund a large-scale revitalization initiative to greatly improve quality of life opportunities in the St. Stephen/Russellville area. Watch the full Council meeting HERE.

This grant, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Community Wide Assessment Grant Program, will help fund environmental assessments on properties located within a certain designated Census Tract in the St. Stephen area. With the help of community and residential input, the Town of St. Stephen—together with the EPA and Berkeley County Economic Development—will conduct up to 15 site inventories of brownfield sites, in the St. Stephen area, that could be redeveloped to provide more job opportunities and other quality of life resources for the community.

The grant has already identified two such sites: the former St. Stephen High School, which closed in 1996, and the area’s former Lumber Mill, which operated as a steam-powered lumber mill from the 1930s to mid-1960s and closed around 1970. Another goal of this large-scale initiative will be to develop a complete revitalization plan unique to St. Stephen.

Public meetings and community engagement will be critical throughout this process. More information on public meetings will be forthcoming.

“County Council is committed to improving access to resources and employment opportunities for people throughout Berkeley County. This grant will not only help fund these initiatives, but also ensure the St. Stephen community is involved in the process. Berkeley County’s success is directly related to the success of its citizens; inviting the public to the table on critical decision-making efforts like this one are what makes us #OneBerkeley.” -Johnny Cribb, Berkeley County Supervisor

“The town of St. Stephen is grateful that the EPA selected us to receive one of the 2022 Brownfields Program Grants for $500,000. We were the only municipality in Berkeley County to receive this. In countless other communities around the United States, the EPA’s Brownfield Program has had a proven track record of leveraging private sector investment, creating jobs, and protecting the environment. St. Stephen will use this Brownfields Grant to spur our town with redevelopment and cleanup projects and bring sustained economic growth. We are thankful for the support of the Berkeley County Economic Development Office and their ability to work with myself, Town Council, and the Town’s administration to write the grant proposal. We are ready to collaborate with the various committees that will be comprised of St. Stephen residents and business owners to help us continue to grow and revitalize our town. It has been well worth the wait. This is the first of many blessings in store for our great town.” -John Rivers, St. Stephen Mayor

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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-

Local officials and community members gathered on Sept. 28 on the grounds of what was once, St. Stephen High School for White Students, located at 113 Ravenell Dr., to dedicate a historical marker in memory of the school.

President of Berkeley County’s Historical Society, Bettye Shealy, other Historical Society members, along with St. Stephen Mayor, John Rivers, other town officials, Rep. Joseph Jefferson, Elizabeth Carroll, the program’s facilitator; Barbara Kibler Phillips, daughter of the late J. O. Kibler, Principal/Superintendent of St. Stephen High School, former instructors and attendees of the school, and Rev. Dr. Brian Williams were present.

The current building was built 1928-29 and designed by Florence-based architect Leon McDuff Hicks.

Bricks were made locally at the brickyard owned by Walker R. Funk. Construction was part of a state-wide movement to consolidate rural schools into larger, regional schools with bus service available to students.

St. Stephen High School was the first public High School for white students in the town of St. Stephen.

In 1930, the school complex was completed with the addition of an agriculture building and an athletic field house.

In 1959 the field house was converted into the first public library for the area. St. Stephen High School remained segregated throughout its time as a high school (1928-56).

It then became an elementary school for white students from 1957-70. The facility also served as an integrated early education center for St. Stephen students, and as the Thomas Myers Head Start Center, prior to its conversion again in 2013, as part of the Berkeley County Library System.

The dedication of the historical marker began with the presentation of colors by Timberland High School’s JROTC Honor Guard, and the singing of the National Anthem by Mary VanWyk.

The Rev. Dr. Brian Williams, pastor at Greater Bethel AME, Kingstree, Berkeley County resident and Timberland High School Instructor, delivered the prayer.

A brief history of the school and its transition history was presented by Elizabeth (Libba) Carroll. Remarks were then given by Jefferson, Betty Shealy, president of the Berkeley County Historical Society and St. Stephen Mayor John Rivers.

The marker was unveiled by Barbara Kibler Phillips, daughter of the late J.O. Kible, Principal/Superintendent of St. Stephen High School, along with former school instructors and attendees.

The program closed with prayer from Williams. Program participants and attendees were invited to continue the historic event with refreshments in the St. Stephen History Room.

A room filled with historical materials (clothing, articles, items, pictures, furniture, books, trophies, etc.) from the far past. A future article dedicated to the fascinating History Room will be submitted in a later column.

The work of the Berkeley County Historical Society is to be commended.

In 2008, a different historical marker was dedicated, this one in recognition for the the former St. Stephen Colored High School.

At the time, Berkeley County’s Historical Society President Bettye Shealy, along with the marker committee, for the St. Stephen Colored High School led by David Addison, Ethel Brown, Edward Butler, Naomi Gadsden, Queen Gamble, Willie Gamble, Vera Govan, Lillie Johnson, Anna Ladson, Alma Middleton, Thomasena Sanders and Loretta Snipe.

Present at that ceremony were the then mayor of St. Stephen, Robert “Bobby” Hoffman, S.C. Historical Program Coordinator Dr. Tracy Power, Senator Larry Grooms, and former principal Dewitt Williams (Class of 1941), along with several former teachers and students.

The Litany for the occasion was delivered by S.C. State Professor and St. Stephen native, Dr. Leo Twiggs, and the benediction was delivered by Rev. Edward Butler (Class of 1952).

The St. Stephen Colored High School was the first public school for African American students in St. Stephen and began as a Rosenwald School in 1920. Minnie Price served as the first principal.

The land for the school was donated by Amos Howard, a St. Stephen native. That historical marker is located at Russellville Road and Cedar Drive, St. Stephen. The site is now a playground for children.

Rep. Joseph Jefferson, Dist. 102, Berkeley and Dorchester counties, will conduct a town hall meeting at 7 p.m., Oct. 15, at the Cross-Community Center, 1690 Old Highway 6 in Cross.

There will be numerous resource personnel available to provide updates, share opportunities, provide information regarding areas of support and assistance, along with other important updates.

Residents are encouraged to attend to receive information regarding activities and events occurring in their communities.

The ladies of Berkeley County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Thera Sorority Inc., are requesting the presence of community members at their Candlelight Vigil at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 22, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1008 Sugar Hill Dr., Moncks Corner.

The vigil is a domestic violence awareness event. Your support is requested, and your attendance would be greatly appreciated. Hester Gadsden, is corresponding secretary and Anne Johnson, is event chair.

Expressions of sympathy are being sent to the families of the late Rev. Jack C. Washington and Ethel Gethers Davis.

They were outstanding members and representatives of our communities. They gave freely and willingly of themselves for the good of others.

They will be deeply missed by many. The world was made a better place because they lived.

Special get well wishes are being sent to Eartha Middleton Dingle as she recovers. Your many supporters are lifting you in prayer for a speedy recovery.

Send items of interest to Yvonne Barnes, 1458 Colonel Maham Dr., Pineville, SC 29468 or by email at ybarnes@homesc.com.

. - One Berkeley County town is getting a revival, thanks to Viva Holdings Group, Inc. The company announced Thursday a $28 million dollar investment into a new recycling manufacturing plant in St. Stephen, creating hundreds of jobs.

County leaders referred to the new plant as "Project Revival."

"We had major plants here that left and left us with an employment deficit," Mayor John Rivers, said, "This will greatly enhance the employment situation here in town."

In a special flag-raising ceremony Thursday, Viva Holdings Group, Inc. announced plans to renovate a 177,000 sq. ft. industrial site located at 315 Ravenell Dr. in St. Stephen. The plant will initially create 200 jobs, with the potential to create 384 long term. It's a much-needed economic boost, according to county representatives.

"This is an area that has been primarily ignored with economic development in previous years," Berkeley County supervisor Bill Peagler said. "We're hoping this is going to be a foothold to come in and give new life to St. Stephen and give new hope to individuals who haven't had a job in so long."

According to the latest state data available from 2012, the average income in St. Stephen is approximately $14,000.

"I'm most excited about knowing this factory will be re-opened again and be an opportunity for our young kids...to work and earn pay," St. Stephen resident Reginald Gerald said.

Viva President and CEO Marty Sergei said the company has already hired around a dozen people from the town.

"This is an area that hasn't been tapped. The good quality people in this area aren't using their skills," Sergei said. "We've already hired a dozen or so folks from St. Stephen, fantastic people, hardworking. All we need to do is get a couple hundred more, and we'll have a very successful company."

According to a press release, Viva's proprietary technologies use a combination of recycled rubber and recycled plastics from post-industrial and post-consumer sources. The products Viva creates at the St. Stephen location will be sold in the U.S. and exported to China.

The official start of employee hiring is scheduled for late 2016; the plant opening is set for early next year.

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