From LOCAL REPORTS

Jefferson has received an award for its consideration of people with disabilities. The S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) awarded the town its annual Silver Palmetto Award.

Each year, the award goes to the South Carolina town or city that has demonstrated exemplary support of people with disabilities and their families.

DDSN is a state agency that provides services to South Carolinians with the lifelong severe disabilities of mental retardation and related disabilities, like autism, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.

Lewis Stephens, Sixth District representative of the S.C. Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs, the agency's governing board, presented Glenn Lane, Jefferson's town administrator, with the award. Lane attended the S.C. Municipal Association's winter meeting in Columbia on behalf of Jefferson Town Council and its citizens.

"If there is one thing DDSN has learned about the 704 citizens of Jefferson," Stephens said, "it is that they care about people with disabilities. This small town, located in the northwestern corner of Chesterfield County, was selected not for one major accomplishment of the city and its people, but for multiple little things they have done over many years to demonstrate their acceptance and appreciation of the people we serve. We are proud to present the town of Jefferson - and its caring spirit - with the 2004 Silver Palmetto Award."

At the town council's request, Chesterfield County's Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN) Board has opened two group homes for people with disabilities in Jefferson.

"It is rare that a city requests a group home - much less two, but that's typical of the good people of Jefferson," said Hade Robinson, chairman of the Chesterfield County DSN Board.