Grant could rid Westminster of blight

Westminster has the chance to obtain federal money, administered thru South Carolina, that could pay to eradicate unsightly structures that don’t meet code. Mayor Brian Ramey and City Administrator Chris Carter say the city has the chance to put in a request in the next application cycle for a Community Development Block Grant. With the help of a part-time code officer, the city in recent months has started a campaign to entice property owners to clean up properties that have fallen into disrepair and present potential health and sanitation problems. Last night Ramey invited city council members to confer with Carter to help prepare an application that would target specific properties.