WALHALLA — Many good things are happening to Seneca in 2009 — including hosting a major little league tournament and taking over Kellett Elementary School to house its police station — and City Administrator Greg Dietterick credits the good fortune to building partnerships.

Invited to give a presentation on Seneca’s future during Friday’s Economic Development Commission, Dietterick underscored the importance of building partnerships to make good things happen.

He pointed to the city’s working relationship with the School District of Oconee County as an example.

He said the partnership with the school district is making it possible for the city to take over Kellett Elementary. The city plans to move the police station to the site next year, and use the balance of the land there for soccer fields and possibly a swimming pool.

The school district is building Blue Ridge Elementary School in Seneca that is scheduled to open in August 2009. The new school will combine Kellett and Code elementary schools. As part of the agreement with school officials, the city also would have some joint-use ball fields at the new elementary.

“For 10 years we’ve been trying to build bridges,” Dietterick said. “Joint venturing is the way to go.”

Dietterick said Seneca uses some of the proceeds from its power revenues to pay for city projects and improvements.

Seneca is one of 21 cities in the state (Westminster is another) that owns its electric system. Since breaking away from Duke Energy, the city has negotiated beneficial contracts with different power companies.

Another major milestone in securing Seneca’s economic future was getting a sweetheart deal to take all the water it needs from Lake Keowee. The city now supplies water to Keowee Key, Salem and Pioneer Rural Water District, and is a backup source for Walhalla and Westminster.

Dietterick said that when he first arrived in Seneca 10 years ago he quickly noticed everybody was looking out for themselves. He said that attitude is changing.

“We’re building community; that’s what this is about,” Dietterick said.