Lawmaker regrets criticizing domestic violence victims

April 27, 2005

By WALLACE McBRIDE
Index-Journal senior staff writer

S.C. Rep. John Graham Altman circulated a written apology Tuesday for comments made during a television interview about domestic violence victims.
Altman questioned why women return to abusive relationships, and his choice of words led to demands for sanctioning from his colleagues and public protests on the Statehouse grounds from advocacy groups.
“Many of us found those comments to be totally inappropriate,” said S.C. Speaker of the House David Wilkins. “But I would hope that those comments would not tarnish the hard work of this House over the past 10 years to strengthen our criminal laws.”
“He’s always given his true opinion with no color coating,” said state Rep. Anne Parks, D-Greenwood. 
“I didn’t think it was very cordial or nice. But knowing Rep. Altman over the years, that was just his opinion.”
“I certainly disagree with his original comments about spousal abuse, but he did apologize,” said state Rep. Paul Agnew, D-Abbeville. “I believe the House is ready to move on from the issue. We have a bill addressing this important issue in process and hope to bring it to the floor for passage soon.”
Altman’s words followed the failure of a bill that sought tougher penalties for criminal domestic violence offenders, a bill he helped to kill as a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
The bill met with resistance over perceived flaws in its text, said committee chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia.
“We had a vehicle before us that did have some problems with it,” he said. “The day after the bill failed I met with (S.C. Rep.) Gilda Cobb-Hunter and we had a conversation on how to best proceed on a bill that is stronger than the bill we had last week.”
Harrison said the result is a document that “doesn’t have 15 different subjects in the same bill.”
But Cobb-Hunter, an Orangeburg Democrat, dropped her sponsorship of the new bill Tuesday morning, complaining about Republicans taking marquee roles as co-sponsors.
Altman is among those co-sponsors.
“I am not going to be a part of a Republican whitewash. I am not going to be part of an effort to clean up the Republican caucus problem,” Cobb-Hunter said.
“In deference to (Altman,) I’m going to keep our conversations private,” Wilkins said. “The fact that he’s on the bill as a sponsor is something that shouldn’t be glossed over.”
Wilkins said the bill was expected to be introduced Tuesday, and would increase penalties for domestic violence offenders. The current penalty for a first conviction on a criminal domestic violence offense is 30 days in jail or a $500 fine. The new bill would raise these penalties to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500.
Penalties rise in subsequent offenses, with a third offense classified as a felony punishable by one to five years in prison.
CDV crimes committed in the presence of a child would also be subject to charges of criminal domestic violence of high and aggravated nature, a felony offense.
The bill would provide training for state judiciary, Wilkins said, and allow for first-time CDV offenders to participate in the Pre-Trial Intervention program.
That bill could be debated as early as Thursday directly on the House floor instead of moving through the Judiciary Committee.
Concerned Citizens of South Carolina will have a rally at the north side of the Statehouse at 1 p.m today. Scheduled speakers include S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Executive Director Vickie Bourus and First Lady Jenny Sanford.

Getting chance to shine

Ware Shoals’ Lake to race in front of friends, family

April 27, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

WARE SHOALS — Throughout much of Zac Lake’s relatively young, albeit extensive competitive cycling career, he hasn’t been able to enjoy the fullest of fan support. Most of his races occurring away from his hometown of Ware Shoals, including last year’s trip to the United States Cycling Federation Junior National Championship in Salt Lake City, makes it tough for friends and family to attend.
But the Ware Shoals High School senior should see plenty of friendly at his next race when he competes in Thursday’s third annual Uptown Greenwood Pro Cycling Challenge criterium.
“Usually the closest race for me is still an hour or so away and none of my friends have been able to relate to what I do,” Lake said. “Some of them haven’t experienced any kind of bike racing. So, it’s pretty cool to be this close to home and have everybody be able to watch it.”
The race, which will have more than 100 pro and amateur cyclists completing, is set to start at 6:40 p.m. at the intersection of Main and Court streets.
It’s the second of two races in the South Carolina Heritage Cycling Series. The first race is tonight in Walterboro.
A criterium is a multi-lap race on a closed course. The Greenwood race will last 50 miles and will run on a four-turn course covering approximately 1.1 kilometers.
“Crits (criterium) are really big here in the Southeast,” said Lake. “A lot of people can relate to this kind of like they do NASCAR. You get to see the racers a whole lot throughout the race. You don’t just get to see them once or twice.”
The fast-pace nature of a criterium lends to the fans’ excitement. Racers will zip around the streets of Uptown Greenwood at speeds around the posted limit.
“Taking those turns and riding just inches away from 100 other racers going 30 to 40 miles per hour, you definitely need to be experienced to do something like this. One mistake takes out everybody, and not only does it hurt to hit the ground and slide across the asphalt, but it also hurts getting hit by other people.”
The field for the race could include competitors with Tour de France experience, along with champion racers from all over the world.
Emile Abraham of Trinidad and Tobago won this race last year in an hour and 20 minutes.
For Lake, a Catagory 2 racer, which is considered expert or semi-pro, his main goal in this race is to just finish.
Lake said that many cyclists who are not in the main pack of racers would be apt to drop out before the completion of the 50 miles.
“That would be the best scenario for me to just finish against guys like that,” Lake said. “These guys are on bikes 30-plus hours a week. That’s all they do is race and train, because they get paid to do it. And for me, being as young as I am, it would be an accomplishment for me to finish with them.”

Opinion

Many in S.C. wondering if their jobs will be lost

April 27, 2005

Communities around South Carolina where U.S. military bases are located wait and wonder whether their bases will be gone when the Pentagon begins another round of closings May 16. It would, of course, be a blow to local and state economies if one or more of the bases are shut down.
It would mean the loss of a lot of payroll power in any of the communities, naturally. Merchants across the board would notice the loss of customers immediately.
A government facility of any kind is a plus, certainly. When a community gets used to having one and then loses it, the negative impact is even worse. Sometimes, it seems, it’s better never to have had one at all than to have one and lose it.
Many communities in the past have overcome such losses, to be sure, including some in this state. Still, it’s an unexpected blow to people who have come to depend on the jobs they provide.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Asa Griffin

ABBEVILLE, SC – Asa Reginald Griffin, Sr, 84, resident of 149 Hwy. 72 East widower of Erline Grant Griffin died quietly Monday April 25, 2005 at Abbeville Nursing Home.
Born Nov. 5, 1920 in Newberry, SC he was a son of the late Asa Benjamin and Lucille Dickert Griffin.
Mr. Griffin was a World War II Army veteran. After his completion of service he became employed with Abbeville Mills where he retired in 1986 with over 40 years of service. Upon retirement he worked for a number of years in the used car business. He was a very active member of Grace United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Harry Powell Mens Sunday School Class and was the superintendent of Sunday Schools for many years. Mr. Griffin also enjoyed a sporting career in baseball as he was a successful player in the Old Greenwood Textile League. Upon conclusion of his playing days he took the one thing he loved most – coaching. He was a charter member of the Abbeville Youth Athletics Association. He coached Abbeville Youth Base-ball Teams for 43 years and his first team the Cubs won the league championship 13 out of 16 years. He also coached many Allstar teams during his career. He also coached the Abbeville Midgets Football Team to a State Championship in the 1980’s.
He was referred to affectionately as COACH by many of his former players some of whom went on to successful careers in college baseball.
Coach Griffin was an avid Abbeville High School Football fan. One thing he was most proud of was the fact that until his recent illness this past football season he attended every Abbeville High game both at home and away for 57 years and 9 games. In all he did not miss a game for over 600 games. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather to his many grandchildren whom he was so fond of. Coach Griffin will be missed but God needed a COACH and now HE has one of the best.
Survivors are: 2 sons Reggie Griffin and his wife Dot of Abbeville, SC, Mike Griffin and his wife Carlene of Abbeville, 7 grandchildren Gina Webb, Chris Griffin, Ben Griffin, John Griffin, Missy Purdy, Carrie Brock and Clif Griffin, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday April 28, 2005 at 11:00 from Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. Darren Hook officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 PM Wednesday evening. The family is at the home of his son Mr. & Mrs. Reggie Griffin, 610 Noble Drive, Abbeville, SC.
Active pallbearers will be Scott Webb, Mark Purdy, Ben Griffin, Melvin Brock, Clif Griffin, John Griffin and Chris Griffin.
Memorials may be made to Grace United Church, Building Fund, PO Box 1007 Abbeville, SC 29620 or to The Abbeville Youth Athletics Association, North Main St. Abbeville, SC 29620.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Willie Belle Linton

Services for Willie Belle Linton are 1 p.m. Friday at Tabernacle Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. William Moore and the Rev. Ulysses Parks presiding. Assisting are the Revs. E.L. Cain, Marvin Hughes and Seville Parks. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in The Evening Star cemetery.
Pallbearers are church trustees.
Flower bearers are Pride of Greenwood, No. 363, Order of the Eastern Star, PHA and former employees of Greenwood Nursing Home.
Honorary escorts are McKellar Farms Homeowner’s Association and the Quarter Century Club.
Visitation is 7-8 Thursday at Robinson & Son Mortuary.
The family is at the home, 201 McKellar Drive.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com

Virginia Matthews

SALUDA, SC – Virginia Forrest Rodgers Matthews, 82, of 743 Ridge Spring Hwy., died Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at her home. Born in Saluda County on July 14, 1923, daughter of Mr. Gregg Forrest and Mrs. Lula Shealy Forrest. She was the wife of the late James Ralph Matthews and was a member of St. Williams Catholic Church.
Surviving are her children, Patrick L. Rodgers of Saluda and Lewie Rodgers of Hodges, three sisters, Mrs. Mary Hallman of Ward, Mrs. Eleanor Hare of Monetta and Mrs. Delight Matthews Rodgers of Saluda, four grandchildren, Michael Rodgers, Lisa Rodgers, Anna Rodgers and Kim Huckaby, four great-grand-children, Ward and Patrick Burrus, Chase and Cade Rodgers.
Mrs. Matthews was prede-ceased by her first husband, Mike Rodgers, her brother, J.W. Forrest and granddaughters, Melissa Rodgers Burrus and Leigh Ann Rodgers.
The Family will receive friends from 6 until 8PM, Wednesday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 11AM, Thursday, April 28, 2005 at St. William’s Catholic Church.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St William’s Catholic Church Cemetery Fund, 1199 Ridge Spring Highway, Ward, SC 29166.
PAID OBITUARY

Rebecca Middleton

ANDERSON — Rebecca “Diane” Middleton, 54, wife of James K. Middleton, of 222 Gilmer Road, died Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at Anderson Area Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of Del P. and Treva Williams Burnett. She retired after 32 years of service with BASF Corp., where she was a training instructor. She was an Anderson County Cancer Association volunteer and was associated with Girl Scouts of America for more than 20 years. A member of “Mature & Secure” and “Eclectic Red” chapters of The Red Hat Society, she was a Red Hat volunteer at National Healthcare in Anderson.
Survivors include her husband of the home; her parents of Greenwood; two sons, James Michael Middleton of Denver, Colo., and Joseph K. Middleton of Williamston; two daughters, Tonya Lynn Billingsley and Kristy D. Lomax, both of Anderson; a brother, Rick Burnett of Fort Mill; two sisters, Brenda Moss of Greenwood and Laura Fisher of Waterloo; and seven grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at McDougald Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Jimmy Farmer.
Burial is in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Cancer Association of Anderson, 215 E. Calhoun St., Anderson, SC 29621.
The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge.