State health plan aims to help smokers quit

August 9, 2005

From staff and wire reports


State workers who want to quit smoking will get free help through their health plan next year.
The Budget and Control Board voted Tuesday to add coverage to the State Health Plan, which provides health and dental insurance for state, local and school district employees and public sector retirees in South Carolina.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in South Carolina, costing the state millions of dollars, according to the Budget and Control Board. It is estimated that nearly a quarter of the 247,000 adults covered by the state health plan are smokers or use tobacco products.
The new coverage includes a free tobacco cessation program and nicotine replacement therapy.
Rob Tester, director of the State Health Plan, said he expects the program to cost $1 million a year, or $350 per person, depending on how many people sign up.
That compares with the estimated $1,623 spent on smokers’ health coverage a year, he said.
“We want them to quit smoking. It’s a positive cost-benefit for the plan and certainly for that individual’s health,” Tester said.
Tester said county employees in Greenwood and the Lakelands qualify for the benefits. The local counties are among the 36 S.C. counties that belong to the Employee Insurance Program.
Ellen Boyce, chairwoman of GATE (Greenwood Advocates for Tobacco Education), said smoking cessation classes are offered locally through Wellness Works, and some local companies also offer these classes to employees. Smoking cessation counseling is offered to people on Medicaid through the local health department.
Also, the Quit for Keeps quitline, (877) 44U-QUIT or Web site, www.scdhec.gov/quitforkeeps, can provide information for people who want to stop smoking.
GATE and the local chapter of the American Cancer Society can provide smoking cessation literature, she said. GATE had provided smoking cessation classes but these were not well-attended, Boyce said. GATE is primarily involved in policy changes designed to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke, she said.
The organization receives some of its funding from the state’s tobacco collaboration, she said.
Boyce said she was encouraged by the Budget and Control Board’s move to make smoking cessation more available to state employees.
“We need to set an example for the rest of the public,” she said.
District 50 teachers can take advantage of the new benefit through the human resources department, said Rebecca Duncan, benefits administrator for the school district.
Teachers are covered by state insurance, but they are not under state employment regulations, Duncan said. She serves as a liaison between the district and the state insurance program and its Prevention Partners unit.
House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Cooper, who led a special committee that looked for ways to reduce insurance costs, said it was a simple solution.
“When people quit smoking, they get sick less often and that saves the insurance plan money,” the Piedmont Republican said.
Many people attempt to quit, but “the gains that you get from people who do quit are so tremendous that it generates significant savings for the plan very quickly,” said Mike Sponhour, a spokesman for the board.
South Carolina joins Washington and Oregon in offering coverage and other are considering it.
“I think we’re on the leading edge. I think you’re going to see more of this,” Tester said. “There seems to be more movement among employers. There’s more evidence related to the benefits of a smoking cessation program.”
The coverage will begin Jan. 1 through APS Healthcare, the State Health Plan’s behavioral health manager. Under the plan, state workers will be assigned a cessation specialist who will create a personalized plan. It also will create a toll-free hot line.
The board said there will be no premium increases or other significant changes next year because of the added benefit.
Tobacco heir Patrick Reynolds, who in 1989 founded the Los Angeles-based Tobaccofree.org anti-smoking organization, applauded the state’s efforts.
“This is a wonderful step forward for the state of South Carolina,” Reynolds said. “Perhaps, an even more effective use of state funds would be to keep kids from starting smoking because that is far cheaper than helping a smoker quit.”
South Carolina ranked last in a report last year that measured how much money is being spent on anti-smoking efforts. A coalition of public health groups said South Carolina was one of five states failing to allocate significant funding for anti-smoking efforts.

Charles C. Acker

ANDERSON — Charles Clinton Acker, 92, of 3223 Highway 29 S., widower of Kathryn Bledsoe Acker, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005 at the Hospice House in Anderson.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late William L. and Gertrude Stone Acker. He began a career in textiles when he was a Boy Scout leader and recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, which led to a position as a Boy Scout executive director in Oconee and Pickens counties. Formerly employed with Sears Roebuck & Co., he retired from Anderson Restaurants as a training director for Burger King operations. He was a member of North Anderson Baptist Church, Believers Sunday School Class, D.M.A. Group and the Senior Choir.
Survivors include a son, Charles L. Acker, of Tamassee; two daughters, Kathryn A. Carver, of the home and Mabel A. Templeton of Greenwood; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services are 3:30 p.m. Thursday at North Anderson Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Bill Rigsby and Doug Saxon. The body will be placed in the church at 3. Burial is in Old Silverbrook Cemetery, Anderson.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at The McDougald Funeral Home.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or North Anderson Baptist Church, 2308 N. Main St., Anderson, SC 29621.
The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com

Musa Bruce

Musa Oliver Bruce, 73, of 117 Greenbriar Road, wife of Robert Henry “Bob” Bruce, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005 at National Health Care of Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

Annie L. Hodges

HODGES — Annie L. Hodges, 88, of 221 Belcher Road, widow of Ellis Y. Hodges, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Jessie and Willie Mae Cleveland Williams. She was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Coronaca.
Survivors include two daughters, Willie H. Splawn and Bernice H. Gordon, both of Spartanburg; two sisters, Lula Mae Belcher and Mamie Robinson, both of Hodges; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Cleveland Morina

EDGEFIELD — Cleveland Morina, 82, died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005 at University Hospital.
A native of Edgefield County, he was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, an Army veteran and a retired supervisor from Star Fiber.
Survivors include his wife, Frances Hamilton Morina; two daughters, Mrs. Davis (Sandra Morina) Williams and Mrs. Christopher (Marilyn Morina) Ofondun; a son, Cleveland Barry Morina; and four grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Thursday at Macedonia Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Johnny R. Clark. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Viewing is after 1 p.m. today at G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary.
The family is at the home, 228 Macedonia St.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary is in charge.

Wilhelmenia R. Morton

SAN ANTONIO — Wilhelmenia Rucker Morton, 49, of 7315 Glen Manors, wife of Curtis Richard Morton, died Monday, Aug. 8, 2005 at Alamo Heights Rehab Center.
Born in Greenwood County, S.C., she was a daughter of Mary Madlenia Rucker and the late Willie C. Rucker. She was a nurse, a member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, Greenwood, and a former member of the Gospel Chorus.
Survivors include her mother of Greenwood; her husband, of the home; a son, Curtis Morton Jr., of the home; three daughters, Meko Morton Puttes, of San Antonio, Curmenia Morton and Elizabeth Morton, both of the home; two brothers, Charles Rucker and Dennis Rucker, both of Greenwood; a sister, Sharon Rucker Sales, of Greenwood; and two grandchildren.
The family is at the home of her mother, Mary M. Rucker, 227 Booker St., Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.net

Willie ‘Nick Lyons’ Reed

ABBEVILLE — Services for Willie “Nick Lyons” Reed, of 167 Gray Rock Estate, are 2 p.m. Thursday at Glovers A.M.E. Church, Calhoun Falls, conducted by the Rev. Larry Merrill. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
The family is at the home of Linda Baker, 167 Gray Rock Estate.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Frances Sanders

GREENWOOD — Frances Thompson Sanders, 85, resident of 131 Lawton Street, widow of Wilton J. “Joe” Sanders, died August 9, 2005 at Wesley Commons.
Born in Greenwood County, May 20, 1920, she was a daughter of the late E. L. and Lucille Brooks Thompson. She was a graduate of Greenwood High School. Mrs. Thompson was formerly employed with Greenwood Mills and retired from Abney Mills Cotton Dept.
A member of West Side Baptist Church and the Ladies 2 Evelyn Ford Sunday School Class of the church, she was also a member and past matron of the Mary Pinckney Ouzts Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Surviving are a daughter, Mary Jo and husband, Tom Snowden of Greenwood; a sister-in-law, Betty Padgett Thompson of Greenwood; a beloved niece, Sandra Thompson Davis of Greenwood; two nephews, David Brooks Thompson and Joseph Lyle Thompson, both of Greenwood; a grand niece, Kelly Elizabeth Davis.
Mrs. Sanders was predeceased by a brother, James W. “Bill” Thompson.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Hal Lane officiating.
Private burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery.
Honorary escort will be members of the Ladies 2 Evelyn Ford Class along with Donald and Augustine Crocker, Bonnie Crowe, Milton Rochester, Gene and Toots Hall, Phyllis Goree, Furman Ponder, Charles and Dot Smith, Clarence Wilson, Johnnie Fowler and Annie Mae Shirley.
The family is at the home of Mary Jo and Tom Snowden, 216 Lodge Drive and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 Wednesday evening. The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to West Side Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 216, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISITNG THE SANDERS FAMILY
PAID OBITUARY

Cougars ready for action

Cambridge football team prepares for its 2nd jayvee season

August 10, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The Cambridge Academy football team is preparing for its jayvee football season, while, at the same time, eyeing a return to the varsity level for the 2007 season.
The Cougars opened fall practice last week with 23 players on the roster, a sufficient number for a squad playing SCISA eight-man football. The team, coming off a 6-2 campaign last season, is composed of young men in the sixth through ninth grades.
Coach Ray Tackett spoke about the Cougars’ dedication to winning this preseason.
“We had a weeklong two-a-day camp where the players all stayed on campus,” said Tackett, who is making his football coaching debut.
“It really went a long way toward helping these kids develop chemistry and a winning attitude. They really have formed a good nucleus. They’ve always got each others’ back.”
Tackett has already had to temper the expectations for the ’05 squad. After last season’s winning record, Tackett found many of the players predicting an undefeated season. It was an attitude Tackett quickly dispelled.
“They were talking about that undefeated stuff, about getting back at Laurens for the loss they handed us last year,” said Tackett, who is also the Cougars’ athletic director.
“I told them they need to worry about Wardlaw, which is our first game. If you lose that one, undefeated goes out the window. I know it’s beating the horse to death, but you really do have to take it one game at a time.”
The Cougars’ varsity squad was known for its high-flying theatrics under coach Steve Tanneyhill’s leadership, a tenure that produced SCISA state championships in 2000 and ’01.
Tackett estimates the team passed the ball 80 percent of the time during that time. However, this year’s team is scaling back the air attack to about 60 percent. It’s a balance Tackett thinks will provide the Cougars with more offensive balance and a more aggressive attack.
“We’ll definitely throw it around some,” he said. “Our quarterback has a nice arm and we’ve got good speed on the end. At the same time, we’ve got strength up front, so I expect we’ll run the ball more than we have in the past.” One of the reasons for the Cougars becoming more run-oriented is because SCISA changed the dimensions of the field for eight-man football. Instead of the field being 55 yards wide, it is now 40 yards across.
The narrowing of the field has led teams to employ less offensive tactics designed around utilizing the open field, Tackett said.
“It’s affected us a lot,” said quarterback Hunter Davis, an eighth-grader. “Most of our patterns were designed around using the sidelines and the open spaces. It limits what you can do and it forces you to the inside of the field more.”
Tailback/cornerback Robert DiBenedetto agrees.
“It affects the spread, definitely,” the eighth-grader said. “We still have a lot of things we can run, though.”
DiBenedetto said he appreciates this season’s large turnout. Two years ago, the Cougars did not have enough players to even scrimmage in practice.
Now, the team has enough to have full scrimmages with seven subs to spare.
“We’re strong on both sides of the ball,” Tackett said. “We’ve got Will Bachinski up front. He’s 6-foot-2, 205 pounds in the ninth grade. He’ll provide a big lift for us on the offensive and defensive lines.”
As the Cougars march toward the first game of the season, Aug. 25 at home against Wardlaw, Tackett remains optimistic about the future of the Cambridge football program.
“These guys absorb what we teach them so quickly,” he said. “They’re going to be a great group on varsity in a couple years. We’ll take our licks at first. But as long as these kids have been playing together, I believe we’ll get up to speed pretty quickly.”

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com

When’s last time a team picked skunk as mascot?

August 10, 2005

Considering the foibles of the times, some things are inevitable, it seems, even if we‘re not always prepared for them. For example, it wouldn’t be completely out of the question to reckon that some of us have turned stupidity into a science ….. or art. In other words, we’ve taken it to the “max.”
There’s good reason to think that way, too. To be blunt about it – and short – the consequences of our words and actions keep proving it.
Political correctness is the culprit, of course. When “PC” is a factor, in fact, there can be no doubt. It has created situations that have no rhyme or reason as far as common sense is concerned.

WE SEE IT IN PLAY IN South Carolina every day. The conclusion is that unless we are politically correct, we’re going to hurt someone’s self esteem, or offend their sensibilities over race or gender or ethnicity or some cockeyed thinking on diversity.
Take one of the latest examples. It’s something that’s not new, to be sure, but how it’s to be applied is yet another way to show that education does not necessarily shield us from ridiculous notions.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the rule-making body for college athletics, has banned the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams during its postseason tournaments. They won’t – because they can’t – prohibit it otherwise.
In the first place, mascots are chosen for athletic team names to help players and fans develop pride in their schools. The use of a mascot name doesn’t dishonor anyone. It is a mark of honor.

NO ONE WITH ANY amount of self esteem, or anything else, would choose a name that would ridicule himself.
Put the whole rigmarole in perspective, one that even NCAA officials can understand. For instance, when’s the last time anyone named their team the skunks? They don’t use any name that would denigrate the school, fans or players.
Maybe this is the final straw. Maybe people will finally say enough! Florida State University has. It will sue the NCAA in order to keep its Seminole name. The university president says the NCAA insults the Seminole tribe. So do tribal leaders.
When there are so many real problems in collegiate athletes that need attention – grades, drugs and other crimes, for example – it’s absurd to piddle around with this kind of petty pursuits.
How about a cheer for the Seminoles!