Local residents discuss middle school zoning

March 22, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

More than 150 community members turned out Monday to discuss the middle school rezoning proposal, with the majority urging the Greenwood School District 50 board to vote against the plan. It would move about 100 students from Northside Middle to Brewer Middle School.
Of the 16 people who spoke, most brought such concerns as property value, environmental stability and transportation.
Several people also encouraged the board to vote on the issue – which was not on the agenda – during the regular board meeting that followed the session. Although a motion was made to add the proposal to the agenda as an action item, the board denied the motion and scheduled to meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday to vote on the issue.
Shawn Snead, who has children in the second and fourth grades, said students shouldn’t be moved so often, especially after elementary schools were rezoned last year.
“I think that’s far too much for those kids,” she said. “You ask them to adapt once, maybe that’s happened. You ask them to adapt twice, you’re taking your chances. Three times with this group and you’re out. That’s the way I feel about because you cannot ask these kids to move so much.”
Robert Stevenson, who has children in first and third grades, urged trustees to think about why families moved into those areas in the first place.
“Like most families in my community, I moved to my neighborhood primarily for the schools, which include Northside,” he said.
John Cathcart, who has children in second and fifth grades at Merrywood Elementary, said his son would not know anyone at Brewer and that his friends were just as important to his development as the teachers and curriculum.
Several Belle Meade residents raised concerns about the property values of their homes dropping if the neighborhood was rezoned to Brewer. Mitch Terry, who lives in Belle Meade, was also concerned about the negativity toward Brewer.
“Why has every single person I told about my daughter being moved to Brewer has responded negatively? ‘Oh, I’m sorry. Oh, that’s not good,’” he said.
Pam Fagan, a teacher at Brewer, defended the school on behalf of its staff and challenged all parents and community members to visit the school before judging it.
Darrell Terry, of Beech Run, said only one student from the neighborhood would be going to Brewer next year and the change doesn’t make much difference to balance the socio-economic factors. He also presented a petition to the board with 250 signatures opposing the plan.
Jerry Sprouse said he was concerned about the same issues with the rezoning, as well as transportation. He worried about taking his child to Brewer because of the traffic on Emerald Road used by people coming and going from Piedmont Tech and nearby industries.
Other residents spoke to the board about similar concerns such as moving to an area particularly for the schools and getting children to school on time.

 

 

Clemson Extension honors local farmers

March 22, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood area farmers and agricultural leaders were honored Monday during the Greenwood County Clemson Extension Service’s annual meeting.
Recipients received special plaques for their dedicated service to local agriculture during the dinner at the Greenwood Farmers Market.
Greenwood residents Dr. Joseph and Ann Logan and their family were named as the 2005 Agriculture Farm Family of the Year, and Joseph, a doctor with the Self Regional Healthcare Emergency Room, said he was honored and surprised by the award.
“I hadn’t ever thought something like this would happen,” he said. “There are too many other folks out there that are good farmers.”
The Logans own and operate a large family farm in the Whitehall area of Greenwood County, and the farm is situated on land that has been in Ann’s family for seven generations. They farm cattle, horses, trees and “a few other things for good measure,” Joseph said, laughing.
Farming has deep roots in both Joseph and Ann’s families, and Ann said she has always enjoyed farming because she loves working with animals.
“I have always liked animals. I wanted to be a veterinarian, but my parents wouldn’t let me,” said Ann, who is also a registered nurse. “But with farming, I’ve been able to do it in my own way.”
The guest speaker, Jim Welch, a longtime television anchor and host of ETV’s “NatureScene,” spoke about the importance of preserving and respecting local agriculture and the farming lifestyle.
Other award recipients were:
* 2005 Forest Farmer of the Year, Jim Heard and family.
* 2004 Family and Community Leader of the Year, Jeanette Tolbert.
* Friend of Extension, Judy Kelley
* Friend of Extension, Harold Galloway
* Friend of Extension, Helen Spiller
* Friend of Extension, Danny Polatty

 

 

Opinion


Are there right or wrong answers in Schiavo case?

March 22, 2005

Remove the feeding tube and let her die slowly, or reinsert and keep the brain-damaged woman alive in the comatose state she’s been in for many years.
The emotional Terri Schiavo case has stirred a whirlwind of interest on both sides. People all over the country, including South Carolina, have followed this gut-wrenching drama and there seems to be no one who doesn’t have an opinion one way or the other.
Congress, of course, got involved and that added more drama to the situation. It also escalated the debate that became more heated as both houses of Congress took an extraordinary step to get members back to Washington. An emergency vote was taken to make it a federal case and take it out of Florida state courts. President Bush also interrupted a trip back to his ranch to get back to the capital to sign the measure into law.

IT IS SUCH AN EMOTIONAL matter, of course, that feelings, naturally, were bound to run from one extreme to the other. The harshest part of the debate, though, or so it appears, has been whether this was something that should even be within the purview of Congress. Opponents of the emergency legislation argued, and still do, that Congress was meddling into something that is none of its business. They say it’s a question for state courts, not federal.
That may or may not be a legitimate question. What is hidden behind all the pro and con arguments, though, is something that will be debated as long as there is life. That’s nothing less than euthanasia ….. so-called mercy killing. Whether to remove a life-support or feeding tube clouds the issue, perhaps, but isn’t the result the same?

LIVING WILLS MAKE THAT A moot question, to be sure, but in the absence of a living will, what is right and what is wrong?
Is there a correct answer? That’s something, obviously, that every individual American must decide within the boundaries of his or her own philosophy, whether it be on a basis of religion, morality, or some other consideration.
No matter what ultimately happens in the Schiavo case, somebody will be disappointed. Where the specter of euthanasia is, though, there will always be two sides. And there will always be a debate over what’s right and what’s wrong.
One thing’s for sure. In this case there are many who argue for states’ rights when they’ve never been champions of that concept. There is, to say the least, a lot of hypocrisy. Politics?



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

 

 

Obituaries


James A. Bryant

James Alton Bryant, 68, of Greenwood, husband of Jane Fujii Bryant, died Monday, March 21, 2005 at his home.
Born in Bowman, GA, he was a son of Era Bridges Bryant and the late Matthew Bryant. He was a deputy for the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department and was formerly employed by Greenwood Mills, Chalmers Plant. He was a US Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was a member of Mathews Lodge #358 A.F.M. and Augusta Highway Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Men’s Sunday School Class.
Surviving is his wife of the home; his mother of Greenwood; a daughter, Rochelle Rush of Greenwood; three sons, Derek Bryant and Clint Bryant, both of Hawaii and Randall Bryant of Las Vegas, NV; a sister, Alma Bryant of Greenwood; two brothers, Hoyt Bryant and Robert Bryant, both of Greenwood; and a grandchild, Steeler Rush of Greenwood.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Mathews Cemetery with the Rev. Craig Hughes officiating.
The family is at the home of his mother, 125 Bryant Drive.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to the account of James A. Bryant, c/o Harley Funeral Home, PO Box 777, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY


Keith Bush

Homer Keith “Heavy” Bush, 61, of 122 Pineview Drive, husband of Barbara Schultz Bush, died Sunday, March 20, 2005 at his home.
Born in Abbeville County, he was a son of Homer Cecil and Louise Lecroy Bush. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and was retired from Cooper Power Systems. He was a member of New Beginnings Ministries, where he served as church treasurer.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Phyllis Brockus, formerly of Jacksonville, FL.
Surviving is his wife of the home; his parents of Greenwood; a daughter and son-in-law, Kendra and Brandon Busha of Greenwood; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jason and April Bush and Jamie and Andrea Bush, all of Greenwood; a sister, Linda Bush Banks of Greenwood; a brother, Jim White of Gulfport, MS; six granddaughters; nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carroll Harrison and the Rev. Marvin Sumeral officiating. Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Ron McGahee, Derek Johnson, Steve Collier, Eddie Joiner, Mike Smith and Jack Harrison.
Honorary escort will be the employees of Kingsmore-Blizzard and Kingsmore Enterprises along with Billy Scoggins, Barbara Scoggins and Ted Price.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY


William Dodge

William Louis “Bill” Dodge, 83, resident of 1110 Marshall Road, beloved husband of Phyllis Brough Dodge, died March 20, 2005 at Wesley Commons.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, January 23, 1922, he was a son of the late Isaac William and Claire Attner Dodge. He attended the University of Maine and received Meteorology Training at UCLA, the University of Chicago and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He completed courses at The Air Tactical School and The Command and Staff College and received his B.A. degree in Military Science and Meteorology from the University of Maryland. He received a M.S. degree in Counseling, Guidance and Educational Psychology from the University of Alabama. He was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternities.
Mr. Dodge entered the Army Air Corps in WW II, working primarily as a weather officer during his 27 1Ú 2 year military career in the U.S. Air Force. He was a professional member of the American Meteorological Society serving as president of the American Chapter in London for two years while stationed m England. He served as assistant professor of Aerospace studies at the University of Alabama from 1961 - 1964. He retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1970 to take a position at Piedmont Technical College as Director of Guidance, Financial Aid and Student Activities. He retired in 1982 as assistant to the college president and Director of the College Title III Grant Program. In recognition of contributions to the advancement of higher education and community service, he was named An Outstanding Educator in America in 1974 - 1975.
He served as a Boy Scout leader for many years and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. He served as District Commissioner of the BSA in England for two years and also served as a Little League baseball coach and YMCA Youth Counselor. A member and past president of the Greenwood Golden “K” Kiwanis Club, he was also a member of the Greenwood Country Club, Senior Men’s Golf Association, the South Carolina State Employers Association, the Greater Greenwood Bowling Association and the American Bowling Congress.
Mr. Dodge also served as treasurer of the American Legion Post #20 Foundation, past presiding partner and financial partner of Cambridge Investment Club and was a founder and first president of the Star Fort Chapter of The Retired Officers Association, now The Military Officers Association of America.
A member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, he served as Senior Warden, Treasurer, Chorister, Lector, Lay Eucharistic Minister and Vestry member.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 61 years are sons, William Francis Dodge and wife Darlene of Jacksonville, FL and David John Dodge of Roselle, IL; daughter, Deborah Louise Dodge and husband, Douglas Wayne Stevens of O’FalIon, MO; granddaughter, Allison Ann and husband. Cliff Glenn White of Austin, TX and great-grandsons, Tristan Nash and Evan Michael White. He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Linda Jean Dodge.
Memorial services will be conducted at 12 Noon Wednesday at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection with The Reverend Peter Hawes and The Reverend Tim Ervolina officiating.
A private inurnment will be in the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Columbarium.
Honorary escort will be members of the Greenwood Golden “K” Kiwanis Club.
The family will receive friends in Bishops’ Hall at the church from 11-12 Noon Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Church of the Resurrection, PO Box 3283, Greenwood, SC 29648 or to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information, please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE DODGE FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY


Richard Burnett (Dick) DuLaney

McCORMICK, SC – Richard Burnett (Dick) DuLaney, 67 years of age, of 307 Maple Street, McCormick, South Carolina, husband of Kathryn Watkins DuLaney passed away after a brief illness on March 20, 2005, at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood, South Carolina.
Mr. DuLaney was born in Riner, Virginia to the late Leland Burnett DuLaney and the late Hattie Mae C. DuLane Mountcasel. He was a member of Pressly Memorial ARP Church in McCormick, South Carolina where he had served as an Elder. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, Norfolk #1 AF & AM, Norfolk, Virginia, a member of The Shrine Khedive Temple, Norfolk, Virginia, a charter member of McCormick Friends of the Library, a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, had served as a volunteer Deputy Sheriff with the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Department and had served as a shelter parent for the First District Family Court in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife of the home, a daughter, Leal D. Boyd and husband Stephen Boyd of Chesapeake, Virginia, a son David Burnett DuLaney and wife Twanya DuLaney of Athens, Georgia, two grand-children Jesse Boyd and Allison Boyd of Chesapeake, Virginia, two sisters, Barbara Jean DuLaney of Hampton, Virginia and Betty DuLaney Hall of York County, Virginia, He was predeceased by his stepfather, Roy R. Mountcasel, three brothers/Berkley D, Mountcasel of Martinsville, Virginia, Roy Ronald Mountcasel of Crewe, Virginia and G. W. (Jerry) Mountcasel of Titusville, Florida.
Mr. DuLaney was a graduate of Old Dominion College and Pepperdine University in Virginia. He retired from the Norfolk Naval Base Public Works Center as Superintendent of the Maintenance Department and then he and his wife moved to McCormick where they have made their home since 1992.
The family request that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Pressly Memorial ARP Church c/o Wilma Flanagan Route 3, Box 213, McCormick, S. C. 29835 or McCormick County Library Landscaping Project P, O. Box 1899, McCormick, S. C. 29835.
A Memorial Service will be at the Pressly Memorial ARP Church in McCormick on Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be at the church at 1:00 pm prior to the service. A Memorial Service will be held in Virginia at a later date. The family will be at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the DuLaney family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the DuLaney family.
PAID OBITUARY


Lola Kneece

BRADLEY – Lola Anderson Busbee Kneece, 72, of 310 Kneece Road, Bradley, widow of Murray Kneece, died Sunday, March 20, 2005 at her home.
Born in Aiken, she was a daughter of the late Walter E. and Lillis Cobb Anderson. She was retired from Greenwood Mills, Chalmers Plant and was a member of Bold Springs Baptist Church and the Ladies Sunday School Class.
She was twice married, first to the late Fairy Busbee.
Surviving are daughters and sons-in-law, Lois & James Kneece, Carolyn Anderson, Vickey & Joe Deal and Amy & Cleve West, all of Greenwood; son and daughter-in-law, Gene & Vivian Busbee of Greenwood; sisters, Mary O’Neil of Charleston and Faye Ventre of New Providence, NJ; brothers, Walter Anderson, Sidney Anderson and Warren Anderson, all of California and Richard Anderson of Greenwood; 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Ard and Mr. Chuck Gunter officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery in Aiken.
Pallbearers will be Kenny Kneece, Brian Kneece, Jesse Kneece, Joe Anderson, Adrian Anderson and Keith Beckham.
Honorary escort will be Brandon Beckham, Mark Penland, Chip Turberville, Joe Deal and Richard Anderson, Jr.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Amy West, 319 Kneece Road, Bradley.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY


Tim Palmer

Timothy Shannon Palmer, 34, of 215 Bluff Road, died Sunday, March 20, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Jacksonville, Fla., he was a son of Bonnie Palmer Hilliard and the late Roger Mack Palmer. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and Piedmont Technical College and was employed by Metal Masters in Newberry. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Saluda.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Kenneth Hilliard, of the home; a son, Timothy Mack Palmer of Greenwood; two stepchildren, Summer Coxe and Taylor Coxe, both of Greenwood; a sister, Lori Todd of Kirksey; two brothers, Roger Palmer of Simpsonville and Paul Palmer of Kirksey; two stepsisters, Anita Graham of Greenwood and Alisa Smith of Ninety Six; a stepbrother, Kenny Ray Hilliard of Greenwood.
Graveside services are 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, Saluda, conducted by the Rev. Elford Roof.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, Hospice House Building Fund, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com


Willie Perrin Sr.

McCORMICK — Services for Willie “Big Boy” Perrin Sr., of Archery Road, are 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary A.M.E. Church, conducted by the Revs. Isaac Booker III, Norris Turner, Willie Garrett and Eddie Thompson. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial is in Mount Zion A.M.E. Church Cemetery.
The family is at the home.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge.


Marie Stroud

ABBEVILLE, SC – Marie Frye Stroud, 91, formerly of Abbeville, SC, widow of J.C. Stroud died Sunday, March 20, 2005 at Bay City Health Care in Virginia Beach, VA.
Born in Richmond, Virginia she was the adopted daughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. Irvin Frye of Lexington, SC. She was a homemaker and worshiped in the Methodist Church.
Survivors are: 2 sons, Joal C. Stroud and his wife Nancy of Virginia Beach, VA and Keith M. Stroud and his wife Francis of Charlotte, NC; 2 daughters, Tommie Lander and her husband Robert of Abbeville, SC and Alice Hughes and her husband James of Ware Shoals, SC; 27 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 2 sons, John and Archie Stroud and 2 daughters, Jan Peeler and Mary Huguenin. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and the many friends of her grandchildren who also called her “Grandmama Stroud”.
Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 3:00PM from Forest Lawn Memory Gardens with the Rev. Marion Argo officiating.
The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:30PM Wednesday before services.
Memorials may be made to Main St. United Methodist Church, 300 N. Main St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC
IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY


William Todd Jr.

SPARTANBURG — William R. Todd Jr., retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, 74, of 110 South Port Road, died Friday, March 18, 2005 at Spartanburg Regional Hospital.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late William R. Todd Sr. and Mary Prince Todd. He received a degree in engineering from the University of South Carolina in 1954 and was a retired Air Force pilot with 27 years of service. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include three sons, William R. Todd III of Asheville, N.C., Jonathan E. Todd and Stephen B. Todd, both of Columbia; four daughters, Caroline V.T. Pearson of Columbia, Susan B.T. Brook of Annapolis, Md., Cynthia L. Todd of Asheville and Jenny P.T. Kelly of Spartanburg; a sister, Maxine Huckabee of Greenwood; six grandchildren.
A memorial service is 1 p.m. Thursday at Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com


Elijah ‘Nuke’ Williams

Elijah “Nuke” Williams, 63, of 314 Windmill Circle, died Monday, March 21, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in the Callison community, he was a son of Elizabeth Hampton Williams Thomas and the late M.C. Williams. He was an employee of Dowd Construction Co. and a member of Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include his mother of the home, a brother, James C. “Jaybird” Williams of Greenwood and two sisters, Ella Mae Brown of the home and Eddie Lee Coats of Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com