Native American service teaches
unity to Greenwood congregation

October 31, 2005

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

As members of the congregation at Bethlehem United Methodist Church prepared to enter the sanctuary Sunday morning, they formed a neat line at the door, waiting for their turn to participate in a special ceremony.
Most looked a bit uncertain as they watched those before them turn in a circle as a petite woman with dark hair in pigtails used a feather to fan smoke over their bodies.
It was a smudging ceremony, the equivalent of a call to worship in the Native American Christian tradition.
The service was intended to promote unity by exposing the congregation to the Christian traditions of others and was led by Cathy Nelson, pastor of Rocky Swamp American Indian Ministries, a member of the United Methodist Conference.
The Rev. Tommy Tucker, pastor of Bethlehem UMC said he had attended a service at the church in Springfield several years ago while doing mission work and, though he had been skeptical at first, found it to be very spiritual. He wanted to share that experience with his congregation, he said.
The service was opened with the familiar strains of “Amazing Grace,” but instead of the resounding sounds of a piano or organ, the lyrical notes floated from a Native American flute, played by a young man called Shadow.
“I’m asking that you have open hearts and open minds today,” Tucker said. “We’re not here to entertain you, we’re here to worship God.”
Congregation members were asked to participate in each tradition, even if it seemed a bit strange to them. Tucker said the congregation was to focus on similarities between the cultures rather than differences.
“Most people think that Native Americans can’t be Christian,” said Nelson, who is of Chippewa heritage. “I know Native Americans have had a terrible history with the European Church, but we can be both Christian and Indian. God made us who we are. We are Indian, but we can choose our spiritual paths.”
Native Americans have always believed in one creator, Nelson pointed out. Ancient lore told of “one born across the waters who would not survive,” she said, explaining that the prophecy is believed to have referred to Jesus Christ.
“He was a spirit first, as told in the Bible, then was born as an infant child and then returned to his creator when he died on the cross,” Nelson said. “It proved our theology was correct.”
In Native American tradition, it is believed that a spirit exists before it is given human form and continues on after the body dies.
The service also included Native American dance, drumming, tools and symbolism used by the ancestors.
“We may do things a bit differently, but we all worship the same creator and we’re all brothers and sisters,” Nelson said.

Drawdown of lake normal during fall, county manager says

October 31, 2005

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

A drop of two feet in the level of Lake Greenwood is normal, a county official said, and should not be an issue for lake residents. County Manager Jim Kier said it’s part of the natural progression of the lake level to 97 feet by Nov. 1.
A lake resident’s complaint about the water level decrease was sent to the county administration and The Index-Journal was forwarded a copy of the e-mail by the resident, Ed Prospal.
Kier said the county tries to keep the lake level as high as it can through September, so residents and visitors can enjoy the recreation, but the level will be drawn down to a winter level, before it comes back up again in the spring.
“It depends on how much rain and hurricane we get,” he said. “It was lowered in anticipation of Katrina and lowered again for work on a flood gate.”
The winter lowering allows people to work on their ramps and piers in advance of the spring and summer recreation times, Kier said. Also, the Buzzard Roost hydro-power station adjusts the lake level based on the flow of the Saluda River.
Prospal said the two-foot drop has not caused him problems, but he said lake residents should be informed when these decreases in the lake level are coming.
“They could put something in the paper with the lake levels, or on the sports page with the fishing report, letting people know what’s going on. It would answer some questions about what’s happening,” he said.
It’s important for the county to maintain the lake at the highest level through September, Prospal said.
“Generally, through September the weather is good and it’s an economic benefit to the businesses there and to the county to maintain (the level),” Prospal said.
Recreation is fine, Kier said, but lake residents need to keep in mind the lake’s purpose.
“It’s an active hydro-producing lake,” he said. “It’s being run as a run-of-the-river facility.”
The amount of water flowing into the lake affects its level, Kier said, and the summer and early fall drought-like conditions had an adverse effect on that water flow.
Water level is just one of the issues that Greenwood County is dealing with now with regard to Lake Greenwood.
The sale of 50 acres of county property at Summer Place netted $6 million for the county, and $4 million is that is being earmarked for a Lake Greenwood Trust Fund. County council this month adopted first reading of an ordinance establishing the fund.
“We have a major facility in the dam, and there are repairs to deal with seismic issues,” Kier said. “There are maximum flood requirements from FERC. The lake provides recreation and income, but it’s also an expense.”
Management of the lake is subject to the requirements of the Federal Energy Management Commission.
“Lake Murray is dealing with FERC now — can it withstand an earthquake,” Kier said. The power company that manages Lake Murray near Columbia, SCE&G, built a backup dam behind its hydro-dam to satisfy federal concerns than an earthquake could wreck the first dam and the water set loose would flood the state’s capital.
The Buzzard Roost dam belongs to Greenwood County, and Duke Power has operated it for power for 40 years. That contract expires in June 2006.
“We’re negotiating with other agencies,” Kier said. “We have a draft agreement for them (Duke) to operate it, but we’re also talking to others for the operation and purchase of power.”
The Summer Place land came to Greenwood County through a purchase when the lake was formed. Kier said there are areas “all around the lake” owned by the county, but not generating any property tax revenue. A developer will build upscale housing and amenities on this property.
“This sale puts it on the tax rolls, where it wasn’t before, and at build-out it increases the tax base,” Kier said. “It’s a win all the way around.”
The $2 million left over after $4 million is obligated to the Lake Greenwood Trust Fund will help rebuild the county’s fund balance, Kier said, and provide an ongoing source of revenue through interest.
“We were downgraded by the bond rating companies,” he said. “We will rebuild that fund balance. If we spend it that’s an asset lost. We don’t want to do that.”

Dannella ‘Dee’ ‘Sis’ Aiken

Services for Dannella Aiken are 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005 at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, Hodges, conducted by the Revs. Clinton J. Hall III, John C. Aiken, Richard C.K. Harkness, Jacqueline Aiken and Milton Aiken. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
The family is at the home, 523 Olin Smith Road, Donalds.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge, Abbeville.

Nannie Butler Bledsoe

COLUMBIA — Funeral services for Nannie Butler Bledsoe, 89, of Columbia, will be held 10 o’clock, Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Dr., Columbia, SC 29203.
Interment will be at 2 o’clock in Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery, Johnston, SC.
Active pallbearers will be Edwin Johnson, Joseph “Jay” Johnson, Dwayne Bledsoe, Patrick Smith, Ryan Williams, and Milton Dowey. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Assoc., Inc. 520 Gervais St., Columbia, SC 29201
Mrs. Bledsoe, widow of Marion Lawrence “M L” Bledsoe, died Saturday, October 29, 2005. Born in Greenwood, SC, she was a daughter of the late Ira and Jennie Leaphard Butler. She was a member of College Place United Methodist Church and the Arral Sunday School Class. Mrs. Bledsoe retired from Stone Manufacturing in 1981 with 29 years of service.
Survivors include her daughters and their husbands, Zora Johnson Moorer and Gus of Lugoff, Virginia Williams Lindler and Kelvin of Prosperity; son, Alvin R. Bledsoe of Ninety-Six; a sister, Jeanette Butler Turner, 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by 6 brothers, 4 sisters and 1 great-grandchild.
www.shivesfuneralhome.com
(803) 754-6290
PAID OBITUARY

James Horace ‘Hard’ Griffin

James Horace “Hard” Griffin, 59, of 301 Beechwood Circle, husband of Essie Griffin, died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005 at his home.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of Rosa Lee Palmore and the late Jessie Griffin. He was retired from NSO Resins and was a former member of Old Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Survivors include his mother; three sons, Jessie James Griffin Jr., Mark Griffin and Travis Griffin, all of Greenwood; four daughters, Linda Griffin Barr of Newberry, Sherry Griffin, Angel Griffin and Mamie Griffin, all of Greenwood; two brothers, James Palmore of Greenwood and Robert Lee Palmore of N.C.; five sisters, Ella Julia Chambers, Shirley Nance, Brenda Pain, all of Greenwood, Lona Hackett and Gladys Palmore, both of Cross Hill; 14 grandchildren.
The family is at the home of his sister, Julia Chambers, Apt. 4, Gillam Court.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.robson@nctv.com

Claude C. Kay Jr.

ABBEVILLE, SC — Claude C. Kay Jr., 87, formerly of 425 Campfield Church Rd. died Saturday, October 29, 2005 at the Abbeville Nursing Home. Mr. Kay was born in Abbeville County to the late Claude C. and Mary Uldrick Kay Sr. He was married to the late Jessie Hall Kay. Mr. Kay retired from the S.C. Highway Department after 40 years of service; he was a member of the Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church and a great friend to all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Shelby Jean Kay Knox. Mr. Kay is survived by his brother, Howard Kay of Abbeville, two grandchildren, Michael Knox and Kelly Peeler both of Abbeville, and three great-grandchildren, Jared Peeler, Nathan Knox and Austin Knox.
The family will receive friends from 2:00PM to 3:00PM Monday, October 31, 2005 at Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be at 3:00PM in the church. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. The family is at their respective homes.
Memorial Contributions in memory of Mr. Kay may be sent to the Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church 194 Hwy 20 Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Kay family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, OF Abbeville is assisting the Kay family.
PAID OBITUARY

Edith Louise Robinson

WARE SHOALS — Edith L. Pruitt Robinson, 75, of 133 Green Acres Ext., wife of Douglas Eugene Robinson Sr., died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005 at NHC Healthcare of Greenwood.
Born in Belton, she was a daughter of the late Wallace Pruitt and Melzetta Kay Pruitt.
She was a member of Dunn Creek Baptist Church where she was a former Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent and Secretary of the Woman’s Missionary Society. She was a retired teacher with the Ware Shoals School District after 35 years and was a member of the Retired Teachers Assn. She was currently active in the Time Relief Christian Education Program, a member of the AKA Sorority, the Catfish Festival Committee and the Democratic Party.
Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Douglas Eugene Robinson Jr. and Dwight Robinson, of Ware Shoals; a daughter, Edris Louise Robinson, of Greenwood; a brother, Bobby Pruitt Sr., of Belton; two sisters, Dorcena Holmes, of Seneca and Novella Holmes, of Washington, D.C.; two great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

AHS grad enjoying stellar year

October 31, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

TIGERVILLE — A football player from the Lakelands area is among the nation’s leaders in a statistical category.
Isaac Tate, a senior at North Greenville College and a 2000 graduate of Abbeville High School, is ranked fifth nationally in tackles per game in NCAA Division II.
Tate has 80 tackles in seven games for an average of 11.4 stops per contest.
The middle linebacker, who has started all four seasons at North Greenville, gives credit for his accomplishments to those around him.
“The defensive line makes it possible for me to rack up all those tackles,” said Tate, a business administration major. “They’re down there in the trenches creating gaps and giving me room to run and make stops.”
Tate was a three-year starter at linebacker for Abbeville. He said his time playing for the Panthers and late coach Dennis Botts has gone a long way toward helping him find personal success at the next level.
“Coach Botts taught me how to play hard every play, every game,” Tate said.
“Everyone who played at Abbeville at that time were instilled with that mentality. You go hard every play, and never quit. Never leave the field without giving it your all. I learned a lot playing for Abbeville.”
Tate’s love for Abbeville football almost cost him something dear at one time: his girlfriend of four years, Christa Wells.
Wells is from Ninety Six, a fact that did not initially sit well with Tate.
Ninety Six knocked Abbeville out of the Class AA state playoffs in the Upper State finals in Tate’s senior season.
“When she first told me she was from Ninety Six, I almost hung up the phone,” Tate said. “She didn’t like the fact I was from Abbeville, either. She knew how big our rivalry with Ninety Six was in football.”
Luckily, the couple worked through their football-related discourse, and are now enjoying a fruitful relationship that has produced a 1-year-old daughter, Nadia.
Tate said he is able to stay focused on his football and academic success because of his desire to provide a good life for his family in the future.
Tate also credits the defensive coaching staff at North Greenville, for helping him to become one of the top tacklers in the nation. Chief among the coaches he learns from is defensive coordinator Tony Sullivan.
“Coach Sullivan is something else,” said Tate with a slight laugh. “He’s wild. You could say he’s a little intense about our assignments.”
Tate shares an off-campus apartment with current North Greenville and former Abbeville teammate Tim Brown. Brown is a fullback for the Crusaders.
Tate said he and Brown have been friends going back to their time at Abbeville, but had never been as close as they are currently.
“Tim and I worked out this summer four hours a day,” Tate said. “We are ultra competitive on the practice field, but at the same time we support each other one hundred percent during games.”
There is an aspect of college football that has not appealed to Tate: Traveling.
The linebacker claims to be a homebody that doesn’t like the extended trips that are a necessity in the world of college athletics.
“When I’m done playing football, I know I don’t want to travel like that,” Tate said. “But for now, the one part I do enjoy is being with my friends and teammates and getting away from my deadlines at school.”
Tate would like to continue playing football in some professional capacity after he graduates from North Greenville. Beyond that, his goals are grounded to his family.
“I’d like to work in an office and have a job that provides for my family,” Tate said. “Like everything else, that will take hard work. And hard work is something I’m capable of.”

Property tax improvement needed, but is tough work

October 31, 2005

Some South Carolina senators are looking for ways to solve the property tax problem. They hope to cut that tax by raising the sales tax. If those lawmakers can indeed come up with a solution to the property tax puzzle in the Palmetto State they will have earned the appreciation and respect of every property owner in the state. They’ll also be able to run for re-election as magicians who can accomplish miracles.
To do that, though, it will require more than swapping one tax for another. Furthermore, they will have to overcome a variety of obstacles. Those obstacles include a long list of tax exemptions, finding some way to accommodate the needs of localities and schools, and overcoming opposition from within and outside the legislature. And that, alone, would be a tremendous achievement.

ONE OF THE MOST troublesome considerations is how to fund everything needed while finding tax sources to replace any taxes eliminated ….. while trying to be fair to all. That doesn’t mean funds devoted to pork spending, either, and there’s a lot of that in Columbia, the same as in Washington. Simply funding the necessary absolutes is a daunting consideration.
Of course, the latest report from senators says an increase in the sales tax to offset 50 percent of the property tax take is a possibility. Why not a sales tax in lieu of all property taxes? But, then, what would that do to local option sales taxes? See, it’s not a simple matter.
The entire tax system in South Carolina is so complex and convoluted, trying to figure it all out would probably drive teetotalers to heavy drinking. There’s a good chance that no one has a complete and comprehensive grasp of all the intricacies involved.

SINCE THAT IS THE way it is, it would seem a thorough analysis of the entire tax picture would not only be proper, it would be necessary. That should include every state and local tax, special tax districts and any other tax or fee that impacts the taxpayer in some way.
That obviously would be an almost overwhelming undertaking. Still, there is such an outcry over steadily rising property taxes any further piecemeal patching of the system will not solve the overall problem. It will only add to the troubles we already have.
That idea is, to be sure, one that’s likely to come across as asking too much. Considering the problem, how much is too much?