Organizers: Employment chances can be enhanced with visit to job fair

April 25, 2006

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

Unemployment in all four Lakelands counties is higher than the state average, but all counties showed a decline in March joblessness compared to February, statistics released Monday show.
For people seeking jobs or concerned that the jobs they have now will be phased out in the near future, Wednesday’s Upper Savannah Regional Job Fair can provided important leads in the job search, organizers say.
The job fair is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Greenwood Mall. Fifty-three employers, all of whom are hiring or plan to hire in the next three months, will have displays at the event. Several workshops for job seekers also are on tap.
“The jobs are all over the map, from entry level to nursing and engineering. Some companies have multiple positions. It all depends on your skills,” said Sandra Johnson, workforce development administrator with Upper Savannah Council of Governments.
Joblessness in Greenwood and the Lakelands is a mixed bag, according to the State Employment Security Commission. Statewide, unemployment rose slightly in March, to 6.5 percent, from 6.4 percent in February. It was the second increase this year, but the rate was below the 7.2 percent reported last year. The national jobless rate for March dropped to 4.7 percent from February’s 4.8 percent.
Unemployment rates in all four Lakelands counties followed the national trend and bucked the statewide trend, by dropping in that time frame. Still, all the local unemployment rates are above the state average, and lowest local rate remains about 2 percent above the national rate.
McCormick County has the fifth highest jobless rate in the state at 10.4 percent, but that is down from 11.6 percent in February. Greenwood County’s jobless rate is 8.4 percent, down from 8.7 percent in February, and 16th among the state’s 46 counties.
Abbeville County has a 7.5 percent jobless rate for March, down from 8.3 percent in February, and 24th in the state. Saluda County’s jobless rate ranks 32nd at 6.5 percent, down from 6.9 percent in February.
But announced layoffs at WestPoint Home in Calhoun Falls and Fuji Photo Film in Greenwood have not had an e+-ffect on the local jobless scene, yet. Johnson said she expects many WestPoint Home employees to attend Wednesday’s job fair.
“We had a career fair there last week, where the company allowed us to come on-site,” she said. “A lot of them will be attending.”
In addition to meeting one-on-one with employers, job seekers also can get valuable information at the event. The workshops schedule for the Upper Savannah Regional Job Fair is:
n 10:20-10:50 a.m., Making the most of job fair opportunities and interview tips, Jeanie Dean, S.C. Employment Security Commission;
n 11-11:50, Employment Forecast 2006 — Prepare for new opportunities by learning what types of businesses are growing and get insight into what employers are looking for — Steve Bowles, Abbeville County Economic Development Board and others;
n Noon-12:30 p.m., Smart First Impressions, find out how to develop a wardrobe that works — Fashions by Greenwood Mall merchants;
n 12:40-1:10 p.m., Some things to think about: Stress, money and change; discover how you can adapt to employment changes — Wanda Hill, Piedmont Tech Center for Workforce Development;
n 1:20-1:50, Preparing for Employment Screening — Learn how employers use basic skills tests, background checks and drug tests — Jack Butler, Upper Savannah Council of Governments and employer panel;
n 2-2:40, Resources for small business start up — Mickey Conway, Clemson University Small Business Development Center;
n 2:50-3:20, Tips for returning to school — Steve Coleman, Piedmont Tech; and
n 3:30-3:45, After the Job Fair, One-Stop Workforce Center resources — Jeanie Dean, S.C. Employment Security Commission.
Every county in the Upper Savannah region will be represented by employers, Johnson said, and company representatives are coming from Greenville and Florence.
Johnson said many job seekers flock to the fair in the 10 a.m. to noon timeframe, but they should remember that the event continues until 4 p.m. “If they’ll stick around,” she said, “employers have more time in the afternoon.”

Miller dazzles in Vikings’ win

Junior southpaw hurls no-hitter to send Emerald to District III finals

April 25, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

One of the most vital parts of playing successful high school playoff baseball is collecting hits.
Too bad the Chapman High School baseball squad had to face Emerald pitcher Brandon Miller Monday night.
Miller tossed a no-hitter for the Vikings as the team blanked Chapman, 4-0, Monday at Emerald in the Class AA state playoffs, sending Emerald to the District III finals.
Miller baffled the Panthers’ hitters all night. The junior, who has verbally committed to play baseball at the University of South Carolina, went the distance, striking out 10 and walking only two in seven innings. Monday marked the second consecutive year Miller has tossed a no-hitter in the playoffs, as he did the same to Liberty last year.
“It was big to get a no-hitter,” Miller said. “But it’s bigger for this team to get a win. We wanted to stay in the winner’s bracket.”
Miller recorded his two walks in the first two innings, but settled down after that point. Miller said he felt he got “dialed in” midway the third.
Emerald now awaits the winner of today’s loser’s bracket game between Chapman and Pendleton. The team that wins that contest have to defeat Emerald twice Wednesday to move on to the Upper State bracket.
Blake Moore will get the start on the mound for Emerald in the next game.
Emerald coach Chad Evans said the Vikings are at a distinct advantage being at home Wednesday.
“It’s always good to be at home,” Evans said. “However, we want to have our guys prepared for that first game. We don’t want to give the other team a chance to get some momentum. It will be important to be ready and focused.”
Cruse Tollison led the Vikings at the plate against Chapman, going 2-for-3 on a pair of ringing singles. He also scored two runs.
The Vikings jumped on the scoreboard first, going ahead in the bottom of the second inning.
Emerald’s Ryan Wilkie trode to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. Working the count to 3-2, Wilkie nailed a deep fly ball to center field, bringing home Cruse Tollison on the sacrifice fly. The exchange put the Vikings up 1-0.
Emerald wasn’t done in the second inning. The next batter, shortstop Tyler McGraw, pounded a single to right center, bringing in Andrew Holland and Stephen Gary, giving the Vikings a 3-0 advantage heading to the third inning.
Meanwhile, Miller was cruising along, mowing down batters. The left-handed junior had not allowed a hit through four innings, and had only walked two batters.
The Vikings were back in the scoring column in the bottom of the fourth. After stroking his second single, Tollison advanced to third on a sharply hit ground ball by James Childress.
Tollison then came home to score moments later when Chapman starter Jonathan Henderson uncorked a wild pitch. Emerald was ahead 4-0, heading to the fifth inning.
Henderson settled down around that point, however. After throwing the wild pitch, the hard throwing right-hander struck out four consecutive Vikings batters, three on called strikes.
Henderson’s stability could do nothing to help the Panthers’ batters, however, as the team continued to flail at Miller’s array of fastballs, curves and change-ups. When the game was over and the no-hitter was sealed, the Vikings players greeted their pitcher with hearty congratulations.
“When Brandon goes to the mound, we know we’ll get a quality start,” Evans said.

Opinion

Maybe parenting classes could benefit education

April 25, 2006

Year after year education in South Carolina is debated as much as anything, by lawmakers and their constituents alike. It’s a tough problem. There’s always a roller coaster effect it seems. It’s up and down, down and up in just about every measurable topic ..... money, grades, discipline, social problems, dropouts, graduation rates, etc.
For all practical purposes, education discussions focus on students and the subjects they’re being taught and how and how much everything is viewed from a financial standpoint. That’s the way it should be, of course. Nevertheless, there might be other considerations that have a major effect on just about every factor that plays a part in influencing students in one way or another ..... good and bad.

MAYBE IT’S SOMETHING that should be weighed as the arguments continue over the way things are and the way things should be ..... and how to get there.
It may sound like meddling instead of preaching, but over the years it appears that some parents create or aggravate problems. Too many either resent the disciplining of their children or interfere in ways that add to the overall problems in public schools. Then, of course, there are parents who do nothing and expect teachers and administrators to be everything from baby sitters to surrogate parents. All in all, it seems, parents sometimes cause as many problems as students.

SO, CAN ANYTHING BE done to help alleviate the problem? Since everything else has been tried, including spending a lot of money, maybe lawmakers ought to consider mandating a course in parenting for those who have disruptive, failing and, at times, threatening students.
Can government do that? Has anyone ever tried it? Maybe it could be a requirement of parents before their children can start school. Teach the parent in order to teach the child. We might even be pleasantly surprised at how much that could accomplish ..... in grades and attitudes. Who knows? It could help reduce spending, too.

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

Obituaries

Taylor Begley

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Taylor Begley, 24, of 819 Fairway Drive, died Friday, April 21, 2006 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Born May 14, 1981 in Greenwood County, SC, he was a son of Gerald Wayne Begley and Karen Evans Begley. Taylor graduated from CPCC Adult Education and was currently attending CPCC, Charlotte. Taylor was a very special and unique individual who loved and was loved by many friends and family. He was deeply concerned about environmental issues and had a deep love and enjoyment of music.
Survivors include a brother, Evan Gerald Begley of Cornelius; a sister, Karlie Allison Begley of the home; maternal grandfather, C.R. Evans of Hanahan, SC; aunts, Gail Begley of Simpsonville, SC, and Claire Murray of Columbia, SC; cousins Matt and Casi Begley and Jay Edwards of Simpsonville, SC; his mother, Karen Evans Begley of the home; his father, Gerald Wayne Begley of Rock Hill.
He was preceded in death by an uncle, Tom Begley, maternal grandmother, Rebecca W. Evans and paternal grandparents, Wiley and Helen Begley, formerly of Greenwood.
Memorial services are 3 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at his home. The family will receive friends at the home after the memorial services.
There will be a celebration of his life from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at 511 E. 35th St.
Burial is in Charlotte, in the NODA District.
Whitley’s Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Begley.
PAID OBITUARY

Willie James ‘Man’ Coleman

SALUDA — Willie James “Man” Coleman, 73, of 298 High Point Road, husband of Bennie Mae Smith Coleman, died Sunday, April 23, 2006 at his home.
Born in Saluda County, he was a son of the late Jesse and Carrie Chappells Coleman. He was a retired truck driver and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Vance Coleman, Stacy Coleman and Casey Coleman, all of Saluda; four daughters, Brenda Atchison and Glinda Atchison, both of Newberry, Margaret McDonald of Orangeburg and Tracey Coleman of the home; two brothers, Roosevelt Coleman of Saluda and Tommie Banks of Greenwood; three sisters, Lola Simmons and Shirley Abney, both of Saluda and Betty Hudson of Orlando, Fla.; three half sisters, Rachel Etheredge, Lenora Springs and Diane Farrow, all of Saluda; ten grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Clarence Kenner, pastor, assisted by Elder Marcus Long. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews, and flower bearers are nieces.
The family is at the home.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Joe Eddie Scott Harris

Services for Joe Eddie Scott Harris are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Morris Chapel Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Ricky Syndab. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in The Evening Star Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Terry Thomas, Derick Whitt, Barry Mosses, Michael Spearman, Terry Culbreath, Sam Arnold Jr., Eric Harris and Richard Harris.
Flower bearers are Donna Culbreath, Tammy Mosses, Betty Conway, Trell Sheppard, Eloise Arnold, Tiffany Arnold, Denise Dean, Triva Dean, Kimberly Morgan, Samantha Gaskin, Beverly Coats and Latoya Jackson.
Visitation is this evening at the home of his mother, Louise Harris, 210 Perry Drive, Wilson Creek Trailer Park.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Jean Johnson

TROY — Jean Elizabeth Johnson, 46, of 219 Callison Highway, wife of Gerald Johnson, died Sunday, April 23, 2006 at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Born in Chester, she was a daughter of Betty Jean Inman Lewis and the late James Wallace Lewis. She was a 1976 McCormick High School graduate and was employed by Cooper Power Systems. She was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include her husband of the home; her mother of McCormick; a daughter, Mrs. Al (Kimberly “Sissy”) Phillips of Greenwood; a son, Benjamin “Ben” Dabbs of the home; two sisters, Mrs. Carlton (Gail) McKinney of McCormick and Tonda Vess of Spartanburg; two brothers, Bill Lewis and Tony Lewis, both of McCormick; six grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood. Entombment is in Oakbrook Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum.
Pallbearers are Johnny Coggins Jr., Bryan Baughman, Marshall Richard, Donnie Banks, Josh Baughman and Jeremy Baughman.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of a brother Bill Lewis, Willinton Academy Drive, McCormick. Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Julia H. Nobles

NEW YORK — Julia Harrison Nobles, 91, widow of Ralph Nobles, died Sunday, April 23, 2006 at the Medical Center in Manhattan.
Born in McCormick, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Ransom and Mattie Harrison. She was a former member of Springfield Baptist Church, Edgefield, S.C. Moving to New York City, she was a member of St. John’s Baptist Church and the Floral Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Benjamin (Loretta) Whaley of Englewood, N.J.; two grandchildren; a brother, Burnis Harrison of Greenwood, S.C.
Announcement courtesy of Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood.

Eva Crawford Posey

Eva Crawford Posey died Monday, April 24, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home of a son Leroy Crawford, 108 Lisa Drive.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Mrs. Laura Seawright

GREENWOOD — Mrs. Annie Laura McAllister Seawright, 88 formerly of 319 Smith St. Extension, Ware Shoals, widow of Robert S. (Pete) Seawright, died Monday, April 24, 2006 at Wesley Commons.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Monroe and Lula Grace Timms McAlister. She was a homemaker and member of Ware Shoals First Baptist Church, the TEL Sunday School Class and Baptist Women and former member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Surviving are two sons; Robert E. (Bob) Seawright of Greenwood and Jack A. Seawright of Gainesville, Florida, one brother; Albert M. McAllister of Greenwood, two sisters; Ruby M. Sweat and Jeanette Frances McAllister both of Ware Shoals, three grandchildren; David A. Seawright, Amy S. Hartman and Erica S. Duncan, six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two brothers; Ralph L. McAllister and Jimmy McAllister and three sisters; Edna Louise McAllister, Allie Mae McAllister and Lois McAllister Sharpe.
Funeral services will be 2 P.M. Thursday at Ware Shoals First Baptist Church with Rev. Leon Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be; David Seawright, Grant Duncan, Pete Luker, Tim Hartman, Ronnie McAllister, Bruce Seawright, Bennett Medlin and John Medlin. Honorary pallbearers will be the TEL Sunday School Class.
The family will receive friends 7-9 P.M. Wednesday at Parker-White Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ware Shoals First Baptist Church, PO Box 449, Ware Shoals, SC 29692. The family is at their respective homes.
PAID OBITUARY

Jim Simpson

ABBEVILLE — James M. “Jim” Simpson Jr., 77, of 27 Watts Road, husband of Betty Davis Buffington Simpson, died Monday, April 24, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.

Katherine E.Williams

Katherine E. Williams, 41, of 3401 Callison Highway, wife of Jessie Williams, died Monday, April 24, 2006 at her home.
The family is at the home of her father-in-law, Melvin Williams, 511 Bolt St.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.