No decision on construction

District 50 school board has public meeting slated for Thursday


August 22, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood School District 50 on Monday continued discussing the possibility of a different bond program for further school construction, but some board members seem to have different ideas about how the money should be spent.
Board member Lary Davis asked Gary Johnson, assistant superintendent of business and operations, if the district could spend money from a possible new bond program for construction to build nine new elementary schools instead of spreading the money across the district’s schools.
If the district completed new elementary schools, nothing would be available for the high schools, said superintendent Darrell Johnson.
The district is considering whether to change from its current general obligations bond program to an installment purchase bonds program.
The superintendent said the district is moving quickly to decide about a new bond program because the state Legislature has only given school districts until Dec. 31 to use the funding source.
Bonds are typically sold by government agencies, like District 50, to the public and investors to fund large projects.
The money derived from the bond sale is given to the issuing agency and paid back over an established period of time. An installment purchase bonds program would keep the established millage rate of 61.4, but let the district use up to $115 million for construction on schools as soon as the bonds are issued, Darrell Johnson said.
A mill is a 10th of one cent, Gary Johnson said. Out of 1,000 taxable dollars, only $1 is millable taxes.
The current bond plan allows for $93 million for facility construction, Darrell Johnson said.
Every school in the district would receive some sort of repair under the installment program.
Most of the construction projects could be finished in five years, but the new plan does have drawbacks, Darrell Johnson said.
The plan does not allow for a new high school to be built; the majority of the district’s money would be tied up in the program for 15 years and more students moving to the district could leave it short of classroom space.
Board member Frank Coyle also had questions about the installment plan.
He said he was concerned about how the possible new construction projects would be handled by the district.
Coyle said he had been in touch with other South Carolina districts that had used installment bond plans.
They all had positive things to say about the plan, but the Greenville district board stressed putting a construction manager in charge of the different projects to make sure they are completed and on time, Coyle said.
Bond consultant Bill Hirata told Coyle that the district could wait and hire a construction manager once the program got rolling.
The board took no action Monday night, opting instead to have a public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Brewer Middle School. Then, on Aug. 31, the board will have a 6 p.m. meeting to discuss the bond issue.

 

 

 

 

 

12-year-old on the mend following shooting


August 22, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

A 12-year-old boy who was accidentally shot last week by his 11-year-old friend is recovering at his Greenwood home, the boy’s mother said.
Rymeskus Fuller had been a guest Thursday afternoon at his 11-year-old friend’s home on Singletree Road, when the friend found a .22-caliber gun that had been hidden under a mattress, according to information from authorities and a Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office report.
According to the incident report, the 11-year-old told authorities he thought the gun was empty after finding no bullets in the gun’s clip, but when he went to put the gun down, he hit the trigger and the gun went off. The 11-year-old’s grandmother was in another room of the home at the time of the shooting, and no charges have been filed in the incident.
Fuller was struck in the neck area, and his mother, Demita Fuller, said the bullet came to a stop between the boy’s vertebrae. He was taken to Self Regional Medical Center following the shooting and was later moved to a hospital in Greenville for treatment.
He has since been released from the hospital, and his mother said the boy is moving around and talking at home.
“He’s doing OK,” Demita Fuller said of her son’s condition. “We are waiting to see whether they (the doctors) are going to remove the bullet.”
Fuller said her son never touched the gun during the incident, adding that the boy was playing video games in the room when the 11-year-old found the hidden gun.
“He was really a brave soldier,” Demita Fuller said of the ordeal. “When it first happened, he fell back on the bed and the first thing he did was ask God, ‘Please don’t let me die.’
“It has made him look at everything differently now,” she added.
The accident has made Demita Fuller look at life with a different view, too.
“You really don’t take life for granted,” she said.
Fuller had been a student at Brewer Middle School, but his mother said she is trying to get the boy on homebound education following the incident because the family and doctors aren’t sure when Fuller will be able to return to class.
The shooting was the second accidental shooting involving juveniles playing with guns to take place in Greenwood County in less than a month, and authorities said the incidents highlight the importance of keeping guns stored without bullets in a secure place.
That’s advice Demita Fuller said she hopes every parent takes to heart.
“At all times, you need to be aware of your child’s surroundings,” she said.

 

 

 

 

 

Coach has high expectations
for Lander’s volleyball team


August 22, 2006

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

With five starters and two with playing experience returning, Lander University’s new volleyball coach, Carla Decker, thinks she has the makings of a team that can be a factor in the Peach Belt Conference race.
“I’ve got high expectations on myself and the players, and I would do them an injustice if I didn’t at least think we deserve to be at the top,” Decker said.
“I am anxiously awaiting our first game. The girls have done a good job working on defensive changes and trying to gradually progress our offense. They have done a good job at skill work and offense-defense work.
“The true test will be when we get into competition.”
Returning for the 2006 season are junior Sara Senn, of Wisconsin, sophomore Kerri Sorenseen, of Maple Grove, Minn., sophomore Kay Stewart, of St. Louis, junior Melissa Trippany, of Fort Myers, Fla., and junior Andrea Griffin, of Simpsonville.
Junior Melissa Hedberg, of Naples, Fla., and sophomore Carly Plecha, of Anderson, did not start but saw playing time for the Lady Bearcats, who finished 10-23 last year.
Ashley Latham, of Greenwood, is among the newcomers who include freshmen Katerina Prosser, of Sumter, Ashley Ferry, of Woodbridge, Va., Jennifer Edwards, of Georgetown, Ontario, and sophomore Marina Camps, of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
“We have a lot of returning players with a lot of experience and leadership roles,” Decker said. “And, the younger players and freshmen have done a good job of working as a team and trying to find their roles on the team.
“As a whole, everybody is getting to know what their role is and pushing themselves to really increase the overall strength of the team.”
The schedule, which starts Friday and Saturday in the Anderson College Tournament, features more games on the road than at home, but Decker doesn’t feel this will make a big difference.
“A game is a game,” she said. “It’s great to play and win at home, but my first priority is to schedule people we need to schedule. I would like to have more home games, but it doesn’t make a big difference how many games are at home or away. I don’t think it will change the wins-loss record as a whole.”
The No. 1 goal is to have a winning season.
“One of the great things about preseason polls is you get to see what other coaches think about think,” Decker added. “It’s a great way to gauge returning players.” Lander was picked fifth in the preseason PBC poll.
“We would like to finish in the top three, absolutely,” she said. “I have high expectations of myself and the players.”
The schedule includes nine home games, the first of which is Sept. 4 with North Greenville.

 

 

 

 

 

Opinion


Big business of football overtaking high schools?

August 22, 2006

Too much of a good thing! That’s often heard when we over indulge. We do it often, too. It can be in eating, or working, or ..... high school football. But, then, in athletics, that’s more the rule than the exception these days.
Take that Friday night lights habit in the south, for example. A controversy has arisen over a former Greenwood High School star’s move to Byrnes High School for his senior year. Some people were immediately suspicious of Xavier Dye’s transfer, speculating that he was doing it so he could play with Byrnes’ Willy Korn, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Both Dye and Korn early on committed to playing for Clemson University.

THOSE WITH A SUSPICIOUS nature put two and two together, and to them it did look a bit “funny.”
Nothing has been proved to suggest anything wrong, to be sure, but the S. C. High School League director Jerome Singleton rejected the move, saying he could not find a bona fide change of address. Now another appeal is expected, this time to the SCHSL executive committee. If Dye’s move is rejected another time, there is word that he will take the High School League to court in an attempt to play for Byrnes.
High school football has gotten big time in South Carolina. For Byrnes High, though, it has gone national. Byrnes will play a couple of big games in other states. To add to that, the team will play on ESPN TV.
Of course, even though Dye’s given reason for transferring and living with an uncle may have nothing to do with the big picture, it raises enough eyebrows to expect attention.

THE CHANGE IN HIGH school football bothers some people and some coaches. It should. The big time desires and elevated status high school football now has detracts from its reason for being. Greenwood High School Coach Shell Dula’s opinion is right on.
He says the rush for national exposure is not good for South Carolina high school football. He praises Byrnes’ accomplishments over the past four years. However, Dula says, “ ..... I’m afraid we’re forgetting what high school athletics is all about. I have concerns because I think high school athletics are to be played where you take great pride in playing teams in our area, and winning state championships. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that this is for the kids.”
For the kids! It may be debatable, but imagine how it would be if more coaches and parents took that approach. Friday night lights would mean so much more.

 

 

 

 

Obituaries


Martha Beaube

GREENWOOD, SC — Martha Fain Beaube, 92, of 112 Timmerman Road, wife of Lewis Jackson Beaube, died Sunday, August 20, 2006, at NHC Health Care of Greenwood.
Born in Atlanta, GA, she was a daughter of the late Thomas D. and Hattie Davis Fain. She was retired from Greenwood Mills, Mathews Plant and was a member of Restoration Ministries, where she was past president of the Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of the Sr. Adult Ladies Bible Class.
She was preceded in death by a son, Clarence Burgess Beaube and a granddaughter, Robin J. Reed.
Surviving is her husband; three daughters, Loretta Beaube Reed and Philicia Ann Beaube, both of Greenwood and Pamela Arrowood of Florida; six grandchildren, Richard L. Dixon, Jr., Heidi D. Kerhoulas, Patty R. Nickles, Jenny R. Reed, Joey Schultz and Beau Beaube and nine great grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Restoration Ministries with the Rev. Jason Garner, the Rev. Milton Hannah and the Rev. Paul Herring officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Sam Burkett, Buddy Partain, Frank Hastings, Wayne Brown, Wallace Wideman and Roy Summey.
Honorary escort will be members of the Sr. Adult Men’s and Ladies’ Bible Classes of Restoration Ministries, staff of NHC and Joyce Jabber.
The body is at Harley Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Restoration Ministries, PO Box 2141, Greenwood SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY


Janice Scott Garr

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — Janice Scott Garr, 64, died Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood, S.C., she was a daughter of Sara McManus Scott and the late William Stafford Scott. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, an MAT degree from Converse College and did post-graduate study in library science at the University of North Carolina. She moved from South Carolina to Merritt Island in 1972, where she was a media specialist at Audubon Elementary School for 35 years.
Survivors include her husband Al; two sons, Peter of Miami and Bryan of Vero Beach; her mother of Greenwood; a sister, Fran Odom of Greenville, S.C.; a brother, Donald Scott of Ladys Island, S.C.
Services were in Merritt Island.
Memorials may be made to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice, 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, FL 32940.
Beckman Williamson Funeral Home, Viera (Rockledge), was in charge.


Georgiana R. Garrison

GREENVILLE — Georgiana Robinson Garrison, 77, wife of Joel Barksdale “Jack” Garrison of Greenville, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2006 at Hospice Care of the Piedmont, Greenwood.
Born in Charleston, she was a daughter of the late Wycliffe and Georgianna Petite Robinson. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Greenville.
Survivors include her husband.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at The Mackey Mortuary. Entombment is in Greenville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation is 10-11 Wednesday at the mortuary.
Memorials may be made to McCall Hospice House Fund, 1 St. Francis Drive, Greenville, SC 29601.
The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackeymortuary.com.


Julia Ann Goodwin

NINETY SIX — Services for Julia Ann Rayford Butler Goodwin, of 210 Little Mountain Road, are 2 p.m. Thursday at Old Mount Zion Baptist Church, Epworth, conducted by the Rev. Clyde D. Cannon, assisted by the Rev. Thessa Smith and Minister Shaun Goodwin. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are grandsons.
Flower bearers are granddaughters and Denise Butler.
Honorary escorts are missionaries, pastor aides and Lodge No. 418.
The family is the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.


James Higginbotham

KENNESAW, Ga. — James Daniel Higginbotham, 76, of 4150 George Busbee Parkway, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006 at North Fulton Hospital in Roswell.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood, S.C.


Connie Whitt

HONEA PATH — Connie Ann Babb Whitt, 58, of 375 McCullough School Road, widow of Wayne Douglas Whitt, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2006 at her home.
A daughter of Vivian Free Babb Wells and the late Liston Murphy Babb, she attended Ware Shoals Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Survivors include her mother and stepfather, J.T. Wells of Ware Shoals; a daughter, Dana W. Whitten of Anderson; a stepson Wayne Douglas Whitt Jr. of Williamston; three brothers, Lloyd Babb of Donalds, Ricky Babb and Rodney Babb, both of Ware Shoals; a sister, Joyce Barker of Ware Shoals; four grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Wednesday at Ware Shoals Pentecostal Holiness Church. Burial is in Greenville Memorial Gardens. Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals.
The family is at the home of her mother, 22 N. Greenwood Ave., Ware Shoals.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge.


Norman L. Wilson

FAIRBURN, Ga. — Norman L. Wilson, 87, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006.
A native of Hightstown, N.J., he was a 1939 graduate of Hightstown High School, served in the New Jersey National Guard and was a decorated World War II veteran. He was a member of the Army 1487th Engineer Maintenance Company during the Pacific campaign, stationed in Luzon, Philippines. Living most of his adult life in Florida, he later lived in Abbeville and Greenwood, S.C. He was a member of First Assembly of God and a supporter of Father Flanagan’s Girls and Boys Town.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel Wilson; three daughters, Marti Wilson, Jo Wilson and Jane DeCantillon.
Memorials may be made to Father Flanagan’s Girls and Boys Town at www.girlsandboystown.org.
Parrott Funeral Home was in charge.