The price of a bond plan

District 50’s Web site details bond payback, construction budgets

December 10, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Many taxpayers might not know how much money Greenwood School District 50 will have to pay back for its installment purchase bond plan, even if they know how much money the district is getting.
District 50’s administration has talked at previous board meetings about how the bond plan would leverage as much as $145 million over a 25-year period to pay for construction of three elementary schools, and renovations and modifications to the rest of the schools in the district.
But how much District 50 — and taxpayers — might have to pay back is not as widely known.
The district presented information about the bond plan at an Oct. 24 board meeting that called for paying back the $145 million from installment purchase bond plans with about $257 million, said Gary Johnson, assistant superintendent of business for District 50.
That information also is available on District 50’s Web site: http://www.gwd50.org/InstBonds/FacilityPlanning-Menu.htm, under “Facts about Installment Purchase Bonds.”
The total amount taxpayers will have to pay for installment bonds, including principal and interest, is $257 million, said Debrah Miller, board of trustees chairwoman.
Bonds are typically sold by government agencies to the public and investors to pay for large projects, where the money gained from the bond sale is given to the issuing agency and paid back over an established amount of time.
Johnson said paying back $145 million gained from general obligation bonds would have cost about $285 million for 25 years.
The $257 million and $285 million figures come from Oct. 24 interest rates on the bond market and assume that the digest, or value of all school district property, would rise 1 1/2 percent a year and construction inflation 6 percent a year.
Those are conservative numbers, as in the last few years construction inflation has risen to 12 percent a year, Johnson said.

Construction, renovation budget
District 50 also has the budget for school renovations and construction for its bond plan on its Web site.
The budget plan on District 50’s Web site, provided by construction management company Southern Management Group, under the “School Renovations and Costs” link, shows a lump amount for some schools’ renovations and construction, along with a list of tasks for completion, like a new sprinkler system, but it doesn’t show how much each task will cost.
Johnson said lump sums are used because there’s no way of knowing how much the project will cost until it is bid to contractors.
“All you can do is make estimates,” he said.
District 50 made some specific estimates before hiring SMG Oct. 2, but the system is using SMG’s estimates after the company’s study of the schools’ facilities needs. SMG could have a more detailed budget, but Johnson said he doesn’t have that information.
Tom Baldwin, founder of SMG, is out of his office until Monday.
The budget could increase according to District 50’s litigation, Johnson said.
“The longer we’re delayed getting work done, the more likely we are we wouldn’t have adequate funding,” he said.

Plan progressing
District 50’s attorneys, Childs & Halligan, filed a counter lawsuit and claims on Dec. 4 against Henry Johnson, former owner of the Rental Center and plaintiff along with the South Carolina Public Interest Foundation in a lawsuit filed Nov. 3 against District 50, its bond plan, superintendent Darrell Johnson and former chairwoman Dru James, said Childs & Halligan’s attorney Allen Smith.
Childs & Halligan’s attorneys also claim Henry Johnson and the foundation filed the lawsuit to disrupt the bond plan.
Gary Johnson said District 50 is operating under the assumption the bond plan will occur and that the system would continue with the plan as if litigation wasn’t pending.

A heavenly march through Abbeville

Bands, beauties line up for parade

December 10, 2006

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Meredith Durham had the best of both worlds.
The 6-year-old Greenwood resident was one of several girls to have the honor of marching first in line during Saturday’s Abbeville Christmas Parade. And yes, she knew what that meant.
It meant that not only would she get the opportunity to march in the parade — which she did as a member of the American Heritage Girls, a national Christian-based scouting organization based out of New Covenant Tabernacle Church in Greenwood — but she’d also get to turn right around and watch the entire thing as it unfolded.
Durham wasn’t going to miss a thing, and that included the candy, always a parade highlight with those of the younger generation.
“I love to march,” she said. “I love waving at all the people.”
And what about the candy?
She just giggled and smiles at the question.
Durham knew full well that the near-full bag she clutched tightly in her hand had already betrayed her. Another float drove by slowly, and before the tossed candy had even hit the street Durham was off to collect it along with scores of her peers.
They were pretty efficient too, as not a piece stayed on the pavement for more than a second.
She then rushed back to the sidewalk with the other members of S.C. Troop 7777 — the first-ever American Heritage Girls troop to be formed in the Palmetto State.
The parade lasted about an hour and featured the Abbeville High band, Smokey the Bear, a team of unicyclists, local dignitaries, law enforcement vehicles (sirens blazing), fire trucks, several show-worthy muscle cars, several beauty queens and Santa Claus among many others.
A strong showing turned out for the event despite the chilly temperatures.
Across the street from Durham, Camryn Campbell and Brantley Hannah — each 5 years of age and already BFF (best friends forever) — surveyed the scene.
“Merry Christmas,” Hannah told someone.
The two chums were looking for — surprise, surprise — a few good pieces of candy. Oh yes, and the girls in the pretty dresses. They wanted to see the crowns.
Soon enough, a car with one such queen — Miss Winter Wonderland, Karley Waters — passed by. This drew squeals of delight from the girls.
“I like the beauty queens,” Hannah said. “My cousin (Waters) is in it.”
Campbell was a bit more focused on what had just hit the ground at her feet.
She’s there for the candy.

Delivering cheer takes extra work

Heavy loads of Christmas mail don’t faze local postal workers

December 10, 2006

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Robin Cole is station R5.
It’s nothing fancy. There are just three box-like structures with a bunch of smaller slots built into them.
It sounds more like a character from a “Star Wars” film than what it actually is, which is rural route five, or one of the 18 rural routes operated by the Greenwood post office.
That, however, is where the simplicity ends.
For in the early morning hours, the 10-year post office veteran and Ohio native sorts through stacks upon stacks of mail. Then there are the packages to get to.
Piles upon piles of them are jamming the aisles on a Friday, and there are millions more where those came from as Americans select, purchase, wrap and mail Christmas presents for far-flung friends and relatives.
The United States Postal Service says that it will deliver 20 billion letters, packages and cards between Thanksgiving and Christmas. On an average day in the U.S., the postal service will move around 670 million pieces.
On Dec. 18 — the day the postal service says will be the busiest of the year — that number will reach 900 million.
Obviously, Santa has more help than just those guys and gals with the pointed ears, hats and shoes.
“We’re already getting it,” Cole says of the expected crush. “I have a truckload of (packages) right now. Sometimes you have so many, you have to make a second run. But that’s what we do, we work until we’re done.”
It’s definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, and not the way that Cole is most used to.
“I love it here,” she says. “You have very little snow. It’s great weather to deliver mail in. I’m used to doing it in 3 to 4 feet of snow. People don’t know how good we have it down here in South Carolina.”
Cole’s “beat” stretches from Gatewood Drive to Chinquapin Road and includes every mailbox in between.
And most often, it’s done by 5 p.m. — the national post office goal for having all mail delivered each day.
“My 3-year-old (Dominic) doesn’t understand why he doesn’t see mommy as much, but I just tell him that Santa will be real good to him,” Cole said.
Her family will be using the post office more than most.
Cole’s husband, Patrick, is a native of Sierra Leone (located in West Africa), and he has three children there. He also has another child living in Panama.
“We have family all over the place,” she says.
Down the aisle and just to the right, Greenwood post office customer service supervisor Steve Maxwell directs this stunningly muted maelstrom.
Things are busy, but there is an order here.
The alternative would be chaos.
So Maxwell answers the phone and sees to customers who have specific needs and questions.
He’s walked the same streets as the men and women who head out each day. The knees told him when it was time to go.
“I used to be out there every day,” he says. “But after so many years you just can’t do it anymore.”
Maxwell asks customers for patience during the upcoming weeks. He says he has a good crew here and they do a great job at what they do: delivering the mail.
“Traditionally, the last Monday before Christmas (the 18th this year) is the heaviest,” Maxwell says. “Our goal is to have all the mail delivered by 5 p.m. We just ask that people be patient with us (during the holidays).”
Maxwell says that while the loads on the carriers do increase this time of year, so do the individual efforts.
“It’s a little tough because of the increased volume, but they put forth the extra effort and get the job done every year.”
For those customers wishing to avoid longer post office lines, this advice was offered: use the postal service Web site. At the site (www.usps.com) customers may print out a shipping label and arrange for a pickup. All customers will need to know is the weight of the package.
The carriers get a break with Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday, but Express Mail -- the postal service’s “next day” service — is still delivered 365 days a year.
That’s more delivery than even Santa could handle.

Harvey Cunningham

WATERLOO — Harvey Cunningham, 56, of 135 Riverfork Road, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at his home. The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Helen Bowling Faulkner

CLEMMONS, N.C. — Helen Bowling Faulkner, 75, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at Sticht Center.
Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home Inc. is in charge.

Martha A. Harrington

LEXINGTON — Martha A. Harrington, 59, passed away on Friday, Dec. 8, 2006.
Born in Hot Springs, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Goldie and Myrtle Adams Golden. She was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Ark. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, David Harrington of Lexington; a daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Greg Connelly of Trenton, Texas; a son, Stephen Harrington of Greenwood; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Betty Golden of Ala.; and her loving grandchildren, Deriane, Avery and Trey Connelly.
Mrs. Harrington was preceded in death by a brother, L. G. Golden.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, in the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, officiating will be Mr. Allan Whitacre.
The family will receive friends Monday evening at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of South Carolina, 500 Taylor Street, Suite 101, Columbia, SC 29201 or the American Diabetes Association, 2711 Middleburg Dr., Suite 110, Columbia, SC 29204.
www.thompsonsfuneral.com.

Mary Ruth Kelley

Mary Ruth Kelley, 53, of 510 Calhoun St., wife of Marion Kelley, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at her home.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge.

Austin Maclin Jr.

Austin Winchester Maclin Jr., 79, resident of 308 Salak Road, formerly of Vero Beach, Fla., died Dec. 8, 2006 at the Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., March 3, 1927, he was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran. A former president of the Butler Rotary Club in Butler, N.J., he was also a former president of the Fayson Lakes Association and was a volunteer firefighter and former fire chief for the Kennelon Fire Department in Kennelon, N.J. He was of the Episcopal faith.
Survivors include a daughter, Karen Hyatt and her husband Dale of Greenwood; two other daughters; one son; thirteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and former wife and very good friend, Anneke Maclin of Vero Beach, Fla. He was preceded in death by two children.
Private memorial services will be conducted later.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC, 29648 in memory of Mr. Maclin.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Maclin family.

Rebecca Melton

Rebecca Barnette Melton, 86, resident of 109 Kimbrook Drive, widow of Fred W. Melton, died Dec. 9, 2006, at Hospice House.
Born in Gaffney, June 3, 1920, she was a daughter of the late Robert T. and Julia Curry Barnette. A graduate of Limestone College, she received her Master’s Degree from Clemson University. Before her retirement, she had taught for 32 years at Leslie and Brewer schools in Greenwood. A very active member of Main Street United Methodist Church, she taught 18 years in the kindergarten department and served as coordinator of the children’s department. She was a member of the Administrative Board, co-chairman of the Alter Guild, Sympathy Service chairman, and served as a circle leader for many years. She was a member of the Trinity Sunday School Class, serving as its treasurer for 30 years.
Mrs. Melton was a charter member and past president of the Chrysanthemum Garden Club and was a member of the Phelea Study Club, Greenwood Woman’s Club, and Self Regional Healthcare Auxiliary giving over 7500 hours of service.
The last member of her immediate family, she is survived by her daughter, De Lis and husband, James W. Polatty Jr. of Conway; a grandson, Rick and wife, Leslie Polatty of Conway; two great-grandsons, Andrew and Wyatt Polatty, both of Conway.
Private burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Memorial services will be conducted 1:30 Monday afternoon from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Dennis officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home immediately following the memorial service.
Memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 North Main Street, Greenwood, 29646.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Melton family.

Clara Powell

NINETY SIX — Clara Shaw Powell, of McKenzie Road, passed away Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at Self Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Anderson County, on Jan. 4, 1917, to the late Charles F and Alice Pepper Shaw. Ms. Powell was retired from Capsugel of Greenwood.
She was predeceased by a son, James Roger Calvert of Florida; a brother Charles F. Shaw, Jr.; and sisters Eunice Glasby and Sara Shaw, all of Honea Path.
Surviving are two daughters, Carole Calvert Scott of Spartanburg and Lynn P. Moeller and her husband Steve of Ninety Six; a son, Thomas E. Powell and his wife Becky of Hodges; a brother, James Shaw of Richard B. Campbell’s Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson; twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Randy Ouzts officiating. Entombment will be at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home before the service from 2-3 p.m.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Lynn Moeller, 601 McKenzie Road, Ninety Six.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Annie Ruth Quattlebaum

SALUDA — Our loved one, Annie Ruth Banks Quattlebaum, 89, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Saluda County and a daughter of the late Albert Lamar and Annie Ruth Morgan Banks, she was the wife of the late Floyd Lewis Quattlebaum. Mrs. Quattlebaum was a retired textile worker and a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and homemaker. She was well known for her many beautiful handmade quilts. Until her health failed, she was a very active member of Gassaway United Methodist Church and continued in her prayers for her fellow church members. She was a loving neighbor and friend.
Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Jack Donald and Ann Quattlebaum of Edgefield and Floyd Lamar and Mary Alice Quattlebaum of Saluda; two daughters and sons-in-law, Annie Lewis and James Kirkland and Rebecca Gail and Steve Greeson, all of Saluda; three sisters, Mrs. Vernon (Ada E.) Derrick of Leesville, Carrie Belle Derrick and Fannie Rae Banks, both of Lexington; a brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Dot Banks of Greenwood, two sisters-in-law, Mary Ruth Banks of Lexington and Margaret Fox of Saluda; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Quattlebaum was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert L., J. Rhett and Frank Albert Banks and two grandsons, Bobby Dean Kirkland and Keith O’Brian Kirkland.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at Gassaway United Methodist Church with Rev. Tina Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Gassaway United Methodist Church, c/o Melissa Porter, 274 Old Gassaway Rd., Saluda, SC 29138.

North prevails

Lakelands all-star quartet helps team to shutout win

December 10, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Ware Shoals High School’s Letavious Williams, left, chases South’s Rashad Counts (22) during Saturday’s North-South All-Star game in Conway.

CONWAY — The North All-Star team took advantage of three first-quarter turnovers to come away with a dominating 24-0 victory over the South Saturday in the 59th annual North-South All-Star game at Brooks Stadium in Conway.
Greenwood’s Pat Aiken and Josh Norman, Ware Shoals’ Letavious Williams and Saluda’s Markel Mobley helped the North side earn the shutout win.
Aiken, the Lakelands’ lone offensive player, along with the other offensive linemen, provided the initial push that resulted in 247 yards rushing. Gaffney quarterback Malcolm Long, who was named Mr. Football Friday, completed 9-of-19 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
“I believe I did a good job today,” Aiken said. “I let them get one sack and I was mad about that, but I came back and blocked strong.”
Norman had a solid day on the defensive side. He finished the game with four tackles and one pass breakup from his defensive back position. Norman also played on special teams.
“I had a little problem with my thigh but other than that, we was going at it full speed,” Norman said. “I liked the defense we ran. It kind of reminded me of our defense and we did get the shutout.”
Mobley was the Lakelands other representative at the defensive back position. Although he didn’t start, it didn’t take long for his presence to be felt once he stepped on the field.
Mobley came in on the third series of the game and picked off Midland Valley quarterback, Brett Godwin, ending an early threat by the South team after recovering a North team fumble.
Once Mobley picked off the pass, he avoided a few tackles and picked up 15 yards, giving the offense the ball at their own 26-yard line. He also had a pass breakup in the game shutting down his area of the field.
“When I got to play I was just trying to do what I can do and do my thing. I got a chance and I wanted to show them that I could play,” Mobley said. “When I saw the ball coming toward me I said I was going to catch it. I was looking to score after I had it.”
A penalty on the return moved the ball back to the 16-yard line, but it didn’t matter to Long and the rest of the offense.
They marched 84 yards in seven plays capped off when Irmo running back, Mario Carter, broke loose for a 25-yard touchdown run. The touchdown came with 5 minutes 25 seconds left in the quarter, and the defense made sure it wouldn’t be long before the offense found their way back again.
J.L. Mann defensive back, Harry Cabaniss, intercepted Godwin’s first pass on the South’s next play and returned it 40 yards back to the 3-yard line setting up the North with a first and goal.
Woodruff running back, Tymeau-The Meredith finished off the scoring sequence with a 3-yard run, giving the North a 14-0 lead.
The North’s final touchdown of the game came a few seconds later following a Rashad Counts fumble that was recovered by the North at the 15-yard line.
From that spot, Long connected with Tyson Petty who was open in the corner of the end zone to give the North a commanding 21-0 lead.
The Hornets’ Williams had a solid day on the defensive line. He held his own for the entire game beginning with the first series when he picked up two tackles. He finished with six tackles which included two for loss of yardage. What didn’t show up on the stat sheet was the pressure that Williams helped put on the South’s quarterbacks for the entire game.
“I think I played good today,” Williams said. “I came to represent my team and I came from a little school so I had to show out and show those boys I can play.”

Faith, worship are ties that bind us all — but ....

December 10, 2006

One of the foundations of this nation, and one of the things that has made it great, is religion. The Founding Fathers thought religion was important enough to the lives of all people they incorporated the freedom of worship into the Constitution.
Through the years faith has indeed been integral to American life, certainly in South Carolina it has been the basic ingredient of a civil society. Just about every small town throughout the state has churches that represent most of the basic religions practiced by black and white citizens. In the bigger towns and cities, of course, can be found just about every denomination and every form of religion, with all people free to worship as they choose. Some people choose not to worship at all and they have that right, thanks to the Constitution.

IT’S THE WORSHIP, THOUGH, that is the common tie that binds the nation together and strengthens its morals and character.
Faith is the strength of the family. Faith is the courage that travels with us through the valleys of the shadow of death as we encounter the crises we face individually and as a people throughout life. Faith is the comfort and hope that give us assurance as we battle sickness and injuries. Faith is the devotion of a parent when a child is ill or threatened or in need. Faith is the shield that protects and keeps believers immovable. Faith provides the moral and emotional tenacity to hold and protect what we’ve been given for posterity’s sake.
The Founding Fathers had no doubt about any of that. They knew the importance of religion in the lives of people, and they included it in their grand design.

IT WORKED. THE UNITED States of America became the greatest nation in the history of the world ..... and religion, specifically the Christian religion, was an integral part of their thinking and their plans.
These days, though, studies show religion is losing the battle in general. Christianity has come under attack, and it’s clear church membership is declining, significantly and swiftly. There will be some who’ll argue that this is not a Christian nation. Let ‘em argue. They have that right. But the rest of us have the right to believe ..... and argue that it was created a Christian nation and it still is. If the present trend continues, though, no one will need to argue. There won’t be enough of organized Christianity in the U. S. to argue about it.
Isn’t that worth some serious introspection by all churches?