‘Tea party’ brewing in Saluda?
Hundreds show up for meeting, angry over skyrocketing property taxes
December 14, 2006
By
MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer
SALUDA — There hadn’t been this much
talk of a tea in Saluda since the late 1700s.
The tea mentioned was that very stuff that stirred the infamous
Boston Tea Party, the very same one that helped to ignite the
Revolutionary War.
Saludans have made it clear — and more than 700 of them
showed up at Wednesday night’s called “informational
meeting” hosted by Saluda County Council — that they’ve
had their fill of the skyrocketing property taxes.
The “tea” — or some sort of visible demonstration
against the county government — is still a secondary
concern, for now.
But, as one citizen said, “enough is enough.”
Taxes were something that did more than turn heads in those
revolutionary times. And while Saludans are not quite at the
rebellious stage, some did say Wednesday that they had no
intention of paying the new bills.
Council chairman T. Hardee Horne explained to the crowd gathered
at Saluda High’s “Tiger’s Den” cafeteria
— an appropriately named location for the occasion — as
best he could why the bills were what they were. The crowd,
unlike during Monday’s regular council meeting when people
were at times overheard talking about “needing some rope,”
was patient in listening to Horne.
“There are a lot of unknowns right now,” he said.
What he didn’t explain well enough for citizens was what
officials were going to do about it.
The “it” is the $2,653.96 Lynn Wooten is going to have
to come up with by Jan. 15 to pay the property taxes on her
12-by-52 mobile home on a small plot of land — land not
located near Lake Murray.
In 1996 when she and her husband bought the trailer, the taxes
were $672. Last year that rose to $997. But following the first
reassessment on property values in Saluda County in six years,
bills have exploded through the roof.
“To say the least I was shocked,” she said.
Reed Ringer took the open forum opportunity to address the
problem with illegal immigration, stating that illegal immigrants
are “weighing heavily” on Saluda County.
Another resident said Saluda County is called “Little
Mexico.”
“Why is that?” she asked.
Another gentleman sat nearby with a large sign saying “Stop
Taxing our Property,” along with a phone number and a Web
site location. Hundreds of stickers stating the same peppered the
crowd. A man dressed in a Santa Claus outfit held up a sign that
read: “Santa’s bag is empty because he has to pay
Saluda County taxes.”
His sister read a poem written to the tune of “’Twas
the Night Before Christmas.” It was a colorful scene,
television news cameras included.
The sense of humor was a nice break, but the business was all too
serious.
Roy G. Huffman’s taxes went from $505 to $1,373.
“Now this is just an old country boy’s calculations,
but that’s like 180 percent,” he said to a loud
ovation. “My pay didn’t go up 180 percent.”
Others were even more to the point.
“Frankly, we can’t continue to pay these taxes,”
Larry Michael said. “Citizens of Saluda County are better
off in an emergency to pack up their families and drive to a gas
station in Lexington and call 911 rather than wait 25 minutes for
an ambulance here to show up. Stop a disaster before it happens.
Do what’s right. Saluda needs a solution.”
The solution so many Saluda County residents seek might not come
soon enough to keep residents from footing these exorbitant bills
on Jan. 15.
Council has called a special meeting for tonight at its offices
to vote on the second reading of an ordinance that will rescind
the latest reassessment that has driven bills so high in the
first place. The motion for that ordinance was made by District
Four Councilman Jacob Schumpert during Monday’s meeting.
However, no one present on Wednesday could explain how — if
passed — that ordinance would affect Saluda County.
“We’re standing on new ground,” Schumpert said.
“Like (Horne) said, we’re not sure what rescinding the
reassessment will really mean yet.”
So Saluda County residents wait, their “war paint” in
hand. Many say they plan to remain in Saluda County, fight and
wait it out.
Others aren’t so sure.
Ben Kogan’s property taxes on a modest home went from $900
to $2,900. The only improvement he says he has made in the last
year is “cutting the grass.”
But if something isn’t done, he says a “For Sale”
sign might just be next.
“I told my boss on Monday that I had to leave work early,”
Kogan said. “He said ‘Why? You never leave early.’
I told him I was being evicted by Saluda County.”
A third reading of the “rescind” ordinance will not
take place until January.
Bound for success
Westview students become published authors
December 14, 2006
By
BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer
Davis Dykes, a sixth-grader at Westview Middle School, has a
sister and cousin who own a dragon — at least in his story.
The dragon’s tale he crafted, “Magical Madison,”
has been published, along with a slew of other students’
books.
The students saw their hard-bound, published work Wednesday at
Westview. Students have self-published their books with the help
of media specialist Gwen Sullivan and publishing company
Nationwide Learning Inc.
Students purchased publishing kits for $1 from Nationwide
Learning, which let them design book covers, draw illustrations
for the inside pages, write stories and even dedicate the books
that teachers proofread, Sullivan said.
“We help them along, but basically, they do it themselves,”
she said.
The books take about two weeks to be published and returned to
the school. Davis said he likes having his book published.
“It feels really good to have your name on something,”
he said. “It would be really cool to have it in stores, but
this is a start.”
Davis writes mostly about dragons and other fantasy ideas because
he wants to feel like he’s been transported to another
place.
Westview began helping students publish books last year, with
sixth- and seventh-graders publishing this year and plans for
eighth-graders to write poetry books next semester, Sullivan
said.
The publishing project went over well last year. Teachers were
moved by the books as much as students. A teacher who saw her
students reading their own books was brought to tears, Sullivan
said.
“They are priceless gifts,” she said.
Sullivan first learned about self-publishing for children after a
Nationwide Learning sample was sent to her. She asked Westview
principal Cyndi Storer if she could have teachers try out
publishing, and the rest is written in history.
Sullivan wasn’t disappointed by the first batch of books,
with their glossy covers and thick pages.
The books also give students an opportunity to express their
thoughts, which might help them learn better.
“Hopefully, we’ll see that in test scores,”
Sullivan said.
Alexa Boatwright, a sixth-grade teacher at Westview, said the
children can keep the books forever, giving them someday to their
children or as Christmas presents.
Creating the books helps students think more about their writing,
which helps them plan, edit and rewrite better.
Caity White, a sixth-grader in Boatwright’s class, is having
her first published book go to the dogs. “Fluffy Q. Hound
and Belle” is the story of how Caity’s dogs Fluffy and
Belle first met each other.
Caity said she likes writing and one day wants to write mysteries
and have them published.
Natural talent pays off
GHS
alumnus Edwards has used his skill
to lead Appalachian State to another title game
December 14, 2006
By
RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal staff writer
Former Greenwood High School quarterback Armanti Edwards has made
quite a name for himself during his freshman season at
Appalachian State University.
The 6-foot, 160-pound quarterback has helped lead the No.
1-ranked Mountaineers (13-1) into the 2006 Division I-AA national
championship game against No. 3 Massachusetts (13-1) at 8 Friday
night at Chattanooga, Tenn. Both teams are seeking their second
national championship.
Edwards won the Southern Conference’s Freshman of the Week
award five times this season, which tied the most ever by a
single player in a season for the Southern Conference, on his way
to being named the conference’s Freshman of The Year.
He also was named to the SoCon’s first team all-conference
squad for his exploits during the regular season.
The season has definitely been great for Edwards. During the
Mountaineers’ playoff run, he eclipsed 2,000 yards passing
and 1,000 yards rushing, joining David Dinkins (Morehead State
1999), Woodrow Dantzler (Clemson ’01), Brad Smith (Missouri
’02) and Vince Young (Texas ’05), as the only Division
I players to accomplish the feat. Edwards remains humble when
looking at his freshman season and the accolades that have come
with it.
“I’m not really looking at them (records) right now. I’m
just concentrating on the game,” Edwards said. “I’ve
never played for a championship. I’m just coming in not
knowing what to expect.”
Regarding Friday’s game, Edwards said he doesn’t know
what to really expect, but he knows it will be a tough match-up
against the Minutemen.
“It’s a great moment right now,” Edwards said.
“As you can tell, the season has been great for us so far
and now we’re playing for the championship.”
RICHIE WILLIAMS, FORMER Mountaineers quarterback
who has nearly all passing records at Appalachian State while
leading the team to its first championship last season over
Northern Iowa, has been impressed with Edwards play and says he
wouldn’t be surprised if Edwards leaves a definitive mark on
the record books as well.
Edwards has already broken the school record for rushing yards by
a quarterback with 172 yards rushing in the Mountaineers
first-round playoff win against Coastal Carolina.
“He came in and he’s been playing really well.
Basically, this was a perfect situation for him as a true
freshman. He’s got all the tools around him. All he has to
do is go in there and play ball and that’s what he’s
been doing,” Williams said. “It’s not far-fetched
to say that he is going to break some records here. If he keeps
playing like he’s playing now, he just might go and get all
of them.”
Those are kind words from Williams, who came back from an ankle
sprain suffered in the semifinals to lead the Mountaineers back
from a 16-7 halftime deficit in last year’s 21-16 Division
I-AA championship victory at Finley Stadium.
Williams said he has offered Edwards some advice based on his
time under center.
“I’ve just basically talked about relaxing. Against
Montana State they were turning the ball over and I told him to
just keep two hands on the ball when he was stepping up in the
pocket,” Williams said. “I told him if he keeps both
hands on the ball and just takes care of the ball, nobody can
beat him. I also told him when he scrambles, to just keep looking
downfield because that’s where a lot of easy touchdowns come
from. Right now, when he runs, he runs. I told him if he adds
that to his game, it’s over.”
GREENWOOD OFFENSIVE coordinator and quarterbacks
coach Chris Liner said he was proud of the success Edwards is
having. He added it’s no surprise to those that have known
him.
“One thing with Armanti is that it was just different with
him. When he came to Greenwood High as a ninth-grader, he was
blessed with an enormous amount of natural talent,” Liner
said. “Armanti is one of the few kids I’ve ever seen
that was born with a lot of those attributes that it takes to be
a great quarterback. It’s not necessarily anything that I
had something to do with. He’s just an unbelievable
competitor.”
Edwards said it helped that Liner took steps to aid him at
quarterback during his final two years as a member of the Eagles.
“He used to go to the college practices and get what they
were doing and bring it back and we practiced those things and
worked on a lot of fundamentals,” Edwards said.
Edwards has had a great supporting cast on both sides of the ball
— most notably, tailback Kevin Richardson. The Walter Payton
Award candidate has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and has kept
defenses from focusing solely on Edwards.
“It makes things a whole lot easier having him back there,”
Edwards said. “They (defenses) can’t just key on one
person.”
Edwards also mentioned the Mountaineers’ offensive line, led
by Walter Camp All-American Matt Isenhour. The big men have
dominated the trenches, helping the Mountaineers offense rank
among the nation’s top 10 in scoring (35.7 ppg.), rushing
(238.1 ypg.) and total offense (416.7 ypg.) among other
categories.
“You can give them all the credit. Without them we wouldn’t
have our stats,” Edwards said. “They’ve continued
to block better and hopefully that’ll carry over to Friday.”
Opinion
Talk
won’t help anything about an historic hatred
December 14, 2006
A
brutal attack on an automobile carrying children to school
symbolizes the utter hopelessness of ever finding a peaceful
solution in the Middle East, where hatred overshadows everything.
Within a day that attack was answered violently.
Gunmen in Gaza City opened fire on the car of a senior
Palestinian intelligence official, killing his three young sons
as they were being dropped off at school. The official, who is
closely linked with Palestinian leader Mamoud Abbas’ Fatah
Party was not in the car. However, his allies retaliated.
Members of Fatah and its Palestinian Hamas opponents have been at
odds over whether to recognize Israel’s right to exist. Even
the slightest hint that Abbas would do that is, as the violence
shows, all it takes to bring more bloodshed, no matter who gets
hurt.
IT DOESN’T ALWAYS SEEM to matter what is
used as an excuse, there is such a deep divide in the Muslim/Arab
world over Israel that any excuse is grounds for internal
slaughter. If the various factions can’t war against Jews
they are at each others’ throats over some other
disagreement. Militants within each faction evan kill each other.
It’s nothing new, to be sure. They’ve been at it for
centuries and likely will keep the hostilities going on for
eternity.
It’s not just Gaza or other Arab territory that is
constantly under the gun. It’s being played out in Iraq.
Shiite and Sunni Muslims spill each others’ blood every day.
Unfortunately our forces are in the middle of the violence and
the American military casualties mount. Now an Iraq bipartisan
study group has made recommendations to President Bush on what it
says is needed to hasten the end of conflict in Iraq.
ONE RECOMMENDATION IS for the U. S. to talk face
to face with Syria and Iran, both of which have overtly and
covertly supplied training, military equipment and arms that have
extended and intensified the turmoil.
Some South Carolinians may not comprehend the historic nature of
the hatred among the people of the Middle East. Some, no doubt,
would agree that talk would be beneficial. Considering the depth
of hatred all around, even excluding Americans and their allies,
talk has never kept Shiite and Sunni Muslims from the fratricide
that has kept the Middle East a confusing, barbarous, bloody and
continuous example of man’s inhumanity to man through the
ages.
We could talk, but would anyone listen?
Obituaries
Ruby Lee Allen
WARE
SHOALS — Ruby Lee Hendricks Allen, 82, of 33 Honea
Path St., widow of Ozzie Lee Allen, died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006
at Self Regional Healthcare. She was a daughter of the late Comas
“Gip” and Maggie Carrington Hendricks of Cummings, Ga.
She was a homemaker and member of Ware Shoals Church of God of
Prophecy.
Surviving are: three sons, Tim Allen and Sammy Allen of Ware
Shoals and Jerry Allen, Greenwood; one grandchild, Angie Edwards;
and one great-grandchild, Ethan Edwards.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, 2 p.m. at Greenwood
Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. Larry McCall and Mr.
Melvin Morrell officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at
the Chapel.
Parker-White Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Annie Bagwell
HODGES
— Annie Lizzie Brown Bagwell, 87, former resident
of 277 Bagwell Road, widow of S.E. Bagwell, died Dec. 13, 2006 at
the Abbeville Nursing Home.
Born in Hartwell, GA, she was a daughter of the late William
Walter and Flora Bell Dickert Brown. She was retired from
Greenwood Mills, Durst Plant and was a member of Providence
Baptist Church.
Surviving is a daughter, Cheryl B. Goodman and husband, William
C. “Bill”, of Hodges; a granddaughter, Virginia
Satterfield of GA and a grandson, Joshua Henderson of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at
Providence Baptist Church with Rev. Lamar Babb officiating.
Burial will be in Hodges Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Carlton Brissey, Donnie Medlock, Robbie
Coker, Stanley Davis and George Davenport Jr.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the
church at 10 a.m. Friday morning.
The family is at the home of Bill and Cheryl Goodman, 239 Bagwell
Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8
Thursday evening.
Memorials may be made to Providence Baptist Church, 4714
Moorefield Street, Hodges, SC 29653 or to the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, 733 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the
Bagwell family.
Lena D. Bagwell
WATERLOO
— Lena Davenport Bagwell, 94, of 5474 Riverfork
Road, widow of John Richard Bagwell, died Wednesday, Dec. 13,
2006 at Self Regional Healthcare. She was born in Laurens County,
a daughter of the late Arthur Eugene and Fannie Bell Wrenn
Davenport.
She was retired from Greenwood Mills and was a member of Reedy
Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church, Surviving are two sons, Hubert
Bagwell, Spartanburg, S.C., and Wayne Bagwell, Waterloo; one
brother, William David Davenport, Greenwood; three sisters, Mavis
Shirley and Gladys Godfrey, both of Hodges, SC, and Mary
Crawford, Waterloo; eight grandchildren, eight
great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
She was pre-deceased by two sons, Jimmy Bagwell and Billy
Bagwell.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 3 p.m. at Reedy
Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church ,with Rev. Tommy Wooten, Rev.
Bobby Davis and Rev. J.C. Sorrow officiating. Burial will follow
in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Sammy, Jeffery, Glen, Bruce, Jason and
Eric Bagwell.
The family will be at the home of Wayne Bagwell, 5374 Riverfork
Road, Waterloo, and will receive friends at Parker-White Funeral
Home, Thursday, 6-8 p.m.
The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Friday. Memorials
may be made to Reedy Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Joshua Harling
HODGES
— Joshua Harling, 55, of 407 Freetown Road, died
Dec. 12 at his home. Born in Greenwood Co. Oct. 12, 1951, he was
a son of the late James Harling and Golden Smith Harling.
Surviving is a son, Timothy Wilson of Greenwood, two daughters,
Tomica Arnold of Ware Shoals and Otelia Evans of Greenwood, three
brothers, James E. Harling and Marion Harling of Hodges and
Julian Harling of Greenwood; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from Holy Spring
Baptist Church, with Rev. Dr. Amos Harling officiating. Burial
will be in Andrew Chapel Cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers will be friends of the family.
The body will be placed in the church at 1.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Harling family.
Online: pertompfh1.earthlink.net.
John B. Harris III
GEORGETOWN
— John Bunyan Harris, III, 54, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006,
at his residence.
The family will receive friends at their residence at DeBordieu
Colony in Georgetown Thursday evening, Dec. 14, 2006, from five
until seven.
The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of
arrangements.
Dorothy Mae Jones
Dorothy
Mae Jones, 69, of 204 Stonehaven Drive, widow of Bennie Lee
Jones, Jr., passed away Dec. 11 at Self Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Greenwood County, Feb. 12, 1937, a daughter of
the late William Frazier and Daisy Robinson Frazier.
She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where she served
faithfully on the Usher Board and also served as President. She
was one of the founding members of the Youth Choir and President
of the FCL Eveready Club. She was a graduate of Brewer High
School and retired from Greenwood Mills Executive Office.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Lee Ann (Rodney) Pope of
Greenwood, Ms. Allison Willis of Greenwood, three sons, Bennie
Carlton (Lisa) Jones of Asheville, NC, Keith Frazier Jones and
Barry Hawes of Greenwood, one sister, Betty Jean Hawes of
Greenwood; and 11 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from Tabernacle
Baptist Church, with Rev. Marvin Hughes officiating and Rev.
Norris Turner presiding.
Burial will be in Evening Star.
Pallbearers and flower bearers will be friends of the family.
The body will be placed in the church at 1.
The family is at the home, 204 Stonehaven Drive, Greenwood.
Public viewing will be from 1-8 at the funeral home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Jones family.
Online: pertompfh1@earthlink.net.
Julius ‘Buddy’ King
ABBEVILLE
— Julius Hamilton “Buddy” King, 80, of 365 Bulls
Horne Road, husband of Jean Bradberry King, died Wednesday, Dec.
13, 2006, at Abbeville Nursing Home.
Services will be announced by The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.
Carroll Martin
WARE
SHOALS — Carroll “Cal” Martin, 36, of 306
Turkey Creek Road, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006. The family is at
the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson-Walker Funeral Service.
Levester Peterson Sr.
NINETY
SIX — Levester Peterson Sr., 71, of 116 Davis Drive
of Ninety-Six, widower of Carrie Lou Harris Peterson, died
Monday, Dec. 11, 2006 at Saluda Nursing Center. Born in North
Carolina, he was the son of the late Luther Peterson and Tressie
Stevens Peterson. He was a member of Springfield Baptist Church
in Edgefield and retired from Greenwood Mills. He was a former
member of the Rolling Stars Motorcycle Club. Survivors include
three sons, Levester (Helen) Peterson Jr. of Saluda, Terry
(Lozetta) Peterson of Chappells and Larry (Vickie) Peterson of
Atlanta, Ga.; one brother, Joseph Peterson of the home; one
sister, Gertrude Lynch of Wake Forest, N.C.; five grandchildren;
and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 1 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 at Springfield Baptist Church in Edgefield,
conducted by Rev. James Stuckey and assisted by Rev. Donnie R.
Cobb. Body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial is in the
Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Ninety-Six. The family will
receive friends this evening at the funeral home 6-7 p.m. The
family is at the home of his son Terry (Lozetta) Peterson, 554
Scurry Island Road in Chappells. Online condolences can be sent
to the family at robson@nctv.com.
Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the Peterson
family.
Robert Peterson
Robert
C. Peterson, 85, of 17 Timberwood Road, husband of Carol
Peterson, died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at Self Regional Medical
Center.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.
Johnnie Mae Simmons
ABBEVILLE
— Johnnie Mae McGrier Simmons, 63, of 133 Moore
St., died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at her home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary Inc.
Joe Syrkett
Joe
Syrkett, 69, of 136 Singleton St., husband of Mary Syrkett, died
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at his home.
The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.