Former Greenwood County Coroner dies

January 29, 2006

By GREG DEAL
Index-Journal managing editor

A longtime public servant who was a former fire department battalion chief and a former Greenwood County coroner died Saturday.
Grady Hill, 71, died at Oconee Memorial Hospital following a lengthy battle with leukemia and kidney disease, family members said.
"He loved life and was always happy," widow Sherry Walker Hill said.
Grady, who moved to Seneca after retiring as county coroner in 1999, was Greenwood County's coroner from 1991-99. He was deputy coroner before that, serving a total of 16 years with the department.
It was at the department where he met Sherry, who was a deputy coroner who worked with him for seven years.
"He was fair, accurate, compassionate, honest and stood up for what he believed in no matter what," Sherry said. "It takes a special person to do that." Sherry said Grady often worked 60 hours a week for $10,000 a year.
S.C. Supreme Court Justice James E. Moore, who swore in Grady in 1991, said "I've known Grady since our high school days. He was always a dedicated fireman and dedicated to the office of coroner.
"He never hesitated to work long hours and volunteered his time often to worthy causes."
Grady served with the Greenwood City Fire Department for 34 years as a member and battalion chief. He was past president of the South Carolina State Fireman's Association and a member and past president of the South Carolina State Fire Chiefs Association.
He was inducted into the South Carolina Firefighters Hall of Fame and was past president of the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department.
He was also a State Law Enforcement Division agent.
Grady worked on some of the biggest cases in the area -as a fireman and coroner.
As a member of the coroner's office, he took part in the investigations of two major cases: the 1988 Oakland Elementary School shootings that left two dead, and a case involving the slaying of a female Lander student, whose body was found in a pond.
In both cases, people were convicted of the crimes.
As a battalion fire chief, he participated in the arson investigation of evangelist Leroy Jenkins, a Greenwood native who served 5 1/2 years in prison after being convicted in 1979 of conspiring to burn the homes of a Highway Patrolman and a businessman.
When Greenwood City Fire Chief Terry Strange started his career as a firefighter 30 years ago, Grady was his shift commander.
"He made a profound impact on me and my career," Strange said. "He was a man larger than life -full of compassion for the job and his fellow man.
"He exemplified the courage and dignity that is expected of a firefighter. It's been a tremendous honor and a pleasure to have known and served with Grady Hill."
Son Richard Hill, of Columbia, worked for five years, from 1992-97, with his father in the coroner's office.
"It was a unique experience," Richard said. "I always called him Grady instead of Dad. People always got a kick out of that."
Richard said he and his father found themselves in professional situations as often as personal ones.
"Not only the county, but the state of South Carolina has lost a great man," Richard said.
Grady was appointed to and served on the Governor's Arson Taskforce by then-Gov. Richard Riley in the early 1980s. That taskforce proposed legislation that called for the creation of the South Carolina Arson Control Team. Greenwood Police Chief Gerald Brooks, at the time a fire investigator, was one of its original members.
"He was certainly a good friend to me," Brooks said. "There was a little age difference -we were about 20 years apart in age - but he took me under his wing as far as training and fire and arson investigation. He was instrumental in getting me involved in some of the early training I had as an arson investigator. "I don't think you'll ever meet a person more dedicated to the fire service as he was."
Brooks was appointed police chief in 1991, just as Grady was beginning his service as the county's coroner.
"In the late '70s and '80s, we worked together on arson investigations," Brooks said. "Beginning in 1991, we found ourselves working together on fatalities and homicides."
And having that previous working relationship helped, Brooks said.
"We had an excellent rapport," he said. "We each knew we could count on one another."
Grady, who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, never strayed from his lifetime of service, family members said.
He volunteered at the hospital -the same one where he died - until he became too sick to do so.
He volunteered in transportation at the hospital and would cook meals for hospital employees.
"He just loved to cook," family friend Alison Phillips said.
His favorites were prime ribs and banana pudding, she said.
Grady was hospitalized in October 2005 and was moved back and forth among hospitals while being treated.
Greenwood County Coroner Jim Coursey had a special relationship with Grady. Coursey is a former Greenwood Police chief.
"We worked together for 25 years in one aspect or another," Coursey said. "He spent his entire life as a public servant. He was a caring person."
Coursey was police chief during the Oakland school shootings while Grady was deputy coroner. When Grady retired in 1999, then-Gov. Jim Hodges appointed Coursey to replace him.
Grady will be honored with a fireman's funeral and a full military burial.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Chapel of Davenport Funeral Home in West Union, with burial to follow at Oconee Memorial Park.
The family is asking that, in the spirit of Grady's public service, memorials be made to the Hospice of the Foothills Foundation, Hospice House Building Fund, 390 Keowee School Road, Seneca, S.C., 29672.
See Grady's obituary, which includes a list of survivors, on page 4A.

Index-Journal Special Projects Editor Jim Joyce contributed to this article. Information about the Leroy Jenkins case was obtained from a 2003 Charlotte Observer article by Ken Garfield.

The FORCE is strong with them

Local police department like big family

January 29, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Anyone who has spent time around law enforcement officers knows that there is a brotherhood and sisterhood among those who wear the uniform.
But for some police officers at the Greenwood Police Department, that bond goes beyond the badge - it's truly in their blood.
The department has a variety of family ties, including several father-son combinations, brothers who serve together and even a husband-and-wife team.
"Almost anywhere you work, everybody wants there to be a sense of family," said Greenwood Police Chief Gerald Brooks, "and this (having family members in the department) enhances that feeling."
Brooks said when relatives listen to family members recount tales of their duties as police officers, it can often weigh in on a decision to join the force.
"They've sat there and listened over supper to a lot of conversation about this type of work," Brooks said.
With two cousins working in law enforcement with the county, one cousin working with the Department of Natural Resources, an uncle working security at the courthouse and two other cousins working in law enforcement in North Carolina, Master Patrolman Mitchell McAllister had more than ample opportunity to hear those stories at family reunions.
"I have a whole slew of (law enforcement officers) in my family," the 29-year-old said, laughing. "I've been around law enforcement my entire life. I had no misconceptions about it. I heard the good and the bad parts because I was surrounded by it."
McAllister, who has served with the department for about four years, followed in the footsteps of father Lt. Mickey McAllister, who has since moved on from the Greenwood Police Department to work with the State Law Enforcement Division.
Master Patrolman Chip Davenport, who also has been with the department for about four years, said his father, former Greenwood Police Lt. Ronald Davenport, tried to discourage him from entering law enforcement.
But the 25-year-old said that when his father realized he was serious about joining the department, his resistance turned into full support. He said sharing the badge has been a positive influence on their relationship.
"It has brought us a little closer together," Davenport said.
McAllister said that support was also present in his family.
"Every parent wants their child to do something a little better than they did. Once I decided that I wanted to be a police officer, my dad was behind me 100 percent," McAllister said. "It's not a job to do to make a lot of money, it's a job you do because you want to do it. Once your parents see that, they support you."
In the 2½ years Pfc. Joseph Price has been with the Greenwood Police Department, he said he has heard many stories about father Capt. David Price. "Everybody said he has a lot of respect on the street and that he is good at what he does. I saw that respect and I wanted to follow in his footsteps," Joseph, 25, said.
David Price retired from the Greenwood Police Department after 34 years in January 2001. But after a few weeks of retirement, the father of three decided to put the uniform back on.
"I still enjoy the job and being out in the community. I've made a lot of friends over the years," David said, adding that he was proud to see his son enter law enforcement. "I see a lot of me in him when I was young and just starting out on the force."
Joseph said others see a little bit of his father in him, too.
"On one arrest for a drug charge, we got the guy to jail and as I was walking away, he said, 'Price, you'll never amount to your dad,'" Joseph said, smiling. "But then I have others say that I have a lot of my dad in me. Sometimes when people find out who my dad is, they'll calm down because they've dealt with him and they know what kind of man he is.
"But that's also what makes it a little more difficult. Everybody kind of expects me to be what my dad is," Joseph said. "I've got some big shoes to fill - I know that."
Brooks said the City of Greenwood's administration procedures prohibit family members from supervising relatives. He said family members of officers are notified of this procedure when they apply to work at the department.
"They are aware that, hypothetically, one day the relationship could become limiting" if one family member is promoted to a supervising rank, Brooks said. One officer may have to resign or forgo the promotion.
For that reason, the Prices can't work on the same shift, though Joseph said it might be a fun experience.
"I wish I could work on the same shift (with my dad)," he said. "I've always wanted to work with him and see how he does stuff on the street."
Though the uniform has made him tough as a parent, David said sharing a badge with his son has brought the two closer together.
"(Joseph) might call me to ask me a question, and we share a lot of stories about what we've dealt with on our shifts," he said. "It makes me feel proud to see him in uniform." And even though their fathers have moved on from the department, McAllister and Davenport said they also get a comment every now and then about their family connections.
"I still wonder: Am I doing things the way my dad did them," McAllister said. "As long as we work for people who worked with our dads, we'll always be slightly compared to them. The good thing for us is, our parents were good officers and left good names for themselves."

Lill Eva Billington

NINETY SIX - Lill Eva Billington, 67, of 2102 Carter Road, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 at her home.
The family is at the home of his son, Marc Hess, 2100 Carter Road.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.c

Leo N. Cann

WATERLOO - Leo N. Cann, 66, of Sulfur Springs Road, husband of Connie Maxwell Cann, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 at his home.
Born in Ware Shoals, Martin Community of Laurens County, he was a son of the late Robert H. and Ametta Surrett Cann. He was retired from Capsugel, Greenwood Plant and a member of Shade Tree Revival Church.
Survivors include his wife; four sons, Steve Cann, Russell Cann, Scott Cann and Jeremy Cann; and three grandchildren. Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Shade Tree Revival Church, conducted by the Rev. Grady Lothridge. The body will be placed in the church at 10. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Willie Cooper, Ray Turner, Lin Lowery, Gene Owens, Rickey Taylor and Robert Taylor.
Honorary escorts are Tony Taylor, Bob Seawright, Herbert McCoy, Rabon Cann, Jesse Cann and David Cooper.
Visitation is 5-7 today at Parker-White Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646.
Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Grady Hill

Seneca, SC - Grady Carroll Hill, 71, husband of Sherry Walker Hill, of 311 West North Third Street, Seneca, SC died Saturday, January 28, 2006 at Oconee Memorial Hospital.
A native of Greenwood County, Mr. Hill was the son of the late Knox G. and Ethel Blackstock Hill. He served with the Greenwood City Fire Department for thirty-four years as a member and Battalion Chief. Mr. Hill was a member and Past President of the South Carolina State Fireman's Association and a member and Past President of the South Carolina State Fire Chiefs Association. He was a member of the South Carolina Firefighter's Hall of Fame and was a Past President of the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Hill served as a SC SLED agent, Deputy with the Greenwood County Coroners Office, and as the Greenwood County Coroner. He was a member and Past Master of the Greenwood Masonic Lodge #91 and a member and Past President of the Greenwood County Shrine Club. Mr. Hill was a US Army Veteran having served during the Korean War and the Viet Nam War. He was an active member of the Foothills Community Church.
In addition to his wife of the home, Mr. Hill is survived by:
Sons: Richard A. Hill and wife Lauri, Columbia, SC Brad Baer, Home Tyler Baer, Home Ryan Baer, Home Daughter: Carole Hill, Abbeville, SC Brother: David Hill and wife Yvonne, Greenwood, SC
2 Grandchildren: Allison Hill and Knox Hill
In addition to his parents, Mr. Hill was predeceased by two brothers, Harold Hill and Jack Hill.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, January 30, 2006 at the Chapel of Davenport Funeral Home with burial to follow in Oconee Memorial Park.
The body is at Davenport Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6-8:00 PM Sunday, January 29, 2006. The family is at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Walker, 187 Armstrong Road, Seneca, SC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Foothills Foundation, Hospice House Building Fund, 390 Keowee School Road, Seneca, SC 29672.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.davenportfuneralhome.com
DAVENPORT FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Lois Blackwell Miner

PLUM BRANCH - Lois Blackwell Miner, 84, of 208 Old Edgefield Road, widow of Leonard Holley Miner, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2006 at her home.
Born in McCormick, she was a daughter of the late Tom Robert and Juanita McClendon Blackwell. She retired from Riegel and was a very active member of Plum Branch Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Robert L. Miner of Fort Mill, S.C. and John T. Miner of Tampa, Fla.; a daughter, Patricia M. Wolfe of Centreville, Va.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Plum Branch Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Darrell Engle.
Visitation is 3-5 today at Plum Branch Baptist Church.
The family is at the home.
Strom Funeral Home, McCormick, is in charge.

George Smith Perrin Jr.

McCORMICK - George Smith Perrin Jr., 67, 414 South Main St., husband of Mary Frances Green Perrin, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 at his home following a sudden illness.
Born in McCormick, he was a son of Sallie Tucker Perrin and the late George S. "Bubba" Perrin Sr. He was a member of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church and retired from Joy Construction Co. of Fredericks, Va. He was a volunteer at Perrin's Exxon Station in McCormick.
Survivors include his wife of the home; his mother of McCormick; seven daughters, Syreeta Holmes of Augusta, Lucy Holmes of Abbeville, Louise Robinson of McCormick, Lorraine Holmes of Woodbridge, Va., Barbara Todd, Bernice Minor and Brenda Myers of Spotsylvania, Va.; four sons, Calvin Fambrough and Cory Stubbs of McCormick, Mark Holmes and James Holmes of Spotsylvania, Va.; two brothers, Bobby Murray of Greenwood and Boggs Middleton of Conway, S.C.; three sisters, Brenda Murray and Linda Murray of McCormick and Mamie Jones of Greenwood; 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Liddell Sanders

PHILADELPHIA - Liddell Sanders, 66, of 2234 Cross St., husband of Mary Sanders, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 at Cambridge Retirement Center.
Born in Calhoun Falls, he was a son of Mrs. Liddell S. Williams and the late Sonny Ashmore. He was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include his wife of Calhoun Falls; his mother of McCormick; four daughters, Rose Mary Murray, Liddell Ann Marshall, Rhonda Sanders of Calhoun Falls and Lyndia Williams of Philadelphia; seven sisters, Sadie Cade, Gracie Thomas, Willie Greene, Nancy Ashmore, Helen Williams and Betty Williams of Calhoun Falls and Hilda Wilson of Philadelphia; four brothers, Franklin Williams of Elberton, Ga., John Williams and Archie Williams of Calhoun Falls and Joe Ashmore of Philadelphia; five step-grandchildren, reared in the home, Willie Kennedy, Anne Kennedy, Adam Norman, Jamie Sanders, Steve Sanders, all of Calhoun Falls; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at Glovers A.M.E. Church in Calhoun Falls, conducted by the Rev. Johnnie Weller, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church of Calhoun Falls. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Flower bearers are nieces.
Friendly Funeral Home, Calhoun Falls, is in charge.

Thomas W. Shea Sr.

ABBEVILLE, SC - Thomas W. Shea Sr., 70, beloved husband of Frances M. Keenan Shea, died Friday, January 27, 2006 at the Hospice House in Greenwood. Born in Port Richmond Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Henry Miduski of Florida and the late Helen T. Slysz Shea of Villas, N.J. Mr. Shea graduated from North East Catholic High School in Philadelphia, PA. He was a former employee of Imperial Metal and Chemical Co. in Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Shea attended Temple University in Philadelphia; he served in the U.S. Army and attended Rutgers University in N.J. He worked part-time as a Realtor; he was Plant Manager for Federal Alloys Corp. in Depford, N.J. Mr. Shea was involved with his sons in the Indians Guides, Cub Scout, and Boy Scouts. He was an active member with the Knights of Columbus in Willingboro and Vineland, N.J. Mr. Shea was an owner and operator of a local restaurant in Milleville, N.J. until suffering a massive stroke at age fifty. He enjoyed fishing, playing golf and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Greenwood, S.C.
Surviving Mr. Shea is his wife of forty-eight years of the home, three sons and one daughter, Thomas W. Shea Jr. and his wife Valorie, Michael P. and his wife Barbara, Deborah Ann Powell and her husband John, of Abbeville and Kevin Shea of Asheville, N.C., five grandchildren, Joshua Shea, Matthew Shea, Patrick Shea, Shealyn Powell, and Casey Powell.
The family will receive friends from 10:00AM to 10:45AM Monday, January 30, 2006 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00AM in the Church. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery in Abbeville, S.C.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Our Lady of Lourdes Life Center building fund, 915 Mathis Rd. Greenwood, SC 29649 or to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont 408 W. Alexander Ave. Greenwood, SC 29649.
Online condolences may be sent to the Shea family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME of Abbeville is assisting the Shea family.
PAID OBITUARY

Leon Walker

CROSS HILL - Leon Joseph Walker, 72, of 2455 Sunset Strip, Grayling, Mich., husband of Nancy LaFave Walker, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006 at his daughters home in Cross Hill.
Born in Escanaba, Mich., he was a son of the late Leon William and Marie Brown Walker. He was an Air Force veteran having serviced in the Korean conflict and received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from Mercy College in Detroit. He retired from the Detroit Police Dept. with 37 years of service and was of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include his wife of Grayling; three daughters, Donna W. Mashburn of Cross Hill, Shannon W. Owensby of Greenwood, Tanya Parsons of Oregon; a son, Kevin L. Walker of Cross Hill; two sisters, Nancy W. Barnett of Sylvan Lake, Mich. and Jean W. Jackson of Waterford, Mich.; and nine grandchildren.
Memorial services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Blyth Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Frank Thomas.
Visitation is 6-8 Monday at Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services. The family is at the home of his son, Kevin L. Walker, 456 Ridge Hill Road. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Finding all the correct pieces

Lander baseball first-year coach Bill Jarman says Bearcats can be competitive

January 28, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Lander University baseball coach Bill Jarman, center, hits grounders to his infield during Thursday's practice. The Bearcats open the season Wednesday.

Bill Jarman is hoping three out of four won't be bad for the Lander University baseball team. The first-year coach said this year's Bearcats might be a little slow, but have enough of the other fundamental ingredients to become a good team.
"Pitching, defense, speed and hitting are all important," Jarman said. "If we are solid in pitching and defense, we'll give ourselves a chance to win."
Lander finished 30-28 overall in 2005 and 11-19 in the Peach Belt Conference, a little disappointing considering the team got off to an 18-6 start.
Jarman said this year's squad doesn't have great team speed, but it will employ tactics to enhance what is there. The team will hit-and-run, and work on sacrifice bunts to move runners along in critical situations.
The coach said he is not absolutely sure what to expect from his PBC competition.
"I'm really not familiar with the teams in this conference," Jarman said. "I know we were picked eighth, I believe, in the preseason polls. I've told our guys not to worry about what they read and polls and that kind of thing. If we can consistently play well into the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, we'll be in a position to win."
The Bearcats have some experience returning in the infield.
Senior Radley Raven is penciled in at shortstop. Raven, who batted .297 with 24 RBIs a year ago, is solid defensively and has proven capable of providing timely hitting. Jarman credits him with being one of the hardest workers on the team.
Senior Kevin Davis should join Raven on the left side of the infield. Davis hit four home runs and 39 RBIs in 2005. Jarman said Davis has worked hard to improve his throwing techniques from the hot corner, and said his mechanics have shown wholesale improvement.
Sophomore Jordan Jones and senior Kevin Jones could split time at second base in the early going. Kevin Jones, who batted .269 in limited action a year ago, has been hampered with a sore shoulder. If he can't go, look Jordan Jones to see action at second.
First base is a position at which the Bearcats have depth.
Right-handed senior Ryan Brisby, who led the Bearcats with seven home runs last season, will see time at first.
Freshman Jesse Barbero, a lefty, will also see time at first base, and could provide a left-handed bat as designated hitter in some games.
Sophomore Jared Altus, who has been slowed with a knee injury, is credited by Jarman as having "the biggest heart on this team."
A pair of catchers look to be prominent for Lander.
Senior Adam Hutchins, who batted .296 with four home runs and 22 RBI in 2005, should be a factor behind the plate. Hutchins missed fall practice with an ankle injury. Jarman said Hutchins bat would be counted on in the middle of Lander's lineup.
Junior Justin King, a Ware Shoals High School graduate, will also receive playing time at catcher. Jarman notes King is a "hard-nosed kid" who will push Hutchins for playing time.
In the outfield, junior center fielder Jonathan Myers, of Abbeville, once again figures prominently into the Bearcats' plans.
Myers, who Jarman lists as the fastest player on Lander's roster, batted .330 with five home runs and 35 RBI a year ago. However, Myers is battling a strained Achilles tendon, which will likely keep him out of the Bearcats' first game, Wednesday against Lenoir-Rhyne.
James Compo has been penciled in at right field. Compo, a .333 hitter last season, has a strong arm and can provide stability in the middle of the order for Lander.
There will be several players in the running for playing time in left field. Former catcher Michael Barrett, a sophomore, has worked hard in the spring to transition to outfield. Freshman Gabe McCann has impressed Jarman since arriving on campus. The coach said McCann is a solid left-handed hitter and has all the requisite tools of a solid outfielder. Senior Greg Smith will also vie for time in left.
Lander's tentative starting pitching rotation features three right-handers and a pair of southpaws.
The right-handers include juniors David Glover, Jake Hover and South Carolina transfer Chris Munn. Jarman credits all three with being consistent in preseason practice and said all three will be relied on heavily throughout the 2006 campaign.
The lefties include Greenwood High School graduate Will Dudley and junior Derrick Wilson. Jarman said the two have looked good in intersquad scrimmages so far, though he is looking forward to seeing how they react to live competition.
A litany of pitchers will work out of the bullpen for the Bearcats, including Jeremy Thompson, Justin Altman, Brad Hay, Evan Christian, and Josh Jones, of Ware Shoals. Senior Corey Watkins is penciled in to be the closer.
Jarman said he thinks his team is ready for the season to begin.
"I've been pleased with the way the guys have adapted to our philosophies," Jarman said. "But honestly, we won't be 100 percent sure what we've got until we face live competition. I'm looking forward to seeing how we react when something unexpected happens."

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at:
ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

Rep. Pitts puts spotlight on basic school problem

January 29, 2006

Gobbledygook is the language often spoken by government people, whether elected, appointed or hired. Who knows if it's designed to confuse the listener or hide the confusion of the speaker ….. or for any number of other reasons. It makes it hard to get solid information and it does much to avoid accountability.
Once in a while, though, on occasion, we do hear someone who thinks before he speaks and speaks what he means. Rep. Mike Pitts, R-Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, did that at a Lander University forum the other day. He gave an overview of education in South Carolina that many taxpayers talk about but few lawmakers ever touch ….. at least publicly.
In short, "We've got a problem. We definitely have a problem in our public education system."

WHY? FAILURES ARE FUELED by a lack of discipline, he said. Furthermore, he noted, educators have to do too much. Among the many things they are forced to be are social workers and psychologists, he said.
There's another factor, too. Others have echoed it often, but when a lawmaker says it it's worth listening and reiterating. "Discipline begins at home," Pitts said. "It's a societal issue you're not going to solve by throwing money at it."
South Carolina has indeed spent much in recent times to improve schools, yet the state continues to have too many problems. Pitts said, in fact, that while we rank 42nd in the nation in per capita income, we are 28th in spending on public education.
Something else Pitts emphasized that deserves another look. "Our people are paying at a much higher rate (for education) than their ability to pay. We're spending a lot more of our personal income on public education."

EVEN WHEN ALL THESE factors are considered - and there are many - too many problems seem to defy solutions, no matter what we do.
Teachers are indeed expected to be everything to their students. It's been that way for decades ….. ever since we started using our schools for "social engineering" instead of maintaining them as learning institutions.
When we continue to be last in the nation in graduating students, and when it's obvious that too many cannot read as well as they should - or at all - it's clear that we're failing our students and ourselves.
If more state and federal officials looked at the same schools in the same way as Rep. Pitts, we might make better progress. Until then, though, it's likely to be business as usual. And that's unacceptable.