Architects selected for schools

Dist. 50 proposes building 3 new elementary facilities as part of bond-funded project

October 17, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood School District 50 is hiring three architectural firms, one of which will design three new elementary schools, for a district-wide construction project.
The board of trustees voted Monday to hire the firms to focus on designing different parts of the district’s facilities plan with money from an installment purchase bond plan.
Bonds are typically sold by government agencies 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 amount of time.
Jumper Carter Sease, out of Columbia, will design the three new elementary schools and be in charge of work at Emerald High School, said vice chairwoman Debrah Miller.
Furman/McMillan-Smith and Partners, of Greenwood, is in charge of any designs at Greenwood High School and DSP Architects, also of Greenwood, will head up renovations at any existing elementary schools.
Proceeds from the installment bond plan could range from $104 million with repayment in 15 years, before fees and expenses, to $145 million with repayment in 25 years, said Gary Johnson, assistant superintendent for business.
About $15 million would be used for fees regardless of the number of years of repayment.
District administration officials, including superintendent Darrell Johnson and Gary Johnson, suggested the three elementary schools in a review of the previous work slated for the installment bond.
A new gymnatorium for Emerald High School, a new cafeteria for Hodges Elementary School and others were on the list of district priorities.
The district’s construction management company also suggested building three elementary schools.
Southern Management Group (SMG) gave District 50 its review of facilities Monday night, suggesting two plans for construction.
The first plan includes renovating and modifying existing schools, including the nine elementary schools and the two high schools, with a cost of just under $96 million, said Bill Wiseman, chairman of SMG.
The company recommended its second plan to the district, which would require work done to six elementary schools, both high schools and construction of three elementary schools to the tune of $111 million.
Wiseman had no illusions about the scope of the district’s projects.
“This is going to be a challenge,” he said.
One of those would be Greenwood High School, where getting into the school is the first problem.
“It’s really hard to find the front door,” Wiseman said.
Mathews, Merrywood and Woodfields elementary schools were suggested by SMG as the schools to be replaced.
Some of the schools could be repaired, but most of them are about 50 years old and would be too expensive to bring up to current building codes, Wiseman said.
SMG also suggested converting East End Elementary School into an early childhood center.
Trustees also unanimously approved funding the Fine Arts Magnet program at Brewer Middle School.
The program will give students with music, art and other talents a chance to practice at school and have regular curriculum at the same time, said Pat Ross, assistant superintendent for instruction.
The first year of the program will cost about $300,000.
Board members Jennie Thompson and Pat Tolbert did not attend the meeting.

Couple facing robbery charges

1 suspect worked at the Burger King that was held up

October 17, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Authorities arrested a Greenwood couple in connection with an armed robbery that occurred early Sunday morning at the Burger King on Bypass 72 in Greenwood.
Greenwood Police have charged McKinley Dean, 36, and Rhonda Demecka Butler, 31, both of 741 Holloway Ave., Greenwood, with armed robbery, kidnapping, assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Dean, who was convicted in 2001 of strong-armed robbery, was also charged with possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of violence.
Police were dispatched to the fast-food restaurant just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday, after receiving a call that a person armed with a handgun and wearing a “Scream” mask with black clothing had just robbed the restaurant while two employees were inside, according to an incident report.
Butler was one of the employees at the restaurant, and according to the incident report, Butler initially told officers that she saw the masked man kneeling near the drink machine when she was checking to make sure the drive-through window was locked. She said the man was pointing a pistol at her, asked her if anyone else was in the store and told her to call the other employee to the front of restaurant. She said the man put his arm around her neck and held her until the other employee arrived, at which time the man pushed Butler and the other employee into the office and demanded money.
According to arrest warrant affidavits, Butler later gave a voluntary statement implicating herself and Dean, her boyfriend, in the incident.
The affidavits said: Dean planned a robbery to take place at the restaurant while Butler would be working. Dean drove Butler to the restaurant on the night of the incident, telling her that he would be back to commit the robbery. Butler had knowledge that Dean had purchased a Halloween mask to conceal his identity during the robbery, and later in the night, Butler learned she would have access to the restaurant’s safe because a shift supervisor did not report to work. She called Dean to tell him about the safe, and about 4:30 a.m., Dean entered the drive-through window while dressed in the mask and armed with a .40-caliber handgun.
The affidavits said Dean pointed the gun at Butler and the other employee, who authorities said had no involvement in the planning of the robbery. The man forced the employee and Butler at gunpoint from the service area, through the kitchen and into the restaurant’s office, where he held them at gunpoint and forced them to place the contents of the safe into a cloth bag. When he turned to leave the office, the man fired one time in Butler and the employee’s direction, striking a door very near to where the employee was standing.
According to the affidavits, authorities recovered the cloth bag containing the money from a shed behind Dean’s residence, along with various Burger King paperwork. Inside the home, officers found the Halloween mask and clothing matching the description of that used by the gunman during the robbery, as well as a .40-caliber Glock handgun.
Officers also found a large amount of cash on Dean and a bank bag belonging to Burger King was found in his back pocket, the affidavits said.
Arrest reports said Dean was placed in jail, with bond set at $300,000, and bond for Butler was set at $100,000.

City covers rezoning, tattoo rule in meeting

October 17, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Greenwood City Council members were introduced Monday to a local family’s plans to create a residential development near Westview Middle School.
Council also gave first reading of an ordinance that would create more restrictions on where tattoo parlors could be placed. Currently, the establishments cannot be within 1,000 feet of a property of similar use, and state law requires that tattoo parlors be at least 1,000 feet from a church or school.
If the ordinance passes, a new condition would be created that would require tattoo parlors to be at least 1,000 feet from a child/adult day care or child/adult care centers.
No one spoke in favor or against the proposed ordinance at a public hearing at the meeting.
On matters of the residential development, attorney Tommy Stanford gave council information about a proposal to annex about 35 acres of land on Cannon Road into city limits so that the Cannon family, which includes local jeweler Ernest Cannon, can move forward with a project to construct about 84 single-family houses on the property.
Stanford said the project would likely have four phases, with the homes ranging in size from 1,200-1,500 square feet and having price tags of about $120,000-$140,000.
“Based on research and studies, we’ve found that a house (in that price and size range) is really solid, affordable housing,” Stanford told council.
The land is presently in Greenwood County and zoned R-1, which requires a minimum of 15,000 square feet per lot, said Greenwood City Manager Steve Brown. When the planning commission recommended that the land, if it were to remain in the county, should stay at the R-1 zoning level, the Cannon family looked at having the property annexed into the city as R-4, which requires about 10,000 square feet, Brown said.
The planning commission has recommended the property be annexed into the city at R-3, which requires more than 14,000 square feet per lot. But Stanford said a zoning of R-3 would make the project economically unfeasible, as larger lot sizes would increase the housing costs, and he said the family would like the city to consider the annexation using the R-4 zoning.
“We are working on a project that we think would be a great benefit to the city and the county,” Stanford said, “and in order for the project to work, we would ask that the city allow us to zone the property R-4. From an economic standpoint, that’s the only way we think we can make this property work.”
Council also gave first reading of an ordinance that would create more restrictions on where tattoo parlors could be placed. Currently, the establishments cannot be within 1,000 feet of a property of similar use, and state law requires that tattoo parlors be at least 1,000 feet from a church or school.
If the ordinance passes, a new condition would be created that would require tattoo parlors to be at least 1,000 feet from a child/adult day care or child/adult care centers.
No one spoke in favor or against the proposed ordinance at a public hearing held at the meeting.
During their meeting, council also:
* Tabled an ordinance regarding the amendment of a city zoning ordinance to allow ice manufacturing/vending as a permitted use in the NC (neighborhood commercial) zoning district. Council heard a request from Bobby Elliott to amend the ordinance to allow the machines — which are about 25 feet in length and dispense ice into bags or personal containers at a cheaper rate than regular bought ice — in zoning districts closer to homes and pedestrian traffic.
Council will discuss conditional requirements for the proposed amendment at its November work session before giving first reading.
* Gave second reading on an ordinance authorizing the execution of an agreement that will allow the city to annex parcels of land near the corner of Bypass 72 and Calhoun Road and authorize SAC Enterprises Inc. to construct a road on the land. The ordinance would also grant to SAC special source credits to reimburse the company for a portion of the real property costs incurred in connection with a commercial enterprise serving the economic development of the city and Greenwood County in a multi-county park.
* Gave second reading on an ordinance to annex property owned by Countybank in a joint county business park in Greenwood and Newberry counties. The ordinance would also grant special source credits as reimbursement on a portion of the real property costs incurred in connection with a commercial enterprise serving the economic development f the city and Greenwood County in a multi-county park.
* Gave first reading on an ordinance to annex property at the corner of Bypass 72 and Mathis Road.
* Received an update on the projects proposed for Oregon Avenue as part of the City Center Master Plan. Assistant City Manager Charlie Barrineau showed council proposals for the street that would create a new centerline for Oregon Avenue as well as proposals that would create additional, angle parking spaces near the end of the street.

Mary Leila Carroll Ellis

ABBEVILLE — Mary Leila Carroll Ellis, 58, of 25 Long Cane Farm Dr., wife of James “Jimmy” E. Ellis, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2006 at her residence. She was born in Abbeville to the late William Ledlow and Mary Carroll Mundy. She was raised in the home of her grandparents, the late Fred S. and Hazel Carroll. Mrs. Ellis was a member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Outreach Sunday School Class.
Mrs. Ellis was a volunteer at the HospiceCare of the Piedmont and worked as a registered nurse at Self Regional Healthcare for over 16 years and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and sister.
She is survived by her husband of 36 years of the home, a daughter, Nicole “Nikki” Ellis of Abbeville, a son, Jeffery S. Ellis and his wife Angie of Abbeville, five brothers, Robert C. Walker of Covington, GA, Steven C. Mundy of Saugus, CA, Albert Mundy of California, Jerry M. Carroll of Abbeville and James Patrick “Pat” Carroll of Greenwood, two sisters, Billie Ann Pence of California and Freddie Carroll Taylor of Abbeville, two grandchildren, Madison and Tristan Ellis of Abbeville.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006 at Rice Memorial Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Alvin Hodges and Johnny Todd. Burial will follow in Melrose Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
The family is at the residence.
Online condolences may be sent to the Ellis family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Ellis family.

Lem C. Jackson

Lem C. Jackson, 74, of 202 Sylvan Road, Avondale subdivision, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2006, at the Hospice House.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Edward C. Kay

SPARTANBURG — Edward Coker Kay, 73, of 236 Winfield Drive, died Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born March 22, 1933 in Joanna, SC, he was the son of the late Edward Guy and Ruby Coker Kay.
A graduate of Greenwood High School, he received his BA Degree from Presbyterian College where he was a member and past President of the Alumni Association and a member of the ROTC Alumni Board. He received his Masters Degree from North Carolina State in Adult Education. A Lt. Colonel with 25 years of service in the U.S. Army, which included two tours of duty in Vietnam, he completed his military career at CINCPAC at Camp Smith, Hawaii. He later retired from Fluor Daniel after 16 years, was a counselor for the Adult Learning Center, and was a very active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Sally Picton Kay; four daughters and their husbands, Kimberly and Bruce Field of Columbia, SC, Sherry and Jim Shuler of Marshville, NC, Nancy and Jeffrey Ward of Cartersville, GA, and Susan and Mark Heims of Napa, CA; a son, Ted Kay of Savannah, GA; five grandsons, Richard Krauss, Scott Ward, Alex Ward and Kevin Ward, all of Cartersville, GA, and Michael Shuler of Peachland, NC; four granddaughters, Chelsea White of Vacaville, CA ,Jaime Krauss of Carrollton, GA, Katie Ward of Cartersville, GA, and Kelly Shuler of Marshville, NC. He was predeceased by twin sons, Timothy and Michael Kay.
Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Neil M. Yongue, Jr. and Chaplain Randy Travis. Burial with full military rites will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1320 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307; or Presbyterian College, 503 S. Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325; or the Adult Learning Center, 145 N. Church Street, #82, Spartanburg, SC 29306.
The family is at the home.
An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.
Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel.

Lady Vikings topple region foe Newberry

October 17, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

After sweeping region foe Saluda last week, the Emerald Lady Vikings tennis team (9-5, 6-0) looked to do the same Monday against the Newberry Lady Bulldogs (2-7, 2-2) at the Greenwood Country Club.
The Lady Vikings dominated from the No. 2 spot to the No. 7 spot and cruised to a 5-2 victory over the Lady Bulldogs as they continue their push for the postseason.
Lady Bulldogs’ coach Detrick Bishop was pleased with the performance, but admitted that his team’s youth might have played a factor.
“We’re a pretty young team and we’re trying to become established and get better, so hopefully we will improve and make it into the playoffs,” Bishop said. “We’ve got two matches left against Saluda, and whoever wins those matches is the one who is going to the playoffs.”
The Lady Vikings’ only singles loss in the match was in the No. 1 game between Morgan Lee and Rebecca Carlson. Carlson dominated the match, winning 6-0, 6-0.
Despite the loss, the Lady Vikings dominated the majority of the match.
“This was the last region match for four seniors so it’s kind of bittersweet,” said Lady Vikings coach Susan Timmerman. “We do have the playoffs, but it’s not like the regular season matches.”
The Lady Vikings’ Sarah Seigler won her match against Ashley Cannon, 6-2, 6-2, after Cannon closed to within 3-2 in the second set.
Catherine Talbert defeated Esther Smith, 6-0, 6-1, in one of the fastest matches of the afternoon to give the Lady Vikings a 2-1 lead.
Meredith Martin pushed the lead to 3-1 following her, 6-1, 6-0, win over Lora Setzler in the No. 4 spot.
The Lady Vikings finished the singles portion of the match on a high note as Claire Gillespie defeated Brittany Suber, 6-3, 6-2, in the No. 5 spot.
Heading into doubles play, the Lady Vikings led 4-1 before the Lady Bulldogs picked up another win.
The Lady Vikings’ Lee and Seigler fell to the Lady Bulldogs’ Carlson and Cannon, 2-8, as the Lady Bulldogs closed the gap to 4-2 with one match to play.
Kayla Sears and Sidney Ann Fowler wrapped things up for the Lady Vikings, winning their doubles match against Leona Parr and Elaine Parr, 6-4, 6-2.
“They’re really excited about going to the playoffs and I’m real proud of them,” Timmerman said. “Newberry is a good team and we just had a good run tonight.”

Too often public servants let the tail wag the dog

October 17, 2006

Kevin Geddings, who was chief of staff for former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges and led Hodges’ effort to get a lottery in the state, was convicted of mail fraud in a North Carolina case. Geddings, who had gone on to be a North Carolina lottery commissioner, was charged with failing to disclose his work for a lottery company and the payments he got for it.
That was what got the headlines, to be sure. What may have been the most significant thing to come out of the whole thing, though, was something said. The case was about “the fact that public officials serve the public,” said Assistant U. S. Attorney Dennis Duffy. “People are sick of public officials serving their own interest and the interests of their friends especially.”
Nowadays that almost sounds strange. What a concept! Public officials should serve the public! Wow!
Look around. See if you can spot public “servants” who substitute arrogance for service. In some cases it’s easy to see. When they treat constituents like they are the servants, the tail’s waggin’ the dog, and that’s a terrible way to conduct the public’s business ..... repeat, the public’s business, with public being possessive.