District 50: Bond plan legal

Councilman Dee Compton to file open-records request
about ‘secret’ school meetings

October 26, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood School District 50’s administration has answered a Greenwood County Council member’s accusations that the district’s new bond plan is unconstitutional.
The administration addressed councilman Dee Compton’s comments Friday on the district’s installment purchase bond plan at Tuesday night’s specially called meeting to outline the construction budget for the district.
Compton, R-Greenwood, accused the district’s bond plan of being unconstitutional Friday. He gave District 50 on Friday 15 days to comply with 24 Freedom of Information Act requests concerning the installment purchase bond plan.
Compton claims the district is trying to circumvent the 8 percent spending cap on construction illustrated in South Carolina’s constitution.
He also is preparing another FOIA request after learning from a school board member that the district has been having unannounced “secret” meetings about the bond issue.
Compton said a group of board members is making all the decisions and keeping people who don’t agree with installment bonds out of the loop. That FOIA request should come by the end of the week.
Rep. Mike Pitts, R-District 4, also has sought an opinion from the state attorney general’s office regarding the plan’s legality.

District 50 speaks

Superintendent Darrell Johnson read the rebuttal at the start of Tuesday’s meeting.
The administration felt the need to “dispel certain misconceptions that appear in the article regarding the proposed financing,” Johnson read.
Installment bond plans do not detour the constitution, according to the statement.
The only South Carolina court to give a final verdict on the legality of installment bonds ruled that similar bonds issued by the Greenville County School District didn’t violate constitutional debt limits found in Article 10, Section 15 of the document, Johnson read.
Compton said he has heard Greenville’s board has been compensated.
Johnson read that the legislature also has acknowledged that installment bonds are legal by allowing their use through the end of the year.
Compton, who is an attorney, said the district is attempting to show the bond’s legality is implied because the legislature is accepting it for now.
“Everyone sees that for the smoke screen that it is,” he said.
He said the board is engaging in subterfuge created by smart bond lawyers who make money off bond sales.
Compton said it is possible that district schools are in need of renovations, modifications and construction. But the district hasn’t shared with the public the reasons why schools are in need.
“People in Greenwood would support items that are understood and accepted to be necessary and serve legitimate needs for school renovation, or construction,” he said via e-mail.
There is nothing in the law that says the district can do an installment bond plan, Compton said.
“The reason the board is taking this approach now is simply to grab the money, while (they think) they can,” he said.
Johnson also read that the legislature voted down amendments that would have prohibited installment bond transactions in 1995. About 13 school districts have used installment plans in South Carolina.
Both the administration and bond attorney Bill Hirata dismissed Compton’s accusations about the nonprofit corporation. Its directors wouldn’t get paid, except for travel expenses, Hirata said.
Chairwoman Dru James, Johnson and others will pick directors.
Compton asked why the district didn’t bid out the work to other nonprofits instead of creating its own. He said the employees of a nonprofit corporation would have to be paid, unless it is an alter-ego of the board.
The board isn’t going to select someone who is against the bond issue.
“That argument should be swept aside as being ridiculous,” Compton said.

Greenwood School District 50’s full rebuttal is available online at http://www.gwd50.org/InstBonds/FacilityPlanning-Menu.htm. The construction project budget and other information are also available.

Hazel O. Abercrombie

SIMPSONVILLE — Hazel Ouzts Abercrombie, 80, of 807 Summit Place, died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006.
Announcement by Parker-White Funeral Home.

Donnie Blackwell

MYRTLE BEACH — Donnie Rice Blackwell, 85, of The Lakes At Litchfield, widow of Homer D. Blackwell, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006, at her home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood.

Sarah Lee ‘Sate’ Calhoun

Funeral services for Sarah Lee “Sate” Calhoun, of 112 McWood Court, are 2 p.m. Friday at New China Baptist Church in Troy, conducted by Rev. Aaron Woodard. Assisting are Revs.Warren Gist, Thomas Collier and Norris Turner. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial is in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening at the home. Online condolences can be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the Calhoun family.

Jimmy Long

James A. “Jimmy” Long, Jr., 58, of 102 Madison Street, husband of Shirley Shannon Long, entered into Heaven Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006 at his home following a long illness.
He was born on Oct. 26, 1947 in Greenwood to the late James A. Long, Sr. and Susan Singleton Long. He was a retired truck driver and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving is his wife of the home; two daughters, Tammy Moore and her husband, Blake, of Greenwood and Kathleen Long of the home; a son, Scott Long and his wife, Beverley, of Greenwood; two grandchildren, Luke Moore and Hannah Long; his stepmother, Frances Long of Shoals Junction and his aunt, Evelyn Price of Hodges.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Hatfield and the Rev. G. Thomas Cartledge officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Price, Kyle Abercrombie, Perry Powell, Kevin Powell, Donnie Roberts, Mike Creswell and Terry Creswell.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Tammy Moore, 113 Madison Street.
The family wishes to express special thanks to HospiceCare of the Piedmont and requests that memorials be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Fred C. Madden

MAULDIN — Fred Corbett Madden, 83, of 301 Elm Drive, husband of 58 years to the late Laura Sumerel Madden, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006 at Laurens County Hospital.
Born in Laurens on Oct. 27, 1922, he was the son of the late Alsie Fuller and Lilly Corbett Madden. He was a US Army veteran of WWII, a retired machinist for John D. Hollingsworth, and was a member of Mauldin United Methodist Church.
Surviving is one son, Ronald Brown of Greenwood; one daughter, Judith Dawkins and husband Michael of Greenwood; four grandchildren, Jeff Brown, Greg Dawkins, Tracy Carroll, and Susan Strobel; six great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Jill Clem of Ninety Six. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27, 2006 at The Kennedy Mortuary Chapel, conducted by Rev. Jerry Temple and Rev. George Scott with burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be his nephews.
The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends at The Kennedy Mortuary from 10 to 11 a.m., before the service.
Memorials may be made to Mauldin United Methodist Church, 100 East Butler Avenue, Mauldin, SC 29662. The Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens

Geneva Rosabell Mills

LOWNDESVILLE — Geneva Rosabell Mills, 56, of 262 Bell St., Apt. 4, died Monday, Oct. 23, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Richie Funeral Home, Abbeville, is in charge.

Ed Shirley

Edward Anthon “Ed” Shirley, 92, resident of 1019 Highside Street, husband of Erline Holmes Shirley, died Oct. 25, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Honea Path, Nov. 11, 1913, he was a son of the late Joel B. and Nina Strickland Shirley. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and was retired from The Index-Journal after more than 60 years of service.
A member of South Main Street Baptist Church, he was also a member of the Baracca Sunday School Class and a former Deacon of the church.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 72 years are a daughter, Sherry S. Burdette of Greenwood and a granddaughter, Karen Poteat of Aiken; three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ryan Eklund and Dr. Phil McMinn officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Franchot Parnell, Jim Hull, Ralph Bozard, Dr. Richard Carter, Ray Prince, Henry Quarles, Lloyd Quarles, Richard Siltzer, Jerry Young, Jim Harris, Ed Ferguson and Jack Huskey.
The family is at the home on Highside Street and will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 3 Friday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to South Main Street Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1093, Greenwood, SC 29648.

Joseph Marvin Winchester

TOWNVILLE — Mr. Joseph Marvin Winchester, age 91, husband of Edna Chastain Winchester of 238 Winchester Road, Townville, SC, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006 at the AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson, SC.
Born in Pickens County, SC on Nov. 4, 1914, Mr. Winchester was the son of the late Joseph Winchester and Levinia Phillips Winchester. He was a United States Army World War II veteran and was retired from Abney Mills. He was a member of the Townville Masonic Lodge and Oakdale Baptist Church, where he was a former deacon.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Edna Chastain Winchester of the home; also sons, Earl, Larry, Robert and Terry Winchester, all of Townville, SC; a granddaughter reared in the home, Angela Winchester; two sisters, Geneva Crocker and Vangeline Mosick Ark. Eight grandchildren and one great-grandson also survive.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Oakdale Baptist Church, officiated by the Reverends David Blizzard and David Walters. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The family will be at the residence.
Memorials may be made to Oakdale Baptist Church Building Fund, 6724 SC 24, Townville, SC 29689.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.
The McDougald Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

October 26, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

NINETY SIX — Friday night’s matchup between the Ninety Six and Emerald high school football teams is more than just a regular-season finale for both teams.
With four teams currently tied for second in Region III-AA, it will likely be the final football game of the year for one of the participants.
Wildcats coach Mike Doolittle and Vikings coach Mike Clowney said based on the circumstances, they consider the contest a playoff game.
“Well, there are four teams that are in that boat. For us, Emerald, Batesburg-Leesville and Saluda the scenario is the same,” Doolittle said. “Any of us stand a chance to be as high as second or out, so the kids better be motivated or there might not be a tomorrow.”
The Vikings (3-6 overall, 2-2 Region III-AA) and Wildcats (4-5, 2-2) have had rollercoaster seasons in 2006. On a positive note, both teams have done just enough over the last four weeks to keep themselves in playoff contention.
“Emerald has an excellent football team and defensively they have a lot of guys that are returning from last year but I don’t know that we treat this week any differently than any other,” Doolittle said.
“All I know is it’s week 10 and the playoffs are next week. I told our kids at practice that they need to go ahead and get themselves in playoff mode. They need to think playoff atmosphere and start preparing themselves that way because they know that to continue on next week they’ve got to win Friday.”
Since the 2000 season, the Vikings have gone 4-2 against the Wildcats but those games have little to do with the outcome of Friday’s contest.
“Ninety Six is a very well-coached football team and the main thing we have to do is just go out and execute,” Clowney said. “It’s going to come down to the kids who decide that they want it the most that are going to win this football game. I don’t think there’s nothing special you’re going to be able to do either way.”
If you are looking for a gauge, although not scientific, as to how the teams stack up against each other on Friday, look no further than some of the opponents that both teams have faced.
Both teams faced undefeated Abbeville in the first two weeks of the season and lost. However, they have been the only teams this season to score multiple touchdowns against the Panthers.
Things were not so bright when both teams faced Ware Shoals, which stung the Wildcats and Vikings by a combined score of 62-2.
In another non-region match-up, the Wildcats and Vikings trampled Calhoun Falls, 41-0 and 67-6, respectively.
The Vikings missed an opportunity in last week’s 42-21 loss to Saluda to solidify their chance for a playoff spot thanks to numerous turnovers that the Tigers took advantage of. Emerald’s Dee Parks, who was taken off the field on a stretcher, has returned to practice this week and is day to day.
“We’ve gone back fundamentally to talking about making a good pocket and making good handoffs,” Clowney said. “You get to where you’ve done things for a while and you get lackadaisical, so we’ve had to go back and concentrate on the little things.”
The Wildcats had a chance against Batesburg-Leesville three weeks ago but came up a touchdown short.
With all of those games already in the record books, all that matters now is what happens Friday when the teams face off at Wilson-Campbell Stadium.

Lady Vikings cruise to win in first round

October 26, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Emerald High School Lady Vikings came out swinging, literally, at the Greenwood Country Club and defeated Gilbert, 7-0, in the opening round of the Class AA state playoffs.
“I’m real proud of them and I’m glad to just be along for the ride,” Lady Vikings coach Susan Timmerman said. “These girls are strong, solid players because of Gary Agardy, who is the tennis pro at Greenwood Country Club. In my opinion, he is one of the best juniors’ coaches in the Southeast.”
In the No. 1 singles match, Morgan Lee defeated Holly Taylor 6-1, 4-6, 10-6 in what seemed to be the most competitive match of the evening. After dropping the first set to Lee, Taylor overcame the sluggish start before losing the third set in a tie-breaker.
Sarah Seigler cruised to victory in the No. 2 slot for the Lady Vikings, winning 6-2, 6-0 over Maddie Berkheimer. The opening set might have been the most difficult for Seigler as she clung to a 3-2 lead before finally taking control. Lee and Seigler also defeated Taylor and Berkheimer 8-1 in No. 1 doubles.
Probably most impressive for the Lady Vikings in the win was the play of the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 players.
Catherine Talbert, Meredith Martin and Claire Gillespie all finished their matches in less than 40 minutes as they picked up wins.
Talbert faced the Lady Indians’ Jessica Miles in her match and won (6-2, 6-0). In the first set, Miles closed to within 4-2 before Talbert closed out the match.
The Lady Vikings’ Martin was equally impressive in her win against Jessie Lingenfelter. Martin dominated all aspects of the match, winning 6-0, 6-0. Gillespie defeated Kerry Nunley in No. 5 singles 6-2, 6-0.
The winning trend continued in the No. 2 doubles match when Kayla Sears and Lyda Welborn defeated Kellie Carter and Corrie Hornsby 6-2, 6-1 to round out the sweep.
“Honestly, I think that we had a disappointing season and we didn’t finish the way we wanted to,” Lady Indians coach Kelly Gerth said.
The Lady Vikings return to action 4:30 p.m. Monday to face the winner of the Southside-Walhalla game at Greenwood Country Club in the second round of the Class AA playoffs.

‘Debate on public issues should be ... wide open ...’

October 26, 2006

“Debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide open, and that ... may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials.”
Those words were spoken by U. S. Supreme Court Justice William Joseph Brennan Jr. in the case of the New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964). That ruling, in effect, established that an elected official is a public figure and is therefore subject to public criticism, even if the criticism is harsh.
That ruling has come into play many times since 1964 when many elected and other public officials have been harshly and legitimately criticized when they conducted too much of the public’s business behind closed doors. It’s a good thing, too. How often have political candidates run for office on promises of open government, only to take office and find that public scrutiny becomes something they didn’t expect or were not really prepared to face or accept?

HOW OFTEN HAVE SO MANY succumbed to the secrecy and avoided facing their constituents? It should never happen but it does .... too often.
Consider the present Greenwood School District 50 Board of Trustees multi-million-dollar installment purchase bond plan. The way talks have gone, taxpayers must be wondering exactly what and how much has been said and/or done out of public view. Officials say they have kept it all open. Many frustrated people, though, say what the board does speaks so loudly they can’t hear what it says.
Greenwood County Council Vice-Chairman Dee Compton alluded to as much in his Freedom of Information Act request for all documents relating to the plan.
According to the state constitution, the district can spend up to 8 percent of assessed property value on construction ... about $9 million a year, Compton said. Now they want to spend $150 million all at once, he said, without the public’s approval in a referendum.

“THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS been tone deaf about the public’s feelings on this for years,” Compton said.
There’s no doubt that much of the public is frustrated and offended over how it has been treated at board meetings.
These folks feel that for the most part they have been ignored and treated like second class citizens. Yet, at the same time they feel as if they’ve been and are being told to sit down ..... behave ..... don’t ask questions ..... and just pay the bills. In other words, mind your own business ...... and the schools aren’t it, despite the fact that every cent that goes to education comes from the public’s pocket.
The public deserves more respect than it has received.