Well and Good
Better living promoted at Wellness Celebration
September 17, 2006
By
MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer
The store-wide sales weren’t the only things drawing
crowds of people to the Greenwood Mall on Saturday.
More than 140 local agencies and organizations filled the mall
this weekend, offering Lakelands area residents an opportunity to
learn more about the various health care, community, economic,
family and spiritual services offered in Greenwood and
surrounding communities.
The 12th annual Wellness Celebration, which was expected to draw
about 6,000 people throughout the day, was organized to ensure
that area residents have healthy bodies, minds and spirits, said
Toni Able, director of neighborhood development for the Greenwood
Area Chamber of Commerce.
“This helps educate the citizens of the Greenwood community
on the services provided by the hundreds of agencies and
organizations that are represented here today,” Able said,
adding that the event grows in participants each year.
“It continually exceeds our expectations,” Able said.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and U.S Rep. Gresham Barrett
spoke to the crowd during the event’s opening ceremonies,
and throughout the day people stopped by booths inside mall
stores and hallways, gathering information and free items from
different areas.
One area attracting a crowd was the Healthcare Corner, which
featured free health screenings, fitness evaluations, massage
demonstrations and opportunities to donate blood.
“This is an important area because it provides health
screenings for thousands of people who otherwise might not have
access to them,” said Self Regional Healthcare President and
CEO John Heydel, who was on hand for the event. “It gives
them a centralized location for multiple screenings.”
Those screenings included cardiovascular, weight, cholesterol and
sugar evaluations, Heydel said.
Greenwood resident Betty Wilson, who has attended every Wellness
Celebration, said those types of free tests are a vital step in
keeping the entire community healthy.
“You can get a lot of people checked for health that
otherwise would have let it go,” Wilson said, adding that
she had her blood pressure taken at the event. “They give
you a lot of good information.”
But health care wasn’t the only focus of the event, and many
participants, such as Iva resident Sharon Harvley enjoyed
visiting the family- and spiritual-related booths. The corner
featured intergenerational games, parent and child activities,
music and puppets, safety tips and church ministry information.
“I really like the church displays,” Harvley said,
adding that the event highlights the “positive” aspects
of the community.
“(The Family and Spiritual Corner) would be good for new
families moving into Greenwood. They could find out what churches
are offering here, and that could help them make new friends,
” Harvley said.
Nearby, the Community Corner featured arts and crafts, children’s
games, assisted living information, educational skills
information, family health and safety tips, recycling information
and voter registration.
The family and community services were what drew Greenwood
resident Allen Kidd to the Wellness Celebration, and he said he
was delighted to see so many activities for children. He said his
3-year-old daughter, Tianna, enjoyed the arts, crafts and games.
“There is something here for the whole family. There are fun
things for the kids, but they are also beneficial,” Kidd
said, referring to the booths that featured bike safety and child
safety seat information.
And still others, such as Greenwood resident Pat Crawford, came
to get information on financial services in the Economic Corner,
which featured booths on home ownership, mortgages and real
estate, as well as legal issues, personal finances, employment
and educational opportunities.
After walking through the International Fair, which showcased
artifacts, pictures and maps from countries around the world,
Crawford said she was on her way to learn more about health and
auto insurance. She and her 13-year-old son, Nicholas Hodges,
planned to finish up the day by visiting the Healthcare Corner.
“I like getting information and I like the health
screenings,” Crawford said. “I like seeing what I can
do to improve my health.”
Megan Varner covers general assignments in Greenwood and the
Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3308, or: mvarner@indexjournal.com
Some Dist. 50 board members playing hooky
Several school officials missing regularly called and special meetings
September 17, 2006
By
BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer
Teachers expect their students to come to class whenever school
is in session, but the same principle might not apply when it
comes to school board members’ meeting attendance.
Greenwood School District 50 board members Jennie Thompson and
Patricia Tolbert have missed a combined 21 regularly called and
special meetings since January, according to the district’s
online meeting minutes from Jan. 17 to July 17. District
officials could not provide August or September minutes to
reflect attendance of board members by press time.
The Index-Journal attempted to contact Thompson by phone three
days in a row to discuss her attendance record, but Thompson didn’t
return phone calls. The Index-Journal also visited Thompson’s
office at McCravy and Newlon Law Firm on Friday, but she was in a
meeting. The Index-Journal left two contact phone numbers and an
e-mail address for Thompson, but she did not respond.
Three attempts were made to contact Tolbert by phone, but she was
unavailable.
Thompson has missed eight meetings in all while Tolbert has
missed 13.
Board member Tom Pritchard has missed seven regular and special
called meetings. Several calls in a period of three days were
made to Pritchard’s residence, but none were returned.
Board members Frank Coyle and Tony Bowers have missed two
meetings, while Lary Davis has missed one. Records showed that
members Dru James and Debrah Miller did not miss any meetings.
Davis said that if board members miss meetings, they aren’t
representing their constituents.
“That, for me, is completely unacceptable,” Davis said.
“If I’m not there, I’m not doing the job.”
The public should expect and demand that every public servant,
including board members, be at meetings and be prepared to deal
with the district’s business, Davis said.
Coyle said that it’s difficult for board members to catch up
with the board if they miss many meetings. Board members have to
be informed about the district to do their jobs adequately, he
said.
Thompson missed four monthly meetings — three of them in a
row — including January, February and March’s meetings.
She’s also missed four special meetings — one in
January and February, and two in March.
Tolbert has missed three monthly meetings and 10 special called
meetings.
Her absenteeism from special meetings stretch from January to
July in an unbroken line.
Thompson and Tolbert missed the final reading of the 2006-07
budget. That meeting was June 29.
Tolbert was absent from the preliminary budget reading meeting on
April 17.
Thompson, Tolbert and Pritchard were also absent from the special
called meeting for consideration of construction bids for
Northside Middle School on Jan. 27.
They also missed special called meetings for the 2006-07 budget.
Tolbert missed special called district meetings to review
superintendent applications on April 24, interview superintendent
candidates on May 1, 2 and 3 and help select a new superintendent
May 17. Pritchard was absent from a special called meeting for
final interviews with superintendent candidates May 17.
Pritchard missed a May 15 special called meeting in which student
fees for the 2006-07 school year were approved.
Dist.
50 officials: Bond program hinged
on amount range all along
September 17, 2006
By
BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer
When Greenwood School District 50 decided to move forward with an
installment bond program Aug. 31, it was the first time some
people had heard or read that the board was considering $129
million in bonds.
A pricetag of $115 million for construction and renovation
projects had been floated in stories, and in public school board
meetings.
But when contacted by The Index-Journal last week, district
officials said that a range of $135 million to $150 million was
always in plain sight.
Board of Trustees chairman Dru James could not be reached before
press time. Board members Tony Bowers, Tom Pritchard, Jennie
Thompson and Patricia Tolbert could not be reached after repeated
phone calls.
The board first discussed at a July 31 meeting different
scenarios including the range of $135 million to $150 million for
total program funds for the installment purchase bond initiative
to pay for school building needs in the district, said Gary
Johnson, assistant superintendent of business and operations for
District 50.
One scenario included making available $115 million for
construction projects, but many different scenarios with
different amounts and different numbers of years to pay back the
bond were discussed by board members, he said.
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. Johnson
said $115 million came after subtracting fees and expenses from
$126 million in total program funds.
That number changed after the estimated value of millage revenue
increased after board members met with Greenwood County Council
members, so the project costs became an estimated $118 million
after fees and expenses.
The numbers came from keeping the current millage rate of 61.4
and a portion of the annual general obligation bond funds for
emergencies, cost overruns, technology upgrades and future
district building projects, Johnson said.
The amount of bonds to be sold and the number of years for it to
be paid back are still under consideration.
Board member Frank Coyle said that board members knew about the
range from the July 31 meeting.
The language that the district’s bond attorney used was that
the installment purchase bond plan is not to exceed $150 million.
The payback period for the plan was also discussed and it would
also be similar to a home mortgage in that it would last about
15-30 years, Coyle said.
Board members also talked about how to meet the needs of the
district’s facilities.
Coyle, who voted for the bond plan to move forward, said he is
still in favor of the installment purchase program. “I think
that this is something we need to pursue,” he said.
The only reason the board elected to move forward and explore the
different options with the bonds is to save Greenwood taxpayers
money, he said.
The new bonds will stop the increase of taxes and give the board
an opportunity to pay less money for the project, Coyle said.
Construction costs for new buildings have increased 12 percent
based on the increased funding needed for each of the three new
middle schools.
Board member Debrah Miller said that board members have heard
about a range of $115 million to $150 million for the project at
every meeting they’ve had.
She said the next board meeting, at 7 p.m. Monday, would help
bring more insight into what the board wants to do with the bond
money.
“At this point in time, it’s the right direction for
our district,” Miller said.
District schools need repairs and they need them soon, she said.
The new bond plan would help schools get repaired faster than a
10-20 year building plan would.
Board member Lary Davis said that he has made his opinion of the
bond issue known by speaking against it in public and by his vote
against the bond issue.
“I think our ultimate goal should be Chevrolet facilities
with a Cadillac education,” Davis said.
But now that the bond issue is going forward, Davis said he will
have to redirect his efforts.
His goals include making sure the district spends as little money
as possible to get only the necessary repairs and improvements to
schools, paying back the loan in closer to 10 years than 20 or 25
years, making the entire process obvious to the public with
adequate checks and balances and helping local firms get
consideration with each step of the building process.
Opinion
Constitution
good guide, even after all the years
September 17, 2006
This
is Constitution Day, a time to appreciate what and who we are:
“We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of
America.”
That, of course, is the preamble to the Constitution that was
crafted by the Founding Fathers of this nation. It is and always
has been an amazing, living and adaptable document that still
guides us, and guides us well, all these years later.
THERE HAVE BEEN, TO BE sure, disagreements over
some of its meaning. Those disagreements have embroiled the
courts many times, certainly, but they have often left the rest
of us nodding in agreement or shaking our heads in disbelief.
Through it all, though, the law of the land has persevered and we
are all better for it.
Chances are some of the Founding Fathers would marvel at what has
transpired through the years. It’s just as likely some would
ask themselves how some who interpret the meaning of their
priceless legacy could be so wrong. Nowadays, particularly, there
are disputes over more than a few constitutional interpretations.
Those disputes touch everyone from the president to the average
man and woman on the street. Then, as we see more and more, there
are disagreements over what is and what is not in the
Constitution ..... abortion, same sex marriage, and a variety of
other matters that are disquieting to much of America.
NEVERTHELESS, WE ARE FREE. All of the
Constitution is pertinent to the liberties we all share, but some
articles and/or amendments obviously are exercised more as we go
about our personal and professional lives.
The First Amendment speaks to those things that are paramount to
the individual: free speech, freedom to worship, a free press and
the right to peaceably assemble and petition government. The
Second Amendment, too, which grants citizens the right to keep
and bear arms, provides a sense of security that is endlessly
reassuring, as are the things that give each of us constitutional
protections covering fair trials, unreasonable search and
seizure, and indeed equal protection of the laws.
How fortunate are we? Unfortunately, sometimes we forget!
Obituaries
Joanie McKenzie Calhoun
ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Ms. Joanie McKenzie Calhoun will be Monday at 1:00 PM at the Holy Rock R.E. Church in Willington, SC with pastor, Rev. John T. Wiggins officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at noon on Monday. Flower Bearers and Pall Bearers are members of the class of 1977.
Lucille Margaret Casper
GREENWOOD
— Lucille Margaret Casper, 88, of 410 Heritage West Court,
died Monday at Hospice House of the Piedmont.
She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Edna Betchwars of
Waseca, MN and was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50
years, Kenneth Casper.
Survivors include two daughters, Lynn Luckey, (husband, Gary
Luckey), of Greenwood, Diane Rokos, of Greenville; one son,
Adrian Casper (wife, Teresa Casper), of Colorado Springs, CO; two
sisters, Jean Swift (husband Mark) of Comfrey, MN and Joann Knuth
(husband Del), of Glencoe, MN; six grandchildren and 2
great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Ms. Casper was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in
Omaha, NE, in 1956 and attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s
Witnesses here in Greenwood. She and her husband spent more than
40 years in volunteer missionary work, devoting their lives to
teaching people in numerous states about the bible and God’s
promises for the future. She continued in that work full-time as
a widow and found great pleasure in doing so up until her death.
Memorial services will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, 611 New Market St., Greenwood on Saturday October 7,
2006 at 2:00 p.m. The family is at the home of Gary and Lynn
Luckey, Greenwood, SC.
Barbara S. Hicks
LEXINGTON,
N.C. — Barbara Ann Scotts Hicks, 71, of Southmont N.C., wife
of the Rev. Bill Hicks, died Saturday September 16, 2006 at Wake
Forest Baptist Medical Center after 4 months of declining health.
Mrs. Hicks was born August 9, 1935 in Henry County, Va. to Early
Reid Scott and Anna Belle Callahan Scott. A homemaker, she was a
Sunday school teacher, member of Women’s Missionary Union,
young Director, Pianist and a choir member at her church. She was
a member of Order of Eastern Star Lexington Chapter 98. She was
preceded in death by her father; a brother, Charlie Scott and a
sister, Imogene Scott Owens.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Kenneth Cox and
wife Karen of Pilot Mountain; her mother, Anna Belle Callahan
Scott of Mt. Airy; step daughters, Donna Marie Hicks Sykes and
husband Michael of Lexington, Charlotte Lou Hicks Scott and
husband Larry, and DeNear Roach and husband George of Easley,
S.C.; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers,
Bill Scott and wife Jackie, Larry Scott and wife Lou, all of Mt.
Airy.
Funeral Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Stoner’s Grove
Baptist Church where she was a member, conducted by the Revs.
Billy J. Pearson Jr., Franklin Myers, and R.N. Hardin. Burial is
in Stoner’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Monday at
Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington and at other times at the home.
Memorials may be directed to Stoner’s Grove Baptist Church
Building Fund, P.O. Box 183, Southmont, NC 27351.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net.
Leora Swartzentruber
ABBEVILLE
— Leora Overholt Swartzentruber, 67, of 110 Colony East,
wife of Eldon Swartzentruber. She was born in Virginia Beach, VA
to the late William J. and Millie Jones Overholt. Mrs.
Swartzentruber was a member of Shiloh Mennonite Church.
She is survived by her husband of the home, four sons, David,
Richard, Eldon Ray and Merlin, one daughter, Ruth, seventeen
grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a twin sister, Leona
Kurtz, a sister, Anna Mae Yoder, two brothers, Henry and Joe
Overholt and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5:00PM to 8:00PM Sunday,
September 17, 2006 at the Whispering Pines Mennonite Church.
Funeral services will be 10:30AM Monday, September 18, 2006 at
Whispering Pines Mennonite Church 7085 Hwy 20 Honea Path, SC.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Swartzentruber may be
sent to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont 408 W. Alexander Ave.
Greenwood, SC 29646.
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME of Abbeville is assisting the Swartzentruber
family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harrisfuneral.com.
Jennifer Young
LAURENS
— Jennifer Young, 27, of 209 Fuller Street, Greenwood, died
Saturday, September 16, 2006.
Born in Greenwood; a daughter of Pamela Harrison George and Jack
Duckett and Eddie and Terrie Young. She was pre-deceased by her
maternal grandfather, Tom Harrison and paternal grandparents
James and Wretha O’Kelley.
Surviving in addition to her parents are three children, Jessyca
Harrison, Brandyn Norris, and Robert Carroll all of Greenwood;
three sisters Shelia Stewart, Amanda McCollum, and Elissa Duckett
all of Greenwood; six brothers Mike Duckett of Greenwood, Billy
Duckett of Lancaster, Dustin Young of Greenwood, Jasper Young of
Greenwood, Joey Wilkie of Greenwood, and Robert Odom of
Greenwood; maternal grandmother Lois Harrison of Greenwood; five
nieces and five nephews.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel
with the Rev. John Hipp, Dr. James Kelley. Burial will follow in
Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Dustin Young, Joey Wilkie, Jasper Young, Mike
and Billy Duckett, and Brian Turner.
Honorary escort will be Rusty O’Kelley.
The body is at Harley Funeral Home and Crematory where the family
will receive friends Sunday night from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.
The family is at the home of her mother, 213 Fuller Street, and
the home of her father, 254 Penn Ave.
Online condolences may sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com.