Engineer says dam renovation won’t affect lake

Voters to decide in November whether to issue bonds to pay for dam, library

September 22, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood County engineer Larry Smith wants to dispel rumors about Lake Greenwood and its dam.
The lake will not be drained, nor will a second dam be built behind the current Buzzard’s Roost Hydroelectric dam, Smith told Lions Club members Thursday at the American Legion Post 20 building.
The lake’s water level will not change during a possible renovation of the dam, and the quality of the water won’t change either, he said.
Greenwood residents can vote in a November referendum on whether to allow Greenwood County to issue about $40 million in bonds to pay for the dam and library.
Fixing the dam could cost about $30 million in bonds, while the library could be built for about $10 million in bonds, Smith said. Neither cost is definite.
The bonds would be paid back with either a new sales tax or a property tax increase, Smith said.
The sales tax would add 1 percent to the current 5 percent sales tax, or 1 cent on the dollar. Some items wouldn’t require the new sales tax, Smith said.
Greenwood County would be affected by the property tax increase, while the sales tax would affect 40 percent of Greenwood County visitors.
Smith also explained to the Lions Club why the dam needs to be repaired and why a new Greenwood County Library needs to be built.
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found that the Lake Greenwood dam didn’t meet new standards for protection against hurricanes and earthquakes.
A dam built in the 1930s, like Lake Greenwood’s, doesn’t live up to those standards, Smith said.
The dam has to be reinforced to withstand worst-case events, according to FERC.
Worst-case events — those that could occur once every 1,000 years — include severe earthquakes and two hurricanes crossing South Carolina back to back that could flood the Lakelands, Smith said.
The dam’s flood gates have to be strengthened to hold back a larger amount of water.
FERC also fears a severe earthquake would liquefy the sand underneath the larger earthen dam near Buzzard’s Roost, causing it to sag and allow water to pass, Smith said.
The solution is to add a layer of earth to the back of the earth dam to “thicken” it.
Greenwood County has very little choice when it comes to keeping the dam — and Lake Greenwood — safe, Smith said.
The dam is essential to Greenwood County’s economic vitality and quality of life. Greenwood also gets its drinking water from Lake Greenwood, Smith said.
“We really need to do what has to be done to protect these resources,” he said.
A new Greenwood County Library also needs to be built to provide more space for Greenwood residents.
The library was built in 1958 and renovated in 1972, Smith said.
“We’ve gotten long and good use out of the library,” he said.
But the South Carolina State Library determined that Greenwood needs 60,000 square feet for the next 20 years. More than 55 percent of Greenwood County residents have a library card, Smith said.
The new library would have a broader selection of books, larger reading rooms, more computers with Internet access and more education programs.
County libraries are picking up the slack for schools, so they need all the help they can get, Smith said.

Sarah Kate Blaes

Sarah Kate Lang Blaes, 99, widow of William N. “Bill” Blaes, died Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006, at Hospice House in Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Alvin Boyd Cotney

NEWBERRY — Alvin Boyd Cotney, 82, of 3219 Nance Street, Newberry, died Wednesday night, September 20, 2006 while visiting in Atlanta.
He was born August 12, 1924 in Prosperity. He was a son of the late James N. and Florence Stockman Cotney. He was a World War II Army veteran, a retired employee of Kendall Mills, Oakland Plant and a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. He was also a member of Amity Masonic Lodge #87, York Rites, and the Hejaz Shrine Temple.
He was a devoted and loving husband and father and is survived by his wife, Vera Bedenbaugh Cotney; three daughters, Dianne Calloway and husband Claude of Anderson, Cynthia Morris and husband Ronnie of Newberry, and Donna Summer of Newberry; a son, Dean Cotney and wife Amy of Newberry; a sister, Elizabeth C. Cohen of Greenwood; two brothers, J.D. Cotney and Birt Cotney both of Prosperity; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was pre-deceased by three sisters, Virginia Shealy, Ruby Huffstetler, and Etta Mae Dominick; 4 brothers, Virgil Lee Cotney, Nelson Cotney, Ewell Cotney, and Troy Cotney. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00PM Saturday, September 23rd, at Bethany Lutheran Church by the Rev. Ronald Smith and Rev. Waco Cotney. Interment will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 7:30 PM at the McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. The family will be at the home of Mrs. Vera Cotney, 3219 Nance Street, Newberry.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 2704 Nance Street, Newberry, 29108.
www.mcswainevans.com

Rachel Hair

NEWBERRY — Funeral services for Mrs. Rachel Henrietta Lagroone Hair, 48, of 292 Oak Ridge Loop, will be conducted on Saturday, September 23, 2006, at 2:00 PM at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Ninety Six.
F.B. Pratt & Son Funeral Home, Inc., is in charge of arrangements.

James McLaughlin

DILLON — James McLaughlin, 75, of Dillon SC, brother of Willie McLaughlin of Greenwood, died in Dillon, SC. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday at New Holly UMC in Dillon County, SC. The family is at the home of his brother Willie McLaughlin, 214 N. Bethune St., Greenwood. Thomas Funeral Home, 300 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dillon SC is in charge. Announcement by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Calvin Sims

GREENVILLE — Calvin Sims, 62, of 601 Sulphur Springs Road, Greenville, SC died Sept. 12 at his home. Born in Camphill, Ala., son of the late John and Mary Lou Maryland Sims. He was formerly employed with Garrett and Garrett Construction and was of the Baptist Faith.
Surviving is a nephew Otis Henry of Greenwood; one brother, Richard Sims of Birmingham, Ala.; one sister, Lila Mae Wallace of Birmingham, Ala.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 pm from Percival-Tompkins Chapel with Rev. James Milner officiating, assisted by Rev. Henry Barksdale. Burial will be in Ninety Six Community Cemetery. The family is at the home of his nephew Otis Henry, 308 Possom Hollow Road.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Guy Austin Smith

GREENVILLE — Guy Austin Smith, 78, of #8 6th Street, Judson, widower of Josephine Powell Smith, died Wednesday, September 20, 2006.
Born in Pickens, he was a son of the late Walter Earl and Lois Elizabeth Connelly Smith. Mr. Smith was retired from B&F Roofing Company.
Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Brian McKnight of Spartanburg; a son, Danny Smith; four grandchildren, Lisa McAbee of Duncan, Brian McKnight of Taylors, Tiffany and Crystal Smith; seven great grandchildren; a sister, Lois Yates of Greenville; and a brother, Edward Smith of Greenville.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 22, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown. Graveside services will be conducted Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. at Greenville Memorial Gardens.

Bubber Summers

NINETY SIX — William Alvin “Bubber” Summers, 82, resident of 104 Lowell Street, widower of Lillie Faulkner Summers, died September 20, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, February 4, 1924, he was a son of the late Fred Tillman and Rilla Shealy Summers. He was retired from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Dept. and Drummond Oil Company (now Greenwood Petroleum). He was Fire Chief for the town of Ninety Six from 1954-1981.
A member of Temple Baptist Church, he was also a member of Eureka Masonic Lodge #47 and the Ninety Six Lions Club.
Surviving are a daughter, Alva S. Gunnells and husband, Colin of Ninety Six; grandchildren, Casey G. Velky and husband, Paul and Colin Blane Gunnells, Jr.; a great-grandson, Jackson Velky.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Saturday at Temple Baptist Church with Rev. G. Thomas Cartledge officiating.
Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Blane Gunnells, Irby Shealy, Ronnie Shealy, Ricky Summers, Doug Alexander, Randy Stephenson, Scott Summers, Carl Summers and Childress Buchanan.
Honorary escort will be the past and present members of the Ninety Six Fire Department along with Mr. and Mrs. Nebitt Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Hiriam Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Jones Buchanan, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Able, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Bryant, Ellis Gunnells, Sen. John Drummond, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Still, Mr. and Mrs. Giles Daniel, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Aiton, Al Bailey, Vernon Freeman, Joyce Smith and Bobby McBride.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1 pm Saturday.
The family is at the home on Lowell Street and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 Friday evening.
Memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 95 Saluda Street, Ninety Six, SC 29666, the Ruth Childress and Monk Buchanan Scholarship Fund, Lander University, 320 Stanley Ave., Greenwood, SC 29649 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Summers family.

James Norman Wilson

WARE SHOALS — James N. “Picker-Stick” Wilson, 84, of 4 Ware St., widower of Lillie Mae “Cooter” Wilson, died September 20 at National Health Care of Greenwood. He was born in Greenwood, a son of the late Jessie O. and Dora Hodges Wilson, was retired from Riegel Textile Corp., and a member of West Main Street Church of God.
He was predeceased by a son Douglas Wilson.
Surviving are a number of Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral services: 11 am Saturday at Parker-White Funeral Home with the Rev. Aaron Hodges officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Active Pallbearers are Earl Weathers, Ray McCoy, Roddy McAllister, Roger McAllister, Johnny Parham, Matthew Gerrish.
The body is at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Friday.

At Emerald, the Robinsons are a dynamic duo

September 21, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

A good guidance counselor can be a tremendous asset to a high school, providing advice and helping students reach their goals for life after high school.
Likewise, a father can be integral to the life of their high school-age child. If that child happens to play sports, such as football, the counsel and support of a father can be tremendous.
For Emerald High School standout offensive and defensive lineman Alex Robinson, the benefits of a good guidance counselor and supportive father come all rolled in one package.
Alex’s father is Rodney Robinson, a guidance counselor at Emerald. The senior lineman said he has enjoyed being on the same campus as his father for the past four years.“There are more advantages than disadvantages, definitely,” Alex said. “If I need anything I can come to him, rather than have to make a phone call or what not.”
Rodney said having a son on campus has been beneficial from a parental standpoint.
“It is nice, being close by,” Rodney said. “Academically, it helps you to keep an eye on things.”
While some may think, from a student’s standpoint at least, that having a father work at the school they attend would cramp their style, Alex said that has never been the case.
However, the elder Robinson said he has affected his son’s style, at least on one occasion.
“It affects his style if I see his pants sagging down and I snatch them up myself,” Rodney said, with a hearty laugh.
The pair both agreed that Rodney’s association with the school helps when they are talking football. Rodney said the fact that he knows all of the players on the team helps him better understand where Alex is coming from in terms of discussing team issues.
Alex, who starts on both sides of the football, said he has enjoyed playing for first-year Emerald coach Mike Clowney.
“It’s a lot different than it was last year under coach (Mac) Bryan,” Alex said. “He wanted us to make plays and put on a show for fans. Coach Clowney wants us to go out and hit people in the mouth and play physical. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves since coach Clowney took over.”
Clowney praised his physical lineman.
“Alex is a stand-up young man,” Clowney said. “He is a big part of our team. He goes hard for us every play and he’s a good kid.”
Alex is receiving football scholarship interest from several schools, including Clemson, The Citadel, Marshall, Cincinnati, Newberry and Wofford. He said he is not sure where he will go just yet, but he does know the type of school he would like to attend.
“I think I’d like to go to a Division I-AA school,” said Alex, who is a member of the Beta Club at EHS. “I would like to be able to play and not have to redshirt. My ultimate goal is to play in the NFL some day, so I would consider that, too.”
Rodney said that, as a guidance counselor, he often has to deal with young people who want to go on and play professional sports. He admitted it can be a delicate situation.
“When a young person comes to me and talks about professional sports, I evaluate everything,” Rodney said. “First I look at grades and determine whether college is a viable option. Then, I look at their athletic background. Is this feasible? If they want to make a run for the NFL, I’m behind them 100 percent. At the same time, you have to be realistic.”
Alex said the Vikings, who have struggled to an 0-4 start, are ready to turn things around.
“We’re about to start putting wins on the board,” he said. “We’ve struggled, but we’re coming around.”
Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

It’s just another sign of politics in perpetuity

September 22, 2006

It’s not surprising there are differences of opinion over terrorism and the war in Iraq among South Carolinians. That’s true as well among all Americans. So when President Bush spoke a couple of weeks ago on the fifth anniversary of 9/11 about those differences concerning the terrorist attack on this country, he should have expected critics. It was inevitable that he would attract a choir of yays and nays among supporters and critics.
In retrospect, though, the speech he made did not seem to be all that political, although it could have been much more partisan. Democratic leaders in Washington, though, lambasted the president for “politicizing” the 9/11 anniversary observance.
Also in retrospect, there must be some wondering why Mr. Bush didn’t indeed make his speech more partisan than he did. After all, there are Bush opponents who take every opportunity to politicize anything and everything he says or does. That’s not hard to recognize, either, if you follow the rhetoric of Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Charles Schumer, Joe Biden, Barbara Boxer, Ted Kennedy and others who take Bush-hating to the extreme.
As one well-known Democrat, Dennis Deconcini said, “it’s the political season.” It is, it is, and history tells us that anything goes. You have to wonder, though, if the “political season” ever ends. American voters just have to keep it all in perspective. It’s Democrats after Republicans now. It’s sure to be the other way around down the political road.