Blackwell to defend job Friday

Suspended principal will have public hearing before district’s school board

April 3, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Suspended Ware Shoals High School principal Jane Blackwell will present a case to the District 51 school board as to why she should keep her job following her January arrest on a charge of obstruction of justice.
A public hearing is set for 9 a.m. Friday at the Ware Shoals High School auditorium. The public is invited, but will not be able to participate in the proceedings.
District 51 attorney Bruce Davis discussed the nature of the hearing.
“It was absolutely critical that this be a public hearing,” Davis said. “I hope everybody in Ware Shoals comes to this hearing. It is of the utmost importance that the community have the same information the board does so that they will understand why the board makes the decision it does following the hearing.”
Davis said the hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. in an effort to get the entire proceedings done in one day. He said he expects the hearing to last 10 hours or more, with breaks dispersed throughout the day.
“We just couldn’t see breaking it up over two nights or something like that,” Davis said. “This is something that needs to be started and completed in one shot.”
The hearing stems from Blackwell’s Jan. 22 arrest on a charge of obstruction of justice. Blackwell is accused of withholding information from Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office investigators regarding their case against former WSHS cheerleading coach and guidance clerk Jill Moore. The case garnered national media attention in February.
Moore, who has resigned her position at the school, is accused of providing two then-16-year-old cheerleaders with alcohol and cigarettes on several occasions.
Moore is also accused of putting the two girls in an “incredibly inappropriate situation” in connection with a sexual relationship Moore was having with National Guardsman Thomas Fletcher, as well as facilitating a sexual relationship between one of the cheerleaders and Guardsman Jeremy Pileggi.
Pileggi and Fletcher were not charged by authorities because the age of sexual consent in South Carolina is 16. However, they were demoted and fined by the National Guard.
Incident reports from the investigation also detail a 19-year-old Ware Shoals High football player saying he had a sexual relationship with Moore.
According to a supplemental report from the sheriff’s office, investigators searched Blackwell’s office after suspecting she knew more than she was letting on about the situation regarding Moore. They seized two computers, calendars, notebooks and other documents from the office.
The report accused Blackwell of misleading authorities and intimidating witnesses and potential witnesses. It also said investigators found notes in a dated journal where Blackwell indicated she was personally investigating Moore’s actions before authorities got involved.
Davis said Friday’s hearing will be different from other hearings involving school administrators. He said that because the school district has not brought any charges against Blackwell — only the sheriff’s office has — the district does not have to present a case.
“The burden is on Mrs. Blackwell and her attorneys to show cause as to why she should keep her job,” Davis said.
Davis said he, as well as Blackwell’s attorneys, have spoken with many of the witnesses in the sheriff’s office criminal case against Blackwell. He said deposition and testimony from many of those individuals will be heard at Friday’s hearing.
That includes cheerleaders and teachers who were present at a meeting that Blackwell reportedly conducted in which she allegedly told cheerleaders not to talk to anyone about the case against Moore.
Davis did say some of the deposition from cheerleaders would be played on videotape.
District 51 Superintendent Fay Sprouse has excused herself from board activities regarding Blackwell leading up to the hearing, as she and Blackwell are first cousins. Sprouse said she will be in the audience Friday, but will not participate in any way.
Davis said he will address the audience before the hearing to go over the format and let the audience know what to expect as far as the way the hearing will take place.
“We don’t want a circus,” Davis said. “This will be a very serious, somber hearing.”

Gamble gets Emerald post

District 50 hires new elementary principal

April 3, 2007

From staff reports


A handful of administrative appointments within Greenwood School District 50 were made Monday during the board’s special called meeting.
Les Gamble, who has served as interim principal for Emerald High School since February, has been named the school’s principal for the 2007-08 school year. Prior to this position, Gamble was associate principal at Emerald.
A graduate of Cambridge College with administrative specialist and master’s degrees in education, Gamble also has experience in Aiken County and Georgia for a total of 12 years of work in education.
Jean Craig has been hired as an elementary principal in the district for 2007-08. Her assignment to a specific school will be announced at a later date.
Craig comes to Greenwood from Columbus, Ohio, where she worked for 26 years at the elementary level and as a counselor in the Columbus Public Schools. Craig served as a principal for nearly two decades in Columbus.
A native of Due West, she has degrees from Claflin University, Ohio State University and South Carolina State University.
Felicia Cartledge, who has most recently served as the interim director of the district’s Genesis Academy, has been selected as the new program’s director for 2007-08.
Cartledge also has served as principal of Emerald High School and assistant principal for Emerald and Greenwood high schools as well as instructional technology coordinator.
Before coming to Greenwood, the McCormick native worked in Richland School District One and has 15 years of experience in education.
Brad Nickles and Bob Steeley have been chosen as assistant principals in Greenwood District 50 for 2007-08. Their specific school assignments will be announced later.
Nickles has worked as a teacher and coach at Emerald High School and has worked in District 50 all of his 11 years in education. Nickles completed his master of education degree in administration and supervision from Clemson University in 2006 and earned his undergraduate degree in education from Lander University.
Steeley comes to Greenwood 50 from Cambridge Academy, where he was headmaster for the past three years. He has 41 years of experience in education in South Carolina and Alabama, and has degrees from The Citadel and the University of South Carolina.

Obituaries

Alvin A. Aiken

DUE WEST — Alvin A. Aiken, 65, of 405 Olin Smith Road, departed this life on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at HospiceCare of the Piedmont Hospice House in Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County May 2, 1941, he was a son of the late Fletcher and Cornelia Tolbert Aiken. He was a member of Mt. Zion AME Church.
Surviving are daughters, Demetrechest, Katherine and Tammy Aiken, all of Brooklyn, NY, D’arcy Aiken of Greensboro, NC; sisters, Mary Jean Davis and Effie Ann Gladden, both of Honea Path, SC; brothers, Willie Ray Aiken, Greenwood, SC, Roy Frank and Darrough Aiken, both of Donalds, SC; four grandchildren; and a loving companion, Rachel Killingsworth of the home.
Services are Wednesday, April 4, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion AME Church, Hodges, SC. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body, at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, will be on view Tuesday beginning at 1 p.m. and will be placed in the church Wednesday at 1 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Services, Ware Shoals, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

J.T. Banks

SALUDA — Julian Thomas “J.T.” Banks, 91, of 511 W. Church St., died Sunday, April 1, 2007, at Hospice Care of the Piedmont-Hospice House.
Born in Saluda County and a son of the late Julian Thomas and Ella Dorn Banks, he was the husband of Marvelle Cromer Banks. Mr. Banks was a retired textile worker and Farmer. He was a member of Red Bank Baptist Church, where he served as Assistant Treasurer for many years and was a member of the choir.
Surviving are his wife, Marvelle Cromer Banks of the home; a son and daughter in-law, Bernard T. and Bonnie B. Banks of Charlotte, NC; a daughter and son in-law, Norma B. and Kenneth Jumper of Memphis, TN; two grandchildren, Carla Long and Stephan Jumper; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at Red Bank Baptist Church, with Rev. Gary Romines and Rev. John Griffith officiating. The family will receive friends after the service in the church Social Hall.
Memorials may be made to Red Bank Baptist Church, 309 E. Church Street, Saluda, SC 29138.

Rufus Floyd Sr.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Rufus Floyd Sr., 71, of 51 Sunrise Blvd., died Monday, April 2, 2007, at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine.
The family is at the home of Ida Floyd, 130 Camden St., Greenwood, S.C.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.

John Ross Gardner

WAYNESBURG, Pa. — John Ross Gardner, age 68, of Waynesburg, PA, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, in the Washington Hospital.
He was born March 4, 1939 in Waynesburg, a son of the late Rev. Harry E. and Elisabeth Burns Gardner.
He was a 1957 graduate of Waynesburg High School, where he played tuba in the band and was a member of the basketball team. As vice president of the class of 1957, he helped organize reunion activities and events. He graduated from Waynesburg College in 1961 with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and mathematics. From 1964 to 1996, he was the cameraman for the Waynesburg College Athletic Dept., providing game footage for the football and basketball teams.
During his high school and college years he worked at J. M. Burns & Sons, the appliance and music store in Waynesburg established by his grandfather, Ross Burns. After college he helped manage the store until the mid 1970’s. He later opened Gardner’s Appliances, which his family operated until 1981.
During his school years he began working in the oil and gas fields of southwestern Pennsylvania for Ross Burns Inc., a trucking and drilling company established by his grandfather. In 1974 he trained as a drilling products engineer through Baroid Drilling Products. He later worked for Paramount Exploration and Tinney Drilling. In 1979, he worked with a Paramount Exploration crew on the first coal methane slant degasification drill hole at Emerald Mine. This project set the standard for the removal of methane gas from coal fields in the Eastern region of the United States.
From 1980 until 1995, Mr. Gardner worked for Equitable Resources. His territory included Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and New York.
His service to the community started in the 1970’s when he volunteered as the first zoning inspector for Waynesburg Borough. In 1979, he was appointed to the seat of county commissioner for Greene County to fill the seat vacated by the death of Ernest Lemley. John was subsequently elected to three terms as County Commissioner in 1980, 1996, and 2000. “For me, Gardner was a true political warrior,” said Pam Snyder, chairman of the county’s board of commissioners. “He loved Greene County and its people in a very special way.”
Mr. Gardner had also worked as a part time driver for Central Cab, driving charter buses for many local schools and universities, including Waynesburg College and West Virginia University. During the early 1990’s he volunteered as a bus driver for the Blue Coats, drum and bugle corps based in Canton, Ohio.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Waynesburg, where he served as elder, and a former member of the Waynesburg College Board of Trustees. He had served as both chief and president of the Waynesburg Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Republican State Committee; the U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Regional Clean Cities; the PA Firemen’s Assoc.; American Legion Post 816 at Rices Landing; BPOE 757, Loyal Order Moose Lodge 461; former of the Waynesburg Rotary Club; and was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
Surviving are his wife, Judith Parkins Gardner, whom he married in 1961; two daughters, Susan E. Gardner of Denver, CO, and Rebecca Gardner Price and husband, Douglas of Pittsburgh; two sons, John R. Gardner Jr. and wife, Julie Finn of Pittsburgh and Dr. David E. Gardner, professor of chemistry at Lander University and wife, Rebecca Davis of Greenwood, SC; one brother, Harry E. “Mike” Gardner Jr. of New Smyrna Beach, FL; seven grandchildren, Catherine, Gregory and Matthew Price, and Ross, Jenna, Eric and Michael Gardner.
Deceased is a sister, Sally Gardner.
Services were held on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Church in Waynesburg.

Lee Roy Haselden

TAYLORS — Lee Roy Haselden, 87, former resident of Ninety Six, husband of Rachel Carson Haselden, died March 30, 2007 at Brighton Gardens in Greenville.
Born in Shulerville, SC, March 26, 1920, he was a son of the late George and Carrie Brandson Haselden. He was a US Army Veteran of WW II and retired from General Motors, Clark, NJ. He was a member of Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife of Taylors are two daughters, Carol Stein and husband, David of Taylors and Christine Stephenson and husband, Gary of Colorado Springs, CO; two brothers, Harold Haselden and James Haselden, both of Rock Hill; a sister, Mildred Guerry of North Augusta; five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church, with Dr. Eldon Tucker and Rev. Chris Stancell officiating.
Burial with Military Rites will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Joel Robertson, Don Woodward, Daniel Stephenson, Jeremy Stephenson, Matt Stein and Phillip Stein.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood.
The family will receive friends at Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church from 1 to 2 Wednesday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church, 123 Pinehaven Drive, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Haselden family.

Lynn Justesen

Wee Lynn Gordon Justesen, 60, resident of 240 Deer Run Lane, died April 2, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Coral Gables, FL, August 28, 1946, she was a daughter of the late Erwin Lite and Dorothy Thompson Gordon. She was a 1964 graduate of Dunn High School, Dunn, NC, and was a 1968 graduate of Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, having earned her B.A. degree in Education. She later received a Special Needs teaching certification from Lander. Mrs. Justesen was an assistant teacher at Mathews Elementary School.
She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Seekers Sunday School Class of the church.
Surviving are three sons, Wayne Quay “Tad” Justesen, III and wife, Beth, Gordon Hughes Justesen and Julian Thompson Justesen, all of Greenwood; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Evans Justesen of Greenwood.
A memorial service will be conducted at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Chris Leonard officiating.
A private family entombment at Oakbrook Memorial Park Mausoleum will be held Wednesday prior to the service.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Tuesday evening.
The family is at the home of Tad and Beth Justesen, 304 Bermuda Drive in Centre Court.
Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2330 Cokesbury Road, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Justesen family.

Taylor Latimer

Earl Taylor Latimer, 37, resident of 123 Crescent Road, died March 31, 2007 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, October 10, 1969, he was a son of Doris Hollingsworth Arnold and Robert H. Latimer, Jr. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.
Surviving in addition to his mother of the home and father of Knoxville, TN, are a brother, Robert H. Latimer, III of the home; stepmother, Katherine R. Latimer of Knoxville, TN; a half sister, Rebecca Cathryn Latimer of Knoxville, TN; a nephew, Harold Dean Latimer of Greenwood.
A private family graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Oakbrook Memorial Park, with Rev. James Dennis officiating.
The family is at the home in Kimbrook and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 6 to 8 Tuesday evening.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Home, P.O. Box 39, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Latimer family.

Gary McCoy Jr.

LANCASTER — Lawrence Gary McCoy, Jr., 59, died April 2, 2007 in Charlotte.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of Louise Canfield McCoy Sprouse and the late Lawrence Gary McCoy, Sr. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Neal Sprouse of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be in Lancaster at a later date.
Announcement courtesy of Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Ernestine A. Perrin

Ernestine A. Perrin, 45, of 316 Cambridge Apts., died Monday, April 2, 2007, at her home.
The family is at the home of Christine Perrin, 609 Magnolia Drive. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Mabel Dorn Reeder

ATLANTA — Mabel Dorn Reeder, wife of the late Thomas H. Reeder, passed away April 2, 2007. She was 98.
Mabel Cuddy Dorn Reeder was born May 20, 1908 to Joseph Jennings Dorn and Hanora Cuddy Dorn in the Dornville community of South Carolina. Her family moved to the town of McCormick, SC, when she was a young child.
Mrs. Reeder attended and graduated from Greenville Women’s College (now Furman University). Following graduation, she undertook graduate studies at Columbia University in New York City, NY. Prior to her marriage, she taught school in Edgefield, SC.
Mrs. Reeder has been a resident of Atlanta since her marriage in 1936. She and her husband, Tommy Reeder, traveled extensively and enjoyed activities with many friends. Mabel Reeder was an avid and accomplished gardener. She was known for her never-ending kindness, generosity and love. She will be missed by many. Her extended family wishes to thank the staff of Lenbrook Square, in Atlanta, for their wonderful care and compassion.
Services: funeral service from Strom Funeral Home, McCormick, SC. No visitation. Graveside service is at Troy Cemetery, Troy, SC, at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 2007. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Reeder’s name to a charity of your choice.

Shelby B. Temple

Shelby Ballenger Temple, 67, formerly of 111 Pine Drive, widow of Bobby Jones Temple, died Monday, April 2, 2007, at the home of her daughter, 226 Bee Pond Road, Ninety Six.
Born in Reidville, she was a daughter of the late Paul Ebber “Slim” and Annie Powers Ballenger. She was a member of New Market Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir.
Surviving is a daughter, Sandra Temple of Ninety Six; two sons, Glenn Temple of Ninety Six and Robert Temple of Irmo; a brother, William Clyne “Nubbin” Ballenger of Abbeville; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Stanley Sprouse and the Rev.
Buddy Wiles officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Lee Alexander, Gregg McCuen, David Dixon, Paul Ballenger, Dale Cole and Riv Temple. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home of her daughter, 226 Bee Pond Road, Ninety Six.
Memorials may 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.

Opinion

Right to keep, bear arms ‘shall not be infringed’

April 3, 2007

Reality trumps theory every time. In other words, what we know is more valuable than conjecture. Most of the time. The sad reality is that we don’t always learn even if experience is the best teacher.
Take the reality of a situation in the city of Washington, D. C. It has had a handgun ban in force for some time. It was “theory” that such a ban would help reduce the violent crime in the nation’s capital.
A funny thing happened, though, although some gun-control zealots might not want to consider that ..... or want others to consider it. Even with a handgun ban, crime flourished in the capital.
The ban had little or no effect.

RECENTLY, A FEDERAL appeals court overturned the District’s long-standing ban. The court rejected the city’s argument that the Second Amendment right to bear arms applied only to militias. In a 2-1 decision, the judges held that the activities protected by the Second Amendment to the U. S. Constitution “are not limited to military service, nor is an individual’s enjoyment of the right contingent” on enrollment in a militia.
Some South Carolinians, no doubt, will disagree with that. So, for anyone who may not know what the Second Amendment says in full, it is: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary for the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT the District of Columbia is expected to appeal.
There has been so much conflict over this constitutional right that it is sure to continue. Under the circumstances, the question should be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court once and for all.
The Constitution makes no restrictions on keeping and bearing arms. In fact it says it plainly ..... shall not be infringed. Infringe? It means to encroach or trespass on a right or privilege. This is a right, and has been a right right from the git-go ..... and no pun’s intended.
You have to wonder just what part of that “shall not be infringed” does anyone not understand?