Public shut out

WSPA refusal sends hearing behind doors

April 7, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — Nearly 150 people showed up Friday morning to hear suspended Ware Shoals High School principal Jane Blackwell defend herself in a public hearing, but most went home unsatisfied.
Blackwell was scheduled to have a public hearing Friday morning before the Ware Shoals District 51 school board. The hearing’s purpose was for Blackwell to show cause as to why she should be allowed to keep her job following a Jan. 22 arrest on a charge of obstruction of justice.
The public aspect of the hearing, however, was brought to an abrupt end before witness statements even began when Spartanburg-based WSPA Channel 7 refused to shut off its cameras at the request of Blackwell and her attorneys.
Though the hearing was classified as a public meeting, District 51 board attorney Bruce Davis announced earlier this week that neither videotaping nor still photography would be allowed during witness statements.
Davis conceded cameras could be allowed in the auditorium, but added Blackwell could choose to have a private hearing if her request was not honored.
So, as the crowd and a heavy media contigent waited for statements to begin Friday morning, Davis reiterated that Blackwell intended to make the hearing private if cameras were activated during those statements. With that Davis prepared to begin hearing statements.
“I still see one red light burning,” he said, referring to the “on” light on WSPA’s camera as he looked into the balcony where the bulk of the media was stationed.
WSPA reporter Carmen Coursey told Davis she and her cameraman would not turn off their camera. She attempted to tell Davis and the school board why she refused, but Davis cut her off as school board chairman Ed Farr banged his gavel furiously and called for order in the auditorium.
Banging gavels and calls for order fit right in with the way the event was organized. In Davis’ preliminary address to the audience, there were numerous references to “subpoenas” and “testimony,” as if the meeting were a court proceeding instead of a public hearing in front of a taxpayer-supported school board.
When Coursey refused to cut off the WSPA camera, many from the crowd on the main floor below turned to the balcony and began to loudly implore her to shut it off.
“This is a public meeting for our citizens!” one yelled.
Another shouted a simple “shut it off!”
Yet, Coursey persisted.
Davis then read a letter from Blackwell’s attorneys – Billy Garrett and Lance Sheek – that said Blackwell wanted a public hearing only if cameras were shut off during witness statements. One of the main reasons they gave for the request was their claim that Blackwell did not want videotaped deposition from Ware Shoals cheerleaders and other students to be shown on broadcast TV or in print.
After reading the letter, Davis and Farr declared the hearing was going to be closed. They made the decision initially without taking a public vote by the school board.
The moment the announcement was made, the auditorium exploded, as many attendees again tossed verbal jabs at Coursey and WSPA’s cameraman.
At least one in attendance took the time to give Blackwell a piece of his mind.
“You’re finished, Blackwell!” said the man over the roar of the crowd.
Ware Shoals police officer John Blakely came to the balcony to escort Coursey down and through the angry crowd that was waiting on her in the lobby outside the auditorium.
While Coursey was safely escorted out at that time, many residents weren’t happy about the situation. “I’m a taxpayer and I wanted to hear what she had to say,” said Boots Henderson. “We come over here to hear a hearing. She should have turned that camera off. Everybody else turned their camera off.”
Stephanie Ware, a third-grade teacher in Ware Shoals, said she was disappointed.
“I’m mad,” Ware said. “I was thinking to myself ‘please just turn the camera off so we can have this.’ Everybody around me was yelling it.”
Coursey defended WSPA’s decision to keep their cameras rolling.
“We decided early on to keep our cameras rolling,” Coursey said. “We felt it was important that everyone in the public be given the opportunity to see what happens in a public meeting.
“Not everyone could get off work today. As a representative of the media we felt it was our job to let people know what is going on in these public hearings.”
Blackwell’s sister, Bennie Henderson, said Blackwell had been looking forward to Friday.
“The family wanted a public hearing,” Henderson said. “Jane Blackwell wanted a public hearing. She wanted to protect the cheerleaders and the integrity of the school, therefore she didn’t want their testimony be videoed. Everybody respected that but Channel 7.”
Henderson said it is regrettable the public did not get to hear what Blackwell had to say.
“I think if the public had seen or heard everything that was said today, it would have been obvious that Jane Blackwell was innocent,” Henderson said.
Henderson offered a theory about the reason WSPA refused to shut off its cameras.
“I wonder if there is a connection there with the (Greenwood County) Sheriff’s Office,” Henderson said. “I don’t think the sheriff’s department wanted it to be public. Is there a connection between Channel 7 and the sheriff’s department?”
Chief Deputy Mike Frederick responded to that statement.
“To make an inane comment like that would be irresponsible and immature, and is disingenuous. As investigators, we were looking forward to this hearing as a potential source of information,” Frederick said. “I even assigned personnel to attend, although it was scheduled on the Good Friday holiday. The plain, legal fact is that the only person who controlled the status of the hearing was Jane Blackwell.
“She decided to make it a private hearing, and we, like everyone else, had to abide by that.”
WSPA news director Ken Elmore flatly denied Henderson’s theory.
“There is no connection between us and the Greenwood Sheriff’s Office whatsoever,” Elmore said. “The only possible connection is that we are members of the media and they disseminate information to us from time to time. We at WSPA would have liked nothing more than for the public to have been able to hear the information.
“There are state statutes that discuss how public hearings are to be held. It is regrettable that the school district chose to go this route.”
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act Section 30-4-90, sub-section C, reads as follows in regard to public meetings:
All or any part of a meeting of a public body may be recorded by any person in attendance by means of a tape recorder or any other means of sonic or video reproduction, except when a meeting is closed pursuant to Section 30-4-70 of this chapter, provided that in so recording there is no active interference with teh conduct of the meeting. Provided, further, that the public body is not required to furnish recording facilities or equipment.
At the request of The Index-Journal, the school board did reconvene in open session about 40 minutes after the initial closure to vote on taking the meeting behind closed doors. The vote was unanimous to close the meeting. State open meetings law requires public boards to vote to close public meetings.
In addition, Blackwell’s relatives initially were allowed to stay in the closed meeting. After The Index-Journal pointed out this also was an apparent violation of state open meetings laws, Davis met with the board members and Blackwell’s attorneys.
Returning to the lobby, Davis told Executive News Editor Richard Whiting, “You win again.”
Blackwell’s relatives were then moved to the school’s teacher lounge along with the media and the closed meeting resumed. The hearing continued well into the night, with the board taking statements until after 10 p.m.

Obituaries

Rufus Floyd Sr.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Rufus Floyd, Sr., 71, of 51 Sunrise Blvd., husband of Ida B. Floyd, passed away Monday, April 2, 2007, at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, FL.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Junious Floyd and Lulla Bell Brown Floyd. He was a brick mason and a former employee of the Rock Quarry.
He is survived by, in addition to his wife of Greenwood, four sons, Jimmy L. Floyd, Rufus Floyd, Jr., Issac B. Floyd and Johnny O. Floyd, all of Greenwood; two daughters, Teresa A. Floyd and Joann (Earl) Curenton, both of Greenwood; three sisters, Lizzie Fuller of Greenwood, Louella Parks and Lorraine Burnside, both of Laurens; one brother, Robert L. Watts of Greenwood; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Ulysses Parks officiating.
Burial will be in the Ninety Six Community Cemetery.
Flower bearers and pallbearers will be friends of the family. The family is at 130 Camden St., Greenwood.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Dennis M. Gamble

WARE SHOALS — Dennis M. Gamble, 50, widower of Teresa “Terry” Akers Gamble, died April 6, 2007. He was born in Greenwood County, a son of Joan Martin G. Harvey of Ware Shoals and the late Robert Gamble. He was a member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church and was employed by Cryovac Division of Sealed Air Corp.
Surviving besides his mother of Ware Shoals are one sister, Jan Harvey Robertson, Greenwood, a nephew, Zachary Robertson, Greenwood, half sister, Karon Gamble, and longtime close personal friend, Robin Calhoun of Greenwood.
He was predeceased by one daughter, Kristina Elayne Gamble, one son, Nicholas Marion Gamble and one half brother, Mark Gamble. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, 3 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park. Rev. Robert Emory and Rev. Leon Jones will officiate.
Active pallbearers will be Tony Coker, Robert Hall, Faron Cothran, Frank Brooks, Chad Ouzts, Danny Riddle, Brandon Cothran and Billy Sweatt.
Honorary escort will be members of Band of Brothers Motorcycle Club.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, Greenville or to the American Heart Assoc.
The families are at their respective homes and will receive friends Monday, 1-3 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home.

James Ray Greer

EAST DUBLIN, Ga. — James Ray Greer, 73, died Thursday, April 5, 2007.
Mr. Greer, a native of Greenwood, SC, was the son of the late Joseph Ernest Greer and the lateKatie McCuen Greer. He was a resident of Laurens County since 1973 and a member of Eastside Baptist Church. He was retired from Forstmann and served in the U.S. Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila Faye Brown Greer of East Dublin, GA; 2 granddaughters, Reagan and Lauren Greer; 3 nephews; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
He was preceded in death by a son, James Matthew Greer.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2007, at Eastside Baptist Church, with the Rev. Matt Anderson and the Rev. Tim Lumley officiating. Burial is in Dublin Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Tommy Wood, Eddie Anderson, Phil Gay, Tim Gay, Earnie Tanner, Reece Foskey.
The family received friends Friday at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home, Dublin.

Terry Anita Hawes

Services for Terry Anita Hawes, of 104 Moss Creek Lane, are 3 p.m. Monday, April 9, 2007, at Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church in McCormick County, conducted by the Rev. George Oliver. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Burial is in the church cemetery. Viewing will be from 2-8 on Sunday and 9-1 on Monday at Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. The family is at the home. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Harold McCord

Harold Adolphus McCord, 85, of 133 Sheffield Road, widower of Mary Gaines McCord, died Thursday, April 5, 2007, at his home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Hiwadii Mitchell

Mrs. Hiwadii Louise Mason Mitchell, 87, formerly of 109 Bypass 25 N.E. (East End Heights), widow of the Rev. Hinton B. Mitchell, died Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at NHC Healthcare. Born March 2, 1920 in Lincolnton, GA, she was the daughter of the late Charlie L. and Amelia Hawes Mason. In 1940, she received a high school diploma from Lincolnton High School. In 1943, Mrs. Mitchell was licensed by the State of Georgia to teach school, and she taught for a number of years in Lincoln County, Georgia. In 1968, she received an advanced sewing certificate from Piedmont Technical College. She was a former member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Lincolnton, GA, and was a member of Morris Chapel Baptist Church, where she was a former first lady for 22 years and was a faithful member until her health declined.
On Dec. 14, 1946, she married Rev. Hinton B. Mitchell and she then became a devoted and loving housewife. She was preceded in death by one brother, Mr. Bernard Hawes Mason and two sisters, Rossie Mason Cross and Marion Mason Murray.
Survivors include one nephew, Joseph (Windy) Murray, Jr. of Atlanta; two nieces, Phyllis Murray Smith of Atlanta, GA, and Betty (Bobby) Lowery of Charlotte, NC; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Maggie Mason of Charlotte, NC; and a very devoted caregiver and cousin, Jessie Hawes Jones of Greenwood.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Monday, April 9, 2007, at Morris Chapel Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Ricky V. Syndab, assisted by the Revs. Thessa Smith, Jonathan Greene, Dora White, Dr. Willie S. Harrison and Elder Julius Mason. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Viewing will be from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. The family is at the home. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. and Mason Funeral Home in Commerce, GA, are in charge of arrangements.

Opinion

South Carolina athletes set example for others

April 7, 2007

In these times when prima donna athletes earn millions of dollars, some turn out to be more of the dime-a-dozen variety. Once in a while, though, it’s gratifying to see some of them give back to the communities that nurtured them as children. That’s particularly so when they are from South Carolina.
The Boulware brothers - Michael and Peter - of Columbia parlayed their athletic ability on the football gridiron into income that most of us can only dream of. Both played for Florida State University and both made it big in the National Football League.
The brothers haven’t forgotten what youth football meant to them. They had fun playing the game as youngsters and, as they say, the rest is history.
The youth park where they played as children needed a scoreboard. A fund-raiser by the players brought in part of the money.

WITHOUT THE BOULWARES, though, the project would have failed.
Each brother gave $5,000 in matching donations so a big and shiny new scoreboard, with the trimmings, could be installed at the field where they played.
The Richland County Recreation Chairman Charles Epps said, “I want to thank the family and the Boulware brothers for giving back to the community. They are setting an example of love and caring and sharing of what God has blessed them with.”
What a difference they make.
They also set an example that other obviously spoiled but well-paid athletes could follow. Imagine what it would do for the communities they hail from ..... not to mention what it would do for the image of professional athletes that too often care little about anyone but themselves.