Tax struggle continues

Several reasons suggested for Saluda’s sudden tax hike

January 10, 2007

By ERIN LONG
Index-Journal staff writer

SALUDA — Many Saluda County residents were left angry and confused after Monday night’s county council meeting.
The council voted 3-2 against an ordinance that would have overturned the recently assessed property values, meaning residents will still have to pay the higher tax bills.
While many residents are very vocal about not wanting to pay, few were asking why their bills increased so much in the first place.
The problem Saluda and other counties encountered was a sharp increase in the assessed property values for some homes.
Residents along Lake Murray were among those who faced the largest increases, and many are protesting the assessments as unreasonable or just plain wrong.
Claudia Cochran, treasurer and clerk for the town of Saluda, says her house was appraised as a two-story home, even though it has just one level. She filed an appeal and says someone will be inspecting her home soon to determine if it has an interior staircase.
State law requires property values to be reassessed every five years, but Saluda had fallen behind.
Many residents suggest the assessor made unnecessary errors while rushing to catch up.
The county also did not provide a sufficient notice of the reassessed values. Cochran and others say the county should have used the reassessed values next year, not this year.
Jo Atkinson, leader of a Saluda civic pride group and sister-in-law of one of the residents who spoke out at Monday’s meeting, says the problem lies with state property value equalization.
South Carolina requires a uniform assessment, which means property values must be equalized across the state. This disproportionately inflates values in counties like Saluda, which are equalized with properties in more prosperous areas like Charleston.
At Monday’s meeting, Chairman T. Hardee Horne proposed a compromise in which county residents will pay the same amount of property tax as they did last year.
Residents were quick to point out the flaws in Horne’s proposal, the largest of which is that it would merely postpone the problem until next year.
Saluda Mayor Frank Addy said he thinks Horne’s proposal could represent a good solution, if residents are willing to listen.
Until the county council meets again to draw up a new ordinance, Saluda town residents are being urged to pay 80 percent of their current tax bill, Cochran said.
Property taxes are determined by the value times an assessment ration multiplied by a millage rate.
After the property’s value is determined, an assessment ration is applied. For example, a primary residence is taxed at 4 percent of the assessed value, while a secondary residence is taxed at 6 percent.
That sum is then multiplied by the millage rate, which is set to supply the county with sufficient funds to meet its budget. One mill equals one-tenth of a cent.
Saluda’s millage rate was set at .1598 in 2005. Therefore, a person owning a $50,000 house would have to pay about $320 in property taxes.
Schools are the primary recipient of these funds. Nearly two-thirds of the Saluda County property taxes are earmarked for schools.
“If they were spending tax money on schools and the school were improving, I’d be happy to pay it,” resident Charles Coble said at Monday’s council meeting.

Program’s sign-up at 1,000 and climbing

January 10, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

You were just one.
One of hundreds of people who signed on for a healthier life during Monday’s Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown opener at Greenwood Family YMCA.
You need to drop those excess pounds like a bad habit. The family genes (by way of diabetes, heart disease or high cholesterol) are planning their best to doom you.
But you have your T-shirt and your binder.
You know your blood pressure, cholesterol level and how low you want your body mass index to go. You have tons of information.
But now what?
Those feeling a bit of a letdown following Monday’s Shrinkdown-opening euphoria need not fear.
Help is never far away.
Denise Manley is a spokeswoman for the Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown. Her advice for the bewildered is simple: Read up, buddy up and Shrinkdown.
“What we encourage people to do is take the healthy information guide and really look at what’s inside,” Manley said. “There’s so much good information. Look at the upcoming health talks that will be offered and visit a fitness facility.
“We also encourage people to buddy up. We’ve seen that if you have a friend or spouse or companion, that’s proven to be very positive. You can exercise together and encourage each other to make better eating choices. Then, you can bring your friend in to weigh with you.”
That, Manley said, is where accountability comes in.
“Accountability will be the biggest factor, and that will come into play every Friday when you have to weigh in,” she said.
Participants also should understand another crucial factor.
The Shrinkdown is not designed to be a specialized weight-loss program in and of itself. It’s designed to provide participants with needed start-up information.
The Shrinkdown handles the guide; participants supply the get-up-and-go that will lead to actual weight loss.
“When they first go in, a lot of people think that (the Shrinkdown) is an actual program or a diet, but it’s a guide on how to make a better choices,” said Fran Friday, Greenwood Family YMCA health and fitness director. “The information is for use as a resource. It gives you a lot of ideas. There is a shopping guide and a lot of direction. It’s educational material and it’s fantastic.”
Manley stressed that the Shrinkdown is not meant to be a sprint, but rather a “race” at a steady pace.
“That’s very important to understand, that this is just the starting point to changing your health habits for the rest of your life,” Manley said. “This is where you will learn how to exercise regularly, eat healthy and implement these changes to impact the rest of your life.”
Late in the day on Tuesday, Shrinkdown volunteers were continuing to enter registration information at a furious pace.
The numbers were impressive. “We’re over 1,000 now and counting,” Manley said. “Based on the volume of phone calls that I’ve had (Tuesday), we’re going to have a ton more people to register this Friday. We’re already ahead of last year’s (kickoff) numbers. Last year we had about 200 more people to register after the kickoff, so we know we’ve already surpassed last year’s kickoff total.
“We’re still entering information. Last year this time the Web site crashed on us. It’s still been slow, but we have three extra communities this year.”
For those who might have missed Monday’s kickoff, there is still time to get involved. Simply visit any of the Shrinkdown’s numerous weigh-in sites on Friday to register.
And remember, Greenwood’s honor is at stake in this year’s Shrinkdown.
Having been challenged by the greater Shelby, N.C., community and called out by The Star newspaper’s managing editor Alan Jenkins, Greenwood needs every pound Shrinkdown participants have to give.
“Alan sent me an e-mail Tuesday afternoon bragging about the 1,391 people in Cleveland County who signed up for their Shrinkdown,” said R. Shawn Lewis, Index-Journal managing editor.
“Cleveland County and Shelby deserve congratulations on their initial sign-up effort, that’s for certain. But I firmly believe Greenwood County’s quality of Shrinkdown participants will be far superior to Cleveland County’s quantity.”
Jenkins’ challenge is based on which county has the highest percentage of weight loss during the Shrinkdown drive.
Lewis, who lived for almost six years in Cleveland County and started his career at The Star, responded to the challenge in a column published Monday by the Shelby newspaper.

Drug sweep nets 12 arrests

Bradley couple charged with trafficking meth

January 10, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Following another big area law enforcement drug sweep, a large group of local drug dealers has had its operations put on “Ice.”
Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office completed a six-week investigation into a drug operation in south Greenwood County late last week. Twelve arrests were made in a sting the GCSO’s Vice, Illegal Drugs and Organized Crime Unit called “Operation Southern Ice.”
VIDOC seized 100 grams of methamphetamine, 6 grams of marijuana, 200 milligrams of Ecstasy, three rifles, two handguns and $2,000 cash. Two vehicles — a GMC Suburban and a Chevy van — also were confiscated.
It came to VIDOC’s attention in mid-October that a Bradley couple was suspected of running an organization that was dealing methamphetamine, commonly referred to as “ice.” VIDOC agents conducted several surveillance operations and utilized undercover officers to gather intelligence. The unit began making arrests last week, nabbing some of the suspected dealers at their homes and apprehending others from their vehicles.
Agents said Michael “Cotton” Minor and his wife Bonnie ran the operation out of their Bradley home. Bonnie Minor confessed to running the ring, even bragging to agents that she was a “good boss.”
Bonnie also said she provided a medical plan for her dealers. They could go to the doctor and she would pay their bill.
Those amounts would then be tacked onto the dealer’s debt load.
She said features such as this led her dealers to call her “Momma.”
Greenwood County Sheriff Dan Wideman dismissed the entire operation.
“These people just don’t get it,” Wideman said. “They don’t seem to understand, or care anyway, how much harm they do to this community as long as they continue to keep their dealers happy and making money. These are dangerous people conducting dangerous business right here in our community.”
The bust is the latest in what has been a successful two-year period for the GCSO in terms of what VIDOC has accomplished. Since its creation in March 2005, VIDOC has made 443 arrests.
Among the 249 arrests the unit made in 2006, there were 190 drug cases, 19 gambling cases and eight weapons charges.
GCSO Chief Deputy Mike Frederick said VIDOC strives to work on the street-level drug action, local mid-level dealers, local drug organizations and multi-jurisdictional organizations.
Frederick said the VIDOC unit likes to cast a broad net in its sweeps.
“We open specifically targeted investigations designed to completely wipe out the group in our sights,” he said. “These are the named investigations such as ‘Southern Ice’ and last year’s ‘Family Tree.’”
Wideman sent a clear message to those who continue attempting to sell drugs in Greenwood County.
“As long as they try to come here and peddle their dope, the vice unit will be here to chase them around,” he said.
The following people were arrested in “Operation Southern Ice”:
* Michael “Cotton” Eugene Minor, 57, 2125 County Line Road, Bradley. Charged with trafficking in methamphetamine other than first offense.
* Bonnie Evans Minor, 37, 2125 County Line Road, Bradley. Charged with trafficking in methamphetamine other than first offense.
* Timothy Martin Minor, 37, 2125 County Line Road, Bradley. Charged with possession marijuana, possession schedule IV controlled substance.
* Michelle Rose Ann Jones, 38, 2021 County Line Road, Bradley. Charged with possession methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
* Nordessa Grace Sessions, 30, 2021 County Line Road, Bradley. Charged with possession marijuana.
* Doretha Loise Campbell, 24, 11 Hampton St., Ware Shoals. Charged with possession methamphetamine.
* Cheyenne Darrell Greene, 31, 2125 County Line Road, Bradley. Charged with possession methamphetamine.
* Timothy Robert Rexrode, 25, 101 Pelican Drive, Greenwood. Charged with possession methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession methamphetamine with intent to distribute within proximity of school or park.
* Ginger Fowler Gossett, 40, 2135 County Line Road. Charged with possession schedule IV controlled substance.
* Mark Layne Sudetth, 38, 300 Breezewood Drive, Greenwood. Charged with trafficking methamphetamine 28-100 grams, possession MDMA (Ecstasy), receiving stolen goods, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony.
* Cindy Ann Goodman, 34, 2125 County Line Road, Bradley. Charged with possession methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
* Hope Turner White, 33, 126 Anderson Drive, Greenwood. Charged with possession methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Student teaching

It’s a learning experience

January 10, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Nearly anyone who has learned a trade, skill or area of study can tell you there is a big difference in preparing for a job and actually doing it.
Fifty-five Lander University education students are about to experience that difference firsthand.
The Lander seniors will soon begin their student teaching. It will be a time when they will spend 12 weeks in elementary, middle or high schools around the state, teaching classes and getting their first extended experience dealing with the day-to-day challenge of being a teacher.
Sandra Hawkins, who coordinates student teachers at Lander, said she is pleased with this year’s group.
“This is a good group we have this year,” Hawkins said. “We’ve had bigger groups, and we’ve had smaller. I’m excited about what they can do. We certainly have some talented young people here.”
Hawkins is leading a weeklong seminar for the soon-to-be teachers. The seminar is serving as a refresher course for the students on legal issues, student-teacher disposition issues and other matters before they begin their teaching duties. Hawkins said there is always a buzz among students just before they beginning their teaching.
“In general, they get excited and nervous,” Hawkins said. “There is a good bit of anxiety as well. But that’s to be expected. They have done three and a half years of work to get to this point.”
Kristina Waters, 22, of Laurens, said she feels fairly comfortable heading into her student-teaching duties at Ninety Six High School.
Though she doesn’t officially begin until Friday, Waters was able to meet the teacher she will be working with, Sharon Smith, last week. She also was introduced to the students in the classes she will be teaching.
“The first two classes seemed pretty good,” said Waters, who admits to being a bit anxious about her new role. “The third will be a challenge. There are 26 students in that one, which is a pretty good-sized class.”
Waters is set to teach math. Hawkins said Waters is the only math major among the group of 55 prospective teachers this semester.
Waters said there is a critical need for math teachers around the state, a fact she thinks will work to her advantage when she begins to pursue a full-time position.
Jessica Burkett, 23, of Irmo, said she is only mildly nervous as she prepares to begin her 12-week assignment at Mathews Elementary.
“Actually, I’m really excited,” Burkett said. “I’m ready to take on this challenge.” Burkett, who will be working with Traci McKee at Mathews, was highly complimentary of the instruction she has received at Lander. She said the professors there have been strenuous in getting the prospective educators ready for the classroom.
A handful of students attending the preparation seminar Tuesday at Lander’s Centennial Hall are actually working to achieve master’s degrees in certain fields of education. Talbert Glover, of Irmo, is seeking his master’s in art. Glover, who said he has had a lifelong love of art, said he is looking forward to broadening students’ horizons in creative endeavors.
“I want to be able to inspire,” Glover said. “It’s important to me to help talented students, all students, develop their full potential.”
Like Burkett, Glover was appreciative of the instruction he has received at Lander.
“I’m confident,” Glover said. “I believe the instructors here have prepared us to go out from here and make a difference.”

Roller coaster win for Vikes

January 10, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Emerald Vikings boys’ basketball team resembled a roller coaster Tuesday night against the Batesburg-Leesville Panthers as it went from holding on to a slim halftime margin to taking a double-digit lead into the final period.
That lead would shrink to one point before the Vikings eventually pulled away on their way to a 65-54 victory in an up-and-down contest.
“Well, we had 16 turnovers at the half and we told them at halftime, if they’ll just play without making mistakes, we ought to be able to make a run,” Vikings coach Robin Scott said. “We made a nice run, but we obviously can blow a lead with the best of them. They picked up the intensity in the fourth quarter and we played like we thought it was over and we saw real quick that it wasn’t.”
The Vikings trailed in the opening minutes 4-2 until Tyler McGraw found Trey Woolridge inside for a two-handed dunk, tying the game.
McGraw and Woolridge finished with 14 points each. Kadarron Anderson (12), Dee Parks (10) and Jeremy Eidson (12) also reached double figures for the Vikings.
The Vikings’ largest lead of the first half was eight points on two separate occasions.

Both times, the Panthers rallied back as the Vikings appeared out of sync on defense and they only trailed 28-26 at the half.
“Well we got to a point where we had been working on different presses,” Scott said. “I wanted to spend a little time working on that half court trap. I was trying to teach as we were going and it worked here and there but it just didn’t work enough.”
Brandon Butler was a major reason for the Panthers’ late run in the first half. He scored 12 of his 25 points in the first half but the Vikings responded in the third quarter.
McGraw came out in the opening minutes on a mission as he scored the first eight points for the Vikings. His 13 points in the third quarter provided a spark for the Vikings as they finished the quarter with a 14-0 run and took a comfortable 48-34 lead into the final quarter.
Although the Panthers would go on a 9-0 run to start the period, the Vikings answered with an 8-2 run, following a shot by Anderson with 2 minutes, 25 seconds remaining in the game.
“We ran out of gas. Too many turnovers unforced, and that’ll beat you every night,” Panthers coach Robert Roudybush said. “Emerald is well coached and they’re going to take advantage when you make mistakes and they did.”

Lady Vikings make statement in victory

January 10, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Emerald Lady Vikings were looking to make a statement Tuesday night in their region-opener against the Batesburg-Leesville Lady Panthers.
The statement was made.
Emerald set the tone by hounding the Lady Panthers defensively, while hitting shot after shot on its way to a 55-20 victory.
“We wanted to come out with some pressure and put some pressure on them because we knew they were young and maybe we could get them to fold a little bit in the first half, and we were able to do that,” Lady Vikings coach Anarie Duckett said.
“They’re young and they’re going to be good eventually, but we’ve got a veteran team. We still need to play better team defense.”
Anicia Dotson and Brittany Connor hit double digits in the win with 13 and 11 points respectively. The rest of the Lady Vikings were in on the action as everyone in uniform scored.
Porcha Ethredge led the Lady Panthers with six points.
The Lady Panthers avoided trouble early on and trailed 5-1 following a free-throw by Ethredge with 5 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. Jasmine Whitt followed with a shot on the Lady Panthers’ next trip as they trailed 5-3.
From that point, it was all Emerald as they scored the next 29 points on their way to a 34-3 halftime lead.
The Lady Vikings’ dominance was epitomized in the third quarter when Connor, after falling under the basket, hit a shot while still sitting on the floor at the 4:31 mark giving the Lady Vikings a 43-5 lead.
“Don’t get me wrong Emerald is a very good team and I picked them to win the region, but I just didn’t think we came out to compete,” Lady Panthers coach Jessica Barr-Dennis said. “We picked it up in the second half but there were too many mental lapses.”

Richard F. ‘Dick’ Billings

ABBEVILLE — Richard F. “Dick” Billings, Sr., 86, of Abbeville, husband of Helen Walker Billings, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007 at the Abbeville Nursing Home. He was born in Meriden, CT, to the late Joseph and Anna Markowski Billings. Mr. Billings served as a 1st Lt. in the United States Army, serving in WWII and was of the Catholic faith.
Mr. Billings worked in the Walter Reid Hospital in the Prosthetic & Orthopedic Department following his service in the Army. He then later opened his own business the Orthopedic Appliance Company. Abbeville, SC, welcomed Mr. Billings in 1964 when he moved his family here to open Flexible Technologies. Mr. Billings became quite active in community affairs over the years; he served as president of the Rotary Club and as an active member of the Development Board, in which he contributed significantly to Abbeville County.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son Richard F. Billings, Jr.
Surviving Mr. Billings is his wife of 63 years, Helen W. Billings of the home, a daughter, Regina Norryce and her husband, Michael, of Abbeville, a sister, Rita LaJoie of Greenwood, two grandchildren, Lisa Edwards and her husband, Joe, and Michael Norryce, Jr. and his wife, Sharon, all of Abbeville, six great-grandchildren, Evan Guy, Austin Norryce, Ean Guy, Savannah Norryce, Elyse Guy, and Isabella Norryce.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007 in the Harris Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery with military honors.
The family is at the residence, 264 Noble Dr., Abbeville, SC.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Billings may be sent to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander St., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 102 E. Pinckney St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Billings family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home, of Abbeville is assisting the Billings family.

Charlie Goodwin

Charlie “Slim” Goodwin, 62, of 110 Gambrell Street, husband of Mattie Michelle Goodwin, died Jan. 7 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Camden, SC, he was a son of the late Abraham and Julia Thompson Goodwin. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Coronaca, and employed with Apec Construction.
Surviving are a daughter, Charlease NyChelle’ Goodwin of the home; three stepsons, including Robert Holloway of Greenwood; eight brothers, Abraham, Jr., Samuel, Joseph Clifford, Leon, Albert, Johnny and Dwight Goodwin of Camden, SC, and David Goodwin of Louisville, KY; two sisters, Estelle and Nancy Goodwin of Lugoff, SC; 16 step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 1 p.m. from Mt. Zion Baptist Church, with Rev. Bernard White officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
Honorary escorts are co-workers of Apec.
The body will be placed in the church at noon.
The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Goodwin family.
Online: pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Elizabeth Long Hudgens

LAURENS — Elizabeth “Lib” Long Hudgens, 96, widow of the late William Wharton Hudgens, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007 at Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center. She was a longtime resident of Martha Franks and was a former resident of 1007 South Harper Street.
Born in Edgefield County, she was a daughter of the late Nathan Calhoun and Rosa Griffis Long.
Elizabeth, a retired cosmetologist, was the owner and operator of Lib’s Beauty Shop for more than fifty years. She was a member of Laurens First Baptist Church, the Ellie Swofford Sunday School Class, the WMS, and CWAs of the church. She was past member of the Laurens Business and Professional Women’s Association, state and local cosmetologist associations and the Adah Chapter of the Eastern Star.
Surviving are a son, W.H. “Billy” Hudgens and wife, Vicky of Greenwood; a daughter, Carolyn H. Lindley and husband, Mike of Laurens; six grandchildren, Codi L. Hudgens, Robb Drinkard, Josh Drinkard, Beth L. Mears, Gini L. Burke, Christi L. Hudson and nine great-grandchildren.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Committal Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007 at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Rasor Chapel at Martha Franks conducted by Dr. Bev T. Kennedy, Jr., Rev. Phil Hall, and Dr. Russell Dean.
The family will be at the home of her daughter, 206 Sweetgum St. and will receive friends after the memorial service at Martha Franks.
Memorials may be made to Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center, 1 Martha Franks Drive, Laurens, SC 29360 or First Baptist Church, 300 West Main Street, Laurens, SC 29360.
The Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens.

Fannie Jackson

Fannie Jackson, 93, died Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Percival Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Promised Land ... was, is a ‘keeper’ of our values

January 10, 2007

What are family values? There’s been a lot of talk for a long time about that. Most South Carolinians have a good idea what those values are, but there are some who still have a little trouble grasping the concept.
The answer has been here in Greenwood County for almost a century and a half. It’s called Promised Land.
Promised Land, for anyone who may not know, is just a few miles south of the City of Greenwood, right down S. C. Highway 10 toward McCormick.
You won’t find Promised Land on some maps - a situation that should be remedied -although there is a road sign that points to the community. It really should be on the National Registry of Historic Places, for it is an integral part of not only Greenwood County and South Carolina, it is an encouraging chapter in the story of the entire nation.

PROMISED LAND WAS SETTLED BY freed slaves after the War Between the States, on a tract of land that had been part of the Marshall Plantation. It was split among them and they made themselves self-sufficient. They established a way of life that is the very essence of the family values that get so much attention these days.
It’s funny, those values have been in Promised Land all the time and, in fact, were something that for years defined life all across this great land ..... until the final quarter or so of the 20th Century.
What are family values? They aren’t hard to imagine, and once noted, there will be, no doubt, many who will remember ..... and maybe wonder why everyone doesn’t instinctively know the basics that give those values substance.

THE REV. WILLIE NEAL NORMAN Jr., former county councilman and a resident of Promised Land reminded everyone in a talk about the community before a joint meeting Sunday of the Greenwood Historical Society, Cokesbury Friends, and the Old Ninety Six District Chapter of the S. C. Genealogical Society.
Three things, Norman said, were and continue to be the focus of the history of the people of Promised Land: Family, church, and education ..... along with every quality those things imply.
Simple? They are indeed. They are the things that matter in a civil and caring society, though. They are the foundation for every positive factor that influences all of life. They are so basic. It’s surprising how we can sometimes easily forget what family values are and how they historically provided the common discipline that were tried and true safeguards against some of the problems of today ..... social and otherwise.