Tolbert enters Hall

Chamber honors award winners

January 13, 2007

By R. SHAWN LEWIS
Index-Journal managing editor

A Lander University associate professor with a proven passion for the arts and his community is the 40th inductee to the Greenwood County Hall of Fame.
Samuel H. Tolbert received the Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor Thursday during the group’s annual meeting at Lander’s Finis Horne Arena.
The Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the economic well-being and quality of life in Greenwood County, have led exemplary lives socially and spiritually, and through their careers have brought recognition and honor to their community.
Tolbert’s contributions to Greenwood County are lengthy, according to a Chamber news release.
Professionally, he spent 25 years in the health care field serving as the former vice president and administrative director of planning and marketing at Self Regional Healthcare. He then achieved his lifelong dream of teaching and has since been awarded tenure as an associate professor at Lander University.
As a civic leader, Tolbert served as chairman of the Economic Development Alliance of Greenwood County for two terms and was instrumental in the reorganization of the Alliance into the Partnership for a Greater Greenwood County while serving as chairman of the Founding Committee, the Chamber reported.
“He not only focused on economic development projects, but worked to enhance Greenwood’s cultural community,” the release said. “He was a strong proponent and visionary for creating a home for the arts and cultural community. Today, the vision of the ‘Federal Building Project’ has been fulfilled, and the building is now home to the Arts Council.”
Fred Latham, a former colleague of Tolbert’s and executive vice president and chief operating officer of Self Regional Healthcare, presented the award, noting the many accomplishments of Tolbert, “in particular noting his vision and leadership in creating the physician recruitment program at Self Regional Healthcare which he conceived, planned, and administered for a decade, resulting in over 100 new physicians who clearly enhanced the medical care in Greenwood.”
In service to his community, Tolbert has served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Greenwood and the Arts Council of Greenwood, as chairman of the Greenwood Community Theatre and the Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce, and he currently serves as a board member of the Greenwood Family YMCA, the Chamber reported.
He also has been active in religious activities, serving as a former board chairman of St. Mark United Methodist.
Most recently, he and his wife, Margo, served as the 2006 campaign co-chairmen for United Way of Greenwood and Abbeville Counties. He also is a trustee of The Self Family Foundation.
Tolbert has received numerous local and statewide awards, including being recognized by Greenwood Rotary Club in 2005 with its Community Service Award for outstanding volunteer activities; recognized as a distinguished lieutenant governor by Kiwanis International for service in the Carolinas District; and also recognized as a South Carolina Economic Ambassador by the governor in 1999.

Small Business Person of the Year
Joe Chandler, of Chandler Construction Services, was honored Thursday for his work and contributions to his profession and to the Greenwood business community.
Chandler joined his family business in 1979 and since has become the company’s president, the Chamber reported. He has more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry.
Under his leadership, the company has demonstrated significant growth and success via its recent expansion of an office in Charleston, thereby benefiting the residents of Charleston in addition to the residents of Greenwood and Ninety Six.
“As a business owner, he has provided quality construction services and has exemplified good business practices,” the release said. “He is known as a person of outstanding integrity and conducts himself with grace and humility.
“As a civic leader, he has demonstrated leadership through his service on numerous community and religious boards, including the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Self Regional Healthcare’s Board of Trustees, CapitalBank’s Community Board of Directors, the Greenwood Partnership Alliance, and Main Street United Methodist’s Foundation Board.”
Professionally, Chandler has set an outstanding example for Greenwood’s small business community by his statewide professional achievements through service to the Carolinas Associated General Contractors and his appointment and service to the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Contractors Licensing Board for six years, including serving as chairman.

Ambassador of the Year
Annette Whitley, owner of Lakelands Outdoor and Hardware, was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year for the second straight year.
Ambassadors are Chamber members who earn points every month for visiting new members, contacting existing members and attending various Chamber functions, such as ribbon cuttings and Business After Hours.
“They serve as an extension of Chamber staff and assist by regularly communicating to the Chamber’s 600-plus members,” said Angelle LaBorde, Chamber president and CEO. “With a limited number of full-time staff, it’s impossible to communicate directly with everyone and receive feedback about their Chamber experience.”
Whitley was awarded Ambassador of the Month four times in 2006.
She opened her business in December one year ago.
“My motivation is to help other business owners by communicating the benefits of Chamber membership with others,” she said. “Being a member of the Chamber has helped me grow my business in Greenwood.”

Anna L. Robinson Award
The Wisewood Neighborhood Association received the 2006 Anna L. Robinson Award.
The late Anna L. Robinson had the vision that a group of concerned people should get together to promote social and community change.
“We are continually reminded of the extensive renovations that her home is undergoing in an effort to make a community center,” the release said. “Mrs. Robinson was responsible for great changes that took place in Greenwood County. “She took it upon herself to organize community cleanups, and advocate changes in neighborhoods. It is in her memory that the Neighborhood Development Office gives the Neighborhood of the Year Award to a neighborhood or community that has made tremendous change.
The Wisewood Association is a new but highly successful group.
“Members have established by-laws and started a crime watch program. They have held community clean-ups,” the release said. “Through donations and volunteer efforts of the membership they have given to Hospice, McCormick Children’s Home, Bowers-Rodgers Home and to the Wellness Celebration.”
The group’s president, Anne Gunby, recently was elected chairwoman of the Neighborhood Association Council.

Request for Dist. 50 documents dropped

District not releasing its correspondence with law firm

January 13, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

The Index-Journal is not taking further action against Greenwood School District 50 in its effort to review documents through the Freedom of Information Act.
In mid-December, the newspaper filed a FOIA request with Superintendent Darrell Johnson. The paper wanted to review correspondence the district’s law firm (Childs & Halligan) had with board members and the superintendent as it related to the lawsuit filed against the district over its installment purchase revenue bond plan.
Henry Johnson, along with the South Carolina Public Interest Foundation, filed a lawsuit Nov. 3 against District 50, its bond plan, superintendent Darrell Johnson and former board chairwoman Dru James.
Childs & Halligan countersued Dec. 4 for $50 million in damages.
The law firm announced Dec. 18 that District 50 and Henry Johnson’s lawsuits were settled.
The decision to countersue Henry Johnson was made without a public vote by the entire school board — a move several attorneys, including the state’s foremost open-meetings expert, Jay Bender, said might be illegal.
In a letter sent to the newspaper this week, the school superintendent denied the FOIA request, saying disclosure would violate attorney-client relationships.
Even though the paper strongly believes it has a right to review the material sought, the only avenue left was to file yet another lawsuit against the district, executive news editor Richard Whiting said. That process would take years and cost thousands of dollars.
“Filing a lawsuit over the principle of the matter in and of itself makes complete sense because we believe we are right,” Whiting said.
“Ultimately, however, we don’t think filing a suit will serve a great purpose at this time. The lawsuits have been dropped and the bonds have been sold. Another lawsuit would simply mean more money being spent.
“Our request was based on the fact that the district made public, through its own Web site, a letter from its lawyers and written to the superintendent specifically about the lawsuit. The letter was clearly labeled ‘personal and confidential attorney-client privileged communication.’ Because the district made this one document so public, we believe it then waived its right to keep other such correspondence out of the public eye.”
Bender, who serves as the attorney for the South Carolina Press Association and is considered a First Amendment and Freedom of Information Act expert, agreed with the paper’s stance.
Whiting said the newspaper wanted to review other correspondences because they “might shed some light on how the lawsuit process unfolded, especially leading up to the district’s decision to file a counterclaim.” He said the newspaper, Bender and even some school board members themselves strongly believed the district had an obligation to take a public vote on its decision to file a counterclaim against Johnson.

Shrinkdown keeps growing

With more than 1,200 participating, ’07 already surpassing last year’s total

January 13, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Shelli Gunnoe appears anxious.
There is a hint of trepidation in her eyes as she steps toward the manual scale. The fact that it’s a manual scale and not the digital one she weighed in on last week is a concern.
But regardless, her moment of truth has arrived.
It’s time.She takes the step.
Will what she’s worked for all week come true?
Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown volunteer James Scrubbs carefully adjusts the scale. Finally, the scale becomes still. Shelli has her answer at last.
She’s lost 2 pounds.
She hops off the scale. Two pounds. It’s a start.
Then again, Shelli Gunnoe is only 7 years old. The reading doesn’t seem to affect her all that much.
Tomorrow is another day, after all.
But her mother, Amy Gunnoe, is pleased to see that the effort in the kitchen and in the gym is paying off.
Mom has lost 5 pounds herself.
“We’re watching what we eat,” Amy Gunnoe said. “We’re counting calories and getting lots of exercise. We’re just making sure that we eat healthy and that what we do eat is not full of starch and sugars.”
This exact scenario played out hundreds of times across the greater Greenwood area on Friday as Shrinkdown participants had their second meetings with the scale.
For the most part, people are losing weight.
“We’re seeing an average of about 3 pounds being lost per person,” said Fran Friday, a Shrinkdown volunteer and Greenwood Family YMCA health and fitness director. “People have been successful. We’re at over 1,200 people now as far as the people that have signed up. The final total from (Friday) is already more than we had from the entire eight weeks last year.”
The turnout at several Shrinkdown “satellite” sites in Abbeville, Ware Shoals and Ninety Six also has been steady.
“We had a great turnout in Ware Shoals,” Shrinkdown volunteer Jamie Woodard said. “We had around 30 to show up, and half of those were new people.”
“I just came in from Abbeville,” Friday said. “The people in Abbeville are taking advantage of the weigh-in site. There are a lot of people participating, so it was definitely to our advantage to have branched out this year.”
And those numbers will only go up, as new-participant forms still have yet to be entered into the online database at www.greatergreenwoodshrinkdown.com.
“We still have tons of forms to go through,” Friday said.
Anyone wishing to register may do so on any Friday of the event, but organizers are encouraging folks to act now.
“People can register every Friday, but it’s better for people to register now before we run out of binders,” said Denise Manley, a spokeswoman for the Shrinkdown. “We want everyone to have a complete healthy-living guide, which will be a good resource for them later on.”
Each time participants weigh in they are entered into a drawing for prizes that will be awarded during the event’s finale, which will be held March 9 at Wellness Works. Prizes will include memberships to Wellness Works and the YMCA as well as gift certificates.
Christine Graves stepped onto the scale on Friday, while her husband, Chuck Graves, stepped to the sign-up table.
“Why not?” he said. “We talked about it, but I just couldn’t make it over here last week.”
“He’s in the house with me, he has to eat what I eat,” Christine said. “We’re going to see what we can do with him.”
For additional information on the Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown, contact Denise Manley at 223-9622 or visit www.greatergreenwoodshrinkdown.com.

GHS avoids sting

Eagles get second wind in victory over T.L. Hanna

January 13, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Greenwood Eagles boys basketball team had its hands full Friday night against T.L. Hanna, but outscored the Yellow Jackets 19-12 in the third quarter, which included a 9-3 run over a 2-minute, 30- second stretch, on its way to a 64-58 victory.
“Well, I thought we had a sluggish first half, and I challenged them at halftime to pick up the intensity,” Eagles coach Hob Chandler said. “It looked like we were carrying around some cement bags on our backs in the first half, but we kind of picked it up in the second half. Hanna hung tight, and it was a tough game. Every game in the conference is going to be tough, but we just have to come out with the win.”
Andre Day, who finished with a team-high 16 points in the win, gave the Eagles a one-point lead with a three-pointer at the start of the third quarter.
The Yellow Jackets ripped off seven straight points, capped off by a Devon Stowers three-pointer to reclaim the lead (35-29). Stowers hit three shots from behind the arc and finished with 11 points. Quentin Payton led the Yellow Jackets with 18 points and seven rebounds.
D.J. Swearinger answered with a three-pointer at the other end, sparking the Eagles third-quarter run. He finished with 15 points.
With 36.4 seconds remaining in the quarter, Swearinger connected on another deep shot and Day’s lay-in at the buzzer gave the Eagles a 45-40 lead with one quarter to play.
“We had too many missed free throws and too many offensive rebounds by Greenwood,” Yellow Jackets coach Barney Brown said. “They converted their easy shots inside and we didn’t. We did not do a good job of blocking out the whole ballgame. We can learn from it.”
The Eagles extended their lead to double digits (62-51) late in the fourth quarter following a shot by Montgomery, and were able to sink their free-throws down the stretch for the win.

Lady Eagles win in close contest

January 13, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Lady Eagles and the Lady Yellow Jackets basketball teams ended each of the first three quarters of Friday night’s Region I-AAAA match-up at Greenwood High School without either side leading by more than a single point.
The Lady Eagles made sure they led when the final buzzer sounded, though, as they defeated the Lady Yellow Jackets, 42-40, in a close battle.
“I think we just had a relaxed attitude and a relaxed effort tonight,” GHS coach Susan Thompson said. “We’re going to get back in here and start practicing harder and get ready for the next one.”
Syteria Robinson and Vijya Corbett led the Lady Eagles with 10 points each. Robinson also pulled down nine rebounds in the win, while teammate Jacena Thompson finished with eight points and six rebounds.
April Moorehouse led the Lady Yellow Jackets with 15 points and six rebounds.
The game was tied at the four minute, 14 second mark, until two free throws by Elena Gray gave the Lady Yellow Jackets a two-point lead.
Corbett ended the scoreless drought for the Lady Eagles with a three-pointer at the 1:26 mark in the first quarter.
Robinson followed with a three-pointer as the Lady Eagles led by two at the end of the opening quarter.
Moorehouse gave the Lady Yellow Jackets a 9-8 lead at the 6:26 mark with a putback off a missed free throw by Letoya Johnson, sparking a 7-0 run.
The lead was 13-8 with 4:20 remaining, prompting a timeout by the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Eagles ended the drought at the 3:51 mark when Robinson found Thompson inside for a basket cutting the lead to three points.
The Lady Eagles jumped back in front at the 1:56 mark when Tenesha Middleton hit a mid-range jumper giving the Lady Eagles a 14-13 lead, but the Lady Yellow Jackets still led 17-16 at the half.
The Lady Yellow Jackets opened the second half with an 8-0 run during the first 2:12 as the Lady Eagles struggled to connect from the field.
Corbett ended the scoreless drought with five straight points, cutting the lead to five points with less than a minute left in the third quarter and Robinson tied the game, 31-31 with a deep three-pointer.
The Lady Eagles relied heavily on pressure defense in the fourth quarter and the Lady Yellow Jackets went scoreless over the final six minutes until Caitlin Robinson banked in a three-pointer with five seconds, but it was too little too late for the Lady Yellow Jackets.
“We got up in the third quarter, but then we got suckered into their game,” Lady Yellow Jackets coach Dan Sheridan said. “We can’t run and gun with them.”

Obituaries

Richard Gentry

SALUDA — Richard Earl Gentry, 74, of 422 Bethany Church Road, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at Newberry Hospital.
Arrangements will be announced by Ramey Funeral Home.

Fannie M. Jackson

Funeral services for Fannie Jackson, sister-in-law of Lola Davis, will be held today at noon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 11 a.m. until the service hour. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Jackson family.

Foster McLean

APOPKA, Fla. — John Foster McLean, 70, formerly of Greenwood, husband of Mary Heinzen McLean, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, in Apopka.
Services will be announced later by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood.

Frances Ouzts

NINETY SIX — Frances Carmen Voiselle Ouzts, 76, of 303 State Street, Ninety Six, wife of Reid Ouzts, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007 at Hospice House.
Born in Ninety Six, she was a daughter of the late Carl and Grace Teague Voiselle. She attended Ninety Six schools and was retired from Monsanto. She was a member of Trinity Church.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Larry Michael Ouzts and Charles Doug Ouzts.
Surviving is her husband of the home; a son, Rodney Gregory Ouzts of the home; a sister, Virginia Reid of Greenwood; three brothers, George Voiselle of Greenwood, Charles Voiselle of Florida and Ray Voiselle of California; grandchildren, Rodney Allen and Crystal Lynn Ouzts, Charles Michael Ouzts, Jamie Reid Ouzts and Kayce McKenzie Ouzts; great-grandchildren, Shayanne Marie Ouzts and Cameron Elizabeth Ouzts.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Bryan Brock and the Rev. Boyd Arnold officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Rodney Ouzts, Ray Kidd, Charles Ouzts, Jamie Ouzts, Gerald Ouzts, Bussey Reid, Bill Voiselle and Hosen Adams.
Honorary escort will be Tony Voiselle, Rex Voiselle, Bill Bowers, Randy Tiller, Wendall Voiselle, Leroy Ouzts, Victor Voiselle, Tim Ouzts, Steve Ouzts and Adrian Ouzts.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Adela Ramos

Adela Ramos, former resident of Hampton House Apartments, beloved widow of Ubaldo Ramos, died Jan. 9, 2007 in Tampa, Florida.
Born in San German, Cuba, she was retired from Greenwood Mop & Broome Company and attended New Life Pentecostal Church. Taking care of her family was her love.
Surviving are sons, John and wife, Robin Ramos of Milford, CT, Omar and wife, Diana Ramos of Pearland, TX, Robert “Bobby” and wife, Pam Ramos of Hodges; daughter, Marge and husband, Bruce Gray of Valrico, FL; grandchildren, Robby and Holly Ramos of Hodges, Kara, Vanessa and Matthew Ramos of Milford, CT, Candice Manzella of Valrico, FL, Michael Gray of Hodges and Misty Delagdo of Bridgeport, CT; two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday in Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with Reverend Dr. Phillip Morris officiating.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Ramos family.

Johnny Sibert

McCORMICK — Johnny Sibert, 57, of 813 Dorn Road, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Fred Stevens

Fred Stevens, 95, of 141 South University Street, husband of Emily Bouknight Stevens, died on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007 at Self Regional Healthcare. Born in Edgefield, S.C., he was the son of the late Oscar Stevens and Safornia Graham Stevens. He was in the army and served in World War II. He was a member of Willow Springs Baptist Church in Edgefield, where he served as a Deacon, was President of the Senior Choir and was a Sunday School Teacher. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Spencer (Corinthain) Aiken-Davis of New York and Mrs. Bradford (Bobbie Jean) Gordon of Philadelphia; one brother, Alvin Stevens of Saluda; eight grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. Services are 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, 2007 at Willow Springs Baptist Church in Edgefield, conducted by the Reverend Anthony Gordon. Presiding will be the Reverend Norris Turner. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with military rites. Pallbearers are Deacons and Trustees, and flower bearers are Lillie Williams, Earline Watts and Bessie Bowman. The family will receive friends at Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc from 5 to 6 on Sunday. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc is assisting the Stevens family.

Hattie N. Welton

PROMISED LAND — Hattie N. “Silk” Welton, 62, of 106 Lemon Tree Road, wife of James Welton, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at the Hospice Care of the Piedmont.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

R. Allen Wideman II

LAURENS — Richard Allen Wideman, II, 27, of the Octagon House Apartments, died Jan. 12, 2007.
Born in Greenwood, he was the son of Richard Allen Wideman and wife, Frances of Ware Shoals and Beverly Dianne Wright Garron and husband, Gerald of Laurens. He attended Gateway Community Church and was a founding member of a Christian drama group, Shatter Proof. He was employed by Burger King in Clinton.
Surviving in addition to his parents are his paternal grandmother, Maggie Wideman of Greenwood; step-grandmother, Jean Garron of Waterloo; two brothers, David Wideman of Fountain Inn and Zack Wideman of Ware Shoals; two sisters, Denise Farmer of Greenwood and Deanne Coleman and special friend, Toni Gresham, of Clinton; two stepsisters, Kyndal Haralson and Krystal Smith, both of Greenwood; a nephew, Daniel Farmer; four nieces, Crysta Coleman, Brandy Gresham, Brooke Farmer, and Haidyn Smith; and a special friend, Holly Hale of Laurens.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007 at Gateway Community Church conducted by Rev. Dan Compton.
The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gateway Community Baptist Church, 22088 Highway 76 East, Laurens, SC 29360.
The Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens.

Leon ‘Dusty’ Yarbrough

WATERLOO — Leon “Dusty” Yarbrough, 55, of 154 Coursey Drive, husband of Laura Trottier Yarbrough, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007 at his home. He was born in Landover, Maryland, a son of Ann Fleming Yarbrough Anderson of Jesup, Ga., and the late Joe Yarbrough.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict.
Surviving besides his mother and his wife of the home are four daughters, Karen Ann Gramatikes, Maryland, Amy Ledford Strickland, Donalds, Christina Ledford Shelton, Waterloo, Elizabeth Lee Ledford, Donalds; one brother, Andrew Yarbrough, Ga.; one sister, Josie Gragg, Jesup, Ga.; and eleven grandchildren.
Private services were held by the family.
Parker-White Funeral Home.

Opinion

If government can give, it can just as well take

January 13, 2007

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tells the world he is a Republican. What he does, though, speaks so loudly the world can’t hear what he’s saying.
Since he has been governor he has done a number of things that have caused many Republicans, especially conservatives, to question his political credentials. One of the latest is his recent announcement that he wants the government to mandate health insurance for every person in his state. He would require employers to provide the insurance or pay into a state fund that would help people buy their own. He also would require insurance companies to cover everyone, regardless of medical condition.

HEALTH CARE IS A PROBLEM for many people, of course. If we’re not careful, though, the remedy could be worse than the disease.
If the Schwarzenegger plan is not another giant step toward socialized medicine (if we’re not already there), it’ll do until the real thing comes along. We live in a society where more and more of us expect government to be all things to all people, whether federal or state. We ought to continuously ask ourselves who will pay. That’s simple. Who always pays?
It’s time for all of us to remind ourselves of something the late President Gerald Ford warned us about. A government big enough to give us everything, he said, is also big enough to take everything we have.
That’s sound advice ..... but who’s taking it?