Obama stumps in S.C.

Democrat talks energy, campaign reform in Greenwood

June 16, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

While most Greenwood residents went about their everyday business Friday morning, Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made a brief visit to about 40 invited guests at Greenwood Civic Center.
Obama, who was scheduled to make formal speeches in Spartanburg and Greenville later in the day, carved an hour out of his tight schedule to meet with politicians and Greenwood County movers and shakers.
The only clue the presidential candidate was inside the building was the marked police vehicles stationed strategically in front of the facility.
Introduced by state Rep. Anne Parks, Obama told his audience he was in Greenwood to determine what issues were most important to South Carolina voters, and that he planned to visit South Carolina often in the 16 months between this trip and the presidential election in November 2008.
Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards, who ran for the Democratic nomination in 2004, are considered front-runners in the pack of Democrats hoping to succeed President George W. Bush.
After his speech, when one of his supporters asked Obama about the increasing cost of gas, the candidate said there were no simple solutions.
“The primary problem that we have is that we consume too much gas,” Obama said. “Until we reduce demand, we are going to keep on seeing global oil prices increase.
“We have to have more fuel-efficient cars. We have to use alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, including materials that are grown right here in South Carolina. That’s the long-term solution. “In the short term, any politician who comes in and says he’s going to be lowering gas prices right away is ignoring that we’ve got a long-term problem because we have not had a long-term energy policy. It would not be wise for us to open up our strategic petroleum reserves just to get short-term relief, because if terrorists struck a major plant in Saudi Arabia, or there was a coup in Nigeria from where we import 10 percent of our oil, in those situations we would need to have those strategic oil reserves.
“If we just release some of it, it might lower prices a little bit, but it wouldn’t make enough of a difference.”
As Obama shook hands with Emerald High School teacher Wayne White, he turned the tables on White by asking him what was needed to reduce the drop-out rate.
“We have to realize now that there are kids coming in who really don’t care about getting an education,” White said. “So we have to get them more interested in getting an education.”
When asked what he would do if he could make just one change as president, Obama replied, “I would say I would change politics to make them more responsive to the needs of people. Right now we have too many special interests and lobbyists who are setting the agenda in Washington and that affects all of our issues, from health care to energy. So having a government that was more responsive to the people is our number one priority.”
When asked how he expected to accomplish this by convincing Congress to get rid of the same lobbyists and special-interest groups who currently fill their campaign bank accounts, Obama proposed basic campaign reforms.
“Part of the problem is to change how we finance campaigns,” he said. “We’ve got to create a situation where if you want to run for office, you don’t have to spend all your time raising money.”
Shortly before leaving for his next campaign stop, Obama was asked what has impressed him the most about South Carolina.
“The quality of the people,” Obama said, “Everybody is so warm and gracious, it makes it a pleasure to campaign here.”
Obama came to national prominence when he delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention while still an Illinois state legislator. Boosted by increased national standing, he won election to the U.S. Senate in November 2004 with a landslide 70 percent of the vote in an election year marked by Republican gains.

Just in time: New landmark to be dedicated in Saluda

June 16, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

SALUDA — Gentry’s Poultry Co. in Saluda has a special thank-you in store for the town and the county when Saluda’s newest landmark is dedicated today.
The 3 p.m. ceremony will include a ribbon cutting and a number of speakers including Mayor Frank Addy, Gentry’s Poultry partial owner Wesley M. Gentry Jr., Gentry’s manager Matt Gentry and a closing by Norman Rodgers, pastor of Saluda Baptist Church.
Matt Gentry said that, though the clock has been at its location in the courtyard of the Saluda County Courthouse for a few weeks, officials are just now dedicating it as work is being finished to the border walk around the clock.
The black-with-gold-trim clock, made recently by Verdin Co., of Cincinnati, has four faces with “Saluda” appearing above each one. A plaque was made to officially thank Saluda. Its last sentence reads:
“Into the 21st century, Gentry’s Poultry continues with third and fourth generation family who preserve the family tradition of service to Saluda citizens.”
The company, started in 1955, had several locations to choose from to place the clock, including a spot right outside of town hall. However, the courtyard just seemed the best place. “We got to choose and we thought it was the best (location),” Matt said.
The clock is in appreciation of the support Gentry’s has received; they wanted to give back to the community a landmark with the individuality to set them apart from other towns.
“We’re presenting it to citizens of the town and country. It’s a good landmark for the town.”

Obituaries

Albert ‘Pamey’ Freeman

Albert Ray “Pamey” Freeman, 77, of 128 Old Abbeville Highway, husband of Maxine Prather Freeman, died Friday, June 15, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

Donna Gambrell Phillips

PIEDMONT — Donna Gambrell Phillips, 49, wife of Donnie Ray Phillips, died June 14, 2007 at St. Frances Hospital in Greenville, SC. She was born in Greenwood, S.C., a daughter of the late Harold Erskine Gambrell and Sara Geneva Cole Gambrell.
She was employed by BellAire Place. She was a member of Turkey Creek Baptist Church and attended Agape Baptist Church. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and Women of the Moose.
Surviving are four sons, Jason Vinson of Ware Shoals, Robert Vinson and wife, Marissa of Hodges, Josh Phillips of Piedmont and Donnie Phillips II of Piedmont; three daughters, Tammy Snider of Middleburg, Fla., Donna Phillips, West Palm Beach, Fla., and Candice Jackson of Piedmont; four grandchildren; five brothers, Harold Gambrell, Jr. of Tennessee, Laylon Gambrell of Ladson, SC, Mike Gambrell of Laurens, SC, Doug Gambrell and Billy Gambrell of Union; and one sister, Nancy Madden of Ware Shoals.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Parker-White Funeral Home, with Rev. Rudy Halstead and Rev. Jack King officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenville Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends Saturday, 6-8 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home.
The families will be at their homes at 601 Bessie Road in Piedmont and at the home of son Jason Vinson at 5 Greenacres Drive in Ware Shoals.

LaVetta Waddell Smith

LaVetta Waddell Smith, 85, died June 14, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. She was the widow of the Rev. Gus A. Smith.
A native of Greer, she was a daughter of the late George Ralph and Lula Hipp Waddell and a retired public school teacher.
Surviving are a son, Devon Smith and his wife, Barbara, of Abbeville; a daughter, Juan Tyner and her husband, John, of Brunswick, GA; one sister, Mildred Greene of Greer; two grandchildren, Tina Gates and her husband, Alan, and Johnathan Tyner and his wife, Della; and two great-grandchildren, Jacklyn Gates and Layton Tyner.
Graveside services will be held 3 p.m. Sunday in Mountain View Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Dan Smith.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wood Mortuary, Greer. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.
The Wood Mortuary, Inc., Greer, SC.

Vera Kate Williams

NINETY SIX — Vera Kate Williams, 65, of 97 Kinard Avenue, died Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Ninety Six, she was the daughter of the late George Ernest Williams, Sr. and the late Georgia Lee Graham Williams. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where she was on the senior choir, a member of the YWA and a Senior Missionary. She was also a member of the Women’s Aide Society No. 25, Pyracanthia Garden Club and the Celebration Christian Club.
Survivors include one son, Sherman F. Williams of the home; two daughters, Mary W. (Glenn) Bowie of Greenwood and Maria R. Williams of the home; four brothers, George Ernest Williams, Jr. of Augusta, GA, Thomas Capers (Beuna) Williams of Greenwood, William Campbell (Claudine) Williams of Little Rock, AR, and Ralph Edward (Samroy) Williams of Greenwood; one sister, Mary Emma “Molly” Harts of Ninety Six; four grandchildren, Julius Bowie and Kaitlyn Bowie, both of Greenwood and Aaliyah Williams and Jayvon Williams, both of the home; and one niece that was reared in the home, Angela Williams of Philadelphia, PA.
Services are 2 p.m. tomorrow at Bethlehem Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. James W. Price.
Assisting will be the Rev. Joseph Caldwell. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m.
Burial will be in the Ninety Six Community Cemetery. Pallbearers will be friends of the family and flower bearers will be members of Celebration Christian Club. The family will be at the home. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Opinion

Graham, DeMint can’t let immigration debate divide

June 16, 2007

To say the U. S. Senate’s bill on immigration “reform” has been controversial would be an understatement. If anything, the controversy has become more intense the longer it’s debated.
Despite being turned back once, supporters of the bill apparently will seek to bring it back for a vote this coming week. Opponents include S. C. Sen. Jim DeMint. Supporters include the state’s other U. S. Senator, Lindsey Graham.
Both DeMint and Graham are Republicans. Logic would seem to put them on the same side in this knock-down-drag-out political battle ..... and it is indeed a battle. The fact is, this immigration “reform” effort has separated Republicans from Republicans, including President Bush. Democrats also have split on it.

THE TWO THINGS CAUSING the most concern revolve around whether amnesty for 12 million or so illegal immigrants would be reality and whether the border, particularly with Mexico, would be secured ..... really secured. Graham says the bill does not grant amnesty. DeMint says it does. Both are working hard to win support for their views, and the rhetoric has, at times, become vigorous.
There are, of course, other considerations, one being the threat of terrorists coming into the U. S. and the corresponding worry that creates.
It has been a nasty debate among lawmakers thus far. That’s not likely to change. In fact, it could get even uglier.
One thing appears certain, though, as far as a lot of South Carolinians are concerned. Indications are that many - the vocal ones, anyway - come down on DeMint’s side of the issue while rejecting the arguments made by Graham.

CONSIDERING THE INTENSITY of the debate over immigration, the senators’ constituents need reassurances from both that regardless of the final outcome of the debate on this particular measure they will respect each other’s views and maintain a cordial working relationship. South Carolinians expect and deserve that much. There already is too much divisiveness in politics and among people in general to add to the discord.
It’s encouraging to see both men standing firm on what they believe. That shows character on both sides. In fact, it’s that character that should be a tie that binds at the end of the day, not one that divides. One thing their constituents should remember, though. In our republican form of government elected lawmakers vote their own minds, and sometimes that may not be what voters expect.