Damaged mail

Authorities seeking information about rash of crimes

June 23, 2007

From staff reports

Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators are investigating a rash of vandalism across Greenwood County, primarily malicious damage to residential mailboxes and street signage.
Chief Deputy Mike Frederick said dozens of mailboxes have been damaged or destroyed since Tuesday evening.
Reports indicate most of the damage has occurred on the following roads: Locksley Drive, Ridge Road, Gary Road, Flatwood Road, Asbury Road, Wingert Road and Dixie Drive.
Frederick said dozens of mailboxes have been damaged, and GCSO has shifted patrol assignments and assigned investigators in an attempt to determine who is responsible.
Sheriff Dan Wideman said these types of investigations are exceedingly difficult to close.
“We intend to figure out who’s doing it and put a stop to this senseless destruction of personal property,” the sheriff said.
Wideman added that his investigators are following up several leads they developed late Thursday, including the possible involvement of a white import pickup truck.
“We can’t always do this job on our own,” Wideman said. “We need the community’s help. Someone out there has the piece of information we need to close this case — a comment they overheard, something they saw, or strange behavior. Even if it seems unimportant, you may possess the key we need to put everything together.”
Wideman asks anyone with information to call investigator Blane Tarleton at 377-2070. A cash reward is available for information leading to an arrest.
Wideman expressed confidence that the public would come through.
“We solved a similar spree last year in several of Greenwood County’s lakefront communities by shifting patrols and interviewing dozens of potential witnesses,” Wideman said. “And citizens here have proven that they’ll step up and help us out when they see folks getting victimized.”
Wideman was referring to the fact that on three occasions in the past two weeks, residents have assisted deputies during arrest situations.

Local girls thinking PINK

Camp gives girls chance to follow their dreams

June 23, 2007

By JESSICA SMOAKE
Index-Journal intern

Two local high school students brainstorming ways to make a little money came up with a lot more than cash. They spawned Camp Pink — and encouraged other youngsters to follow their dreams.
“We were sitting around talking about how we needed money for a car, college and just everything,” said Leslie Abell, Greenwood High School rising sophomore and one of the counselors at Camp Pink. “Then we both thought of starting the camp.”
Abell and Alana Ling are the creators and counselors of Camp Pink, a five-day camp for rising first- through third-grade girls. Each day has a theme with different activities for the children to participate in. The themes include arts and crafts, cheerleading, dance, fashion modeling and fun in the sun.
Children are dropped off at 9:30 a.m. and picked up at 11 a.m. The camp is at Ling’s house for three days and at Abell’s house for the other two. Children can attend Camp Pink for $55 per week.
Abell and Ling have been friends since middle school and share a love for baby-sitting children. Both have been baby-sitters for friends and family, and they gained experience with children by taking care of their younger siblings, too.
The first week of Camp Pink was June 4-8 and drew about 10 campers. Abell was proud of the turnout and thought it was a success.
“The girls had a lot of fun,” she said.
A different, larger group of 15 girls attended the second week of camp that began June 18.
“It’s exciting and each week is a new experience because you get to be around a different group of girls,” Abell said.
Ling and Abell used their family connections to spread the word about Camp Pink. “We both have younger siblings, so they just let their friends know about it,” Ling said.
While taking care of the girls in Camp Pink, Abell and Ling made sure there was an adult on hand just in case of emergency. “Depending on which house we were at that day, one of our moms would be there in case we needed help,” Abell said.
Ling hopes that by starting this camp, it will inspire other young people to believe in themselves.
“Young people should not let youth stop them if they have an idea,” Ling said. “With hard work, you can accomplish anything.”

Capsugel pledges $250,000 to Lander athletic complex

June 22, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

It doesn’t look like much now, but with the help of corporations like Capsugel, Lander University’s new Recreation, Wellness and Sports Complex will soon be the center of healthy attention in Greenwood.
Capsugel representatives on Friday announced the company’s pledge of $250,000 to Lander for the complex. With the pledge, the Greenwood corporation obtains the rights to the walking track that will circumnavigate the complex.
Capsugel, a division of Pfizer Inc., is the first to secure naming rights at the RSW. The company leapt at the idea.
“They approached us about it and shared in the vision and gave the opportunity to contribute,” said Don Ryerson, Capsugel manager of human resources. “The ‘Capsugel Walking Track’ is good public relations for us.”
The walking track and other athletic properties will be built on the old Greenwood Plaza property, taking up 23.7 acres and housing the Lander baseball, softball and tennis team facilities. Non-collegiate Lander athletes should be excited to learn intramural fields will be available for competition on the RSW grounds. Likewise, children will find a public playground for their enjoyment.
The Wellness Works center operated by Self Regional Healthcare will maintain its operations within the complex.
As Lander’s Eleanor Teal, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the Lander Foundation, and Charlotte Cabri, director of University Relations and Publications, discussed the complex with Capsugel representatives, the sounds of progress sounded across the old parking lot — destructive sounds that suggested the old was coming down and the new going up.
The complex is expected to be up and completed in 2009. The Comprehensive Campaign Goal is $15 million, which has now been exceeded.
“This is an extraordinary gift from Capsugel, and one that will help keep Lander’s students and the entire Greenwood community healthy,” Teal said. “It is wonderful that a local corporation has stepped up to help with the Recreation, Wellness and Sports Complex.
“Capsugel has always been a strong supporter of Lander, and we are very appreciative of that support. Capsugel recognizes the importance of Lander in the community. Even today Capsugel representatives serve on committees at Lander. Capsugel vice president and general manager for the America region Ron Millender is on the Lander Foundation board and used to be on the Lander Board of Visitors.
“Because we are in the community, we need to support the community,” Ryerson said. “In an industry like ours, higher education is extremely important, and Lander’s strong academic departments have always been a great source of employees for Capsugel. Whenever we can, we look toward Lander because of its solid programs.”
Millender added: “Capsugel and Lander have worked well together over the years, helping each other in a number of ways.
Taking part in this project with Lander is a great opportunity to give back to the community, and it will assist the health and well-being of the people of Greenwood.”
Steve Baggett, president of The Lander Foundation, said, “Lander’s strong partnerships with Greenwood city and county and corporate supporters are essential to the success of our Recreation, Wellness and Sports Complex. We are grateful for everything Capsugel has done to help make our dream for this complex become a reality.”
“A Lander recreation, wellness and sports complex on the main thoroughfare in Greenwood will raise the profile of the university, and at the same time will enhance the quality of life for our students, faculty, staff and all the people of our community,” said Lander President Daniel Ball. “In addition, as a state-of-the-art venue for sports and athletic activities, the complex will draw visitors into the area and will be a boost for our area businesses and industries.”

Emerald hires five new coaches

Former GHS coach returning to Lakelands to lead Viking baseball squad

June 23, 2007

By SCOTT J. BRYAN
Index-Journal sports editor

There will be quite a few new faces coaching sports at Emerald High School this fall.
Emerald athletic director Mike Clowney announced he’s hired five new coaches, including two varsity head coaches, and there should be at least one more to come in the next couple weeks.
The biggest splash of all of Clowney’s hires is Stanley Moss, the former Greenwood High School baseball coach who returns after serving as an assistant coach at Byrnes High School.
Another big hire is Allen Bishop, who will serve as the girls soccer coach at Emerald after coaching the boys soccer team at Ninety Six High School.
Clowney also said three assistant football coaches — Brandon Medlin, Ben Adams and David English — have been hired. Medlin, a former assistant at Ware Shoals High School, will likely coach wide receivers, Adams, a GHS grad, will coach running backs and English, a Clinton High School and Coastal Carolina graduate, will help with the offensive line.
“It’s been a long road as far as getting people,” said Clowney, who said he now only needs to fill a boys soccer position. “We were able to get some good, quality guys who are excited about working with the kids.”
Clowney said the baseball position received the most applications, and that many of the applicants would have made fine coaches at Emerald. But Moss, according to Clowney, was the clear-cut favorite.
“Stanley was over at Greenwood High School, and he turned the program around there,” Clowney said.
“He did a good job at Byrnes. For us to be able to pull him in late, I’m glad it happened. The baseball coaches have done a good job here. They played for the state championship the year before last, and we want to keep seeking the championship. I think Stanley can help us do that.”Moss, who served as the JV coach at Greenwood for two years before taking over as the varsity head coach, is a 2001 Lander University graduate and a 1995 Chapman High School grad. He replaces Chad Evans, who left to become an assistant principal at Ninety Six.
“Chad did an excellent job there,” Moss said. “He laid a great foundation for a great baseball program. A lot of the kids understand the expectations, which makes it easier for me to be able to coach. I don’t have to worry about kids wanting to be there. The kids know what I expect, and they know we’ll continue to work hard like they did under coach Evans.”
It was a quick turnaround for Moss, who only left a year ago to go to Byrnes.
“We originally moved back to get closer to family,” said Moss, who has a 2-year-old Hudson with his wife, the former Joni Poteat, of Spartanburg.
“My son had just turned 1, and we were trying to get him closer to family. We thought being here would be a better fit. It wasn’t a bad situation; it’s been great. But I wanted to get back into the head coaching part of baseball. Having not been an assistant for a year, I was able to evaluate myself and what I’ve done in the past.”
Moss, who lives in the Spartanburg area, is trying to sell his house to return to Greenwood, and he said he has complete faith in Mark Davis, a returning assistant coach, to run the program until he arrives.
“He’s doing an excellent job with the kids,” Moss said.
Now with his return, Moss will have to grow accustomed to coaching on the other side of town, but he doesn’t seem to be too worried about the “friendly” rivalry between Greenwood and Emerald.
“It’s just a different color,” Moss said. “Colors don’t mean a whole lot to me. It’s how we perform.”

Obituaries

Monicca Necole Cade

CALHOUN FALLS — Monicca Necole Cade, 28, of 127 Seneca Circle, Calhoun Falls, S.C., died Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Elberton, Ga. She was the daughter of Charlie Mae Cade of Calhoun Falls, S.C., and Larry (Martha) Edwards of Athens, Ga.
She was a 1997 graduate of Calhoun Falls High School. She was a member of Hunter’s Chapel A.M.E. Church in Elberton, Ga. She was employed at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Elberton, Ga.
Survivors include her parents; three daughters, Khalil, Khloe, and Kyrece of the home, five sisters, Lamekia Cade and Courtney Cade of Calhoun Falls, S.C., Sheander Wilson and Ashley Edwards of Athens, Ga., and Lesheka Moore of Riverside, Calif.; one brother, Roderick Edwards of Athens, Ga.; two grandmothers, Catherine Cade and Thelma Edwards of Calhoun Falls, S.C.; a grandfather, Roy Edwards of Calhoun Falls, S.C.
Services will be Sunday, June 24, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Little Mills Baptist Church in McCormick, S.C., with Rev. Elaine Pate, presiding and Rev. Stephen Smith, officiating. Rev. Howard Harmon, Rev. Paul Saunders, Rev. Robert Johnson and Rev. Johnnie Waller are assisting.
The body will be placed in church at 2 p.m. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Public viewing will be from 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. chapel.
The family is at the home.
Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences can be e-mailed to awmort.wctel.net.

Carol Scurry

Carol Jean Hutto Scurry, 52, resident of 109 Lanier Wood Drive, widow of Dr. R. Brooks Scurry, Sr., died June 21, 2007 at her home.
Born in Orangeburg County, Aug. 6, 1954, she was a daughter of Ada Mae Rountree Hutto and the late Everette M. Hutto. She was a graduate of Lander College where she received her R.N. degree in Nursing. Formerly employed by the Scurry Clinic, she was also President of Piedmont Trust Company.
Mrs. Scurry was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church and the Paul Frey Sunday School Class of the church.
Surviving in addition to her mother of Williston are sisters Mary H. and husband, Charlie Brammer of Harpersville, AL, and adopted sister, Linda and husband, Rod Greenway of North Augusta; a brother, Jimmy and wife, Jo LaNell Hutto of Williston; special aunts, Margaret Rountree, Teeny Givens (Uncle Billy) and Margie Rountree. Mrs. Scurry was the widow of Dr. R. Brooks Scurry, Sr., who was the father of R. Brooks Scurry, Jr. of Augusta, GA, and Pam Scurry of Greenville.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Main Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. James Dennis, Rev. Paul Frey and Rev. Larry Davis officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Ben Hutto, Joey Hutto, Charles Brammer, R. Brooks Scurry, III, Jay Bracknell, Willie Smith, Brent Brice, Margaret Scurry, Hayden Bracknell and Ashley Wilson.
Honorary escort will be members of The Bridge Club and their families and The Supper Club, along with Dr. Stanley Baker, Dr. Walter Bishop, Dr. and Mrs. James H. Smith, Dr. Chuck Colby, Dr. and Mrs. William Klauber, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Hunton, Dr. and Mrs. John Funke, Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Tinkler and John and Diane Fradella.
The family is at the home on Lanier Wood Drive where friends are welcome and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 5 to 7 Saturday evening.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 North Main Street, Greenwood, 29646 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 428 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.

Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Scurry family.

George Ernest ‘Uncle Brother’ Williams Jr.

George Ernest “Uncle Brother” Williams, Jr., 79, formerly of 117 Barley Drive, died June 19, 2007 at the VA Medical Center, Uptown Division, in Augusta, Georgia. Born in Ninety Six, he was the son of the late George Ernest Williams, Sr. and the late Georgia Lee Graham Williams. He retired from the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where he was a former Deacon. He was also a member of the Tuesday Morning Bible Study Group at Mays United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Michael (Pam) Williams of Leland, NC, and Mitchell J. (April) Williams of Phoenix, AZ; three daughters, Aleta Williams Wheeler of Germany, Phyllis (John) Williams of Washington, DC, and Wanda Gray of Charleston, SC; three brothers, Thomas (Beuna) Capers Williams of Greenwood, William Campbell (Claudine) Williams of Little Rock, AR, and Ralph Edward (Samroy) Williams of Greenwood; one sister, Mary Emma “Molly” (Charlie) Harts of Ninety Six; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. on Monday, June 25, 2007 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Ninety Six, conducted by the Rev. James W. Price. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the Ninety Six Community Cemetery with military rites. The family is at the home of his sister, 106 Pinehaven Drive (Ninety Six). Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Opinion

Free choice, secret ballot right for union elections

June 23, 2007

The next time U. S. Senator Joe Biden, D-Delaware, and his cohorts come to South Carolina to campaign for the Democratic nomination for president, remember one thing. They would take away the right of an employee to vote by secret ballot whether he or she wants to be a member of a union ..... or, just as important, not be a member.
As matters now stand, all employees have the right to vote privately on whether to be represented by a union ..... or not. Congressional Democrats, though, would do away with that right. They want to pass what is called the “Employee Free Choice Act.” What a gross deception that is. It would better reflect what it really is if it were named the “Deny Employees the Right to Vote in Private in Union Elections.”

BIDEN SAYS HE FIGHTS FOR the right of workers to bargain collectively. What he and others want, though, including organized labor, is to make it easier for unions to win elections.
South Carolina, of course, has a Right to Work Law, which gives every employee - repeat, every employee - the right - repeat, the right - to join a union or not join a union. It’s his or her choice. If that doesn’t already amount to a free choice for employees, nothing will. How much fairer could it be?
The Right to Work Law is opposed by organized labor, though, whether in South Carolina or many other states. That law does something the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act” does not do, and therein lies the problem for union bosses. It allows employees to vote their wishes without the intimidation factor.

IF EMPLOYEES CAN’T VOTE in private, imagine the opportunities that would provide for intimidation tactics. There’s already too much of that to begin with. Nevertheless, union bosses want more power to stack the deck in union organization elections.
What organized labor would really like to do is eliminate Right to Work Laws wherever they exist. The “Free Choice” act would be a big step toward that goal. It ought to die a quick death. Instead, pass a national Right to Work Law. Give every employee in the country free choice and a secret ballot.
Biden, by the way, is not the only presidential candidate who wants to take away real free choice. National Democrats, in general, owe big labor for its support and look for ways to pay for that support. This misnamed act is just one of the ways they would do that, and they’d do it by making the secret ballot a thing of the past. Most Republicans and many Demcrats oppose this act. That’s the right thing to do.