Changes in county’s future

State of County Address made at local theater

March 28, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

While actors and actresses have graced the stage of the renovated Greenwood Community Theatre, local civic leaders grabbed the spotlight there Tuesday night.
Partnership Alliance hosted the second State of the County public meeting Tuesday at the theater. Several community leaders shared information concerning different plans, projects and ventures.
Among the keynote speakers were Greenwood County Council chairman Robbie Templeton, assistant city manager Charlie Barrineau, Greenwood School District 50 Superintendent Darrell Johnson, Greenwood Regional Tourism and Visitors Bureau executive director Kelly McWhorter and Partnership Alliance’s Jeff Fowler.
Partnership Alliance’s Phil Vickery also shared a few thoughts with the crowd.
“This facility shows exactly what can happen when you invest in the community,” Vickery said of the renovated theater. “What a tremendous improvement and asset to our community.”
Templeton touched on several issues, including the capital project sales tax — commonly referred to as the “penny tax”— that was voted on and passed last November. Templeton said voters “overwhelmingly” approved the tax, in part because they were convinced that as much as 40 percent of the tax would come from consumers from outside Greenwood.
The county council chairman said the penny tax goes into effect May 1, and the county will start drawing funds from it in October.
Templeton added he is pleased with the progress made in the plans to build a new county library on South Main Street and to help the earthen dam at Buzzard Roost meet new federal mandates.
He said county attorney Chuck Watson and engineer Larry Smith continue to meet with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on a bi-weekly basis to firm up plans for the dam.
Templeton also announced that county manager Jim Kier will be retiring this year and said a replacement is vigorously being sought.
Barrineau told the crowd he thinks Uptown Greenwood is becoming a desirable destination for many around the Lakelands. “The Emerald Triangle is fast becoming the cultural hub of this region,” Barrineau said.
Barrineau lauded the renovations of the Federal Building and theatre, as well as the upcoming renovation to The Museum and streetscape improvements to Oregon and Maxwell Avenues.
“Our ultimate goal is to create a pedestrian-friendly environment where a critical mass of retail and restaurant establishments can thrive,” Barrineau said. “That is the goal.”
Barrineau urged residents to visit www.emeraldtriangle.sc to read more about what is going on Uptown. McWhorter was also promoting a Web site Tuesday night.
“Our new Web site, www.visitgreenwoodsc.com, just launched Monday,” McWhorter said. “We are excited about what we are going to be able to do with that.”
McWhorter listed the Web site development, the development of a visitors center, product development and the enlistment of the use of a hospitality performance index as factors that will help nurture the tourism industry.
McWhorter listed a number of conferences and events that will be in Greenwood over the next year. Among those were a conference for the Sons of the American Revolution and two large-scale fastpitch softball tournaments. Also, the Federal Reserve Board from Charlotte will meet and in 2008 the Toyota Tundra Bassmasters Series will come to town. Johnson has been developing a Workforce Development Plan for the school district. He says he wants to see a decrease in Greenwood’s unemployment rate, which sits at 8.2 percent.
Johnson said Greenwood’s heavy reliance on textile mills and a steep high school dropout rate as factors that have contributed to many not being prepared for the more competitive global economy that now exists.
Johnson said the WorkKeys program will be integral to his plan. In it, certain students are subject to a student skill assessment, work in job preparations for specific fields and learn targeted skills in order to fill gaps needed in the workplace.
“Our goal is pretty simple,” Johnson said. “We want to educate them so that, when they leave our schools, they are prepared for a four-year college, a two-year college or the workforce. We won’t accept anything short of that.”
Fowler was pleased to bring the crowd a report of growth over the last year.
He said his organization has worked hard to bring new business to Greenwood. Some 68 percent of all leads and prospects for new business that come to the community are contacted by Partnership Alliance. That is in comparison to 21 percent from the South Carolina Department of Commerce and 11 percent from the Upstate Alliance.
Fowler also said $119 million in investments were made and 490 jobs were created in the county in the last year. These investments and job gains came in the realms of new industry, existing industry and commercial ventures.
“We are doing tremendous things here in Greenwood,” Fowler said. “We are different, and the results are showing.”

Former mayor wins council seat

Sonny Frederick to fill post in Ware Shoals

March 28, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — More than 200 voters grabbed a pencil and exercised their right to vote Tuesday in this small river town.
Ware Shoals had a special municipal election to fill a town council seat that was left open by Kit Young, who resigned Jan. 1 with two years left on his term.
Since no one filed for the council seat, Tuesday’s council election was write-in only.
Sonny Frederick, who was once mayor of Ware Shoals in the 1980s, won the election, pending certification from the Greenwood County election board.
Frederick received 131 votes, while Gwen Whitfield received 88.
Whitfield also ran for council last November but was defeated.
Elections official Connie Moody said 15 ballots were not counted. Some were illegible, some were for other write-in candidates and others were challenged for one reason or another.
Frederick and Whitfield were the only two candidates who were actively campaigning in the write-in election.
Moody said the election commission will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday in room 104 at Park Plaza in Greenwood to certify the election.
Moody said she was pleased with the voter turnout.
“The last write-in election we had, there were 6,000 to 7,000 potential voters,” Moody said. “Only about 100 people voted. So for more than 200 to turn out in Ware Shoals out of about 1,500 eligible voters, that’s not bad.”
The previous write-in election Moody referred to was a District 50 school board of trustees contest.
Moody added that sTuesday’s election in Ware Shoals went “very smooth,” particularly for a write-in election in March.

Obituaries

Martha Beaudrot

Martha Willis Gray Beaudrot, 89, of 114 Sherwood Lane, widow of Clarence L. Beaudrot, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

James Bolton

James Olin Bolton, Sr., 92, of 115 Andrews Ave., husband of Christine Sparks Bolton, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at NHC Healthcare, Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Kathleen Buford

Kathleen Sheely Buford, 90, of 511 Old Abbeville Highway, widow of Robert H. Buford, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Mamie Inez Callaham

McCORMICK — Mamie Inez Callaham died at Hospice House of the Piedmont Monday, March 26, 2007.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Leroy Martin

ABBEVILLE — Leroy Ernest Martin, 102, resident of 203 Hunter St., widower of Edna Blair Martin, died Tuesday March 27, 2007, at Abbeville Nursing Home.
Born in Abbeville, SC, he was a son of the late William Steele and Kate Blanchett Martin.
Mr. Martin was a retired textile employee, having worked for many years at the Abbeville Milliken Plant. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
Survivors are: 2 sons, Fred Martin and his wife, Lou and Joe Martin and his wife, Rosemary, both of Abbeville, SC; 1 sister, Geneva Baker of Edisto Island, SC; 3 grandchildren, Janice Martin, Angela Martin and Michael Martin; 1 great-grandchild, Blair LeRoy.
Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Sharon United Methodist Church Cemetery, with the Rev. Darren Hook officiating. The family is at the home, 203 Hunter St., Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 100 E. Greenwood St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Martin family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Dora Richey

DONALDS — Dora Powell Richey, 81, wife of Robert Lynn Richey, of 8565 Hwy. 184 E., died Monday, March 26, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center. She was born in Abbeville County, a daughter of the late Marion Agusta and Lillie Ashley Powell. She was a member of Donalds Church of God and the Ladies Bible Class.
Surviving besides her husband of the home are two sons, Neal Richey and wife, Kim, Greenwood, Ronald M. Richey and wife, Janice, Honea Path; two daughters, Tina Richey Skinner and husband, Keith, Donalds, Tammie Richey Smith and husband, Lonnie, Hodges; one sister, Cleo “Jolie” Coker, Greenwood; a half sister, Dorothy Simmons, Shoals Junction; fourteen grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a son, Darrell Lynn Richey.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, 3 p.m. at Donalds Church of God, with Rev. James Ray Lollis, Rev. Charles Caldwell and Rev. T.T. Madden officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Jason Skinner, Wesley Skinner, T.J. Richey, Matthew Richey, David Kitzmiller, Chad Richey, Cody Smith, Justin Prichard, DeWayne Robinson, Brady Smith and Jawn Paul Skinner.
Honorary escort will be members of the Ladies Bible Class of Donalds Church of God and Patsy Vinson, Lynn Soloman, Martha Sanders and Clara Lomax.
The body will be placed in the church Thursday at 2 p.m. The family is at the home and will receive friends Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home.

Verdelle Sheriff

Verdelle Manley Sheriff, 68, of 736 Truett Avenue, wife of Albert Sheriff, died Monday, March 26, 2007, at her home.
Born in Pelzer, she was a daughter of the late John and Lois Poore Manley. She was a member of Marshall Road Church of God.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, James Manley, Conrad Manley and Austin Manley.
Surviving is her husband of the home; three daughters, Tammy Martinez of Ninety Six, Cindy Brown and Jaime Satterfield, both of Greenwood; two sons, Albert Sheriff, Jr. of the home and Tommy Sheriff of Madera, CA; two sisters, Frances Carter of Madera, CA, and Katie Autry of Williamston; two brothers, Marvin Manley of Williamston and Bob Manley of Fresno, CA; 13 grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Marshall Road Church of God, with the Rev. Milton Hannah officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and friends.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Thursday.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made in her honor to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Mary Louise Stone

Mary Louise Stone, 85, of 401 Milford Springs Road, wife of Thomas A. Stone, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at her home.
Born in Union, she was a daughter of the late Claude B. and Rebecca Alexander Hames. She retired from Parke-Davis after 19 years and was Methodist.
Surviving is her husband of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Rayce L. and Robert Wolgemuth of Travelers Rest; a son and daughter-in-law, Frankie C. and Connie Prince of Greenwood; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Laurin Young officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be John Wayne Price, Billy Ray Price, Fred Fuller, Tony McNeil, Ronnie McNeil and Glenn Wideman. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 10-11 a.m.
The family is at the home of her son, Frankie Prince, 104 Pinecrest Drive.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Joyce O. Wilkerson

JOHNSTON — Mrs. Joyce Ouzts Wilkerson, 72, of Johnston, wife of Roy E. (Bubba) Wilkerson, died Monday at University Hospital.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 29, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Gardens Memorial Park.
Mrs. Wilkerson was born in Greenwood Co. and was of the Baptist faith. She was retired from Banker’s Trust Bank.
Survivors include 1 son, Eddie (Fran) Wilkerson, Raleigh, N.C., 1 daughter, Alisa (Danny) Painter, Columbia, S.C., 1 grandson, Allen Wilkerson, 1 brother, Deidrich Ouzts, Saluda, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., after the service at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home.

Onedar W. Witt

Onedar Watson Witt, 91, of 1415 Parkway Court, formerly of 822 Towne St., died March 24 at her home. She was the widow of Clee Witt.
She was born in Greenwood County Nov. 15, 1915, a daughter of the late Bob and Jennie Watson. She was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where she was a former member of the Gospel Chorus.
She was preceded in death by a son Cleo Witt.
She was the last survivor of her immediate family.
Surviving are 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a special niece, Martha Ann Wells of Greenwood; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. from Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, with Rev. Otis Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at noon to await the service hour. Pallbearers will be nephews.
Flower bearers will be nieces.
The family is at the home of a niece Martha Ann Wells, 122 Swallow Road, Ninety Six, SC.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.
Online: pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Opinion

Gamecocks baseball coach sends the right message

March 28, 2007

There are thousands of college athletes that play by the rules and never get in trouble ..... with the law or anything else. However, when high-profile athletes cross that line of bad judgment, for whatever reason, it taints all the others. So remember. When one or two athletes break the rules or the law it’s their problem, not an indictment of all the rest.
How such incidents are handled, though, can send the worst kind of message to all athletes, students, parents, fans and indeed contributors to athletic programs, from The Citadel in the Lowcountry to Wofford College in the Upstate. Or, the message can be positive. That’s what University of South Carolina baseball coach Ray Tanner demonstrated when two of his star players were arrested and charged with breaking and entering, grand larceny and burglary.

WHEN THE NEWS BROKE, IT didn’t take Tanner long to act. And it didn’t take him long to decide how to act. He immediately notified the two players they were dropped from the team. And, as Tanner told the public, their termination was permanent.
That, no doubt, is a difficult decision for any coach to make, especially when the players involved come with impressive resumes and are important and productive parts of a team.
By dropping top notch players, it can deal a blow to chances for success ..... a significant blow. That being so, it can have a negative effect on the coach’s employment future.
So, then, it takes intestinal fortitude ..... what is known in the athletic world as “guts.”

THE USC GAMECOCKS AREN’T the only college team in South Carolina to be embarrassed and hurt by athletes who show poor judgment. Whether pranks or something more reprehensible, other athletes, high-profile and otherwise, have violated rules and run afoul of the law. Too often the penalties they’ve paid have been nothing more than a slap on the wrist. That, alone, is the worst possible “message.”
Tanner offered the best advice any young athlete could get. “ ... they (the two players) have had to prove themselves as baseball players ..... and now they’re going to have to take a while to prove themselves as human beings in this society.”
Bully for Tanner. He’s set the standard for all coaches ..... all of us, actually. It’s a lesson we all should learn, but will we? When we turn athletes into idols and place them on a pedestal, it makes the lesson that much harder.