Transcript price reduced

Documents cover Blackwell hearing

May 17, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — Prices are being slashed at the Ware Shoals School District 51 office building.
Prices of transcripts, that is.
District 51 Superintendent Fay Sprouse announced Wednesday the district office will have a limited number of complete transcripts available for discounted purchase from former Ware Shoals High School principal Jane Blackwell’s 16-hour, three-day show-cause school board hearing.
Sprouse said the hearing transcripts, which document verbatim what was said within the public-turned-private meeting, will be available for $25.
Meanwhile, an exhibit manual, which is said to contain depositions, written statements from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, affidavits and more, also will cost $25.
Sprouse said these are two separate documents, each more than 500 pages in length.
The announcement of a hearing transcript and exhibit manual being made available for purchase at a combined price of $50 is a huge departure from the combined price tag of $1,137.25 that was offered May 4 by Bazzell Court Reporting.
That price included $922.25 for the hearing transcript and $215 for the exhibit manual.
Sprouse advised she expects copies to be available at the District 51 office building by Monday. She stressed there will be limited copies available for purchase, and that anyone interested should come by the office building and pre-pay.
She said residents who pre-pay will be called if the transcripts are ready before next Tuesday.
The Index-Journal has arranged to procure copies of the hearing transcript and exhibit manual, which will be available for the public to read on-site at the newspaper offices.
Copies of the Memorandum of Decision, which is a transcript of what was discussed at the April 23-34 special District 51 school board meeting — where Blackwell’s suspension was withdrawn — are also available to read on-site at The Index-Journal.

A rumble ... then a tumble

Demolition puts on a show in Ninety Six

May 17, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

NINETY SIX — A raging fire claimed most of the Ninety Six Mills Plant No. 10 more than two years ago.
Explosives took care of the remnants Wednesday afternoon.
The tall smokestack and a water tower were all that was left of the plant, which once stood prominently at the corner of Duke Street and Norwood Avenue. Both came tumbling down about 1 p.m. Wednesday after an explosives company from Newberry set its charges and demolished the two structures.
The demolition took on the role of a community event as hundreds of residents came out to see the old smokestack come down. It bore a fair resemblance to a tailgating session before a football game.
Senior citizens relaxed in lawn chairs, with umbrellas overhead.
Teenagers sat or stood in the beds of pickup trucks, sipping ice-cold sodas from nearby coolers and getting cameras ready to document the occasion.
Some parents even got their young kids out of school to witness the final moments of the last vestiges of the old textile mill that once employed a large portion of the town’s residents.
Chris Long was one of those parents. Long brought his 5-year-old son, Gavin, to witness the explosion.
“It’s a part of history that you don’t get to share every day, especially with your 5-year-old,” Long said. “Especially considering today that textile mills are few and far between.”
Long admits Gavin is not likely to understand the importance the mill had within the community. However, he said he was going to videotape the demolition so he and the child could discuss it in the years to come.
Many in attendance Wednesday were once employed at Plant No. 10. William Griffin said he worked there for many years.
“This mill was here for 50 years of my life,” Griffin said. “I worked here. Cleaned the elevators and community center and all that. I was working (nearby) when it burned down. I live right over here where the next water tower is.”
Melandie Cheek said she also lived near the plant and worked there for a number of years. She said her emotions were mixed right before the explosives were set off.
“I didn’t really give much thought until today,” Cheek said. “I lived right nearby for many years. It was sort of sad to see the smokestack go.”
Just before the explosion, workers from the Ninety Six Fire Department and other officials yelled, “Fire in the hole!”
Seconds after the warning, at least two loud blasts were heard. The smokestack slowly leaned to the right of Duke Street and began its descent to the ground. When it leaned to a 45-degree angle, it began to break in half and eventually landed on the ground in a smoky, dusty heap. Following the demolition, many in attendance cheered.
Patricia Bond found it to be a curious reaction.
“I think it’s odd, at the very least,” said Bond of the cheering. “It gives me cold chills. I personally felt saddened. I thought it was a piece of history and thought it was very unique.”

Agencies respond to extra funding

May 17, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood County has plenty of nonprofit organizations, and they all need funding in one way or another.
County Council on Tuesday gave $30,000 to the Greenwood Humane Society to continue its operations into June, but what about other agencies?
Ruth Collins, volunteer coordinator for the Food Bank, said she thinks the people of Greenwood could use that money as well as the animals.
“It would be a great thing if both needs could be met,” she said. “You’ve got all kinds of situations where people just need assistance.”
Still, others understand the needs of all living things in Greenwood County.
“They’re just as needy as we are,” Rebecca Lorick said.
Lorick is the program director of the GAMES Coalition, a project under MEG’s House that provides transitional housing for homeless individuals.
Lorick said as long as the Humane Society is spending the money appropriately, she has no problem with it.
“I think it’s great, then,” she said.
Dr. Joseph D. Patton, GLEAMNS Human Resource Commission CEO, praised the county for its support of local agencies.
“The county has been very supportive of us,” Patton said.
He doesn’t have a problem with other agencies receiving more money.
“Some just have more need than others,” he said.
Hoyt Dorn, community manager of the American Cancer Society, said he has “no qualms” about the emergency funding of the Humane Society.
“It’s a valuable entity here in Greenwood,” he said. “I feel confident they’ll look at other agencies to assist in.”
David Allen Hord, director of Habitat for Humanity, said the county — though it hasn’t given Habitat any money directly — has helped in other ways, such as providing the agency with a repossessed HUD home that could be fixed up.
He added that the lack of funding is a community problem, but then people and animals need the Humane Society.
“If they’re not there, then what would we do?” Hord said.

More than 30 applied to be the Wildcats football coach, but longtime assistant Brian Neal emerged to begin ...

A new era

May 17, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

NINETY SIX — With so much attention surrounding the Ninety Six High School football program off the field, what takes place on the field is back at centerstage.
Wildcats coach Brian Neal, 1993 graduate of Ninety Six, began his first spring practice as the head coach this week, and he said the Wildcats have plenty of work to do between now and the start of the season.
A large amount of that work will revolve around the players digesting new systems implemented by first-year offensive coordinator Matt Huntsberger and first-year defensive coordinator Tripp Henderson.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Neal said. “There’s different terminology and a new offense to learn. It’s early and it’s hard to tell, but I think they’re enthusiastic and I think they’re excited, and that’s where we want to be to get started.”
Neal added that he’s been pleased with the number of players who have reported to spring practice after losing a large number to graduation.
“We’ve got a good turnout,” Neal said. “We don’t have the ninth-grade team out here, but we’ve got about 60 players. Coming into the year, we lost a good number of seniors, so we’ve got people who’ve been waiting to step up. It’s just a matter of coming out here and trying to make what we have better and try to be ready for that first game when Hanahan comes to town.”
The Wildcats need to rebuild along the offensive and defensive lines before the season begins, according to Neal. He said that it’s a gradual process he expects will be completed in time for the season. At the same time, there’s still a matter of figuring out where the rest of the pieces will fit for the Wildcats.
“There’s a lot of fresh faces back out here and we’re just going to have to develop it,” Neal said. “Where our strengths and weaknesses are right now, it’s kind of hard to say. As things go along and the summer goes through, we’ll know more about that as we go.”
Wildcat lineman Eric Abney, a rising senior at Ninety Six, said the Wildcats are doing what’s necessary to be successful under Neal.
“Everybody’s got a great attitude,” Abney said. “We’re coming out here and working hard and have two goals, which is to get a state championship and a region championship.”
Abney, along with many of the other rising seniors on the Wildcats’ roster, was a member of the 2004 team that posted an 11-3 record and lost in the Upper State title game against Broome. Having failed to get past the second round since that 2004 season, Abney said he is hungry for another shot.
“With this being my senior year, I’d love to have a ring on my finger right now,” Abney said. “Coach Neal had a meeting with us and he told us to forget about the past and just think about the future and a state championship. Everybody’s got a great feeling about it and you can tell by looking at everyone’s face that they’re having fun.”
Abney said the message is simple if the Wildcats want to reach their goals.
“We just have to keep leading and come out with a meaner attitude than we’ve had before,” Abney said. “Basically, just don’t take nothing from nobody.”
If the Wildcats plan on dishing the punishment instead of receiving it, they’ll have to continue to work hard and be ready on game day. Neal said he plans on making sure the Wildcats do just that.
“We have to get the ones that are coming back and the ones that have been waiting in the wings ready to play,” Neal said. “There’s plenty of opportunities and people are ready to do that. As far as I’m concerned, there are no returning starters from last year. They’re all coming back competing for a job.”

Post 20 to debut with scrimmage

May 17, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The American Legion Post 20 baseball team returns to action at 7:30 p.m. today against Newberry’s Post 24 at Legion Field.
The game won’t count in the standings, but it will give Post 20 Coach Billy Dean Minor an idea of where his team stands as the regular season approaches.
“It’s an adjustment from high school to Legion ball,” Minor said. “We’re trying to transition the period through.”
With less than two full weeks of practice under their belts, Minor said his players, who come from various Lakelands schools (Greenwood, Emerald, Abbeville, McCormick and Ware Shoals), are slowly getting used to each other.
“You have such a short period from the time practice starts to when you start playing,” Minor said. “We’re working hard.”
When Post 20 faces Newberry, the squad might see a few familiar faces, but it won’t be because of any recent history between the two in Legion play.
“They didn’t have a Legion team last year,” Minor said. “They draw from some good high school programs in Mid-Carolina and Newberry.”
Minor said that with tonight’s game being considered a scrimmage, he plans on using it as an opportunity to gauge his player’s abilities in a competitive setting.
“We’re going to move people in and out and try to get better and look at some people in live competition,” Minor said. “I think it’ll do us some good. I look forward to watching and evaluating our players.”
Minor said one position where he’s liked what he’s seen so far is catcher. He added that he hasn’t ironed out all of the personnel issues yet.
“We have two good catchers,” Minor said. “We’re going to try to find one or two more outfielders. We don’t have any of the positions all settled down.”

Obituaries

Arlena Stevens Allen

EDGEFIELD — Mrs. Arlena Stevens Allen, 95, the widow of Sam (Pick) Allen, Sr., died on May 15, 2007 in Trinity Mission Health and Rehab Center, Edgefield.
She was born in Edgefield County, SC, a daughter of the late Eva Stevens and the late James Robinson. She was a member of Willow Spring Baptist Church and the Young Ladies of Honor of Edgefield.
She was a homemaker.
She is survived by four daughters, Jimmie Lee Callaham, Mt. Rainier, MD, Lucille A. Weston, Asheville, NC, Eva Pearl Smith, Silver Spring, MD, and Mary Anna Phillips, Edgefield, SC; son, David Allen, Greenwood, SC; sister, Rosa Bell McKinney, Aiken, SC; 32 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday at the Willow Spring Baptist Church, conducted by the pastor, Reverend Anthony Gordon. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m.
The family is at the home, 763 Highway 378 East, Edgefield, SC.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, SC, is in charge.

Margaret Flynn Bowie

ABBEVILLE — Margaret Flynn Bowie, 97, died Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at the South Carolina Episcopal Home at Still Hopes, West Columbia, SC. Born in Abbeville on Aug. 25, 1909, she was the daughter of the late Norma Fuller Flynn and George Louis Flynn. She graduated from Abbeville High School and Winthrop College and was a true champion of Abbeville and Abbeville County. She devoted her life to the betterment of the Abbeville community and its people.
Margaret Bowie is best known for her over 30 years of service to the Burt-Stark Mansion where she served in many capacities, including commission chairman and docent. She was instrumental in having the mansion, the site of the last meeting of the Confederate cabinet, designated by the US Department of the Interior as a National Landmark.
She was the first chairman of the Abbeville Recreation Commission in 1946 and as a result of her leadership, Abbeville’s first public swimming pool and tennis courts were built. She gave years of service to many organizations including the Upper Savannah Preservation Commission, Daffodil Garden Club, Zoning Board for the City of Abbeville, Literary Lantern Book Club, Abbeville Community Theater, co-chairman of the Tri-centennial Celebration in 1970, Historic Abbeville Tourism Commission, Abbeville County Red Cross, Upper Savannah Council of Government, Confederation of S.C. Historical Societies, Old Abbeville District Historical Society and the Old Ninety Six Tourism Commission. She served ten years on the board of Piedmont Technical College and was a board member Emeritus.
She received many awards and recognition through the years and was presented the Order of the Palmetto by the State Treasurer, the Honorable Grady Patterson, on behalf of Governor Carroll Campbell in 1994. She was named 1978 Woman of the Year by the Pilot Club and inducted into the Abbeville County Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1994 she was named the Outstanding Older South Carolinian for the Upper Savannah Region and in 1999 received the Robert N. Pryor Volunteer Service Award from the Confederation of S.C. Local Historical Societies. She was named a Southern Patriot by the League of the South in 2001.
She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Abbeville and formerly a member of the Abbeville Presbyterian Church where she served as Sunday School teacher and Circle Leader. She also taught special education at Sharon and Wright Middle Schools and taught adult reading classes without compensation.
She married William Godbold (Willie) Bowie in 1931 and they had two sons, William G. (Bill) Bowie, Jr. and George Flynn Bowie. She was predeceased by her husband and son, Bill. She is survived by her son, Flynn, and his wife, Anne, and by grandchildren, George Flynn Bowie, Jr. and his wife, Katherine, Amelia Bowie Hewitt and her husband Rick, and James Sheridan Bowie, all of Columbia, SC. Great grandchildren are Elizabeth McLanahan Bowie, George Flynn Bowie, III, Richard Furman Hewitt, III and Margaret St. Claire Hewitt. She is also survived by a sister, Nelle Flynn Nickles of Abbeville, SC, a niece, Margaret G. Thomas and three nephews, William Franklin (Teto) Nickles, III, William H. Gilleland, Jr. and Benjamin C. Gilleland.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 2007, in the Harris Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in the family plot in Long Cane Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be made to the Abbeville County Historical Preservation Commission for the benefit of the Burt-Stark Mansion, P.O. Box 164, Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Bowie family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home, of Abbeville is assisting the Bowie family.

Ralph R. Brown

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Ralph R. Brown, 79, died May 15, 2007 at Comprehensive Healthcare of Clearwater.
Born in Shorewood, WI, he moved from Bluffton, SC, to Dunedin in 2003. He was a marine surveyor in the shipbuilding industry, a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Dunedin, and served in the U.S. Navy. He was also a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Tampa Bay Mariners Club, Society of Marine Port Engineers of N.Y., Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and Scottish Rite, 32nd Degree Mason.
Survivors include his wife, Carol E. Brown of Dunedin; three sons, Jeffrey M. Brown of New Fairfield, CT, Gregory A. Brown of Sycamore, IL, and Timothy R. Brown of Canon City, CO; three brothers, Donald Brown of Chicago, IL, Marvin Brown of Renton, WA, and Dennis Brown of Elizabeth City, NC; five sisters, Vivian Guzinski and Phyllis Comacho, both of San Diego, CA, Barbara Henning of Tacoma, WA, Beverly LaDow of Mishawaka, IN, and Naomi McFarland of South Bend, IN; six grandchildren.
Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor, FL.

Scotty Callaway

ABBEVILLE — A memorial service for Scotty Eugene “Wild” Callaway will be at 5 p.m. Friday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Tony Beauford officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.
The family is at the home, 710 McIlwain Road, Abbeville.
Scotty, 39, of 710 McIlwain Road, Abbeville, widower of Joy Williams Callaway, died Monday, May 14, 2007, at Greenville Memorial Hospital from injuries received in a motorcycle accident.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of Louise Fain Bowie and the late Dennis Eugene Callaway. He was employed by Velux and had served in the SC National Guard. He was of the Pentecostal Holiness faith.
Surviving is mother and stepfather, Louise and Allen Bowie; a sister, Sherry Bowie and a brother, Eric Callaway, all of Abbeville; 13 nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be sent to the Callaway family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Gerald S. ‘Gerry’ Harris Jr.

ABBEVILLE — Gerald S. “Gerry” Harris, Jr., 55, of Abbeville, husband of Monean E. Harris, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at his residence. He was born in Abbeville County to Edna Brown Harris and the late Gerald S. Harris, Sr.
Gerry was a graduate of Clemson University and had retired from Hickory Knob State Park.
In addition to his father he was preceded in death by his son, Gerald S. Harris, III.
Surviving Gerry is his wife of 33 years of the home, his mother of the home, two daughters, Katherine D. Harris and Meredith E. Harris, both of Abbeville, three sisters, Brenda H. Loftis, Lisa H. Parker and Lara M. Harris, all of Abbeville.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2007, at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2007, in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Gerry to a charity of one’s choice.
The family is at the residence.
Online condolences may be sent to the Harris family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Harris family.

Ruth Padgett Harrison

LAUREL, Md. — Ruth Padgett Harrison, 86, the widow of William (Juke) Harrison, died on May 11, 2007 in Cherry Lane Nursing Center.
She was born in Edgefield County, daughter of the late George and Emma Oliphant Padgett. She was a former member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Edgefield and member of the Women Home Aide Society No. 126. She was a retired housekeeper.
She is survived by son, Gonzalee Harrison, Greenwood, SC; five sisters, Mary Partlow, Elyria, OH, Catherine Nicholson, Washington, DC, Mattie Burt, Edgefield, SC, and Carrie Phillips, North Augusta, SC, and Delois Foulks, of Greenwood; granddaughter reared in the home, Brenda Hammond, Laurel, MD; seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; twelve great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Liberty Spring Baptist Church, Edgefield, conducted by the Reverend Roderick Cummings. Assisting are Reverend David Parks, Reverend Ronnie Williams and Reverend Curtis Bowman. Burial will follow in the Evening Star Cemetery, Greenwood, SC. The body will be placed in the church at noon.
The family is at the home of her son, Gonzalee Harrison, 4418 Highway 178 South, Greenwood, SC.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, SC, is in charge.

Lessie Mae Ware

CALHOUN FALLS — Lessie Mae Ware, 67, of 118 Edgewood Circle, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at her home. The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary Inc., Abbeville.

Brunell C. Wightman

Services for Brunell Crouch Wightman will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Glenn Bryant and the Rev. Daniel Wightman officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Mike Wightman, Jason Bryant, Chris Wightman, Tai Nguyen, Brad Davenport and Kenneth Fallaw.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 12:30-1:45 p.m.
The family is at the home of her son, Larry Wightman, 115 Benjamin Street, Fairforest. Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Mrs. Wightman, 82, formerly of 413 Lanham Street, widow of James S. Wightman, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at Hospice House.
Born in Saluda, she was a daughter of the late Odell Crouch and Naomi Youngblood Crouch Long. She was retired from Monsanto/Solutia and was a member of Laurel Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School.
Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Betty and the Rev. Glenn Bryant of Simpsonville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Debbie Wightman of Greenwood and Ronnie and Carolyn Wightman of Mendenhall, MS; a daughter-in-law, Brenda Wightman of Anderson; three sisters, Ann Smith of Thomaston, GA, Ora Corley of Saluda and Harriett Killion of Goose Creek; a brother, Bobby Crouch of Leesville; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, James David Wightman and a grandson, James Darren Wightman.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Opinion

Proof of hate for U.S. that exists at the U.N.

May 17, 2007

South Carolinians might not remember the name Malloch Brown. Mention what he used to do, though, and it gets a little clearer.
Brown was the number two man at the United Nations under former number one man Kofi Annan. What made him conspicuous was his habit of trashing the United States, something he did often ..... even though he held such a high U.N. position. That, to be sure, was not frowned upon by Annan. He also took a few critical shots at the U.S.
What Brown is saying now, then, should not come as a big surprise, considering his obvious dislike of the American people. He’s doing nothing different than what he did at the U.N. Now, however, he’s doing it for a different master. This time he’s trashing us as the number two man under well-known multibillionaire leftist and America hater, George Soros.
Soros, of course, spends millions after millions to influence American politics and, of course, the more liberal the better.
Finally, though, there’s a definitive example of the anti-American bias that has long been a fixture at the U.N. Brown proves it. His and Annan’s actions should be proof positive that reform of the U.N. is long overdue.