Emotions high in McCormick

Election plan draws anger from residents of Savannah Lakes Village

May 30, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

McCORMICK — After two emotional and contentious meetings Tuesday, the McCormick County school board agreed to send a new election plan to Columbia to be approved by the General Assembly.
The plan now takes the form of a bill sponsored by state Rep. Anne Parks.
At Tuesday’s first meeting, concerned residents addressed the board.
At the second meeting, the board, after a brief discussion, approved the new plan.
If the bill, which would change the manner of elections of board members from at-large elections to elections by district, is given the green light at the state level, it will then be sent to Washington to be approved by the Justice Department.
Once in the DOJ’s hands, the department has 60 days to decide its fate. If, however, the DOJ asks for additional information, it will be given an additional 60 days.
The bill’s first section stipulates the board shall consist of seven members to be elected in the general election for terms of four years and until their successors are elected and qualify, except that of those first elected three shall serve for terms of two years only. The four members receiving the greatest number of votes shall serve for four years, and those receiving the least number of votes shall serve for two years.
The bill also requires candidates to be elected from one of three districts.
To help it decide how to change the manner by which members would be elected, the board sought the assistance of Bob Bowers, director of the state Budget and Control Board’s Office of Research and Statistics. Bowers was asked to help create a governance plan for the McCormick County School District that would protect the interests of the county’s diverse groups.
Ultimately, the board approved a plan that involved dividing the county into three election districts. Two districts,covering the northern part and southern part of the county, would elect three trustees each, while a third district, generally covering the Savannah Lakes Village community, would elect a seventh trustee.
It was the granting of Savannah Lakes a single trustee that drew more than 100 residents of that community to the meeting. At the beginning of the first meeting, Bowers explained how and why he was legally required to use 7-year-old census figures to draw up his plan.
After Bowers, a professional statistician, revealed his methodology, more than a dozen Savannah Lakes residents spoke, for a maximum of three minutes each, against the plan. Just four McCormick County residents spoke in its favor.
When Fate Jennings attempted to speak in favor of the plan, he was heckled and shouted at by Savannah Lakes residents who disagreed with his opinion.
At the end of the first meeting, as school board attorney Kenneth L. Childs attempted to speak, he too was verbally assaulted by opponents.
“I think their behavior speaks for itself,” Childs said after he attempted to explain to the crowd that the board acted ethically and in the best interest of students by approving the new plan. “I try to remind myself that it would be unfair to judge the Savannah Lakes community, which is 1,600 people, by the behavior of 50.”
Bryan Thompson, one of the two board members who voted against the plan, told the board, “I was elected on a countywide vote, and I hope I represent the citizen in Clarks Hill just as well as the Savannah Lakes residents.
“I don’t accept the reason for the change that we can better represent the citizens through smaller districts. In fact, I believe the opposite will occur; pitting one district against the other when we should all be working for the betterment of all McCormick County.”

100 miles per gallon?
It’s possible in this car

May 30, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

It’s the “world’s largest video game” — and Ray Crenshaw’s method to saving money on the road.
It’s his 2006 Toyota Prius.
Crenshaw explained during a ride-along Tuesday how he can actually get 100 miles per gallon on certain car rides. His vehicle, the hybrid Prius, has a display that monitors its gas consumption.
With the car’s technology and Crenshaw’s stinginess, he is able to get unheard-of mileage and avoid spending fortunes at the pump.
“The reason the hybrid works is because it can turn the gas engine off,” Crenshaw said traveling down the road between Hodges and South Greenwood.
Just as he finishes his sentence, the car’s consumption monitor displays a spreadsheet informing the driver of his progress. He says it is like a video game.
“The key is not to push the gas pedal (except when necessary). If you push the pedal you lose points,” he said.
With the display, drivers can tell when they lose points. Information is posted that includes the car’s career gas mileage, the miles traveled on one tank of gas and the gas mileage over five-minute durations.
The car holds 10.5 gallons and Crenshaw said he usually gets 700 to 800 miles on each tank.
“I only fill up about once a month,” he said.
With that Crenshaw still enjoys the luxuries of a new car. He can still get outstanding gas mileage with the air conditioning on. As a matter of fact, Crenshaw said the car can run on just electricity up to 41 miles per hour.
The Prius houses a battery in the back that is responsible for “non-pulsing” situations. Crenshaw said pulsing is when the car needs gas, and gliding is simply coasting — something he does a lot.
“We’re driving along at 40 miles per hour without using gas while other cars are,” he said.
But that was traveling up to Hodges along U.S. 25. Crenshaw wanted to show that his car could make get 100 mpg through Greenwood. That’s when the ride-along really began.
He started the engine up outside of Palmetto Bank near Godfrey’s in Hodges with the air conditioning off and the windows cracked. The gearhead accelerated moderately up to 38 miles per hour and eased off, letting his 40- to 50-horsepower battery take control.
The car actually sped up slightly over the next couple miles, coasting down a long stretch of downhill. Then, after being passed a couple times and putting on his emergency lights, Crenshaw finally applied pressure to the gas pedal. The car had traveled 2 1/2 miles on about 3 teaspoons of gas.
“It’s up to me to blend in with the other travelers,” Crenshaw said as the car sped up. He only tests the car’s mileage in safe locations where he can travel a little slower than other motorists.
Crenshaw sped back up to about 40 and then let off the gas again. He talked as the car rolled along.
“My number one complaint is the car only displays up to 100 miles per gallon,” Crenshaw said with a laugh. “We probably got 130 over the last three miles.”
He said he regularly goes to see a friend in Newberry 38 miles away.
“There was a lot of traffic last time, so I could only get 85 (miles per gallon),” Crenshaw said with a humorous shake of the head.
As Crenshaw talked he continued to observe the road and what was occurring well in front of the car. The driver looked ahead to stoplights, calculating whether a full stop would be necessary before light would turn green. While other motorists slowed quickly by mashing on the brake and then jumped on the gas to get back up to speed, Crenshaw was much more deliberate and conservative with the gas and brake pedals.
His CVT transmission made automatic gear changes without any disturbance — another key to getting the maximum gas mileage possible.
“Everything is handled by software. It all happens automatically,” he said. Crenshaw wanted to let others know that he doesn’t have to do much to get such high gas mileage.
Just as he discussed the handling of his car, gas stations displayed gas prices in the upper $2.90 range. That doesn’t affect Crenshaw very much.
“When gas jumps a dollar, it only hurts me about $2 a week,” he said.
Crenshaw believes that soon more people will have to go to hybrids, saying big sport-utility vehicles are just a fad. “SUVs have been just a trend — one that is quite honestly not going to last.”
Crenshaw praised Toyota for its efforts in building the hybrid.
“Car makers spent money on frivolous things,” he said. “Toyota spent their money developing this car.”
But Crenshaw also said drivers don’t have to go out and buy the $23,000 vehicle. Lots of other vehicles can get better gas mileage than what their drivers usually get — if they just wouldn’t mash the accelerator or slam on the brakes.
“The thing is we can afford to get 12 miles per gallon, so we do.”
With that, Crenshaw pulled his vehicle into The Index-Journal parking lot on Phoenix Street. He’d been coasting since before turning off Main Street.
His spreadsheet — the ultimate driving video game — read 92 miles per gallon.

Obituaries

Sam Christie

SALUDA — Sam Christie, 90, of 122 Ferry Road, died Monday, May 28, 2007, at the Saluda Nursing Center.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Julia Mae Parkman, 1604 S. Main St.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc., Greenwood.

Katie Emerson

WARE SHOALS — Katherine “Katie” Sarakenoff Emerson, 89, widow of Willie C. Emerson, Jr., died Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at Savannah Heights Living Center in McCormick. She was a daughter of the late Victor and Martha Sarakenoff of Washington State.
She was predeceased by a brother, Bill Sarakenoff.
Surviving are a sister, Mary Retzlaff, California, five sisters-in-law, Joanne Clamp and Maurine Davis, both of Ware Shoals, Joyce Adams, Donalds, Sue Armstrong, Simpsonville and Mary Emerson, Laurens.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 3 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jack King officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Nephews will serve as active pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646.
The families are at their respective homes and will receive friends Thursday, 2-3 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home.

Malon Garner

Graveside services for Malon A. Garner will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with the Dr. Ted Williams and Dr. Bob Titus officiating.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
The family members are at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to Panola United Methodist Church, PO Box 1102, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Mr. Garner, 81, of Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, Anderson, widower of Sybil Porter Garner, died Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at the Anderson Area Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Culp and Lillian Mundy Garner. He retired from the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was a member of Panola United Methodist Church.
Surviving are two sons, Porter R. Garner and Andrew Scott Garner, both of Greenwood; a sister, Barbara Nelson of Laurens; a brother, Richard Garner of Anderson; and three grandchildren, Katie Garner, Leigh Garner and Beth Garner.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Garner family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Deidrich Ouzts

SALUDA — Deidrich Ouzts, 75, of 9309 Hwy. 178 S., died Monday, May 28, 2007 at Hospice House of Hospice Care of the Piedmont.
Mr. Ouzts was born in Greenwood County and was a son of the late James Oscar and Essie Bryan Ouzts.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Surviving are three nieces, Miriam Roberson of Wrens, GA, Judy Parks of Saluda and Alisa Painter of Columbia, three nephews, Barry Brothers of Greenwood, Eddie Wilkerson of Raleigh, NC, and Danny Brothers of Greenwood, and a brother-in-law, Roy Wilkerson of Johnston.
Funeral services will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Friendship Pentecostal Holiness Church, with Rev. Boyd Arnold and Rev. Jones Brewer officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 4 until 5:30 p.m., prior to the service in the church social hall.
Memorials may be made to Friendship Pentecostal Holiness Church, 9602 Hwy. 178 S., Saluda, SC 29138.

Anne Swafford

Anne Reid Swafford, 73, resident of 214 Sylvan Road, wife of Hubert M. Swafford, Jr., died May 29, 2007 at St. Francis Regency Hospital in Greenville from complications of Miller-Fisher Syndrome.
Born in Sapphine, NC, March 3, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Ford Reid and Annie Mae Raines Reid Fugate and stepdaughter of the late Edwin Fugate. She was a graduate of Tamassee DAR School and attended Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Surviving in addition to her husband of 53 years are a daughter, Debbie and husband, Mike Ogle of Greenville; two sons, Nathan and wife, Jeannie Swafford of Greenwood and Hubert M. Swafford of Columbia; a sister, Verna Lee Smith of Pisgah Forest, NC; eight grandchildren, Ian Ogle of Chattanooga, TN, Elise Ogle of Greenville, Andrew, Joseph and Elizabeth Swafford, all of Columbia, Jessica McDowell, Taylor Wiley and Nathan Swafford, Jr., all of Greenwood.
Mrs. Swafford was predeceased by a daughter, Cynthia Swafford Sessions.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Frank Smith officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Drew Swafford, Van Swafford, Jose Garcia, Mike Taylor, Thomas Longshore, Sr. and Thomas Longshore, Jr.
The family is at the home in Avondale and will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Swafford family.

Damon Turman

McCORMICK — Damon Turman, infant son of Ms. Paulinia Turman, died at Self Regional Medical Center May 29, 2007.
Committal services will be Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at Mt. Zion AME Church, McCormick, SC.
Walker Funeral Home, directors.

Opinion

A law is a law is a law as ‘illegals’ debate grows

May 30, 2007

There are no absolutes in the debate over illegal immigration. Every action has a reaction and what it is depends on a lot of things, of course. In the end, though, it appears to get down to one thing: whose ox is being gored.
Consider the current arguments over a new immigration bill in Washington. It is so divisive that even South Carolina’s two Republican U. S. Senators are on opposite sides. The cause of their differences is simple. Lindsey Graham says the legislation does not provide for amnesty for those illegal immigrants already here. President Bush and a conglomeration of Republicans and Democrats agree. Jim DeMint, on the other hand, says the bill does grant amnesty.
The problem is not a simple one. That’s obvious. Availability of workers and those who employ them in a variety of jobs is a major concern for many employers.

U. S. BUSINESSES THAT RELY on immigrant labor have sought reforms to address their need for labor. but many on both sides of the issue say the new legislation would prove too disruptive and make it difficult for them to find the workers they need.
All over the U. S. many industries now depend on low-skilled illegal immigrants. They include farming, carpet manufacturing, poultry processing, meat packing, construction, food service and lodging. However, technology companies, which are part of a growing presence in South Carolina, look to other countries for highly skilled workers, including engineers and computer programmers who are in the U. S. legally, mostly on temporary work visas.
So, then, the ox being gored here involves both ends of the employment pool ..... illegal and low-skilled, and legal and highly skilled.

THE DEMANDS OF THE BILL apparently would have a negative effect on both. Certain requirements - fines, going back to country of origin to start the legal immigration process, and other provisions of the legislation - hurt rather than help, many employers say.
Big business, small business, etc., see the legislation as a sign that the feds have quit preachin’ and gone to meddlin’. Apparently they’re happy the way things are.
Then ..... there are Americans, including many South Carolinians, who see that as condoning the breaking of immigration laws. They say in a nation of laws, that is just too much. Many people who have gotten their American citizenship legally also have shown they oppose amnesty, whatever it may be called or whatever perception it creates. They insist that allowing exceptions is unfair, regardless of how it’s worded or what some employers say they need. To them, a law is a law is a law.
That’s an argument that’s hard to refute.