Chairman Election July 14
Chairman Election July 14
The third time will be the charm as the election for Saluda County Council Chairman will be finally be held. on July 14.
Originally scheduled for March 24, the election was postponed until May by the pandermic. That month did not work out either, so the election date was finally set for Tues., July 14.
Polls open at 7a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Seeking the posiotion are Democrat Darren Horne and Republican Jerry Strawbridge.
Both candidates are retired.
“I am currently own businesses/properties in four separate counties,’’ Horne said. “My work ethic that I have built throughout my life will be an asset you can rely on to keep Saluda County moving in the right direction.
I will work very hard to promote business and economic development for Saluda, Ridge Spring, and Ward. I am aware of the current financial challenges but I’m willing to work very hard to address the current and all future concerns. Being a super conservative, I am a firm believer in being debt free and will be a watchdog for the County finances and spending. I will be grateful to work beside all county employees to Move Saluda County Forward. I will fight to keep lower tax rates and eliminate current and future unnecessary fees.”
“Saluda County is in a difficult position,” Strawbridge said. “It wasn’t any one person’s fault. It is a systemic problem and a challenge that was made more pronounced by the State’s requirement for a new jail. Saluda County employees want to help! They have provided a great number of documents that have helped me evaluate the County’s position in the last few weeks. Their helpfulness it to be commended! The good news is I believe this financial problem can be fixed. However, the hard truth is it won’t be easy.
“The position of Chairman requires someone that can face the hard reality of the situation and provide unwavering optimism that Saluda County will come out of this fine. Luckily, I’ve been part of a similar mission with Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority (SCWSA). SCWSA has been a part of a 20-year odyssey to build its own Water Treatment Plant. I was honored to be selected by the Legislative Delegation nine years ago to be on SCWSA’s Board and to serve as its Chairman for the last seven years.
Horne and his wife have two daughters and two granddaughters. As a kid around the age of eight,he worked in our family owned business, Horne’s Convenience Store. At 15, he started work at Adams Red & White while attending school. He then worked at Cromley Ford in Saluda and Newberry for 30 years as a manager.
Strawbirdge is a retired as a Sargent Major in the South Carolina National Guard with 40 years of service. He is married, with four children and seven grandchildren that we adore. He is a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church and serves as the Chairman of its Administrative Council. He I also served six years as Chairman of the Saluda Republican Party.
With the COVID-19 social distancing requirements some precincts will be combined to allow for bigger spaces, and one will move to a larger location
Richland, Ridge Spring-Monetta and Ward precincts will vote at the Ridge Spring Civic Center.
Saluda No. 1 and No. 2 will both vote at St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Higgins-Zoar will vote at Zoar United Methodist Church.
County COVID-19
Cases Reach 219
Saluda County’s COVID-19 case total has grown to 219.
The latest DHEC report says the county had 1345 estimated cases, and 1564 possible cases. Of the county’s cases, 197 are in the are in the 29138 zip code.
Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 86; Aiken - 434; Greenwood - 526; Lexington - 2224; Newberry - 270.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Thurs., July 2, announced 1,629 new confirmed cases and 3 new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 19 additional confirmed deaths and no new probable deaths. There are currently 1,125 hospital beds occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 39,587, probable cases to 114, confirmed deaths to 777, and 7 probable deaths.
Testing in South Carolina
As of July 2, a total of 442,263 tests have been conducted in the state. See a detailed breakdown of tests in South Carolina on the Data and Projections webpage. DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory is operating extended hours and is testing specimens seven days a week, and the Public Health Laboratory’s current timeframe for providing results to health care providers is 24-48 hours.
Percent Positive Test Trends among Reported COVID-19 Cases
The total number of individuals tested yesterday statewide was 9,634 (not including antibody tests) and the percent positive was 16.9%.
50 Mobile Testing Clinics Scheduled Statewide
As part of our ongoing efforts to increase testing in underserved and rural communities across the state, DHEC is working with community partners to set up mobile testing clinics that bring testing to these communities. Currently, there are 50 mobile testing events scheduled through August 1 with new testing events added regularly. Find a mobile testing clinic event near you at scdhec.gov/covid19mobileclinics.
Residents can also get tested at one of 172 permanent COVID-19 testing facilities across the state. Visit scdhec.gov/covid19testing for more information.
Hospital Bed Occupancy
As of Thursday morning, 2,836 inpatient hospital beds are available and 7,830 are in use, which is a 73.41% statewide hospital bed utilization rate. Of the 7,830 inpatient beds currently used, 1,125 are occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.
2020-21 Budgets Passed
Council Passes
2020-2021 Budgets
Saluda County Council gave third and final readings to the School District One and County budgets at a called meeting Mon., June 22.
Public hearings were held for both budgets, but no one spoke.
The local support portion of the school district’s budget is $7,685,254, minus revenues and credits reflected on tax receipts from Property Tax Relief, Homestead Exemption, Tier 3 Property Tax Relief, and Motor Carrier for a net amount of $5,001,100 from ad valorem taxes.
The County operating budget is $13,540,024. Debt Service Bonds total $131,452, bringing the total budget to $13,671,476.
Piedmont Technical College is funded through millage.
Council had to change the total of the money to be transferred to the budget from reserve, due to lower fine collections from the Clerk of Court’s office than was originally estimated. Council added $9000 to the transfer for a total of $218,060.
Vice-Chairman Frank Daniel, and Councilmen Justin Anderson and Jones Butler were present for the meeting. Councilman Wayne Grice missed the meeting due to the serious illness of his sister, Beverly Grice, who passed away later in the week.
County COVID-19
Cases Now Top 200
Saluda County’s COVID-19 case total has grown to 203.
The lated DHEC report says the county had 1247 estimated cases, and 1450 possible cases. Of the county’s cases, 185 are in the are in the 29138 zip code.
Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 73; Aiken - 345; Greenwood - 457; Lexington - 1889; Newberry - 221.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Sun., June 28, announced 1,366 new confirmed cases and 4 new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and 5 additional confirmed deaths and zero additional probable deaths. There are currently 954 hospital beds occupied by patients who have either tested positive or are under investigation for COVID-19.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 33,221, probable cases to 99, confirmed deaths to 712, and probable deaths remains 4.
How South Carolinians Can Stop the Spread
Evidence is increasing about the high rates of infection in people who do not have symptoms and don’t know they are infectious. This places everyone at risk of getting the virus or unknowingly transmitting it to someone else. Steps we can take to protect ourselves and others include:
Practicing social distancing
Wearing a mask in public
Avoiding group gatherings
Regularly washing your hands
Staying home if sick
For the latest information related to COVID-19 visit scdhec.gov/COVID19. Visit scdmh.net for stress, anxiety and mental health resources from the S.C. Department of Mental Health.
ATTENTION SENlORS!!!
You may qualify to receive $25 worth of coupons to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from authorized farmers this summer!
HOW TO QUALIFY:
•Must be a low-income senior aged 60 or older
•Have a valid driver’s license or state issued ID (must be presented to pick up)
•Live in Saluda County
HOW TO APPLY:
If you missed the earlier deadline to apply online, please call the number below or apply in person at either location below. If you already applied online, you do NOT need to apply again.
Becky Wilson at Piedmont Agency on Aging 884-223-0164 ext. 8
Vouchers can be picked up at either location: Ridge Spring Town Hall 906 West Main street Ridge Spring, SC July 9, 2020 , 9:00am - 1:00pm. Saluda Senior Center, 403 W. Butler Avenue, Saluda, SC, July 7, 2020, 8:30am - 12:00pm
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil tights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (eg. Braille, large print, audiotape. American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
Black Lives Matter Event
CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER WALKS - Charlie Sam Daniel, 90, A longtime Saluda County civil rights leaders, walked from the Saluda Park to the Courthouse Sat morning, June 20, the Black Lives Matter event. Obie and Cory Combs walked with him. (Photo by Dibbie Shealy)
SIGNS OF THE TIMES - Participants in Saturday’s Black Lives Matter event in Sauda held signs on the Courthouse steps. (Photo by Dibbie Shealy)
SCDOT Releases Paving Projects
The S.C. Department of Transportation has released the statewide paving projects for 2020-21. Saluda County’s projects are listed above.
2020 Primaries
Incumbent Councilmen Lose
Two incumbent County Councilmen lost in the Republican Primary on Tues., June 9.
District 2 Councilman Wayne Grice fell to former Elections & Registration Chairman Jack Atkinson.
District 4 Councilman Jones Butler lost to Carey Bedenbaugh in a three-man race. Gary Therrell finished third.
Sheriff John Perry won his contest with former Chief Deputy Chris Cockrell.
Following are the results in the local races:
COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 (R): Jack At-kinson 185; Wayne Grice 162.
COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 (R): Carey Bedenbaugh 415; Jones Butler 174; Gary Therrell 157.
SHERIFF (D): John Perry 735; Chris Cockrell 394. Perry will meeting Republican Josh Price in November.
STATE SENATE DISTRICT 10 (R); Bryan Hope 516; Billy Garrett 469. Garrett won the nomination district-wide.
STATE SENATE 25 (R): Shane Massey 919; Susan Swanson 147.
STATE SENATE 26 (R): Chris Smith 41; Perry Finch 33.
In the Third District Congressional Democratic race, Mark D. Welch defeated Hosea Cleveland 582-489. Republican Jeff Duncan is the incumbent.
Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham had no problem beating his two challengers, drawing 1786 of the 2161 votes cast.
School Budget Reading Delayed
Changes at the state level caused County Council’s reading of the School District One budget scheduled for June 8 to be delayed.
In the first two readings, the District asked for the same figures as last year. Most of that was due to the legislature not taking action due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At the June 8 meeting, District One Supt. Dr. Harvey Livingston said new information received from the SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs office has cause the District to considering requesting the full increase for CPI and county growth in the 2020-21 county appropriation amounts. Based on the District calculation, a change of $133,298 will be considered for the Ad Valorem Taxes. Livingston said the Board had not met to vote on the request.
Vice-chairman Frank Daniel said with the change, the final reading will be postponed until June 22.
Council gave second reading to an ordinance that would transfer $225,000 from the county reserve fund balance to general operating fund to balance the 2020-2021 budget. Daniel said the transfer may not be needed.
Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding between the Marine Forces Special Operations Command and the county. This will allow the Marines to conduct training exercises in the county.
Bill Keisling was appointed the Midlands Fire Department’s representative on the Fire Board, and Melissa Rodgers was appointed the alternate.
County COVID-19 Now At 164
Saluda County’s COVID-19 case total has grown to 164.
The report says the county had 1007 estimated cases, and 1171 possible cases. One hundred forty-nine of the county’s cases are in the 29138 zip code.
Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 60; Aiken - 232; Greenwood - 304; Lexington - 1155; Newberry -99.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced 799 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and 1 additional death.
This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 18,795 and those who have died to 600.
How South Carolinians Can Stop the Spread
Evidence is increasing about the high rates of infection in people who do not have symptoms and don’t know they are infectious. This places everyone at risk of getting the virus or unknowingly transmitting it to someone else. Steps we can take to protect ourselves and others include:
Practicing social distancing
Wearing a mask in public
Avoiding group gatherings
Regularly washing your hands
Staying home if sick
For the latest information related to COVID-19 visit scdhec.gov/COVID19. Visit scdmh.net for stress, anxiety and mental health resources from the S.C. Department of Mental Health.