Happy Thanksgiving 2020

Council  Hears Of
New EMT Class

A new program that will allow high school students and the general public to take EMT classes free of charge was announced at the Nov. 9 meeting of Saluda County Council.
  EMS Director Jacob Starnes said the program is a cooperative effort between the county EMS department, Piedmont Tech, Saluda High School and the Charlie Foundation.
  Students at Saluda High School can take the training through the dual enrollment program at Piedmont Tech. When successfully completing the training, students can get a job as an EMT after high school graduation. The program will also be offered to students at Batesburg-Leesville High School through at reciprocal agreement between B&L and Saluda High. SHS students can currently take the firefighter training offered at B&L.
  Members of the general public an also take the training free of charge at the Saluda campus of Piedmont Tech. Credits from the program can also be used for students seeking a R.N. degree.
  Starnes said the course will begin in the spring semester.
  Council members praised the program.
  At the beginning of the meeting, Chairman Jerry Strawbridge read a letter from Jason Price, chairman of the Saluda County Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Price wanted the Council to know that Saluda County, 39th in size in the state, ranked 4th in the state for environmental contracts. Price praised the work of the local staff, and thanked the county for its cooperation through the years.
  Public hearings were held on two ordinances associated with Mayson Solar, LLC, previously identified as Project Mayson. The first involves a fee in lieu of tax, and the second involves establishing a joint county industrial park concerning Mayson with Edgefield. Both ordinances passed on the second reading.
  Third reading approval was given to an ordinance on parliamentary procedures.
  A resolution recognizing Billie Corley on his retirement was approved. Corley began work as an operator with the Road and Bridge Department 21 years ago, and rose to become the department’s superintendent.
  Fire Service Coordinator Josh Morton was given permission to advertise a RFP for companies to conduct annual physicals for fire service and EMS personnel.
  Three employees were appointed to the Employee Grievance Committee.
  The second reading on the ordinance removing the vehicle fees will come up at the next meeting, following the days required between readings rule.

Body Indentified At Lake

  A body found in Lake Murray this weekend was identified as a Lexington County man, the Saluda County Coroner’s Office said Sunday.
  On Saturday afternoon, a passing boater saw Daniel G. Watts near his capsized kayak, Deputy Coroner Angie Rita said in a news release.
  The 79-year-old’s body was found on the shoreline of Lake Murray near Black’s Bridge in Saluda County, according to the release. That’s where the Saluda River passes under S.C. 391.
  A cause of death has not been determined, but an autopsy is scheduled for this week, Rita said. In addition to the coroner’s office, the death is being investigated by the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office and the  South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
  The coroner’s office said it “extends its deepest sympathies” to Watts’ family.

Trebek Connection

TREBEK’S SALUDA CONNECTION - Americans mourned the passing of legendary “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek last week, but did you know he had a Saluda connection? Rev. Bonnie Miles was looking at a website celebrating Trebek’s life and came across the above photo. The picture had the following cutline: “Jason Borschow of San Juan, P.R., left, reacts after missing a question during the 1999 National Geography Bee, Wednesday, May 26, 1999 at the National Geographic Society in Washington. Host Alex Trebek is at center and eventual winner David Beihl of Saluda, S.C. is at right. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)”

DISTRICT 17 MEETING - Pictured left to right:  Tom Hendrix, Commander Post 133; Robin Rucker, 2nd Vice Commander Post 156; James Thrailkill, District 17 Commander Post 133; Suzy Spurgeon,  Commander Post 24; Ron Price, 1st Vice Department Commander Post 71; William Holecek, Service Officer Post 65; John Hood, Commander Post 65; Al Butler, 1st Vice Commander Post 65; Keith Lester, Sergeant- At- Arms Post 65; David Rucker, Sons of American LegionCommander Post 156. Saluda Post 65  hosted the South Carolina District 17 meeting, Saturday, November 7.  Covid -19 has affected just about every church, service club and the American Legion is no exception. Working around Covid has and is  a challenge for everyone. One of the big announcements for Legion Post 65 is the 2021 American Legion Rifle Raffle that begins on 1/1/21. This is the link to the rifle raffle rules. https://scarolinalegion.org/view/document/2021_rr_list_of_rules.pdf and this is  the link to the rifles. https://scarolinalegion.org/view/document/2021_list_of_rifles.pdf One Rifle will be given away for 52 days according to the rifle schedule. A one time purchase  of $25 buys 52 chances to win a quality fire arm. This is a fundraiser for the South Carolina Department of American Legion and Legion Post. This ticket is an excellent opportunity for a Christmas present.  Post 65’s  next meeting will be December 3, beginning at 7 pm at the Legion building , 108 South Rudolph Street.  Please be aware we are following  Saluda County’s  pandemic protocol’s. Spacing 6 feet and wearing mask .The December 3 meeting will be our annual Christmas event. Cost will be $10 per person. Menu will be chicken breast with cream sauce, sweet potato casserole, sweet peas, roll, fruit cup, tea or water.

The Christmas Craft Show

Due to the Pandemic, the annual Christmas Craft Show at the Saluda National Guard Armory has been canceled. We hope to see everyone next year.

Operation Christmas Child

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes will be November 16-23, 2020. Once again, we will have collection at St. Paul United Methodist Church every night that week from 5:30-7:30 P.M.  Sunday night.

Saluda CPW Sewer Collection System Project

  The Saluda Commission of Public Works has commenced with a  rehabilitation project of the town’s sanitary sewer system. Construction will continue through July 2021.
  Contractors will be working along roadways and may be accessing sewers on resident’s property. Traffic control will be provided. Contractors or town personnel will attempt to notify property owners before construction begins in the home-owner’s neighborhood. Properties will generally be returned to like condition.
  Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have questions or concerns during this project, please call the Saluda Commission of Public Works office at 864-445-2020.

Price elected

Price Elected Sheriff

  Saluda Police Department investigator Josh Price was elected Saluda County Sheriff in the Tues., Nov. 3, General Election.
  Price defeated two term Democratic Sheriff John Perry, 5182-4036.
  Another long-time incumbent, Sen. Floyd Nicholson, a Democrat, was defeated by Republican Billy Garrett districtwide in District 10. In Saluda County, Garrett won 2608-1795.
  In another Saluda County race, Jeffrey Jordan was elected to the Saluda  District One School Board Seat 3 over Trey Fingerlin by a vote of 834-574.
  President Donald Trump easily defeated Joe Biden in the county 6179-2948. Sen. Lindsay Graham defeated Democrat Jaime Harrison by almost the same margin, 6076-3008.
    Other contested races in the county had the following results:
  AIKEN SCHOOL BOARD - Samuretta Muldrow 163; Sandra Shealey 631.
  LEXINGTON 3 SCHOOL BOARD -  Sonya Cary 570; Craig Caughman 564; Stacey Derrick 612; Leon Drafts 573;
  THIRD DISTRICT CONGRESS - Congressman Jeff Duncan 6345; Hosea Cleveland 2829.
  STATE SENATE 25 - Shane Massey 3344; Shirley Fayson 874.
  STATE SENATE 26 -  Chris Smith 198; Nikki Setzler 362.
  LEXINGTON DISTRICT 3 BUILDING REFERENDUM - Question 1 - Yes 456, No 344; Question 2 - Yes 444, No 458.
  Candidates running unopposed received the following votes:
  District 39 Rep. Cal Forrest 6483; District 82 Rep. Bill Clyburn 987; Solicitor Rick Hubbard 7150; Probate Judge
Brenda Griffith 7283; Clerk of Court Sheri Coleman 7291; Coroner Keith Turner 7361; County Council District 2 Jack Atkinson 1056; County Council District 4 Carey Bedenbaugh 2371.
  Soil and Water District Commission Kevin Yon 6293; District One School Board Seat 1 Sharon Williams Holloway 654,  District One School Board Seat 5 James M. Holloway 348,  District One School Board Seat 7 Arlene Puryear 1090.
Saluda Town Council Ward 2 Obie Combs 181; Saluda Town Council Ward 4 John Griffith 206, Saluda Commissioner of Public Works Motte J. Yarbrough 651
  Voter turnout  was 74.22 percent, with 9335 of the county’s 12,577 registered voters casting ballots.

Body of Missing Lexington
County Man Found

  The  body of a missing Lexington County man has been county
  Tucker Roundtree Morris (age 26) was last seen at his workplace at SC Pet Food Solutions in Ward, SC on Monday, October 26th, as earlier reported by Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.  
  Unfortunately he was discovered on Monday, November 2nd around 5:30 PM by a local hunter in a heavily wooded area near SC Pet Food Solutions, off Duncan Road in Saluda County.  
  An autopsy was performed on Tuesday by Newberry Pathology Group, as a result  foul play has been ruled out in the death of Mr. Morris.
   The case remains under investigation by the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County Coroner’s Office and SLED.
  The Coroner’s Office expressed sympathy  to the family and friends of Tucker.

FROM THE CHAIRMAN’S DESK

 By Jerry Strawbridge

  I want just a moment to pass along a little information. On Thursday, November 5, the County Council passed the 1st reading of an ordinance to REPEAL the vehicle road fee. We will have 2nd and 3rd readings within the next five weeks. Stay tuned.
  Since that fee was imposed last year, I have been digging into the County’s finances and l felt that the County could pay its bills without the fee. I believe we should live within our means. We do that as private citizens everyday. We have many challenges ahead of us, but, with common sense and conservative ideas, we can meet our obligations without asking you to pay more at this time.
  Just a follow-up to the entrance into the Commerce Park. The last part of that project was to put a waterline into the park. What no one knew was that a water line was already on Bouknight Ferry Rd. and a connection into the park area should be done by a potential business that wanted to set up their business. That would have cost us $96,000. We stopped that waterline from being installed.
  We have several opportunities before us regarding economic development. As soon as positive commitment is available, we will pass that information to you. Hopefully in the near future we will pass along information about potential job opportunities available in the area.