Accident
Two Die In Head-on Collision
Two people lost their lives Sunday afternoon, April 30, in a head-on collision on the Greenwood Highway.
According to Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner, Evan Blair Campbell, 18, of Greenwood and Lexie Turner Rodgers, 66, of Ninety Six were both pronounced dead on the scene.
Cpl. Bill Rhyne of the S.C. Highway Patrol said the accident happened at approximately 4:10 p.m. on U.S. Highway 178, near Fruit Hill Road, six miles from Saluda.
A 1997 Nissan Altima, driven by Campbell, was traveling east when it crossed the centerline into the path of a 2004 Ford Econoline van driven by Mrs. Rodgers. Both victims were wearing seatbelts.
Campbell was just a few weeks away from graduating from Greenwood Christian Academy. Mrs. Turner was a former employee at Saluda Nursing Center.
Turner and Chief Deputy Randy Simmons would like to thank The Mayson Fire Department, Saluda County EMS, Saluda County Dispatch, and the SC Highway Patrol for all their help.
Community Concerned With Park Plans
African American citizens in Saluda are upset with the condition of Brooks and Roston Park on East End Drive off Bauknight Ferry Road.
A suggestion was made to County County to move the softball field from Brooks and Roston to the Recreation Complex.
This idea has upset the community, and Almastine Butler wrote the following letter:
“I am writing to tell your readers and the entire Saluda County the concerns and the deliberate discrimination of the African American Community when it involves who we are and what we have. As some know and some don’t Brooks and Roston Park, “The Field” has been on East End Drive off Bouknight Ferry Road since 1971. This is an area that is cherished and honored by the people that live in and around the area.
“The Field” has been Saluda’s Big Bang for many years, being the home of Sunday Adult League Softball Games. The field is the only kid and family friendly park that has swings, sliding boards, picnic tables, basketball courts and a softball field. However, within the recent months that has all been changed. For the last few months the park was blocked off by rope and cones that you couldn’t even step foot on the property or we would be trespassing.
The park was reopened with a larger problem at hand after the trespassing was removed. The electricity had been disconnected, the water has been disconnected as well as the bathroom and concession stand where the water fountain existed have been removed. The amount of care that Saluda has for the African American Community doesn’t exist.
With much controversy about Brooks and Roston Park the concerned citizens took it upon themselves to meet and bring forth information to others in the community of the happenings and the unexpected and unwanted changes to the park and to the community.
Concerned citizens met on Sunday, April 30, 2017 to discuss their concerns and to take action. According to Google, it’s approximately 4.4 miles from East End Drive to the Recreation Field on Highway 178. There are approximately 50-60 kids from one end to the other of Bouknight Ferry Road alone. Why should the kids have to find a ride or wait for someone to pick them up when a park is right in the vicinity?
Yes, there is some legal issues that are at hand, but in the end the African American Community is still coming up short. As of now, Saluda County claims that they are the owners of the Brooks and Roston Park. On April 14,2017 pictures of the landscaping work for the Saluda Recreation Department were posted to Social Media by the Saluda County Recreation Director, Paul Ergle, who would also be in charge of Brooks and Roston if it was owned by the county. His picture showed the grass cut, trash cleaned up and not a single child playing. In addition, his hashtag was “#wedonttakedaysoff.”
However, on April 30, 2017 at 6:52pm I went to Brooks and Roston there were 15-20 guys playing basketball on an unsurfaced basketball court, the grass in the softball field is grown up. Looks like the ten acres will be regrown inside the field instead of outside and there were two little girls which had to be under the age of 5 that were playing on the sliding boards where the grass is also grown up.
What makes the Saluda Recreation Field more important than Brooks and Roston Park if they are all County facilities? These are a small few of the concerns we have. Yet, this is why we have the concerns. I can only commiserate with others who are irate with the treatment and the thoughts of the change!”
(Recreation Director Paul Ergle and/ or County Council will be given the opportunity to respond to this in next week’s issue)
Burton Named Anderson
Male Athlete of Year
ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University women’s cross country and track standout Haylee Love and men’s track standout Christopher Burton, a Saluda High graduate, were honored as the Female and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, at AU Athletics’ Senior Awards Banquet Tuesday evening at the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center.
Love, a junior, became the first Trojan cross country runner to qualify for the NCAA National Championships since former All-American Whitney Bishoff earned back-to-back appearances in 2008 and 2009 and again during the 2011 campaign. She is also the first Anderson student-athlete to make an appearance at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships since Bishoff qualified for the 2011 NCAA Championships. Love was one of only two women’s competitors from the South Atlantic Conference to compete in the championships.
She earned Second-Team All-South Atlantic Conference honors this season in both cross country and track, while capturing All-Southeast Region accolades in cross country. The Lexington, S.C., native set a school record when she won the mile run at Clemson’s Last Chance Meet in mid-February and was named to the AFCU Gold Standard last November.
Burton owns the second-fastest time in the 200 meter dash in the NCAA-Division II ranks this season, while qualifying for next month’s NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and earlier posted a provisional qualifying time in the 100 meter dash. He brought home first place in the 100 meter and 200 meter dash at both the Emory Classic and the Montreat Invitational last month.
A native of Johnston, S.C., Burton earned back-to-back AstroTurf SAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week honors earlier this month and captured First-Team All-Conference honors when he won the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash at the South Atlantic Conference Championships in record time.
Library Staff
From left to right: Sarah Johnson, Geri Martin, and Lisa Lyon
Staff News from Saluda County Library
Changes have taken place recently in staffing of the Saluda County Library.
These include:
Following 12 years of exemplary service, Library Assistant Sandra McAlister, has retired. Geri Martin is promoted to the position of Library Assistant. New staff members include Lisa Lyon, Director, and Sarah Johnson, Library Aide.
Lisa Lyon comes to Saluda from Tryon, NC where she served as director of the Lanier Library. Her past positions include many years working with children and young adults in the public library systems of Spartanburg and Laurens counties. Lisa earned her Master of Library Science degree from NCCU in Durham, North Carolina. As the library’s new director, she will focus on supporting early literacy, strengthening community partnerships, and continuing with existing plans for expansion of the library building.
Sarah Johnson is a former sheriff’s deputy who holds a B.S. in Criminology from NC State who moved to the area four years ago from Florence, SC. Her introduction to the library began when she attended story time with her young son. She is responsible for running the circulation desk at the Saluda location, and helping to promote the library through social media. Sarah enjoys reading and crafts, and is interested in starting a knitting group at the library.
Geri Martin has been with the library for four years and is the new Library Assistant. She will provide cataloging and technical services to help build and maintain the libraries collections, in addition to assisting with special projects. Geri is a painter, and likes to read non-fiction. She plans to develop more programs that celebrate art in our community.
The Saluda County Library staff is committed to the library’s mission: providing equal access to technology and informational materials to all citizens, encouraging a lifelong interest in learning and reading, and working with other county agencies to inform and promote a strong community. The library works towards the fulfillment of these goals by providing accurate, useful information, materials, and services to all citizens of Saluda County.
Tri-County Teacher Forum
Holds 1st Annual “Chat N Chew”
Members of the Tri-County Teacher Forum, made up of Teachers of the Year from Saluda, Edgefield, and Batesburg-Leesville school districts, held their first annual “Chat N Chew” with their Superintendent’s and invited guests- local Legislators, and guest speaker State Superintendent, Molly Spearman at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School on July 19th.
Teacher Forum membership is made up of the current school teachers of the year and immediate past school teachers of the year, along with a district liaison. The purpose of a Teacher Forum is to give recognition to school teachers of the year, to develop teacher leadership among this outstanding group, to give the teachers a voice in educational issues that face teachers today at all levels, and to impact the professional development of other teachers by encouraging its members to facilitate the development of leadership skills among their peers.
The idea of a Tri-County Teacher Forum was formulated through collaboration of the three counties in providing professional development to teachers of the year while recognizing and developing their roles of leadership. The “Chat N Chew” event was just one way to serve as a way for teachers to have a voice in educational issues. The event was coordinated by Dr. Ann Marie Taylor- Edgefield, Mary Alice Quattlebaum- Saluda, and Judy Turner-Fox, Lexington 3, district liaisons for the Tri-County Teacher Forum.
Superintendent Molly Spearman addressed the Forum sharing the importance of celebrating the profession and leading the way towards excellence in education. Her focus was on the changes and challenges that educator’s face today. She gave helpful suggestions on how teachers can advocate for their profession.
Representative Cal Forrest and Representative Bill Clyburn were in attendance and provided information and updates on current bills that were recently passed by the House and is currently up for discussion in the Senate. Both Legislators praised the work that is being done through the leadership of Superintendent Molly Spearman and through the hard work of local districts and schools. “It’s all about the children, and what is best for them” they said.
The Tri-County Forum is appreciative of everyone who attended the event, especially our Legislators and Superintendent Molly Spearman who took time out of their busy schedule to show their support and give encouragement to our teachers.
AMANDA CROUCH
SHS Teacher Gets
State Honor
Saluda High School teacher, Mrs. Amanda Crouch was selected as the South Carolina Association of Agricultural Educators (SCAAE) Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
The award recognizes leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness, and professional activities. Outstanding agricultural educators are innovators and catalysts for student success in agricultural education.
Mrs. Crouch will go on to compete next at the national level, and the winner will be announced this summer. The District extends its congratulations to Mrs. Crouch!
Special Olympics
Project To Remember County
Soldiers Who Died In War
Ben Ward, a member of Saluda American Legion Post 65, has begun a project to put stories behind the names listed on the Saluda County memorial to the soldiers from here who died in war.
Ward would like to know more about the heroes, and would like to interview relatives. He would also like to collect photos of the soldiers.
If you would like to share stories about your relative from Saluda County who died in a war, you may email Ward at bac2boots@gmail. com.
For Our 99 and
Those Like Them
BY BEN WARD
Small towns across our nation each have their unique qualities, yet they have some common traits as well, especially the county seats.
Drive through most any small town county seats in Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia and our fair State of South Carolina, and you will find the Courthouse. Along with the courthouse generally there are various county and town government buildings, usually in close proximity to the town square or courthouse complex. Tucked away somewhere close by you will also find aa often ignored memorial of some sort. It will be dedicated to the memory of those resident citizens who put on the nation’s uniform, went away to some foreign land and were never seen again walking their hometown streets.
In this Saluda is no different. We have one monument on the courthouse lawn, where people travelling though town on Main Street can see it. There are 99 names on it, going back to the Spanish American War all the way up to Vietnam. Five wars, all thankfully fought somewhere else.
Some of you may have known some of those men, although it’s closing in on 42 years since the end of the last war enumerated on the monument.
Every one of those names on every one of those monuments spread across the nation represents a life, each with their own unique traits and some common ones to the story of all Americans. They may have been rich or poor, well thought of or despised. They may have been fathers, husbands, sons. However, the one aspect common to each name is at some point their life’s journey here on Earth came to an abrupt end and they sacrificed ALL of their tomorrows for YOUR today.
Being a son of a career enlisted Navy sailor I was exposed from earliest childhood to Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen who were sent into harm’s way and lived to tell about it, if they talked about it at all, which most of them did not. With the passing of the years each one of them I knew personally has gone on to their final rest.
They did not wear a cape and leap tall buildings in a single bound. They were just men, imperfect and flawed in their own way and I admired them for what they had done. The few that did say anything about their time “over there” to a man said they were not heroes. They said the heroes were the ones they knew who came home in a box, if they came home at all.
As a former soldier and combat veteran, I feel a certain awe that I’m able to stand in front of our monument and ponder what chance of fate prevented my name from being added to the list etched in stone, albeit under a title of a different war.
Since my return from a more recent combat zone I have come across others of my brothers in arms from the same theater of operations. As we share experiences, many times there is that momentary pause and that face while recalling the close calls or loss of a comrade whose name will be etched on some possible monument in the future.
When military people gather at unit functions, reunions or just at the regular watering hole there is a traditional toast of “ Absent Companions.”
Glasses are drained and turned upside down on the table. It’s our tribute we give to honor the memory of those fallen troops who were a part of our lives and mourn their sudden and often violent departure from us. It’s also in memory of the ones who have reported for duty in that land from where no one returns since the last time we gathered.
This holiday we call Memorial Day is set aside to honor those whose names appear on those monuments and those who are still MIA (missing in action). Perhaps you will take a few moments during the holiday and ponder the names and what they sacrificed.
Absent Companions...
Tornado
WELL KNOWN SILO DAMAGED - One well known landmark was damaged by the tornado that came through the Ridge area of Saluda County on Wed., April 6. The top of the 75-foot tall silo featuring a huge tiger paw on the O.T. Price farm was destroyed. Also damaged on the Ridge Spring Hwy. 39 farm was a 400 foot shed, and a hay barn. Tracy Price and his two daughters were in their house, located behind the silo, when the tornado hit. The house sustained some water damage. “It was rather unnerving,” Price said. (Photo by Tracy Price)
Tornado In County Confirmed
A tornado did damage in the Ridge section of Saluda County Wed., April 5.
“The National Weather Service did confirm last Thursday that we did have an EF2 tornado impact Saluda County on Wednesday of last week,” Saluda County Emegency Management Director Josh Morton said.
“The tornado damage began east of Johnston and continued northeast through Ward before dissipating northwest of Ridge Spring off Murphy Farm Road. There was a great deal of damaged and uprooted trees, as well as damage to multiple homes and vehicles.
“We were very fortunate in that we did not have any injuries or fatalities attributed directly to the tornado.”
“The last tornado on record for Saluda County was also an EF2 that tracked between Ward and Monetta on March 15, 2008,” Morton said.
Budget Process Begins
Saluda County Council began the 2017-18 budget process Mon., April 10, by giving first readings to the school and county budgets.
The local portion of the Saluda County School’s $17,642,762 budget is $4,113,933. This is up $246,821 from last year.
The county budget currently stands at $12,894,092. The difference between revenue and expenditures is $1,709,359.
Two more readings are required before the budgets become final.
Council gave third and final approval to an ordinance to execute a quit claim deed on the old Emory School House.
Emory Community Club president Becky Clamp said the county gave the school building to the community club 40 years ago, but at that time the Club was not incorporated and did not have non-profit status. The Club has now met those conditions.
Second reading was given to an ordinance lowering the rental rates of the hangars at the Saluda County Airport.
First reading was given to an ordinance to enable the Coroner’s office to charge a fee for a cremation permit.
The Fair Housing Month resolution was approved, and Council accepted a revised purchasing policy for Saluda County.
Council approved Grant Coordinator Jill Warren’s applying for a Weyerhauser Giving Fund Request for EMS. The grant will purchase three Stair-Pro chairs for $10,000. The chair assists with patient handling in stairways or in confined spaces.
At the beginning of the meeting, Councilman Frank Daniel expressed his appreciation to all who helped when the tornado came through his district last week. Daniel singled out SCE&G, DOT, volunteer church groups, public volunteers, the Road and Bridge Department and the Sheriff’s Office.
“We are thankful we all made it through,” Daniel said.
Councilman Jones Butler and Councilwoman Gwen Shealy also expressed appreciation to the emergency workers.
Councilman D.J. Miller thanked all those who called him last month, explaining the importance of the Brooks & Roston Park to the neighborhood.
Chairman Don Hancock also praised emergency workers, also expressed appreciation to EMS, detailing how he had to call an ambulance for the first time in his life last week due to a medical emergency. He said he observed first hand the professionalism of the service, and single out staff members Derrick and Morico, who answered the call.
Hancock also praised Recreation Director Paul Ergle for his work. He said 400 youth are participating in Rec spring sports.
National Telecommunications Week April 9-15TH
National Telecommunications Week is celebrated throughout the month of April. Saluda County Sheriff John Perry is declaring Saluda County’s Telecommunications Week April 9-15th. This week is set aside to honor and recognize the dispatchers, heroes behind-the-scences, of the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office. The telecommunicators of Saluda County are responsible for dispatching for the SAluda County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, Fire Departments, Saluda Police Department, Ridge Spring Police Department, and the Coroner. The citizens of Saluda County depend on the expertise, skills, and commitment of our telecommunicators to answer emergency calls, dispatch emergency responders and equipment, and provide moral support to citizens in distress. We encourage the public to take this week to say thank you to the Saluda County Dispatchers.
Pictured left to right back row- Ashley Turner (Telecommunicators Coordinator) Carrie Caldwell, Brenda Teague, Amanda Vereen, Tiffany Weed, Sheena Rodgers, Brody Edwards, Roger Bush (assistant Telecommunicators Coordinator) Pictured Left To Right In Front Row- Kanika Brooks, Gloria Tejeda, Charisse Bates, Kade Rodgers.