SHS Students Die In Wreck
SHS Students Die In
Single Vehicle Accident
Two Saluda High School students died and one was seriously injured in a crash in Saluda County Mon., Jan. 27.
According to Master Trooper David Jones, the accident happened on Monday evening around 10:15 on Long Road off of US 378 (Columbia Hwy.).
The driver of a 2007 Chevrolet Silversado pick-up veered off the road and hit a tree. Two of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle and the third occupant was entrapped.
Drayton Wade Black, 17, and Jaden Coleman, 16, both died at the scene of the collision, while Jaden’s brother, Kadius, received injuries and was taken to Prisma Health Richland Hospital.
Black was a senior and Jaden was a sophomore at Saluda High School.
“Our hearts go out to the families of these young men, as well as the school and our community,” Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner said,
The collision is still under investigation by the Saluda County Coroner’s Office and SC Highway Patrol.
The accident had a devastating affect on Saluda High School. Counselors and pastors and were made available Tues. morning, when students learned of the overnight tragedy.
Because Black was a member of the Saluda High baseball team and the Coleman brothers were former football plays, high school sports teams from all over SC, NC and Georgia expressed condolences on so cial media.
Television and radio personalities also sent prayers to the families.
USC Women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley wrote: “Godspeed and prayers up to all families and friends impacted.”
Saluda High’s biggest sports’ rivals, Batesburg-Leesville and Strom Thurmond, both sent flower arrangements to the school.
TV and daily newspapers covered the tragedy, especially at the spot where the accident happened and friends have made it into as place to visit and put memorials.
Funeral services for Drayton and Jaden were held Sat., Feb. 1, at the Saluda High School gymnasium. Drayton’s was at 11 a.m. and Jaden’s at 2 p.m.
Many attended both services. Both drew near capacity audiences. Kadius was released from the hospital to attend his brother’s funeral. He will go to a rehab facility to recover from his injuries.
Drayton was buried at Shiloh United Methodist Church, and Jaden’s interment was at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
A 7:30 p.m. candlelight memorial service was held for the two Sat., also at the school.
Rip Tafta, Water Treatment Superintendent for Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority, with SCWSA Manager Jason Fell.
Tafta Wins Water Treatment
Plant Operator State Award
Rip Tafta, Water Treatment Superintendent for Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority (SCWSA) won the WEASC Capital District and WEASC Statewide award as the Water Treatment Plant Operator of the Year.
There are over 1000 members to the WEASC Capital District and over 3500 members statewide.
Rip was hired as SCWSA’s WTP Superintendent 3 years ago, inspecting a Greenfield WTP being constructed. As he was apt to say, he was excited to be getting out of the construction business. Since doing so, Rip has been critical to this utility in executing its mission to become the Western Midlands Regional Water Provider. He was able to recruit 4 operators in 3 months and hold their commitment to work for several months, while the WTP took longer than anticipated to complete. He began the WTP’s start-up in the worst possible conditions. The utility’s raw water quality is typically 3 to 7 NTU. That spiked to 150 NTU because of a significant lake drawdown and repeated heavy rain events. He was able to manage these not ideal conditions and optimize the WTP’s operations.
Rip is a level 5 leader, that is he is humble, attributing his own hard work to others or good luck. At the same time, He has an intense passion for his job and is willing to whatever is necessary to see his WTP attain greatness. Rip is selfless, while others were on vacation this summer, he was at work, a lot! Because of the unfortunate need to terminate a WTP operator quickly followed up with a second operator submitting a two-week notice, an already lean WTP staff of 6 was starved when it dropped to 4. He and his chief maintenance operator covered the gap for over 4 months. Rip worked his job plus an operator’s shift to keep things going. All told, he worked untold hours as a salaried supervisor this past summer. Untold, because he’d never tell you. Rather, Rip would say he was simply looking out for his operators, making sure they weren’t overworked.
Rip is also part of WEASC’s Workforce Development Ad Hoc Committee and incoming chair for the Mid-Year Meeting. He helped sign up over 30 high school students as WEASC Capital District Members this past year. He is intent on building an internship program for his utility and working with local Guidance Counselors to explain the opportunities in our industry.
Most notably, only 8 weeks after placing his WTP into operation, Rip won SCEC’s 2019 Best Tasting Water Award. SCWSA is lucky to have Rip Tafta!
Chairman Primary Results
Strawbridge Wins Primary
Jerry Strawbrigdge won the Jan. 21 Republican Primary to fill the unexpired term of County Council Chairman, Derrick Jones, who resigned.
Stawbridge got 879 votes to challengers Wesley Boland’s 433, and Billie Corley’s 186.
Because he tallied 58.7 percent of the vote, a runoff will not be necessary, as is usually the case in a three person race.
Strawbridge will now meet Democrat Darren Horne in the Special Election on Tues., Mar. 24.
Turn-out was light, with only one precinct, Mt. Willing, topping 20 percent of voters, and that was only 21.4 percent.
Seven precincts, Del-mar, Fruit HIll, Holstons, Pleasant Cross, Ridge Spring-Monetta, Saluda No. 1 and Ward, had under ten percent turnout.
Ridge Spring-Monetta had the lowest turnout, 3.11 percent.
There was some confusion at two of the precincts. Saluda No. 2 voted at St. Paul United Church, and Saluda No. 1 voted at Riverside.
Both of these new locations, however, were listed in the legal election notice published in this newspaper.
Officers Receive Medal Of Valor
Three men with Saluda County ties were among 18 law enforcement officers from around the state to be presented the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association “Medal of Valor Award” Thurs., Jan. 23, in Columbia.
Receiving the award were: Chief Deputy Toby Horne, and Lieutenant Donovan Shealy of Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, and Special Agent Russ Padgett, SC Law Enforcement Division. All three men wee nominated by Saluda County Sheriff John Perry.
According to the descripption, “The recipients of these awards have performed actions above and beyond the call of duty; exhibited exceptional courage ... acted with unusual swiftness, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life.”
Pictured above are, L to R, Scheree and Donovan Shealy, Sheriff John Perry, Toby Horne and his daughter Ariel, Russ and Brittin Padgett. (Photo by Sgt. John Coon)
GEORGE SHAW AND JASON FELL
Shaw Receives Distribution
Operator Of Year Recognition
George Shaw, Distribution Superintendent for Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority (SCWSA) won the WEASC Capital District as the Distribution Operator of the Year Award in Lexington, on January 16th. There are over 1000 members to the WEASC Capital District.
This operator is a 59-year-old Eagle Scout. George is the last of the first for this utility. That means he is the last employee is still working that was hired at the origination of this utility. With all of the ups and downs of a start-up utility he moved his way up the rank to distribution superintendent. This business is in his blood. His grandfather designed the a nearby Water Treatment Plant. George is without question devoted to his community and seeing it improve.
George is excellent at training and teaching young operators from the ground up. He displays patience but is assertive when needed. This operator wants more than anything is to leave this utility better than he found it. The key, to him, correctly, is to pass on the institutional knowledge that he has acquired. To his manager, he is invaluable because he is the right person for the job. He doesn’t need motivating, managing or prescribing minute details of how to do his job. He is the type of person that shows up to work on his vacation days. This employee that can’t help but to seek the best and improve this utility. It is inexorably linked to his personality and his character. This operator does more with less. He is constantly evaluating what must be done. He has an extraordinary ability to fix, repair and replace with severe limitations resources. You might just want to call him MacGyver.
One example from this year, imagine what you would tell your loved ones if you had to leave the Thanksgiving table. This operator was called just after noon on Thanksgiving by the on-call operator that at major 16-inch waterline ruptured and needed to be repaired immediately. Imagine he did leave the table and then he got all the other operators to do the same. It took until 6:30 PM to fix the line break. This operator has instilled in his employees a commitment to his utility that few possess. SCWSA is lucky to have George Shaw!
Saluda Employee Recognized
TOWN EMPLOYEE RECOGNIZED - The Town of Saluda surprised longtime employee Rebecca Brunson at the Tues., Jan. 14, Council meeting. Rebecca recently became a US citizen, after an eight year effort. Mayor Amelia Herlong presented Mrs. Brunson a flag that flew over the State House, and a certificate signed by Rep. Cal Forrest and the Speaker of the House. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
Council Holds Short Meeting
The first Saluda County meeting of 2020 on Jan. 13 was a short one.
The meeting began with a public hearing on Saluda County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation plan.
Emergency Management Director Josh Morton as this is a FEMA requirement to readopt the plans every five years, and requires two public hearings, one prior to the submission of the plan, and one prior to adoption.
Assistant Emergency Management Director Jill Warren explaining the first reading on an ordinance amending the number of years in the term of an Airport Commissioner.
Ms. Warren explain commissioners should have aviation experience, and qualified commissioners are hard to find in Saluda County. The amendment would raise the length of one term to five years from the current three.
Council approved entering into a new agreement with Saluda County School District regarding emergency sheltering. Morton said this was due to changes made by the Red Cross, which originally was part of the agreement. SC Emergency Management recommended counties develop their own sheltering agreements.
A request by Rescue 1 to install a repeater system for communication on the county owned tower was tabled until the Public Safety Committee can study the plan.
Council approved Clerk of Court Sheri Coleman and Recreation Director Paul Ergle’s requests to fill already funded vacation positions on their departments.
Mrs. Coleman’s request was for the vacant deputy Circuit Court Clerk position, and Ergles’ was for a part-time assistant for the youth baseball season.
Council approved Councilman Wayne Grice’s appointment of Jeffery B. Forrest to the Tax Appeals Board, Vice-Chairman Frank Daniel’s appointment of Jay Crouch as the Hollywood alternate on the Fire Board, Councilman Justin Anderson’s re-appointment of George S. Todd to the Planning Commission, and Councilman Jones Butler’s re-appointment of Kristi H. Ackerman to the Saluda Nursing Center Board.
New Library Director Heath Ward with his wife and daughter.
Heath Ward Named
County Library Director
The Saluda County Public Library welcomes its new director, Heath Ward.
Mr. Ward has 10 years of experience in public libraries, working in Spartanburg County and Pickens County. He received his undergraduate degree in Christian Studies from North Greenville University and his Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of South Carolina.
Heath grew up in Hen-dersonville, North Carolina, but moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina after marrying his wife in 2005. In his spare time, he likes to read, work in his woodshop, go kayak fishing, put on firework displays as a professional pyrotechnic and spend time with his wife and daughter.
“It has been a privilege to work in public libraries for the past 10 years and I am honored that the Library Board has given me the opportunity to serve the wonderful Citizens of Saluda County as the new Saluda County Library Director.
I look forward to working with the board, staff and community leaders in Saluda County. Also, if anyone has information about the family of Clinton Ward (founder of the Town of Ward) I am trying to discover if my family is related.”
2020 Chairman Prinary
Sorry, readers. I realized Saturday morning I had forgotten to post this week’s webpage. Old age.... Ralph
County Council Chairman
Primary Tuesday, January 21
The Republican Primary to elect a nominee for Saluda County Council Chairman will be held Tues., Jan. 21.
The special primary was made necessary by the resignation of County Council Chairman Derrick Jones.
Three men have filed was Republican candidates. The winner will face Democrat Darren Horne on March 24.
Wesley Boland, Billie Corley and Jerry Stanfield are seeking the position.
Boland, a Saluda business owner, is the son of the late Linda Boland, who served many years on County Council.
Like Boland, Corley is a Saluda County native. He was worked for Saluda County for 21 years. currently heading the Road and Bridge Department.
Strawbridge retired from the National Guard as a Sgt.Major, after serving 40 years. He is also a former Saluda County Republican Party Chairman.
“Being a small business owner for over 10 years at B&B Trade & Gun on Main Street in downtown Saluda, I have learned and experienced the intricacies of how taxes and fees affect the every-day citizen of our county,” Boland said.
“This is a pivotal time to bring change. In order to tackle and overcome the financial woes our beautiful county is facing, I believe that ‘We the People’ of Saluda County need to work together as a team. I am positive that our unity, hard work and due diligence will create solutions, and we will persevere. I look forward to listening to all thoughts and concerns and working with our community members for the best possible approach for our people. You will be heard! “
“It is quite obvious that Saluda County has a need, Corley said.
“The financial condition is in disarray. Several quick fixes have been suggested but as of now no real answers have come forward. I feel that a long term solution needs to be found and implemented. Having been a Saluda County employee and department head for the last 21 years, I am quite aware of the budget process and the practice of staying within that budget. I’m not a politician, but I feel that by using common sense and working together we can get it done.’
“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,’ Strwbridge said.. “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. With support from SCWSA’s board and staff, there are plans within the next year to expand infrastructure lines around the County and to a construct a Wastewater Treatment Plant to support all of Saluda County. This was a team effort that I was lucky to be a part of. It provided me with valuable experience and lessons that will draw from in working toward Saluda County’s turnaround. “
With three candidate running, there is a likelihood of a run-off on Feb. 4.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
2019 Saluda County
Firefighter of the Year
Tanner Quattlebaum, Saluda Fire Department, was named the 2019 Saluda County Firefighter of the Year at the annual dinner hosted by the Saluda Fire Department on January 6, 2020.
Since joining the fire department in October 2009, Tanner has proven to be a respectable young man. His character and personality speaks for itself in that he takes responsibility to ensure that he does all he can to be successful as a member of the Saluda Fire Department and as a citizen of our fire community. He succeeded in Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II. He is a Fire Instructor I Basic EMT, OSHA certified fire fighter, pump ops, Hazmat and many more classes, too many to mention.
When he was at Clemson University, he was on the Clemson Fire Department as a fire fighter and EMT until he graduated.
He is a Lieutenant with the Saluda Fire Department, training officer and Fire Board Representative for the Saluda Fire Department.
Tanner is pictured being presented the award by the State Farm-Kelly White Agency Team. Pictured form left to right are: John White, Kelly White, Tanner Quattlebaum and Mitzi Durst. Also part of the White Agency team are Sherri Ward and Laura Corley, who were unable to attend the dinner.
Congratulations Tanner and thanks to all volunteer firefighters for their time and service.
SHS Tigers
Honored
Players and Coach Stewart Young from the State Champion Saluda Tigers have received recent recognition.
Quarterback Noah Bell was named the Co-offensive Player of the Game in Saturday’s Border Bowl in Augusta. Bell completed 13 of 16 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns in leading S.C. to a 23-20 come from behind win over Georgia.
A week earlier Bell was named the 2A Player of the Year by the ‘High School Sports Report.”
Bell’s teammates were also honored. Receiver Dallan Wright was named 2A’s Offensive Player of the Year, and Reagan Cherry was named Defensive Player of the year.
Young was named the 2A Coach of the Year.
Tigers named 2A All State were receiver Jervon Whitt, and linebackers Jacob McCary and Hayden Cherry.
Ridge Spring-Monetta had three players named 1A All-State, running back Collier Sullivan, defensive lineman Tray Dean and linebacker Nemo Brooks.