Budget Process Continues

Budget Process Continues

  Saluda County Council continued the 2018-19 budget process Mon., May 14, by giving second readings to the school and county budgets.
  The local portion of the Saluda County School’s $18,293,713 budget is $4,529,700.
  The county budget currently stands at $14,357,725.06. The difference between revenue and expenditures is $2,759,208.
  After no one spoke at the public hearings, Council gave final reading to two ordinances concerning flood damage prevention. One repealed a section on the old ordinance, and the other put new wording in.
  Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority General Manager Jason Fell made two requests. The first was for an easement which would allow the WSA to reach a portion of the sewer line it owns for use in emergency situations.
  The second was for the purchase of up to 20 acres of land the county owns near the Saluda CPW wastewater treatment plant to build a WSA wastewater treatment plant.
  This will allow the WSA to increase capacity for future economic development and eliminate the need to send sewerage to out of county treatment plants, which Fell said is expensive.
  Fell said the WSA and CPW could work together in the future.
  Fell said WSA would like to get an answer as soon as possible.
  Chairman Derrick Jones said council would need to get legal advise  on a possible sale of the property if  it decides to go that way, and if the sale is approved, it would require three readings of an ordinance.
  A project the paint the stairwells at the Courthouse was defeated.
  Councilman DJ Miller said he didn’t feel it would be right for the Council to approve a spending project, when it has asked all departments to put a freeze on spending.
  Regina Turner, finance specialist, was asked if the $8800 project could wait until the beginning of the fiscal years and if the $3795 from the Clerk of Court’s DSS Court funds which would go toward the project would still be available. Ms. Turner said the project could wait, and Clerk of Court Sheri Coleman said the funds would still be available.
  Council approved Emergency Management Director Josh Morton’s request to supply data to GPS providers free of charge. Morton said this will help get the county’s GPS information correct.
  As one example of incorrect GPS, Morton said people seeking Law Enforcement Drive off the Batesburg Hwy. get sent through The Heights in the Town of Saluda. He said one lady in the neighborhood during last year’s Tractor Pull handed our maps and water to lost travelers.
  The county had previously charged for the information, but Morton felt more companies will request Saluda County’s information if it is offered at no charge.
  Council approved this.
  Council also approved developing a request for proposal for the renewal of the contract for the monitoring and maintenance of the county’s access control and alarm systems.
  A hiring freeze on non-emergent positions was approved in the final segment under new business.

 
Customer’s Home Now Safer and More Energy
Efficient after Visit from SCE&G Volunteers

  Cayce, S.C. (May 9, 2018) – Clementine Mobley is a Saluda resident who has been an SCE&G customer for 50 years. Yesterday, SCE&G employee volunteers weatherized her home with help from GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission, Inc. and the South Carolina Department of Administration’s Office of Economic Opportunity. 
  “Weatherization projects give us the opportunity to coordinate our efforts to help customers in need,” said Sam Dozier, SCE&G vice president of customer service. “Though we participate in projects year-round, it’s fitting that today’s falls within Community Action Month, a time when we celebrate all that community agencies do to better the lives of so many people and families. Our employees appreciate every opportunity to serve the community, and we are proud to participate in today’s project with our community partners to assist Ms. Mobley.”
  SCE&G volunteers completed several tasks to make Mobley’s home safer and more energy efficient. This includes replacing and painting the crawl space door; vacuuming and sealing supply ducts and returns; installing new filter grills, floor insulation, smoke detectors, carbon dioxide monitors and pressure relief piping; repairing and patching holes in walls; sealing cracks around ceilings and floors; and fixing improper venting.
  For more information about energy assistance and weatherization, visit www.sceg.com/assistance.

Boy Scouts Retire Flags

Boy Scouts of America Troop 31 retired a large number of United States Flags that we love and cherish at a recent flag retirement ceremony conducted at Troop 31’s Scout Hut.  The flag retirement is a way to retire US Flags that are worn, torn, faded, badly soiled or otherwise unfit for service with tribute, memory and love befitting our nation’s flag. The solemn and patriotic ceremony was carried out by the Scouts, under the direction of Scout Master Ansel Price and Ricky Bailey, Assistant Scout Master. If you have flags that need to be retired, please hand them off to a scout or Cromley’s Ford in Saluda.  Commander Al Butler, American Legion Post 65 was given the honor of retiring the first flag, followed by other Legionaries, followed by Troop 31. The Scout Motto is: BE PREPARED. Pictured: Kneeling: Kenneth Way & Richard Adams. Standing left to right: Carson Rodgers, Sebastian Howard, Christian Bailey, Luke Taylor, James Moore, Chase Doubrava, Chardarious Abney, Levi Price.

Top PTC Award

PTC President’s Award winner Tina Magnussen of Saluda and PTC President Ray Brooks

Piedmont Technical College

Student Honored for Excellence

  As the days grow warmer and students prepare for graduation or ascension, the presentation of formal accolades commences. Piedmont Technical College (PTC) recently honored the achievements of more than 40 conscientious student leaders at its 44th Annual Student Awards and Recognition Program.
  PTC President Dr. Ray Brooks welcomed students, faculty, staff, friends and family members to the ceremony on April 25 at the James Medford Family Event Center in Greenwood. David Rosenbaum, associate dean of students, than asked PTC’s Presidential Ambassadors to rise and be recognized for their invaluable leadership over the current academic year.
President’s Award
  Dr. Brooks presented PTC’s most prestigious honor, the President’s Award, to Tina Magnussen of Saluda, an associate degree nursing student who is graduating this year. A volunteer firefighter, Magnussen’s “first career” was working in law enforcement. After helping deliver more than one baby, she became interested in health care. She plans to begin pursuing a bachelor’s in nursing this fall while gaining work experience at a local health care facility. Her ultimate goal is to work in critical care nursing.

GRADY LEE CLARK

Memorial Day Service Set

United States Army Sergeant First Class (Ret) Grady Lee Clark will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Memorial Day Service presented by American Legion Post 65.
  Clark will speak on his first enlistment and first overseas deployment to Korea. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the Saluda Theater on Monday, May 28 at 11 AM. It will be followed by a brief ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Monument adjacent to the Saluda County Court House. The service will be patriotic. For Clark, “patriotism is the reason we celebrate Memorial Day, because people in the past have given so much for our country.  I want to do my part to make this a great country”.
  Sergeant First Class Clark was raised in Saluda County. He and a friend entered the Army on the “Buddy System”, as teenagers ready to see the world, at Newark, New Jersey in 1959.  Clark had a number of state side assignments. From Fort Dix, New Jersey to Fort Carson, Colorado.  Overseas deployments  included South Korea, Germany, and Vietnam that spanned 20 years. Military awards include Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam National Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam National Campaign Medal, US Army Accommodation Medal,  2 Awards and Helicopter Flight Wings.
   Memorial Day.  A federal holiday set aside as the last Monday in May to honor and remember our fallen men and women who gave their lives that we may live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount up to and including their life. This is the day we come together as family, friends and community to remember those who cashed that check, our servicemen and servicewomen who we loved and lost. A time when veterans share what patriotism and this special day of remembrance means to them. For Clark, Memorial Day means “remembering and recognizing those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  We should continue to do this every year”.

NEW LEGION OFFICERS - American Legion Post 65 Officers were recently sworn in at the May meeting by District 17 Commander Ed Miller. These officers will lead Saluda Post 65 for the year 2018 -2019.  In the year 1919, The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism and Children and Youth. Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s veterans, its service members, their families, the youth of America and citizens.  Pictured left to right, front row:  District Commander Ed Miller, Past Commander Al Butler and newly elected Post 65 Commander John Hood.  middle row:  Ben Ward, membership; Bob Horne, sergeant-at-arms; Keith Lester, second vice commander and sergeant-at-arms; Tena Buffington, Adjutant; Dan Guy, sergeant-at-arms; back row: Marvin Gootee, public relations and  sergeant-at-arms;  Tom Thier, historian and sergeant-at-arms; Bob Albert, Chaplain; Jim Moore, third vice commander; William Holecek, service and finance. American Legion Motto: For God and Country Since 1919.

New Industry Grand Opening

NEW LOG HOME PLANT OPENING CEREMONY - A ceremony was held Mon., April 30, at Saluda County’s newest industry, Southland Log Homes, located on the Batesburg Hwy., across from the Recreation Complex. Pictured, L to R, are Ken Sekley, president and CEO, County Council Chairman Derrick Jones, Third District Congressman Jeff Duncan, and Plant Manager Jesse Lathrop. Instead of cutting a ribbon, Jones and Duncan cut a log! (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Southland Log Homes Holds Grand Opening

A grand opening ceremony was held Mon., April 30, for Saluda County’s newest industry, South land Log Homes.
  Located in the 160,000 square building that formerly housed a Knight Industries warehouse on the Batesburg Hwy., Southland builds log home kits and ships them all over the country and the world.
  Company CEO Ken Sekley said Southand has homes in 48 states,and many locations around the world.
  He said there are no problems shipping the homes to the port in Charleston.
  Plant manager Jesse Lathrop led local officials on the tour of the facility.
  Sekley then gave more details on the company, saying the manufacturing facility relocated  from Irmo. The new facility allows most of the manufacturing to be done inside.
  His talk was followed by a film presentation that highlighted the facility.
  Third District Congressman Jeff Duncan praised the company, and thanked the officials for moving the manufacturign facility to his Third District.
  Duncan said the new tax cuts should help companies like Southland.
  Following Duncan’s talk,the crowd witnessed an unusual event. Instead of cutting a ribbon, Duncan and County Council Chairman Derrick Jones cut a log, using the heavy duty equipment.

13th Annual RSFD Benefit Auction
In Memory Of Mike Adamick

The 13th Annual Ridge Spring Fire Department Benefit in memory of Michael B. Adamick will be held on Saturday, May 5.
  It’s gonna be full of BBQ, Auction, Music and Dancing!
  Find your local Ridge Spring Firefighter to purchase your tickets or purchase tickets at the Town hall, The Nut House, Hayley Bee Boutique and Ridge Auto
  Tickets: $10.00 each. Date: Saturday May 5th, 2018. Time: BBQ @ 5 p.m.  Auction @ 6 p.m. Location: Ridge Spring Fire Department. Music By: Steel Justice Band.