Road Use Ordinance Passes

Council Passes Ordinance

  Saluda County Council gave third and final reading to a controvesial ordianance that will place a $25 road use fee on all registered vehicles in the county.
  The action came at a called meeting on Wed., Dec. 11. Voting in favor of the ordin ance were Vice Chairman Frank Daniel, and Councilmen Wayne Grice and Jones Butler. Councilman Justin Anderson voted against the ordinance.
  The ordinance reads as follows:
  AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A UNIFORM SERVICE CHARGE FOR MOTORIZED VEHICLE USERS OF THE COUNTY ROADS OF SALUDA COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA.
  WHEREAS, expenses for upkeep of County roads has continued to increase every year; and 
  WHEREAS, Saluda County has been forced to use its fund balance to balance its budget for the past few years; and
  WHEREAS, Saluda County Council has after extensive study and consideration determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens and taxpayers of Saluda County, South Carolina, that an Ordinance Establishing a Road User Fee Ordinance for Saluda County, South Carolina should be enacted;
  NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED AND ORDAINED AS FOLLOWS:
  FINDINGS OF FACT:
  1. There are currently in excess of three hundred fifty (350) miles of dirt and gravel roads within Saluda County, South Carolina.
  2. The cost of maintaining roads is escalating at an ever accelerating rate and all funds available must be used to maintain the system in its present condition. Funds are extremely limited to implement improvements in the system.
  3. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is accepting fewer roads into the State highway system.
  4. The annual appropriation of “C” funds from the Department of Transportation is insufficient to impact the number of roads within Saluda County that require improvements up to State standards.
  5. The State of South Carolina has for many years, through the Department of Transportation, charged motorized vehicular users fees for the use of the State highway system through the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Title 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.  Ordinance No. 09-19
  6. Dirt and gravel roads within Saluda County are not conditioned or located for interstate or inter-county traffic. As a result, virtually all the motorized vehicular users of the roads within Saluda County are motorized vehicles licensed in Saluda County.
  7. Roads within Saluda County are used by pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians and other non-motorized vehicular users. However, motorized vehicular traffic constitutes the overwhelming majority of the use of the road system. Furthermore, motorized vehicular traffic causes practically 100% of all the wear and tear on the County road system. 
  8. The road system within Saluda County must be maintained and improved to a much better condition to accommodate motorized vehicular traffic, and rapidly increasing volumes of traffic throughout Saluda County, especially on major roads and thoroughfares.
  9. Improvements of the road system within Saluda County bestows a specific benefit on motorized vehicular users not enjoyed by the non-owning members of the general public by reason of the above.
  10. The use of general tax revenues to construct and maintain roads within Saluda County has resulted in placing on property owners, including non-residents, non-users, and non-owners, the entire cost of maintaining roads through ad valorem property taxes on all taxable property in the County. 
  11. Counties are specifically mandated “to assess ….uniform service charges …a nd make appropriations for ... roads …” by ‘4-9-30(5) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended (“The Home Rule Act”).
  12. The health, order, general welfare, and convenience of the County will be served by the enactment of this ordinance.
  13. Certain classes of automobiles owners should be exempted from the provisions of this ordinance. County Council determines that the exemptions from ad valorem taxes provided for by 12-37-220 S.C. Code Ann (1990 Com. Supp.) should apply to the road user fee required to be paid by this ordinance. 
  In order to implement the legislative intent of Saluda County Council based on the above, findings of fact, it is ordained as follows:   a. The owners of every wheeled and titled vehicle, except duly licensed and registered mobile home, required to be registered and licensed in Saluda County by the South Carolina Department of Transportation, shall pay annually to the Saluda County Treasurer, a road user fee based of  Twenty-Five ($25.00) Dollars. b. The road user fee shall be included on vehicle property tax notices in such manner and method as determined by the Saluda County Director and collected by the County Tax Collector pursuant to State law. The road user fee shall be due, payable and collected in the same manner as vehicle property taxes and shall be subject to the same penalties and interest as overdue real property taxes.
  Ordinance No. 09-19 c. The proceeds from the collection of such fees shall be deposited in a fund to be administered by the Saluda County Director, who shall maintain a separate accounting of funds collected. The proceeds of such fund, together with any investment income earned thereon, must be used solely and exclusively for the construction and improvement of roads within Saluda County, related drainage or parking lots and any other related needs required for the general public’s access to publicly owned facilities. Funds not used in any fiscal year shall be carried forward and used exclusively for the construction and improvement of roads within Saluda County and related drainage.  d. Funds derived from the road user fee shall be used exclusively for improving roads and streets, which are not a part of the State or Federal road system, except as may be coordinated in conjunction with the use of other State of Federal funds, upon specific approval of County Council e. Exemptions: 1. The owner of any vehicle that would be exempt from ad valorem taxes pursuant to 12-37-220 S.C. Ann (1990 Cum Supp.) shall be exempt from the provisions of the ordinance. 
  Should a court of competent jurisdiction declare any word, phrase, clause or provision  of this ordinance invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect this ordinance as a whole or any part hereof except that specific provision declared by such court to be valid or unconstitutional.
  All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance or inconsistent with its provisions are hereby repealed or superseded to the extent necessary to give this ordinance full force and effect.    This ordinance shall take effect upon final approval of this ordinance.

Saluda County Launches New Community Alert System

  The Saluda County Emergency Management Division is excited to announce that we have licensed the CodeRED Community Notification System to help disseminate important information along with alerting citizens in the path of severe thunderstorms, flash floods, and tornadoes.  
  A system test will occur on Friday, December 20th, 2020 at 3:00 PM.
  The CodeRED system provides Saluda County officials the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire county, as well as deliver severe thunderstorm, flash flood, and tornado warnings to targeted areas.
  Saluda County has also been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue alerts via the national IPAWS system, which allows emergency officials to disseminate messages to mobile devices located within a geographic area, regardless of where the device is registered.  This ensures that emergency information can be disseminated as widely as possible.
  “The implementation of CodeRED in Saluda County is an absolute game changer” says Saluda County Emergency Management Director Josh Morton.  “In the past, we’ve had to rely on traditional and social media to help get information out to the public during an emergency.  Now, we have the ability to contact citizens quickly and directly to make sure that everyone has the information they need to stay safe during an emergency or disaster situation.”
  Saluda County EMD encourages everyone to visit www.saludacounty.sc.gov, click on the CodeRED logo located at the top of the home page, or text “SaludaCo Alerts” to 99411 from your mobile phone, and enter your contact information to ensure all of the data in our system is accurate and current.
  If you do not have Internet access, please contact a friend or family member to help add your contact information to the emergency database. Citizens can also call the Saluda County Emergency Management Division directly at 864-445-2529 Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 for assistance.

2019 State Champs!

STATE CHAMPS

Saluda defeated Barnwell 39-14 Friday at Benedict College’s Charlie Johnson Stadium to earn the school’s first football state championship since 1963. Story on Page 2.

Saluda Parade Saturday

Saluda’s Grinchiest Parade and Festival will be held Sat., Dec. 14. The parade begins at 11, and the festival will run most of the day. Featured, also, will be two showings of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Saluda Theater. Attendees are urged to walk around town and see all the Grinch displays.

Fee Ordinance Gets
Second Reading

  Saluda County Council’s ordinance to establish a $25 uniform service charge for motorized vehicle users of the county roads  of the county was given second reading Mon., Dec. 2.
  Following a public hearing, the ordinance passed 3-1, with Vice Chairman Frank Daniel, Councilmen Wayne Grice and Jones Butler voting in favor and Councilman Justin Anderson voting against.
  In the public hearing, citizens were opposed to the measure. One man suggest the Council put the fees on the owners of the big trucks that destroy the roads. He said most of those trucks are leased, so they would no pay a fee.
  Most suggested the county balance the budget, rather than imposing fees.

Dr. Kathy Coleman is congratulated by Dr. Tom Dobbins, State Director of Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.

Coleman Is Recipient Of Parris
Agricultural Leadership Award

COLUMBIA, SC….Dr. Kathy Coleman, Director of Clemson University’s Sandhill Research and Education Center (REC) near Columbia, SC, has been named recipient of the John W. Parris Agricultural Leadership Award by the SC Association of Agricultural Educators. The award was presented by Dr. Tom Dobbins, State Director of the Clemson University Extension Service., during the annual state conference of agricultural educators.
  Dr. Coleman, a native of Hopkins, SC, earned a B.S. and an M.S. at Clemson University and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. She is a recipient of the Honorary American Farmer Degree by the 700,000-member National FFA Organization.
  An employee of Clemson University for 33 years, with more than 29 of those years devoted to governmental affairs, Dr. Coleman was named Director of the Sandhill Research and Education Center in 2015. She continues to assist the Clemson Public Service and Agriculture advocacy team with legislative strategies.
  The 600-acre Sandhill REC is one of six Clemson University centers across the state, which are collectively known as the Clemson Experiment Station. The primary focus of the Sandhill Center is to develop research and educational programs related to agribusiness. Dr. Coleman also serves as Assistant Team Leader for the Extension Agribusiness Program. The long-term vision for the Center includes urban agriculture and conservation research unique to local soil conditions.
  Dr. Coleman and her husband, Greg, reside in Saluda, SC, and they have two sons, Lewis and Thomas (deceased), and a grandson, Weyman. A member and chairman of the Saluda County School Board for a number of years, Dr. Coleman is a former chairperson of the SC School Boards Association.
  The John W. Parris Agricultural Leadership Award was established several years ago by the SC Association of Agricultural Educators in honor of Mr. Parris of Columbia, SC. A graduate of Clemson University, Mr. Parris is a nationally-recognized agricultural leader and conservation visionary with more than 60 years of professional service. After retiring as Executive Director of the SC Land Resources Commission, Parris served for 15 years as Director of Public Affairs for the SC Agricultural Education Program. The first South Carolinian named to the National Conservation Hall of Fame, Parris is the only one from this state to receive the National Professional Conservationist Award. Named Man of the Year in South Carolina Agriculture by the Progressive Farmer magazine, Mr. Parris is also a recipient of the National FFA Organization’s VIP Award.
  The SC Association of Agricultural Educators is a professional development organization that provides continual leadership opportunities for its members and recognizes outstanding agricultural education programs throughout the state.

Two Teams In Championships

UPPERSTATE CHAMPS - Saluda head football coach Stewart Young talks to his team after the Tigers upset four-time defending state champion Abbeville, 32-28, at Hite Stadium Friday. The Tigers will play Barnwell for the state  title at the Benedict College stadium in Columbia Fri., Dec. 6, at 5 p.m. (Photo by Trey Fingerlin)

Tigers, Trojans In
Championships

  A large portion of Saluda County will be in Columbia Fri., Dec. 6, as two local high school football teams will be playing in their respective state championship games.
  Saluda will meet Barnwell at 5 p.m. at the Benedict College Stadium for the 2A title. The Ridge Spring-Monetta - Green Sea-Floyds Class A game will follow at 8 p.m. at the same site.
  The two teams had remarkable similarities in getting to the championships.
  •In the quarterfinals but teams claimed wins over teams that had defeated them in the regular season. After losing to Southside Christian 16-13 earlier in the year, the Tigers beat the Sabres 56-42 in the third round. RSM lost to Blackville-Hilda 42-14 during the regular season, and won in the play-offs 26-24 in triple overtime.
  •The two teams continued the trend of beating teams that had defeated them during the regular season by lopsided scores, Abbeville over Saluda 48-20 and Wagener-Salley over RSM 40-6, in the Upperstate championship games.
  •Both teams were seeded third in the playoffs and beat number one seeded teams from their own conference in the Upperstate championship games.
  •Both teams beat undefeated teams that were ranked number one in the state in their respective classes, Abbeville 2A and Wagener-Salley 1A.
  •Both teams won the Upperstate title by four points, Saluda 32-28 and RSM 26-22.
  Saluda schools will dismiss early Friday, so students and faculty will have time to get to the game. The elementary schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m., and the middle and high school will dismiss at 1:00.
  Advanced tickets can be purchased at Saluda High School up until 11 a.m. on Friday.

Court Clears 34 Cases

  Thirty-four cases were cleared in the recent term of Saluda County General Sessions Court.
  There was only two lengthy sentences.
  Kyle Wayne Way, whose case was featured in last week’s paper, was sentenced to 15 years for criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
  The other lengthy sentenced was given to Clifton Eugene Felder II, who was sentenced to ten years for assault and battery first degree. Upon service of five years, it will be reduced to three years probation.
  Others sentenced on guilty pleas are as follows:
  Hugo Leonel DeLeon-Juarez, domestic violence 2nd degree, time served, possession of meth, time served. Roselia Juarez Cabrera, identity fraud to obtain employment or avoid detection by law enforcement, 48 days; forgery, 48 days.
  Terrence Reshon Hendrix, petit larceny $2000 or less, 30 days, suspended to time served and restitution. Brandon Nathaniel Marshall, failure to stop for blue light, three years, suspended to time served and three years probation.
  Joseph Michael Demetrius Dicks, unlawful carrying of a pistol, time served. Jamie Terrell Wooden, domestic violence 3rd degree, time served.
  Ny’Kel Rashad Rolland, assault & battery 3rd, time served. Benjamin Matthew Wallace, unlawful manufacture, transfer, or possession of distillery, 1st, time served.
  Michael Gantt, shoplifting $2000 or less, 2 years, suspended to time served, two years probation. Kevin Lajuan Logan, possession of firearm or ammunition by person convicted of a violent felony, two years, suspended to time served and two years probation.
  Connie Sue Beard, possession of controlled substance Sched. I-V, two days. Gregory John Moore, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, five years, upon service of four days, suspended to three years probation.
  Dreshawn Marquez Adams, DUS 2nd, seven days. Brandon Marvelous Daniels, possession of over one ounce of marijuana, two days.
  Cruise Castillon Johnson, assault & battery 2nd degree, three years, upon service of two days, suspended to two years probation. Tobias Shykeam Daniels, grand larceny, $2000-$10,000, four years, upon service of 14 days, suspended to five years probation.
  Joseph Allen Lee Whitten, assault & battery third degree, three years, upon service of 30 days, suspended to four years probation. Lacie Someillan Bennett, assault & battery third degree, time served.
  Carl Aull, reckless driving, two days. Mary Elizabeth Gulledge, possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base, 1st, 30 days.
  Nytreat Raheem Edwards, possession of controlled substance - MDMA, seven days. Richard Anthony Blue, domestic violence 2nd, 3 years, suspended to time served and three years probation; assault & battery 3rd degree, 3 years, suspended to time served and three years probation.
  Amanda Dale Brock, use of vehicle without permission temporary, four days. Darius Deaondrick Reynolds, possession of controlled substance, 60 days.
  Lisa Marie Layfield, possession of controlled substance I-V, five days or $25. Anthony Curtis Rogers, DUI 1st, four days.
  Teri Elizabeth Edwards,  possession of controlled substance I-V, time served. Jamie Paul Lybrand, false or incomplete information to police, time served.
  Patricia Drayton, reckless driving, 30 days, suspended to time served, $100 fine. Dwight Anthony Powell II, grand larceny $2000-$10,000, 10 days.
  Meoshi Dawn Williams, possession of meth, 90 days. Courtney Lurk, breach of trust less than $2000, 30 days, suspended to five years probation.
  Jabari Damani Bunch, possession of controlled substance, one day.

NOTICE

In order to allow ample time for travel for those attending the Saluda playoff game and the Ridge Spring playoff game at Benedict College, Council is closing the non-emergent offices at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, December 6, 2019. This includes Election Office. I will be open December 7^thfrom 9 to 12 for Candidate filing.