S.C. Chamber meeting focuses on tort reform

October 8, 2004

By WALLACE McBRIDE
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Tort reform was the proverbial 800-pound gorilla during the S.C. Chamber of Commerce’s “grassroots” meeting in Greenwood.
Regardless of background and experience, it was an issue that seemed to interest everyone in attendance.
Chamber officials have spent more than a month traveling the state to collect opinions of business and community leaders. The last stop of the nine-city tour was Thursday in Greenwood, with tort reform occupying the lion’s share of discussion.
Previous tour stops were no different, said John DeWorken, associate vice president of communications for the S.C. Chamber of Commerce.
“We’ve got to get it passed, but we need a tort reform bill with teeth,” DeWorken said. “So we’re not entirely disappointed it did not pass. We think this year it will have more momentum.”
Medical malpractice jury awards are driving up insurance costs for doctors, proponents of the legislation say, and physicians are lobbying for the state to pass legislation that limits punitive damages.
“We’ve got to do something,” said Craig White, of Fuji Photo Film. “Capping damages is a tough issue. We really run a threat of doctors leaving some kinds of practices, or worse — going without insurance.” Business-related litigation has proven difficult in other health care areas, as well. Efforts to restructure worker’s compensation benefits stalled this year, thanks largely to the shadow cast by tort reform proposals.
“The General Assembly didn’t have a stomach to take on two big issues at once,” said Otis Rawl, a legislative lobbyist for the S.C. Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re almost at a point where legal counsel isn’t looking to win — they’re looking to compromise,” said Bill Dixon, an Eaton plant manager.
One of the successes of the year is legislation that provides tax incentives for businesses that want to renovate and inhabit empty industrial facilities.
These incentives could possibly be extended next year to empty “big box” buildings, such as the various shopping strip centers in Greenwood vacated following business relocations.
Topics and opinions discussed during this year’s grassroots tour will be used to devise the state chamber’s business agenda for the coming year. Those agendas are delivered to legislators and chamber members in November.
The documents will detail dozens of business-related bills under discussion by the General Assembly.
Wallace McBride covers Greenwood and general assignments in the Lakelands. He can be reached at 223-1812, or: wmcbride@indexjournal.com

Evelyn Mann Denny

DUNCAN, SC – Evelyn Mann Denny, of 332 Old South Road, Duncan, SC formerly of 732 Kawana Road, Columbia, SC, died October 6, 2004 at the home following a brief illness.
Born in McCormick, SC, she was the daughter of the late Robert J. and Rosa C. Mann. Her husband Luther Wallace Denny preceded her in death.
She retired from Columbia Lumber Company after 35 years as Director of Purchasing. She was listed in Who’s Who of American Business Women, past president and Woman of the Year of American Business Women’s Association, Midlands Chapter. She was an active member of Rose Hill Presbyterian Church in Columbia.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Denny McGarity and her husband Dr. Newman C. McGarity; three grandchildren, Allison, Patrick and Morgan McGarity of the home, a nephew Joe C. Mann and his wife Carolyn of Greenwood, SC.
Services will be at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2004 at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine Street, Columbia, SC conducted by Rev. Robert L. Slimp. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Rose Hill Presbyterian Church, 229 South Saluda Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205; or to the Carolina Children’s Home, 3201 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204 Lanford-Dunbar Funeral Home, Spartanburg, is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Nancy H. Goole

WATERLOO – Nancy Hummel Goole, 56, of 30 Stroup Court, Waterloo, SC, wife of Donald J. Goole, died Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood, SC.
Born in New York, she was a daughter of George Hummel and the late Luella Stein Hummel. She was employed by NSO Resins and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Greenwood.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth McCarthy.
Surviving is her husband; her father of Fairport, NY; three sons, Scott David Goole of the home, Bryan Michael Louis of Greenwood and Jason Donald Goole of Ninety Six, SC; a sister, Jean Mortimer of Fairport, NY; and five grandchildren, Chyanne, MacKensie, Zachery, Damian and Madison.
No services will be held.
The family will receive friends at 157 Kathwood Drive, Greenwood, SC on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home of Greenwood, SC is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Samuel ‘Sam’ Murray Stafford

INMAN, SC – Samuel “Sam” Murray Stafford, 63, of 199 Ridgewood Drive, died Tuesday, October 5, 2004, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born August 10, 1941, in Greenville County, he was the son of the late Walter B. Stafford, Jr. and Margaret Cook Stafford. He was a mechanical estimator and a “jack of all trades”. A graduate of Paris High School, he was employed with Kajama Construction and attended Brookwood Community Church. He was a member of EAA, the National Estimator’s Association, held his private pilot’s license, and was a proud Crimson Tide fan - Roll Tide. A U.S. Army Signal Core Veteran, he was awarded an accommodation by General Alexander Haig for participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Pye Stafford of the home; two daughters, Holley Coyle and her husband Frank of Greenwood, and Kristie Owens and her husband Darrel of Moore; a son, Samuel Reese Stafford of Atlanta, GA; two brothers, Jack Stafford and his wife Nancy of Due West, and Joe Stafford of Pacolet; three sisters, Joyce Dichard and her husband Paul of Mauldin, Georgia Whaley of Greenville, and Pam Blackwell of Greer; five granddaughters, Caroline Coyle, Madeline Coyle, Elizabeth Coyle, Shelbie Owens, and Josie Owens; and a grandson, Coal Stafford. He was predeceased by two brothers, Jess Stafford and Bill Stafford.
Visitation will be 12-1:45 p.m. Friday, October 8, 2004, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel conducted by the Rev. Carlos Watson. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home.
Please visit and participate in the American Memorial at www.floydmortuary.com.
Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel
PAID OBITUARY

Title-type contest

October 8, 2004

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

The last time the Ninety Six and Batesburg-Leesville high school football teams met, they were playing for the 1999 Class AA state title at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.
Even though the game at 7:30 tonight at Panthers Stadium isn’t for the state championship, it will have serious ramifications on the playoff standings for Region III-AA.
“I told the kids that each week the games get bigger and bigger, and if you keep wining, those games just get that much more important,” Panthers coach Courtney McInnis said. “I don’t have to tell my guys too much to get them to understand that Ninety Six is a great football team. Them just knowing that we played that team for the state title in 1999 is enough.”
The winner between the No. 4 Wildcats (5-1, 1-0 Region III-AA) and the Panthers (5-1, 1-0) will be one step closer to locking up one of the two home playoff spots along with staying unbeaten in region play.
“I think this is one of the top games in the state,” Ninety Six coach Mike Doolittle said. “It’s definitely going to be a playoff-like atmosphere, and we’ve played in three or four of those kind of games.”
Both teams are enjoying solid winning streaks, as the Wildcats and the Panthers each have four straight victories, with B-L gaining one win because of a forfeit by Abbeville.
The teams’ current successes are due in part to their burgeoning offenses. However, Ninety Six and B-L run those offense from two distinct perspectives.
The Panthers’ rushing attack has accounted for 1,330 yards and 17 touchdowns, led by tailback Chamois Johnson’s 736 rushing yards and 11 TDs.
Meanwhile, Ninety Six junior quarterback Stan Doolittle’s 1,170 passing yards and nine touchdowns have been balanced by the team’s 830 rushing yards and 12 scores.

Reality may answer best questions on TV influence

October 8, 2004

Several years ago, a nationwide poll by a child advocacy organization called Children Now, came up with some startling – and worrisome – results. Since that time, you might think we’d have learn something. Apparently we haven’t.
In that poll, 77 percent of kids between 10 and 16 years of age said television depicts too much premarital sex. Sixty-two percent of the youngsters polled said the imitation sex on TV influences their peers to engage in sex before they are ready.
That’s not all. While 82 percent of the teenagers polled said they believe TV should teach right from wrong, 66 percent said it does just the opposite.

THEY SAID TV ALSO encouraged young viewers to treat their parents with disrespect.
There are no immediate figures to compare, but from the way the content on television appears it’s not likely they would be much different from what they were when that poll was taken.
One thing’s for sure. The content of too many TV shows today is such that not only should parents be concerned about the negative influence it has on family life and the development of youngsters, so should television network executives and members of Congress.
On some teen-oriented networks and individual shows, conversations about sex by popular performers go much too far.

THEY ARE FAR AND beyond any semblance of acceptable “sex education discussions.” It is presented in such a way that it implies that casual sexual activity is something that is expected and normal for teens.
Some say the concern is misplaced or too extreme. With teen pregnancy being what it is – Greenwood County is regularly high on the list in South Carolina in that regard – can anyone be sure that the treatment of sex on TV does not have an effect on those numbers? Furthermore, can anyone be so sure that the violence and killing on television also don’t influence some of the behavior among young people in real life?
Some may argue that it’s really making a lot about nothing. Reality may answer that best.