Trade, energy legislation could bring
jobs to Third District, Barrett says

August 4, 2005

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

Two pieces of federal legislation could provide economic advantages to businesses — and, possibly, job seekers — in the Third Congressional District, its representative said.
U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, a Republican, took advantage of the summer break from congressional duties to provide an update Wednesday about what he envisions as potential results of the energy bill and CAFTA (the Central American Free Trade Agreement.)
Barrett sought a meeting with Index-Journal editors as a way to reach constituents with information about congressional issues. He said he wants to have editorial meetings at newspapers throughout the congressional district at least twice a year.
A potential effect of the energy bill could be a recommitment by the government to nuclear energy, Barrett said. That could translate into a new nuclear power generator at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, which is seeing a redefining of its role in national defense since the end of the Cold War.
In addition to nuclear energy, the legislation encourages renewable sources of electricity, coal, hydropower and other nontraditional power sources as alternatives to foreign oil to satisfy the nation’s thirst for energy, Barrett said.
“We have to address our future needs today,” he said.
That long-range vision will not bring relief at the gas pumps tomorrow, he conceded. But leaving the nation on the energy course of the past 30 years will mean nothing more than continued dependency on foreign oil, Barrett said.
“It’s something we have to do collectively,” he said of using less oil. “High prices at the pump have produced one positive effect: We are now looking ahead.”
If SRS is chosen for a nuclear power plant, the site could become an “energy park.” Barrett said an energy research center and education facility also could be located on the thousand acres, which could provide enough surrounding buffer space to provide proper security for a nuclear power plant.
“The problem with some of our current nuclear plants is they sit right on the road,” he said. It could be a $1 billion project, officials trying to entice a consortium of power companies to build at the SRS have said.
Construction and operations, along with spin-off industries from the nuclear power plant, would provide the Aiken area with hundreds of new jobs, Barrett said.
Saving jobs was an impetus behind Barrett’s work on CAFTA, which passed the House 217-215 when two dozen Republicans from major textile districts voted with President Bush in favor of the legislation.
Despite what Barrett admitted was an unfortunate name — sparking comparisons to the even more controversial NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) — CAFTA has the potential of opening new markets to textile producers, he said.
“We still have 25 percent of the world’s market in textiles,” Barrett said. “CAFTA makes that share more viable.”
Plus, he said, “it saves jobs in my district.”
Closing loopholes in CAFTA that could have hurt textile manufacturers was a key to turning that industry’s opposition to the agreement into support. Barrett said he had gotten thousands of opposition letters from workers of Avondale Mills, a major Southern textile company. But after the administration made concessions on the textile loopholes, Avondale endorsed the bill and helped open the way for Barrett and other lawmakers to support it.
Two other national issues that Barrett said are mentioned everywhere he meets voters are immigration and Iraq.
The congressman said immigration legislation he previously introduced will go back before Congress after the summer break. Also, he said he will participate in a trip to the Arizona border in September to observe immigration control efforts there.
The multifaceted issue should be addressed, Barrett said, by legislation that includes border security for the nation’s southern and northern borders, provisions for illegal immigrants who now have citizen-children and a “good, solid program” of worker visas.
Turning to Iraq, Barrett said of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s assessment that public sentiment in South Carolina is turning against the war, “I’m not sure I agree, but I don’t know if he’s wrong.”
“From everything I’ve seen,” Barrett said, “the war on terror’s front is Iraq. If they can diminish our will, make us leave early, it will be a tremendous lift for them.”
Even as U.S. casualties in fighting in Iraq climbed above 1,800 this week, the global nature of what America is fighting against has been dramatized globally, Barrett said.
“The bombings in Spain, London and Egypt are showing it’s a worldwide problem,” he said. “(The terrorists) are hell-bent on running out the ‘infidels.’”

Teams exhibit several changes

Workouts are heating up for the 2005 Tigers

August 4, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

SALUDA — The players on the Saluda High School football team received a change of pace at practice Wednesday.
A change that the Tigers might not have enjoyed at the end of the 2 1/2-hour session, but one they will appreciate later in the season.
For the first three days of practice, Saluda was off the field by the early afternoon, meaning the workouts were done in the cool morning hours. Wednesday, the Tigers hit the field at 2 p.m., when temperatures were in the low 90s.
“It was a whole lot hotter this afternoon than it was during our morning practices,” first-year Saluda coach Wayne Bell said. “It’s been real cool. It was super cool, with cool breezes and cloudy skies. I was just glad to get out there today in the heat and practice a little bit, but it was good to go in the morning to get in those two-a-days.”
The coach was thankful for the warmer late-afternoon climate. However, not all of the players were graciously awaiting the heat, especially when they didn’t see much relief from the sun.
“I thought it was a little bit hot out there,” senior lineman Hunter Price said. “I’m not going to lie, I kind of like those 8 o’clock in the morning practices. Unfortunately, one day we ended practice at 3 o’clock and it started raining at 3:01. We didn’t even get a breeze today.”
“But it’s something we have to get used to.”
Bell said his team would continue the 2 p.m. start time for the rest of the week before hitting its regular time after school begins on Monday.
“It’s good to acclimate them to the heat that they will go through once school starts,” Bell said.
But the warmth of the late afternoon did make the way the Tigers close out practice a little more challenging.
Running “snakes,” where the players cross the width of the practice field alternating between sprinting and jogging every five yards, tends to be more difficult to do in the heat.
Just ask some of the jayvee players that we’re tossing their lunch in the weeds beside the field during and after the exercise.
“We had some taken off because of tackling practice, but the other day we went from goal line to goal line,” senior quarterback Derek Hipp said. “They (snakes) are tough because you don’t get a break because you can’t stop.”

Chiefs starting practice with improved attitudes

August 4, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

McCORMICK — Last season, the McCormick High School football team went 0-10. The Chiefs didn’t even score their first points until the fifth week of the season.
The way McCormick’s second-year coach Art Mann sees it, after a season like that, the Chiefs can only get better.
McCormick hustled and sweated through a strenuous practice in full pads Wednesday afternoon, looking to become a better team than last season.
One difference for the Chiefs from 2004 is the addition of three new coaches. Former Emerald assistant Frank Brown, former Abbeville assistant Wayne Botts, and former Walhalla assistant Jamie Crisp have come on to help Mann guide the Chiefs.
“It’s like night and day around here compared to last year,” said Mann. “I can actually come out to practice and coach players and teach. I don’t have to try and handle everything.”
Mann said one of the biggest perks that came with the new additions to the staff is a commitment to a weightlifting and strength building program for the players.
According to Mann, gone is the “it’s not my job” attitude most Chiefs had about teamwork in 2004, and it’s been replaced by accountability and camaraderie.
“These guys have gotten to know me, and I’ve gotten to know them,” Mann said.
“The enthusiasm is different this year. We’ll be improved, there’s no doubt.”
McCormick Middle School is re-starting its football program this year, and the McCormick Recreation Department is starting a pee-wee league as well.
Both are being started at Mann’s urging. He hopes players getting started playing football in McCormick at an early age will lead to a pipeline of talent for the varsity.
As McCormick prepares for Friday’s scrimmage, Mann said the team has made small but significant strides in a year’s time.
“We’re not overstating what we can do,” Mann said. “But I think we’ve got the right outlook. The attitude is better, the effort is better and the kids are excited. We’ve got an opportunity to make significant improvement in 2005.”

Opinion

U. S. needs and now has strong voice in the U. N.

August 4, 2005

There are people in South Carolina on both sides of the argument over whether the world really needs the United Nations. It’s not likely that many, though, would disagree over whether that bureaucratic expense account needs reforming. That’s one reason there’s such a debate over President Bush’s choice to be this nation’s U. N. ambassador, John Bolton.
It would be hard, if not impossible, to make a case that the U. N. is what it was intended to be. It’s ineffective in dealing with starvation and poverty in general, civil wars that amount to genocide, military conflict and other violence, terrorism in particular, and the list goes on and on.

BOLTON MAY BE BLUNT. But now is no time for us to have someone at the U. N. who goes along to get along. Too much of the taxpayer’s money goes to the U. N. for us not to take a proactive and aggressive role.
South Carolina’s two U. S. senators put it in the proper light. Both believe reform is overdue for the U. N. Both also believe that Bolton is the man to help lead the effort.
The U. S. has gone without a U. N. ambassador for too long. At least now we have one who can get to work in our best interests. It’s overdue.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Willie J. Anderson

Services for Willie James Anderson, formerly of 300 N. Hospital St., are 2 p.m. Saturday at Pine Pleasant Baptist Church, Ninety Six, with the Rev. Ernest L. Cannon, pastor, officiating and the Rev. Dr. William L. Moore presiding. Assisting are the Revs. Johnnie Waller and Raymond Adams. The body will be placed in the church at 1.
Pallbearers are grandsons and friends of the family.
Flower bearers are granddaughters and friends of the family.
Visitation is 6-8 Friday at the home of a daughter Jean Robinson, 301-A W. Creswell.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Janie Lee Copper

Janie Lee Jennings Copper, 50, of 513 Marion Ave., wife of Stephen Copper, died Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005 at her home.
Born in McCormick, she was a daughter of the late Edward Gilchrist and Orie Mae Hawes. She was a member of Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church, McCormick.
Survivors include her husband of Greenwood; stepfather, Clarence “Jack” Hawes of the home; a son, Isaac Anthony Aiken of the home; 11 brothers, Larry Hawes, Craig Hawes and Sherman Hawes, all of Greenwood, James Hawes, William Hawes and Clarence Hawes, all of the home, Edward Gilchrist and Charlie McClendon, both of Honea Path, Michael Gilchrist, Richard Gilchrist and Brian Gilchrist, all of McCormick; seven sisters, Deloris Williford of Anderson, Dorothy M. Hawes, Connie Dunlap and Tina Abney, all of Greenwood, Jean Cunningham, Lisa Moore and Diane Gilchrist, all of McCormick.
Family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Melvin Lagroon

BRADLEY — Services for Melvin Lagroon are 2 p.m. Friday at Flint Hill Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. John R. Brightharp. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are James T. Moss, Leroy White, Willie Moss Sr., Huey White, Henry J. White and Calvin Simpkins.
Flower bearers are church ushers, deaconesses and missionaries.
The family is at the home, 2207 Callison Road.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.

Annie Blair Rucker (Miss Ann)

Annie Blair Rucker (Miss Ann) of 403 Milwee Avenue widow of T.L. Rucker, died Monday, August 1, 2005 on her 85th birthday at the University Hospital in Augusta, GA.
She was born in Parksville, S.C. August 1, 1920, She was a daughter of the late James and Pearl Wiggleton Blair. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church for more than sixty years where she was a member of the Missionary Society, a former member of the Senior Choir. She also served as President of the Deaconess Board and Treasurer of the Sunday school. A member of Harmony Chapter 282 of the Eastern Stars, she had served as a Marshall.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Thomasina Hackett. She leaves to cherish her memories two sons, Alston Louis Rucker of Dolton, Ill. and Reginald Quincy Rucker of the home; One son-in-law James Marion Hackett, Sr.; Three grandchildren, James Marion Hackett, Jr. of Greenwood, Montrice and Aaron Rucker of Dolton, Ill.; One great-grandchild, Jared Hill; Three sisters Mollie Blair of Parksville, SC, Eliza Hurley (Douglas) and Amanda Tompkins (Roy) of McCormick, SC. One brother, Eli Blair of Chicago, 111. (Eva) and four other sisters-in-law and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many other relatives and friends.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.
The family is at the home on Milwee Avenue and at the home of her sister, Amanda Tompkins, Hwy. 139, Roy Lane Road in McCormick, SC.
PAID OBITUARY

Helen Thurston

SIMPSONVILLE — Helen Beatrice Williams Thurston, 87, widow of Robert Eulas Thurston Sr., died Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at Summit Place.
Mrs. Thurston was born September 28, 1917 in Laurens County, SC to the late Willie T. Williams and Nellie Pitts Williams. She was a member of the Church of God.
Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Sandra Thurston of Waterloo, and Rev. Tommy and Barbara Thurston of Greenwood; a brother, Roy Williams of Fork Shoals; three sisters, Mary Ellen Saxon and Peggy Sims, both of Fork Shoals, and Sara Gambrell of Honea Path; three grandchildren, Todd Thurston, Beth Armstrong and Stephanie Walden; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. Friday at Fletcher Funeral Service in Fountain Inn.
Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday at Graceland West Cemetery.
PAID OBITUARY

Mrs. Mary Lucille Davis Todd

MT. CARMEL – Mrs.Mary Lucille Davis Todd, 94, of Mt. Carmel, died August 2, 2005. She was an LPN but was best known as owner of Todd’s Grocery Store. Mrs. Todd was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Harold Todd and son, Walter Earl Todd.
Funeral services will be Friday at 2:00p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00p.m. until service time. Interment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Survivors include daughters, Carolyn Todd, Calhoun Falls and Linda Perry, Mauldin; daughter-in-law, Sue Todd, Mt. Carmel; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Calhoun Falls Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY