School districts adapting to law

New standards going into effect to tackle bullying

December 5, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

A new anti-bullying law that makes South Carolina school districts create policies to shadow bullies will go in effect at the beginning of the year.
All 85 of South Carolina’s school districts will have to create policies to define bullying, track bullying behavior and deal out punishment for that behavior, according to the Dec. 3 issue of The State newspaper.
It’s the first time South Carolina’s school districts will be unified in their bullying policies. Districts will have to comply with the law by Jan. 1., according to a state law signed by Gov. Mark Sanford in June.
The Safe School Climate Act requires school districts to keep tabs on students who intimidate students, emotionally, physically or sexually abuse other students, said Robert McClinton, assistant superintendent of administration at District 50.
The new state policy deals with all types of bullying, including electronic intimidation over cell phones or the Internet.
“Our policy hopefully will do that,” McClinton said.
District 50 is creating a new bullying policy, according to the law, that will be voted on at the monthly board meeting Dec. 18, so it can be in place by January.
Physical threats, damaging a student’s property and making the student fear for themselves or their property are also prohibited, according to The State.
School districts also must have anti-bullying education, which will teach students how to deal with bullying and what behavior bullies exhibit, McClinton said.
Students will be able to learn that their actions make them bullies in the eyes of others.
“Sometimes kids don’t realize they’re actually bullies,” McClinton said.
The act also aims to prevent violence such as the 1999 Columbine School shootings, where the constant barrage of insults and bullying are said to have led to the rampage, according to The State. The district already had a bullying policy in place before the law, which included eight days suspension from school for the first offense and the recommendation of expulsion for the second offense, McClinton said.
“We’re pretty tough on bullying, as you can see right now,” he said.
Abbeville County School District is also implementing the new policy, said Kathy Stevenson, assistant superintendent for Abbeville’s school district. The district’s board of trustees voted for the policy at its Nov. 28 monthly meeting. The policy says Abbeville has zero tolerance for bullying as a district and as a board and will give out suspensions for students and and firings for employees who bully, Stevenson said. She said the act will help students have a better environment because they’ll be protected anytime they’re within school boundaries.
Not every district is planning on making a new bullying policy.
District 52 superintendent Dan Powell said his district hasn’t paid a lot of attention to the policy because it doesn’t have much of a bullying problem.
The district doesn’t plan to create a new policy, but Powell does see the purpose in it.
“It does give us an instrument to handle bullying problems when we have them,” he said.

Graham: U.S. can master situation

December 5, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

The Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce had its Hill Talk Luncheon on Monday, and the event had a healthy dose of political flair.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, gave the keynote address at the luncheon, which was at the Gatewood Club. A large audience of local business people and politicians filled the dining hall at the club to hear what the senator had to say.
Graham, who was raised in Central — a small town near Clemson, joked about some of the people he met back home.
“How many people in here are Clemson graduates?” asked Graham, as a number of hands went up. “Well, my dad owned a liquor store up there, so I’ve probably met most of you.”
The joke drew a rousing laugh from the audience, including the Clemson alumni who had raised their hands.
Graham said his family owned a pool hall, a liquor store and a restaurant in the Central area when he was growing up, adding his start in politics began listening to the conversations that would buzz around each of the establishments.
The senator also joked that, by the standard set by late Sen, Strom Thurmond, he may be in office for another 50 years.
“I was born in 1954, and Strom was elected in ’55,” Graham said. “My replacement might be in second grade right now.”
As the address wore on, Graham turned to more serious matters, chiefly the war in Iraq. Graham said he sees the war in Iraq as being directly related to the war on terrorism, saying Muslim extremists in the Middle East are viewing a U.S. withdrawal in Iraq as a U.S. withdrawal from affairs in the region.
“My solution to this mess, and it is a mess, is to increase military presence in Iraq for the short term,” Graham said.
“We’ve made a catalog of mistakes in Iraq, and I take responsibility for that. But we have to help control the violence there now if we have any hope for democracy there in the long run.”
Graham said he believes the armed forces in the U.S. today are the most talented in the nation’s history, adding dedicated volunteers are and will continue to be more effective than if individuals were drafted into a campaign they didn’t want to participate in.
Graham also addressed the issue of immigration, admitting that the broken borders between the U.S. and Mexico are a problem, but also saying fixing them won’t fix the problem of unaccounted-for illegal immigrants.
“You can build a wall 100 feet high, and people will still find way to get here,” Graham said. “You can’t underestimate the attraction of making $5 an hour instead of 50 cents a week.”
Graham said he supports regulating the work practices of illegal immigrants, registering them for identification cards and instructing them in English so they may be more productive.
Graham also addressed the United States’ place in the global economy.
“Business owners in this state aren’t worried about competing against North Carolina and Georgia,” Graham said.
“They’re worried about competing with China and India. But we have to work towards initiatives that will help us in the global economy, whether it is a national sales tax or a flat tax or what have you.”
Graham said he is confident many of the problems the United States faces can be rectified.
“I believe, as many of you do, that many problems can be solved if good people stand up for what is right in the face of adversity,” Graham said. “Many of the obstacles this country has faced, from Hitler to Mussolini, were overcome because our desire to do good outweighed their desire to do evil.”

Obituaries

Bob Able

Robert Benjamin “Bob” Able, Jr., 55, resident of 320 Gatewood Drive, died Dec. 2, 2006 at his home. Born in Saluda County, July 22, 1951, he was a son of Christine Boazman Able and the late Robert B. Able, Sr. He was employed by Kendall Heathcare, division of Tyco.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was an avid Clemson fan.
Surviving in addition to his mother of the home are a sister-in-law, Elizabeth “Libby” B. Able of Griffin, GA; a special niece and nephew, Tami and Chris Piland; and a special friend, Roger LaRose. Bob was predeceased by his brother, Tony Lawrence Able.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David L. Mayo officiating.
Burial will follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Bill Dominick, Joe Boazman, John Boazman, Travis Freeman, James Neel and Chris Piland.
The family is at the home in Gatewood and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 Tuesday evening.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 108 E. Cambridge Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Able family.

Jennie Hill

Jennie Murphy Hill, 77, of 125 Orchard Park Drive, widow of Ted Hill, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006.
Born in Georgetown, KY, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Loretta Morris Abbott. She was a retired bookkeeper.
She was twice married, first to the late Dennis John Murphy.
Surviving are two sons, Dennis Kavin Murphy of Cincinnati, OH, and Robin Lee Murphy of Folsom, CA; a sister, Ann Ryan of Blairsville, GA; four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Upstate South Carolina Affiliate, PO Box 1243, Charlotte NC 28201-1243.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Kattie Bell Kennedy

CALHOUN FALLS — Kattie Bell Kennedy, 63, of 516 Seneca St., wife of James Kennedy, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, at Abbeville Area Medical Center, Abbeville.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary, Abbeville.

Margaret King Nordyke

McCORMICK — A private family service for Margaret King Nordyke, 89, was held on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006 in the Miguez Funeral Home Chapel in Jennings, Louisiana. Burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery. Mrs. Nordyke was born on Sept. 17, 1917 and died on Nov. 22, 2006 in Greenwood, South Carolina. Mrs. Nordyke is survived by a son, Harry Gail Nordyke, Jr. of McCormick, SC; a daughter, Nancy Ann Carter of Longview, TX.; a brother, Jesse Freeman King of North Logan, Utah; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Gail Nordyke, a brother, George Jackson King and a sister, Davilee King Johnson. Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton, GA, was in charge of local arrangements.

Erskine rallies past LU

December 5, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Erskine Flying Fleet (4-2) came into Finis Horne Arena on Tuesday night and left their mark on the Lander Bearcats (3-4), who managed to lose their grip on a double-digit lead while also failing to convert down the stretch.
It all culminated in Craig Williams’ lay-up at the buzzer as the Flying Fleet won 65-63 in what might be one of their gutsiest performances yet.
“That’s the one thing we talked about. We wanted to take the shot at the horn or we’re going into overtime,” Flying Fleet coach Mark Peeler said. “Very rarely does it go the way you draw it up but you’ve got to finish the play. This is a great win for Erskine.”
Williams led the Flying Fleet with 27 points and nine rebounds. He was also 9-11 from the free throw line.
“I thought their defense on our shooters was awesome in the first half,” Peeler said. “We felt like the only way we could score in the second half would be if we could score on the inside and kind of open it up a little bit. Craig started the half really well and then we hit a couple threes and kind of got back into it.”
The Bearcats were led by Jason Davis, who finished with 20 points on 8-10 shooting, including 4-5 from three-point range.
Davis put Lander on the board with a three-pointer as the Bearcats took a 3-2 lead early in the game. His second three would give Lander a 9-6 lead.
Davis continued to hit from long range as he connected with a defender’s hand in his face giving Lander a 16-10 lead with 11:37 remaining in the half.
Following a timeout, Emanuel Hodrea hit from downtown to push the lead to nine points in favor of the Bearcats. Hodrea finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
Lander’s lead grew to 26-15 following a baseline shot by Davis with 7:33 remaining.
Two free throws by Victor Street Jr. with 3:18 remaining in the opening half cut Lander’s lead to eight.
Although the Bearcats led 32-24 at halftime, the game was just beginning.
The Bearcats’ lead grew to 11 points early in the second half following a three-pointer by Dane Sparrow. A jumper by Davis made it 41-28 before the Bearcats called the first timeout of the second half with an 11 point lead.
Following the timeout, the Flying Fleet went on a 15-6 run to close to within two points at 47-45 before Davis drained a three-pointer to quiet the crowd with 11:50 remaining in the second half.
Two free throws by Hodrea gave the Bearcats a 52-47 lead, but Williams answered back at the other end, converting on a three-point play.
T.J. Taylor gave Erskine fans more reasons to cheer when he hit a three, bringing Erskine within two points of the lead with 8:55 remaining. He finished with 13 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Bearcats’ lead remained at two following a three by Matt Odom, but a teardrop shot by Michael Griffin a few plays later pushed the lead back to six points at 60-54.
The lead would have been eight points but Griffin was called for an offensive foul a few plays later and Odom converted two free throws at the other end to keep the game close.
With 4:12 remaining in regulation, Brandon Wright hit a three-pointer off of a Taylor assist to pull Erskine to within one point and prompting a timeout by Lander.
Erskine finally took the lead back for the first time since they led 10-9 in the first half when Taylor made a strong move to the basket putting the Flying Fleet on top 61-60 with 3:04 remaining.
Bearcats senior Jarred Jackson would tie the game at 63 when he hit his only shot of the game with 33 seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough as Williams lay-up fell through the net as time expired.
“I thought they really out-executed us down the stretch,” Bearcats’ coach Bruce Evans said. “We just didn’t have an answer. They out-worked us and got it done at the end.”

Lander women send Flying Fleet packing

Whether it’s a rivalry or just another game, only one can win

December 5, 2006

By By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Lander Lady Bearcats (4-2) faced Erskine (1-3) on Monday night at Finis Horne Arena in what was supposed to be the rebirth of a rivalry. The scoreboard hardly reflected that though as the Lady Bearcats won 99-67.
Lander’s Tiara Good was unstoppable as she finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, just missing the triple-double.
“She’s really playing well and sometimes she can turn it over because she’s playing so aggressive,” Lady Bearcats’ coach Kevin Pederson said. “She’s making things happen for us out there right now. She’s doing a lot for us.”
Audrey Timmerman led the Lady Flying Fleet with 15 points.
Both squads missed their opening shots before Erskine’s Mary Ann Langford ended the drought with a three-pointer. Good answered back with a three-pointer of her own to tie the game.
Timmerman followed with another three putting Erskine ahead by three points and prompting a timeout by the Lady Bearcats with 17:25 remaining in opening half.
Following the timeout, the Lady Bearcats broke down the defense and Good found freshman Jasmine Collier in the corner for a three-pointer.
Bryony Crouch gave the Lady Bearcats a 9-6 lead that grew to 12-8 following Collier’s second shot from behind the arc at the 14:36 mark.
The Lady Bearcats continued to employ a full-court press on defense to disrupt Erskine offensively.
Lisa Jackson ended the scoring drought for the Lady Flying Fleet, sparking a 7-3 run and bringing Erskine within nine at 24-15.
The Lady Bearcats’ lead grew to 33-15 when Crouch drained her third three-pointer of the first half. She finished with 18 points and was 4-6 from long range.
Both teams struggled to find the basket toward the end of the first half, but Good would pick up the slack when she hit her second three of the half to give the Lady Bearcats a 40-27 lead with 3:12 remaining.
Erskine trimmed the lead down to single digits at 42-33 before halftime following Timmerman’s fourth three of the half.
“At the half, we told our team that Erskine was playing with more heart and they were playing harder and smarter than we were,” Pederson said. “I thought they did a good job of coming into a hostile environment and they played hard in the first half.”
Good came out firing in the second half as she pushed the Lady Bearcats’ lead back to double digits, sparking a 6-2 Lady Bearcats’ run in the opening minutes.
The Lady Flying Fleet trailed by 17 points with 16:53 remaining in the game. Timmerman would hit a three for Erskine, her only points of the second half, but the Lady Bearcats still led by 14 points.
Good continued to hustle throughout the game and it was never more evident than when she went headfirst over the press row table, jumped back up and over the table, and rushed back down court to pick up on defense as the crowd cheered her on.
With 10:59 remaining in the game, the Lady Bearcats led 62-45.
Stephanie Ponds, who finished with 22 points, four rebounds and four blocks, controlled the paint in the second half as the Lady Bearcats’ lead grew to 72-49 with less than eight minutes remaining in the game.
The Lady Bearcats were never threatened down the stretch and won easily.
The Lady Bearcats return to the court Dec. 15 when they go on the road to face Armstrong Atlantic. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.

Opinion

Maybe it’s time again to consider term limits

December 5, 2006

Not too long ago there was a movement all over the United States to limit the number of terms one person could serve in a public office. It obviously didn’t do what proponents expected. That, however, doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea.
Maybe it’s time to push that concept again. It seems to be human nature for some individuals to stay in office so long they get to where they think they own that particular office. When that happens, too many times they project an image that’s contrary to what “public office” should be. Furthermore, they too often appear to resent constituents asking questions.
It gets worse, though. Too often they treat their constituents with disdain and ignore them altogether.
When that happens, and it does in Greenwood and indeed all across South Carolina, term limits become more attractive on local, state and national levels.