Dist. 50 discusses construction options

Cost, payback time for building plan yet to be determined;
construction management company hired

October 3, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood School District 50’s board of trustees reviewed some previously given construction plan information Monday night while giving a construction management company the task of looking over the district’s school needs plan.
District 50’s administration will let the construction management company hired during Monday night’s specially called meeting review the district’s information about its construction needs and return its opinion within two weeks, said Gary Johnson, assistant superintendent for business and operations.
The district hired a construction management company as part of its installment purchase bond plan that would allow the district to build and renovate new schools in less than a decade.
Bonds are typically sold by government agencies to the public and investors to fund large projects.
The money derived from the bond sale is given to the issuing agency and paid back over an established amount of time.
The construction management companies that were asked back to the district to provide further information about their services, MB Kahn and Southern Management Co., stated they could provide their verification or disagreement with the district’s previous school needs study in two weeks after they were hired.
Southern Management Co. was hired by the district after Monday’s executive session ended, Gary Johnson said.
Southern Management will examine the district and make an independent review of the condition of the district’s schools.
Further details about the district’s construction plans, such as the number of years the program will take to complete, will be presented at a specially called meeting Oct. 16, said superintendent Darrell Johnson.
Not every board member felt comfortable with plans to hire a construction management company.
Board member Frank Coyle said he didn’t want to vote for a company Monday.
The vote would have to be made soon, said board member Tom Pritchard.
Board member Lary Davis said he was in favor of the plan, but felt the process of hiring a construction management company was going in the wrong direction.
“It seems like we’re starting at the back end and working our way forward,” he said.
The district on Monday also revised some of the costs and payment years of the construction projects, Gary Johnson said.
Cost projections had to changed because of a fluctuation of the Greenwood County Council’s estimated value of a mill tax rate.
The millage rate is equivalent to the tax per $1,000 of assessed value of a property.
Gary Johnson said that $93 million would have to be spent to do renovations and modifications at existing schools.
About $56 million would need to be spent for the elementary schools and $36 million for Emerald and Greenwood high schools.
Financing for the projects could range from $105 million for 15 years in bond proceeds, after design fees and legal services, to $145 million for 25 years, depending on what the board wants to do, Gary Johnson said.
The district also needs to decide whether to build two or three new elementary schools.
The board will also hear presentations from architectural firms for the construction projects Oct. 6, Gary Johnson said.
Board members Patricia Tolbert and Jennie Thompson were absent from the meeting.

Obituaries

Mafelda Bradford Arnett

LINCOLNTON, Ga. — Mafelda Bradford Arnett, 81, of 3853 Chamberlain’s Ferry Road, widow of William Arnett, died Monday at McDuffie Regional Medical Center in Thomson, Georgia.
Born in Lincolnton, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Gordon T. Bradford and the late Pauline D. Bradford.
Mrs. Arnett was a member of Pine Grove United Methodist Church in Lincolnton, Georgia.
Surviving are three sons, William T. Arnett (wife Janice) of Greenwood, SC, Walter Palmer and Raymond G. Arnett (wife Penny) of Lincolnton, four daughters, Mrs. James (Jane) Rowland and Shirley Martin of Greenwood, SC, Mrs. Benny (Sandra) Pate of Dacula, and Mrs. Chuck (Teresa) McCuen of Milledgeville, four sisters, Mrs. Alfred (Elsie) Politano of Augusta, Mrs. James (Rosa Lee) Blanton of Spartanburg, SC, Mrs. Bill (Betty) Luking and Mrs. Bill (Bobbie) Wilkinson of Lincolnton, 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 4, 2006, at Pine Grove United Methodist Church in Lincolnton, Georgia. Dr. Benny G. Pate will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 3, 2006 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home in Lincolnton, Georgia.

Patricia Cantrell

NINETY SIX — Patricia Leann Simpson Cantrell, 29, of 202 Butler Circle, died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, at her home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

Matthew Faw

Matthew Richard Faw, 19, of 122 Carlton Street, died Sunday, October 1, 2006.
Born in Greenwood, he had attended Greenwood High School and was employed in the construction industry. He attended New Life Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Surviving is his mother, Nancy Shirley Crawford and stepfather, Irvin “Snappy” Crawford, of the home; his father, Richard Sayre Faw, of Charleston; a stepsister, Candice Crawford of Greenwood; a stepbrother, Devin Crawford of Georgia; grandparents, Jean Jones of Greenwood, Frances Crawford of Greenwood, Mary Faw of Charleston and Wylie Faw of North Carolina.
Services will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Alvin Hodges officiating. Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Barry Shirley, Matthew Shirley, Jason Shirley, Chris Goodman, Phillip Moore, John Bryan, Sean Lee, Kelvin Cooper and Devin Crawford.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Wetzel Garrison

GOOSE CREEK — Master Chief Petty Officer Wetzel O. Garrison, USN (Ret.), 78, of Goose Creek, husband of Marie A. Martorello Garrison, died Sunday, October 1, 2006 at Trident Medical Center, Charleston.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, October 5, 2006 at 1 o’clock at Grace United Methodist Church, 1601 Sam Rittenburg Blvd., Charleston. Burial with military honors will be held at Carolina Memorial Park, North Charleston.
Friends may call at James A. Dyal Funeral Home, Summerville from 6 until 8 o’clock Wednesday evening. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made: American Lung Association, 1941 Savage Road, Suite 200-A, Charleston, SC 29407.
Mr. Garrison was born June 25, 1928 in Ware Shoals, SC, a son of the late William Loflin Garrison and Lola Mae Dickerson Garrison. He attended Trident Technical College. He was a Shriner and a member of the Goose Creek Masonic Lodge. He was a distinguished 31 year veteran of the United States Navy serving as Master Chief Petty Officer.
Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Garry Garrison (Cynthia) of North Charleston; four daughters, Robin Rose (Elliott) of Goose Creek, Tracy G. Stockdale (Michael) of Williamsburg, Va., Toni Shannon (Victor) of Moncks Corner and Valerie A. Besinger of Goose Creek; 9 grandchildren, Jason and Kali Rose, Ryan and Avery Garrison, Joshua Stockdale, William “Billy” Shannon, Taylor, Megan and Luke Bensinger; a sister, Nyoda Scott of Greenwood, SC; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his brothers William, Everette and Terry Garrison.
ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME 303 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 843-873-4040.

Benjamin ‘Bunk’ Hurley

NORTH AUGUSTA — Mr. Benjamin “Bunk” Hurley, 88, the husband of Alice Kelley Hurley, formerly of 201 Riley Road North, Hodges, SC, died on October 1, 2006 in the Anna Maria Nursing Home.
Born in Saluda County, SC, He was a member of the Young Mt. Zion Baptist Church, an Army Veteran of WWII and a retired employee of Allen Brothers Mill.
He is survived by; his wife of the home; one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Blocker, Greenwood, SC; three stepsons, Frank Brown, Hodges, SC, Edward and David Brown both of Greenwood, SC; nephew, George Christie, Greenwood, SC; nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Young Mt. Zion Baptist Church conducted by the Reverend Robert Livingston, burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 12 noon.
The family is at the home. Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda is in charge.

John Walter ‘Jake’ Keller

BALTIMORE — John Walter “Jake” Keller, 88, of 615 Nottingham Road, died September 28, 2006, at St. Agnes Hospital.
He was born in Anderson County, attended the public schools of Ware Shoals, and was a World War II veteran of the U. S. Army.
He was the son of the late Willie and Fannie Keller and was also preceded in death by his first wife, Harriett Keller.
Survivors: Wife, Mary Keller, Baltimore, MD; son, L.B. (Nita) Keller, Baltimore, MD; two brothers, William Keller, Ware Shoals, SC; and Homer Keller, Philadelphia, PA; two sisters, Ruth Gray, Rock Hill, SC and Louise Gilbert, Philadelphia, PA; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are 10 am Wednesday at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Baltimore, with burial in the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Maryland.
Estep Funeral Home, 1300 Utah Place, Baltimore, MD 21217 is in charge of arrangements.
Announcement, courtesy of Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, SC.

L.J. Morgan

DONALDS — L.J. Smith Morgan, 74, died Friday, September 29, at Self Regional Healthcare.
She was born October 25, 1931, to the late J. W. and Pauline Fowler Smith. She was educated in the public schools in Laurens, SC, and retired from Martha Franks Retirement Center in Laurens.
L.J. joined the Rocky Springs Baptist Church family at a very young age where she was a faithful member and Missionary until her health started declining.
She was united with James Morgan on November 21, 1955. This union brought forth six children.
Her survivors are her husband and granddaughter, ChaLacy Hawthorne, who was also care provider of the home; three daughters, Carolyn Smith, Ware Shoals, Sylvia Banner and Mary (Artis) Hawthorne, Donalds; two sons, Bobby (Dollie) Smith and Willie (Janie) Smith, both of Ware Shoals; one step-son, James Morgan Jr., Winston-Salem, NC; three sisters, Lula Bell Williams, Laurens, SC; Wilma Richardson, Charlotte, NC and Helen Brewster, Newark, NJ; four brothers, Chester, Willie, Johnny and Robert Smith, all of Laurens; a special adopted daughter, Rev. Marie Hunter, Abbeville, SC; 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are 3 pm Wednesday at the Rocky Springs Baptist Church by the Rev. Wymond Wilkins; burial in the church cemetery. The body is at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service and will be on view Tuesday beginning at 12 noon and will be placed in the church Wednesday at 2 pm.
The family is at the home.
Robinson Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, SC, is in charge of the arrangements.

Jeffery Shults

SIMPSONVILLE — Jeffery Noel Shults, 36, husband of Jane Haley West Shults, of 112 Weatherstone Lane, died Friday, September 29, 2006.
Born December 25, 1969 in Pasco, Washington, he was the son of Randall V. and Dori McClellan Shults of Columbia, SC.
He attended the College of Charleston and he and his wife are owners of Emergency Services Restoration in Simpsonville.
He was a member of Grace Community Church in Ramona, CA and attended First Baptist Church, Simpsonville.
Jeffery was very devoted to his family. His joy in life was spending time with Jane and his children boating and taking trips.
Surviving in addition to his wife and parents are his daughters, Lauren Haley Shults and Caroline Anne Shults and his son, Parker Jeffery Shults, all of the home; his unborn son, Jeffery Elliott Shults, due in December 2006; his grandparents, Paul and Alice McClellan of Portland, OR; a sister, Heather S. Young and her husband, Mike of Simpsonville, SC and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Nancy West of Greenwood, SC.
Services will be conducted Tuesday, October 3, 2006, at 11:00 AM at The Mackey Mortuary with Dr. Ron Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of SC, 726 Lowndes Hill Rd., Greenville, SC 29607.
The Mackey Mortuary…www.mackeymortuary.com.

Jim Simpson

ABBEVILLE— James “Jim” Bera Simpson, Jr., 68, husband of Betty Ashley Simpson, died Monday, October 02, 2006 at his residence. He was the son of the late J. Bera and Edna Purdy Simpson, Sr.
Jim retired from Mohawk Carpet Industry as manager of the Filament Yarn Division in Calhoun Falls and was presently the Special Project Coordinator for the City of Abbeville.
Surviving also are his three sons, Tony, Tim and his wife Sue, Jeff and his wife Beth, two granddaughters, Katie and Abby all of Abbeville, a sister, Linda Gresham and her husband Bill of Columbia, and a brother, Carroll Simpson and his wife Emilie of Greenville.
The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00PM Wednesday, October 4, 2006 in the First Baptist Church of Abbeville conducted by the Rev. Reiny Koshel and Mr. Peter Trenholm. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery.
Serving as Pallbearers will be, Phillip Bush, Wade Caldwell, Michael Genevie, Walter Ray Hilley, Jerry Soloman, and Spencer Sorrow.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont 408 W. Alexander Ave. Greenwood, SC 29646 or to a charity of one’s choice.
The family is at the residence.
Online condolences may be sent to the Simpson family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Simpson family.

Collene Tenney

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Collene J. Tenney, 78, of Route 2 Box 209, wife of Myron D. Tenney, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2006 at Talbott’s Personal Care in Belington.
Born Sept. 11, 1928 in Cassidy, she was the daughter of the late Rudolph and Ina Osburn Miller. She was a homemaker and member of Nays Chapel.
Survivors include her husband of Buckhannon; three sons, Dennis Leo and wife Chrystalyn Tenney, Robert Eugene and wife Arawana Tenney and William Paul and wife Connie Tenney, all of Buckhannon; a grandson, Robert Paul Tenney of Buckhannon; two granddaughters, Lisa and husband Eric McCullough of Clarksburg and Bridget and husband Sean Walker of Chengdu, China; a great-grandson Ethan Walker; three great-granddaughters, Ashley McCullough, Lydia Walker and Rachel Walker.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Alverta Lamb and Cleo Brown.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Donald Butcher. Burial is in Mount Union Church Cemetery, Tallmansville.
Visitation is 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home Inc. is in charge.

Report: Xavier Dye’s mom moving

Relocation could affect whether he plays for Byrnes High School

October 3, 2006

From staff reports


The South Carolina high school football version of “Days of Our Lives” — the Xavier Dye-Byrnes saga — has taken another turn.
According to a report published in The State, Dye, the former Greenwood High School standout wide receiver, will once again be requesting athletic eligibility at the Duncan school by way of the South Carolina High School League.
Dye’s mother, Althea Wells, is planning to move to the town of Lyman, which is in Byrnes’ school district. Wells is Dye’s full custodial guardian, which is an important piece of the eligibility puzzle.
The original reason Dye was not allowed to play for Byrnes was because he did not have a bona fide change in address. This stemmed from the fact that Dye was living with his uncle, A.J. Rogers, in Duncan. Rogers had temporary custody of Dye, which was not enough to qualify for a bona fide change of address for athletic eligibility.
Dye, who has committed to play football at Clemson University, has been denied four times in his attempt to play for the Rebels: once by the SCHSL as a whole, once by SCHSL director Jerome Singleton in an appeal, once by the SCHSL executive committee by a vote of 14-0 and, most recently, in a court of law.
However, with his full custodial guardian, Wells, planning a move to that district, the door might have opened for Dye to don the Rebels’ silver and blue.
SCHSL rules state that a player’s guardian must close his home in the previous town and move the entire family to another district in order for that player to have a chance at eligibility at the new school.
However, Singleton said that, as of Monday, he has not received a request for eligibility for Dye with this new set of circumstances.
“At this point, I have received no request from them,” Singleton said Monday, via telephone. “We must have a request of eligibility for a situation like this before we can move forward with any ruling.” Singleton said he had no information on when or if he might receive such a request from Dye and Byrnes.
This course of action has been on the back burner in this pigskin soap opera for some time.
At the SCHSL executive committee meeting in August, the one in which Dye was denied for the third time, a committee member asked Singleton if the matter could be reconsidered if Wells lived in Byrnes’ district.
At the time, Singleton simply replied that the matter could be reconsidered if that circumstance were to arise.
Dye was a letterman in football, basketball and track at Greenwood. He verbally committed to play college football for the Tigers in December 2005.
He plans to enroll in Clemson in January, following his graduation from Byrnes in December. If he is able to, finally, gain permission to play for Byrnes, it would pair him on offense with fellow Clemson commitment and Byrnes quarterback Willy Korn.

Opinion

No cheers for losers ...
... but keep on trying

October 3, 2006

There will be no loafing ..... or else.
That’s the warning University of South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier has given the players on the football team at USC. It seems to work, too. Even though the Gamecocks lost to Auburn, ranked number two in the nation, it was obvious the players didn’t loaf. The difference was one score, and as fans learned, they could just as easily have won that particular game And they cheered the effort.
However, Spurrier said he didn’t want anyone to cheer when there’s a loss. He reminded everyone that winning, not losing, is for cheering.
Many fans will agree. Still, enthusiasm and diligence can do wonders. So can perseverance. All are major factors in any good program, be it in athletics, the business world or anything else.
Most people know that to be true, without a doubt.
Still, it’s mystifying how many of us appear to take things for granted and believe we can succeed without making the maximum effort. That, to be sure, is called learning the hard way. Even then, though, it seems some just don’t get it.
Could that be the number one reason we can’t seem to find answers to the problems that confront us in education and a number of social pursuits?