Building plan OK’d by Dist. 50

25-year payoff projected under installment bond sale

September 1, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood School District 50 voted Thursday night to move forward with a new bond plan for more facility construction.
The district’s board of trustees voted 5-1 at a special meeting to use a new installment purchase bond plan for a roughly $129 million construction and renovation project scheduled to be paid off in 25 years.
Board member Lary Davis voted against the resolution; board member Jennie Thompson was absent from the meeting.
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 period of time.
Project costs were originally estimated at $115 million, but Superintendent Darrell Johnson said the number was only the bottom of a range that peaked at $150 million.
Likewise, the original 15-year payment plan was at one end of a range while 25 years was at another.
The millage rate will stay at 61.4 regardless, Johnson said.
The rate could be raised to as much as 88 mills if an emergency occurred, said Gary Johnson, assistant superintendent for business and operations for the district.
The change caught some of the board members by surprise.
Davis asked for a work session just before the vote because the meeting was the first time he’d heard of $129 million.
He was persuaded by the other board members to delay the work session because the resolution was only to affirm that the board was going through with the plan.
Gary Johnson also gave costs for the facility needs for the district, coming to a total of more than $93 million.
The time was right to go with the installment bond plan because of rising inflation costs, he said.
Construction costs would increase about 12 percent every year.
The current bond activity schedule would give the project a growing supply of money for any extra costs that might spring up after paying back $9 million a year for the installment plan, Gary Johnson said.
He and Darrell Johnson laid out several options for construction plans at the meeting.
The project’s money could be spent on new elementary schools or renovations of high schools or something else facility-wise, Gary Johnson said.
Most of the costs presented at the meeting were conservative and will probably change once the board figures out the details.
Board members will be sorting out some of the details at a Sept. 19 work session, chairwoman Dru James said.
Several options for construction supervision were also explained during the meeting, involving different combinations of different “monitors,” or coordinators, hired independent of the district or from a construction management firm.
Construction supervision will also be figured out later, Gary Johnson said.

Prosecutors appeal dismissal of death penalty

Rita Bixby charged in connection with 2003 shooting deaths
of two Abbeville lawmen

September 1, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

ABBEVILLE — The chief prosecutor in the case against Rita Bixby said Thursday that his office has decided to appeal a judge’s order to dismiss the death penalty notice against the woman, who is charged in connection with the shooting deaths of two Abbeville County lawmen.
Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace said the notice of appeal has been filed with the South Carolina Supreme Court, where it will either be heard or passed down to a court of appeals.
During hearings last week, Tenth Circuit Judge Alexander Macaulay ordered that the death penalty notice against Bixby be dismissed, following a motion from Bixby’s attorneys that their client’s charges did not rise to the level of the death penalty in South Carolina.
Bixby is charged with accessory before the fact of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and misprision of a felony, which means failure to report the planning of a crime.
Her son, Steven Bixby, is charged with murder in the December 2003 shooting deaths of Abbeville Sheriff’s Sgt. Danny Wilson and constable Donnie Ouzts, who had gone to the Bixby home on S.C. 72 to mediate a land dispute that related to the widening of that highway. Rita Bixby’s husband, Arthur Bixby, has also been charged with murder in connection with the shootings.
The state is also seeking the death penalty against Steven Bixby, whose trial is scheduled to begin in October in Abbeville.
According to reports, Rita Bixby never fired a shot during the 13-hour standoff with authorities that occurred after Wilson and Ouzts were killed, and the woman was not in the house where the shootings took place. She was arrested at a nearby apartment complex on the day of the standoff.
At a hearing in April, Rita Bixby’s attorneys motioned that the death penalty notice against their client was unconstitutional, arguing that the notice violated state law and the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
In an earlier interview, Peace said that, though there had been no cases in which a person with Rita Bixby’s charges has faced the death penalty, the “plain reading” of state law codes seemed to allow the death penalty notice in such cases.
After consulting with the state attorney general’s office, Peace said he thought the death penalty was still an option for Rita Bixby.
“In our opinion, in reading the (state law) statutes, she is eligible for the death penalty,” Peace said.
Peace said it “could be a while” before the appeal is heard in court, adding that the appeal could create a delay in the start of Rita Bixby’s trial, which has yet to be scheduled.
“Now everything will be depending on this,” he said.

Greenwood rains on Emerald’s parade

Eagles top Vikes in weather-delayed tennis match

September 1, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Rain might have slowed down the cross-town tennis match between Emerald and Greenwood, but it didn’t stop it.
After the court was dried and the sun reappeared, Greenwood served up a 5-2 win in the early season matchup.
Greenwood coach Jim Still said that although the delay might have contributed to his team’s slow start, he said he thinks the Lady Vikings and coach Susan Timmerman had a lot to do with that.
In the battle of top players for each team, Greenwood’s Haley Sayer outlasted Emerald’s Sarah Seigler 6-3, 7-5. Sayer stepped up throughout the match with several well-placed returns before finally taking control of the opening match.
The Lady Eagles’ Taylor Poznick defeated Morgan Lee 6-4, 6-4 in their match on court five, while the No. 3 and No. 4 matches can only be described as marathons.
Sisters Lori and Jeannie Flick, from Greenwood, won their matches in these slots against Catherine Talbert and Meredith Martin, 2-6, 6-4, 11-9, and 4-6, 6-3, 10-5, respectively.
“I think our girls did well because it was really close, but I was disappointed that we didn’t do better, but I think that this is good experience for us to get us ready for our region play.” Timmerman said. “Claire is the youngest varsity player I’ve got and she played really well today.”
Eighth-grader Claire Gillespie made sure that the Lady Vikings didn’t go winless in their singles matches, when she quickly defeated Anna Pritchard 6-1, 6-1.
In doubles play, Sayer and Poznick defeated Seigler and Lee 3-6, 7-5, 11-9 in the first match. Sidney Ann Fowler and Lyda Welborn won the second doubles match for the Lady Vikings with a solid 6-0, 6-3 victory over Kaitlin Glanton and Emily Moore.
“Emerald is a very good team and I think our team performed well.” Still said. “I want to point out the play of the Flick sisters who last year didn’t really have a key role on the team and this year, they’re being asked to pull some big points and they went out and got to tie-break wins for us and that was the difference in the match.”

Opinion

What’s up for Labor Day? It could be the last to live

September 1, 2006

Hey! Kids. Moms and dads. What’s up for the Labor Day weekend? Will it be crowded with fun activities, or maybe relaxing or just hanging out with friends.
Think about that meal you’re having. Maybe it’s your favorite hamburger, fries and milkshake. Or, maybe it’s a sumptuous offering at your parents’ table, with all the family gathered ‘round. That’s always a great time together, right?
How about you, dad? Planning a golf game with your buddies, or doing a little fishing and playing around at the lake? Maybe you’re just going to stay home and work in the yard, then go out to a party or a cook-out, with mom by your side.

BEFORE THAT, STOP! THINK! Look around! Burn the images of loved ones in your mind and remember what they mean to you ..... parents, brothers, sisters and friends. Maybe it’d be a good time to pat the dog on his head or give the cat a loving scratch. Do all the things you like to do as if it were the last time. It just might be.
You may never see any of them again, or know the warmth of a hug from mom or one from a daughter or son ..... all the wonderful sights, sounds, and smells that are often taken for granted. Enjoy! That is, of course, if you’re going to go out like a lot of people do on holidays and drink and drive. If so, it could be the last thing you ever do.
Think about the finality of what that means. Everyone has a choice. Make it the right one. Vehicles - of any kind - and alcohol or drugs don’t mix. Together they kill, pure and simple.

FOR MANY, TRAGEDIES HAVE happened many times in Greenwood and all over the Lakelands area for anyone not to take drinking and driving seriously.
Think of someone you know, a loved one or a friend, someone you’ve lost while he or she was driving under the influence. And remember. Remember that but for the grace of God it could have been you ..... and still could be.
Have fun. Labor Day invites that. Just be smart ..... and be around for the next holiday.
Someone who might be reading this may laugh or joke about it, and maybe ignore it. Someone else may later stand at a coffin and wonder what might have been.

Obituaries

Mattie Lou Gilliam Aye

Mattie Lou Gilliam Aye, 78, of 1307 W. Alexander Road, widow of James Gilliam and Bennie Aye, died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006 at her home.
Born in McCormick County, she was a daughter of the late John P. and Ella Quarles Gaskin. She was a seamstress at Nantex, a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Greenwood, and a former member of Bailey Bethel AME Church, McCormick.
Survivors include three sons, John Gilliam, James Gilliam and William Gilliam, all of Atlanta; a daughter, Mrs. Larry (Alice Gilliam) Ryans of Greenwood; a brother, Charlie Gaskin of Brooklyn, N.Y.; three sisters, Louella Branch of Cambria Heights, N.Y., Gertrude Dean and Mrs. Joe (Jannie) Martin, both of Philadelphia; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Henry Griffin

Henry Griffin, 65, of 103A McKellar Court, passed away Sunday, August 27, 2006.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Steve Griffin and Eva Boyd Griffin. He was employed with C.E. Bourne & Company.
He is survived by one daughter, Jackie Hill of Waterloo; three sisters, Emma Bell Griffin Mosley of Summerville, SC, Minnie Jean Griffin of Albany, NY and Maxine Griffin of Queens, NY; two brothers, Johnny Griffin and George Willie Griffin, both of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Thomas Duncan officiating.
Burial will be in the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Coronaca.
Flower bearers will be the nieces and friends of the family.
Pallbearers will be the nephews and J.B. Lukie, Sadie McBride, Raymond Kelly, Robert Roman, Jr.
Viewing will be from 12 noon to 9 p.m. on Friday.
The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh.earthlink.net.

JoAnn McKown Horton

ABBEVILLE — Services for JoAnn McKown Horton, 81, formerly of Abbeville, will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday Sept. 3, 2006 at Main St. United Methodist Church with the Revs. Randy Taylor and Jason E. Brewer officiating. The burial will follow in Melrose Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC on Saturday Sept. 2, 2006 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
Mrs. Horton, wife of the late Harry Lucas Horton, died Friday Aug. 31, 2006 at the Mullins Nursing Center in Mullins, SC. Born January 25, 1925 in Valley Head, Ala., she was a daughter of the late James Paul and Leatha Ann Sibley McKown. She was a graduate of Winchester High School, attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and worked for the Atomic Energy Commission at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. After moving to Abbeville, she assisted her husband with his business, Horton Insurance Agency.
Mrs. Horton was a devoted mother and member of Main St. United Methodist Church. She was a charter member of the Abbeville Cotillion Club, active supporter of the Abbeville Opera House, and an avid golfer for many years as a member of High Meadows Country Club. She enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and abroad with friends and family.
Surviving are her four children and their spouses, Dudley McKown Horton and his wife Evelyn, Dr. Mark Marion Horton and his wife Janet, all of Abbeville, SC, Jill Horton McMillan and her husband Sam of Mullins, SC, and Christopher Lucas Horton and his wife Soona of Greensboro, NC; 10 grandchildren, Samuel Lucas McMillan and wife Lisa, Jason Horton McMillan, Austin Davis McMillan, Jessica Hope Horton, Kellie Lauren Horton, Sara Beth Horton, Brandon Alexander Horton, Turner McKown Horton, Caroline Joanna Horton, and Hanna Marie Horton; two sisters, Virginia Louise McKown Brock of Cowan, Tenn., and Nancy McKown Neal of Winchester, Tenn.; and a brother-in-law, Charles Thurman Horton of Belvidere, Tenn.
Memorials may be made to Main St. United Methodist Church, PO Box 656 Abbeville, SC 29620; The National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson St. Baltimore, MD 21230 or the Upstate SC Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 658 Greenwood, SC 29648.
Active pallbearers will be William Douglas Gale, Austin Davis McMillan, Jason Horton McMillan, Samuel Lucas McMillan, David Walter Wilson and Michael Barron Wilson.
Honorary Pallbearers: Ned Elder Barnette, William Wade Caldwell, Patterson Cox and James Bera Simpson, Jr.
Online condolences may be sent to the Horton family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com
The family would like to express its appreciation to the staff of Mullins Nursing Center for their caregiving services and to the Mullins Presbyterian Church family for adopting Mrs. Horton.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.

Mallie Mae Lindley

WARE SHOALS — Mallie Mae Gilmer Lindley, 80, widow of Harold C. Lindley, formerly of 52 E. Honea Path St., died Thursday, August 31, 2006 at the Hospice House in Anderson.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Robert E. and Essie Fleming Gilmer. She was retired after over 35 years of service from Riegel Textile Co. She was a member of the Ware Shoals Pentecostal Holiness Church where she had 14 years of perfect Sunday School attendance, and was a member of the Ladies Quartet.
Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Jim (Dianne) L. Cooley of Honea Path, one brother, Dean Gilmer of Ware Shoals, one granddaughter, Melanie Bell Kyle of Honea Path, a step-grandson, Greg Knight of Honea Path, five great-grandchildren, Justin, Austin, and Candace Kyle, and Ashley and Adam Knight. She was pre-deceased by 5 brothers, Jim Burt, Ralph, Henry, Sam, and Robert Lee Gilmer and three sisters, Mary Bruce, Euphie Timms, and Lillie Belle Harris.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM Saturday, September 2, 2006 at Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Randy Fleming and Rev. Barry Bryan officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2 PM Saturday before the service. The family is at the home of her daughter, Dianne Cooley, 17 Polly St. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Rd., Anderson, S.C. 29621.

Eloise Pitts

LAURENS — Eloise Pitts, 86, passed away Wednesday evening, August 30, 2006 at Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center. She was born in the Poplar Springs Community of western Laurens County, a daughter of the late Emmett Atwood and Leota Elrod Pitts.
Miss Pitts was a retired employee of the US Department of the Navy with thirty years service. She and her sister, Marguerite, began their work in Washington, DC during WWII. She was a long time devoted member of Friendship Presbyterian Church near Hickory Tavern.
Miss Pitts was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Three brothers and five sisters predeceased her. Her nearest surviving kin are four nephews and two nieces to whom she was a loving aunt.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 11 AM at Friendship Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Robert Cathcart officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will greet friends Saturday at the church one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Friendship Presbyterian Church, 2094 Neely Ferry Road, Hickory Tavern, S.C.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.parkerwhitepruitt.com
Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, S.C.

Alma Thigpen

Alma Hughes Thigpen, 93, resident of NHC Health Care Center, widow of Claude Thigpen, died Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Stapleton, GA, she was a daughter of the late Pete and Angelo Kelley Hughes. She had been employed by Greenwood Mills, Mathews Plant and was a member of Abney Memorial Baptist Church.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Abney Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Ted Williams officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Holly Wood Cemetery, Orange City, FL.
Memorials may be made to Abney Memorial Baptist Church building fund, 208 Panola Avenue, Greenwood SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Hugh A. Williams

Abbeville — Hugh A. Williams, 81, of 307 Brooks St., husband of the late Frances Bowie Williams, died Thursday, August 31, 2006 at his residence. He was born in Abbeville to the late Luther L. and Irene Reynolds Williams. Mr. Williams was the past and present owner of several businesses, including Williams Shell Station from 1957-1973, Burger Town 1973-1975, The Kupboard Restaurant for 10 years, and presently the Mattress Barn. He was a member of the Masonic Clinton Lodge #3, Hejaz Temple, and was of the Holiness faith. Mr. Williams was a WWII veteran serving in the United States Navy.
He was preceded in death in addition to his wife and parents, two brothers, Homer Williams, Joe Williams, three sisters, Agnes Hammond, Gerene Hall, Pauline Williams, and one granddaughter, Lora Dale Richey.
Mr. Williams is survived by his two daughters, Sandra W. Pettigrew, and Penny W. Richey, a brother, Lee Williams, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren all of Abbeville.
The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Friday, September 1, 2006 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11:00AM Saturday, September 2, 2006 in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Melrose Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Williams to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont 408 W. Alexander Ave. Greenwood, SC 29646 OR to the American Cancer Society c/o Conway Shirley 144 Winona Church Rd. Due West, SC 29639.
Online condolences may be sent to the Williams family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME of Abbeville is assisting the Williams family.