Hodges makes stand on crime

August 8, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

HODGES — The town’s newest resident couldn’t quite make it.
But considering that baby girl George — born to Hodges Mayor Michael George and wife Beth on Tuesday afternoon — was just an hour or so old, National Night Out organizer Susan Nickles cut the family some slack.
“I told (the mayor) that he was going to be at the hospital today,” Nickles said. “I told him that I would forgive him.
We’re happy for them.”
But the show did go on, and about 100 Hodges residents gathered in the oppressive heat to show their support for the town — and each other.
“We are taking a stand against crime in Hodges,” Nickles said.
Children released yellow balloons to mark the occasion while residents enjoyed the bluegrass sound of the Smith Brothers as well as praise and worship from the Harris Baptist Church praise band. The men played horseshoes outside, while the ladies had a cake walk indoors with cool ice cream.
One especially delectable-looking item — a five-layer red velvet cake crafted by Louise Tolbert — appeared to be the object of many affections.
Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Ray Watson and Deputy Randy Miles were on hand for the festivities, answering question for residents.
“We’re just here to answer any questions that anyone might have,” Miles said. “This is a great event where people can come out from the community and get to know each other, so we’re glad that we can be here. ”
Gay Brown lent her clown services for the evening, but she was not alone in her volunteering efforts. Plenty of residents chipped in to help.
“The (Hodges-Cokesbury Fire Department) guys were just great,” Nickles said. “They helped to set up the tents this afternoon and everything. There are a lot of people here who have just stepped in there and helped out.”
Hodges Town Councilman Marty Wiles stopped by the event to speak to everyone along with his wife, Michelle. Many of the residents thought it might be his last Hodges event as a councilman as he had resigned his position — the couple had contemplated a move to Honea Path — but a quick e-mail rescinding the resignation on Tuesday changed all that.
The Wiles family is staying put in Hodges — for a while.
“I love this event,” Wiles said. “It would have been better without the 100-degree heat, but there are still a lot of people who showed up today. We struggled with the decision (to move), and then everything just sort of happened today, so I had to have that e-mail in before midnight.”
Destiny Jones, who will be Nickles’ teacher assistant when school starts in a couple of weeks, said she was pleased with the crowd, even with the heat.
“It was a good turnout,” she said. “Even with the weather like this.”

Neighbors unite in Mathews Mill

August 8, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

If you ever wanted to really know who your neighbor was, Tuesday night was the time to find out — especially in the Mathews Mill Village.
An ice cream social, karaoke, face painting and children’s entertainment added to the party-like atmosphere at one of the 24 National Night Out events across Greenwood County.
The purpose of National Night Out is “to create a more positive relationship with city and county law officers as well as get the word out in our association,” said Raymond Davis.
Davis is a resident of Mathews Mill Village and organizer of the Mathew’s Night Out.
The association Davis mentioned is the Mathews Mill Association, whose members met in Mathews United Methodist Church to plan the event and also to find other ways community members can get involved.
And, like many of the other events taking place across the county, the Mathews Night Out focused on getting the drugs and crime out of the neighborhood.
A sign hanging inside the social hall at Mathews UMC read “Take a bite out of crime before it bites you.”
Local law enforcement arrived just after 6 p.m. in case any questions needed to be answered pertaining to safety in the community. A fire truck was also on site for anyone interested in seeing the big red vehicle.
“It’s just a night to mingle with the crowd, us to know them and them to know us,” said Capt. Edward Carter with the Greenwood Fire Department.
Lt. Jonathan Smith with the Greenwood Police Department reiterated Carter’s statement.
“We get to come out and meet the citizens of the community,” Smith said.
It didn’t take long before all were involved in conversation over an ice cream sandwich or a nice, cold soft drink.A table of young girls — Killian Harris, Nyreashia Jones, Tamieka Lonzo and Latasha Lonzo — sat chowing down on the refreshments, waiting anxiously for a prize drawing.
“I think as we get to know each other and what the night is, it gives a clear message that the community is coming together,” said Chris Hollis, pastor of Mathews ”UMC.
David Miles, a resident of the community and a member of the church, certainly hopes the community is coming together. He said he has lived in the village so long now that he has seen the young people grow up and move away.
“I guess you could say I grew up in this community,” he said. “And I guess you could say I’m one of the last ones to watch all the young ones grow up.”
With everyone gathered and considering one another as neighbors and friends, Davis offered an introductory speech, calling for help in the community.
“We need participation,” he said. “We need your help. You may not even know who lives next to you.”

County council postpones tax reassessment

August 8, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood County residents, don’t expect to see great changes in this year’s property tax bills just yet.
Greenwood County Council had its regular meeting Tuesday night at the Greenwood County Courthouse, and property taxes was one of the chief topics discussed. The council passed a resolution to postpone the implementation of property tax reassessment until 2008.
In its resolution, council said the recent changes in tax laws made by the South Carolina General Assembly on how to value property are unclear and potentially contradictory.
The resolution went on to say that if county council were to use the new property tax values for the 2007 tax bills, it could do little better than to guess at which procedures to use, and added that an incorrect guess would cause confusion, waste county resources and inconvenience tax payers.
“We think it would be in our best interest, and the public’s, to postpone this reassessment until 2008,” Chairman Robbie Templeton said.
Council heard three first readings on separate ordinances Tuesday.
The first was an ordinance that seeks to increase the operating budget for Ninety Six School District 52 for the 2007-08 school year by $103,700. Templeton said the money was collected in a deferred revenue account.
First reading was heard on an ordinance that would rezone 4 acres of property on Bomber Court from RDD to WD. Also, first reading was heard on an ordinance that would rezone 0.55 acre on Calhoun Road from R-1 to OP-1.
Second readings will be heard for the three ordinances at the Aug. 21 meeting of county council.
County attorney Chuck Watson informed council that inquiries are being made about purchasing a small amount of land near the Promised Land subdivision so that an emergency access road might be cut.
Currently, there is only one way in and one way out of the subdivision, and that road has a railroad track crossing it, which Watson said could cause a problem if there is an emergency while a train is on the tracks.
In a public works committee update, councilman Rhett Dominick recommended council accept a bid of $33,360.31 for a new water-jetting unit for the road maintenance department. One example of the uses of this unit is cleaning out storm drains. The county’s current water-jetting unit is reportedly outdated and in bad repair.
Council also received information from Becky McDade, of the McCormick County Senior Center. McDade was there in support of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
RSVP is a program designed to give those 55 years old or older opportunities to volunteer for certain jobs or events in order to give them a more active life. McDade said her program is soon to be expanding into Greenwood and Abbeville Counties.
Templeton asked McDade to submit information to the county manager and then county council would discuss it further.
In her committee report, councilwoman Edith Childs reminded local parents that registration for youth league football is under way and encouraged children to get signed up. She also thanked workers from the county for all their donations for the Back to School Bash, which provided 700 bags of school supplies to local children.
Dominick advised that on the first Tuesday in September there will be a neighborhood crime watch event for the Phoenix Street area and the Callison area.
Councilman Patrick Moody commended the residents in the Ninety Six mill villa. He said the residents have been superb in their efforts against drugs and crime.
Councilman Bob Jennings took time to honor Ware Shoals’ Lamar Cain, who was in attendance Tuesday. He said Cain has been a leader in the community and in his church for more than 50 years.
Finally, councilman Gonza Bryant had an advisory for all in attendance.
“Thursday is a national holiday, so I want everybody to be safe out there,” Bryant said.
The “holiday?” Bryant’s birthday.
After the crowd finished laughing, Templeton took a good-natured shot at his longtime fellow councilman.
“Well, you’ll be old enough to register for that RSVP program, I guess,” Templeton said, drawing another laugh out of the crowd.

Obituaries

Gerard Brownett

ABBEVILLE — Gerard Joseph Brownett, 44, resident of 71 Carwellyn Road, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, SC.
Born in Red Bank, N.J., he was the son of Harry Andrew Brownett, Jr. and the late Joan Cavanagh Brownett.
He was a graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in N.J. and attended Lander University. He was a Trading Specialist at The New York Stock Exchange until 2001. He was also of the Catholic faith.
Survivors are: his father Harry Andrew Brownett, Jr. of Lake Secession; 2 sisters, Joan Jones of Beaufort, SC, and Patricia Brownett of Abbeville, SC; 2 brothers, Harry A. Brownett of Branchburg, N.J. and John Brownett of Abbeville, SC.
A memorial service will be conducted Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 at 3 p.m. from The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon prior to services. The family is at the home of his brother John Brownett, 115 Cedar Hill Drive Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Brownett to a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the Brownett family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements

Thomas V. Dove Jr.

WATERLOO — Services for Thomas Victor Dove, Jr. will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Hal Lane officiating. Burial will follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Mr. Dove, 71, of 94 Bob White Dr., widower of Rebecca F. Belk Dove, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Thomas V. Dove, Sr. and Jessie Kelley Dove. He was retired from the Chalmers Plant of Greenwood Mills, where he was a member of the Quarter Century Club and served in the US Army. He was a member of Westside Baptist Church.
Surviving is a son, Thomas V. Dove, III of Greenville; a daughter, Victoria Faye Burdette of the home; a brother, Harold Dove of Greenwood; and a granddaughter, Rena Victoria Burdette of the home.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Louise Smith and a brother, Clyde Dove.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Claude Duncan

McCORMICK — Claude Duncan, of 235 Quarles Road, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, after a sudden illness.
The family is at the home of a brother Erthy Duncan, 2006 U.S. Highway 378 E.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

W.M. Fulmer

SALUDA — Walter Mark “W.M.” Fulmer, 71, of 212 E. Wheeler Circle, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at his residence.
Born in Martinez, GA, and a son of the late Raymond Leroy Fulmer, Sr. and Margaret Gladys Fulmer, he was the husband of Carolyn Whittle Fulmer. Mr. Fulmer was a US Marine Corps veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was owner and operator of Fulmer’s Amoco, former owner of The Ice Cream Cone and former owner of Saluda Speed Shop. He built racecars and was a racecar driver. He was a member of Living Legends of Auto Racing, Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association and many other historical Racing Auto Clubs. He was a member of Richland Springs Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Whittle Fulmer of the home; a daughter, Pamela Fulmer Burkett of Saluda; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond L., Jr. and Donnis Mitchell Fulmer and Wayne E. and Sandra Kay Fulmer, all of Saluda; a sister and brother-in-law, Evon F. and Lewis Maw of Saluda; and three grandchildren and a granddaughter in-law, Walter Bryan and Hope Bedenbaugh, Nikki Bedenbaugh and Brett Allen Burkett.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007 at Richland Springs Baptist Church, with Rev. Steve Jones officiating. Interment will follow in West Travis Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, No. 3 Village Square, Greenwood, SC 29648 or to Richland Springs Baptist Church, 1895 Duncan Road, Ward, SC 29166.

Bobby Dean Gary

McCORMICK — Mr. Bobby Dean Gary, age 57, died at Self Regional Medical Center Aug. 4, 2007 after a sudden illness. He was born in McCormick, SC, Sept. 20, 1949, a son of the late Willie and Maggie Thomas Gary. He was employed by the C & R Paving Company.
Surviving are a sister Mrs. Lula Mae Anderson of McCormick, SC; six brothers, Willie Gary, Jr. of Plum Branch, SC, James E. Gary, Samuel D. Gary and Thomas Gary, all of McCormick, SC, Odell Gary and Garnett Gary, both of Imokee, FL.
The family is at the home of a brother Samuel D. Gary at 457 Bradley Road in McCormick. Services will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Albert Bell officiating. Interment will be in Overbrook Cemetery. Services are by Walker Funeral Home.

Belle Glace

ABBEVILLE — Ava Belle Glace, 97, formerly of 100 Pinewood Circle, Abbeville, SC, died Aug. 7, 2007 at the Abbeville Nursing Home. She was the widow of Robert Roscoe Glace and was preceded in death by her son, William R. Glace.
Born Jan. 21, 1910 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Elsie Jacoby McCormick and William Ranson McCormick. She attended the Abbeville Congregational Holiness Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Margaret G. McNair, of Abbeville; her brother, Leonard Wood McCormick of Berwick, Pennsylvania; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007 at 3 p.m. from the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Ty Sorrow officiating. The family is at the home of Bob and Lori Glace, 401 Byrnes Ave., Abbeville.
The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 2-3 prior to services on Thursday.
Burial will follow Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 at 10 a.m. at Elan Memorial Park in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Angel Tree Fund, Main Street United Methodist Church, P O Box 656 Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Ronnie Goldman

Ronald Ferrell “Ronnie” Goldman, 68, resident of 323 Cowhead Creek Road, husband of Patricia Goff Goldman, died Aug. 6, 2007 at his home.
Born in Greenwood County, July 6, 1939, he was a son of the late William Douglas and Margaret Hughey Goldman. He was a US Navy Veteran and received a degree in electronic engineering from Piedmont Technical College. He formerly owned and operated R.F. Goldman Construction Company and retired from CSX Railroad.
He was a member of First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are daughters, Wendy G. Graddick of Laurens, Kelly G. McCalla and Nicole G. Ouzts, both of Greenwood; stepson, Richard Davis of Greenwood; a sister, Pam Hammond of Bradley; stepmother, Vivian Horne Goldman of Bradley; five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Byron Jones officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Chuck Barton, LeRoy Harrison, Bill Webb, Jason Smith, Patrick Walker, Shane Cobb and Andy Warner. The family is at the home and will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 to 11 Thursday morning.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Goldman family.

Betsy Guice

LITTLE MOUNTAIN — Services for Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Crowell Guice will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, PO Box 186, Little Mountain, SC 29075 or to Epworth Children’s Home, PO Box 50466, Columbia, SC 29250. Services entrusted to McSwain-Evans Funeral Home.
Mrs. Guice, 70, widow of Witte Douglas Guice, died Aug. 6, 2007. Born in Clinton, she was a daughter of the late Charles B. and Elizabeth Fliedner Crowell. Mrs. Guice attended Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC, and was retired from Chapin United Methodist as church secretary. She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was a Sunday School pianist and a former Church Council member. She was a member of the Little Mountain Town Council and was a member of several local Bridge Clubs.
Surviving are a daughter, Shannon (Lee) Balentine of Hodges; a sister, Carolyn Swittenburg of Columbia; a brother, Charles Crowell of Little Mountain; grandchildren, Will Balentine and Chandler Balentine.
www.mcswainevans.com.

Robert Mosley

NINETY SIX — Robert Mosley, 89, of 923 Enoree Church Road, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, at his home.
The family is at home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood.

John Reidmiller Jr.

John Henry “Jack” Reidmiller Jr., 63, of 208 Lawton St., husband of Margaret “Peggy” Benish Reidmiller, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, at his home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Opinion

Ernest Cannon leaves all a ‘path’ worth following

August 8, 2007

Ernest Cannon’s jewelry store has been a longtime fixture on the Uptown Square of Greenwood. Mr. Cannon himself was a well-known businessman who could always be counted on to support efforts to keep Uptown interests viable and appealing.
That was enough, to be sure, to illustrate how one man can contribute to the welfare of any community. However, if that’s the only way anyone remembers him they missed the real Ernest Cannon.
Mr. Cannon, who died recently at age 66, was intimately involved in organizations and events that promoted the well-being of all citizens of Greenwood, black and white. Having been a member of the NAACP all of his life, Mr. Cannon was particularly diligent in helping to build better lives for all black South Carolinians.

THERE WERE MANY OTHER outlets for his giving nature, including professional, religious, civic and fraternal pursuits that not only added to the quality of life for a few, they addressed the needs and concerns of just about everyone he touched. As is the case with many who follow a path of righteousness, many benefited because of Ernest Cannon, whether they were acquaintances or not.
What many will remember about this man is what always makes a difference in many lives: faith. Mr. Cannon was the Rev. Cannon for many years and through his work in the pulpit and other aspects of the church, he made a difference in ways that sometimes may not be all that visible. That, however, is more often than not the most effective positive influence there is for good.
The Rev. Ernest Cannon was a quiet man. The good that he leaves, though, is a resounding voice that speaks through the ages.