Brick plant shutting down

Temporary closing will put 63 out of work for 8 weeks

March 29, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

A local brick manufacturing company is closing its doors for eight weeks, according to its corporate office.
Hanson Brick, 624 Brickyard Road in Ninety Six, employs more than 75 people. Plant manager Charlie Close confirmed the shutdown.
“We will be having a temporary shutdown,” Close said. “The key word I’m using here is ‘temporary.’”
Charlie Ward, Hanson Brick senior vice president and general manager of the company’s East Region, gave details of the shutdown.
“Hanson Brick values its employees and respects the hard work they do in manufacturing a high-quality brick product of which we are proud. We regret to announce a temporary, eight-week shutdown of our brick manufacturing facility in Ninety Six,” Ward said. “Starting on April 3, we will begin the shutdown process with all production coming to a halt by April 5.
“At that time, we will temporarily lay off 63 of the 74 hourly employees at the plant.”
Ward added that the company would assist employees over the eight-week period.
“Hanson will provide affected employees with eight weeks of employee benefits, which include health insurance,” Ward said. “Additionally, Ninety Six plant officials will assist these employees in applying for unemployment.”
Ward attributed the shutdown to a recent market slowdown and an inventory surplus.
“We expect to invite all employees back to work after the eight-week period,” Ward said.
Ward said that some areas of the plant will remain open throughout the eight-week period. The truck-loading, raw material-hauling and maintenance employees will continue to work.
Hanson Brick and Tile is based out of Charlotte. The company is North America’s largest brick manufacturer. The company also has facilities throughout the United Kingdom. In all, Hanson operates in 17 countries.
However, the company has seen restructuring in recent times. It recently “realigned” its business in Canada and in doing so announced the closing of a brick plant in Ottawa. According to a release from Hanson, it was no longer feasible to keep open the Ottawa plant, which had been in operation for more than 50 years. That plant’s location and “shifts in market demand” were the reasons given for it no longer being a feasible location.
Wednesday’s announcement took Ninety Six Mayor Tim Griffin by surprise.
“It certainly is a surprise to me,” Griffin said. “This is certainly not a good thing for Ninety Six. I really do hope it is actually a temporary shutdown.”
Griffin said that while he is certain a majority of the employees are from the Ninety Six area, the temporary closing will also affect workers from Greenwood, Saluda and other areas.
“It is a shock,” Griffin said.
Jeff Fowler, of Greenwood County’s Partnership Alliance, which helps recruit industries and business to Greenwood County, was also dismayed at the announcement.
“Obviously, that is a disappointment,” Fowler said. “We have worked with them in the past. Those are some good folks down there. That seems to be the nature of the business with industry. We take one step forward, then take a step back.
We add new businesses and lose some old ones. I do hope it is temporary, and we’ll do what we can to help them out.” Fowler said he has seen a trend of consolidation in the brick manufacturing industry. He said the trend has led to fewer plants being involved in that industry.
Besides the Ninety Six plant, Hanson also operates brick manufacturing facilities in the Carolinas in Blacksburg, and Pleasant Garden and Roseboro, N.C.

Motions, appeals awaiting decisions in Bixby case

March 29, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

The waiting game continues — this time outside a courtroom.
After filing two post-trial motions, the defense team of convicted murderer Steven Vernon Bixby awaits a decision from 10th Judicial Circuit Judge Alexander S. Macaulay. A Chesterfield County jury’s guilty verdict and sentence recommendation of death was returned last month following a weeklong trial for the murders of law officers Sgt. Danny Wilson and Constable Donnie Ouzts in 2003.
Macaulay scheduled Bixby’s execution for April 22. Each motion was filed within 10 days following February’s trial.
Meanwhile, attorneys for the state continue to look for a decision of their own — this time from the state Supreme Court.
Bixby’s mother, Rita Bixby, and father, Arthur Bixby, are still awaiting trial for their roles in the events leading to and those taking place just off Highway 72 in Abbeville on Dec. 8, 2003.
Here is where each of the cases stands today:
Steven Vernon Bixby — The defense team drafts two motions following the trial, one for a new trial and another for the dismissal of his conviction and sentence. After being filed within 10 days following the double-murder trial, they remain under review by 10th Circuit Court Judge Alexander S. Macaulay. Steven Bixby is currently being held at the Lieber Correctional Institute, which houses South Carolina’s death-row inmates.
Should Macaulay rule against the defense, Steven Bixby’s attorneys will have 30 days to appeal, but the case (as are all death penalty cases) will still be reviewed by the S.C. Supreme Court on an automatic appeal.
Rita Bixby — A death penalty notice served by the state on Steven Vernon Bixby’s mother, Rita Bixby, was quashed by 10th Circuit Court Judge Alexander S. Macaulay. The state has since appealed that decision and awaits a ruling by the S.C. Supreme Court. Once the high court issues its decision, a trial date will likely be set for the Bixby matriarch, who is being held at the Greenwood County Detention Center.
Arthur Bixby — Steven Vernon Bixby’s father, Arthur Bixby, is said to be in ailing health at the Laurens County Detention Center. His trial is third in line for prosecution behind that of his son’s and wife’s. There are no appeals or motions currently filed in his case, as a trial date has not been set and no death penalty notice yet served on him.

Getting a visit from a Tiger

Gaines Adams drops by Burton Center

March 29, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Obituaries

Martha Beaudrot

Martha Willis Gray Beaudrot, 89, resident of 114 Sherwood Lane, widow of Clarence L. Beaudrot, died March 27, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born February 14, 1918 in Gray Court, she was a daughter of the late Lander H. and Kittie Dodson Willis. She was a graduate of Gray Court-Owings High School and a 1938 graduate of Furman University.
She was twice married, first to the late Zack Gray.
Mrs. Beaudrot was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Surviving are two daughters, Martha Gray O’Neal and husband, Donald of Miami, FL, and Rosalie Beaudrot Graham and husband, Ralph of Tullahoma, TN; one son, Clarence B. Beaudrot and wife, Nancy of Longmont, CO; five grandchildren, Kimberly Calles, Timothy Bourne, Emily Kurtz, Erin Graham and Aimee Beaudrot; two great-grandchildren, Zachary Bourne and Claire Kurtz; and a longtime friend and family member Vivian Kinard.
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday at the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Tony Hopkins officiating. Entombment will be in Edgewood Memorial Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Dennis McAlister, Blaine Tarleton, Gerry Owens, Charles Mauldin, Jr., Dr. Ernest Young and Norman Ouzts, Sr.
The family will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 6 to 8 Thursday evening and from 10 to 11 Friday morning. The family would like to thank her special friends who lovingly cared for her: Gertrude McKelley, Mary Grant, Rosa Alexander, Alphia Chiles and Lynn Padgette.
Memorials may be made to the Boy’s Farm, P.O. Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.

Marie ‘Bebe’ Benton

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Marie Benton, 70, of 1000 Broward Road, Jacksonville, FL, died Friday, March 23, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV. She was born in Asheville, NC, the daughter of the late Ollie and Dora Benton.
Survivors include one sister, Linda Valentine of Asheville, NC; one aunt, Mrs. Mary T. Day of Greenwood; three cousins, Mrs. Evelyn T. Rice and Mrs. Mary T. Sayles of Greenwood and Jimmy Taggart of Suitland, MD.
Services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Nazareth First Baptist Church, Asheville, NC. Hart Funeral Services, 60 Phifer Street, Asheville, NC, 28801 is in charge of arrangements.
The family in Greenwood is at the home of her aunt, Mary T. Day, 1548 Parkway, Pineridge Apts., 4-B.
Announcement courtesy of Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

James Bolton

James Olin Bolton, Sr., 92, resident of 115 Andrews Avenue, husband of Christine Sparks Bolton, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at the NHC of Greenwood.
Born in Greenwood June 28, 1914, a son of the late Clarence Olin and Annie Pilcher Bolton, he was a graduate of Greenwood High School. Having served during World War II with the National Guard, Mr. Bolton was retired from Greenwood Mills, where he had been the Cloth Room Superintendent at Mathews Plant, Durst Plant, and Plant No. 5 where he retired with over 50 years of service. He was an avid golfer and was a former member of the Greenwood Country Club and the Senior’s Golf Club, where he had won the Senior Championship of the club. A life member of Mathews Masonic Lodge No. 358, he was a past member and President of the Mathews Lions Club. Mr. Bolton was a member of Callie Self Memorial Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Men’s Sunday School Class.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 71 years of the home are sons, James Olin “Jim” Bolton, Jr. of Roswell, GA, and special family friend Faye Isaacs and John Stephen “Steve” Bolton and wife, Linda Sheffield Bolton of Trophy Club, TX; grandchildren, James Olin Bolton, III and wife, Dina of Douglasville, GA, Angela Bolton of Roswell, GA, Leigh Ann Bolton Zerr and husband, Ethan of Columbia, MO, Melissa Bolton Knudson and husband, Jeff of Murfreesboro, TN, and John Stephen Bolton, Jr. and wife, Katie Homrich-Bolton of Charleston; great-grandchildren, Brandon Bolton of Statesboro, GA, Brittany Bolton of Douglasville, GA, Devlin Bolton of Roswell, GA, Lily Knudson of Murfreesboro, TN, Christian Homrich and Haliegh Homrich, both of Charleston; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Blyth Funeral Home, with Reverend Leland S. Scott officiating. Interment will follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Joe Bolton, Alan Bolton, A.J. Bolton, John Bolton, Victor Sparks and John Sparks.
Honorary escort will be the Mens Sunday School Class of Callie Self Memorial Baptist Church, former neighbors Pete Greer, Cora Smith, Jack and Francis Strickland and Sam Allen, former golfing buddies of Greenwood Country Club, and special friend Art Sutherland.
The family is at the home, 115 Andrews Avenue, where they will receive friends Thursday from 1-3 p.m. The family will also receive friends Friday from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Those desiring may make memorials to Callie Self Memorial Baptist Church, 509 Kirksey Drive, Greenwood, SC 29646 in memory of Mr. Bolton.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Bolton family.

Rev. Roger L. Bowie Sr.

The Rev. Roger Lee Bowie Sr., 62, of 201 Augusta Circle, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary.

Kathleen Buford

Kathleen Sheely Buford, 90, resident of 511 Old Abbeville Hwy., widow of Robert H. Buford, died March 27, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Newberry County Oct. 11, 1916, she was a daughter of the late Samuel James and Fannie Holt Sheely. She was a graduate of Bush River High School.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church, where she formerly taught the five-year-old Sunday School Class for many years and was a member of the Benson Sunday School Class. She was also a member and organizer of the Old Abbeville Highway Good Neighbor Club.
Surviving are two daughters, Betty Jo and husband, Earl Burgess of Greenwood and Sara Lee and husband, Steve Haslup of Atlanta, GA; six grandchildren, Robert and wife, Robin Burgess, Cathy and husband, James Green, Rebecca and husband, James Clingenpell, Rachel and husband, James Gillman, 2nd Lt. Scott Haslup, USAF and Stuart Haslup; twelve great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, with Dr. Tony Hopkins and Dr. Phil McMinn officiating.
Private family burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens prior to the service. The body is at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home on the Old Abbeville Hwy. and will receive friends in the church parlor from 1 to 2 Saturday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Bowers-Rodgers Home, PO Box 1252, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Buford family.

Mamie Inez Callahan

McCORMICK — Ms. Mamie Inez Callahan departed this life March 26, 2007 at the Hospice House in Greenwood, SC. She was born in McCormick, SC, Oct. 23, 1923, a daughter of the late James and Lillie Murray Callahan.
She was a member of Springfield A.M.E. Church, where she was a former choir member, Sunday school teacher and secretary. She was the last survivor of her immediate family, and is survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Services are Friday at 1 p.m. at Springfield A.M.E. Church, with the pastor, Rev. Derrick Stewart officiating.
Interment is in the church cemetery. Walker Funeral Home, directors.

Edna Marie Campbell-Spann

GREENVILLE — Edna Marie Campbell-Spann, wife of John Wesley Spann, Jr., passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2007.
Born in Abbeville, SC, to the late Willie Campbell, Sr. and Minnie Lee Hunter Campbell, she was formerly employed with Greenville Memorial Hospital in the Pharmacy. She was a faithful member of I-85 Church of Christ in Greenville, SC. She was a veteran of the US Army.
In addition to her loving husband, Edna is survived by her mother, Mrs. Minnie Lee Campbell of Abbeville, SC; sisters, Emma Wardlaw and Mary (Oscar Dale) Johnson of Abbeville, SC, and Rosa (Rev. John) Eichelberger of Mauldin, SC; brothers, Lawrence (Johnnie Mae) Campbell, Sr. of Greenwood, Perry (Linda) Campbell of Greenville, James (Sharon) Campbell of Easley, Arthur (Gloria) Campbell of Piedmont, Foster (Mary) Campbell of Martinez, GA, Willie (Janice) Campbell, Jr., Freddie Campbell and Curtis (Joyce) Campbell, all of Abbeville; a host of nieces and nephews that she loved and cared for as her own; aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service: Friday, 2 p.m. at I-85 Church of Christ, with burial in Greenville Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7-8 at Watkins, Garrett & Woods Mortuary.
The family will be at the home at 505 Flanders Court, Greenville, SC, and also at the home of her mother, 547 Monterey Road, Abbeville, SC.

Jason Ison

ABBEVILLE — Jason Mitchel Ison, 28, of 107 Oak Drive, formerly of Easley, husband of Stephanie Bannister Ison, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at his mother’s home in Easley.
Services will be announced by The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.

Claude Lindley

McCORMICK — Claude Workman Lindley, 72, resident of 152 Price Lindley Road, husband of Imogene Price Lindley, died March 28, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in the Bordeaux Community of McCormick County, he was a son of the late John Thomas and Minnie Hodges Lindley. He was a graduate of McCormick High School and served for many years in the South Carolina National Guard. Mr. Lindley was retired from Gus Carpenter Construction Co. and was most recently retired from the Engineering Dept. of the South Carolina Dept. of Transportation.
A member of McCormick First Baptist Church and the Adult Men’s Sunday School Class of the church, he was also a member of the Jamil Hejaz Shrine Temple and the Red Fox Shrine Club. He was a member of the McCormick Country Club, having served on its Board of Directors and was also a member of the McCormick Exchange Club.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a daughter, Pamela Lindley Hudson and son-in-law, James B. Hudson of McCormick; two grandsons, James Claude Hudson and Robert Jason Hudson, both of McCormick; a brother, James Leonard Lindley; and three sisters, Frances L. Rabun, Mary Jane L. Self and Lucy L. Williams, all of McCormick.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at McCormick First Baptist Church, with Rev. Dennis Lynn, Rev. Doug Kauffmann and Rev. Lloyd Prince officiating.
Burial will be in the McCormick City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tommie Parker, Clifton White, Bob Sanders, Ronnie Kidd, Ralph Lee, Glenn Hill, Billy McKinney and Don Neal.
Honorary escort will be employees of the SC Dept. of Transportation-McCormick Division and the active board members of the McCormick Country Club.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood and will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Friday.
The family is at the home on Price Lindley Road and will receive friends in the church parlor from 1 to 2 Friday afternoon.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Lindley family.

Margie H. Paul

ABBEVILLE — Mrs. Margie H. Paul, age 93, of 109 Rock House Circle, widow of William Paul, Sr. died March 27, 2007 at Abbeville Area Medical Center. She was born in Abbeville County and was the daughter of the late Alex and Annie Brownlee Hunter. She was a member of Flat Rock A.M.E. Church, where she served on a number of boards. She was a homemaker.
Surviving are five sons, William Paul, Jr., Curtis Paul, Sr., George Paul and Bobby Paul, all of Abbeville and John A. Paul of Due West, SC; three daughters, Margie R. Fisher of Abbeville, Leila Mae Power of Iva, SC, and Helen Burnett of Due West, SC; a sister, Josephine Thompson of Anderson, SC; twenty-four grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday, March 31, 2007, at 3 p.m., Flat Rock A.M.E. Church, with Rev. Wayman Coleman, III officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. The family is at the home. Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Louise Whatley

Louise Porter Whatley, 92, of 312 W. Alexander Avenue, widow of William Henry Whatley, died Tuesday, March 27, 2007. Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late William Elford and Mattie Lou Dacus Porter and stepdaughter of the late Bessie R. Porter. She was a graduate of Greenwood High School and was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Hearts and Hands Circle.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Sadie P. Tolbert and three brothers, Marion S. Porter, William Casey Porter and Ronald Porter.
Surviving is her son, W. Porter Whatley of Greenwood; a grandson, William Casey Whatley; and three sisters, Helen Putnam of Greenwood, Edna Todd Tarrant and her husband, Marion Tarrant, of Greenwood and Aiken, and Pat Hutto and her husband, A.J. Hutto, of Orangeburg.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. James D. Dennis, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Rob Tolbert, Casey Whatley, Jay Hutto, Mark Hutto, Wayne Starnes, Tom Whatley, Neal Whatley and Charlie Mauldin.
Honorary escort will be the members of the Hearts and Hands Circle of Main Street United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home of her niece, Ann Logan, 214 Cowhead Creek Road, Greenwood.
Memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 N. Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to the Greater Greenwood United Ministries, 1404 Edgefield Street, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Joyce O. Wilkerson

JOHNSTON — Mrs. Joyce Ouzts Wilkerson, 72, of Johnston, wife of Roy E. (Bubba) Wilkerson, died Monday at University Hospital.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 29, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Gardens Memorial Park. Mrs. Wilkerson was born in Greenwood Co. and was of the Baptist faith. She was the daughter of the late James Oscar and Essie Bryan Ouzts. She was retired from Banker’s Trust Bank.
Survivors include 1 son, Eddie (Fran) Wilkerson, Raleigh, N.C.; 1 daughter, Alisa (Danny) Painter, Columbia, S.C.; 1 grandson, Allen Wilkerson; 1 brother, Deidrich Ouzts, Saluda; nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., after the service, at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home.

CORRECTIONS

* For the obituary of Mary Louise Stone in Wednesday’s paper, there was an error in the information given to The Index-Journal. Survivors include five grandchildren.
* For the obituary of Onedar Witt in Wednesday’s paper, there was an error in the information given to The Index-Journal. The Rev. Curtis Bowman is officiating for the service, with Pastor Otis Cunningham presiding.

Opinion

Act to ‘punish’ opinion against public interest

March 29, 2007

How things look sometimes counts more than what they are. Sometimes, though, it’s the reality that speaks the loudest.
It happens quite often in politics, it seems, and it happened again the other day in the State Legislature.
Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, introduced legislation that was apparently aimed at punishing newspapers. The looks - and what he said - left no doubt. The legislation was intended as a punitive measure. He wanted to tax newsprint and circulation. Taxing circulation, of course, would be a tax on newspaper readers. Taxing newsprint would have amounted to taxing manufacturing raw material. As it is now, newsprint is to newspapers what any other raw material is to all of the manufacturing industry.

RAW MATERIAL FOR MANUFACTURING is not taxed. In fact there also are many, many other sales tax exemptions, so taxing newsprint would be singling out the newspaper industry in South Carolina. In the words of Rep. Merrill, it was intended to punish because “newspapers criticize” legislators. In other words, he wanted to penalize opinion as a “retaliation,” with intimidation intended.
Rep. Merrill later said he introduced the measure knowing it wouldn’t pass. Fortunately for all South Carolinians enough lawmakers recognized what was at stake for the public and defeated the measure. Most lawmakers indeed take their responsibilities seriously and work diligently for the public.
Nevertheless, there were enough supporting Merrill, including some House leaders, that it should tell the people of the Palmetto State to always pay attention to what “their Legislature” is doing. The public can’t all be present, so it’s the role of the media to be the public’s surrogates where governing bodies work.

ANYTIME PUNITIVE MEASURES ARE part of the equation it’s another reason that government business - that is, the public’s business - must be handled in the open, not in executive sessions or behind closed doors, whether they’re in the Statehouse, a hotel, a restaurant or in the park.
Everyone, especially lawmakers, might remind themselves what Thomas Jefferson had to say: “The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
Punitive legislation is contrary to what this nation has always been about, past, present and, if the public doesn’t let down its guard, the future.