Suspect’s mother meets with Abbeville police chief

Complaints made about officers’ conduct

May 10, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — An Abbeville woman who blasted police Tuesday night for what she claimed was inappropriate conduct by officers during her son’s arrest, met with the police chief and the city manager Wednesday morning.
Just hours removed from a heated address delivered before Abbeville City Council, Johnie Mae Devette sat down with Chief Neil Henderson and City Manager Nolan Wiggins Jr.
Devette claimed police drove her “through the projects” in plain view of numerous residents and had her participate in a high-speed chase against her will before officers slammed her son into a brick wall.
She also said her son — after being found within the city by the police — “became scared” before running from law enforcement Friday.
Police were looking to question her son concerning his knowledge of several recent burglaries.
A police report on the incident — the arrest of Kendrick Deshawn Devette, 19, of 201 Thomas Lane in Abbeville — says “(Kendrick) Devette started to walk off and yelled to the responding officer ‘(expletive) you’ and took off running.”
Johnie Devette never mentioned her son’s use of foul language toward officers during her address before council.
Wiggins says the meeting with Henderson and Devette cleared the air.
“We had a productive meeting,” Wiggins said Wednesday afternoon. “I think that we were able to get some things straightened out. Chief Henderson and I both agreed that (Devette’s being inside a police vehicle during a chase) was not by procedure and how officers are trained, but otherwise we didn’t see anything that might have been deemed improper in their conduct.
“As far as we could tell, everything they did — except for the part about her being inside the (police vehicle) — was right. The officers did what they were supposed to do. Everything we talked about went along with their academy training. (Johnie Mae) also never disputed the fact that her son may or may not be guilty of these crimes.”
Henderson also told Devette that regardless of what she may have been told, her son never at any time requested to be taken to a doctor.
“I see the overtime,” Wiggins said. “We take enough people every month to the doctor that if he had asked, we would have taken him.”
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, some council members brought forward their knowledge of other private complaints made by citizens against police.
Henderson said his office would be glad to look into any complaint made by an Abbeville citizen — any formal complaint.
“I’ll answer any complaint that is forwarded to my office,” Henderson said. “I definitely have no problem whatsoever in doing that, but I’ve not received any kind of complaint other than the situation we met about (Wednesday).
“But any type of complaint that comes into my office is taken care of in a timely manner, as this particular situation was handled.”
Kendrick Devette remains in jail, charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, though police have not ruled out future charges.

Close race awaiting decision

Challenger Boyter leads incumbent Farr by 5 votes

May 10, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

The three-year seat for the Ware Shoals School District 51 school board of trustees that was up for election Tuesday still hangs in the balance.
The race was between incumbent and board chairman Ed Farr and challengers Rodney Boyter and Mike Mattison. Connie Moody, director of voter registration and elections in Greenwood County, acknowledged the race is too close to call.
Unofficially, Boyter received 346 votes, Farr 341 and Mattison 198. Moody said the elections office looked through all election material Wednesday, including roughly 20 paper ballots.
Moody said officials will determine which of the ballots are valid and prepare a recommendation for the election commission, which will work to certify the election today.
Moody said the 20 paper ballots in question are actually a mix of ballots from the District 51 election and the Ninety Six School District 52 school board election. She said the margin was narrow enough in Ware Shoals that the findings could swing the election.
“It’s that close in Ware Shoals,” Moody said.
The other seat open in District 51 was for an unexpired one-year term vacated by Marcus Bishop in January. Mark Lowe unofficially won that seat, gathering 443 votes, while George Leagans had 269 and Joey Ward 172.
The election commission will meet at 10 a.m. today in room 104 at Park Plaza to certify the election results.
Moody invited anyone interested in attending to do so.
“It is a public meeting,” Moody said. “I called Mr. Boyter and invited him to come and I called Mr. Farr and invited him, as well.”
Moody said Tuesday night that, after the votes are certified, if the margin between Boyter and Farr is within 1 percent of total votes cast in the race, state law mandates the votes be recounted.
However, Moody said Wednesday she will likely recommend a recount be performed regardless of the outcome, citing the extremely close nature of the race.
A tie would result in a run-off between Farr and Boyter.
Boyter was cautiously optimistic Tuesday night as he held his unofficial five-vote advantage.
Meanwhile, Farr spoke about the election Wednesday morning.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” Farr said. “If that is the way the voters chose to vote, that is fine with me.”
Farr has served on the school board in Ware Shoals for 24 consecutive years. He said he has never been involved in an election as close as this one.
“I’m confident that I have done my job over the years,” said Farr, who has worked for Parker-White Funeral Home in Ware Shoals for 36 years. “I feel that I have acted professionally and have had very little problems.
“If the vote doesn’t go my way, so be it.”
Farr said he didn’t know the election would be so hotly contested, but said it didn’t surprise him.
“I had no idea what to expect going in,” Farr said. “But I will say that Mr. Boyter ran a good race and worked hard.”
When asked whether he thought the controversy surrounding the criminal cases against former Ware Shoals High School principal Jane Blackwell and former cheerleading coach Jill Moore had anything to do with the race being super-tight, Farr was succinct.
“It probably did affect it,” said Farr, after contemplating the question for a moment. “As the chairman of the school board, I have been out front in a lot of this. I feel that I was doing my duty as chairman and have followed policy. But, yes, it probably affected things.”
Whether the results hold up or things turn in his favor, Farr said he will be content.
“After everything (with the high school controversy) broke out in February, I decided I would put it in God’s hands,” Farr said. “It’s His will. Whichever way it goes, it’s OK with me. I can look myself in the mirror and sleep at night just fine.”

Jackson claims victory over incumbent Cobb

May 10, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

NINETY SIX — While Ray A. Jackson and Butch Cobb were political adversaries on Tuesday, by Sunday morning normalcy will have returned.
The fact the two attend the same church — Siloam Baptist — might have just a little to do with their more conciliatory nature.
Squaring off in a very close race for an unexpired seat on the Ninety Six school board, Jackson — who had never run for public office — edged out 15-year board veteran Cobb in a 374-339 vote.
With a total of six write-in votes still outstanding, Jackson felt confident enough with the tally to claim victory in the race Wednesday.
Election results will not be certified until 10 a.m. today.
“Yes, I’m ready to claim victory,” Jackson said. “With just six write-ins still out there I feel pretty confident (declaring). I just knew that we needed a change. My philosophy was that if I thought there needed to be a change that someone needed to run against him, so that’s what I did.”
Tuesday evening’s wait was a tense one.
The race — which was to replace Rodney Smith, who resigned his seat to become district finance director — was narrowly decided in each precinct.
“As votes were coming in, I felt very excited,” Jackson said. “I was excited that the voters had this kind of confidence in me. We have a great school district and we have a lot things to look forward to. We just need to make sure that we are putting our kids first in everything.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve our kids and the community.”
The school board’s two other available seats were filled by incumbent Sam Corley (270 votes) and former board member Dayne Pruitt (278 votes). Finishing third was Mack Galphin with 195 votes.
Jackson said he expects the Mother’s Day service at Siloam Baptist to be just like any other — one free of any hard feelings.
“I know Butch personally and we do go to church together,” Jackson added. “He called me (Tuesday) night and congratulated me on the win. He just asked me to do a good job (on the board), and he said he knew that I would. I knew that it was going to be a tight race.
“Butch has been on the board for 15 years, and it’s always tough going against someone that has been there for that many years. I knew it was going to be close.”
Jackson said he has been asked by several community members why he would even want a position on the board — one that can so quickly be found at the center of controversy and public scrutiny.
In the end, Jackson says he did it for the kids — all of them.
“I’m actually looking forward to the responsibility,” he said. “A lot of people asked me ‘why would you want to run for something like that?’ But I’m not in it for that reason (public spotlight). I wanted to be there for my kids, and for all the other kids in the school district as well.
“If I could be a part of that, that’s what I wanted to be elected to do.”
Jackson will take his new seat at the school board’s June meeting.
“This is my first time and I am excited.”

Bound for state

Emerald advances to title game in soccer

May 10, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

It wasn’t pretty, but the Emerald High School soccer team is one step closer to their goal of a state championship, following a 2-1 victory Wednesday over the Batesburg-Leesville Panthers in the Class AA Upper State championship.
Joseph Taylor’s goal off a Kadarron Anderson assist in the 75th minute gave the Vikings the win.
“I gave it to Walter (Gonzalez) and he gave it back,” Anderson said. “Then, I just heard Joseph call my name on the side. The goalie came out, and I gave it to Joseph. I knew Joseph would put it in there.”
“I didn’t play my best game,” Taylor said. “I sort of had to count on these guys. I was just in the right place at the right time. Kadarron found me and I just put it in.”
Vikings coach Brad Nickles had a similar view of the game in regards to Emerald’s effort.
“What I told them just a while ago was we missed a wake-up call,” Nickles said. “We didn’t come with any intensity whatsoever for a championship game.”
The Panthers took advantage of the Vikings’ slow start, scoring in the 27th minute off a penalty kick from Sergio Hernandez.
“You give up a PK and you’re behind, but we didn’t panic,” Nickles said. “We came back and did what we needed to do. The bottom line is you miss a wake-up call like that in a championship game, it makes you wonder a little bit.”
The Vikings were outshot 10-7 over the final 10 minutes of the first half, as the Panthers continued to apply pressure.
Although they were outshot by three in the first half, the Vikings made one shot count when Walter Gonzalez found an opening in the Panthers defense and took advantage.
“It was off a rebound,” Gonzalez said. “Then, I saw the goalie was out of the box and I just kicked it.”
His goal in the 36th minute helped the Vikings avoid the first-half shutout. Unlike past games though, the floodgates didn’t open after the score, as the Panthers remained unfazed.
“Those kids (Panthers) came in here and worked extremely hard,” Nickles said. “Player for player, they don’t match up with us, but ultimately, here I am having to work too hard ... instead of being able to enjoy it. Switching players around different places just to get a result, that’s ridiculous.”
The match remained tied at 1 when Vikings’ senior Nate Kirkland was sent to the sidelines by the referee after receiving a double caution. Both teams were carded three times in the game.
“We had a bad day at the office, but what we talked about is the bottom line is you have to get results,” Nickles said. “I’ll be perfectly honest with you, that’s the worst game we’ve played all year. It’s the Upper State finals. Unbelievable.”
With only two days left before the Vikings face defending state champion Bishop England, 2-1 victors over Waccamaw in the Lower State championship game, Nickles said his team will have to play much better if they expect to hoist the trophy on Saturday.
“They (Panthers) were motivated and the target was on our back and we didn’t respond to that very well,” Nickles said.
“Now we’re going to be on the other end of that now. Whoever we play, we’re going to be the underdogs. We’re going to be the team that’s got to play with this type of emotion.”
The Class AA championship between the Vikings and Battling Bishops begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at Stone Stadium in Columbia.

Obituaries

Jonnie James ‘Jack’ Calvin

IVA — Jonnie James “Jack” Calvin, 83, of 373 Johnson Creek Road, died Sunday, May 6, 2007, at the Hospice House in Greenwood, SC.
Jack was born in Natchez, MS, and was a Marine Engineer, Chief Pilot with the New York City Fire Department, Real Estate Broker, Auctioneer and Barber.
After retirement he moved to Abbeville, SC, and was very active in the community and was well known. Survivors include his ex-wife, Magnolia, three daughters, Adrienne, Andrea and Ilene, one son, Sterling, nine grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren.
Public viewing will be at the Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. on Thursday, May 10, 2007, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Family will receive friends from 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Services and burial are private.
Online condolences can be sent to awmort@wctel.net.
The family is at the home.
Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Jim Metts

James Edward “Jim” Metts, 77, resident of 303 Beaverdam Creek Road, widower of Emmie Sue Wood Metts, died May 8, 2007 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, Jan. 7, 1930, he was a son of the late Samuel E. and Helen Hipp Metts. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict. Mr. Metts retired from Savannah River Site in Aiken after 43 years of service. He was also the former owner and president of Metts Manufacturing in Couchton which manufactured and installed pond drains.
Mr. Metts was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church and the Ernest Workers Sunday School Class. He was also a former Shriner and Mason.
Surviving are a daughter, Debra Metts of Greenwood and a brother, Thomas Henry “Harry” Metts of Greenwood. He was predeceased by a brother, Carroll Metts.
Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Friday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Fred Buchanan officiating.
Burial will be in the Rehoboth United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ernie Ouzts, Grady Rhodes, Rhett Dominick, Bill Metts, Mark Hall, Mark Woodward, Mike Key, Bobby Woodward.
Honorary escort will be members of the Long Cane Chapter of Quail Unlimited along with Charles “Bub” and Sherry Bell, Eugene and Jackie Hall, Glenn Hall, Doyle and Letha Peterson, Wanda Ouzts, Hiltie and Kathy Dodgen, Joe Worthington, Jim Cordell, Trey Loveday and Jimmy Jones.
The family is at the home and will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 4 Friday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to Rehoboth United Methodist Church, 1808 Callison Hwy., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Metts family.

Catherine Shaw Shirley

COLUMBIA — Services for Catherine Shaw Shirley, 85, will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., prior to the service, at the funeral home.
Mrs. Shirley, wife of the late Charles Fletcher Shirley, died Tuesday, May 8, 2007. Born in Belton, she was a daughter of the late James Augustus and Texie Lowe Shaw. Catherine grew up in Belton, S.C. and lived in Atlanta, Ga. for a few years. She spent most of her life in Columbia, however, for the last four years she lived in the Jasmine Cottage at Wesley Commons in Greenwood. She was a member of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church. Catherine was a strong Christian friend, dedicated wife and loving mother. She enjoyed gardening, homemaking and her grandchildren.
Surviving are a son, Charles Ronald Shirley of Columbia; three daughters, Rita S. Saxon of Greenwood, Kathy S. Rhame of Columbia and Sherrie S. Yeager of Downingtown, Pa.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by three sisters, Glendal Gallant, Clara McCoy and Mary McCoy.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations to either Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, 4205 Kilbourne Road, Columbia, S.C. 29206, the Alzheimer’s Association S.C. Chapter, P.O. Box 202, Columbia, S.C. 29202 or a charity of one’s choice. www.dunbarfunerals.com

Opinion

Public perception opens the way for questions

May 10, 2007

Some things in the news get old. The public and media get tired of them. Such are the conditions concerning the ongoing situation involving a couple of Ware Shoals High School personnel. Sometimes, however, there is an occurrence that begs open discussion.
One of those has come up ..... the announced cost for acquiring a copy of the full transcript of the April 6 show-cause (for why she should keep her job) hearing for the school’s principal before the School District 51 Board of Trustees. It shouldn’t matter on what side anyone happens to be. It comes across as if it was a penalty for anyone who wants to know ..... and has a right to know.

THE QUOTED COST ITSELF raises doubts and suspicions for many people in Ware Shoals, not to mention the rest of Greenwood County.
It should. It seems too high and could easily make people wonder if it is not done on purpose to mitigate public interest. A copy of just the transcript would cost $992. The cost of attached exhibits from the hearing would bring the total to $1,137.35.
A couple of things included in the Freedom of Information Act mandate that government be open and for the press to have access to be able to report what goes on to those who cannot attend meetings.

ANOTHER INTENTION OF THE Act, which is the public’s act, not necessarily the media’s, is to make available copies of meetings at a reasonable expense to those who want to buy them.
When the costs impress the public as outrageous, as this quote does, it would be unusual if the general public didn’t have questions. It doesn’t exactly encourage public trust. There may be legitimate and reasonable explanations for the quoted costs. To much of the public, though, the appearance comes across as unreasonable. Convincing them otherwise won’t be easy.