Former Honea Path Mayor Meyers Dies at 84

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer 

Earl Lollis Meyers, 84, who served as mayor of Honea Path for 21 years has passed away after a battle with cancer.

“Lollis Meyers was, without question, one of the finest men I have ever known” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. “I had the privilege of working alongside him for decades, and I can personally attest to how hard he worked to make Honea Path the wonderful community it has blossomed into. His many accomplishments serve as testament to his leadership, but I will always remember him as someone who had a profound positive influence on my life. I will miss my friend very, very much.” 

Meyers was a life long member of Chiquola Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, starting at the age of 19, served as a trustee, and on multiple committees. He was also an Ambassador for Promise Keepers.

In 1954, he became a charter member of the Belton office of the South Carolina National Guard. He started work at Bigelow Sanford Carpet Mill when he was 16 years old sweeping floors and worked his way up to Plant Superintendent. He retired as Plant Manager at Georgia Carpet Mills, and was employed by South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation of Anderson, as well as co-owned Honea Path Hardware. He began his service to his home town when he was elected to Honea Path City Council in 1980.

Meyers was first elected Mayor of Honea Path in 1998 and continued in that role for 21 years, retiring in 2019. Some of his accomplishments as mayor include: the fire department taking over EMS, acquiring and remodeling Watkins Center, starting the Honea Path Museum, moving City Hall to Watkins Center, starting the Ministerial Association for the town, purchasing several new fire trucks, upgrading infrastructure for the town, including water and sewer, ball field upgrades to Rec Department, keeping the town swimming pool open, starting the Free Clinic and supported Walk with the Docs, upgrading the Christmas decorations, and repurchasing and updating a town original 1944 fire truck. He was also a member of the Honea Path Fire Department for 22 years and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Meyers' wife, Jean Meyers, passed away last year. He is survived by daugher Jackie Meyers Elliott and husband Norman of Honea Path; four grandchildren, Kevin and Sterling Tyner, Amy and Dr. James Stumpf, Anthony and Dr. Sara Ragsdale, LeeAnna and Curtis Raxter;and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services at scheduled for 3 P.M. Sunday at Chiquola Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Jerry White and Rev. Mark Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in Garden of Memories with fireman’s honors.

The family will will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Honea Path Free Clinic, 34 N. Main St., Honea Path, SC 29654. Messages of condolence may be made to the family at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com

The Anderson County Council released a statement of condolences for the Meyers family. 

“I had the pleasure of working with Mayor Meyers for several years, and I was always impressed with his tireless commitment to the betterment of Honea Path” said Anderson County Councilmember M. Cindy Wilson. “The first time I met him was shortly after my election to County Council. I went to Honea Path and found him painting the bottom of the town’s swimming pool! This is but one example of his style of hand-on stewardship. He was such a sweet man who genuinely cared for the town and people he served”. 

Dolly Cooper Park to Host "Rhythm on the River" May 7

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

"Rhythm on the River," an outdoor event with actitivites for the entire family, is scheduled for May 7 from 4-9 p.m. at Dolly Cooper Park.

The event will feature live music from Tugalo Holler and the Rhythm City Band, activities for kids, food trucks, local vendors and other activities.

More information here.

Anderson Cricket Club's First Tournament Set for Saturday

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson County Cricket Club will kick off its first tournament Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. at the Anderson Cricket Pitch on Balloon Hill across from the Civic Center.

Two matches are scheduled for the day, the Anderson Kings will play the Anderson Spartans in the morning match and the Anderson XI will take on the Greenville XI in the second match in the afternoon.

Food and drinks will be available, along with activities for kids. Admission is free. Bring your own chair if you want a seat.

The club had an unofficial demonstration game last month. That story is here.

Applications Begin Taken for United Way Federal Funds for Food/Shelter

Greater Anderson County Cleanup Kicks Off Monday

Observer Reports

Anderson County is scheduled to kick-off the annual Great Anderson County Cleanup Monday at 8:30 a.m. at the Anderson County Solid Waste & Recycling Office, 1428 Pearman Dairy Road, Anderson. The event will run daily through March 26. 

The county will provide all supplies need for any individual or group wishing to participate.

"Anderson county is growing and we need to we need to be better when it comes to litter," said Anderson County Dist. 2 Councilman Glenn Davis. "Help keep Anderson county beautiful by pitching in and doing your part by picking up litter in your neighborhood. Together we can conquer litter piece by piece."

“I couldn’t be more excited about the Anderson County Cleanup taking place next week, it’s a great opportunity for us as a community to come together and be intentional about cleaning up our county," said Anderson County Dist. 1 Councilman John Wright, Jr., who is chairman of the council's ad-hoc litter committee. "It takes all of us playing a part in making sure that Anderson County is the best and most beautiful that it can be and I encourage everyone to take part in some way!” 

For more information visit the solid waste office, call 864-260-1001 or email sbporter@andersoncountysc.org.

Track Connecting YMCA to Civic Center Set for End of August

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Did you know the walking track connecting the YMCA campus track on McConnell Springs Road with the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Complex will be done before Sept. 1? Are you curious when the giant "elephant pen" behind the historic courthouse downtown will be filled and covered with grass.

Answers to these questions, plus updates on economic development (along with how it works),the upcoming budget for 2022-23, Green Pond, Dolly Cooper Park and the Saluda River Rally are all part of this March 2022 Anderson Observer update with Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. 

Still Time to Sign Up to Serve as Election Worker in Anderson County

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The pandemic has resulted in a serious shortage of election workers in Anderson County.

Around 200 workers are needed for the primary and general elections this year, and there's still plenty of time to sign up for one of these paid positions.

Council Approves Tax Incentives to Bring 130 New Jobs

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer 

Anderson County Council on Tuesday approved tax incentives for a pair of companies promising to bring a total of more than 130 new jobs to the county. 

The first, a new research and development facility for a U.S.-based family-owned company, expects to bring ore than 50 jobs to the county with an average pay of $42.33 per hour. 

The company, which was not named at the meeting, is expected to have a 30-year economic benefit to the county of $178 million.

Tax incentives were also approved for an existing Anderson County business which will expand by 80 jobs with an average pay of $22.50 per hour.

Council also approved $250,000 for the purchase of almost two-acre property adjacent to Green Pond Landing and Events Center.  

Anderson County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders recapped the meeting for the Anderson Observer.

Anderson County 200 Workers Short for 2022 Elections

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson County Board of Voter Registration and Elections needs your help.

Almost 200 election workers are needed for the June 14 primary elections and the Nov. 8 general elections in November this year.

The work offers a paid opportunity to get to perform a civic duty and get to know the community. 

South Carolina will pay a total of $135 for Poll Managers to work on election day, whcih breaks down to $60 for attending a mandatory training session and $75 for working on election day. Clerks for the polling location receive an additional $60 for a total of $195. 

Requirements:

1. Must be a registered voter in Anderson County or an adjoining county, or students 16-17 years of age, and remain non-partisan on Election Day. 
2. Go to https://www.scvotes.gov/poll-manager-information and click apply to be a Poll Manger. You can also call our office at (864) 260-4035, or email hgtreffeisen@andersoncountysc.org.
3. Precinct Coordinator, Hannah Treffeisen, will reach out to you once she has received your application 

Former Mayor Rich Otter Digs Deep into Anderson History

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Former Anderson Mayor Rich Otter has spent the past few decades mining historical gold and shining light on the past of Anderson County.

In this interview with the Anderson Observer, Otter discusses his latest project, chronicling the story of the county property which contains and surrounds the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Complex.

Progress Marks Spring in West Pelzer, Front Porch of the Upstate

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders says the unique location and hometown appeal have made his town the "Front Porch" of the Upstate.

And that is before the progress currently under way in West Pelzer.

A park along the Saluda River, a growing downtown and new houses being built are just part of the discussion with Sanders in this March 2022 interview in the Anderson Observer.

House to Begin Debate on $14B Budget Monday

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House will begin debate on the state's $14 billion budget Monday, but one billion-dollar bit of business probably won't get settled until well into the spring.

With an unprecedented amount of money to spend between the booming economy boosted by federal stimulus money and cash lawmakers saved over the past few years in case the COVID-19 pandemic crashed revenues, there is plenty of areas lawmakers can make “transformative change," which are buzzwords around the Statehouse in 2022.

There is $1 billion set aside to repave roads, improve safety and expand interstates — like jump-starting the expansion to three lanes for all of Interstate 26 from Columbia to Charleston. All state employees and most teachers and state law enforcement officers get raises, new schools will be built and a new state constructed if the House adopts the plan as written by the House Ways and Means Committee.

But one $1.4 billion question won't be answered. That's the difference in income tax cuts and rebates being offered by the House and Senate.

The House plan has no rebates and spends $600 million this year to cut the top income tax rate from 7% to 6.5% and collapse all other rates to 3%. If the economy remains strong, the top rate would eventually fall to 6%, costing the state about $1 billion per year.

The Senate plan spends $1 billion cutting the state's top income tax rate from 7% to 5.7% and an additional $1 billion providing rebates from $100 to $700 to every tax filer regardless of whether they owe income tax.

While the House budget is written, the Senate is still working on its version of the spending plan for the fiscal year that starts in July. So it isn't clear what items in the House plan may get left out of the Senate's budget to pay for the bigger tax cut package.

Whether the House alters its budget to give more room for more tax cuts also remains to be see in the coming week.

Each chamber has passed its tax cut plan. Small groups of senators and House members will start negotiating the differences between the tax cut proposals and likely the different versions of the budget in late April or early May.

Other highlights of the House's budget include:

— $230 million to boost the minimum pay for teachers regardless of experience by $4,000. Starting teachers in every district would be paid at least $40,000 under the plan.

— $150 million to help rural, poorer districts build new schools and $100 million to replace old textbooks and classroom materials. There is $2.6 million in the plan to increase the checks given for teachers to buy supplies from $275 to $300.

— A 3% raise for all state employees and a $1,500 bonus,

— More than $40 million to boost the starting pay for state law enforcement officers and provides raises for some current officers.

— $20 million to buy more body cameras for police officers and set up a grant program for smaller police agencies to get bulletproof vests.

— $65 million for the Department of Mental Health to improve inpatient and outpatient care and provide more mental health services in schools.

— $4 million to the State Election Commission to pay for additional election audits and improve security.

County Council to Honor P.A.W.S. Tuesday for Statewide Award

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

County Council will honor Anderson County P.A.W.S. for being chosen South Carolina Organization of the Year as part of Tuesday's 6:30 p.m. meeting at the historic courthouse downtown.

Full agenda of council meeting here.

P.A.W.S. was recently recognized for "its tireless efforts to save animal lives throughout South Carolina" by No Kill South Carolina.

“I’m truly honored to have PAWS receive this incredible achievement,” said P.A.W.S. Director Dr. Kim Sanders “I know how hard my team works each day but for the entire state to recognize all that PAWS does to save lives makes me extremely proud. This award is proof that when an entire community comes together to do what is best for the animals, everyone comes out a winner.”

Since coming to Anderson in 2016, Sanders and her team have worked to dramatically reduce euthanasia rates of dogs and cats brought to P.A.W.S., which has become a model no-kill shelter, attracting national attention on their program.

Sanders credits the overwhelming support of County Administrator Rusty Burns, Deputy Administrator Holt Hopkins, County Council and Sheriff Chad McBride for the success story at P.A.W.S.