2021 Highlights Success of West Pelzer's Front-Porch Efforts

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

West Pelzer Mayor's Blake Sanders had a vision when he first took over as mayor six years ago: to create a vibrant front-porch community along the stretch of S.C. 8 that is home to his town.

Working with his council and town leaders, the town has seen marked success in creating a walking town where folks can live, shop and visit. This past year saw the growth in new businesses, housing construction and plans for a recreation site along the Saluda River. Sanders talked about these plans and more in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

S.C. House Drops Ban on Private Business Vaccination Mandates

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — For five hours Thursday, the South Carolina House debated a proposal to prevent private companies in South Carolina from firing employees who refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Then, just before members were set to vote, Republican leadership stripped that ban from the bill, leaving it only banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates for state and local government employees, contractors and public school students.

The bill passed 67-31 on Thursday and only needs a routine third reading Friday before being sent to the Senate. Senators have already gone home and appear unlikely to take the matter up before the regular 2022 session begins on Jan. 11.

The proposal requires employers to honor religious or medical exemptions and said a medical exemption can include a prior positive COVID-19 test, pregnancy or presence of coronavirus antibodies. It also makes businesses pay unemployment benefits to a worker fired for not being vaccinated.

The suddenly watered-down bill was a dizzying, but maybe not surprising end to a whirlwind 48 hours where the proposal went from a subcommittee to the House floor.

Republicans typically allow businesses in the state to have free rein and numerous groups, including the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, asked lawmakers to oppose the bill. Democrats spent hours championing businesses and the right of employers to determine requirements for their workers only to watch the debate change in an instant.

Democrats suggested Republicans were trying to provide cover for their most conservative members in party primaries by putting on a debate.

The amendment that altered the bill came when there was only six minutes of debate available on the proposal.

“Nobody knows what it is — that's not a good way to govern,” said Rep. Russell Ott, a Democrat from St. Matthews.

Only two states — Montana and Tennessee — have passed similar bans for private businesses. Fewer than a dozen states have in place similar laws to what the South Carolina House ended up passing Thursday.

County Council Meeting Outlines Impact Fees for School Dist. 1

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Roughly 45 citizens showed up at the special Anderson County Council meeting Thursday night to hear a presentation by Anderson County School District One on the propsal to approve an impact fee for new residential construction in the district. See Observer story with more details here. School Dist.One has also posted a copy of the study, their capital improvement plan and other information about their proposed fees here.

The proposal calls for new single-family housing fee of $11,208, while the proposed maximum fee for multi-family unites is $7,779. School officials said the current residents of the district will not be impacted by the fee and could actually see a decrease in tax millage rates once the impact fees are in place. The fees are based on based on the level of services in the district and the total assets of the school district.

According to the 2020 United States Census, the area that encompasses Anderson School Dist. One is in the fastest growing part of Anderson County, and the district currently adds between 100-300 students per year.

This number is expected to increase, as seen the nearly 2,000 new housing units approved or under consideration in the area in recent months, including 732 already improved in Piedmont alone (Wren schools). 

"Since new construction is driving the increase in enrollment, we feel they should pay for the impact they are having on enrollment," said Anderson School Dist. One Superintendent Robbie Binnicker.

Binnicker also said the growth is causing stress on our school rollments. The study suggested that schools in the district at all three levels, elementary, middle and high schools are at more than 85 percent capacity and have little room for the growth the expected continuing swell in population will bring, which currently suggests almost 1,000 additional students over the next 10 years. (Dist. One currently has almost 12,000 students).

He added that areas of South Carolina that already have impact fees growth has not slowed.

The proposal calls for new single-family housing fee of $11,208, while the proposed maximum fee for multi-family unites is $7,779. School officials said the current residents of the district will not be impacted by the fee and could actually see a decrease in tax millage rates once the impact fees are in place. The fees are based on based on the level of services in the district and the total assets of the school district. 

According to the 2020 United States Census, the area that encompasses Anderson School Dist. One is in the fastest growing part of Anderson County, and the district currently adds between 100-300 students per year.

This number is expected to increase, as seen the nearly 2,000 new housing units approved or under consideration in the area in recent months, including 732 already improved in Piedmont alone (Wren schools).  

"Since new construction is driving the increase in enrollment, we feel they should pay for the impact they are having on enrollment," said Anderson School Dist. One Superintendent Robbie Binnicker. 

Binnicker also said the growth is causing stress on school enrollments. The study suggested that schools in the district at all three levels, elementary, middle and high schools are at more than 85 percent capacity and have little room for the growth the expected continuing swell in population will bring, which currently suggests almost 1,000 additional students over the next 10 years. (Dist. One currently has almost 12,000 students). 

He added that areas of South Carolina that already have impact fees growth has not slowed.

The impact fees will not fully fund the need for expansion in the district.

“I agree this will help tremendously, but you are still going to have to sell bonds or find other ways to raise funds,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn.

Binnicker agreed, adding that the schools are going have to be built no matter the funding methods.

The South Carolina Act 388 is being blamed for much of the shortfall in the district. The act, which shifted funding from homeowners to a statewide penny sales tax has, according to Binnicker, cost his district $25 million per year.

Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson, whose family has owned property in the school district for more than 100 years praised the school district for it’s thrift. 

“The district spends one of least amounts per students in the state and is still one of the top districts,” Wilson said. “My hat’s off to ya’ll.”

Wilson added that the demand for families seeking to live in the district is being “slammed” by people from Greenville wanting to live in the area.

Anderson County Councilman Ray Graham expressed concerns about other districts following suit with impact fees. 

“If one does it, the others are going to follow suit, because it's another way to raise revenue,” Graham said. “I understand the importance of education, but I am not sure this is the way to do it.” 

“We've got to figure out to finance this growth,” said Anderson County Councilman Jimmy Davis who represents the county district that is home to school district one. 

“The state law that provides this opportunity, and the limits in the way we can pay for (the growth),” said Davis.

The Anderson County Planning Commission will now consider the proposed impact fees and present their recommendation to the full county council. The measure would then need to pass three readings to become law.

Anderson County S.C. Representatives See Little Redistricting Change

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The lines for the South Carolina House of Representative members remain largely unchanged in the new redistricting lines drawn based on the 2020 United States Census.S.C. House Districts in new redistricting map.

Compared to statewide numbers, while Anderson posted some growth in population, it was mostly in line with other growing counties and not significant enough to shift the voting lines.

State senate maps also saw little change, with only a shift in S.C. Sen. Mike Gambrell's district to include all of Abbeville County and none of Greenwood County the only significant difference.

In the census, Anderson added 17,258 residents since 2010, bringing the population to 204,353, according to figures released from the 2020 United States Census. Projections are for the county to add an additional 30,000 residents over the next 15 years. 

In the breakdown by race, Anderson County is still largely white, with 149,818 reporting their race as white, 30,020 reporting their race as black, 7,288 reporting American Indian or Alaska Native, and 7,288 reporting Asian or Pacific Islander. The census numbers also show that women outnumber men overall by roughly six percent.  

The City of Anderson added just over 1,000 citizens - from 26,686 to 27,701 – during the decade, but is continuing annexation efforts which are expected to accelerate growth in the decade ahead.

Statewide, the population grew from 4.6 million to 5.2 million over the past 10 years. Anderson County is currently the ninth largest county in the state.

High School/College Fishing Event this Weekend at Green Pond

Observer Reports

The 2021-22 Palmetto Boat Center College Tournament Trail and High School Tournament Trail will visit Hartwell Lake Friday and Saturday for the PBC College Tournament Trail Championship.

Launch is set for 6:45 a.m. each day. Weigh in for middle school teams will begin at 1:30 p.m.  College and High School teams will start at 3:00 p.m. at Green Pond Landing & Event Center. The event is free to the public.

The event will feature more than 400 students competing for prizes including a $2,000 scholarship to the winning team in each class. The trail will crown an Angler of the Year and School of the Year for the college series on Saturday.

Williamston: Unprecedented Growth in 2021

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess has spent his entire life in his town, but has never seen the level of growth and improvement witnessed in 2021.

Burgess said the town continues to build on the work of past leaders as the economy improves, including new business openings, and recreation opportunties expand in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

Anderson County Council Recap for Dec. 7, 2021

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders recaps the meetnig held Tuesday night in this quick Anderson Observer video.

Iva 2021: Getting Back on Track after Challenging Pandemic Year

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Iva Town Manager Tim Taylor says the town is growing and getting back to normal after the pandemic slowdown of 2020.

Taylor talks about economic development, building improvements, new housing and more in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

A Day That Continues to Live in Infamy

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attacks on the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The surprise attacks, which led to the United States entering World War II, killed some 2,400 Americans and wounded 1,700 others. The U.S. lost nearly 20 ships and 300 airplanes.

Here’s the timeline for the  ‘date which will live in infamy:”

Intercepted message

On December 6, 1941, the U.S. intercepted a Japanese message that inquired about ship movements and berthing positions at Pearl Harbor. The cryptologist gave the message to her superior who said he would get back to her on Monday, Dec. 8. On Sunday, Dec. 7, a radar operator on Oahu saw a large group of airplanes on his screen heading toward the island. He called his superior who told him it was probably a group of U.S. B-17 bombers and not to worry about them.

“Tora, Tora, Tora!”

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began at 7:55 that morning with the entire attack taking only one hour and 15 minutes. Captain Mitsuo Fuchida sent the coded message, “Tora, Tora, Tora,” to the Japanese fleet after flying over Oahu to indicate the Americans had been caught by surprise. The Japanese planned to give the U.S. a declaration of war before the attack began so they would not violate the first article of the Hague Convention of 1907, but the message was delayed and not relayed to U.S. officials in Washington until the attack was already in progress.

Strike force 

The Japanese strike force consisted of 353 aircraft launched from four heavy carriers. These included 40 torpedo planes, 103 level bombers, 131 dive-bombers, and 79 fighters. The attack also consisted of two heavy cruisers, 35 submarines, two light cruisers, nine oilers, two battleships, and 11 destroyers.

About ‘a date which will live in infamy’

The famous description of the Pearl Harbor attack as a “date which will live in infamy” was delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a joint session of Congress on Dec. 8, 1941, one day after the tragedy. Within an hour of the speech, Congress passed a formal declaration of war against Japan.

Dorie Miller

Dorie Miller, a steward on the USS West Virginia, distinguished himself by courageous conduct and devotion to duty during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He first assisted his mortally wounded captain and then manned a machine gun, which he was not accustomed to operating, successfully destroying two Japanese aircraft. He was the first African American awarded the Navy Cross, the service’s highest award, for his actions during the attack.

Japanese losses

The Japanese lost 29 aircraft and 5 submarines in the attack. One Japanese soldier was taken prisoner and 129 Japanese soldiers were killed. Out of all the Japanese ships that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor only one, the Ushio, survived until the end of the war. It was surrendered to the U.S. at Yokosuka Naval Base.

USS Arizona

Almost half of those who died at Pearl Harbor were aboard the USS Arizona. In all, 1,177 officers and crewmen did when the Arizona was bombed. The ship sank and, along with the USS Utah, were the only two ships unable to be salvaged after the attack. The Arizona was left at the bottom of Pearl Harbor and, in 1962, a memorial over the wreck was dedicated. The Arizona continues to leak out small drops of oil that spread into the water above.

Power Shifts as Alexander Take Top S.C. Senate Post

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The first president of the South Carolina Senate stepped aside from his role overseeing the entire chamber Monday, becoming instead the chairman of the powerful committee that writes the state budget.

For Sen. Harvey Peeler, now the chamber's longest serving Republican, controlling the state's purse is more influential than controlling debate enforcing rules and making some appointments in the GOP-dominated chamber.

Peeler turned over the purple robe and gavel on Monday to Sen. Thomas Alexander, the chamber's third longest serving Republican. Alexander from Walhalla was a unanimous choice.

The change in power was put into motion after the death last month of 90-year-old Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman.

The day started with tributes to Leatherman, who ran the budget-writing committee for 20 years and was only the fifth Senate Finance Committee chairman in nearly 80 years.

“He embodied the state Senate as well as anyone I have known, ” said Sen. Nikki Setzler, a Democrat from West Columbia who is the Senate's longest serving member at 45 years. He said staff used to jokingly call the two veterans “Thelma and Louise.”

After the tributes, Peeler, 73, then turned in his resignation as Senate president. The Gaffney Republican was the first senator to preside over the chamber in 2019 after that power was stripped from the lieutenant governor when voters chose to begin electing the governor and lieutenant governor as a ticket instead of separately.

“While serving as the first elected president of the body is and always will be one of the greatest honors of my life, my work on the Finance Committee will allow me to focus on the issues most important to our state, " Peeler said, citing fiscal conservatism and a state where families and businesses can thrive.

South Carolina awards committee chairmanships to members of the majority party based on seniority, while a rule put in place in 2019 to limit Leatherman’s power prohibits committee chairman from also being Senate president. Leatherman and Peeler were both elected in 1980 Ties go on alphabetical order, so Peeler had to wait 20 years.

Alexander, 65, was then unanimously chosen to be president. He has been in the Senate since 1994 and spent seven years in the House — first elected as a Democrat like many older Republicans— before heading across the Statehouse lobby.

Alexander isn't as outspoken as Peeler. He is a consensus builder who looks to compromise, praised as much by Democrats as Republicans.

“There is no tyranny in the simple majority and Sen. Alexander has always followed that,” said Sen. Gerald Malloy, a Democrat from Hartsville as he seconded Alexander's nomination as president.

Alexander took high fives and handshakes from his fellow senators before the session started. His wife held the Bible and helped adjust the purple robe after the Senate Majority and Minority leaders put it on him.

As president, Alexander will have to give up his chairmanship of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. Sen. Tom Davis, a Republican from Beaufort, takes over leadership of that committee.

Alexander promised to enforce the rules and ensure decorum as president. Beyond that, he said, he wanted to take some time to figure out what other ways he can shape and change the office where he is only the second holder.

“I wanted to get elected," Alexander said to laughter as he spoke to reporters after Monday's session. "I purposefully have not looked at any of those things.”

Wi-Fi Hotspots Now Available for Checkout at Library

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson County Library now has Wi-Fi hotspots available to help increase broadband availability in the county.

Available to anyone with a library card, the program is made possible by a partnership between the county, the library and T-Mobile to provide internet access. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that residents of Anderson County face issues with broadband availability and affordability," said Library Director Annie Sutton. "Some residents do not have access to broadband internet in their area or simply cannot afford to pay for internet in their homes. The library already provides internet and Wi-Fi access in all nine libraries. Providing hotspots to check out seems a natural addition to library services.”  

Several areas of Anderson County are without reliable broadband, a challenge that the county leaders have been working on for the past few years.

"This is another example of an innovative program from one of the best libraries in the state," said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. "Our hope is it will help those who need to access the internet but find it difficult due to where they live. 

According to the United State Census Bureau, around 18,000 households in Anderson County do not have internet access. The hotspot lending program, which is supported by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will provide invaluable Internet access to individuals for education, employment, and services. In addition, the Library will provide anonymized geographic data, patterns, and trends to Anderson County leaders to help better inform future broadband infrastructure projects.

Wi-Fi hotpots are available to check out with an adult library card from each of the library system’s 9 locations, with the greatest number available at the Honea Path, Iva, and Anderson Main libraries. Hotpots can be checked out for two weeks at a time. If hotspots are not returned after the two weeks, internet access will be disabled until the device is returned. All devices are equipped with standard content filtering. 

“We continually work to offer unique, creative items for checkout and to meet the needs of our residents. I’m excited to provide this new service for library patrons,” said Sutton. 

Alexander Expected as New S.C. Senate President

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Before the South Carolina Senate takes up redistricting Monday, the chamber's president will likely step down to take charge of its most powerful committee.

Senators expect Harvey Peeler of Gaffney, now the chamber's longest serving Republican at 41 years, to take off the purple robe signifying the person in charge of the Senate and step into the chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee.

The third-longest serving Republican, Sen. Thomas Alexander of Walhalla, is expected to be elected unchallenged as the new president — a change in power put into motion after Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman died last month.

At first glance, president of the Senate might appear to be the more attractive position. It's a role created and infused with power after a constitutional change in 2018 removed presiding over the Senate from the lieutenant governor's duties.

Peeler, 73, is giving up the ability to make some appointments, controlling debate and making decisions on whether senators are following the rules.

But the Senate Finance Committee handles all spending in the state and has been the established focus of power in the Senate, which considers tradition and seniority its key attributes.

South Carolina awards committee chairmanships to members of the majority party based on seniority and a rule put in place in 2019 to limit Leatherman's power prohibits committee chairman from also being Senate president. That means Alexander will have to give up his chairmanship of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.

Leatherman and Peeler were each elected in 1980. Ties are broken by alphabetical order of last names. Leatherman ran the Finance Committee for 20 years.

Peeler has not spoken publicly to confirm his decision or give his reasoning. But several senators confirmed his plans.

Peeler's move will put Alexander in a spotlight he has rarely sought. The 65-year-old owner of an office supply company flies under the radar.

Alexander, 65, was elected to the Senate in 1994. He isn't known for fiery speeches or pointed questions, instead working to find consensus.

Both Republicans and Democrats are happy to see Alexander preside over the 29 Republicans and 16 Democrats in the chamber.

“Over the years, he has built relationships with all the members," said Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, a Democrat from Orangeburg.

After the ceremony over the change of power and laudatory speeches about Leatherman's legacy, senators will then deal with drawing maps for the Senate's 46 districts based on the 2020 U.S. Census.

The maps have caused little controversy. Senate leaders expect debate, but not a lot of substantial changes. The more disputed U.S. House maps have been delayed until January.

“Quite frankly, I think the groups most upset with the new maps feel like they have a better shot in the courts than the Legislature,” Hutto said.

Council to Consider Tax Incentives, Some Zoning Issues

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council will vote on a series of second and third readings on tax incentives for new and expanding industries as well as moving ahead on some zoning proposals as part of Tuesday's regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse downtown.

At the 6 p.m. honors/recognition meeting, council will fete the county's partnership with Duke Energy, praise the efforts of the Cancer Association of Anderson, honor Marty Knight upon his exclusive accomplishment of earning his 10th degree black belt in karate (and his community service), and remember Williamston Journalist Stan Welch, who recently passed away.

Complete agenda here.