America Recycles Day Nov. 14, 9am-2pm

ANDERSON COUNTY — In recognition of America Recycles Day Anderson County is pleased to offer free paper shredding to county residents. This will be the sixth shred day coordinated by Anderson County. The total collected from the previous four dates was 185,000 pounds.

Shredding of paper, computer central processing units, hard drives and laptops will be offered as a free service to Anderson County residents. Shred A Way will accept computer monitors for a $10 disposal fee.

Shredding locations are:   
Mineral Springs Park, Williamston
City Hall, Honea Path
Town Square, Iva

America Recycles Day (ARD), November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Celebrating its 12th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. The purpose of America Recycles Day is to continue to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encourage more people to join the movement toward creating a better natural environment.

The event is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful of Anderson County, Anderson County Environmental Services, Upstate Federal Credit Union, the Town of Williamston, the Town of Honea Path and Iva.
The next planned shredding date will be Feb. 22, 2010.

For more information, visit www.andersoncountysc.org/shred or call the KAB office at (864) 260-1003.

PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON POTENTIAL PROJECTS FOR LAKE HARTWELL PCB SETTLEMENT

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service want your feedback about how to spend the remaining Lake Hartwell PCB settlement funds from the Schlumberger Technology Corporation.

You can provide input by taking an online survey or attending a public meeting on November 17 from 6-9 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center. Videos and a detailed report about the different settlement project options can be found online at www.dnr.sc.gov/news/fishingcomp.

The remaining settlement funds must be spent on projects that compensate the public for losses of recreational fishing services that occurred as a result of the contamination. Funds must be used to create opportunities for the public to harvest fish that are not subject to fish consumption advisories, enhance the recreational fishery of Lake Hartwell, 12-Mile Creek and the surrounding area and implement projects designed to improve the habitat and natural resources.
       The potential Lake Hartwell projects include:

* Fish Habitat Enhancement       
This includes the use of larger wood debris such as stumps to create fish habitat. Installation of gravel to provide spawning subtrate for a variety of species and aquatic vegetation installed to provide and enhance cover in nursery areas. The $2.8 million plan would take fully 10 years to implement.

* Hartwell Fishing Access and Shoreline Improvements       
Six to eight recreation areas are under consideration for improvements which would include fishing piers, restrooms and improved parking areas. The plan would cost $1.1 million.

* Tailrace Fishing Pier       
Additional funds would be utilized to enhance the facility. The pier, currently under construction, will provide 500 feet of shoreline access along the Hartwell Tailrace. The project will also provide access to areas of the Tailrace off-limits since the 9-11 terror attacks. The current request to support the project is $300,000.

* Green Pond Event Center       
Anderson County has proposed to construct a large fishing events facility. If funded the current design would include approximately 150 car/trailer spaces, 50 car only spaces, tournament weigh-in area, courtesy dock and restroom. The facility would be designed for large fishing events on the South Carolina side of Lake Hartwell. The plan calls for $1.5 million for design and construction.

* Off-site Recreational Fishing
This project would provide access and enhancements up to nine impoundments in the Lake Hartwell area. These improvements would include fishing piers, fish stocking and pond fertilization. The project would operate approximately 20 years at $2.3 million.

* Unfunded Projects
Easley Central Dam removal - The Lake Hartwell Natural Resource Trustees have not yet received a proposal from any entity willing to remove this dam.

Water Education and Environmental Center - The $7 million Center would tell the story of water and the fishery. While the Trustees feel this is a worthwhile concept it does not appear to fit within the scope of the settlement and does not qualify for use of the recreational fishery injury funds. As the project moves forward there may be amenities associated with the Center that could provide some appropriate compensation for the recreational fishing injury.

Public input and survey results will be used to help guide the allocation of funds to the recreational fishery projects.

COUNTY MOURNS LOSS OF BRANTLEY JORDAN

ANDERSON COUNTY —Late this afternoon, Anderson County Council was alerted to the passing of Honorary Councilman Brantley E. Jordan, Jr. Mr. Jordan served as honorary councilman since 1999.
 
“We are truly saddened by the passing of Mr. Jordan,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Eddie Moore. “He faithfully attended council meetings during the past 32 years. The County was enriched by his loyalty and faithful dedication to the governance of Anderson County. He will be missed.”
 
“Mr. Jordan was an institution in the County and its conscience,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. “He was the model of a concerned citizen and he was not afraid to tell you what he thought. He only wanted the best for Anderson County. There are tears in the Courthouse today.”
 
Services for Mr. Jordan will take place at Sullivan King Mortuary at 11 am on Thursday, November 12.

Planning Division Meeting Scheduled Nov. 12

The Anderson County Planning Division will hold its first of six Community Comprehensive Planning Meetings on Thursday, November 12th for School District #3 at Crescent High School beginning at 6:00 PM. These meetings are to explain what the Comprehensive Plan is, the process to create this Plan and most importantly, gather input from residents on what they want our community to look like. The meeting will offer a brief PowerPoint Presentation, followed by a question-answer period. The remaining time will be allotted to hear what the residents’ “wish list” would be for their community. Surveys will be distributed at the meetings; and are also available on-line at www.andersoncountysc.org. If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Division at 864.260.4043.

Committee to Consider Road Requests Monday

Members of the Anderson County Transportation Committee have scheduled their next meeting on Monday, November 9, 2009 at 4:00 P.M.  It will be held in the Conference Room of the Transportation Division Building at 735 Michelin Boulevard, Anderson, South Carolina.

STATE REQUESTS

Road Name	Road No.	Estimate	Running Total
Bill Mouchet Road	S-04-0242	$45,428.00	$45,428.00
Tribble Street	S-04-1110	$143,128.00	$188,556.00
Parkview Road	S-04-0069	$191,847.00	$380,403.00
Conneross Road	S-04-0092	$437,460.00	$817,863.00
Hatcher Road	S-04-0092 Connector	$49,411.00	$867,274.00
O’Neal Ferry Road	S-04-0493	$447,051.00	$1,314,325.00

Tony Campolo Challenges Christians at Anderson Meeting

Jesus has chosen to manifest himself in the poor and needy, Christian social activist and speaker Tony Campolo told a crowd of serveral hundred gathered at Anderson First Baptist Church Thursday night.

"Jesus calls us to be agents of change in the world, to see Him looking back when we look at the poor; not simply to get ready for the next world," Campolo told the gathering as part of the annual meeting of the South Carolna Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Annual Fall Convocation. "Jesus is not a Democrat or Republican," Campolo said. "The church should speak from authority earned by sacrificial love and not the coercive place of power."

Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern University, is the founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, an organization that develops schools and social programs in various third world countries and in cities across North America. He is the author of 35 books, his latest three being, "Letters to a Young Evangelical," "The God of Intimacy and Action" and his most recent release is "Red Letter Christians, A Citizen’s Guide to Faith and Politics."

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina was organized in 1991 by a grassroots movement of free and faithful Baptists. We are a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. Our mission is to network, empower, and mobilize Baptist Christians and churches for effective missions and ministry in the name of Christ.

Balloons Over Anderson Nov. 6-8

Balloon festival features tethered balloon rides, artists, and more. Details here.

Candlelight Vigil for Victims of Crime Nov. 9

The Tenth Annual Candlelight Vigil for Victims of Crime will be held at the New Life Christian Center, 603 Pearman Dairy Road in Anderson, on Monday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. This event, which began in 1999, is sponsored by the Greater Anderson Area Victim Advocate Association (GAAVA) to remember victims of crime and their families. Ms. M. Hope Blackley, South Carolina Crime Victims’ Ombudsman, is the guest speaker.
 
Memory Tables will be available for pictures and memorials to crime victims.  All victims, as well as the families of the victims are encouraged to attend. Marlene McClain (864) 222-3952 is the Sheriff’s Office contact and Denise Hagy (864) 260-4288 is the contact for the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Ground Broken for Two New Middle Schools

District Five trustees and community members joined together today for groundbreaking ceremonies at the future sites of Robert Anderson and Glenview middle schools. The ceremonies marked the official start of what will be approximately 22 months of construction.

The ceremony for Robert Anderson Middle School began at 10:30 a.m. at the school site located on Dobbins Bridge Road. The ceremony for Glenview Middle School took place at 1 p.m. at the school site located on Old Williamston Road.

The two new middle schools are part of the district’s $140 million building plan, which was approved in an April 2007 referendum by more than 60 percent of district voters.

Glenview Middle School will relieve overcrowding at the current McCants Middle School. Robert Anderson Middle School will replace the current Southwood Middle School and will draw students from both Southwood and Lakeside middle schools. The current Southwood school will retain its name, however, as it transitions to a 6-12 grade arts magnet school. The new middle schools are scheduled for completion by the start of the 2011-2012 school year.

Second Arrest Made in Staton Deaths

ANDERSON, S.C. (November 4, 2009, 3:30 PM) – Sheriff’s Office investigators have made a second arrest in the slaying of Homer and Jo Ann Staton, a Taylors couple whose bodies and vehicle were found in three separate wooded areas of the county last week.
 
Irving Ramirez, 50, of 2001 Blair Mill Road, Belton, was arrested today and charged with two counts of Murder, two counts of Armed Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Armed Robbery.
 
Matthew Brandon Fullbright, 29, also of Belton, was charged with the murder and robbery of the Staton’s last week.  He was served with an additional warrant charging him with being part of the conspiracy this afternoon.
 
Ramirez is currently in the Anderson County Detention Center awaiting an arraignment.  That arraignment, according to the Magistrate’s Office will be at 5:00 p.m. today.
 
No other arrests are expected at this time.
 

ANIMAL SHELTER TO CLOSE FOR ANNUAL CLEANING

ANDERSON COUNTY –On November 16 - 21, the Anderson County Animal Shelter will be closed for its annual fall cleaning. The shelter will re-open to the public at 11 am on November 23, 2009. The Shelter closes each year to allow time for any necessary repairs, maintenance and thorough cleaning. Anderson County Animal Control will be available to assist residents during the time the Shelter is closed. Animal Control can be reached at 864.260.5576

USDA ANNOUNCES $334,100 GRANT FOR PELZER

COLUMBIA, October 30, 2009 - USDA Rural Development State Director
Vernita F. Dore today announced the selection of the Town of Pelzer to receive a $334, 100
Water and Waste Disposal Grant. Officials from USDA Rural Development, The Town of Pelzer
and local citizens joined State Director Dore for a dedication ceremony at the Pelzer Community
Building.

The Town of Pelzer will use Rural Development funds for a cost overrun to supplement
previously obligated funds for this project. The previously obligated funds include a Rural
Development loan in the amount of $726,600 and a Rural Development grant in the amount of
$815,400. The project also includes $711,527 of Appalachian Commission Grant funds furnished
by the South Carolina Department of Commerce and administered through Rural Development.
The Town of Pelzer will use these funds to rehabilitate the Town's sewer system by removing
infiltration and inflow problems. The total cost for this project is $2,587,627 and will benefit
approximately 560 residential users and 12 commercial users.

The funding announced today is being administered by USDA Rural Development's
Water and Environmental Program program. More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov

Anderson School District One Mourns Loss of Middle School Student

Anderson School District One and Powdersville Middle School is mourning the loss of eighth grade student, Halley Sterling, killed in a tragic car accident over the weekend.

“The school district recently mourned the loss of a teacher assistant and now the sudden death of one of our students is extremely sad. It is a great loss for our district and the school,” said Superintendent Wayne Fowler.

The faculty at Powdersville Middle School met following the accident to provide support for each other and develop plans for helping students. Teachers and administrators recalled Halley as a beautiful girl. Maureen Kelly, science teacher at Powdersville Middle, said, “My relationship with Halley Sterling was very special to me. She would greet me each day with a huge smile and open arms for her daily hug. I loved the talks we shared about life with one another. Memories of her will forever be in my heart. Students like Halley make my profession so meaningful. I’ll miss her a lot.” Eighth grade teacher Jackie White, said, “Halley was a beautiful young teenager with striking dark eyes that would light up at the sight of her friends.  When gathered with her peers, Halley was in the middle, having a great time.”

Powdersville Middle School Principal Monty Oxendine said, “I think one of the family members summed it up best when she said, ‘We lost a young lady who had a big heart.’  We will always remember Halley as one who was true to her friends and wanted the very best for them.  Powdersville Middle School extends its prayers and deep condolences to the Sterling family.” Halley attended school in Anderson District One beginning with kindergarten. She attended Concrete Primary, Powdersville Elementary and Powdersville Middle.

Students took advantage of counselors that were on-site to recall fond memories and remember their friendship with Halley. Many were making posters and placing cards in Halley’s school locker.