County Could Face Furloughs in January

A financial reporting error by the State of South Carolina, one which effects all 46 counties, means Anderson County will have to cut $255,000 from an already tight budget. Interim County Administrator Rusty Burns said that while there is still hope, Anderson County will have to "rachet down" to make it in the months ahead.

"We think we will be ok until January," Burns said. "But we may have to furlough in January, we won't know for sure until Jan. 15."

Propsal Limits Work of Former Council Members

Former Anderson County Council members can no longer accept a job or serve as a consultant for the county for one year after leaving their elected position. The final passage of the ordinance Tuesday night, was approved by a 5-1 vote . An amendment by Anderson County Council Member Gracie Floyd, which would have extended the measure, was voted down, but could be reconsidered later.

Council also approved on first reading a proposal by Councilwoman Cindy Wilson which would attempt to redefine what constitutes the secure transportation of garbage. The proposal will move to second reading and a public hearing at the next council meeting.

In other business, council gave the ok Tuesday to begin taking bids for construction of the new Anderson County Animal Shelter on U.S. 29, after rejecting bids earlier this year.

Shooting Investigated

ANDERSON (Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 7:55 PM) – Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a shooting that occurred in the roadway at 414 Lance Road, Anderson, in which a local man received non-life threatening injuries.
 
The victim, Edgar L. Harkness, Jr., 21, of 221 Stringer Road, Anderson, was sitting in his vehicle when he was shot twice in the leg and thigh by an unknown black male.  The male fled the scene in a grey-colored car after the shooting. Harkness was transported to AnMed Health for treatment.
 
The reason for the shooting is unknown at this time.  The incident is being actively pursued by sheriff’s investigators. Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Office at 864-260-4400 or CrimeStoppers at 864-231-7867.

Writers Workshop Offers Early Registration

Anderson - The early bird registration ($85) for the Carolina Christian Writers Workshop should be postmarked by OCTOBER 10. Please note that MINISTERS/MISSIONARIES may come for the student and/or spouse rate of $30. Scholarships: We also still have some scholarships available for those who may have lost jobs or have family sickness, crises, etc.  Email me (Elva Martin) if you would like to have a scholarship. Note: I will be out of town Oct. 4-8 at Yvonne Lehman's Novel Retreat and may not be able to get back to you until the following week. You will still need to fill in and mail a registration form, once
approved.
 
See the quick list below of our 14 faculty members and almost 40 classes being offered.
 
2009 CCWW Faculty/Classes Quick list
Candy Arrington – prolific author and on staff of The Christian Communicator         Mss  Critique Service:  Non-fiction Markets Worth Pursuing,
                    Tackling Tough Topics, Query Letter Boot Camp
Linda Canup – Asst. Editor, In Touch magazine: From Good to Great-Practical Tips
            To Improve Your Writing; Marks of a Professional Writer;
            Writing the Christian  Article
Capt. Randy Creamer - Special Operations, Anderson County Sheriff's Office
            Profile of a Law Officer, How to Put Firearms in Your Book Without Shooting
   Yourself in the Foot, How to be a Cop and a Christian
Rosey Dow – Winner of coveted Christy award; CEO of Experts in Focus
                      1. How to Create an Online Platform
                      2. Social Networking to Boost Book Sales
                      3. The Online Article--A Whole New Breed
Lynette Eason –  Steeple Hill and Revel Christian Romantic Suspense novelist
                         1) Writing Suspense, 2) Using Excel to Plot Novels,
                         3) Selling a Series
Dr. Edna Ellison – author of 12 books, humorist, international speaker
             Non-fiction books, Writing Basics, Writing a Bible Study Series
Linda Gilden – author of Love Notes series, Dir. Of CLASS Christian Writers’                 Conf.:  Speaking with CLASS;  A Non-Fiction Overview;
            The Writers'  Glossary
Dr. Bonnie Harvey – author of 22 books, book consultant and literary agent
            Writing for Children, Writing Poetry, Creative Non-Fiction
Larry Leech – Journalist, Ghostwriter. Has more than 2300 articles published
             Interviewing; Ghostwriting; Time Management                                             
Yvonne Lehman -  Author of 48 Christian novels: Writing Christian Novels,                         Novellas; The Spiritual Element;  Raising the Stakes
Dr. Robert Lesslie - author of bestseller Angels in the ER
               From Idea to Bookshelf,  One Writer's Journey
Lynda Moldrem – author, speaker and Vice-President of Upstate SC ACW
            Overview of Different Kinds of Publishing (print-on-demand, subsidy, royalty)               One class,  repeated, Saturday only.
Les Stobbe, Literary Agent:   Earning the Right to be Published,
                    Enlisting Your Reader for Life Change
Ann Tatlock –  Novelist and former Asst. Editor, Decision
            Writing for a Post-Modern World - Part 1 and 2; 
            Writing Articles and  Devotions
             Senses and Setting in Fiction

Students Turn Trash into Scarecrows

Scarecrows made from recyclable materials line the halls of the Anderson Arts Center. More than 500 students from Anderson County schools participated in the 11^th Annual Recycled Scarecrow Contest. Based on specific criteria, the following classes were chosen by volunteer judges.

    1^st place – Nadine De Papa, St. Joseph Catholic School, 3^rd grade

    2^nd place – Joye Clardy, Midway Elementary School, 5^th grade and Sarah Malmezian, Midway Elementary, 5^th grade

    3^rd place – Robin Echols, Midway Elementary School, 5^th grade

	Sponge Bob Scarecrow, Midway Elementary School.

Scarecrows will be displayed at the Anderson Arts Center (Oct. 5-16). The Recycled Scarecrow Contest is a team building effort sponsored by Keep America Beautiful of Anderson County and the Anderson Arts Center. 3-8 grade students and Special Education classes are invited to create a scarecrow constructed from recycled materials. This program promotes and instills positive, green habits in Anderson County youth.

Upcoming KAB Education Programs & Events

ü  Tree Identification – Tree Identification will kick-off Arbor Day on December 5^th. This program teaches students tree parts and highlights five trees that grow in the South Carolina area.

ü  Tree Legacy – Tree Legacy is a program that involves the Senior Class from each high school in Districts 1-5. 

ü  In observance of Arbor Day, senior classes plant a tree in remembrance of their graduation class.

ü  America Recycles Day – November 15^th

For more information about Keep America Beautiful Programs contact the KAB Environmental Educator at 864-260-1003.

 

Anderson Rotary Dedicates Bus Shelter

(Shown in the photograph from left to right are: Rotarian Quenton Tompkins, Rotarian Lynn Scott, Mayor Terence Roberts, Rotarian Carol Burdette, Rotarian Mike Panasko, Rotarian Pam Melbourne, Rotarian Laurie Ashley and Rotarian Lee Luff.)

Anderson, SC – Anderson Rotary Club dedicated the first of six bus shelters around the city of Anderson on Tuesday, September 15^th on County Home Road in front of the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Center off Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Anderson Rotary Club has committed to funding 6 shelters total around the city. The timeframe for completion is ongoing and will continue as funds are raised. One shelter cost $5600. The cost to the Club is $1200 per shelter. Anderson Rotary is funding the project as part of a matching Federal grant that pays 80% of the total cost for a single shelter.  The original idea of the project came from Anderson City Councilman, Rick Laughridge who passed the idea on the Anderson Rotary Club.

Varennes Teacher Wins Statewide Award

Chris Holt, physical education teacher at Varennes Academy of Communications and Technology, has been named the winner of a statewide honor. Mr. Holt is this year’s recipient of the SCAPES Founder’s Award for Teaching Excellence – Elementary Level. The award is presented by the South Carolina Association for Physical Education and Sport. Now in his sixth year of teaching at Varennes, Mr. Holt has taught in District Five for the past ten years.

“Mr. Holt was selected for this prestigious award for his outstanding contributions to Physical Education in South Carolina,” said Todd Seagle, chairman of the SCAPES Honors and Awards Committee. “South Carolina is fortunate to have a professional of his caliber serving the children of our state.” The award criterion requires that the recipient be a physical education teacher who:

• Conducts a quality physical education program as reflected in NASPE standards and guidelines for K-12 Physical Education programs;

• Utilizes various teaching methodologies and plans innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of all students;

• Serves as a positive role model epitomizing personal health and fitness, enjoyment of activity, sportsmanship, and sensitivity to the needs of students;

• Participates in professional development opportunities; and

• Provides service to the profession through leadership, presentations, and/or writing.

The 2009 South Carolina Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (SCAHPERD) Annual Convention will not be held in November this year due to South Carolina Hosting the Southern District Conference in February 2010.  The SCAPES Founder’s Award for Teaching Excellence will be presented to Mr. Holt at the SCAHPERD Awards Luncheon on Saturday, February 13, 2010.  The Awards Luncheon will be held at noon.

FREE OPTIMIZATION TRAINING OFFERED

*Training is free due to the generosity of Darby Electric and Baldor Electric

On October 14th from 8:30 to 5 at the Civic Center of Anderson there will be a free full-day training session lead by William Livoti, Senior Principal Engineer at Baldor Electric Company. Livoti has more than 30 years experience in the pump industry designing, field testing, repairing and troubleshooting mechanical seals, compressors and pumping systems.  Additionally, Livoti has worked for several pump and mechanical seal OEM’s as well as Corporate Principal Engineer for Balance of Plant equipment at a large power utility company, where among other responsibilities he was accountable for asset management, life cycle performance, system assessment, failure analysis, O&M and capital budget.

He is an active member of ASME, Vibration Institute,  IEEE, PCIC, Power Engineering Society, Hydraulic Institute and HI working groups and is the Vice Chair on the Board of Directors of Pump Systems Matter.  Livoti has recently completed a book on System Optimization Guide Lines with the Hydraulic Institute and is currently preparing a book on Power Plant Process Guidelines for Pumping Systems.  His primary responsibility at Baldor includes industry specific applications / solutions, failure analysis and R&D for motors, drives, closed gearing and bearings as they apply to Power Generation and Fluid Handling with a focus on energy efficiency, life cycle performance and asset optimization.  Livoti has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and holds several patents in motor and gearing design for pumps and power industry.
Why should I attend?
Demand for electricity is expected to double by 2030  the US will need to build 15 gigawatts of new power generation by that time. In addition, power utilities are being pressure to provide cleaner more efficient plants, primarily due to the expectation due to the expectation that carbon will be regulated. The overall picture is that the electric power industry faces a situation in which significant investments are needed and rate increases will be necessary to finance them.
According to studies by the US Department of Energy:
•        Nearly 25% of industrial electricity demand comes from industrial motor systems
•        Over 50% of pump life cycle costs result from energy and maintenance expense
•        Less than 15% of pump life cycle costs are initial purchase costs
•        Energy savings of 20% or more are possible with systems optimization
Inefficient pumping systems can lead to higher maintenance costs, higher energy costs, more system failures and so much more. The Finnish Technical Research Center analyzed 1,690 pumps at 20 process plants. They reported that the average efficiency of these pump systems was below 40% and that more than 10% of pump systems in the study were operating below 10% efficiency.
South Carolina is facing an energy challenge like never before.  Sustainability will play a key role in the future of our economic stability and energy conservation will be a critical component.
This informative one day workshop will show you how to:
• Reduce energy costs
• Improve system reliability
• Reduce fugitive emissions
• Increase staff productivity
• Improve product quality
• Increase profitability
•   Increase mean time between repairs

Who should attend?
This workshop is intended for design engineers, facility managers as well as engineering, operations and maintenance personnel that are involved with the design, selection, installation, maintenance, operation and optimization of pumping systems.

Agenda:
•        Why Efficient Pumping Systems are Important
•        Pump Basics (Centrifugal)
•        How to Read a Pump Curve
•        Pumping System Interaction
•        Energy Savings Opportunity
•        Impact of Energy Efficiency
•        Steps to improve Efficiency
•        Developing an Action Plan
•        Case Study

As a result of this workshop, participants will learn / gain understanding:
The benefits of improving the performance of pumping systems
Understand how pumps operate and the basics of pump/system interaction
Know how to screen pumping systems to find good candidate systems for improving system performance
Understand how to identify basic performance improvement opportunities
Understand how to implement basic performance improvement measures
Understand life-cycle cost analysis
Understand how to position the Action Plan to plant management
Lunch will be provided for all registered guests.
Please RSVP to EnergyAndersonCounty@gmail.com.
For more information, contact Angela Stringer at 864.934.6451

Wickiser Hired to Head Farmer's Market

Anderson County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Division Director Glenn Brill announced that Tandy Wickiser has been hired as the new Anderson County Farmer’s Market Manager, effective October 5th. “Tandy will bring a great deal of passion to the position and will work hard to enhance our county’s agricultural economy,” Brill said.

“Anderson County is in a pivotal position where a relatively small investment in locally sustainable agriculture will net an economic, social and environmental windfall,” said Wickiser.  “We will be implementing a campaign to urge all Anderson County residents to become ‘Loyal Andersonians’- to think local, be local and buy local.”

Wickiser’s duties will include managing the Farmer’s Market on market days, marketing the Market and Farmer’s Market Pavilion for special events and continuing to implement the Anderson County Farm & Food Plan.

Wickiser and her husband Kurt own the Creekside Bar-be-que Restaurant in Anderson. She is a lifelong Andersonian and is the former president of the Junior League of Anderson County. She also serves on the board of the Outdoor Dream Foundation. Her extensive project management experience includes chairing the League’s Holiday Market and planning events for the Foundation.  Wickiser is also a licensed chiropractor. She is a graduate of Clemson University, where she earned a degree in political science. She also earned a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from the Life College of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA.

To learn more information about the Farmer’s Market, Farmer’s Market Pavilion or the Anderson County Farm & Food Plan, visit the web site at: http://www.andersoncountysc.org/web/Farmers_00.asp.  For other information, contact Glenn Brill, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at 760-5928.

Belton Standpipe Festival

Thousands showed up for the Belton Standpipe Festival Saturday for activities ranging from and classic car show to rides and a number of arts, crafts and food offerings.

Sheriff’s Office Program Tracks Sex Offenders

ANDERSON (Friday, October 2, 2009, 2:47 PM) - Citizens can easily keep track of registered sex offenders living in Anderson County through Offender Watch, a notification tool accessible on the Sheriff’s Office web site that provides offenders’ names, addresses and photographs.

Offender Watch allows searches for area offenders within a two-mile radius of any location and provides notification when one moves into the vicinity.  Information is updated instantaneously throughout the day as offender data is revised.

The address for the Sheriff’s Office is www.andersonsheriff.com.  The link to the program is “Anderson County Sheriff’s Sex Offender Watch.”

Pursuant to Section 23-3-430 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, a registered sex offender is required to register twice a year, once during their birth month and again six months later. Offenders classified as sexual predators are required to register every three months. An offender is deemed a sexual predator by a State Review Board upon release from incarceration or upon conviction. Being deemed a predator means the board determined that the offender is likely to re-offend. Two predators reside in Anderson County.

During each bi-annual registration, an offender is required to provide personal information to include their current address, phone numbers, employment information, vehicle registration and other viable information deemed necessary.  Offenders are also required by SC Law to pay a registration fee of $150.00 per year unless determined to be below the US poverty guideline based on yearly income and number of person(s) in the family.

An offender is considered “Failed to Register” if he/she does not complete the required bi-annual registration or if he/she does not reside at the address indicated on the registration form.  An initial failure to register conviction carries a penalty of 30 days imprisonment and or a fine. The second failure to register conviction carries a penalty of one year mandatory imprisonment and a third or subsequent conviction for failure to register carries a five year imprisonment; three of the five years shall not be suspended nor probation granted.

A paper copy of current offenders and their addresses may be obtained from the Sheriff’s Office by calling (864) 332-5487.

District 5 Hosts Partnership Luncheon

Anderson School District Five welcomed 80 guests to its annual Business and Education Partnerships’ Service Learning Luncheon on Wednesday, September 30th. Mayor Terence Roberts spoke to the group concerning Service Learning in our community and encouraged all to be “lifters” rather than “leaners.”

Pamela Evans, Workforce Development Facilitator, commended the District’s Service Learning Representatives and the Business and Education Partners for over 33,000 hours of service learning that included the participation of 14,627 students last year.

Partners have donated time, shared resources, and supported the personal academic growth of our students, said Lesia Patterson, Coordinator of the District’s Business and Education Partnership. In addition, the business partners have donated over $12,000 that has funded 12 scholarships for students at Westside and T.L. Hanna High Schools.

“We currently have 94 businesses that participate in 205 Business and Education Partnerships in Anderson Five,” said Mrs. Patterson, who also serves as Coordinator of Project Challenge, the District’s gifted and talented program. “We are fortunate to have partners who show that the greatest achievements are those that benefit others, and we encourage our community to support the businesses that extend helping hands to our students.”

Wednesday’s luncheon sponsors were the Bi-Lo Superstore on Highway 24, Sam’s Club, O’Charley’s Restaurant, State Farm Insurance Company (Terence Hassan), Toadily Fun, Inc. and Palmetto Bank.

The luncheon was organized by Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Evans.

 

School District 4 Awarded Accreditation

Pendleton - Anderson School District Four Superintendent announced today, September 30, 2009, that Anderson School District Four was granted District Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, the national commission that confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) accreditation seal. Receiving this accreditation status means that the district and all of its 6 schools are accredited, and that Anderson Four is recognized across the nation as a quality school system.
The accreditation process involved three ongoing components: 1) meeting high quality standards; 2) implementing a continuous process of improvement; and 3) engaging in quality assurance through internal and external review. The district’s accreditation is for a five-year term with regular monitoring of progress and reporting occurring during the 5-year term.
“"We, in Anderson Four, are delighted with the positive findings of the QAR Team,” said Dr. Lee D’Andrea, Superintendent. “This is a good school district committed to being a great school district. The accreditation process and recommendations will help make that possible. I want to thank Dr. Joanne Avery and all the Standards Review Committee Chairs, our teachers, our staff and our stakeholders for their work, their honesty and their commitment to excellence. It is a very good day in Anderson School District Four! I look forward to getting the final report."
Accreditation has historically focused on individual schools. Only recently, has the district been perceived as a key leverage point for school improvement. Building on this research, AdvancED developed an accreditation process specifically designed for school districts. “The process invites school districts and their stakeholders to collaboratively review the quality of the district’s systems and the success of each school,” said Dr. Joanne Avery, Deputy Superintendent. “AdvancED accreditation is the mark of quality for our district and all of its schools. It demonstrates to our community that we are committed to providing the very best learning opportunities for all learners.”
Anderson Four has been accredited through SACS since 1979. In March of 2008, the district made a formal application to SACS CASI to pursue accreditation through AdvancED and was officially approved to participate in the accreditation process in October 2008.
Parents and interested community members can learn more about the District Accreditation Process at www.advanc-ed.org