Blythewood Online 691

Category: News

  • Copper Thieves Stoop to New Lows

    The rash of copper thefts that have plagued Fairfield County in recent weeks has escalated to new levels, if recent incident reports from the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office are any indication.

    While thefts of copper components from air conditioning units outside churches, businesses and one school have, in the last month, involved the dismantlement and destruction of units at these locations, a pair of recent incidents have seen thieves abscond with the entire units, leaving behind nothing but stripped wires and concrete bases.

    Deputies responded to a call at a restaurant on the Highway 321 Bypass on the evening of Aug. 9 where the owner there had found his A/C unit stolen. The unit had an estimated value of $3,000.

    A deputy on patrol in the Blackstock area during the early morning hours of Aug. 12 discovered two A/C units had been taken from outside Red Hill Baptist Church. Those units were worth an estimated $4,400.

    It has not been determined if these incidents are related to the string of copper thefts that have kept investigators jumping for the last several weeks.

  • Two Drop from November Ballot

    The choices for District 6 offices in Fairfield County will be significantly leaner come November after a pair of candidates saw their names disappear from the ballot last week.

    Thomas Armstrong, who had been seeking to replace Marchella Pauling on the School Board of Trustees, was informed by the Voter Registration and Elections Office Thursday that all of the signatures on his petition did not pan out. Armstrong submitted 128 signatures in his bid to gain access to the ballot. Although he needed only 94 to qualify, 26 of his signatures were from voters not living in District 6, and 18 signatures were not registered voters. Six signatures were from voters listed as ‘inactive,’ and two did not match those of the registered voters. In the end, Armstrong only produced 69 valid signatures on his petition.

    “I am disappointed, and relieved at the same time,” Armstrong, a vocal critic of the Board and regular attendee of Board meetings, said.

    Armstrong said he would consider running as a write-in candidate, but admitted such an endeavor would be a challenge.

    “If I can get enough help and have some meetings in the community to educate the public on how to choose ‘write-in’ on the ballot, I may do so,” Armstrong said. “But it’s a big challenge. You have to campaign harder.”

    Armstrong said he hoped to reach a decision on his political future this week.

    As Pauling is not seeking another term on the School Board, only William Frick remains on the ballot for the District 6 seat this fall.

    Incumbent County Council member Mary Lynn Kinley, meanwhile, suddenly finds herself unopposed in the November general election after John McMeekin unexpectedly withdrew his name from contention Friday afternoon.

    McMeekin offered no details on his decision, but issued the following statement:

    “I appreciate the encouragement and support friends have offered me to seek political office, but I have withdrawn my name as a candidate,” McMeekin said in an e-mail to The Voice. “I wish to express my sincere thanks to everyone who offered their support, help, and friendship, and I wish every citizen of Fairfield County my very best.”

  • No Movement in Fairfield School District Test Numbers

    Results of the 2012 American College Testing (ACT) exams, taken by high school juniors and seniors, and released Wednesday by the S.C. Department of Education show Fairfield Central High School test takers held steady to last year’s results.

    Fairfield Central test takers amassed a composite score of 16.2 on the exams, identical to 2011 results.

    The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. The test includes 215 multiple-choice questions and with a “36” as the highest possible score. The test is offered six times per year in the U.S., and is usually taken during a student’s junior or senior year of high school.

    In 2012, 110 students at Fairfield Central took the exam, with average scores of 14.4 in English, 16.9 in math, 16.2 in reading and 16.6 in science. Statewide, the composite score for public school students was 19.9, with average scores of 19.1 in English, 20.1 in math, 20.1 in reading and 19.9 in science.

    Nationally, the composite score for all students and public school students was the same at 21.1, with average scores of 20.5 in English, 21.1 in math, 21.3 in reading and 20.9 in science.

    In 2011, Fairfield Central had 102 students take the exam, with average scores of 14.8 in English, 16.6 in math, 16.2 in reading and 16.7 in science.

  • Fairfield County Considers Water Authority

    With a deadline for committing to a proposed countywide water authority a little more than a month away, Fairfield County Council held a special called meeting Aug. 15 to weigh the benefits of participating and the risks of turning their backs on the effort.

    Under the proposed plan for a water authority, members will be expected to contribute $5,000 to a Charter Committee bank account to raise capital for incorporating costs. If at least $15,000 hasn’t been raised by the Sept. 30 deadline, the entire project goes up in smoke.

    “If we haven’t raised that money by the September deadline, then the Town will probably have to look at phasing distributors off the system,” John Fantry, special counsel to the Town of Winnsboro, said earlier this month. “It is a ‘pay to play’ system. If Winnsboro is the only one putting up any money to do this, if other people aren’t committed, then we’re going to have to take care of ourselves, and that means cutting people off of wholesale water.”

    County Councilman David Brown, who said he has, in the past, been a proponent of the County establishing its own water and sewer service, said a water authority appears to be a much more viable option.

    “How can we justify speeding millions of dollars with no customer base, other than the industrial park?” Brown asked. “How can we go out and tell our constituents were going to spend $100 million on water and sewer when we don’t have a single customer? That’s my concern with us getting in the water business.”

    “I suggest we go along with it,” Brown added.

    Council vice chairman Dwayne Perry said he was concerned with the apparent lack of participation by other water providers in the county.

    “If we’re going to make this a partnership, we’ve got two purveyors who are not at the table, in Jenkinsville and Mitford,” Perry said. “If we’re going to look at growing this entire county, we need to be joined as partners. If we don’t have all the stakeholders at the table, I think we’re missing a great opportunity.”

    The Town of Ridgeway and Mid-County Water are the only two water providers to have so far expressed any positive interest in joining the Town of Winnsboro in forming the Regional Water Supply Authority for Fairfield County. The Jenkinsville Water Company (JWC) purchases approximately 50 percent of its water from Mid-County, which in turn buys water from Winnsboro; but Gregrey Ginyard, president of the JWC Board of Trustees, said two weeks ago that his company is not interested in joining the authority.

    “At this time, we don’t feel like that would be beneficial for us,” Ginyard said. “We can’t see turning the Jenkinsville Water Company over to someone else.”

    Ginyard added that he was not overly concerned about the possibility of being cut off from Winnsboro water.

    “We’re working on other water sources,” Ginyard said. “We’re looking at putting in more wells and we’re applying for grants for a treatment plant so we can pull water out of the river.”

    The Mitford Water Company said they would like to have joined in the project, but were locked into a contract with Chester County for the next 30 years or more. Mitford Water serves approximately 900 customers in Fairfield County.

    David Ferguson, Council Chairman, suggested Council ask Margaret Pope, of the Pope Zeigler law firm, to come before Council and present on an overview of how a water authority would work and what the benefits would be. Pope’s firm is assisting Santee Cooper and the Town of Winnsboro in forming the proposed water authority.

    “If we don’t get in on this, we’re shot in the foot,” Brown said. “There’s got to be some mechanism (to get water throughout the county). It’s going to either be through the water authority or we are going to have to get into the water business, and how much is that going to cost?”

  • Seniors on the Move: Keys to Better Fitness

    Last week we told you why physical activity is such a big deal. We also discussed the difference between physical activity and exercise. Both of these are important and will help improve your ability to do the everyday activities you enjoy. We shared four areas of exercise that are the keys to better fitness: Endurance, Flexibility, Strength Training and Balance.

    This week we will share with you some specific exercises that will help you improve these four areas.

    Endurance,

    or aerobic, activities increase your breathing and heart rate. These activities help keep you healthy, improve your fitness and help you do the tasks you need to do every day. Endurance exercises improve the health of your heart, lungs and circulatory system. They also delay or prevent many diseases that are common in older adults such as diabetes, colon and breast cancers, heart disease and others. Endurance building activities include:

    • Brisk walking

    • Yard work (mowing, raking)

    • Dancing

    • Jogging

    • Swimming

    • Biking

    • Climbing stairs or hills

    • Playing tennis or basketball

    Strength

    Even small increases in muscle strength can make a big difference in your ability to stay independent and carry out everyday activities such as climbing stairs and carrying groceries. Some people call using weights to improve your muscle strength “strength training” or “resistance training.” Strength exercises include:

    • Lifting weights

    • Using a resistance band.

    Balance

    Balance exercises help prevent falls, a common problem in older adults. Many lower-body strength exercises also will improve your balance.

    Exercises to improve your balance include:

    • Standing on one foot

    • Heel-to-toe walk:

    1) Position the heel of one foot just in front of the toes of the other foot. Your heel and toes should touch or almost touch.

    2) Choose a spot ahead of you and. focus on it to keep you steady as you walk.

    3) Take a step. Put your heel just in front of the toes of your other foot.

    4) Repeat for 20 steps.

    Tip: if you are unsteady on your feet, try this exercise near a wall so you can steady yourself.

    Flexibility

    Stretching can help your body stay flexible and limber, which gives you more freedom of movement for your regular physical activity as well as for your everyday activities. To increase your flexibility, try:

    • Shoulder and upper arm stretches:

    1) Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.

    2) Hold one end of a towel in your right hand.

    3) Raise and bend your right arm to drape the towel down your back. Keep your right arm in this position and continue holding on to the towel.

    4) Reach behind your lower back and grasp the towel with your left hand.

    5) To stretch your right shoulder, pull the towel down with your left hand. Stop when you feel a stretch or slight discomfort in your right shoulder.

    6) Repeat at least 3-5 times.

    7) Reverse positions, and repeat at least 3-5 times.

    • Calf stretch:

    1) Stand facing a wall slightly farther than arm’s length from the wall, feet shoulder-width apart.

    2) Put your palms flat against the wall at shoulder height and shoulder-width apart.

    3) Step forward with right leg and bend right knee. Keeping both feet flat on the floor, bend left knee slightly until you feel a stretch in your left calf muscle. It shouldn’t feel uncomfortable. If you don’t feel a stretch, bend your right knee until you do.

    4) Hold position for 10-30 seconds, and then return to starting position.

    5) Repeat with left leg.

    6) Continue alternating legs for at least 3-5 times on each leg.

    • Yoga

    Next week we will discuss getting organized! We will offer tips for setting short and long term goals, choosing activities and fitting them into your daily life!

  • FMH Hosts Memorial Service

    Fairfield Memorial Hospital announces its Bi-Annual Memorial Service on Thursday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m. in the Chapel Lobby. This service is for any family who has had a family member to pass away at the hospital during the last six months.

    The program will be conducted by a local minister. Family members and friends are invited to attend this service. Light refreshments will be served.

    If anyone has questions about the service, please call Denise at 635-0206 or e-mail deniseb@fairfieldmemorial.com.

  • Mayor Proclaims Aug. 15 ‘Billy Raines Day’

    Blythewood Mayor J. Michael Ross presents newly retired town hall employee Billy Raines with a proclamation honoring Raines with a day of his own in Blythewood.

    At a special called meeting of the Town Council on Aug. 16, Blythewood Mayor J. Michael Ross proclaimed Aug. 15 as ‘Billy Raines Day’ in the Town of Blythewood.

    “In honor of Billy’s service as a loyal, faithful public servant and a lifelong resident of the Town, we hope that everyone will pause on this special day every year to reflect on the dedication and accomplishments of Billy and his late wife Carolyn,” Ross said.

    “Billy and Carolyn were influencial in instituting the Blythewood Christmas Parade,” Ross added, “and we still enjoy that parad every year.”

    Several of Raines children, grandchildren and other family members were in attendance and posed for pictures with Raines following the meeting.

  • Blythewood Town Hall’s Cumulative Checkbook

    Checks paid out January – June 2012

    Some mo. checks (like SC Budget & Control, SC Retirement Systems, utilities and incidental expenses) are not included.

    Town of Blythewood          $ 100,000

    Robert Cappadona (Planning Commissioner for handyman work)   2,388

    PitBull Systems LLC  (Internet Consultant)               20,072.46

    StoryPowered, Inc. (North Carolina PR, Marketing Consultant) 13,865.90

    Michael Criss (Town Planning Consultant) 21,237.50

    Blythewood Historical Society                17,200

    Sustainable Design Consultants   2,675.89

    Kem Smith CPA  28,109

    Callison Tighe (Town Attorney) 43,320.28

    Turner Padget Graham & Laney (Danny Crowe, Atty for BZA)   9,153.30

    Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein (Attorneys for $5.5 million bond)   4,156.35

    The Country Chronicle (Advertising)   1,557

    The Voice (Advertising)      600

    Blythewood Leader (Advertising)      100

    Blythewood Garden Club      480

    Blythewood Chamber of Commerce      100

    Bravo Blythewood   5,000

    The Knight Company (Realtor for Community Center) 10,500

    EPC/LLC    6000

    VISA   3,763

    Keeler Landscape (Landscaping/maintenance of mile marker 30)   6,695

    Blanchard Machine Company   2,877.12

    The Streetscape Company      226.01

    David Carr (Handy Man)                  1,600.51

    SC State Accident Fund   1,184.75

    Broom Heating   2,400

    Harbor Enterprises                                1,887.30

    Alzheimers Assoc. of Maryland      100

    Blythewood Art Gallery      364.87

    Mayer Electric Co. 31,952.68

    Kenneth Simmons Assoc   2,500

    Mt. Vernon Fire Insurance   1,081.20

    Insurance of Fairfield      954

    Palmetto Pride                 3,942

    School Cuts   1,943.27

    Richland Co. Election      819

    Standard Electric   4,200.40

    BMB Irrigation      114

    Upbeat Site Furnishings      744.38

    Tyler Construction Co.   1,200

    Richland Co. Sheriff’s Dept.   3,320

    RC Treasurer   5,000

    SCDOT 22,595.75

    Blythewood Rodeo 11,318

    Food Lion                                1,325

    SC Insurance Reserve Fund 16,437

    Walker Bros. Inc.                              29,122.48

    Land Plan South Group      300

    Sunbelt Rentals      602.16

    Accountemps, A Robert Half Company 15,507.46

    eCivis, Inc., a Delaware Corp.   1,000.00

    T. Edward Cooper Company, Inc.      240.00

    Army Birthday Ball-FJ        39.00

    SC United FC      250.00

    CBE Carolina Business      447.95

    Kenny Mullis      380.00

    Blythewood Touchdown Club      500.00

    New Kirk Presbyterian Church      150.00

    Transfiguration Catholic Church      150.00

    Town of Winnsboro   2,850.00

    HPG & Company   8,043.85

    TSW   2,175.00

    SCE&G Master Account 25,125.00

    Earth Graphics      350.00

    GFOA      160.00

    Capital Software Consultants      850.00

    John Moak   1,700.00

  • Blythewood ACT Scores Dip Slightly

    Blythewood High School students taking the American College Testing (ACT) exams in 2012 saw their composite scores drop slightly compared to 2011 numbers, according to data released Wednesday by the S.C. Department of Education.

    Blythewood High School test takers amassed a composite score of 19.6 on the exams, down from 19.8 in 2011.

    The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. The test includes 215 multiple-choice questions and with a “36” as the highest possible score. The test is offered six times per year in the U.S., and is usually taken during a student’s junior or senior year of high school.

    In 2012, 197 Blythewood students took the exam, averaging scores of 18.8 in English, 19.8 in math, 19.8 in reading and 19.5 in science. In 2011, 243 Blythewood students took the exams, averaging scores of 18.7 in English, 20.1 in math, 20.2 in reading and 19.6 in science.

    For the entire Richland 2 school district, composite scores increased to 20.3 in 2012 over 20.2 in 2011. Across the district, 805 students took the exam in 2012, with average scores of 19.4 in English, 20.6 in math, 20.5 in reading and 20.2 in science.

    Statewide, the composite score for public school students was 19.9, with average scores of 19.1 in English, 20.1 in math, 20.1 in reading and 19.9 in science.

    Nationally, the composite score for all students and public school students was the same at 21.1, with average scores of 20.5 in English, 21.1 in math, 21.3 in reading and 20.9 in science.

  • BAR OK’s Trinity UMC Expansion

    At its regular monthly meeting on Monday the Board of Architecture Review Board gave final approval for the expansion plans for Trinity United Methodist Church which is bordered by McNulty, Boney and Blythewood Roads.

    At a previous meeting, on July 19, the board voted to give only a conditional approval of the proposed plan because it lacked essential planning for trees, landscaping, parking space allocation and signage.

    A plan for all of these was presented at the Monday night meeting. The lighting plan for the parking lot is one that will keep light contained to the lot with no spillover.

    The board expressed approval of the renovation which is expected to be completed over a 25-year period.

    In other business the board discussed taking a field trip to Rock Hill to tour the commercial, residential and recreational sites to review their value.

    They also heard from town administrator John Perry concerning aesthetic improvements along I-77 that include the installation of decorative light poles.

    The next BAR meeting is set for Sept. 17.