The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 9

Delegation, Finance Board Answer Questions At Public Meeting County Government No Opposition Develops To Proposed Change In 1 i 't I ff rMliwiiiiiiiiii ml reason we have arranged open meetings to answer questions and discuss this measure with you." Bob Henry quest i whether a council of five men is a sufficient number to operate the county's business. "It seems five is a rather small number to conduct the business, especially if three members constitutes a quorum. I think it would be wiser to expand the number to as many as 12, even if it meant reducing the salary." The salary set by the bill is presently $2,400 annually, ex-cpet for the chairman who will be paid $3,000. Says Tax Assessment Well Organized Gardner System Is A member of the Greenwood County Equalization Board said last night that he could assure taxpayers that they will get fair and impartial hearings on any matter of tax reassesment. James M.

Gardner, who was appointed to the board earlier this year, spoke in response to several complaints of inequities in the system of reassessing property. "The assessment board has nothing to do with the amount Pianist Don Shirley Don Shirley Ensemble Coming To Greenwood For Concert By ANN TUCK Index-Journal Reporter The bill to provide a change in county government apparently is supported by the people who attended the meeting of the Greenwood County Legislative Delegation and Finance Board last night. The bill' provides for a referendum to be held in November' on whether the present Finance Board will be expanded or whether a separate elected council will govern the county. Last night's meeting, which was the second meeting devoted to discussion of this bill, was attended by some 80 people. After a few points contained in the bill were clarified early during the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, discussion turned to other matters of county govern ment.

Hugh Beasley pointed out that the" bill contains the unusual requirement in Section 13 that the election would be decided by a majority of the registered electors in -the county. Beasley asked the delegation if this wasn't an unusual requirement for a bill of this type. REP. JAMES E. MOORE told Beasley that he had also noticed this error and that it will be corrected to read that a majority of the voters in the election will decide the question.

"This was not intended, I assure you," Rep. Moore said. "Since the bill has only received first reading in the House of Representatives, there is ample time to correct these things. This Is the main possible that two of those could vote to increase taxes. He proposed that the quorum be raised so that at least a majority of the board would have to vote to decide issues.

A QUESTION was also raised as to whether delegation members would also serve on the council. Rep. Moore said that this is not so. "Only the five elected officials would serve on this board. No other courthouse officials could serve because no official already holding office is eligible under the law which applies to dual office-holding." Lewis Vaughn asked why the delegation wanted to wait until November to hold the referendum.

He was told that the general election already scheduled then would assure a larger turn-out of voters. Sen. John Drummond pointed out that the bill was by no means completed and still had to pass both the house and the senate before the referendum could be held. Lewis Harrison told the delegation that he understood that some effort had been made in years past to delay counties) from going to the county council form of government until a uniform system could be perfected. Rep.

Moore said that there is a state-wide effort on the part of the counties to begin moving to the council form of government. He pointed out that the proposed form of council and the powers granted to it are generally in line with forms already existing in some counties. HARRISON then asked, "If there is any question as to whether a change in the form of county government is needed, it could be erased by listening to the frustrations and rumors brought to this meeting tonight." He pointed out that the three members of the delegation are state officials, paid by the state to represent Greenwood County, and not to run the county's business. Rep. CarneH agreed and said, "These questions point up the need for a council to The Index-Journal Greenwood, S.

Tuesday, March 10, 1970 Page 9 Sullivan and Arthur Godfrey had him as a guest artist. His following grew, and Shirley came back to the concert stage. He has since been awarded an honorary doctor's degree by Wilberforce University of Ohio for "outstanding contributions" to music. His albums by Columbia Records are best sellers. "The Music of Don Shirley" is one of three programs already scheduled for the Greenwood 1970-71 series.

A fourth attraction will depend on the outcome of this week's membership campaign. Others now signed up are the Paris Chamber Orchestra and the Branko Krsmanovich Chorus of Yugoslavia. Memberships for the entire series are $10 for an adult, $5 for a student and $30 for a patron. No single tickets will be sold for any program. Concert Association membership is open to everyone in the Greenwood area.

Campaign headquarters are located in Mutual Savings and Loan Association building. Information and memberships may be obtained there. About 75 volunteers under Mrs. Thomas A. Wood, general chairman, are canvassing the area.

The campaign closes Saturday. Rep. Marion Carnell said that the numbei' had been selected by comparison with other counties of similar size which have already gone to the county council form of government. William John Park noted 'that, if three members con-situte a quorum, then it is It be right every time, but the basic principle is sound." GARDNER SAID that the equalization board is trying to arrange an equitable situation for everybody, "but criticizing the tax boards for the money the county is spending is about as ridiculous as you can get!" Gardner reminded taxpayers that they have the right to appeal beyond the county level and "all it takes is a little time." He spoke after Sen. John'' Drummond had called on Jim Ridgeway, deputy tax collector, (to explain how property is re-evaluated.

Sen. Drummond said, "I have heard a lot lately about property value increasing when nearby property is sold, and I will look into it. But the reassessment program is required by the state constitution." Ridgeway noted that reassessments are made when sales in an area indicate that value is increasing or decreasing. "We are always glad to make our records available. One sale doesn't make a reassessment, but a group of sales does." Rep.

James E. Moore explained the status of a state bill to provide for tax valuation based on land use. He said there are several methods of determining, land value beine considered and promised that the Greenwood County 'delegation bwould sup- SEN. DRUMMOND was asked whether any system of charging higher rates to patients at Self Memorial Hospital from other counties had been worked out. He said the hospital board of trustees had been asked to investigate the matter.

County Attorney G. P. Callison explained the aquisition of the hospital by the county, and explained that no tax money is now going for the operation of the hospital. "The county was given this fine facility on the condition that we agree to build the new wing." Callison pointed out that there is no provision for the reversion of the hospital to the Self Foundation. He said rumors to that effect were probably based on the condition that the name of the hospital be kept for 25 years.

The delegation was asked by Henry Cox of Troy whether It is true that the tax millage will increase by 17 mills nekt year. After Sen. Drummond told him the supply bill had not been completed, and it is impossible to tell, Cox insisted that he had "reliable information" to this effect. Rep. Marion Carnell5ai4.

that no increase in county operations is anticapted, but that school districts have not yet submitted their budget requests. WHEN COX again insisted that Sen. Drummond tell whether there would be a tax increase, the senator replied, "There is no way in the world for me to tell you that now." According to Rep. Moore, the departmental requests for the supply bill have been submitted and the delegation expects a recommendation from the Finance Board within two weeks. ri irnrrix t- 1 Pianist Don Shirley will bring his ensemble to Greenwood next season as one of the major attractions of the Community Concert A s-sociation series for which memberships are available only thjs week.

Shirley's playing has admirers from the classicist Igor Stravinsky to Duke Ellington, high priest of music, American-style. In between those artistic extremes, audiences and critics all over the United States have enjoyed and praised his skill and arrangements of the classics, folk and modern works. Of his Carnegie Hall concert in April. 1969, The New York Times critic, Robert Sherman, wrote, "It is his transcriptions which make his program unique. They are skillfully conceived, sonically and brilliantly played." A capacity audience gave the ensemble an ovation.

Don Shirley was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and his mother was his first teacher. He studied piano, organ and musical theory, then deserted music to return to college and earn his doctor of philosophy degree in psychology, with honors. He became a college teacher who played for his own pleasure and for friends. One of his friends persuaded him to play at a New York club. Duke Ellington heard him there, and began to praise Don Shirley.

Ed i Carod ina DATELINES Directed Verdict YORK, S.C. (AP) Policeman Robert Mann, charged with murder in the shooting death of a 17-year-old Negro, has won a directed verdict of innocent, Guv Maxie Benjamin was shot when Mann and another officer answered a call to a disturbance at a cafe Feb. 27. The officer was suspended. After hearing testimony Mon day, State Circuit Judge John Grimball of Columbia directed the verdict of innocent.

Mann returned to the force to. Workers Unite To Oppose Union About 100 workers at the Rocky River plant of Bigelow-Sanford near Calhoun Falls paraded along a highway in front of the plant again this morning carrying signs opposing an election scheduled Wednesday to determine if the Glass Bottle Blowers Association union will represent them. About 800 persons are employed at the plant which makes yarn used in the manufacture of carpet. Several hundred workers have been punching their time cards early as the end of each shift nears in order to protest the election. (Index-Journal photo by Danny McNeill) Council Meets 'The Ink Spots7 Will of money the county must have to pay its obligations.

We are only concerned with devising a fair system of raising this money. "I have only been on the board a short time, but I can assure you that nothing is cut and dried. I have seen their records, and I don't see a whole lot that is out of line. From the way they are set up to assess the value of property, they've done a pretty good job. They may not said, "We have to use plenty of fertilizer if we want to grow a lot of stuff on our soils, I believe in using enough fertilizer to keep the grasses The Griffith's have been in the dairy business for 14 years.

Craven stated in the presentation ceremonies, "In the years this family has been back on the farm they have made most rapid progress in developing their land and their cattle. Their farm is a picture book one, and it's farm families like the V. J. Griffith's that make agriculture the dominant economic force in Saluda County." i A Senate Finance Committee source reported that the state's bond issue, bill for capital im provements may also be forth coming for early debate. Action on the General Appro priations Bill usually determines the length of the legisla tive session.

The bill is making its earliest appearance in the Senate chamber in quite a few years. Be At Lions Banquet Ware Shoals To Hire Part-Time Policeman Senior Class Play To Run For Two Nights ABBEVILLE The Senior Class of Abbeville High School presents "Seventeenth Summer" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Chestnut Street Auditorium. In this play, pretty 17-year-old Angie Morrow, learns about growing up," Its problems and its rewards. Her family and friends" share in the laughter and tears." The admission Is $1.25 for adults and for children.

If we are to nave progress in the 1970's like we have had in the 1960's, the delegation must be free to work in Columbia for progress. "It is not fair for Greenwood County taxpayers to bear the burden of educating state students at Lander College and treating patients from other counties at our county hospital. These are problems which can only be solved by allowing us, a legislator, to work on them at the state level. As it is, our duties within the county are hampering us as we make efforts to move forward." Must Wait A Year COLUMBIA (AP) A muli-million dollar plant planned for Beaufort County by a West German chemical company will have to wait for one year for any state permit allowing industrial waste discharge into coastal waters. Cockfighting Case Granted Change Of Venue ABBEVILLE Judge Frank Epos of Greenville ruled yesterday that a case in which 1 defendants are charged with cockfighting offenses be moved to Donalds township in the Jurisdiction of Magistrate J.

E. Page. Attorney Gerald Clay of Abbeville who represents the defendants made a motion for a change of venue. The defendants were arrested near Honea Path. No date was set for further hearings on the case.

"The Ink Spots," who made "If I Didn't Care" famous in 1939 will appear March 31 at the Greenwood Lions Club Ladies Night at the American Legion building. The program will begin at 7:30. Chairman of the ladies night committee Harry Spann said Friday, March 27 will be the deadline for ordering tickets. The Ink Spots are an outstanding group of entertainers and have been over a long, long number of years," said Spann. The group's repertoire includes slow fox trots, Latin music and modern rock.

Griffiths Honored By Clemson University Extension Service day. Man 71, Drowns VALHALLA, S.C. (AP) -Emery Alexander, 71, of Oconee County, drowned Monday while swimming in a lake near Walhalla, Coroner Theron Durham said today. The body was recovered late Monday night. Temperatures in the area reached the mid 70s Monday and Alexander and a son went swimming In the lake.

Force Down To Two WESTMINSTER, S. C. (AP) The Westminster police force, normally six men, was down to two today. City Council voted Monday to accept the resignations of Chief Rae Cain and three patrolmen. The resignations were in pro-.

test of the council naming Earl Holcombe assistant chief in a promotion from the ranks. Cain had been with the department since 1963. Fire Kills Two GREAT FALLS. S.C. (AP) Mayor McLane, reported last night that he, Fred West-brook, attorney Jim McDonald and Riegel engineer Ted Meyer are going to Columbia Wednesday to meet with the S.C.

Pollution Control Board to request an extention on the deadline for the town and Riegel to stop dumping Untreated wastes into the Saluda River Tha deadline is-this month. The Mayor said that the county engineers are presently separating the government grants for sewerage work into sections and it will be at least two and a half months before contracts can be let and possibly June before work can begin on the pollution control problem. Alderman a 1 1 i suggested that something be done, either by ordiance or some other method, to stop the unloading of passengers from autos in front of the fire station. He recommended that lines be painted in the road and cars not be allowed to stop between the lines, Mayor McLane reported that Sam Benson, county landfill supervisor, had suggested use of a landfill within the town limits. mayor said that he personally does not favor this, since the town has no equipment to cover the trash ana garbage as soon as it is dumped.

I All members of council were present. -'A A COLUMBIA (AP)-South Carolina's proposed' budget for fiscal 1970-71 was on the desks of state senators today. They are expected to begin debating it Wednesday. 1 I The $508 million General Appropriations Bill approved by the Senate Finance Committee late last week contains several significant changes from the House version passed two weeks State By JOHN WATSON Index-Journal Reporter WARE SHOALS The Ware Shoals Town Council voted last night to hire a part-time policeman to allow each member of the force to have a day off. Mayor F.

C. McLane explained that he thought the man would mainly serve as a jailer and radio operator and to answer the telephone. The additional man would solve the problem of not having anyone in the police station at times when two policemen are making rounds together at night. Council agreed that the officers should not go on rounds alone late at night. Council also discussed the possibility of hiring two re- tired men to split the time of 35 hours a week in the part-time policeman's position.

City Log TRAFFIC COURT Four charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants and two charges of driving under" suspension were among .11 cases disposed of this morning in city traffic court. There was also one 'charge each of improper backing, running a stop sign, speeding, failing to answer a court summons and driving too fast for conditions. POLICE LOG i Accordine to a complaint filed at police headquarters today, someone stole 40 pounds of mullet fish, 10 pounts of trout and a eallon of select oysters from an East Cambridge grocery store last week. The seafood was apparently delivered during the early morning hours and was taken before the store opened. The manager did not miss the Items until he received a bill for the merchandise.

A second complaint described three rods and reels, two tackle boxes and an Ice chest reported stolen from a house on Bolt Street early Monday. $1,200 Earmarked For Abbeville County Tricentennial Week SALUDA Mr. and Mrs. V. J.

Griffith of the Trinity Community in Saluda County were honored Monday by the Clemson University Extension Service. In ceremonies at their farm home the Grrifith's were presented an Award of Merit for outstanding accomplishments in farm and home development by County Agent W. H. Craven Jr. and Clemson Extension Home Economist Mrs.

Catherine S. Boozer, w. In making the plaque presentation to the Griffith family, the Clemson University agents noted that the family has made an out Changes include an additional $1 million for the Medicaid program; a $300,000 provision for operating the College of Charleston as a state institution after July and earlier retirement provisions for circuit judges. The budget bill before the Senate would also delay proposed pay raises for state con standing success of their dairy farm. On a very limited acreage the couple has produced sizeable amounts of milk, and all of this has been made on some of the most lush pastures in not only Saluda County but all of South Carolina.

In the fall of 1969 Griffith was honored by the Clemson University Extension Service for his. forage production abilities. In the C. Forage Contest sponsored by the Extension Service, Griffith was declared the top grassland farmer in a sixteen county district When quizzed about his success with grasses Griffith stitutional officers from January until July of Several other heavy Issues were on the calendar as the Senate opened the week's work today. A proposd hike in the state gasoline tax, from seven to eight cents a gallon, will be up for debate.

The additional revenue would be earmarked for highway construction. Budget Aivaita Bete Fire that destroyed his home has taken the life of Jack Mc Farland and his grandmother, Mrs. Ollie Ellen Gray McFar- land. Firemen said the noon blaze in the living room of the two-storv frame house. McFar- lanrl was found Ivine by the back door.

His grandmother was. rescued but succumbed from suffocation. Mra. McFarland is hospital ized for treatment of burns be- iidvnrf tn be not serious, ine three school aged McFarland hnva escaped from a secona floor room by climbing out on a ABBEVILLE The Abbeville County Historical Society voted last night at its first meeting In several years to give about $1,200 to the Abbeville Tri- centennial Commission to stage events during this year's state Trkentennial observance. Dick Edwards, treasurer oif the, society, said last night's meeting was the first since the early 1960's.

He said the money was part of a sum which the) society cleared from its 1958 observance of Abbeville's bicentennial. The society became more or less inactive shortly after the bicentennial. A reoganizational meeting is set for March 23. At that time new society officers will be elected. porch roof.".