AdvertiseHereH

Daily Archives: 06/08/2016

1 killed in early-morning accident Monday

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

EASLEY — A Greenville man was killed in a single-vehicle accident Monday morning.

Pickens County coroner Kandy Kelley identified the victim as Warren Kyle Rice, 47, of Donaldson Street in Greenville.

According to Lance Cpl. David Jones with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at 2:50 a.m. on Prince Perry Road in Easley.

Rice was traveling north on Prince Perry Road when his 1999 Honda Accord went off the left side of the roadway, striking a ditch and then a tree, Jones said.

Rice was entrapped in the vehicle, Jones said.

Kelley said Rice was not wearing a seatbelt. He was pronounced dead at the scene of blunt-force trauma.

The Highway Patrol is still investigating the accident.

 

Dacusville library kicks off summer reading program

Jason Evans/Courier

The Dacusville Community Library kicked off its summer reading program Saturday morning. This year’s summer reading theme is “Growing Good Readers.” Young readers enjoyed a lesson about plants and trees from Susan Childers before she read Janice May Udry’s book “A Tree is Nice” to them, showing off the illustrations by Marc Simont. “We’re going to grow some really good readers out of all of you,” Childers told the children. The kids then made their own trees during arts and crafts time. Participants in the Dacusville Community Dacusville Storytime 1Library’s summer reading program can earn rewards by keeping a log of the books they read this summer. Grand prizes will be given to outstanding readers at the end of the program. The Dacusville Community Library is located in the Dacusville Community Center, the former Dacusville Middle School building.

 

County officials release statement on TCTC flap

Officials ask for specific plans to justify expenditure

PICKENS — Pickens County officials responded Monday evening to media reports suggesting the county has reversed course on a proposed Tri-County Technical College construction/renovation project at its Pendleton campus.

Officials said the reports are incorrect

“In contrast, Pickens County’s position has remained consistent throughout,” the county said in a release sent to media outlets.

According to the county’s release, when TCTC president Ronnie Booth met with county council on Oct. 12 of last year, council members agreed to the proposed building program in concept only, specifically providing that Tri-County Tech should return to council with more specific building details during this year’s budget process.

That position was reiterated durinc council’s regular meeting on Oct. 19, when members unanimously approved a letter of support with the intent that funding, final building specifications and bond information would come back during this year’s budget for approval of funds, according to the minutes from that meeting.

County officials claim council chairman Jennifer Willis wrote to Booth after the Oct. 19 meeting to inform him that funding for any project would “require a separate vote by Pickens County Council.”

According to the release sent Monday by the county, council members expected Booth would include requested details, such as building plans, specifications and site plans, at a May 25 meeting with county officials.

“No such information was provided,” the county said in its release. “Instead, Dr. Booth provided only general information about the project and rehashed justification information that was discussed during the October meeting last year.

“Pickens County was disappointed that Tri-County Tech did not provide the needed detail to move forward with the proposed expansion/renovation plans.”

County officials said they were also “disappointed to learn through the media that Tri-County Tech is threatening to raise tuition on only Pickens County students for the second time this year if the county insists on detailed building plans prior to voting to authorize any building/renovation funds.”

Pickens County Council members have expressed concern that the counties are expected to pay for the new building, which they say is a state responsibility. Counties are responsible for maintenance and operations, according to county officials.

“The failure by the state to fulfill its obligations should not mandate the county cover that cost,” county officials said.

“We again request that Tri-County Tech come forward with actual building plans and specifications to include total costs per square foot, so the county may be justified in authorizing the expenditure of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ funds,” the release said.

 

Baptist Easley dedicates eternal flame in honor of ‘remarkable human being’ Cam Underhill

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

EASLEY — Cam Underhill may be gone, but her light shines on at Baptist Easley.

She is remembered as a caring nurse, administrator, encouraging leader and dear friend.

A crowd, including Underhill’s family and friends, gathered at the employee entrance of the hospital Friday afternoon to honor Underhill, who passed away in 2007 after battling cancer.

An eternal flame has been created at the entrance in Underhill’s memory.

Quint Studer, founder of Studer Group, remembered Underhill as “a remarkable humans being” and “a fire starter.”

Quint Studer“In earliest civilization, they had people that kept the flame alive,” Studer said. “If those people didn’t keep the flame alive, civilization would have ended. In healthcare, we need fire starters. We need people to keep the flame alive.”

In healthcare, “there are winds,” Studer said. “There’s external pressures we don’t plan on. There’s internal challenges. There’s ups and downs. There’s times when you get a little bit off-track. There’s times when you go a little backwards.”

Quint Studer, founder of Studer Group, shared memories of Cam Underhill and her passion for helping others before an eternal flame was lit in her memory last week at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Underhill and hospital staff worked with Studer Group to increase satisfaction scores at the hospital. Studer dedicated one of his books to her.

“Your values bring you back to home,” he said. “There’s probably no better place with stronger values than Baptist Easley.”

Underhill was recognized with many awards throughout her career, including the Golden Palmetto in 2002, Director of the Year in 2003, the Studer Group’s prestigious Flame Award in 2005 and the YMCA of Greenville Dream Achiever in 2007.

The employee entrance at Baptist Easley Hospital has eight pillars, each displaying a different word, Baptist Easley director Brian Finley said. As employees come in, they see the words “Inspire,” “Heal,” “Honor” and “Serve.”

“So when employees come in, that’s the focus, that’s what you should be focusing your attention to,” Finley said.

Employees see a different set of words as they leave the hospital.

“After you do such great work, you should be leaving and you should be thinking about renewing your promise or commitment,” Finley said. “‘Peace of mind’ — we should all have peace of mind that we gave our very best. ‘Passionate’ — we want everybody to do worthwhile work and be very passionate about that. And then ‘Dream.’ One thing that never fails to amaze me was the dream we had when Cam was here and what we continue to do when Cam left us.”

After her cancer metastasized, Underhill drove to the airport in Columbia to meet with Studer.

“Cam had two major concerns on her mind,” Studer said. “One was her children — what’s going to happen to them, how are they going to be? Never talked about herself, never talked about her cancer, never talked about her death. She talked about what’s going to happen with her children and everything she could do to make sure that transition was as soft as it could possibly be.

“But being Cam, she also asked me if I had any new information on physician relations, because that’s what she was working on at the time,” Studer continued.

The flame and the employee entrance will remind everyone to keep Underhill’s work going, the speakers agreed.

“We thought it was very important, just because of Cam’s legacy, to do something that she was very passionate about, and that’s give great patient care,” Finley said. “No matter what was going on, she constantly thought about the patient, the physicians, the staff, her family — that’s what kept driving her.”

“She was selfless in her service and was always seeking to enlarge the circle of leadership and influence,” Dr. Walter Coleman said during his invocation. “She sought to make every effort better and more solid through love and grace. We are recipients of her legacy of light. This flame will serve as a constant reminder of that legacy. “

“Cam Underhill will never be away from you, never be away from our family, never be away from us,” Studer said. “I’ve often heard the only legacy we really have is the people we touch. If that is true, and I believe it is, Cam Underhill leaves an unbelievable legacy because of the many people that she has touched.”

A plaque with Underhill’s picture and the words “Keep the Flame Burning” will be placed near the eternal flame.

 

By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal

goliver@upstatetoday.com

COUNTY — Although the district’s overall winner won’t be named for several months, the School District of Pickens County has announced the 26 teacher of the year winners from each individual school who will vie for the ultimate prize. [cointent_lockedcontent]

The teachers of the year are selected by a vote of the staff members at their schools. Once selected, they will serve on the district’s Teacher Forum.

“These teachers have proven themselves to be leaders among their peers, and the Teacher Forum is an important voice in informing our direction as a district,” superintendent Danny Merck said. “I’m very proud of these teachers and can’t wait to interact with them more next year.”

The individual teachers of the year and the schools they represent are as follows: Sydney Cox, Ambler Elementary; Lisa Cheek, Central Elementary; Steve Gilstrap, Chastain Road Elementary; Michelle Conley, Clemson Elementary; Rachel Kaskin, Crosswell Elementary; Beth Atkins, Dacusville Elementary; Chantel Wooten, Dacusville Middle; Dana Howard, Daniel High; Rick Langdale, Easley High; Kim Dockins, East End Elementary; Mary Bridges, Edwards Middle; Tracy Brandt, Forest Acres Elementary; Michelle Hydrick, Gettys Middle; Amy Hardin, Hagood Elementary; Ann Bowen, Holly Springs Elementary; Sheila Martin, A.R. Lewis Elementary; Jenifer Griffis, Liberty Elementary; Tim Johnson, Liberty High; Lou Ann Ellenburg, Liberty Middle; Christine Rybolt, McKissick Elementary; Janie Collins, Pickens County Career and Technology Center; Alicia Tennis-Shock, Pickens Elementary; Tom Faithful, Pickens High; Justin Bramblett, Pickens Middle; Melissa Nolan, Six Mile Elementary; and Mario Stanitzek, West End Elementary.

District spokesman John Eby said school-level teachers are eligible for the district-wide teacher of the year award, which will be announced at the district’s annual back-to-school celebration Sept. 6 at Easley High School. The event will take place a month later than usual.

“The date of Sept. 6 was set because of the uncertainty around the start date for next year,” Eby said. “We scheduled the back-to-school celebration/E3 conference a couple of weeks into the school year because we needed to go ahead and book speakers and presenters while the school board was still deliberating on the calendar.”

[/cointent_lockedcontent]

Clark, Morgan square off for sheriff

By Greg Oliver

Courtesy The Journal

goliver@upstatetoday.com

COUNTY — Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark and former assistant sheriff Tim Morgan both have considerable law enforcement experience. Both also have considerable differences of opinion, however, on how best to handle the operation.

The two men squared off last Tuesday in a candidate debate at Tri-County Technical College’s Easley campus, two weeks ahead of the June 14 primary.

Clark said prior to the debate he feels the sheriff’s office is making “positive movement forward” when it comes to a new jail.

“Our interim administrator has gotten on board, and we’ve had our first preliminary needs assessment done by Moseley Associates,” Clark said. “They’ve given some preliminary numbers on beds, how many people are coming in and a couple of different layouts.”

Clark didn’t give a time frame for a new jail, saying, “We’re going to invest our time in planning and make sure it’s done right.”

Morgan, who spent 22 of his 37 years in the sheriff’s office as the right-hand man to longtime Sheriff David Stone, said he feels leadership “is the biggest issue.”

“There’s a lot of other peripheral issues that need to be addressed, but leadership, officers needing support and addressing all those is going to be a matter of working with people and not having a toxic relationship with Pickens County Council,” Morgan said. “They gave him the keys to the sheriff’s office bus, and he gave it to others and said, ‘You drive.’”

6-8 Page 1A.inddWhen he first announced plans to seek office earlier this year, Morgan said he has worked successfully with dozens of county councils through the years to provide for the needs of the sheriff’s office “while being fiscally responsible to the citizens.”

“A leader who refuses to work with others when he doesn’t get his way does a disservice both to those he leads and the community for which he is responsible,” Morgan said. “Council sent a letter to the governor in 2015 saying they were at odds with the sheriff’s office. How can you get anything done if you can’t get along with people?”

Clark said the sheriff’s office has worked to meet his goal of instituting new technology upon entering office four years ago.

“We bought a cellular phone analyzer where we don’t have to drive to Columbia anymore and can instead go to Greenville and Anderson,” he said. “We have to get a search warrant and download all the data that’s on the phone.

“One of the things we’ve upgraded at the courthouse and detention (center) is installing a high-definition video system. We were facing a huge liability because of a system you couldn’t see. Over the next four years, we need to look at upgrading our records maintenance system and jail management system in a lot of areas.”

Morgan scoffs at the technology improvements, saying that, “it’s the same computer system, the same computers (at the sheriff’s office).”

“I would like to see technology that improves the safety of officers and the public,” Morgan said. “Technology is overrated, because the right technology applied to the right application is a good thing.”

While attending an FBI Academy conference in March, Morgan said officials told the class officers needed to “get out of the car and talk to people.”

“Computers are a tool in a toolbox, and they don’t solve crimes, people do,” he said. “There’s some good things out there — it’s just a matter of what the county is willing to spend. Don’t buy it for technology’s sake; make sure it’s appropriate. I want to get back to the basics of talking to people.

“I heard one time the worst thing that happened to law enforcement is the patrol car. There has to be more of a concerted effort to get out of the patrol car and talk to people.”

Clark said the sheriff’s office is committed to addressing the drug problem that plaguing Pickens County — evidenced by the multiple drug busts that have occurred during his tenure.

“We’re going to keep our throttle open on getting drug dealers in jail and a hand up to keep them out,” Clark said. “We have a great staff here, and one of the reasons it works so well is our officers on the road are in correlation with our narcotics officer. Forming our Community Action Team has been one of our successes.”

Morgan said he feels the news media should “look at the quality of those arrests.”

“You sign a warrant and call them an arrest. … You’ve got officers who are going to do their job — they just need leadership in the right direction,” he said.

Clark said the murder rate in Pickens County “has not really increased that much” in recent years.

“There’s just been some high-profile cases,” he said.

Domestic violence, the sheriff said, has always been a problem statewide, including Pickens County.

Morgan said he is concerned with turnover that has occurred in the sheriff’s office — pointing to county personnel records that show that 54 employees, or approximately 40 percent of the total number of full-time workers, have left employment or transferred out in the last three years.

“I have not called the first employee or asked them any questions,” Morgan said. “If someone wants to call me, I’ll be glad to listen to them. But when you walk through the door of the sheriff’s office, it needs to be like you’re coming home to family. When one part is pitted against another, there’s no way you can do your job effectively.”

Clark said the biggest improvement in the sheriff’s office is “the way we organize things and the mission we have in protecting the public.”

“We have a focus on making sure those who commit crimes are caught,” Clark said.

Morgan said he believes that the sheriff’s office must do a better job of using the resources that are available and balancing drug education and prevention with treatment.

“Perhaps we could have some retired officers providing some mentoring, and it wouldn’t cost the taxpayers a thing — even starting in elementary schools,” Morgan said. “We’ve got some great professionals in the retirement communities — a growing complement of law enforcement officers — and I think we need to use evidence-based models, to see what has worked and hasn’t worked.”

The sheriff’s office, Morgan said, “belongs to the citizens.”

“The person occupying the position is just the temporary custodian of the office,” Morgan said. “Therefore, there should be a greater emphasis on service to our citizens.”

 

Voters to head to the polls

Tuesday’s GOP primary to decide most races

COUNTY — Pickens County voters will head to the polls next Tuesday, June 14, for the 2016 Republican primary.

For many candidates, Tuesday will be the day of reckoning. Barring any runoffs and write-in campaigns, many of the races for county and state offices will be decided on Tuesday, as many candidates will face no Democratic opposition in the Nov. 8 general election.

In the Pickens County Council District 3 race, incumbent Randy Crenshaw willl face a challenge from Jimmy Davis, Wes Hendricks and Alex Saitta.

Challengers Roy Costner and Keith Culbreath seek to unseat incumbent G. Neil Smith in the County Council District 4 race.

There will be a new county council member representing District 5, as incumbent Jennifer Willis is not seeking re-election. Mitch Bagwell, Chris Bowers, Robert Sams, Harley Staton and Jeff Willis are seeking the District 5 seat.

In District 6, Carl Hudson faces no opposition for the seat. Daniel Lee also filed for the race, but has withdrawn his candidacy. Incumbent Tom Ponder is not seeking re-election.

Sheriff Rick Clark seeks re-election. He’ll face former assistant sheriff Tim Morgan on Tuesday.

The winner of that contest faces no opposition in November.

Only one of the two State Senate races is contested. In District 1, Senator Thomas Alexander faces no opposition.

In the District 2 race, three Republican candidates — Don Joslyn, Allen Quinn and Rex Rice — are seeking to unseat incumbent Sen. Larry Martin.

In the race for the State House of Representatives District 5 seat, challenger Rick Tate will try to unseat incumbent Neal Collins.

Two House members face no Republican opposition on Tuesday, but will have challengers in the fall. District 4 Rep. Davey Hiott will face Libertarian candidate Joey Lum in the general election. District 3 Rep. Gary Clary will face Libertarian candidate Travis McCurry November 8.

Congressman Jeff Duncan faces no Republican opposition on Tuesday for the U.S. House of Representative District 3 seat, but he will face Democrat Hosea Cleveland in November.

Likewise, U.S. Senator Tim Scott faces no primary opposition on Tuesday. He’ll face Libertarian and Constitution Party candidate Bill Bledsoe, Democrat Thomas Dixon and American Party candidates Jim Hinkle and Rebel Scarborough in the fall.

Many county officials face no opposition at all, including auditor Brent Suddeth, treasurer Dale Looper, coroner Kandy Kelley and clerk of court Pat Welborn.

A list of polling locations and sample ballots can be found at pickenselections.org.

 

Roper elected to family court seat

COUNTY — Karen Sanchez Roper, attorney and founding partner of Roper Law Firm in Pickens, has been elected to the 13th Judicial Circuit Family Court’s Pickens County Seat 4.

She will succeed the Honorable Alvin D. Johnson, who will retire on June 30 after 20 years of service on the bench. Roper is the first woman to be appointed by the General Assembly as a resident judge for Pickens County.

[cointent_lockedcontent]

Upon assuming her duties on the bench, Roper will cease to be a member of the firm and leave the practice of law. As judge, Roper will preside over cases primarily in the 13th Judicial Circuit, covering Pickens and Greenville counties, but will also hear cases throughout the state as assigned by South Carolina court administration.

The family court has exclusive jurisdiction over all matters involving domestic relationships and decides cases concerning marriage, divorce, separation, custody, visitation rights, termination of parental rights, adoption, support, alimony, division of marital property, name changes and juvenile matters.

Judicial candidates are screened through the Judicial Merit Selection Commission and undergo a law examination, interviews with the South Carolina Bar and the Upstate Citizen’s Committee, and a public hearing before the commission. After qualification and nomination, judges are elected by members of the South Carolina General Assembly.

A native of Valdosta, Ga., Roper received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and her law degree from the University of South Carolina. She established Roper Law Firm in 1997, with a focus on family law litigation. Her husband, attorney Ken Roper, joined the firm in 2001. In addition to her legal work, Roper has served in various leadership roles with numerous civic organizations in the Pickens community, including the Cannon Memorial Foundation Board, Leadership Pickens County, First Steps, Prevent Child Abuse and the Pickens Women’s Association. In 2014, Gov. Nikki Haley appointed Roper to the Anderson-Oconee-Pickens Mental Health Board.

Karen and Ken Roper are the parents of two sons, Carson and Hampton, who attend Pickens High School. She and her family are members of Pickens Presbyterian Church, where she is an elder and trustee.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to serve my community,” said Roper. “I am humbled by the trust placed in me by the General Assembly, particularly the members of our local delegation, and will work diligently to ensure the family court continues to support and encourage our families.”

[/cointent_lockedcontent]

Solar farm to be constructed on school district property

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

COUNTY — A new project at the Career and Technology Center aims to benefit Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative customers alike.

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Manager of Government and Community Relations Zach Hinton recently spoke to school board members.

[cointent_lockedcontent]

The cooperative is proposing to lease 3.8 acres of school district property in order to build a 250-kilowatt solar farm.

“We are starting to see solar technology really come into its own right now,” Hinton said. “The technology is just going to continue to get better and better.”

Blue Ridge Electric officials have been told by some members “that they are interested in solar, in some way, shape or form,” Hinton said.

Hinton said the Central Electrical Power Cooperative is made up of 20 power distribution cooperatives from around the state, including Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. The Central Electrical Cooperative provides transmission lines and buys power for its members. The CEPC recently conducted a statewide survey amongst its members regarding interest in solar power, Hinton said.

“We feel like we need to be on the forefront of this,” Hinton said. “We need to be able to advise our members, give them good, truthful knowledge about what’s out there. Just like any other industry out there, there are good and bad actors. We want to be a trusted source for members.”

The CEPC’s Community Solar Project would see the construction of a community solar farm which would be sold to cooperative members, panel by panel, Hinton said.

“You could purchase a one, two, three-panel section of the farm,” Hinton said. “Whatever power was generated off that panel would be credited to your account. We feel like that’s the most fair and equitable way to do it, so members who aren’t necessarily interested in renewables aren’t going to be subsidizing our other members.”

The proposed site is behind the Career and Technology Center and Chastain Road Elementary School, Hinton said.

“We feel like this is a good fit for several reasons,” Hinton said. “It’s visibility, it’s topography and its location to the Career and Technology Center. “We feel like this is a very good partnership, not just from a location (standpoint) but also from an educational standpoint.”

He said it was an opportunity to “get on the cutting edge of the solar curriculum at the technical school and career and technology and high school level.”

Hinton said Blue Ridge would work through the CEPC “to really pioneer a curriculum that would work with the Career and Technology Center, as well as Tri-County Technical College, to work with installation, monitoring, maintenance, construction of a solar site.”

Hinton said officials hoped to schedule the solar farm site construction with the school calendar so students would have a “firsthand, upfront approach as to what all goes into a site like this.”

Other educational opportunities could be had through Santee Cooper, one of the companies Blue Ridge Electric purchases power from, Hinton said.

“Santee Cooper has already received state accreditation and State Department of Education sign-off on their curriculum for fifth-grade science teachers,” he said. “You can send them down to Santee Cooper, to be trained in that curriculum, and also purchase classroom materials, to allow those teachers to come back and teach that curriculum in their classroom.”

The cooperative would also assist in any facility and ground improvements needed at the proposed site. 1.5 acres would be used for the solar farm itself, with the additional acreage used for buffering, Hinton said.

A small bridge would needed to cross a riverbed at the property.

“We would certainly finance that portion of it,” Hinton said.

Career and Technology Center officials have discussed using a portion of that property for some type of Living Classroom or livestock program. Hinton said the cooperative would be willing to assist with fencing to help with that program if it comes about.

“We want to be a good partner,” Hinton said.

Trustee Henry Wilson said the agricultural department at the Career Center need a bridge that complies with state regulations in order to access that portion of the property for future use.

“They’ve got good land, they’ve just go no way to get to it,” he said. “It sounds like a great idea to me. It’s going to really open some opportunities for those kids to throw up some fences and do some things that farmers do.”

Cooperative officials would like to lease the property for 25 years, at $500 an acre per year. If approved, the CEPC would construct and finance the solar project.

Trustee Brian Swords said he and others “see a lot of education benefits in this.”

“This curriculum already exists at the technical college level,” Swords said. He said additional classes could be added to Tri-County Technical College’s existing program. The solar project could also benefit the district’s mechatronics and electronics program, Swords said.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said.

Wilson agreed.

“There’s a world of engineers out there who design everything on computer and never get to see the equipment,” Wilson said. “The engineers in our country tend to be really hands on. They tend to grow up in driveways full of equipment that they work on on a day-to-day basis and when it really comes down to it, that type of tangible, practical experience really informs their innovation in a way that you don’t see in a lot of countries that don’t have those advantages.”

Wilson said he’s working on a program designed to get more women into the engineering field.

“The program we’re working on is renewable energy,” he said. “If you try to teach a kid how to play football and they’ve never seen a football, never held a football, don’t even know anybody that plays football, it’s almost impossible. If you’ve not seen a solar application, you’ve got no idea what the size is, the scale is, the way they’re laid out, the simplicity or the complication, it’s really hard to implicitly understand it.

“But if you drive by it everyday and you see it, you see how big it is,” Wilson continued. “Then you can sit down, you can very clearly learn the kilowatt-hour production per square meter, you can look at how much is sitting there and you can roll that back to how much you use at your house. It’s a fundamental ability to really visualize and understand that you’re not going to get when kids have never seen it or don’t even know where an application is.”

Wilson said solar power — and solar panels — will be more prevelent in the future.

“This is certainly a technology that we’re all going to be living with on a day-to-day basis,” Wilson said. “It’s a huge opportunity, just from a visual perspective, teaching kids, saying ‘Hey, that’s something we can do.’

Wilson said the proposal has “immeasurable educational value — and not just for kids.”

“But to the community, so they can see it, so they can understand it,” Wilson said.

Jerry Fleming, with the CEPC, said the total project consists of 5-megawatts being built throughout the state. That 5-megawatt project represents roughly $12M in capital expenses, he said.

“It’s our first foray into solar,” Fleming said.

Trustee Alex Saitta said he’d like to see the district’s cooperation offset with savings on the district’s power bill.

“I think it’d even better PR to say, ‘We do all these things plus we power the building over here — the Career Center — for nothing,” he said. “That’d be even better.”

Cooperative officials said the solar farm would not generate enough power — or revenue — to power a district building.

Wilson agreed.

“The total profit potential for a solar panel that size is fairly limited,” he said. “It’s big enough for a couple of houses.”

Board chair Judy Edwards asked if the school district would incur any costs regarding the solar farm project, either now or in the future.

“No, ma’am, there’s no cost,” Hinton said. “Not that we see.”

“I can’t see why we would not want to do something like this, especially if our students can benefit from this, if there’s no cost to us,” Edwards said.

Board members voted unanimously to accept Blue Ridge Electric’s proposal.

“We look forward to working with you,” Edwards said.

[/cointent_lockedcontent]

Notes from the Arkansas traveler

I’m in Arkansas getting an education — in what, I don’t know. Brooke and Andrew are technology-savvy. They were born knowing how to control the world by hitting a few buttons. It’s my fervent wish that their brains will not be short-circuited through intensive computer knowhow.

They are 8 and 10 now and have grown by leaps and bounds since last summer. As a niece and nephew go, they are the best.

olivia6-25 Page 4A.inddTheir card skills have also developed in a year. They have mastered Crazy Eight and play for blood. I only win every now and then, and I’m not letting down my side either. I’m trying.

We still play War, but they have added Blackjack to their repertoire, as they wanted to learn a gambling game. Brooke pulled out the poker chips, and we divided them up and had a few practice hands.

They know how to bet, stay, raise, call and fold. They know what it means to be busted. When they want another card, they tell the dealer, “Hit me.”

When their Poppa comes at the end of this week, he will be so pleased. Poker paid his college tuition his junior and senior year, plus what he made in the summer scouting cotton.

It was interesting to see how they bet. Brooke is a risk taker. She will put more on an uncertain hand. Andrew will fold if he thinks he can’t make it.

However, he’ll bet the farm if he has a solid hand and then we fold.

Brooke wants to win, as does he. He will get discouraged if he thinks he’s going to run out of money.

I was amazed at how quickly they can add up the cards. And these are people who just a couple of years ago couldn’t tell a spade from a club.

Now that they have mastered Blackjack, we are working on Gin Rummy. We’re taking it a little bit at a time, as it’s just a bit more complicated. There’s an awful lot to remember. Frankly, their memories are a bit sharper than mine.

Also, I’m ready for bed before they are.

The energy level they are able to maintain is unbelievable.

If we were like cellphones and could see how much juice is left to operate on, theirs would have 95 percent as the lowest level, while mine would show minus-10.

We’ve been hiking, swimming, played putt putt, cooked homemade French fries and baked a three-layer chocolate cake. I considered reading in bed last night, but that’s as far as it got.

It’s turning out to be a wonderful visit. I’ll really miss their bright little faces and busy brains when I go home. Children are a special gift, and I hope I never take them for granted.