EASLEY — After much debate from a standing-room only crowd at the town’s Law Enforcement Center Monday night, Easley city council passed an ordinance that will allow businesses to serve alcoholic beverages at outdoor seating areas.
The ordinance passed by a 4-3 vote, with council members Chris Mann, Libby Dodson and Thomas Wright, Sr., casting the dissenting votes. Mayor Larry Bagwell and council members Kim Valentin, Dave Watson and Brian Garrison voted in favor of the ordinance.
Prior to the vote, Mann made a motion to remove alcohol from the café ordinance, but it did not pass.
Before city council voted on the ordinance, there was much heated debate among business owners, church officials and city residents.
In opposition to the ordinance, Easley resident Jim Chapman said “since the early 60s, the liberal agenda has been slowly chipping away at the morals” of the city, state and nation. He urged council to vote against the ordinance and suggested that a passing vote would only further “erode the shores of a God-fearing community.”
Chapman was not alone in voicing his opposition.
Billy Freeman, a retired Baptist preacher, compared downtown Easley’s possible future to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a popular tourist destination where laws allow the consumption of alcohol on the streets.
“You cannot have a family friendly atmosphere when alcohol is in the mix,” Freeman said.
Garrison was the first to speak in favor of the ordinance.
“The heart of any city is downtown,” Garrison said. “It is vital to our city that downtown becomes vibrant and stays vibrant. Michael’s Pizzeria has been serving food, beer and wine for the last three years with no problems. It is family friendly. You see kids everywhere in there.”
Sam Norris, owner of Uncle Sam’s Antiques in downtown Easley, was also one of the few who spoke in favor of the café ordinance. As a business owner, Norris said he believes the ordinance will “level the playing field” for all businesses in Easley.
Currently, some restaurants, such as Michael’s Pizzeria, are able to serve beer and wine to outside diners because the sidewalks outside of their establishments are privately owned. Eateries housed on public sidewalks have been unable to have outdoor seating until now. Norris said the ordinance is not about alcohol as much as it is “about the ability for businesses to allow tables and chairs outside.”
Scott Buckheister, owner of DunBurks Premier Events and President of the Easley Downtown Business Association, came to the meeting as a representative of the town’s downtown business owners.
“We have a vision, a dream of what (the downtown area) can be — a vibrant, commerce-producing part of this city,” Buckheister said. “This is a vital step we need to make this dream come true.”
After members of the public had a chance to speak their minds and hand in two separate signed petitions against the café ordinance, the mayor asked for the opportunity to voice his concerns.
“Here we are in the 12th hour,” Bagwell said. “This has been going on since November. We’ve had two public meetings and no one has stood up to speak.”
Bagwell also reminded the public that he votes on every issue, so his vote was not the deciding factor.
“I do not break ties,” Bagwell said. “I don’t want e-mails saying I’m responsible for breaking the tie.”
Valentin said she voted for the ordinance in order to assure equality for all businesses within Easley city limits.
“This whole thing has been blown completely out of proportion,” she said.
Watson, in response to an Easley resident’s comment during the public forum, said he is thankful things are not the way they were 40 or 50 years ago.
“I wouldn’t be able to walk down the street with Thomas (Wright) if it were 40 or 50 years ago,” Watson said of his fellow councilman, who is black.
Watson voted in favor of the ordinance.
“We are not promoting public intoxication,” he said. “We’re (trying to) bring more people downtown.”
Bagwell again stressed that the ordinance’s purpose is to “level the playing field” for all downtown businesses. The passing of the café ordinance will allow any business in the city of Easley to have outdoor, café style seating and to serve alcoholic beverages if they apply for the proper permit and have ample sidewalk space in accordance with city codes.
“We have things in this city that have to be fair to everyone,” Bagwell said. “As long as I sit where I sit, I am going to try to be fair.”
After the vote was taken and the ordinance passed, many people voiced their anger.
One woman said she “will not spend another penny in Easley,” while another man vowed that when the time comes, the council members who voted for the ordinance would not be re-elected.
Bagwell said he does not want Easley to be “a city divided” but, he said in closing, “we (Easley City Council) can’t legislate morality.”

Nicole Daughhetee/Courier
Liberty Elementary third-grader Natalie Kristiansen, top, and guidance counselor Mary Ann Fabian buzz principal Lowell Haynes’ hair last Thursday in front of an assembly of students, parents and teachers. Haynes made good on a promise to get the new hairstyle if LES students raised at least $4,000 in their “Pennies for Patients” campaign after students raised more than $5,500.

Daniel freshman Justin Dotson kisses the State championship trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after the Lions wrapped up their first State title in more than four decades on Saturday night with a 59-42 victory over Lake City at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. The Daniel girls fell just shy of a State title, dropping a 64-59 heartbreaker in overtime to Myrtle Beach in the AAA championship game in Columbia Saturday evening. For more, turn to page 6A.

PICKENS — Charges have been filled in a case that involved a man being shot in the shoulder at Pickens Garden apartments on March 2.
The victim, Jason Garnett LeCroy, 29, of 7569 Moorefield Memorial Hwy. in Liberty was shot in the shoulder area, according to arrest warrants. Warrants say police believe LeCroy was in an argument with Shay Sweezy Morgan, 34, of 117 Pickens Drive in Pickens.
Police believe that during the argument LeCroy had a gun in the front section of his pants and grabbed Morgan and pulled her toward him. According to the warrant, authorities say LeCroy pulled the gun out and police believe he laid it on the bed. When the two laid on the bed, the police say the gun went off, shooting LeCroy.
Morgan was arrested on Tuesday and charged with discharging a firearm inside city limits and possession of drug paraphernalia.
LeCroy was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to distribute meth.

UTAPAO, Thailand — For the son of an Easley couple, being an ambassador for peace in a country known for its spicy cuisine, magnificent colorful temples, and lush jungles where deadly cobra snakes are king, was quite an experience recently.
Navy Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Timothy R. Moore, son of Ronald and Doris Moore of Cardiff Court in Easley, participated in Cobra Gold 2010, the largest multi-lateral military training exercise in the Pacific region. Sponsored by the Royal Thai Supreme Command and United States Pacific Command, Cobra Gold is conducted throughout the Kingdom of Thailand. This year’s participants are Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, United States, and for the first time, the Republic of Korea.
“My job here is to educate personnel of the religious beliefs and practices of the people of Thailand, minister to troops and conduct community relations projects for under-privileged children and orphans,” said Moore, a Navy chaplain stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Since its inception in 1982, Cobra Gold has developed into an important symbol of the U.S. military’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in Asia. The exercise provides realistic training, improves efficiency through military coordination, and tests military operations.
Service members work on their tactical skills and test their ability to operate in a joint multinational environment. These range from amphibious assaults to engineering and medical humanitarian and civic assistance projects geared towards improving the quality of life of the Thai people. They also practice noncombatant civilian personnel evacuation operations used during disaster-relief needs.
This type of training gives Moore a chance to improve his individual skills and experience the culture of other countries.
“This type of exercise is important because it helps promote goodwill between nations and shows the world that America is a global force for good,” said Moore.
Thailand is quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the United States. With its tropical landscape, exotic beaches, and animal wildlife, it is also sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the East.” With its canals and rivers, inland waterways still maintain their dominance over daily life.
Instead of retail shopping markets that Moore and the others are accustomed to, floating markets abound with sellers who pack their wares — a variety of tropical fruits, flowers, vegetables, and fresh produce, onto small boats and jostle with each other for the attention of buyers alongside the canals.
“The Thai people are mild-mannered and enjoy having Americans visit,” said Moore.
In an age where it is just as important for countries to support peace operations, Moore and his multi-national military partners understand firsthand what it takes to bring many countries together to respond to disasters and humanitarian assistance around the world.