PICKENS — By the beginning of May 2011, Pickens’ City Administrator Katherine Brackett, having completed the application process, hopes to know whether or not the city was accepted as a Main Street Community.
“We have to first be accepted into Main Street and then we have to fund it,” Brackett explained.
Beyond acceptance and funding and above all else, the success of Pickens as a Main Street Community hinges on community support.
“It is absolutely essential that we have community buy-in,” said Brackett.
Those who missed the public press conference held at Pickens City Hall a few weeks back might be wondering just what being a Main Street Community entails.
Beppie LeGrand, Mainstreet Manager for the State of South Carolina, describes the Main Street program as “a citizen-driven economic development engine.”
In layman’s terms, the Main Street Program — established in the 1980s, born out of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and housed under the Municipal Association of South Carolina — is a program designed to empower citizens, in any given community, with the knowledge, skills, tools and organizational structure necessary to revitalize their downtowns, neighborhood commercial districts and cities into vibrant centers of commerce and community. In so doing, “We are committed to preserving the history and architecture of our communities,” said LeGrand.
The Main Street program works because it is comprehensive and based on simple, straight forward principles. It stresses self-reliance and builds on what is special about downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts as the center of the community. Additionally, it unites local people to work together to rebuild a positive image that will invite economic development.
Main Street Communities work to strengthen the economic base within their towns and cities. This is done through a four point model of Economic Restructuring (basically economic development) that includes — Economic Restructuring, Design, Promotion and Organization.
According to LeGrand, “That’s why the program is tried and true. You’re not just addressing part of your community. You’re not just focusing on economic development and you’re not just focusing on design and how you look. You’re focusing on economic development, design and how you promote your community. Each program point has a committee and that allows everyone to work together. It is a great grassroots approach to making your community a better place.”
Common misconceptions about the Main Street Program are that outsiders will enter the community and dictate how buildings should be painted, what types of trees to plant or what businesses can or can’t operate in the downtown area. LeGrand refuted these ideas.
“We don’t tell you what you have to do,” she explained. “We help you do what you want to do and what is going to be best for your community in terms of its economic growth and its physical appearance and its community spirit.”
Of course, there are various costs associated with becoming a Main Street Community. Start up cost for the first year, based on population, is $7,500. The fee for the second and third years drops to $5,000 annually. After the third year, a $3,000 per-year maintenance fee is required. Brackett said a director or coordinator would have to be hired to oversee the Main Street Program. While the position will likely be part-time, she estimated cost in the first year would be $20,000 to $35,000.
LeGrand said the first year of startup is very intense with a lot of training for each of the four committees and committee members, and if Main Street is structured as a non-profit with a board of directors, then the board members have to be trained as well.
“When we start this program, we ask for a three-year commitment from the community if you’re accepted in,” she said. “You’re not going to see significant change in that first year. That first year you are learning, training and getting committees together and working hard to build community support. The second year you begin working on plans for the future. Third year you start jumping off and really see that momentum building. From then on, it is just maintenance — keeping people interested. It is a process.”
The Main Street program itself can be structured in two different ways — as a non-profit entity separate from but partnered with the city; or it can be placed under the umbrella of the city. If Main Street is set up as a nonprofit in Pickens, it can be paid for with the hospitality tax. It would be a direct donation from the city to the nonprofit. However Main Street is structured, there must be government and community support to be successful.
There are concerns among city officials relative to how Main Street would be structured. Pickens Mayor David Owens believes that the Main Street program would be beneficial for the Pickens community, however, he wants to ensure that City Council and city officials have input and a say in what’s happening, whether it’s a nonprofit or under the city. There will have to be a positive, collaborative working relationship between Main Street and Pickens City Government.
In geographical terms, Main Street is defined as the core commercial district. Brackett hopes to broaden this area in Pickens.
“We really want to try to involve more than Main Street downtown,” she said. “We have the county museum that is just two blocks off of Main Street — we want to think much broader. We want to be able to help the town. We don’t want to create lines and boundaries.
“We want to support existing business. We want to recruit new business. We want to get people downtown, build a sense of business community, have that something extra to offer when people come in and look to locate a business here.”
Owens said officials are looking at an area that would include Main Street and surrounding areas in the central business district as well as properties fronting major arteries like U.S. 178 and State 183 farther from downtown.
Main Street South Carolina has 10 cities in the program, but LeGrand estimates that over the years it has probably had between 40 and 50 cities in the program.
“Main Street really does work hard to help support existing businesses and help existing businesses find ways to survive,” LeGrand said. “If Pickens is accepted into the program, we will be looking into what kinds of businesses can be recruited to Pickens that could be supported by the local community. Just because you want a show store doesn’t mean you can support a shoe store.”
Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce Director Mike Parrott is supportive of the city’s application to the Main Street Program.
“When we’re talking about the Main Street concept in general, we’re really talking about investing in the future of Pickens,” Parrott said. “It helps with the future growth of the community and what we as a community want to become. It helps the business community. It brings expertise that we don’t have now. It gives direction and vision for where we want to go.”

LIBERTY — The American Red Cross recently named Liberty High School as the winner in the organization’s 2010 Stinky Week Campaign.
Pickens County schools and several local churches and businesses teamed up to collect comfort kit items for fire clients at the American Red Cross as part of the competition. 
“We have provided aid for 16 families since October” said Laurel Maco, Preparedness and Response Specialist at the Red Cross in Pickens County. “Our comfort kits supplies were depleted and we were completely out of deodorant.” 
An adult comfort kit is made up of a gallon zip-lock bag filled with soap, a washcloth, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, a razor, a toothbrush, toothpaste and a comb.
“When someone has lost everything, to be able to hand them a bag that will provide for their immediate basic needs is a great comfort,” Maco said. “We’re so thankful to everyone who participated in this event.”
Nearly 900 items were collected during the competition — mostly deodorant.
Liberty High School collected the most with 211 items and was presented with a Family First Aid kit and a BioHazard Clean Up kit.
For more information about the needs of the American Red Cross or for information about volunteering or attending a class, please contact Maco at macol@usa.redcross.org or 878-0131.

The above group of deacons from Griffin Baptist Church built and installed a flagpole in memory of William R. Anthony last month at the Pickens Recreation Department on Sangamo Road. Pickens Recreation Director Cheri Anthony extended a sincere thank you to the men earlier this week for their hard work. “This dedicated group weathered the snow and was able to finish the project in three days,” she said. “The finished product is something to behold, and one that future generations will enjoy for years to come.” Pictured from left are Ted Riggs, CB Hayes, Tommy Boggs, Joel Swangham, Joe Hughes and Robert Cowan. Not pictured is Griffin preacher Rev. Mark Bernshausen.

COLUMBIA — David Whittemore of Easley has been appointed to serve as the newest member of the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC).
Whittemore, a self-employed insurance broker, was appointed to serve as the House Education and Public Works Committee’s business representative to the EOC. The appointment was made by Representative Phil Owens, Chairman of the House committee. Whittemore fills the un-expired term of Neil Willis, set to expire in 2012.
A graduate of Easley public schools and Clemson University, Whittemore was a member of the Easley City Council for 19 years, including three terms as Mayor Pro Tem. He also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Pickens County Municipal Association for 18 years and served as President of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce.
Whittemore presently serves on the Upstate Advisory Board of Carolina First Bank/TD. He is a member and Past President of the Easley Rotary Club, where he has twice been named a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a graduate of Leadership Pickens County, where he served on the Board of Regents. Whittemore also served on the Board of Visitors at Presbyterian College.
Active in his community, Whittemore served as President of the Pickens County United Way and on the Board of the Pickens County YMCA. He is active in the District Council of the Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts of America and is a 20-year volunteer for Pickens County Meals on Wheels.
“I am very honored and excited to be appointed to the EOC,” said Whittemore. “I hope to be a contributor to this very important group in the months to follow.” 
Whittemore is a member and Deacon at Easley Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Cindy Blackston Whittemore have three children.
The SC Education Oversight Committee is an independent, non-partisan group made up of 18 educators, business persons, and elected leaders. Created in 1998, the committee is dedicated to reporting facts, measuring change, and promoting progress within South Carolina’s education system.

LIBERTY — A jackknifed 18-wheeler transfer truck was the cause of a huge traffic jam on U.S. 123 last Thursday.
Authorities say around 2 p.m. the truck was heading south when the driver apparently ran off the right side of the interstate and over-corrected, causing the accident. State troopers say they believe the driver then went into the median and across the road before the truck jackknifed.
The trailer of the big rig stretched across two lanes and halted traffic between Liberty and Central.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol closed all four lanes of traffic. The northbound lane was reopened around 3 p.m., but the southbound lane was not reopened until after 7 p.m.
Troopers said no one was hurt in the accident. The driver of the truck was issued a citation for driving too fast for conditions.

COUNTY — Ten SDPC elementary schools and two middle schools have earned Palmetto Gold and Silver recognition for academic achievement and closing achievement gaps in 2010.   
In its 10th year, the Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards program, created by the South Carolina General Assembly, recognizes schools that attained high levels of absolute performance, high rates of growth, and substantial progress in closing achievement gaps between groups of students.      
“This is certainly an accomplishment,” said Brenda Turner, assistant superintendent of instructional services. “We are very proud of the work these schools are doing. We are especially pleased that schools are working to close the achievement gaps among all groups of students.”
Schools receive general awards for overall performance based on both their absolute and growth ratings and the growth index found on school report cards. These ratings are determined by PASS scores for elementary and middle schools.
Schools receive closing the achievement gap awards based on academic gains made by students who fall into four subgroups — African American students, Hispanic students, students participating in federal free- or reduced-price lunch programs and students with non-speech disabilities. 
The following SDPC schools received 2010 Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards:
Ambler Elementary — General Gold, Closing the Achievement Gap Gold
Clemson Elementary — General Gold
Crosswell Elementary — General Gold, Closing the Achievement Gap Silver
Dacusville Middle — General Silver
East End Elementary — General Gold, Closing the Achievement Gap Silver
Edwards Middle — General Gold
Forest Acres Elementary — General Gold, Closing the Achievement Gap Silver
Hagood Elementary — General Gold
Holly Springs Elementary — General Gold, Closing the Achievement Gap Gold
A.R. Lewis Elementary — General Gold, Closing the Achievement Gap Silver
Liberty Elementary — General Gold, Closing the Achievement Gap Silver
Six Mile Elementary — General Gold, Closing the Achievement Gap Silver
The state’s Education Oversight Committee establishes criteria for the awards, and the South Carolina Department of Education applies those criteria to determine which schools are honored. 
Dr. Henry Hunt, superintendent, said, “Student achievement is a priority in our district, and having recognition for the schools’ success is affirming. I congratulate each educator who had a part in helping students achieve at this level.”

COLUMBIA — With a 110 to 0 vote Tuesday, the Higher Education Transparency Act of 2011 (H. 3185) passed the South Carolina House of Representatives. Pre-filed in December, the transparency measure was an early agenda item of the House Republican Caucus.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell said, “This is another step the House has taken to make our state government more transparent and accountable to taxpayers. In this budget environment, it is important to ensure that the public knows how every dollar is spent. Making all expenditures available to the public makes our state’s institutions of Higher Learning more accountable to the people.”
Under the House’s Higher Education Transparency Act of 2011, state Colleges and Universities will be required to post online a monthly registry of all expenditures and dollar amounts – prominently displayed on their official websites for the public to see.
House Education & Public Works Committee Chairman, Phil Owens said, “Taxpayers, especially tuition paying parents, should be able to know what their money is being spent on. By putting Higher Education expenditures online, we’re giving parents another tool to hold our state colleges and universities accountable for their spending.”
After receiving a procedural third reading Wednesday, the Higher Education Transparency Act will be sent to the South Carolina Senate.

CENTRAL — The Pickens County Democratic Party will hold its monthly meeting on February 19 at the Central-Clemson Regional Branch of the Library System.
The meeting is a change in both date and location from the organization’s normal second Saturday gathering.
The library is location is 105 Commons Way in Central, and the meeting will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Guest speaker will be Jay Parmley, the Executive Director of the S.C. Democratic Party. Prior to his sojurn in S.C., Parmley served as Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.
Parmley initially came to South Carolina on loan from the National Democratic party in 2007 to organize the implementation of VoteBuilder. 
Parmley stayed and helped successfully lead the S.C. party as Democrats experienced a record turnout in the 2008 primary and general election contests.
Parmley was instrumental in planning the state party GOTV effort last year, which contributed to Sen. Vincent Sheheen receiving the second largest yield of any democratic candidate for governor in the southeastern United States.
Parmley will be offering his observations on last November’s results and various other issues confronting democrats and South Carolinians in general.