Animal Shelter Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon Cutting Held For Animal Shelter
On Mon., Aug. 14, a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Edgefield County Animal Shelter was held. “We are thankful to be partnering with them,” Saluda County Sheriff Josh Price said. “Saluda County Sheriff's Animal Control is now officially up and running! We are currently trapping dogs in the Town of Saluda. Please do not feed any strays.” Pictured above are Sheriff Price, front, County Council Chairman Jim Moore, behind him, and Councilman Carey Bedenbaugh, left.
Ordinance Amendment Would Bring
Detention Center Construction Sooner
At the Aug. 14 meeting, County Council took a step toward bringing the construction of a new detention center closer to reality.
First reading was given to an ordinance amending the Capital Project Sales Tax Act ordinance of 2018. The amendment will continue the collecting of the sales tax until the cost of the new detention center is reached. Since 2018, $4,917,000 has been collected to go toward the new jail.
The ordinance description reads: “an ordinance amending Saluda County Ordinance no. 06-18 entitled “an ordinance to levy and impose a one percent sales and use tax, subject to a referendum in Saluda County pursuant to the Capital Project Sales Tax Act, South Carolina code annotated section 4-10-300, et seq.; to define the specific purposes and designate the projects for which the proceeds of the tax may be used; to provide the maximum time for the imposition and collection of the tax and the maximum amount of net proceeds to be raised by the tax; to provide for a county-wide referendum and to prescribe the contents of the ballot question in the referendum; to provide conditions precedent to the imposition of the tax and conditions or restrictions on the use of the tax revenue; to establish the priority in which the net proceeds of the tax are to be expended for the purposes and projects stated; to provide for the conduct of the referendum by the Saluda County Board of Voter Registration and elections; to provide for the payment of the tax; to provide for the issuance of bonds, in one or more series, tax-exempt or taxable, in an amount not to exceed the aggregate of $9,400,000; authorizing the county administrator to prescribe the form and details of the bonds; providing for the payment of the bonds and pledge of revenues related to the bonds; providing otherwise for the disposition of the proceeds of the bonds; providing for borrowing in anticipation of the issuance of the bonds; providing for the disposition of property related to the bonds; and other related matters” in order to provide certain details as to the sale of the bonds authorized thereby and other matters related thereto.”
County Council Chairman Jim Moore said the action will not require a referendum, although one is included in the original ordinance. The ordinance will require three readings and a public hearing.
Councilman Jack Atkinson said this action will allow the county to borrow funds in anticipation of the collection of revenue, and the project can begin sooner.
The meeting began with a salute to Saluda County Recreation Department’s 10U Angels Dixie Softball World Series Champions.
Moore read the accomplishments of the Rec’s All-Star teams, including six teams winning District Championship, three winning State Championships, and three playing the World Series. He recognized the 8U World Series participants, and the 12U World Series Runners-up.
He then read the names of the coaches and players of the 10U World Series champions, and read a resolution from the county marking the accomplishment.
Moore and Recreation Director William Wideman then presented each coach and player a trophy.
10U Coach Nancy Jordan thanked Council and all the county for the outstanding support of all the teams.
Peggy Merritt, Upper Savannah Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging Director gave a report of offerings for elderly.
New this year is the providing of air conditioners and later, heaters, as part of the American Rescue Plan, which provides services for rural, and underserved areas, of which all of the region qualifies. The plan also included providing weather radios.
Lawn care for those 60-plus who qualify is also offered. Upper Savannah pays a flat fee of $60 per yard and is looking for people to cut the grass.
With the new animal-little control officer beginning work the week of the meeting, Council approved the purchase of a $13,685 dump trailer for litter control. If the officer sees large litter items, he will call the Road and Bridge Department and employees will come pick up the items.
At the beginning of the meeting, Council members told of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony earlier in the day for the Edgefield County Animal Shelter, where Saluda County will send animals.
Council approved awarding a $496,000 bid for construction of a new Coroner’s building, and purchase of additional operational equipment (generator, cooler, etc.). The funding will come form the public building reserve fund. The current Coroner’s building is in the footprint of the new detention center.
Two A.C. units at a cost of $14,300 were approved for the Courthouse. Funding will come from the Building Repair Reserve Account.
The meeting concluded with the following appointments - Debbie Louise Starr to the Behavioral Health Board, Susan Davis Nichols to the Library Board and David Joseph Miller to the Planning Commission.
August Referendum Fails
Referendum Fails
Saluda County’s $7.5 million Public Safety Referendum Tues., Aug. 8, was soundly defeated.
Those opposed tallied 1705 votes, while those in favor only managed 259.
The turn-out was poor, as only about ten percent of the county’s registered voters bothered to cast ballots.
The county held “Community Discussions” on the referendum at seven locations throughout the county in July.
Had it passed the referendum would have provided funds to build an EMS Headquarters, which is currently located in the basement of the Nursing Center. This Headquarters would be able to have an office for Fire Service and house a Fire Truck in the future if needed.
Also, included was an expansion of the Sheriff’s Department to accommodate investigations, filing space, and training.
The estimated cost of the Detention Center will be mainly funded through the Capital Project Sales Tax (the penny sales tax) previously voted on by the public in 2018. Included in the referendum was funds to cover a possible $200,000 cost overrun not covered by the sales tax.
The Town of Ridge Spring had a Town Council election on Aug. 8. Six candidates ran for the three seats.
Vote totals were: James E. Williams Jr., 95; Amanda Derrick, 77; Crys Lybrand, 46; Greg San-der, 44; Ivy P. Silk, 38; and Denise Askin, 33.
Saluda Honors
Champion Teams
Saluda County’s three Dixie Sports World Series teams were recognized with a parade down Main Street and a Courthouse ceremony on Sat., Aug. 5.
Honored were the 10U World Series champions, the 12U World Series runners-up, and the 8U World Series participants.
Saluda Mayor Miliken Matthews read a proclamation declaring Sat., Aug. 5, as 10U World Series Champions Day in Saluda.
Special recognition goes to World Series Champion coach Nancy Todd Jordan, who put-off breast cancer surgery to coach her team to the championship. She had her surgery on Wed., Aug. 9.
Mayor Matthews Visit Legion Meeting
Saluda Mayor, The Honorable Miliken Matthews was the keynote speaker at the August 3 meeting of American Legion Post 65.
Pictured left to right front row: Ladies Auxiliary, Albertha Harp; American Legionnaires, Mary Andrews, Commander John Hood, Saluda SC Mayor The Honorable Miliken Matthews, and First Vice Commander Al Butler.Second Row: Keith Lester, Gehrig Minick, Bob Albert, Saluda County Chairman, The Honorable Jim Moore, Joe Corley, Grady Clark and Paul Potts.
Mayor Matthews made an excellent presentation of three major projects that may take about two years to complete. Project number 1: Street Scapes. Redoing both sidewalks on Main Street from CB Forrest to First Citizens. Project number
2: Parks Project: Replace walking tract at Saluda Park and adding a walking track and restrooms for park behind City Hall. Project number
3: YMCA Reestablish Jaycee Pool area. If cannot do pool may lean toward a splash pad.
Other updates included having received twenty applications for the building that housed the old Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority Office on Church Street.
Plans in making to add a fire marshal to the town code. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.
2023 World Series Champions
WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!!
For the second year in a row the Saluda County Recreation Department has produced a Dixie Sports World Series champion.
The 10U Angels X-play team won six of seven games in claiming the championship in Fairview, Tenn., on Tues., Aug. 1.
The local 12U Ponytails X-play almost made it two World Series titles in a row, but fell in the championship game to Virginia on Aug. 2, in Alexandria, La.
The county’s record third state champions, the 8U Darlings, lost two close games and were eliminated early in their World Series, also in Fairview.
The champions got their tournament going with a 9-0 win over North Carolina. In that game, pitchers Reese Shaw, Abigail Cockrell and Mac Jones combined to pitch a no hitter.
Next up was North Carolina, who fell 12-0. Shaw and Cockrell combined to throw another no hitter.
Virginia was the next team to fall, 11-3.
Shaw threw an unprecedented third tournament no hitter, as Team SC defeated a tough Fairview host team, 1-0.
Saluda defeated Florida 12-0 to set up the championship game with Fairview, which would have to beat Saluda twice to win the championship.
The local team prevailed in the first game 4-1, but Saluda came back to win the championship with an 8-4 win.
Members of the team and their coaches are: Ava Frye, Mckynzie Jones, Reese Shaw, Abagail Cockrell, Zoey Springs, Zoei Clark, Tenylah Brown, Natalie Jordan, Hayden Maddox, Libby Matthews, Emoree Shealy, Sarah Ann Crawford, coaches Darren Frye, Jamie Gayle, Nancy Jordan.
Teams competing in the World Series in addition to Saluda were: Dothan National, Alabama; West Pasco, Florida; Sabine Parish, Louisiana; West Chatham, North Carolina; Mendenhall, Mississippi; Savannah, Tennessee; Fairview, Tennessee, Pottsboro, Texas; And Amelia County, Virginia.
The 12U team opened with a 4-2 win over N.C. They were sent to the loser’s bracket in their second game when the fell 6-4 to Virginia in extra innings.
They came back with a 10-0, four inning win over Pontotock, Miss., with Saluda’s Ava Forrest pitching a perfect game.
Next, Saluda defeated Alabama 3-0. This set up a meeting with host Alexandria, La., and the S.C. champs prevailed 4-2.
The win put Saluda in the championship series, needing two wins to claim their second World Series in two years.
Saluda got the clutch win in the first game with Virginia, 5-3.
In the championship game, Virginia jumped off to an 8-0 lead. Saluda fought back but fell 8-6.
Playing in the tournament were two teams from Mississippi, the home team from Alexandria, La., Virginia, Tennessee, N.C., Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Texas.
The 8U Darlings played well, but did not manage a win. They fell to eventual World Series champion Louisiana in the first game 4-3, and were eliminated by Florida, 6-4, in their second contest.
Competing with S.C. state champ were the host team from Fairview, Tenn., as well as Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, N.C., Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia.
No community has ever produced three S.C. state champions in the Dixie softball 8U, 10U and 12U divisions until Saluda County did it this year.
A parade was held on Main St., Saluda, Sat., Aug. 5, to recognized all three teams.
The area was also represented by the Batesburg-Leesville coach-pitch team, who finished runners-up in the World Series in Hattiesburg, Miss.
The team featured several players from Saluda County.
12U World Series Runners-Up
Saluda County’s 12U Ponytails represented South Carolina amd finished second in their World Series.Players and coaches are (not in order of photo): Emma Enlow (10), Ensley Patterson (2), Kam Campbell (4), Karen Almaraz (16), Kylee McGIohorn (7). Miller Martin (00), Nyla Jordan (13), Adalynn Holsomback (23), Angie Rios (20), Ashlynn Vereen (54). Aubrey Boots Maranati (22), Ava Forrest (3), Blythe Buzhardt (5), Emma Dorn (9), Emma Enlow (10), coaches Lee Wertz, Daniel Patterson, Jeffrey Jordan (Parent photo)
8U World Series Team
Saluda’s 8U All-Star team representing S.C. in the Dixie Softball World Series. They were eliminated after two close losses. Pictured are bottom row, L to R, Autumn Latham, Sophie Patterson, Avery Enlow, Lizzie Patterson, Tinsley Barwick; middle row: Braelyn Barwick, Hudsyn Crouch, Memphyss Lawton., Alexius Lewis, Lynslee Gantt, Emma Buzhardt, Ansley Miles; top row: Coaches Bradley Gantt, Jeff Crouch, Daven “Tubby” Buzhardt, Josh Barwick.
August 8 Referendum
Public Safety Building
Referendum August 8
Saluda County voters will go to the polls Tues., Aug. 8, to cast ballots on a $7.5 million public service referendum.
County Council finds that it may be in the best interest of the County and its citizens to provide funds for the construction of a public safety facility to house County emergency medical services, a portion of fire protection services, and a renovation and expansion of the Saluda County Sheriff’s office. In addition, the County is preparing to construct a new detention center and may require funds in addition to those available to the County from other sources. The cost of the Project, which is estimated to be up to $7,500,000 (meaning we will only borrow what is needed once bids have been placed), must be funded with the proceeds of general obligation bonds of the County.
Plans are to build an EMS Headquarters which is currently located in the basement of the Nursing Center. This Headquarters will also be able to have an office for Fire Service and house a Fire Truck in the future if needed. The space will be utilized by EMS if not needed for Fire Services.
An Expansion has been requested by the Sheriff’s Department to accommodate investigations, filing space, and training. Some of those areas have been housed in a mobile home space that has passed its temporary use and was vacated.
The estimated cost of the Detention Center will be mainly funded through the Capital Project Sales Tax (the penny sales tax) previously voted on by the public in 2018. The cost may run more than originally planned at an estimated $200,000.
The approximate increase in taxes per the Saluda County Auditor’s office is shown below. The exact amount will not be known until bids for construction are placed and the County knows how much funds will need to be borrowed UP TO the $7,500,000.
If you have a home valued at $150,000, your taxes will increase approximately $70
If you have a home valued at $250,000, your taxes will increase approximately $100
If you have a vehicle valued at $14,000, your taxes will increase approx. $9
If you have a vehicle valued at $50,000, your taxes will increase approx. $24
The following is how the referendum will appear on the August 8th ballot and is NOT a special election:
OFFICIAL BALLOT, REFERENDUM
$7,500,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
OF SALUDA COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
August 8, 2023
Question
1. Shall the County Council of Saluda County be empowered to issue and sell, either as a single issue or as several issues, general obligation bonds of Saluda County, South Carolina in the principal amount of not exceeding $7,500,000, the proceeds of which shall be applied to defray the costs of designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing of (i) facilities to house County emergency medical services, fire protection services, (ii) an expansion of the Saluda County Sheriff’s office, and (iii) a new County jail, along with all associated costs and costs of issuance?
If the voter wishes to vote in favor of the question, select “Yes, In Favor of the Question”; If the voter wishes to vote against the question, select “No, Opposed to the Question.”
oYes, In Favor of the Question
oNo, Opposed to the Question
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Participates In
National Program
COLUMBIA, SC…..Libby Templeton of Saluda, agricultural education teacher at the SC Governor’s School for Agriculture in McCormick County, was among a select group of teachers from throughout the nation to participate in a National Ambassador Program at the National FFA Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana in July.
The program is designed to provide teachers with information to share with others about the FFA Organization and Agricultural Education. Ambassador Templeton will present communication workshops for agricultural educators and FFA advisors throughout South Carolina during the coming school year.
Templeton is the immediate past president of the SC Association of Agricultural Educators.
