April Job Fair
SALUDA COUNTY EMS SEEKS EMPLOYEES
Saluda Government Job Fair Will Provide
Local Career Opportunities for Job Seekers
High gas prices, long commutes, and time away from home can make working out of town less desirable.
Saluda residents who would like to avoid that scenario can learn about opportunities to work in their home community at a drop-in job fair from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, April 21.
The event will be held at the council chambers inside the Saluda County Administration Building at 407 W. Butler Ave. The fair will highlight full-time jobs with benefits including some with state health insurance and state retirement.
“There are several positions open at the (Saluda County) Sheriff’s Department and Detention Center,” Saluda County Finance and Human Resources Coordinator Joni Drafts said. “There are a few positions open at EMS, and in our Roads and Bridges Department.”
Applications will be accepted at the event and staff will be on hand to answer questions.
Saluda County EMS Director Jacob Starnes prefers local hires in his department.
“I particularly like people who live in the county,” Starnes said. “It helps when we are short-staffed. It helps with call-ins because people live close by. It helps the community, not only working on the public safety side but you live in and are involved in the community.”
Starnes has worked almost 23 years in the EMS department, including as assistant director, supervisor, paramedics crew chief and EMT. “I live five minutes from our headquarters.”
Working close to home isn’t just beneficial to the employee but also the community.
“I believe the majority of people in Saluda do commute outside of the community for work,” Starnes said. “I think it hurts our community because if you are commuting to Lexington or Greenwood for work, when you get off work and if you need gas, you are probably going to get gas in a different county. You are likely to stop by a grocery store in a different county.”
Saluda County Deputy Coroner Angie Rita agrees.
“You pass the Wal-Marts of the world everywhere else and have a tendency to stop and not bring your money back into our community,” Rita said. “But if you live and work in our community, hopefully we do a good job patronizing our local businesses.”
Rita has been on both sides, having retired from the Department of Juvenile Justice where she had an office in Saluda but also worked in regional and state offices.
“I spent an hour or more each morning and each afternoon depending on the traffic,” Rita said of her commute. “In Saluda, that (traffic) is not something that we have to contend with. Having a short commute is a blessing.
“A lot of people tend to go out of town (to work) because they feel they can make more money. But when they boil it all down, it probably equals out in a lot of ways if they can stay in their community if there is a job that meets their career ambitions,” Rita added. “I was born and raised in Saluda and I love my community.”
Drafts has spent almost 11 years working for the County. “It’s home. It’s a quiet atmosphere. We get to serve our community and be neighborly.”
Loraine Kelly, Detention Center Captain and Assistant Jail Administrator, said, “In today’s world, with gas prices and not knowing when they are going to rise and fall, being close to work is a big advantage. Your travel time is low and you aren’t wasting a lot of money on gas. If you are driving 45 minutes away, you are naturally spending more money.”
Kelly said there are 11 openings at the Detention Center. She said working with the housed inmates is a tough environment and not for anyone with “thin skin.” But you work as a team and “you might make a difference for someone (an inmate) who comes in.”
Kelly said she believes many workers are just looking for a paycheck and not a career.
“If you are young, you can work 25 years (at the Detention Center) and then retire,” she said.
Picking a career can change the rest of your life. A new hire might take an entry level job and through training or apprenticeship programs obtain a higher-level position or advancement in their department.
There is no registration for the job fair. Applications will be available and job seekers can also bring a resume.
The job fair is coordinated by Upper Savannah Council of Governments and SC Works. The Saluda SC Works center is located at the County Administration Building across the hall from council chambers.
Job seekers can prepare a resume, search jobs and find out about free training including Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), welding and manufacturing certification at the SC Works Center. Upper Savannah has a federal grant which helps local residents prepare for emergency medical technician and paramedic careers.
SC Works is federally funded primarily through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
County job are listed at https://saludacounty.sc.gov/jobs.
Spring Fest Attracts Big Crowd
Despite Easter temperatures colder than the Christmas Parade, Saluda’s Spring Fest attracted a big turnout at the Saluda Park Sat., April 9. Inflatables, vendors and egg hunts were among the highlights. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
School Board Summary
Saluda County School District Board of Trustees met
April 5, 2022 at Saluda’s District Office for a special called Board Meeting.
Dr. Kathy Coleman called the meeting to order. Mr. Jeffery Jordan gave the invocation. The agenda was approved as submitted. Dr. Kathy Coleman, Dr. Arlene Puryear, CDR James Moore, Ms. Sharon Holloway, and Mr. Jeffery Jordan were all in attendance. The meeting began at 8:15 a.m.
New Business
Mrs. Sharon Setzer presented to the Board the 2022-23 Saluda County School District One Budget. The first reading passed unanimously.
Next, on the agenda was the District’s Audit Firm. After extensive research Mrs. Sharon Setzer recommended Manley Garvin be retained as the District’s 2022-2026 auditors. The vote passed unanimously.
Lastly, Dr. Puryear made a motion for the Superintendent to move forward with the construction at Hollywood Elementary School with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. The vote passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Mr. Jordan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:07 a. m.
Gun Leads to Arrest
Illegal Gun Leads To Arrest
Christopher Ussery was arrested Mar. 29 for Unlawful Transportation of a Sawed Off Shotgun.
This arrest occurred after his vehicle was stopped at a Safety Checkpoint on Hollywood Road. Ussery was additionally arrested for Habitual Offender and Driving Under Suspension.
Deputies noticed what appeared to be a simple metal pipe on the back seat of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, it was found to be a homemade 12 Ga shotgun that works by slamming the “barrel” into the “chamber” allowing for a screw to hit the primer of a shotgun shell.
Ussery is a convicted felon.
The Sheriff’s Office wanted to share this with the public and our other law enforcement partners to give some insight on the dangers that law enforcement face daily.
Ussery is now incarcerated at the Saluda County Detention Center.
Burglary Arrests
Two have been arrested for burglary after breaking into a residence in Ridge Spring.
Rico Griffin, right, and Lesa Coleman,left, were taken into custody after entering a residence and demanding the home owner give them money. They searched the home for cash and threatened the home owner.
Both subjects were later located by deputies and arrested. Both Griffin and Coleman are currently incarcerated at the Saluda County Detention Center.
Death from Injuries
County Man Dies From Utility
Vehicle Accident Injuries
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office and the SC Highway Patrol are investigating the death of Eugene Willard Mitchell Jr., age 79.
Mr. Mitchell was injured in a Mar. 22 utility vehicle collision on Dailey Creek Road in Saluda County. He was noted as the only occupant of the vehicle and was ejected.
He was later airlifted to Prisma Health Richland in Columbia. Sadly Mr. Mitchell died from his injuries on Mar. 25.
The Coroner’s Office extends its heart felt sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Mitchell.
RECOGNITION - 102-year-old John Harmon was recognized recently with a Senate resolution and a reception at a local VFW chapter. Pictured are Harmon with is children, Teresa Pierce, Marie Wicker, John Harmon and Brenda Eidson.
John Harmon,
102, Recognized
Saluda County WWII veteran John Harmon, 102, was recognized recently with a S.C. Senate Resolution and a reception at VFW Post 6740.
Following is the resolution:
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE JOHN DANIEL HARMON, SR., OF SALUDA COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ONE HUNDRED SECOND BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, on September 25, 2021, John Daniel Harmon, Sr., of Saluda County awakened to the celebration of a milestone event: his one hundred second birthday; and
Whereas, born September 25, 1919, in Saluda County, John Daniel Harmon, Sr., came into this world the son of Amos and Ethel Harmon, and he has resided in Saluda County his entire life. He was raised on a small farm, with his hard-working parents instilling in their son life skills that have proven invaluable to him over the years. As a child, John attended Hickory Grove School and Hollywood School in Saluda County; and
Whereas, because he lived during the Great Depression, John learned to be resourceful and reuse everything. Many in the community relied on him when searching for tools, parts, or other items, and his knowledge and wisdom in many areas proved beneficial to those around him; and
Whereas, after leaving Hollywood School, John worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps before joining the U.S. Army during World War II. He began his service as an ambulance driver in Europe with B Company, 363rd Medical Battalion, 63rd Infantry Division. That division was one of the first to cross the infamous Siegfried Line, which John vividly recalls as the site of many battles during his tour of duty; and
Whereas, the young John formed many friendships in the Army, although he has outlived all his closest friends from that time. Almost thirty years ago, he and his wife, Grace, traveled with his surviving comrades to Europe to retrace the route the 63rd Infantry Division traveled; and
Whereas, following the war, John returned to Saluda, where he worked various jobs before starting his long service with Eagle Construction Company. He retired from the company as a supervisor in the late 1980s; and
Whereas, John was married to the former Grace Gentry for sixty-nine years, and together they raised five children and became the joyful grandparents of nine and the great-grandparents of eleven. The biggest joy in John’s life is family time, including birthdays and holidays when the family gathers and celebrates together; and
Whereas, in celebration of his one hundred second birthday, family and friends gathered to honor him on September 25, 2021, at Bethany United Methodist Church; and
Whereas, birthdays provide a special time and opportunity to celebrate and honor those of great importance in our lives. As such,
the VFW Post 6740 will host a drop-in on Sunday, March 13, 2022, for those who would like to honor John and his legacy; and
Whereas, at age one hundred two, John still takes care of himself and is most admired for his spunky, positive attitude toward life, as well as his quick wit and willingness to help those in need. He maintained a small herd of cattle and a vegetable garden until his late 90s. These days, you can find him around his home admiring all that nature has to offer; and
Whereas, the Senate takes much pleasure in honoring this son of South Carolina on the celebration of his one hundred second birthday and joins with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate John Daniel Harmon, Sr., of Saluda County on the occasion of his one hundred second birthday and wish him much happiness in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to John Daniel Harmon, Sr.
Narcotics Arrest
Corey Doyle has been arrested for Trafficking a Schedule I Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana.
This arrest resulted from a Traffic Stop on Spann Road near Samuel Padgett Road for speeding.
When deputies approached the vehicle, there was a strong odor of Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.
After a search of the vehicle, deputies located 100 Ecstasy pills along with Marijuana.
Tribute
REMEMBRANCE - Saluda County Council Vice-Chairman Justin Anderson, center, presented a special memorial plaque to the family of the late Council Chairman Jerry Strawbridge.pictured left is Strawbirdge’s daughter Ashley Rose,and right is his widow Denise.
Council Remembers
Late Chairman
Saluda County Council paid special tribute to late Chairman Jerry Strawbridge at the Mon., March 14, meeting.
Vice-Chairman Justin Anderson read a resolution highlighting Strawbridge’s service to the county, then presented a special plaque to Strawbridge’s wife, Denise, and daughter, Ashley.
In the new business portion of the meeting, Council gave first reading approval to an ordinance that will provide for the recovery of costs for service charges from users of fire protection and emergency services.
Fire Board coordinator Luke Downing and Emergency Management Director Josh Morton explained this would allow fire departments to file a claim for answering calls to homes and vehicle accidents. This would offset the costs of answering calls.
Morton said most homeowners and vehicle insurance policies cover calls by fire departments. Morton said money collected will go into a pool that will be used to buy equipment for the departments.
Both emphasized that if insurance doesn’t cover the costs, there will be no charge to the citizens. An ordinance is needed before the process can begin.
Council passed a resolution removing Strawbridge from the Tri-County Waste Authority Board of Commissioners and replacing him with Anderson.
The county’s antiquated radio system will soon get an upgrade.
Morton said the current radio system does not have a strong signal to all areas of the county, necessitating a new system.
The new system will allow all emergency agencies in the county to speak to each other over the air, something that is currently not possible.
The total cost of the project is $399,486, with $380,000 coming from American Recovery Act Funds, and the remaining $19,486 from other accounts, so no taxpayer money needed. All was needed was approval from Council, and that happened.
Grant coordinator Jill Warren sought approval for a $32,000 Justice Assistant Grant for the Sheriff’s Office. If approved, the money will be used for the purchase of two canines, training of handlers, and purchasing of equipment. The ten percent match of $3200 would come from contingency. Council approved the request.
The replacement of the fire alarm system at the American Legion Building was approved. Morton said the current alarm system was so old, parts were not available to make repairs. The new system cost $9035 and will be funded from the building repair account.
Council corrected earlier appointments to the GLEAMS board. James Coleman will represent the private sector and Betty Kenner will represent low income.
Body Discovered In Camper Identified
The Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner has positively identified the body recovered from a camper in the Town of Saluda last week through DNA analysis as Terry Maxfield, age 61.
The cause and manner of death are still under investigation by Saluda County Coroner’s Office and the Saluda Police Department.
WILDER RECOGNIZED - Saluda High Athletic Director Jeanette Ergle Wilder was recently named the S.C. 2-A Athletic Director of the Year by the S.C. Athletic Administrators Association. She was also named the Region 2-2A Athletic Director of the year.