Mr. kitchens likes to tell us the millage rate did not go up in 2006.  What he does NOT say is in a reassessment year, this rate should GO DOWN in order to have the revenue remain neutral.

This man does not represent the people who elected him.

Vote Rodney Ashcraft….June 10.  You do not need to be a Republican, you just have to be registered, show up and VOTE!
web posted May 29, 2008

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NEW ELEMENT  DISCOVERED
Research has led to the discovery of the heaviest element yet known  to science.

The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neuron, 25  assistant neurons, 88 deputy neurons, and 198 assistant deputy neurons,  giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together  by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of  lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons,  it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every action  with which it comes into
contact.

A minute amount of Governmentium can  cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second to take from  four days to four years to complete.

Governmentium has a normal  half-life of 2-6 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a  reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neurons and deputy neurons  exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase  over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become  neurons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion  leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons  reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as  critical
morass.

When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes  Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium  since it has half as many peons but twice as many  morons.
web posted May 29, 2008

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My family recently purchased a economy car and parked our SUV due to the high gas prices.Like Congressman Barrett, I miss my truck, but fiscally it was the responsible thing to do. However, while shoping for fuel efficient cars, I found some dealerships had marked up the fuel efficient cars 1500+ due to "High Demand" then an additional  700.00 charge for washing the car. while this is  within their right to make money, afterall, that is why they are in business, it is my right not to be taken advantage of. I found a dealer without those charges and purchased from him.  so buyer beware and read the sticker before you purchase a more fuel efficient car. dealer add ons can really hit you in the pocket.
web posted May 29, 2008

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I saw on the news where augusta was going to raise the water rates because the restrictions caused people to use less water. That dont make any sense. You use less so they are going to charge you more?

Editor's note: Do you think government is ever going to do with less money? Think about this, Democrats want to raise gas taxes in order to lower the use of gas consumption. When that happens, and they get less revenues from sales, take a stab at what they will do? Hint: Raise the tax even more. This has already been seen on the "left coast" where state governments there have thought about taxing citizens by the mile because people are buying more fuel efficient cars and are using less gas. Remember, the only way government can get money is to take it from you. If they can't get it from one pocket they will go to your other pocket.

web posted May 28, 2008

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Have you heard what (County Council Chairman) Monroe (Kneece) is doing to get elected?

Editor's note: I know he is campaigning. Do you know something I don't know?
web posted May 28, 2008

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Finally we have a candidate that is qualified to run for the county council. Ms. Blackwell has my vote.
web posted May 28, 2008

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I read the letter by (Merriwether 5th District County Council candidate) Mrs. Blackwell and want to say bravo! Its about time somebody steps up to the plate and brings some of our tax money back to Merriwether. You go girl!!! You got our votes!!
web posted May 28, 2008

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I say keep the basketball courts in Edgefield closed. Rec-ra-shun aint all its cracked up to be. Its just somewhere for the thugs to do their crack.

Editor's note: I spoke with Mayor Durham on Tuesday and more than likely they will reopen the courts. I will say that if the problems continue they will be closed for good. It is a shame a few bad apples can spoil the whole barrel. But reality is what it is.
web posted May 28, 2008

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So now the editor is the all knowing and wants to say the gov is going to veto the cigarette tax when it passed big time? Who's trying to "blow smoke" up who's (butt)? Wishful thinking.

Editor's note: Not me, Gov. Sanford vetoed the bill at 2 pm Tuesday just like I said. I believe they call that a "swing and a miss" in baseball.
web posted May 28, 2008

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Well just to let everyone know the BS on Delaughter Dr has started again. Some uptight retard has called the dog catcher again so now they are watching and going to ticket you if your dog is loose and out of your yard.  That is why most of us live in the country so our pets can run a little. There is nothing wrong with leaving them on a chain when your not home or at night but letting them run when you are there in my opinion is fine.  That is the problem with this area everyone wants to run their mouths about you and butt their noses in your business like they own you.
web posted May 28, 2008

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I saw something recently about the kids at school and the baggy clothes they wear.  Check out this link to see why the schools don't like them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If44FjwPs-Y
web posted May 28, 2008

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Noticed the parent upset because their kid had to go to school on "that #1 we should spend honoring those Veterans "  But then you tell us the real reason you didn't want your kid to have to go to school that day, ""puts a damper on "kick off to summer" "" 
 
Any good Vet will tell you one of the best things that will help your child is a good education, not a day off because of what someone else did. 
 
And while I am on this band wagon, let's touch on Martin Luther King day.  We must oh so it seems take that day off of school.  Odd if you ask me that the one man in history who wanted kids to get a good education, to honor him we take a day off from education.  Sounds like a slap in the face to me.
web posted May 28, 2008

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Well, I guess Edgefield County school district should seriously rethink having school on Memorial Day - when 1/2 of the students were out yesterday!
web posted May 28, 2008

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This is the last thing I’m going to say on this matter!!! God doesn’t have the back of adultery! The Bible states:  “thy shall not commit adultery”….
web posted May 28, 2008

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Editor's post: The Crime Blotter will be updated on Wednesday rather than today due to Memorial Day.
For those wondering, Gov. Sanford will veto raising the cigarette tax from 7 cents to 50 cents today at 2 pm. More on the veto on Wednesday.
web posted May 27, 2008

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I admire your news reporting, and your courage to put things into proper perspectinve as they occur around the county.
I am a veteran, recenly returned from both the Afghan and Iraq theaters.  My father served in Germany during the Cold War, and My father-in-law did 3 tours in Viet Nam.  They are heroes to me.  I am grateful to give my part howver small it was back to this country that has given me so much.  What we have and take for granted so often has only come with a high price, the blood of those who gave their all that we might have a land where we can have days to grill out, and visit family without restrictions.  America may not necessarily be the country that I'd like it to be, but ther is no place that is quite like this Place.  America, Long may it stand.

Editor's note: Thank you for your service.
web posted May 27, 2008

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I hope other parents will agree with me when I say I also think it's a shame our children have school on a day that #1 we should spend honoring those Veterans who passed for us and those who are fighting today for our freedom!!!!!!!!!!! I know this time of year the students are doing absolutely NOTHING @ school that amounts to anything and I know Aiken Co. does not have school today! It really puts a damper on "kick off to summer" when your kids are @ school and you can't plan ANYTHING! There are many other USELESS days during the year that they take off but have to go on Memorial Day when all we should be doing is giving THANKS for all who have fought and are still fighting for US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
web posted May 27, 2008

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After reading some of the comments being made--it seems to me that the heat is getting to peoples heads--can't wait until summer gets here--haha Relax ya'll
web posted May 27, 2008

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re:OOOOOH, now it is the $4.00 a gallon gas that stops you from sending your child to STHS.
 
First off the only reason you said you were not going to write back is becasue I said that. HAHA well I am now because this upsets me that you would say that I would put this over my child's education.  Second off I dont have a child that goes to FC I AM A CHILD AT FC. So what now.  If I did have a child, Oh wait I'd fit in with every other girl at FC. I DO have to support my self unlike your spoiled cockly little son.  I DO NOT WANT TO COMPLAIN I WANT TO SPEAK THE TRUTH.  And if for one second you think your son is not given grades, and is not getting drunk, YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND. Just because I am a child at FC does not mean I do not have my own opinion. I dont listen to what my parents say when it comes to my beliefs. I stick up for what I believe in.  I am so so sorry I am not as rich as you and I am not beautiful and given everything to me throughout life.  Obvioulsy if you are sending your child there next year YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR CHILDS EDUCATION. And by the way your grammar is AWFUL. " I thought it was the school, the administration, the bad kids (who get drunk) or the parents whose children look and act like beauty queens and jocks, (given) good grades because they play sports."   Is this a complete thought. I THINK NOT!
web posted May 27, 2008

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Please let the readers know of options for internet service in Edgefield County. Is dial-up the only choice outside the city limits? Is it true that the county will receive funding to assist with providing a wireless service in the rural areas?  If so, when can this be expected?  Thanks for your assistance and please keep us all informed regarding this matter.

Editor's note: Right now, yes, outside of the areas that currently have cable we are stuck with dial-up or the expensive satellite. There is a USDA loan that has been approved that, eventually, is to be used to offer high speed internet to rural areas. I have not been made aware of any time table.
web posted May 27, 2008

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Regarding the article on "Troopers make arrest in deadly hit and run" posted Wednesday May 24; a cyclist is a person who rides a bicycle and a motorcyclist (in this case) is one who rides a motorcycle.
It makes a huge difference in the story when one finds out the people were on motorcycles at 1am and not bicycles which was my assumption in this case.

PS I'm a motorcyclist and a cyclist.

Editor's note: I will make note of that for the future. Thank you.
web posted May 27, 2008

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In reference to: "To the few Seniors who took offense at my observation that their behavior during awards night was "boorish" and because you throw around a few "big" words as to offer yourself as the new "intelligencia", I'll try to be more direct and specific…"

Although I believe I was the only senior acting in a "boorish" manner at the awards ceremony, considering a certain rude and inappropriate comment I made, how can we be expected to act tactfully if when we do so, we are shot down and chastised?  My classmates writing these comments are among the brightest and most reasonable persons I have ever met in my life.  I am honored to be able to say I will be walking with them on May 30th.  However, I can not say that for the whole of the senior class.

And as for them taking offense to "boorish" behavior, it was only because it was falsely accused (or should I say highly overstated?).  Sitting in a chair on the gym floor, I certainly did not hear any booing (which you also previously accused us of), which would be immature.  Instead, I heard a lack of appraisal which, call me crazy, shows agreement, a choice us students have, which we, as a class, did not make.  I personally sat in the class that this "certain student" received her award for every school day this year and can ramble off 7 other names (the whole class) more deserving of that award, including myself.  When people are outraged with such an injustice, after all the proper procedures have been followed to correct the injustice have failed, I think the next "classiest" way attention could be drawn to the situation would be to not clap.  Seniors, apparently, our sinister "no clapping" plan worked better than our doomed petition and someone actually took notice.  We actually thought the petition would have done more good than a lack of clapping, but we'll take what we can get.  The attention we have fought for is finally here. J

Lastly, if definitions of words aided us in our "mature development" we would all have "class" from our supposedly prized STHS diploma and still would have withheld our applause and agreement at the awards ceremony.

Dearest Editor, when did clapping become a necessity and not a choice?  I didn't realize students are blindly being forced to agree with everything Big Brother, I mean, school decides.  Isn't a sign of maturity being able to make your own choices?  Hopefully, making decisions is something we can all do by our post secondary education, no thanks to STHS as a whole, but possibly by a few quality teachers.
web posted May 27, 2008

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To all who keep defending FCHS: So many supposed "intelligent" people that we know with "intelligent" children sent their children to FC during the first year. Intelligence? Don't think so. As a matter of convenience, you must 'continue' to send them there. I'd give up an SUV or any gas-hogger if I owned one, in order to continue to pay my dues to get my child to STHS and back. You will never find any better school, with general, college prep, & Honors classes for your child to be recommended by actual "degreed" administrators & all available scholarships to be applied for. The sports don't count when it comes to college no matter what kind of an athlete our kid is. Our's could be a STAR at FC, but, the education & academics are first.....at least I thought that was the way that it was supposed to be. Defending FC, is defending the Bishop's who "own" the school. Perhaps, the editor can give you more info. on that; and the supposed land, for an actual school. So sad to those who do support the Merriwether Charter School, being that we too live right over the Aiken Cty. line in that "you" cannot vote out Mrs. Bishop; otherwise, you would be possibly be "eliminating" the school. Just make it a private school Bishop's & be done with it like Wardlaw. Hope the best for you all at FC just as same as ST. No Bias.....just a tid-bit of knowledge to check out...in case you want the best in academics. All new-bies...check it out by visiting both schools. PLEASE!
web posted May 27, 2008

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I thought the baggy clothes were a fashion statement, after hearing about the Jet student I think know it is just a way to carry a concealed weapon. No wonder it has been around for too long. If we get
metal detectors in all the schools maybe the fashions will change.  Of course with all the tacky large jewelry it would blow the machines up.
web posted May 27, 2008

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Editor's post: I hope everyone will take time out this weekend to tell a veteran thank you. Those who send in comments to the Wandering Minds expressing your views, know that it is the soldier, not the politician that protects your right to do so. As you grasp the few remaining rights granted by God and enumerated in the Constitution, it is the soldier that protects them and the politicians that seek to remove them.

It is a shame that our students have to attend school on a day that is to honor those who died in service to our country. But our school board thinks a "teacher work day" is far more important than those who died to preserve our Republic. It figures, since most educators tell students we live in a democracy, not a Republic.
web posted May 26, 2008

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To the person that still seems to believe our behavior to have been boorish. I find it very cute that Mr./Mrs. Thesaurus points out vocabulary that i use everyday in papers habitually as if it's not
commonplace in my day-to-day usage.  Thanks a lot for very "cleverly" using a lot of sarcastic quotations and repetition in your long drawn out statement with no clear direction besides redundancy.  Feeding your inferiority complex by trying to belittle high school students must be the new definition of class.  Thanks for making that clear.  :)  you must  be a great person.  ;)
web posted May 26, 2008

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"Don't let opportunist sway your vote", says Dorn's flyers. OPPORTUNIST; (the art,policy,or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances esp. with little regard for principles or consequences). Mr. Dorn, is  that not what you have done?

On Saturday I was graced by a visit from Mr. Dorn out scavenging votes. I didn't have the heart to tell him that he will not get my vote. He didn't introduce himself, just shacked my hand, gave me a wrinkled up piece of paper and said he has running for county council, would like to have my vote because he has been on the council for a long time. Well Mr. Dorn, if that is all you have on your platform, I think my dog summed up your run for  re-election when he relieved himself on your car tire.

Editor's note: It seems Norman Dorn has somebody dumber than he is writing his campaign literature. It should read "Don't let AN opportunist sway your vote." Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black. No pun intended.
web posted May 26, 2008

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why? Is it that here the gas prices are very high. But, in New Jersey the gas is $2.95 per gallon per the newsradio 880 WCBS,  check it on the internet. We should stop buying gas on tuesdays and sundays to show the gas guru's they are going to paid for our suffering. pass it on. United we stand Divide we fall.

Editor's note: The biggest difference in gas prices usually depends on how entrenched the local and state government are in taxation in addition to the federal government tax. In Barrak Obama's Chicago, where gas is $4.00+ a gallon, over $.70 of the price is ten layers of taxes. I think the price you quote is an anomaly and not the norm for New Jersey.

If you want the price of gas to fall, tell Congress to stop getting in the way of oil companies drilling for our own oil so we do not need to buy from world markets. If we are allowed to produce our own supplies we are not bound by world pricing.
web posted May 26, 2008

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OOOOOH, now it is the $4.00 a gallon gas that stops you from sending your child to STHS.  I thought it was the school, the administration, the bad kids (who get drunk) or the parents whose children look and act like beauty queens and jocks, (given) good grades because they play sports.   Now I see the real truth.  You just want to complain and FCHS is a sitting target.  Come off it, when a person (as yourself) feels that strongly against FCHS, but sends your child there because of the price of gas, that seems to mean you put the price of gas ahead of your child's education.  All schools
have their problems, and from what I read in Wandering Minds, STHS has plenty of problems of
their own.  Lets just agree to disagree on where our children are better off.  It is just your opinion
verses mine.  I happen to like FC, the teachers, the students and the LOCATION.  This is my last
comment of the subject, so if you want to say anything more, refer back to this and consider it my final answer.
web posted May 26, 2008

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I do not have answers to all of your questions in your editorial "Voodoo economics alive and well in Edgefield County". However, I do want to weigh in on one portion of your article - that is, why the Bettis Park concession stand is not paying for itself. It is true the county spent a large sum of money on Bettis Park a few years ago....but they didn't finish what they started.  We have stadium lights lying out there waiting to be installed, dirt piles to fill in the batter's box and build up the pitcher's mounds, and sprinkler heads with no covers on the fields. I assure you that would not be the case if these items were needed at the parks in Johnston or Edgefield.  They bought this concession stand and have neglected the park.  There are some very dedicated souls volunteering at Bettis and committed to this portion of our recreation program succeeding, but they cannot do it alone.  I can tell you, they're not enthusiastically supported by the entire county...
You may consider the recreation program at Bettis a want, but I can assure you it is a need: these children need the positive role models and the positive direction sports participation gives.  You can invest in the recreation program and our portion of the community to keep the children out of gangs; or you WILL be investing in law enforcement to protect us all from them if and when they go bad.

Editor's note: You point out that you want to address why the concession stand is not used to pay for itself, then never address the issue of where the money goes.

I agree these children need positive role models, but I have to ask why you feel the local government should take the place of parents and local churches? Is it still politically correct to mention churches offer youth programs? What happened to our youth working jobs during the summer, and during the school year, learning the skills that they will need when they enter the real world?

Are you saying local parents are incapable of rearing their young and it is the job of government to keep them entertained to keep them out of trouble? Excuse me if I do not want to be someone else's "baby daddy".
web posted May 26, 2008

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Ref: Carpooling.  As a matter of fact, I work for the federal government.  I work with a lot of people who are taking advantage of these free vans.  And I know for a fact that they are not having to pay anything for the van or the gas so you may want to dig a little deeper to get your information on this program. If you called that 1-800 number and they told you that they were a private company who leases these vans, maybe the correct question that you should have asked them is, "How many of these vans have they leased to the federal government?"  If I lived on Hwy. 25 South near the grocery store, I could drive to that grocery store every morning and the van would take me to work.  The only out-of-pocket expense I would have is whatever it took me to get from my house to the grocery store.  This is a fact!
web posted May 26, 2008

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Editor's post: I hope everyone will take time out this weekend to remember why you have the long weekend, to honor those who have served our great nation in military service. EdgefieldDaily.com will have a special edition on Monday to do just that. Have a wonderful weekend and tell a veteran thank you.
web posted May 24, 2008

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Re: I am not a Jerk or Rude.  Simple fact is no one forces anyone to go to FCHS.  It is a choice you
make and if you want to go somewhere else.  Just go.  My child likes it, I like it.  Nuff said.

Who would call themselves a jerk or rude? But thank you for making that point.  I am glad your child likes FC, and I'm glad you do too.  Also "nuff said" is that a complete thought? I thought you said you were a teacher.  If you are a teacher that is required to grade based on grammar then I bet someone that texts all the time has an A in your class. And you are right no one forces anyone to go to FC but when gas is almost $4 a gallon it makes more since to go there then to go all the way to ST. Why would a student do that? Let's be logical.  I am not writing on this subject anymore becuase it is pointless.  I am going to say however, that you either love FC or you hate it, there is no inbetween.  Also, you are either an athlete or you don't get your way at anything.
web posted May 24, 2008

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I have a real answer to the County Budget Problems.  Why doesn’t the county start developing some of the properties that people are just setting on.  You will get more tax dollars and be able to keep up with rising cost of living, including high gas prices.  You cannot continue to run a county on the few citizens and few taxes coming in.  Eventually you have to grow and develop.   It is not right for the people that work hard for the county to sacrifice their 1% increase.  As a county I would be ashamed to admit that is all I can give my employees who work so hard and then even suggest taking it away from them.  Some of your employees have never received a raise.  What is wrong with you people?  Quit living in the stone age.

Editor's note: Growth is needed, but it is the right type of growth that makes our county viable. If residential growth is the sole aspect of  development we will build our way into bankruptcy as I pointed out almost two years ago. Something that has proven true in spite of what certain developers had to say at the time. I would also ask how you intend for the county government to develop, "some of the properties that people are just setting on"?

If you want government to take over someone else's property you are inviting them to take over yours. Be very careful in what you hope for, you might just get it.
web posted May 24, 2008

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I want to know where (a local paper) came up with the name "the avenue of a hundred trees"? Its the PECAN GROVE!!! I'm surprised you haven't jumped on that since you're from Trenton. Shows what the people running (the local paper) knows about Edgefield County that they make up names for stuff. I'm from Trenton to and wanted to get that off my chest.

Editor's note: I have made the correction but did not see the need to point out the obvious any further. Anyone from Edgefield County knows the line of pecan trees on Highway 25 near the Pine House is commonly referred to as the Pecan Grove. I have no idea where they derived that name.
web posted May 24, 2008

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why are the comments becoming so painfully lenghty?  keep it pithy poeple.
web posted May 24, 2008

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To the few Seniors who took offense at my observation that their behavior during awards night was "boorish" and because you throw around a few "big" words as to offer yourself as the new "intelligencia", I'll try to be more direct and specific.  Yes, you have a valid issue, and submitting a petition was a mature, responsible adult way to express your dissatisfaction, the school was wrong to ask you to stop.  However, your behavior during awards night was without "class" or "dignity."  Clearly you're unable to recognize this,  given your responses, so I offer you the following definition of "class" to assist you in your mature development:
Class
Class never runs scared. It is surefooted and confident and it can handle whatever comes along.
Class has a sense of humor. It knows that a good laugh is the best lubricant for oiling the machinery of human relations. Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes.
Class knows good manners are nothing more than a series of petty sacrifices.
Class bespeaks an aristocracy unrelated to ancestors or money. A blue blood can be totally without class while the son of a Welsh miner may ooze class from every pore.
Class can “walk with kings and keep its virtue and talk with crowds and keep the common touch.” Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class because he is comfortable with himself.
web posted May 24, 2008

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Ref:  Carpooling: For your information these vans are a private company that will lease a van to a group of people working at a location where seven or more people that want to car pool. The van is paid for by the car poolers along with the gas but split seven ways----also the van insurance and service is maintained my the company. So this is not a government giveaway as said. It seems you don’t like people that work for the Federal Government or you don’t do you homework.
web posted May 24, 2008

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To be a "menace to society" certainly should never be applauded but most probably "locked up".  To even say such a thing is certainly nothing to be proud of and shows, no only immaturity, but plain old stupidity.  No wonder we have so many non-law abiding people, --notice I did not say "citizens".  Additionally, any honor obtained undeservingly is cheating and deceitful.
web posted May 24, 2008

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There are multiple vans with the same description (1-800-VAN-RIDE) traveling down Mays Way as well as Hwy. 25.  And, as I understand it, there is no limit on the number of miles that you live but it is more beneficial for those who live far away.  You should call this number and see what they tell you about the rules.  For example, if you live 10 miles from your place of employment but there are not 9-15 other people who work with you that are willing to sign up and can meet the van at a remote location then they will not give you a van.  As for you hitching a ride, give it a try.  After all, your tax dollars probably paid for that van and the gas!
web posted May 24, 2008

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Re: Again as a teacher at Thurmond, I have sat through numerous faculty meetings where we as a faculty were told that we were not "allowed" to enter grades lower than a 60 for the first or second nine weeks averages into the grading atom because we needed to give our students a "chance" to pass (in case they may be going through a rough patch that would correct itself later in the school year). 

There is no official policy at STHS regarding minimum grades for semesters. However, the faculty is highly "encouraged" to consider the impact of grades below a 60 for the semester, but they are not obligated to do this. While there is no official policy, unofficial sources report about 90% of the faculty sticks with the minimum of 60 for the semester.

Why not cut to the chase: If a student realizes they have no chance of passing, they will stop coming to school.  FUNDING is based on ATTENDANCE.  Any administrator worth his salt will attempt to keep attendance up and giving scores of no less than 60 accomplishes that goal. Both STHS and FCHS follow this time tested tradition.  And I challenge anyone outside the system to get a school administrator to admit to this "unofficial" policy.
web posted May 24, 2008

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Editor's post: Someone mentioned the cost of the County Council's yearly retreat to Hilton Head and that the members should not go in order to save money if the county is in such dire straights. According to information on the retreat and taking into consideration at least eight going, the five councilmen and three other county employees, the cost is $11,160, not counting the cost of classes, food, ect.
web posted May 23, 2008

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What is going on with this Family Matters Conference thing? This is really crazy.  After receiving several phone calls about this battle.  I decided to check it out for myself.  I knew of the conference because it was read during our church announcements.  I am NOT interested in who sponsored it nor who was there.  
 
To add, any issues between the person who assisted in sponsoring this conference and I were resolved in March of this year through the court system.  Justice was served. Since then, we have moved on, maybe you should too.
 
It appears that someone angry person is trying to creat a new delima between the two of us, but I decline the offer and hope he declines as well. If slandering my name makes you feel better about yourself, Go for it! God's Got my Back.

Editor's note: This topic has gotten way out of hand and I think it is time to close it down. I have received dozens of posts for this topic tonight on both sides and it is getting too personal and too many contain threats. Though I support free speech, I will not let a topic continue with the level that this one has reached.
web posted May 23, 2008

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I am not a Jerk or Rude.  Simple fact is no one forces anyone to go to FCHS.  It is a choice you
make and if you want to go somewhere else.  Just go.  My child likes it, I like it.  Nuff said.
web posted May 23, 2008

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A hypothetical discussion held by some hypothetical charter school board on block scheduling:

The leader of the meeting says: "Since this is in executive session, we can not talk about the details of our discussion outside this room. In fact, since what we are discussing is an illegal topic, we can not even say we discussed anything".  A financial person says "I realize we need to have more students if we are ever going to get enough money to build a larger campus.  How can we accomplish that since we are currently space constrained?"  Some administrative person might respond with "We could go to block scheduling.  That would let us cram more kids into the existing building".  A concerned member tells everyone that parents will not go along with that thought process.  So the enlightened administrative person says "We will tell the parents that block scheduling will allow the students to learn more and the parents will think we are all heroes".  With that, the illegal executive session ends and the group goes forth to spout hope for the children while convincing the parents that this is the best thing since sliced bread.
web posted May 23, 2008

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How in the h---, or why in the h--- would anyone come or stay in Edgefield Country with the problems in County Government and The County school system.  People have waited to long to take action,  now look and listen to what YOU have done to our fine  county.  Man, some of us need to get with it.
web posted May 23, 2008

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In reference to the "boorish conduct" that I, the senior attending College of Charleston in pursuit of teaching, and my fellow students showed at the awards ceremony, I must, here, insert a quote of my own: "Conventionality is not morality," by Jane Eyre.  In the conventional social construct that exists today being conventional is far from moral and I find it against my moral upbringing to go along with such disgusting injustices as allowing a student with such poor attendance to receive an honor of any kind.  Honor is earned by merit.  Merit is gained  through achievement.  Achievement constitutes time and effort. 

With neither time nor effort, one cannot and should not receive awards, and with actions so far from honorable, will never receive an "honor" without  it being questioned.  I must admit I am far beyond the point of questioning whether or not this "student" in question deserves honor.  I am, more or less, vehemently opposing the idea of bestowing honor on one so unfit.  I will defend to the grave my morals and the integrity and honor I've developed as a hard working individual.  I will never allow a word as dignified as honor to be bestowed upon an individual so undeserving of a title so prestigious.  And as for awards; the student is  being awarded for being conventional, which, today, means detestable.
web posted May 23, 2008

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In reference to: "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."- Theodore Roosevelt.

Well, while recognizing that everything else that you said is a valid point, the comments of the Seniors' "boorish" behavior is right in some ways, and wrong in others. Morals are important, this we do not disagree with. However, we know that  sometimes morality must take backseat to necessity. If we are a "menace to society" then applaud us. To be a threat to the 'society' we live in now is something to be proud of, immature or not.
web posted May 23, 2008

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Well I won’t get a cost of living raise or a merit increase to help buy gas to get me to work the rest of this year and with the 1% raise I am supposed to get in January 2009 (will the budget be better then?), I will be able to buy 49.32 gallons of gas next year to get me to work each day of 2009 using today’s price of $3.65 per gallon. 

Whoops! Gas just went to $3.75 per gallon today, so I can buy only 48.0 gallons of gas to get me to work next year. I use about 3+ gallons per week to get to work, so I’ve got 80 days covered and I’m one of the lucky ones.  What about the other 193 working days??

But then, I don’t know how much gas will be per gallon in January 2009, so by then I may not be able to buy but 40 gallons of gas with my 1% raise next year.   Sigh!!!!  What will I use to pay for rising food and other costs if this won’t even cover the cost of gas to get me to work for the year??
web posted May 23, 2008

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Here we go again! You are trying your best to destroy a person’s life because of stupidity. You couldn’t get him with your negative comments on the Family Matters Conference so now you have to go again and write matters not pertaining to you.

What are you doing on the same road as this officer, are you following him? My question is: How many times have you seen him speeding? If it’s more than (1) one time then you are following him. Readers what do you think?

Maybe you need to do some reading instead of writing. The Bible says it plainly; I’ll put it simple for you maybe you’ll be able to understand it: When I was a child, I acted like a child, but now that I’m (ALL) grown up I will act like it. Do you comprehend this? Are you acting like a grown up? NO YOU ARE NOT!!! Even children forget things after a day but not you. Enough is enough… (content removed)

Maybe you should run for County Council or the School Board, you would fit in well with the other crazy, unconcerned, and uneducated, idiots that like to keep up a mess like you do.

I must say, hats off to Edgefielddaily.com for letting us solve problem/matters in this way and not the violent way some of us want to handle things. Wandering Minds is a great way to find out about what’s going on in the community that the papers don’t publish.

GREAT JOB – keep it up!
web posted May 23, 2008

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Re: Can you not read.  I have spent many hours at FCHS.  I know the teachers and they know me.  I am not too crazy about Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, but that is all I will say about them.    
 
To the person that wrote this in, I dont have a child that wrote that. I was a completly different person that wrote it. I still cant believe that you would tell a student that she would not fit in anywhere. Her mother wrote in too about how she did not appreciate you saying that and that she would love to meet you. I dont know who the mother or the child is that wrote in but I 100% believe in what they are saying. And your son is probably one of the guys that are out there drinking every night and partying when he should be home studying. OO wait he doesnt have to study hes a male athlete. So yea HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE SOMEONE TALK ABOUT YOUR CHILD. Don't talk about another child unless you know the whole situation. And no one blamed your child for his probably cocky attitude. I hope you have a great day! :)
web posted May 23, 2008

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I posted a picture of my former partner from the USA.  He came he to greet me on behalf of your President Reagan.  We were great friends.  They even were willing to be my partners while I was using chemical weapons in battle.  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/aug/19/iraq.usa
 
Sincerely,
Saddam Hussein
web posted May 23, 2008

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I have wondered why I see the same van on Sweetwater Rd lately (1-800-VAN-RIDE), ususally turning into or out of Mays Way (back way to prison).  Apparently its one of the shuttles for the prison employees who live in North Augusta and Augusta.  If it is a 30 mile radius to be able to utilize this service, they would all have to live on the far side of the Bobby Jones loop to be eligible.  But I'm sure no one really checks that out do they. 
 
Hey I know, let me catch a ride with them!  I want to save $300 a month on my fuel costs too.
web posted May 23, 2008

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Re Post:  The TEACHERS are blamed, condemned, publicly crucified, and not supported by their own
administrators. 

Response: I wasn't blaming all teachers. This is not the first year where students have missed 15, 20, 30 or more days and have passed courses. If a teacher is teaching everyday, and a student misses 20+ days, there is no way they should be able to pass a course.

There are several quality teachers at STHS, but this number is decreasing every year. And yes, you are correct, the problem lies with an administration that is lackluster at best, and that is saying it mildly. I have expressed many times that the admins at STHS very rarely observe teachers. If they happen to get out of their offices at all, they are too lazy to observe teachers that work in the far corners of S-Hall, D-Hall, or even T-Hall. It's just too far to walk when you have all that extra weight to carry around. The admins, district personnel, and the MoTownFo could care less about what lessons of life the graduates have been reinforced with, once they leave the doors of STHS.

The first amendment allows free speech, but that is not what the principal of STHS practices. He
told faculty members at the Faculty meeting on Wednesday, that they were FORBIDDEN from commenting on the attendance policy of STHS and it was FORBIDDEN for the students to discuss the attendance policy in classrooms.

Now that's an authoritarian proclamation. I just wish he would enforce discipline and attendance
policies in the same manner. Come on Mr. Principal, get up out of your chair and move around a little bit. Once you get that blood circulating in your legs, maybe it will make it to your brain. However, one must also point out, if the current Assistant principal of curriculum and instruction had gotten the job a few years back, things would be a lot worse than they are now.
web posted May 23, 2008

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RE:  May I suggest that students are quite capable of manipulating their stories to make themselves look like victims in order to escape punishment or to escape having to do all the work required to achieve a good grade

Some of us parents have volunteered enough hours there or have been on the Board and have seen things first hand.  Do not tell me that I do not think my kids can do no wrong as I know any kid OR adult for that matter can do wrong!  I would never move my kids from school to school the way you speak of.  I want my kids to stay in school and be happy and learn.  I do not want them groped by a math teacher or ridiculed for the way they dress by a Spanish teacher or put down because they don't play sports anymore and their grades are not perfect. 

Actually I know of Straight A kids that have graduated from FCHS that will not even go back and visit their beloved English teacher because they do not want to deal with the Admin.  It is the way it is and will never change until the Bishops are out of it and it seems that there are always JUST enough people that vote for Mrs. Bishop to keep her on the board.  Isn't that just amazing??? 
web posted May 23, 2008

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Editor's Post: I now know how Dr. Crenshaw raises the rates for graduates. Refuse to suspend those students who have committed crimes, lower standards, ignore absentee rates, and overturn expulsions. I guess we now know what "intestinal fortitude" means. At this rate, my pet rock can be a STH graduate. You know that makes those that worked hard proud they worked so hard to get where they are. She has never raised scholastic rates, but always raises graduation rates. A perfect fit in the Cooks Crew agenda.
web posted May 22, 2008

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Here's a suggestion for the budget from a concerned citizen.  Why doesn't County Council forego the Association of Counties August meeting this year?   Cancelling that one trip for those five would probably save in excess of $10,000.00.  Problem solved.  If they really feel the need to get together,  let'em go to Edgefield Park formerly known as Bettis Academy Park and dine at the concession stand that the county forked out so much money for.  You know what they say------buy local, keep your money in Edgefield.  Practice what you preach! 
web posted May 22, 2008

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I enjoyed reading about the council meeting.  Sounds like a cluster (removed) to me.  I have a great idea for saving the county some money and MIA Parkman and his AWOL sidekick will fit right into this.  Give jurisdiction back to the 3 towns and let them hold their own court.  You'll only need one magistrate for the county then.  That will be a substantial savings for the county.  Hmmmmmm..... and there's five of them trying to make a decision!
web posted May 22, 2008

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I am a teacher at Strom Thurmond High School and an avid reader of Edgefield Daily.  A post dated May 21st struck a nerve already so raw in our high school community that I could not let it go.  The post went as follows, “RE: One has to ponder how a student could miss at least 60 days of instruction … and still have a passing grade. How much instruction is actually taking place? If you can miss 60 or more days, then I would have to say, there was not much information covered or very little time on task occurred…. The teachers need to be identified, and they should face intensive remediation of their teaching practices and skills.”  As usual, everything that is wrong with education falls on the backs of the teachers and NEVER on the administration who receive their directives from the upper level administration that are influenced by the school board who have their own motives and secret agendas. 
    Again as a teacher at Thurmond, I have sat through numerous faculty meetings where we as a faculty were told that we were not “allowed” to enter grades lower than a 60 for the first or second nine weeks averages into the grading atom because we needed to give our students a “chance” to pass (in case they may be going through a rough patch that would correct itself later in the school year).  We have been told to hound students to make up missed work by putting their names on the board, calling home, sending letters home, and to badger, badger, badger them until the work is made up.  It doesn’t matter if they have missed 15 days in our class in one month’s time. These students are allowed the entire/rest of the school year to take that work home, come into the teachers’ classrooms whenever they want, take their sweet time working, and inconvenience the teacher any time, any day to make up their work.  Furthermore, teachers are given copies of forms and papers that state any student whose Individualized Education Plan says they cannot receive a failing grade without the chance to retake that assignment is allowed to have the original assignment given back to them or their teacher to “redo”, and the federal government mandates that ANY English as a Second Language learner can NOT fail a course. Of course this is all kept confidential and practiced–by law- on a student by student basis.
    So that, our taxpaying public is why students who do not attend school, which is required by state law, ARE allowed to receive “credit” by any and all means the school district can offer. 
    As far as the comment, “The teachers need to be identified, and they should face intensive remediation of their teaching practices and skills.”  There are teachers who are not presently teaching during their assigned class periods most students and alumni alike can tell you who, but these same individuals are like the present administration-“untouchable”.
    Finally, it never fails… when students fight in the hallways, who is blamed?  When a student fails a test, who is blamed?  When students are surprisingly passing classes they never attend, who is blamed?  When students fail to become productive citizens of the community, who is blamed?   The TEACHERS are blamed, condemned, publicly crucified, and not supported by their own administrators. 
    To the STHS students who have written so eloquently and tactfully in the posts on “Wandering Minds,” you are the students that we look forward to see sitting in our classes.  You keep all of us motivated to continue day after day despite whom we work for or what we are blamed for!  Thank you!
web posted May 22, 2008

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I find it appalling and infuriating that after years of serving on the County Council, these members have absolutely no clue what they are doing. Cutting out a 1% raise for county employees, or worse than that postponing it till the beginning of next year? It’s bad enough, you slapped them across the cheek, but what’s worse than that your going to slap the other cheek that they have been turning for years while you continue to ignore them and not pay them not only what their worth, but what they deserve. The reason the Council didn’t like the Archer Study is because it blatantly pointed out that the employees of Edgefield County are grossly underpaid, and others are paid much more than their worth. Deputies don’t need to drive their cars unless it’s necessary? Are you kidding me? Edgefield County is 507 square miles….at any given time you have only 2 or 3 officers on the road. You might as well rent a billboard at all the county lines that say “All law breakers welcome in Edgefield County…don’t worry no one will be around to catch you!!!” Anyone with any sense knows that the first way to curtail crime is OFFICER PRESENCE. Obviously, none of these council members have ever needed law enforcement or EMS’ assistance. I work in law enforcement, and let me tell you I never swore an oath to protect and serve, because I thought I was going to get rich doing it. Those of us, who work in law enforcement, for the most part, do it because it’s like breathing, and it’s just what we do. It’s in our blood. Times are tough everywhere… but if I had to have my choice between a recreational budget that it half a million dollars or knowing that someone is out there trying to protect my life, the life of my loved ones, and my property…it wouldn’t be a hard choice. If the Council wanted to redirect those funds for what they thought was a worth while cause, they would find some way to do it, regardless of how they did it.  People act like they are afraid to use what is “good common sense”, like their never going to get anymore of it. What’s worse is they don’t have any…..and that’s what makes them dangerous. Be afraid… be very afraid.

I pray everyday, for every law enforcement officer, who puts on a uniform and goes out to put their life on the line. Sadly, people for the most part, don’t even appreciate it.
web posted May 22, 2008

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I am so tired of hearing about the Christmas bonus that the county gives like it is some huge amount instead of the $75.00 before taxes that it really is.  As an employee of the county, I make the following challenge.  Mr. Kitchens, if my forfeiting this years Christmas bonus will save the county from certain doom, then I will gladly do that if you will also do some good for this county and resign from county council so this council can concentrate on something else for a change.  County employees, are you with me?

Editor's note: I would be ashamed to give a first year employee a $75 taxed bonus. Besides, didn't Councilman Kitchens make the County Council vote to call the bonuses a "gift"? Gifts, under $500 can't be taxed. I wonder how the county gets away with that one.
web posted May 22, 2008

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Thanks for your excellent coverage of the fiery crash north of Edgefield Tuesday evening.   Not a word on the TV news, nor in the Augusta Chronicle.   But you could be counted on.   Thanks for the good work!

Editor's note: Only EdgefieldDaily.com can provide the most current news to Edgefield County. No area news outlet, TV, radio, or print media can claim to provide readers with the content and volume of local news that EdgefieldDaily.com provides.
web posted May 22, 2008

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I wish I could vote in your district 2. You have a great candidate in Rodney Ashcraft. He and his wife Deborah are wonderful people . I have known both of them for several years. You could not ask for a better person to help run your (county).

Editor's note: We live in Discrict 5.
web posted May 22, 2008

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If edgefield county were a business it would have to shut down.When you start wanting to cut a 1% pay raise on an employee making $25,000 a year or even $30,000 to cover a shortfall(which is unbelievable) your only talking $250-$300 savings. If you have 200 employees your only talking about $60,000 that year. There is no way this county could be suffering that much, with the amount of services they offer(understaffed sheriffs office and EMS service) being probably the two largest expenditures.Did the administrator really say the deputies should only go where they are needed? There are only 3 to a shift where else are they going to go with the call volume they have. The people of this county need to wake up,go to these council memebers and demand change or start making changes at the polls. I hope some of these council members read your column and will reply.

Editor's note: The cost of the 1% raise is $44,400, if everyone gets the raise, which not all employees will receive.
web posted May 22, 2008

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RE:  I think that if you feel you don't fit in at FC, you probably won't fit in anywhere.

My daughter wrote that post and I do NOT appreciate you telling her she would not fit in anywhere!  She happened to play Volleyball and did other sports at middle school!  You are extremely rude for saying something like that to ANY teenager.  I would LOVE to meet you someday and discuss this further. 

Oh btw...she NEVER said that all FCHS students have two parent homes...maybe you need to read the post again.  She also never mentioned anything about where anyone buys their clothes.  I looked back to see if there was another thread that you could be referring to and could not find one so you really do need to re-read her post.  We don't really care about the block schedule either as my kids will not be returning to FCHS.  PRAISE GOD for that! 

I have visited FCHS many time.  I definitely know what it is like there.  It is the Admin. & Board that like to pretend it is so much different.  Don't fool yourself about the kids grades...your kid might actually receive good grades for working hard, but most of the kids on the football & baseball team drink & do (things you do not know about).  I know because I have seen their myspace pages and have broken up their parties in the past.
web posted May 22, 2008

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The issue of the "attendance policy" of our lovely STHS has been addressed numerous times and I wonder that if so many of my fellow graduates are as outraged as me at this BLATANT DISREGARD to school policy as well as the honors of Graduation, then why are so few speaking out? It's no secret that a petition was started by a few friends and myself, and its also no secret that some were called to the office and asked to stop...WHY? In order for us to be able to do anything with this petition, we decided to talk to our principal who very politely informed us that some of these "exceptions" to the attendance policy really need not even attend school this year. See our school allows us to take high school courses in Middle School that will carry forward. Well, this has allowed some students to be able to graduate early, the one MAJOR TARGET of our petition is in that category and didn't HAVE to come to school at all because (the student) had the required credits at the end of (the student's) junior year. It is in my opinion that if a student passes up the honor of graduating early and decides to attend the last year, then they should actually ATTEND!!!! We were informed by Mr.Thompson that regardless of (the student) attendance, and regardless of whether the student fails or passes the courses during their senior year, they will be allowed to graduate because they have already completed the required courses. In my opinion, IF YOU HAVE THE COURSES REQUIRED THEN GRADUATE, Those students should not be allowed to stay another year because they are only holding the ranks that other, more dedicated students deserve. These students are a joke to our senior class, and it is extremely aggravating how one in particular is made out to be a victim when SHE brags about the fact that (the student) has our Superintendent wrapped around (the student) finger with every word that comes from (thier) lips.  Please administrators, teachers, students and parents speak out against this. Dearest editior we would love to hear your take on this matter. And a question, How does a group of students go about talking to the school board about this?

Editor's note: If the administration tells you not to pass a petition, I would say that is what you need to do.
web posted May 22, 2008

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Ref:  Carpooling.  The number that is pasted on the sides of most of the vans is 1-800-VAN-RIDE.  I would love to hear what they tell you!  And I know where you can find some if you care to see for yourself!
web posted May 22, 2008

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Vote Democratic ...
I am a senior citizen. During the Clinton Administration I had a good job. Since President Bush took office, I have watched my entire life change for the worse because of his policies.

I lost my job.
I lost my home.
I lost my health insurance.
I lost my two sons in that terrible War in Iraq.
As a matter of fact, I´ve lost virtually everything and become homeless.
Instead of getting some help, I only got hassled.
George W. Bush has to go!

We should do anything that Senators Kennedy, Clinton, and Kerry want to do to insure that a Democrat is back in the White House with the next election.

Sincerely,
Saddam Hussein
web posted May 22, 2008

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There is a deputy that works for McCormick County Sheriff's Department that lives in Edgefield County.  You can contact Sheriff Reid in McCormick at 864-465-3200 if this is a real problem.  He can be very helpful.  If an incident occurred in McCormick County, and he was called in when he was off duty, then he may have very well been on the way to help out.  McCormick like Edgefield County has limited number of deputies and they are often called in on days off, and there have been quite a few things happening lately in McCormick County.   As far as stopping someone or acting as a law enforcement officer in another county other than the one they work for, a crime has to be committed in front of him.  I know if a crime was being committed against me I wouldn't care what county a law enforcement officer worked for if they helped me. 
web posted May 22, 2008

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Re: Family Matters Conference
 
This comment is to the individual who posted comments on May 21.  Thank you for your wonderful thoughts. I was going to comment, but you beat me to the punch. Everything you said was true.  I was not there, like some others, but I should have been there. (Better Believe I Will Be At The Next One).. Some others lied and said they were there. Funny noone saw them there, and these people does not have eye problems, so I am sure they would have seen the negative person comment on the conference. LIES will catch up with you sooner or later. All the information I got from the conference was very positive, and focus toward children, and not negative females. Like the indivual stated in their comments, the conference was and still is a great need for our community. It does not matter where an individual work,
what matters is the positive work that is done for the children in the community. The individual that held the conference may work in a different county, but he lives in the county where the conference was held. He wants to see a better county for the children.
 
This portion is for the negative individual:  The Conference is over, alone with your past history with certain people. LET IT GO OKAY!!!!!!   Like you said in your comment, IT IS LOST AND CAN NOT BE FOUND!!!!  We some times have to pay a valuable price ($) for some lessons, you know  exactly what I mean. Always remember some lessons are learned, and some are taught. (SOME TIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT, SOMETIMES YOU DON'T).
web posted May 22, 2008

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A special thanks to the person who replied to the negative contents of the Family Matters workshop post from May 9th.  I agree someone is bitter, scorned and is trying to belittle and start something between the sheriff's office and the sponsor of Family Matters.  If this person was at the conference they would have seen at least two deputies present from ECSO.  They need to ask them why they didn't say anything.  If that person came into the parking lot of the church he or she would have seen a ECSO patrol car there.  If anything they may have rode by the church and nothing more.  To lie and assume is showing their ignorance and lack of respect for themselves and others.  The information there was informative for not only the children, but opened the eyes to the parents as well.  The question should be to the poster from May 9th.  What are you doing for the community?  Why haven't you gotten with all county law enforcement agencies and formed a program and or forum?  Could it be because you have no sense and you are borderline on the fence of the law abiding citizens looking to get back at someone behind an anonymous post?  The people who spoke especially Mr. Simpkins who was born and raised in Edgefield County and Ms. Callaham spoke on parenting/mentoring/etc. not of McCormick County.  Both spoke well and Mr. Simpkins should be given a special thanks for taking time out of his schedule to give back to not only his present community, but his hometown community.  The people from DSS, PPPS, DOC are all state employees who follow the same guidelines, policies and procedures in all 46 counties.  So what is the problem with them sitting on the panel? They can give the same answers and have access to the stats in all areas of the state.  You mentioned Greenwood and Abbeville.  No one represented those areas in law enforcement.  Also, 2 of the individuals (DOC and DSS employees)live in Edgefield County.  Do they not have a say in their own community?  Mrs. Reynolds was from Piedmont Tech and works in the Edgefield area wanting high school aged kids to join her program to help get them ready for college and help them with getting into college.  Does that not concern your community?  The Heritage group promotes abstaining from sex and are out of the North Augusta/Aiken Area.  Is that not something that would be beneficial to our kids?  DJJ was present from the Edgefield area as well.  Is she not familiar with Edgefield County?  How do you know if any other law enforcement agencies were invited?  You don't. (content deleted)
web posted May 22, 2008

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I will never understand why it is that the county council feels no obligation to the taxpayers who elected them.  Most recent evidence of this is the "legal issue" which has postponed or maybe even stopped the 3rd reading for purchasing the Calliham building.  Why is it that the council feels no obligation to inform the citizens what the legal issue is and how it affects the purchase?   Why is this issue only being realized now, didn't anyone fully check this out before it progressed this far? 
 
Where they choose  to spend our money and the cuts they want to make shows the current council is certainly out of touch with the citizens needs.   All of us are facing rising costs for fuel, groceries and every aspect of our lives.  When we are forced to cut back, we give better consideration for the important needs of our family.  Recreation and luxuries, which we cannot afford even before our cuts are made, would be the first to go.  Not so with this council. 
 
We can only pray the citizens wakeup June 10th and care enough to vote.  These council members have some good challengers who want to preserve what is great about this county, provide a better quality of life for our citizens and move us forward with good planning.  We look forward to these people working together for the betterment of all citizens not just certain areas.
web posted May 22, 2008

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Parents don't worry students can still transfer in an out.  It just makes the paperwork a little more difficult for administration at Fox Creek or the new school to match up classes.  At my school it happens frequently.
web posted May 22, 2008

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The person who commented on how doctors sign handicapped applications for any and everyone;  I can assure you the office I worked in turned down twice as many  applications as we signed. you never mentioned the car did not have a sticker, only the fact that they were young and appeared to be in good health. I encounter the same problems when looking for a handicapped parking place for my mother as well and understand your frustration,However, when I see a car parked illegally I turn it in to the store manager,instead of merely complaning about it . As for your comment to get out of my feelings, no thanks, I think I will continue to show care and compassion for others, but then again, its your right not to.
web posted May 22, 2008

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For a long time I thought our state institutions of higher learning had been kept safe from the leftwing nutcakes that have about destroyed education in our nation's major universities. Now I find that some 200 faculty members and students at Furman University have signed a letter protesting the scheduled visit of President Bush to the Greenville school. Furman, over the years, has given the state a Nobel prize winner, chief executives of some of the nation's biggest corporations and was the training ground for countless numbers of physicians, attorneys and teachers of both the sciences and liberal arts. When students defending the presidential visit attempted to speak out they were met with the stonewall now thrown up against conservatism on too many campuses. These crazed radicals who put their agenda before everyone else will be the death of this nation. I hope the conservative student group prevails in this matter and the school administration will, at the least, allow their letter of welcome to the president be placed on the school website, preferably alongside the rantings of the ultra left elitists.
web posted May 22, 2008

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I’m somewhat familiar with the topic which several STHS students have been about writing (re: some Seniors, particularly one, with so many unexcused absences, it’s surprising they’re being allowed to “walk” to receive their diploma.)

The students writing have a point, though sometimes their immaturity and classless actions (e.g. boorish conduct during Senior awards night, booing the student in question) makes me feel sympathy for their parents who have raised such intelligent and articulate students, albeit without class and manners.  To sum up some of the Senior’s behavior is to quote Theodore Roosevelt, “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”

Regarding the Superintendent, Principal and Board who “appear” to be pushing a separate standard for black students (re: discipline enforcement and excusing absences for black students, increasing graduation rates); I appreciate the “why” behind your motives.  However, a cautionary note, the message you’re sending is that black students are “incapable” of adhering and working within the norms of society, which sends a negative message to whites, about blacks and sends an equally negative message to your black students.  Remember, finishing H.S. within the rules and norms of society sends a message of success and accomplishment to students (e.g. they earned something meaningful).  Depriving black students of the success and meaning of their accomplishment, robs them of their sense of worth and “earned success” they’ll carry throughout their life.  Please reconsider your discipline policy and the decision to allow the student to “walk” during graduation; it’s the right thing to do.
web posted May 22, 2008

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Can you not read.  I have spent many hours at FCHS.  I know the teachers and they know me.  I am not too crazy about Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, but that is all I will say about them. My child did not just start making good grades at FC, he has always  made excellent grades. That was a cheap shot about begging the teachers for grades.   He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone.  He plays sports, and he is good..  I am also a teacher and I am not picking on the child who did not fit in.  There are children and parents who blame everyone but themselves for their problems.  I just happen to think FC is a great school and my child will continue going there until he graduates.  Sorry your child has problems, maybe you both need some extra help.  Don't blame my child and others who are good students and good athlets for your child's short comings.
web posted May 22, 2008

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It amazes me at what your readers get the most upset about!  A post is sent in regarding the way tax dollars are being spent and a post is sent in regarding handicap parking spaces and they get completely bent out of shape over the handicap parking space and say nothing about the free vans and free gas that go in them.  I don't get it.  This is like playing a game!
web posted May 22, 2008

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Editor, Please view this youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iW5kOB1pmg . Ron Paul has not dropped out and still is a viable candidate. Contrary to what the mainstream media says about the candidates who are still in the limelight picking up delegates, nothing is set in stone until the conventions. If Americans would pull their heads out of the sand and see how the mainstream media has LIED to them and edited the news like communist Russia did and China still does, maybe there would be a march on Washington to remove the warmongering, oil drunk bastards that have taken over this country without firing a shot. Where is the justice system in this country? All the major broadcast systems should have their FCC licenses taken from them and never returned. ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox (fair and balanced indeed!) should be denied any way, shape or form of broadcasting in this country. If enough of us write to the FCC, maybe something would be done, maybe.
Do not trust the electronic computerized voting machines, either. They can and will be programmed for results that will satisfy the highest bidder to the companies that own the software and/or voting machines. How do I know? I maintain and program similar machines. They are very easily programmed. Google it if you don't believe it.
Now, for what we can do. Before the election(s), obtain absentee ballots. Vote with these. Do not use a computerized voting machine. It is possible the election could be rigged with paper ballots, but it is highly unlikely with too many witnesses counting the ballots by hand.
Back to Ron Paul. Even if by a miracle he wins the Republican nomination, he probably won't be placed on the ballot by the election committee. They will tell you all manner of lies to appease the public but in truth the people that run the Democratic and Republican committees are scared to death of him, Ron Paul. The answer: Write in Ron Paul for president on your absentee ballot if you want to vote for Ron Paul. Even if you don't want to vote for Ron Paul and want to vote for someone else, have your vote counted accurately by also using an absentee paper ballot. But by all means vote. Become politically savvy. Our government is more important than the NBA, NFL, Nascar, golf, etc. Learn or relearn about our national government, the current regime is depending on you to stay stupid. (Look up the word "stupid" it is more definitive than "ignorant".) I hope I can reach one person with this maybe a whole bunch.
Thank you Mr. Editor for allowing me to communicate on this forum. It is the best thing that ever happened to Edgefield County, hell, the state, even the US!
web posted May 22, 2008

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Editor's post: I have to wonder if some county councilmen are aware this is an election year and they are being challenged. They met last night to make budget cuts because they are guessing what fuel costs will be next year. What does Councilmen Everett Kitchens and Joel Hudson want to do? Why, take away the county employees Christmas bonuses. Lucky for county employees Councilmen Kneece, Bright, and Dorn voted that dumb idea down. But what do all five want to do? Why, they will only give a raise for half the year. That's right, that measly 1% raise is basically a 1/2% raise annually this year.

We sure can't find any extra money floating around the boondoggle they call county recreation (at a tune of almost half a million dollars) that no one seems to know where all the money goes. Oh, they will argue that recreation has its own millage rate and the money can only be used for recreation. That is true, but who where the ones that gave it a millage rate? Our present members of the county council.

And, rest assured, they are not going to cut the vast amount of pork spending they approve each year.

No, it's the county employees that have to foot the bill for the ineptness of our county leaders inability to make wise fiscal decisions.
web posted May 21, 2008

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It seems pretty clear to me that much of the complaining about teachers and or administration at Fox Creek by a relatively small number of students and parents, can be attributed to a common cause.  The truth is many parents believe that their child couldn't possibly be in the wrong, and therefore the problems he or she is having at school must be the fault of the teacher or administration.  In these people's opinions, "good" teaching is where their student receives a good grade, whether or not they are doing the work required, or studying and preparing for things on their own. 
 
Many parents actually move their child from school to school in complete and utter amazement that the problems follow their student to every school.  May I suggest that students are quite capable of manipulating their stories to make themselves look like victims in order to escape punishment or to escape having to do all the work required to acheive a good grade.  When I was a student not so long ago, my parents listened to my problems understandingly, and then told me that life was full of difficulties and personality conflicts which I would need to learn to overcome by hard work and respect of those in charge of me.  It was a good lesson, and it has proven to be a real asset in the real world.  I hope I can teach my children this same valuable lesson.
web posted May 21, 2008

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What can be done about  the McCormick County patrol  officer that speeds around Edgefield County in a old McCormick car as if he is going on a call?  A few weeks ago I traveled on highway 23 toward Edgefield and a white patrol car began to tail me. riding my bumper making me very nervous.  The car soon passed me at a very high speed. I knew who ever was driving the car was not going on a call because I was near Walker Road in Edgefield county.  Can a McCormick County patrol officer stop cars in Edgefield County?  Who is this person? and where does this person live?  Do I tell Edgefield county or do I tell McCormick County about this?

Editor's note: I guess you could call either or both Sheriff's Offices.
web posted May 21, 2008

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Re: Editor's note: I have placed the date on my calendar. A student can transfer from any public school at any time. Fox Creek cannot force a student to stay at the school if they wish to leave.

This is true, but the way the block scheduling is it will be almost impossible for the children to transfer because no other school is like it. The way it is, or what Dr. Murph has said, is the students will have 4 classes a semester this allows the students to "learn more." I say if you would hire well educated teachers you wouldn't need block scheduling, but thats just my opinion.
web posted May 21, 2008

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We turned on our scanner when we heard the fire whistle sound in Edgefield yesterday.  We would like
to praise (Sheriff's Deputy) Anthony Rickard for a good job. He was very professional and did a good job directing everyone in the right direction.  Also, the Edgefield Fire Dept. for their quick response.  Way to go men.  We do appreciate all of you.
web posted May 21, 2008

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I can only assume that one of those individuals that was parked in the handicap parking space is a wandering minds fan.  I am happy to see that it doesn't take much to strike a nerve.  The whole point of the original post was:  If you have a legitimate reason to park there, by all means, use it;  If you do not....and only you will know....then think twice before you abuse it.  My mother is old and can hardly walk.  We use her handicap sticker but we only use it to pull up and let her get out of the car.  Once she is out, we find another parking spot and try to save those spots for someone who may be worse off than she is.  Now I realize that if the person is the driver, the space must be utilized.  I appreciate the fact that you "blessed" me.  I need all the help I can get.  And God Bless You Too!
web posted May 21, 2008

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To the person telling the student that he/she would not fit in at any school, you are a JERK.  Who would tell a child that they would not fit in at any school. And if your son is a jock I am about 100% that he did not earn those grades.  He may have worked hard to talk the teachers into giving him good grades but I guaruntee you he did not earn them.  And of course you are going to say that because he is your child. You probably dont know half the crap that goes on in that school.  You probably just listen to what others tell you.  So until you have gone to school there and witnessed what goes on you need to keep your mouth quiet because you have no idea.
web posted May 21, 2008

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I feel it necessary to insert another valid opinion, based in experience in make-up hours.  I'm an honor graduate in the class of 2008 and have earned numerous scholarships by personal merit and achievement.  Yes, here, achievement implies not only intellect, but the time and actual effort I instilled into my education with the hopes of graduation and yes, "walking" across the stage.  In response to the talk of make up hours, I must here admit that I attended make up hours for a math class. 

In the 30 minutes I served, I spent it reading Eragon, a beautifully written little novel that is completely relevant and equivalent to an hour and a half of math instruction.  Can you see what I'm getting at?
Our make up policy, along with the pathetic fallacy of fairness in "walking" is and always has been a humorous joke.  I am redundant for the  point of reinforcing how much of a joke it actually is.  I say this in hopes of making the future more fair and honest in administration and based less on discrimination and hand selected bias due to pathetic unneeded sympathies brought about by compulsive lying on a student's part.  It's sad that everyone and their teachers, administators, parents, grandparents, and random unaffiliated pets know about this and are doing so little to stop it.  In fact, many are supporting this blatent and obvious abuse of power.  Please, someone, give me a county with a school district worth visiting when i come back from the College of Charleston with a degree in teaching.  I'd like to teach in an environment of intelligent decisions based on merit, not bias.  I can no longer even
type about this pathetic problem.
web posted May 21, 2008

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While all of the comments to the student bringing attention to the 'horror practices' of the district are deeply appreciated, we the 2008 Senior Strom Thurmond Class must make clear what the true intentions of that piece were.

We are supposed to go to school for 180 days, yes? But when a student blatantly disregards this and attends school for- maybe- only 100 days of  that, and all excuses are unexcused (except for by the district of course, but we ALL know why that was), how should they get to walk? Dr. Crenshaw has informed a select group of the students of her personal opinions on the matter. In fact, how humorous that Mrs. Crenshaw believes that if one does well in school, they should not have to attend.
Way to take one for the 'team' Dr.

Question: So how does one who so deliberately skips school and does things any NORMAL student would not get to walk for, get in fact to walk? Answer: Make a deal with the devil- I mean. the district.
If they come to school everyday left of school and attend make-up hours, then they can make up the 75+ days that they did not attend. Let's examine make-up hours at our school. Sounds pretty serious doesn't it?

That's where you'd be wrong though. You sit in a class for half an hour for each day missed and then all the time you skipped is poof, gone! Well  they must do some hard work in there right, the equivalent of the class work we normal students do? Um no. They sit there and do whatever, but not work. Oh wait- they do work sometimes. That's what they'll tell you at least.

Well then when these students who sold their souls skip school after these deals, (in fact have been on the cut list at least three times in the past two weeks) do they get punished then? No. They walk with us and they get awards that they in no way deserved by  teachers who we no longer have respect for.
A word to the school board- we're of voting age now. and we won't forget this.
web posted May 21, 2008

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To the person who wrote on the Family Matters Conference held on May 3rd.  The conference were held in the place it should have been held and if you have any sense at all you would be supporting it instead on downing it. Do you have kids? Of course you do! How are they turning out? If yours are so perfect that’s great; but maybe someone else needs help with their and this was a good thing.

All the speakers that were there needed to be there. God places whom He wants and where He wants them in every occasion. Maybe you’re lashing out because you’re not in the picture anymore… seems like you were satisfied with things not so long ago. Get a life… move on with yours, everyone else has…

I also was at the conference and it was of a great need in this community as well as others. The discussions were geared toward the children not morons like you. I too was disappointed only because more people weren’t there to support it. If they were maybe we wouldn’t have so many children in programs like DJJ, Corrections, Probation & Parole, and even under the care of DSS. Its parents like you, yes YOU that finds fault in anything good that goes on in someone else’s life. Children are running to drugs and alcohol and negative things because of writings like yours. Check out the crime blotter section, how many young people names have you seen there lately.  What difference would it have made if the conference was held in McCormick, you would have complained about that too.

Like I said, move on, it’s over (you know what I’m talking about) take care of your 4 and no more, (your stupid husband (he knew what was going on) yourself, your daughter, and your son. Be happy that others have moved on with they’re lives and finally came to their senses. You can’t buy love forever! M-O-V-E  O-N  P-L-E-A-S-E… Let it go!
web posted May 21, 2008

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Post: You need to stop wasting your time and the editor's with your inane rambling about your
Demo(Dubya ) thoughts...

RE: Hold on one second....I had to turn the volume down on my left-wing radio program. PSYCH!!! Since I cannot afford XM radio, the only venue that carries liberal radio in this area, I am not able to listen. Wow! I do not know where to start. Your ignorance is so overwhelming, and there are so many points I could make, I do not know where to begin. Let me collect my thoughts....turn on some sounds of the ocean....maybe a little meditation to get the juices flowing...HUMMMMMM...HUMMMMMM.

Okay let' begin with Vietnam. I was born in 1965, I went to volunteer in 1971, but they told me I was too young.  The editor loves a good discussion on the issues and thought provoking dialogue. I do not think I am wasting his time, but if I were, I'm sure he would not respond. Hold on.........I had to slip off my
Birkenstocks. If you did serve in Vietnam, I salute your service to this country, and if you are making it up, then I feel your pain.

If there weren't people around, like me, to get you fired up, and take out your aggression on, then the
only thing left for you, would be to beat your wife. I am sure she needs a break. You should be happy you live in America and that you can express your anger and rage in a forum so that psychiatric professionals have some idea of what to expect in the future.

Screwing up the country...do you know that starting this morning, from the hate-filled words that you have espoused, there will be government agents tracking every purchase you make, every website you visit, every email you write and send, and listening to every phone call you make and receive and it is all legal. Now, I don't break the law or have anything to hide, so even though it upsets me that "Dubya" and Cheneyburton manipulated Congress into enacting this law, I'll have to tolerate it. You better be careful, "Dubya" and Dickie Boy are watching you. (content deleted) I've had too much fun already, so I'll have to sign off for now and respond to more of your hate-filled, rage-induced rhetoric tomorrow. Wow, I forgot to pick up some tofu at the grocery store. Bye, bye now.
web posted May 21, 2008

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Attention Taxpayers:  Are you aware that our federal government has a program in place to encourage car-pooling?

Do you have the phone number for that car-pooling program? I am a government worker and have been car pooling for years and never heard of such program. Think they might back pay all of us car-pooling government workers? Geeeeee
web posted May 21, 2008

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WOW these people are sensitive about handicap parking spaces!!  Seems that nerves were struck with several people.  I happen to be very sensitive about this matter because my mother-in-law is old and can barely walk.  She has a handicap sticker for a very good reason.  She is constantly going to stores where the handicap spaces are taken up by cars with no sticker at all.   I witnessed something a few weeks ago at a local grocery store. The parking spaces were taken up by cars with no stickers, with the exception of one.  While I was walking into the store, I saw an old man pull up to the front door of the store and park.  When he attempted to get out, he had to hang onto the car just to make it to the front door.  And, yes, I helped him.  About the time I got him settled in the seat and ready to pursue his grocery shopping, I saw a very young lady practically running out to get into one of those cars that was parked in the space.  Maybe she needed it but if she did, she needs to get a sticker!
web posted May 21, 2008

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I am the one who posted the original handicap parking comments.  To begin with, there was no visible sticker.  The reason I care is that my mother-in-law has a handicap sticker, which she needs.  It is very aggravating for her when she pulls into a parking lot and the spots are taken up by those cars that don't have a sticker.  As for the doctors who sign all of these things.  I fully understand that they sign them for any and everything and they need to more carefully evaluate some of these people!
If they need it, by all means, use it, but they obviously didn't need one because there was not one displayed.
Get out of your feelings!
web posted May 21, 2008

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Post: "Lasciate ogni speranza voi ch'entrate." Alighieri, Dante....

RE: One has to ponder how a student could miss at least 60 days of instruction in a high school English, Science, Math, or Social Studies class and still have a passing grade. How much instruction is actually taking place? If you can miss 60 or more days, then I would have to say, there was not much information covered or very little time on task occurred. This is one of the many horrors taking place at STHS that needs to be explored and changed, if receiving a high school diploma in Edgefield County has any meaning at all. The teachers need to be identified, and they should face intensive remediation of their teaching practices and skills.
web posted May 21, 2008

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(3.) Okay, please explain why for over 60 years the super majority of Democrat control brought about the current fiscal debacle Democrats want to blame of Republicans who held control for just a few years.
 
It is amazing that they turned it around so fast.  But they did.
 
Are you saying Reagan never had Republican Senate Majority?  Check the record and get back to me.  When was the last time the Dems has a super majority in either house? 
 
In the last week, you have not addressed how the minority can use cloture and the veto of the president to steer the legislation in congress.  You just continue to hold onto this misguided belief that the majority can do it pleases.  If that was the case, how did the Dems stop W's judge appointments? 
 
But my favorite is you "don't buy" that the Southern Democrats of old are now Southern Republicans voting the same way (anti-freedom for anyone but themselves) they did in the Civil Rights era of the 60's.  You don't buy it because you know so many people that vote Dem because their parents did.  The fact this is unsupported by voting results seems to go over your head as you failed to explain how the south has turned to a solid Republican stronghold if the Dems of old didn't switch.  The south has always been right of center.  In the 80's they just started to switch to the party of Lincoln to steamline their hatred of freedom.   
 
And a couple of weeks ago, you stated that all tax rate reductions end up in more revenue being raised.  Yet, when presented with the actual figures of individual income taxes collected being lower in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 than in 2000 - you fall silent (except to shoot the messenger by claiming a highly conservative website is a liberal site). 
 
I almost forgot that according to you the Clinton years of economic growth were because of Reagan!  What caused the recession of 1991 and 1992...Jimmy Carter presidency of 1976-1908?  I could go on for days about your dilusional intepretation of history.
web posted May 21, 2008

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I went to the Democratic meet the Candidates at Strom Thurmond High School.  I was surprised at the lack of attendance based upon all the local, statewide, national and international problems that we face. A lot of our problems must be faced locally.

The candidates spoke and I was shocked that the incumbent of District 1 (Norman Dorn) failed to appear. There was a questioning session that ended prior to me asking Albert Talbert what was his take on his opponents unexplained absence? Talbert had given a heartfelt speech about his fair and open policy and ability to cooperate with others and work as a team. Was this an example of his opponent’s cooperation? Just say that Norman Dorn’s reply would be that my record speaks for itself. That’s exactly what should be called into question, his methods and his results after numerous years of service.

Maybe voter apathy will continue and you’ll think that this is real leadership confrontation instead of cooperation. It is time for a Change.
web posted May 20, 2008

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thanks for the ST football update. You are correct that ST should have won the 3A state title, last year; that team had the talent and potential to be the 2nd best team in the state, behind JF Byrnes. They were plagued by injuries and mishaps, but that is football. There is only 13 weeks from this Friday night before week 0, ST vs. Chapin at Strom Thurmond, 7:30pm. Hopefully the team is ready to make a run at things in a very competitive 2A classification.  2A will be no easier than 3A, b/c after all, 2A resembles the 3A of a few years ago, with teams such as Dillon, Timberland, Newberry, Cheraw (defending state champs), and Manning.  There are also traditional powers such as Woodruff, B/L, Silver Bluff, and Barnwell lurking in 2A.......sounds like this is building up for an exciting season.  Good luck Rebels.
web posted May 20, 2008

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Hooray for the student - re: when did this start to make sense - this "walking" did not just start, it has been going on for years and it will continue.  Do the powers that be know about this practice - of course they do - and approve.  Their answer is they do not receive a diploma but parents and guests do not always know this.  Still does not make it right.  The writer is correct he/she has earned this right while others just show up when they please and do as little as they please.  They can and do continue to play sports when they have exceeded their number of days absent or their discipline records goes on and on, and their grades, well that would take too many words.  Now is the time to start complaining and hopefully there will be a new board that would like to make things right.
web posted May 20, 2008

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The person who commented on people abusing handicapped parking. While you may be correct in asssuming they were using a parents  handicapped sticker   you have no way of knowing that to be a true assumption.  Which is why no one should assume anything. as someone who has worked in a physicians office we signed applications for young and old, due to heart conditions, ms , arthritis or various other ailments that may not be obvious to the casual observer .They may not require a wheel chair, some use a scooter in the store or find pushing a cart to be the assistance they require, but one would not know that by observing them getting in or out  of their car .Who are you to determine who may or may not be handicapped? If the tag is hanging and the car is properly parked who are you to question ones health and ability? what gives other people the right to think they should and do know everything about other peoples private life just by looking at them? why do you care?
web posted May 20, 2008

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To the sickening 'Dubya' liberal Demo who loves Obama and believes the Demo-Uncratic party has done so much for America. You are the Jackass who is a traitor to this country for your sickening left wing no-talk show listening ability. You probably never served a day in the military as I have during the Vietnam war. You were probably hiding under your bed afraid the local draft board would find your sorry ass. Yes, I am proud of my extreme Right wing beliefs and I am a bigot with traitors like you. It's people like me who keep idiots like you in check from screwing up this country any more. You need to stop wasting your time and the editor's with your inane rambling about your Demo(Dubya ) thoughts.  Your thoughts are those of a fool who needs to stick your head where the sun don't shine and quit pretending your pompous ideology is something we care to read.
web posted May 20, 2008

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I have never commented on posts in the wondering minds section, but after reading the post about the handicap tags and the users of them I could not help but respond. Sure some people do abuse handicap tags but do not be so quick to judge, especially about someones weight. There are many disabilities that cannot be seen. Asthma cannot be seen, severe or even rheumatoid arthritis cannot be seen just to name a few. My Dad had a rare blood disease that affected his circulation, he could not walk very far or his legs would go numb, but he didn’t look handicap. Many of these disabilities reduce peoples ability to exercise and cause weight gain.  I was recently diagnosed with a debilitating disease that also can not be seen. The medicine I take has caused me to gain weight and it also causes me to sweat profusely. No, I am not handicap, yet, but if you looked at me you would not know how I am limited to what I am able to do. I am sure you would look at me and think I should park across the street, since I am over weight and by the time I walk to the store I am sweating. The reality is I work seven days a week, five of those days I work twelve hours a day and my job is very physically demanding. After I work twelve hours I go home and walk two miles, I also eat healthy, low fat and low carb only, yet I am still a hundred pounds over weight. My point being looks can be deceiving. I really feel sorry for you if you judge people in such away as to simply look at someone and pretend to think you know anything about them. I would love to invite you to attend anyone of the many wonderful churches in Edgefield County so you can learn the grace of God, until then I will pray that God will not judge you as you judge others. I could look at you and say you don’t look like a Christian or you can open your mouth and prove you're not, I could look at you and think you’re ignorant, or you can open your mouth and prove you are. I could go on but I hope I have proven my point. It must be miserable to live such a  negative life, instead of sitting their judging someone in a handicap spot, maybe next time while your are sitting in the car on your lazy butt (see how easily you can also be judged?) you could get out and see if that person needs any help with their groceries. God Bless You!
web posted May 20, 2008

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Mr. Editor, you can not argue with a out the back,two faced,slick talking, bleeding heart liberal. They have all the ideas,and no -ss to do them.All of it depends on what the definition of "is" is.They jump on the latest fad and ride it.Eight years, and they give us a rookie,and another clinton.What jokes!
web posted May 20, 2008

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Re Post:  the school system [ECSD] is starting to slip into a state of collapse and a lack of reasonable
responsibility for the students' accountability  This has been happening for years and is not a recent development. Gimmicks to increase graduation requirements for "No child left behind" have become popular around the state, but they have to be approved by the Superintendent of Edgefield County. Let's analyze the latest gimmicks to increase graduation participation.

Gimmick #1) State guidelines require a student to have no more than 10 unexcused absences from a year-long class. At STHS, if you have more than the limit, you can sit in a classroom for 15-30 minutes, do nothing, and this will erase 1 absence from a class that is actually 90-95 minutes.
Gimmick #2) Anywhere from 10-15% of the senior class was not going to be able to participate in this year's graduation because of failing grades. The Superintendent devised a plan to have Credit Retrieval
classes for these students to participate. If you attended 30 hours of instruction (after school or
weekends or during Spring Break) you could receive a passing grade for the first semester. There were no restrictions for the curriculum for these Credit Retrieval sessions and the students were not required
to be assessed on the information that was offered.
Gimmick #3) This one is not new, but is a favorite for the admin. You could be PARDONED of all absences if you were from the right family, knew a ECSB member who would vouch for you, or if you caught the principal at just the right moment.
Gimmick #4) If by some slim chance you did not qualify to participate in graduation ceremonies, you could come back to the school, in the summer, and work (1 week/approx 35-40 hours) with the janitors cleaning up the school, helping with book collection, or some other activity that had nothing to do with the course or courses that you did not pass, and your grade would be changed and you could receive your diploma, or credit for a class if you were not a graduating senior.
Gimmick #5) This one is all-time favorite. The Assistant Principal would change the grade you
received for a class before graduation, and by some miracle you could participate in graduation.
This is not an all inclusive list. There are many other gimmicks that exist to degrade the value of a
high school diploma in Edgefield County. With the accoutability standard for "No child left behind",
admins around the state had to come up with gimmicks to increase graduation rates and other outcome measures that they could manipulate. Admins cannot change state-wide testing outcomes, so they had to concentrate on raising numbers that could be manipulated within each school district.
web posted May 20, 2008

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All the kids at FCHS have two parent homes.  I don't think so.  Just like every other school there are a lot of one parent homes.  I happen to know that many buy their clothes at Wal Mart.  Have you visited this school.  I guess I am more interested in the grades.  The teachers are excellent.  I have
visited the school many times.  The block program next year is not my favorite, but I am willing to
see how it works out.  Oh, yes, they have not gotten into the new school.  Well, I hope they don't before my child graduates.  I like the location of where it is right now.  I think that if you feel you
don't fit in at FC, you probably won't fit in anywhere.  But then, that is my opinion.  I happen to like
FCHS and I am not the only one.   By the way, my child is a JOCK, but he would be one anywhere
he goes to school.  He works hard  for his good grades and his place in sports and he is an all
around nice guy.
web posted May 20, 2008

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Editor's post: I received several comments and complaints about an Edgefield Police Officer leaving his car running while at the Dixie Youth Baseball games on Thursday night. One woman that approached me on Saturday said she and several friends were incensed to see the car running with the price of gas, "and then we see our tax dollars paying for a police car to sit there running for nothing."

There have been several complaints about activity that is taking place during the games. As such, Chief Carter has increased the number of officers at the games. The car that is left running is for the on duty officer that is equipped with a microphone and the running car is to provide coverage from the video camera that records his every move and hears what he hears.

If the car is turned off the battery will die from running all the equipment and thus making it impossible for him to respond to an emergency or record what takes place during an arrest at the ball park if necessary.
web posted May 19, 2008

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I wish to know if there will be a peachtree 23 this year. The yard sale that was last year.Love your site.

Editor's note: Yes, it will be held on June 7. There will be a report later this week on the event along with contact numbers.
web posted May 19, 2008

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I met Mrs. (Genia) Blackwell this weekend when she came to our house to ask for our support and I wanted to say how impressed I was with her. We have lived in Merriwether for almost 11 years and no one has ever knocked on our door to talk to us. She was genuinely concerned about our gripes and offered real soultions not just (BS) to get elected. We have 3 voters in our house and we are all going to vote for her. You should too! Its about time we have a real business professional representing us. It was refreshing to see a person and not a politician wanting to be elected. She even gave us her home phone number and email address so we can stay in touch. Good luck Mrs. Blackwell, we're pulling for you!!!
web posted May 19, 2008

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Positives are Many for ST Spring Football..
1. Numbers are great ( Over 100 ) Very strong for 2AA. Includes 9th Grade , JV and Varsity.
2. Great size and skill combination- More true atheletes than many 3AAA and 4AAA schools. Stronger at skill positions than Most we play.

3. Outstanding coaching Staff
4. Many key returning starters from Team that realisticly should have won 3AAA championship Last year. (QB high ankle sprain at end of Game in Victory over Marlboro County)

5. Support and Tradition !

Note : Our 9th grade team is Playing Fox Creek JV's. To the best of my Knowledge, Fox creek doesn't have a 9th Grade team. (Yet). Go rebels
web posted May 19, 2008

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in ref. to:   When did that make sense? I'm punished for coming to school, albeit late, while others skip and. nothing? Repercussions are a joke.

Exactly.  At least at your school they don't kick you out for talking too much and being late too often to a class that you have to walk up a slippery set of stairs outside to every day!  It doesn't matter about color at my old school....it only matters that you have money or are a jock!  If not you can't do anything right in the admin's eyes!   No matter how hard a person tries if you don't wear the right clothes or have the right kind of money or the right family you can not make it there.

If you think your school is unfair try Fox Creek!  Oh...did I mention they don't care much for kids from "broken families"?  Isn't that just great?  So now if your parents divorced you obviously can never be anything!  I am going to be home schooled and I just hope it all works out because I don't want to go to either Edgefield County high school.  I know I would never fit in at ST & Fox Creek admins don't like you if you are different in any way at all.

Good luck finding a good high school around here.  I just want to graduate so I can get out of here!
web posted May 19, 2008

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Every time I turn around I am reading an article where someone is laying blame on someone else for the death of those firefighters in Charleston.  They need to understand that accidents happen and sometimes it hurts others tremendously.  This does not mean that you need to spend the next 10 years blaming someone else for what happened.  I am related to and very close to a number of firefighters.  They love what they do.  They understand that there is danger in this job.  I am sure if you went around to all of the firefighters in the state and asked them if they were killed in the line of duty like the firefighters in Charleston, would they want everyone trying to find someone to blame.  I am sure they would not.
web posted May 19, 2008

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I am so glad my child is getting out of Fox Creek. I wish I would have never sent him there. My husband and I were promised a new school her by his junior year well , next Thursday night he will be graduating and hasnt seen any signs of a new school. I would strongly advise parents do NOT send your child to FCHS he or she will not receive an education. Also MR. Smurph is having this new schedule next year and he says it is going to befit the students but it is making it so that no student will be able to come to the school in the middle of the year and once in the school the student cannot leave FCHS to go anywhere else because no other school will allow it. Now I will say I love and have the up most respect for (two teachers) and they did a wonderful job helping my child where Mr. Smurph and (someone else) messed her up, but as for (one teacher) and her wanna be football coach of a husband should go back teaching or pretending to be Elvis.
P.S you should come to the c hildren's graduation May 29 at 7pm at Sweetwater Baptist Church we would love to see you there.

Editor's note: I have placed the date on my calendar. A student can transfer from any public school at any time. Fox Creek cannot force a student to stay at the school if they wish to leave.
web posted May 19, 2008

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Re: Editor's note: So, from your post I have to assume that: The Democrats in control can't get a majoriy of the Congress they control to agree with them...

1) You oversimplify complicated issues way to much. I guess many of your readers need complex issues spoon fed to them. The Dems only had 51 out of 100 seats in the Senate. And yes, Dems sometimes disagree. It's a lot better than being consistently wrong like the Repubs.

2) I said earlier that you DO NOT HAVE to drill and refine oil in the same location. We need to use
conservation techniques to decrease demand and then maybe the price will drop. Not only will that help
economically, but will also reduce carbon emissions.

3) The average home buyer, over the last 4-5 years, has been lied to and cheated when trying to buy a
home. A lot of them were mislead with lies by seedy mortgage brokers and did not understand, or were told lies about, subprime mortgages. When they reset they were left without a home, including over 50,000 soldiers in the service. Are you sayimg that soldiers are too stupid to buy a home? By the way, has your son or oldest daughter signed up for military duty, yet? It is their civic duty to serve. I hear that Baghdad is really lovely this time of year.

4) Obama is distinguished because he cam from a single parent family and graduted from Harvard and Harvard Law School. Where does your diploma from Harvard hang in your house? Going to an Ivy league school and graduating makes him distinguished from you and any other posters of edgefielddaily.

Editor's note: (Sigh)
1. All problems have complicated and wrong answers. Problems have simple and easy to understand causes and the solutions are also just as simple.
2. Why not tap our own resources for oil and actually become independent from the Arabs and the rest of the world for oil? Oh, that's because then it could not be an issue for campaigns every four years. I love hearing the catch phrase "Big Oil" and wonder why it is not said as "Big Arabs"? Sorry, because they are not Americans, how foolish of me.
3. If you look back it was Democrats that raised heck about the "disadvantaged" not being accepted for loans and then said lending practices were aimed at keeping the same people out of loans. So the industry came up with the relaxed rules, explained them to the people who signed the contracts to buy, and now are suffering the fate of buying way over their head. Yes, anyone that is dumb enough to sign a contract to buy a home with open-ended interest rates is an idiot. Did you sign one? I doubt it.
4. "Obama is distinguished because he cam(e) from a single parent family and graduted from Harvard and Harvard Law School"? Well, I guess your hated "Dubya" is "distinguished" since he graduated from Yale. I'm sure you have your Ivy League degree hanging on your wall. After all, the rest of us dumb people should just select our leaders from Yale, Harvard, or some other liberal bastion of "learning".

The wisest men I ever knew never attended college. Wisdom cannot be taught.
web posted May 19, 2008

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Re Post: You supporters for Obama make me angry and sick...

RE: What should make you sick everyday, is when you get up and look in the mirror. You obviously listen to right-wing radio way to much. It has infused your mind with hatred and bigotry.

1) If a young man or woman is raised in a home that at one time received government assistance, and this young person goes on to gradute from Harvard and then Harvard Law School, then that person has distinguished themself from idiots like you.

(Editor's note: Barrak Obama was raised by his white grandparents when his mother was on government assistance and attended private school.)

2) So what if he does not wear a flag lapel pin, I don't either. One time one of my lapel pins got stuck
in the seat belt of my car and it ripped my jacket and made it useless to wear anymore. There could be many personal reasons why he does not wear a lapel pin.

3) He is not a Muslim. His father was an non-practicing Muslim and he gave his son a name that
represented the culture of his ancestors. It's kind of like you naming your son/daughter "Dumbass" to reflect the culture of your ancestors.

4) George "Dubya" Bush and Dick Cheney have done so many wonderful things for our country. And, they are so patriotic that both found ways not to have serve in the military when there was a DRAFT, and a war. Wow, I just realized, they are my HEROES.

5) You do not even understand the term communism. I think what is best for you is to go back to middle school and high school, not in Edgefield County (it seems that you do not have to attend to graduate), and maybe learn a little. You were probably one of those that missed the majority of days in high school and still got a diploma because your mommy or daddy went before the school board and applealed you missing 60 or more days.

6) Ever got a speeding ticket and went to court and protested the charge, then you are an anti-American because you do not support the laws of our country. You have protested the will of the government and you (are) a traitor.
web posted May 19, 2008

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Attention Taxpayers:  Are you aware that our federal government has a program in place to encourage car-pooling?  They call themselves controlling emissions.  They provide 9 and 15 passenger vans AND the gas that goes into them for federal employees to travel to and from work.  They get 9-15 people to sign up to ride a particular van.  Out of those, a primary driver is selected.  Somehow, the government goes by the number of miles from the primary driver's house to his/her place of work.  They come up with a set amount per person to give them for gas money.  They put it on a card.  The employees meet at a set location and ride to work together.    The only way it can benefit you is for you to live far away, i.e., 30 miles or more, from your place of work.  With the price of gas going up like it is, it won't be long before most people won't be able to drive back and forth to work.  You may want to consider seeking employment with the federal government.  Just make sure your drive is 30 or more miles and make sure that the government agency that you are seeking employment with is using this program.  This is happening right under our noses and nobody realizes it.  If you see some of these politicians out trying to get re-elected, ask them about it.  There is a good possibility that they don't know about it either.
web posted May 19, 2008

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I was at (the grocery store) yesterday afternoon and I sat in the car while my husband went in the store.  While sitting there I observed three vehicles park in the handicap parking spaces.  One of the drivers, I did not see because it was already there when we got there and the driver did not come out before we left but the other two vehicles I did see the drivers.  The people who got out of these vehicles were far from being handicap!  I'm don't know if they had a handicap sticker for a parent, grandparent, or cripple child but they were not issued for the persons using them.  I think these people should be ticketed for abusing the handicap parking spaces.  If someone who was truly disabled had come to shop at that particular time, they would have had to park in the other parking spaces because of the sorry people using their handicap spots.  Not to mention the fact that one of the ladies had (a rear-end) the size of a barn and it would have benefited her tremendously to park out by the highway and walk to the store!
Is there anything that can be done to correct this problem?

Editor's note: Law enforcement can issue tickets for those using the spaces when a handicapped person is not in the car and is gaining access to the facility. If the handicapped person is only sitting in the car, the space, as I understand, cannot be used for "handicapped parking".
web posted May 19, 2008

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Norman Dorn's absence at the Democrat Party forum spoke volumes about him. How can an incumbent that is facing opposition not show up?

Editor's note: County Councilman Norman Dorn will not attend any event he can not berate and control those attending the meeting. He has stated he does not have to answer to those who elect him.
web posted May 17, 2008

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"Lasciate ogni speranza voi ch'entrate." Alighieri, Dante.

"Abandon all hope, all ye who enter here." The 'here' in this case is of course my high school. From the eyes of the beholders, the school system is starting to slip into a state of collapse and a lack of reasonable responsibility for the students' accountability.

Our minds, the student's minds, are not 'wandering'. We've been thinking over this for some time now, and we have had enough. We come here because  it is the only way to invoke change, to provoke discontent, and to make the public understand what we are saying. Are you listening now? (in the completely proverbial sense of course) There are 199 students in my senior class. Some of them I have not seen for way more than the allotted days we are allowed to miss and they are walking with me.

When did this become okay? Regardless of how well they do in school, when did skipping school become 'okay'? When did an honor and a privilege become something that automatically happens?
Does that mean that I can cheat, and lie, and skip, and do things against the rules and walk? Wouldn't that make rules more like "guidelines" and not the basis by which the students are kept to prevent
this exact event from occurring?

Why do I come to school and work hard (regardless of how well I could do if I did not attend) only to have someone completely disregard this and get the same privileges and honors as me? I could be late for class and get in more trouble than them.

When did that make sense? I'm punished for coming to school, albeit late, while others skip and. nothing? Repercussions are a joke.
web posted May 17, 2008

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Post: Editor's note: If we need to "to liberate ourselves...

RE: 5)The approval rating of the Congress is dissatisfaction in not getting anything accomplished.
However, "Dubya" vetoed all meaningful legislation. 6) I don't think we need to increase entitlements, but if we brought the troops home, then we could use some of the funds from the war to pay for programs so that so many people do not lose their homes to foreclosure, because they were mislead by greedy mortgage brokers. 7) Who said anything about punishing corporations? How many black or white people in Edgfield County work for the Exxon/Mobil, Chevron, or Halliburton? And I don't mean the local gas stations/convenience stores, because those locally owned and operated. We need to
stop corporate welfare and get rid of tax subsidies for corporations that have record profits. They should
be allowed to make as much money as they want, but we should not be giving them tax subsidies on top of their record profits.

8) I never said anything about drilling oil. Maybe we should preserve a few pristine acres for the future.
You always rave about the beauty of the nature of Edgefield County, but if they started drilling oil here, that beauty would not exist anymore. I only mentioned refineries. Obviously, you do not understand
the difference. You do not have to drill and refine oil in the same location. But that point is moot,
because the existing refineries are only running at 80% capacity right now. There is no oil shortage, the
problem is with the devaluation of the dollar. When the federal funds interest rate increases, the  value
of the dollar on the open market will increase. As long as the dollar is so weak on the open market, then oil prices will remain high. The dollar is the international currency at which oil is bought and
sold.

9) Finally, if a white man or woman can not vote for a distinguished man like Barack Obama, because of their ignorance and bigotry, then the Dems don't want them. I was born and raised in SC and I know it has its share of white and black trash. That was the point of the first transmission, if Mississippi can change, so can SC.
10) As far as I know you are an "equal" to me. But if I hear otherwise, I will let you know.

Editor's note: So, from your post I have to assume that:

5) The Democrats in control can't get a majoriy of the Congress they control to agree with them.

6) The average home buyer is too stupid to understand an agreement to buy property and therefore should be "protected" by the government for their stupidy.

7) On this point we actually agree.

8) Baseless claim, if we have to "drill and refine" oil in the same location, why do we import so much oil from other countries?

9) PLEASE tell me why Sen. Obama is a "distinguished" man.

10) I am equal to all individuals. That is what our Constitution provdies. Take a few minutes to read it and get back to me. Rights are protected for the individual, not the goverment.
web posted May 17, 2008

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You supporters for Obama make me angry and sick. This man does not wear the American Flag lapel, is friends with anti-American supporters, is a former Muslim, has no remedy for the Change he speaks so much about, ,is more liberal than Communist Karl Marx and is a closet racist. Obama and his radical wife promote what is wrong with America rather than what great strides have been made for a country so young. Obama supporters should shed a tear for the Obamas', after all they are millionaires, well educated, yet they rant anti-American rhetoric. Obama personifies the very Muslim culture which is killing our young men and women today in the mideast. And YOU want to put him in charge of our country and military? According to our liberal media, Obama is a rising Star who is compared to John (womanizer) Kennedy. Kennedy did nothing great for this country and neither will Obama. Yet more than 90 percent of black Americans will vote for him. When you Obama supporters speak proudly about your liberal Communist, look around before you speak, I may be listening and you won't like my response.
web posted May 17, 2008

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(Re:) "Name me one Democrat program that has been 1. Cost effective, 2. that has accomplished its goal rather than increase the problem, and 3. that has made life for citizens better and increased their freedom and independence from government.  Just one is all I ask."
 
1.  The GI Bill http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/military_veterans_gibill_051308w/
2.  Social Security.  Has SS ever spent more than it took in?  When?
 
"They are in control, how does the minority stop the majority from doing these things? They can't. You know it, but you are not willing to admit it. Typical Democrat BS."
 
Actually, the minority in the Senate can use the cloture rules to not end debate on an issue and therefore never bring it to a vote.  I think it takes 60 votes to stop debate.  The minority has used this tactic to stop a vote on many issues before the senate.
 
Also, the president can veto a law and with a 2/3 majority to override the veto.  These are two methods the minority party can use to stop the majority from having its way.
 
Were you really unaware of this? 

Editor's note:
1. Why is more money spent "administering" the GI bill than those using it?
2. Social Security is broke. The Demcrats passed the law to raid the money to pay for other programs. It has been running in the red from then on.
(3.) Okay, please explain why for over 60 years the super majority of Democrat control brought about the current fiscal debacle Democrats want to blame of Republicans who held control for just a few years.

I eagerly await your response.
web posted May 17, 2008

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Editor's post: I believe that we are witnessing the end of the Democrat Party. The Democrats have, for the last 70 years, placed their constituents into classes; blacks, whites, rich, poor, environmentalist, anti-war, gays, men, women, and on down the line. Now they have a black man running against a white woman. No matter who they choose to run they will divide the party. If Clinton gets the nod, blacks will sit home because they stopped a black man from getting the nomination. If Obama gets the nod, the whites backing Hillary will refuse to vote for him.

The bad news, that means liberal John McCain will win.

We're screwed no matter what happens. There are no statesmen stepping up to lead our nation, just party hacks that want to grow government and grow control over the people.

I think it is time to force the federal government to abide by the Constitution they are sworn to protect. The present government serves the government, not the people.
web posted May 16, 2008

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all ya'll writing and complaining about the teachers don't get the recognition they deserve. well what about bus drivers. bus drivers are never recognized by parents, pto, or school district. whether you realize it or not, if it wasn't for bus drivers, teachers, principals and other school officials would'nt have a job. because 95% of the children are bused to and from school. bus drivers don't recieve gifts at any of the holidays from the kids or parents. the people who stand out there in the morning and evening get more gifts than the bus drivers. bus drivers are the first ones out in the morning, and the last to leave in the evening. bus driver safety week is just something they throwed on the calendar. the drivers has yet to recieve a safety certificate or anything. from what i here they were given the teachers leftovers, a pad, pencil and candy bar. they didn't even have the decency to take the label off. trinkets for teachers. it's a shame and a disgrace. all you here from the teachers, i don't know how you do it, or you carrying life most precious cargo. i'm sure they know that. bus drivers are like the postman. they drive rain, sleet, snow and thunder storms. they are less paid of all school employees, no benefits, if they don't get 30 hours a week. and you talk about how the system is not recognizing teachers. get real. bus drivers have to take care of 60-80 kids at a time by themselves. teachers have helpers and they only have 15-20 kids, and they wine about that. they getting paid just what they deserve.
web posted May 16, 2008

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Once again you have proven that you are a racist. Your comments on Mr. Oboma (Sen. Obama) show that you just hate blacks.

Editor's note:  That is funny. I have voted for Sheriff Adell Dobey in every election (he is a Democrat and black if you did not know). I have voted for Bill Clyburn in the State House races (he is black and a Democrat in case you did not know).  And I have supported Kenneth Collier every time he has run for the School Board. (He is black as well.) Yes, I am a racist that votes for black candidates. Here is a little tip for you, I do not see race, I see the person. Give it a try, you may sleep better at night.
web posted May 16, 2008

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Re: Editor's note: After all, that is what you want for everyone else. You evil rich Democrats....

1) Mr Editor, it seems I have struck a nerve. With the viciousness of your attack, it seems you may need to stop breaking the pill in half and take the whole thing every morning. I know that prescription drugs are expensive, but if the doctor prescribes a whole pill, then maybe that is what you should take. You and Carl have told me that people can disagree without getting personal.

2) I love edgefielddaily.com and I am glad that you provide a forum for those who read to share their
opinions and disseminate information.

3) That said, let's discuss the points you made in your counterpoint. First of all, you have no idea how
much money I make, and if you make less than me, then you need to find another job. Also, I can not afford to hire someone to do some of the duties that I presently do, so $ from ads and such must not be to bad.

4) You provide inaccurate information when you say that all Repubs resign when accused of wrongdoings. First, let's look at Vittner, the representative from Louisiana that was involved in the affair with the Madame in Washington. He did not resign and he used the services of a prostitute. How about Senator Craig from Idaho; he cannot make up his mind whether he is gay or not, but uses public restrooms to seduce strange men. He is still serving. Recently, Vito Fossella, the congressman from NY who was leading a double life with one family in NY and the other in a suburb of Arlington, VA. He may resign, but it sure is taking him a long time to decide. If voters want to re-elect criminals, then it is there right. I guess you can call it freedom.

Editor's note: Struck a nerve? No, I'm not a Republican so there is no nerve to strike. And I never got personal. As far as what I make running EdgefieldDaily.com, I do not draw a salary, all funds go towards producing the site. Do you have any idea what it cost to run a website that serves over 20,000 readers and now reaching 1.5 million hits a month? I don't think so.

However, it is funny that you dodge the points I raised. It is also interesting that you mention Louisiana where Democrat William Jefferson (I believe that is his name) was found to have taken bribes and had National Guard Troops stop rescuing his constituents in the aftermath of Katrina to rescue over $100,000 of those bribes from his freezer in New Orleans. He was re-elected and is still under a FBI investigation. Let's look at local politics. Sen. Charles Walker, under over 140 Federal indictments was re-elected just before he was sentenced to Federal prison for his crimes. Does the name Ed McEntire ring a bell? How about Washington Mayor Berry? Caught taking bribes and smoking crack on film. He got re-elected too.

Tell me one Republican charged for similar crimes that stayed in office and we can talk further.

Let's take a look at your presidential candidates. Barrack Obama (a muslim -once a muslim always a muslim- turned "Christian" in a racist church that he now claims he never knew was racist) wants change but he never says what the change is to. Change is inevitable, progress is not. Obama supports theories that are left of Karl Marx. Let's not forget Hitlery Clinton (who makes Obama look like Rush Limbaugh), who took longer to find her altered Rose Firm Law Firm records in the White House than it took Pres. Bush to take down the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam in Iraq.

You still ignore that the Dems are the ones who "talk" about becoming independent of "foreign oil" but they are the ones that stop American from drilling for our own oil.

And just for good measure, it is the Democrats that support the murder of millions of blacks each year through abortion. An organization (Planned Parenthood) founded by a racist that wanted abortion to kill off blacks. That is not opinion, that is fact.

No, you did not strike a nerve, I did.
web posted May 16, 2008

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We attended the live music session tonight at Park Row and had a wonderful time. As usual the food was wonderful, the service was great,and the live music topped it all off. Thank you Park Row for giving us something to do at night here in Edgefield. We will be back next time and you all should come see what your missing.

Editor's note: I allowed the mention of a business name because a story has been published on the event.
web posted May 16, 2008

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1.  Can you explain why when Democrats took over control of the House and Senate that their approval rating fell to the lowest level in history? Well below that of "Dubya"?

2.  If you think Southern Democrats who opposed Civil Rights (yes, it was white Democrats not white Republicans that did not want blacks to have equal rights) will vote for a black man for President you are crazy.

 
1.  They were elected to end the war in Iraq or move to that end.  They didn't.  People gave then low ratings for this. 
 
2.  Those Southern Democrats who opposed Civil Rights in the 1960's are now Southern Republicans.  Do you disagree with this?  I don't necessarily disagree with what you are saying about whites not voting for Obama because he is black.  This is nothing to crow about, or be proud of, IMHO.

Editor's note: So, 1) you are admitting that those Dems elected, and hold a majority, do not represent you and you still want to re-elect them? That makes no sense to me. And 2) I do not buy that Southern Dems are now Republicans. I know far too many who still vote party line ballots because their parents were Dems.

Name me one Democrat program that has been 1. Cost effective, 2. that has accomplished its goal rather than increase the problem, and 3. that has made life for citizens better and increased their freedom and independence from government.  Just one is all I ask.

Also, I am not bragging about white Democrats that won't vote for a black man for President, I am just pointing out the reality of the situation. I vote for Democrats and Republicans (white and black) in every election. I believe in voting the man (or woman) that I feel will best represent my beliefs. I also skip some races because neither candidate is worthy of my vote. A candidate has to earn my vote, I do not give it away because they belong to a political party. I think political parties should be removed from all ballots forcing people to vote for an individual, not a "party".
web posted May 16, 2008

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Now why have you started on Mayor Willie,  If one goes back 10 or 15 yeas and look at the budget one can only see that the town  NEVER had a BALANCE budget.  So why jump on the man that is trying to correct the problem??
web posted May 16, 2008

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As a resident of Johnston, I am not happy to know that Mayor Free-Willie, the big spender, now has our town in a financial crisis. Folks...this is what happens when someone who has no business background is put in charge of the piggy-bank. For those of you who Wonder why Mayor Free-Willie does not put some of his salary back in the bank, as the council members have done....Guess What????....Mayor Free-Willie is financially reliant upon us taxpayers for his salary. Apparently, he is not making enough money on the preaching circuit? It is apparent from where I sit that the majority of property taxpayers are in the racial minority, thus a property tax increase by Mayor Free-Willie will not affect his voters, because most of them live on welfare, walk the streets, ride their bicycles all day, hang out at Monroe Kneece's liquor store, beg for money, etc.  And finally, for you Democrats...when Mayor Free-Willie speaks, we don't listen.
web posted May 16, 2008

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Ok, so the citizens of the Town of Edgefield pay no Town Taxes, WHY? Is it because of the expert management of the Town by the Mayor and Town Council.  NO   
Is it because of the Department Heads who only spend money when they NEED TOO. NO
Is it because of the new industry that has moved in to Town? NO
 
Could it be because of the FEDERAL PRISON that is located inside of the town limits?  YES
 
Because of the way  that the state has set up  the LOST money refund to the towns, Edgefield can count ALL of the fine young men who spend their time in the town of Edgefield.  When you DOUBLE your population on the income side and do not have to double the expense, yes, you do not need the taxes.. But Waite, you have not paid taxes for two years.  Can anyone tell me how long the LOST program has been around?  Where did that money go?
 
But WAITE, their is more.  Anyone know how much the Town got from the old mill building?  Where did that money go?  And how much do they get every year????
 
Have fun.
web posted May 16, 2008

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After reading the local stories on the Johnston budget and Mayor Willie Campbell, some things I saw that are true facts, not opinions:

-  Mayor Willie’s spending over the past 2 years has finally caught up to him.  The auditor said it last year that the town is running out of money.  The budget wouldn’t be this tight if spending was under control.

-  Mayor Willie has been in office for 2 years and has raised taxes each year.

-  Mayor Willie has chosen NOT to give up his Mayor’s salary to help balance the budget.  The other Councilmen are giving up their’s.  Why can’t he do that and not raise taxes?

- Mayor Willie has decided he can treat businesses (get your own trash picked up) and town employees (laying off employees) any way he wants so he can spend more money.  What’s more important that services? 

- Mayor Willie is giving citizens fewer services and asking us to pay more.

- In the new budget, Mayor Willie is still spending all the money he takes in.  Nothing is going to savings.
 
I hope those that got him elected, and those who voted from him, are pleased with his performance so far.
web posted May 15, 2008

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To the Johnston Town Council and The People who bash Mayor Durham. THE TOWN OF EDGEFIELD HAS NOT HAD TO PAY CITY TAXES FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.
 
WAKE UP
web posted May 15, 2008

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We have a jewel (one of many) in Edgefield County. I was admitted to Edgefield County Hosptital on Wed. May 7th. I was released on Friday and I must say for my two night stay that my care was EXCELLENT. Everyone from housekeeping, staff, nurses, and doctors were amazing. Everyone was professional, caring and kind. I would like to tell them how much I appreciate their care and kind words. We are lucky to have doctors and medical staff who have a genuine concern for their patients. I would encourage anyone to support our doctors and ECH.
web posted May 15, 2008

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From the NY Times: "Democrat Wins House Seat in Mississippi "..."COFFEEVILLE, Miss. - Democrats scored a remarkable upset victory on Tuesday in a special Congressional election in this conservative Southern district, sending a clear signal of national problems ahead for Republicans in the fall."

Yesterday was a historical disaster for the Republican party in Mississippi. Why is this important for
readers in Edgefield County? Well, because as a state we always rank low on the totem pole with Mississippi in everything to quality of education to infant mortality rates to racial harmony, etc. The
congressional district where the election took place in Mississippi had been held by a Republican since 1995. The Republican candidate had Dick Cheney come and stump for him the day before the election took place. Well, I want to invite every Republican candidate running in SC to invite Dick to come down and stump for them before the general election in November. I digress, if Mississippi can do it then we in SC can do it also. People are fed up with the rhetoric spewing from the mouth of "Dubya". The other day, "Dubya" blamed the fact that no oil refineries had been built in the US since the late 1970s, on the Democratic majority in the House and Senate. This was a blatant falsehood. Nobody wants an oil refinery built in their backyard. It's the people living in areas where proposed refineries might have been built that have stopped them from being constructed. Refineries spew enormous amounts of pollution into the air and waterways, not to mention that refineries have a knack for blowing up. A few years back, there was a proposal to build a refinery on the coast of SC. The
surrounding communities were enraged. They wouldn't have it in their backyards. This was Repubs and Dems alike. When it comes to spewing polllution and contaminating our drinking water, there are no party lines. I propose that "Dubya" have two new refineries built in Crawford, Texas on his property around his ranch. So, what I ask is, if Mississippi can change, so can we here in SC. Vote for change in the upcoming elections. Forget the rhetoric, forget the lies, and just vote for the Democratic party. The last time I checked, "liberal" was a derivative of the word liberation. We need to liberate ourselves from the stronghold of corporate greed and Republican corruption.

Editor's note: If we need to "to liberate ourselves from the stronghold of corporate greed and Republican corruption." why is it that Republicans in scandals resign and Democrats under indictment are re-elected? Can you explain why when Democrats took over control of the House and Senate that their approval rating fell to the lowest level in history? Well below that of "Dubya"?

If you think Southern Democrats who opposed Civil Rights (yes, it was white Democrats not white Republicans that did not want blacks to have equal rights) will vote for a black man for President you are crazy.

And yes, we should punish those corporations that supply jobs to whites and blacks. After all, government is so much better than the real world in making individual freedom and progress a reality.

If you check the Congressional Record, Democrats are the ones that stopped the expansion of oil independance of the US. Your claims are baseless and false. Who stopped drilling in the ANWAR? The coast of Florida? The Gulf of Mexico? Democrats. They are in control, how does the minority stop the majority from doing these things? They can't. You know it, but you are not willing to admit it. Typical Democrat BS.

What a great platform. I guess in your world everyone should be getting a government check from those who work for a living. I make less than you, please send me half of your income so I can be "equal" to you. After all, that is what you want for everyone else. You evil rich Democrats.
web posted May 15, 2008

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does edgefield county have a vol search and rescue?

Editor's note: Yes, the members of the area fire departments provide search and rescue personnel.
web posted May 15, 2008

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Apparently Mr. Leaman (the interim Johnston Town Administrator) is a bit confused regarding actual solid waste costs..I did a little research, The Town of Johnston reported their garbage collection costs to DHEC for 2007 at $100.86 per capita -thats per person folks... 

Editor's note: And that differs from the report of the per capita report how?
web posted May 15, 2008

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I took note of great interest one of the comments about “being careful not to post or view Wandering Minds if you’re a school employee.”  I find it ironic, the double standard on how the school board and administration see no problem in using the taxpayer paid tools (Computers, Phones, PA systems) to encourage and mobilize teachers to contact their “representatives” every time a school voucher, school choice or school reform bill comes before the state legislature…..or worse, to “encourage” people to vote for a candidate sympathetic to their cause.  Essentially, they’re using taxpayer assets to thwart the efforts of the taxpayers.  I’ll bet they wouldn’t tolerate that type of behavior in their students.
web posted May 15, 2008

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If School Board Head-Sister...Sister Sallie attempts to set herself up for Sister Brightharps' position
with the help of her inept Mo-Town-Fo accomplices.....God help our schools and our children. It is hard to imagine a School District where people who have limited use of the English language are in control of a school system. It is hard to imagine these four people are some of the highest paid school board Clowns in South Carolina. But, when you consider who voted them into office, you shouldn't be surprised. They were elected by people who believe OJ (Simpson) should be US President and Sister Soulja should be immortalized as a Saint. And...you wonder why and how...certain district employees are in their high paid positions?

Case-in-point...the Human Resource SIC -Sister-In_Charge (Removed)  is in dept to her benefactor, or main-man, Professor Bibbs....thus our school system can now be proud of Reverse discrimination being applied ever so slowly during most hiring processes. I wonder how her employees can respect her, knowing her position in our district was manipulated by the Mo-Town-Fo. Change is in the air and getting a few of the Mo-Town-Fo out the Do (door) should be Priority 1 for intelligent voters.
web posted May 15, 2008

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Editor's post: At the Johnston Town Council meeting Monday night it was stated by interim Administrator Leaman that the cost of solid waste disposal for county residents was $33 a year. Why are we paying $80? Even when the towns were added in it was just over $55. Looks like I have something else to check into.
web posted May 14, 2008

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To the Editor: Now that you've written an editorial concerning the leaders of our county's government, how about following that up with the "Shining Stars" of school administration?  Or would that just be too easy?

Editor's note: I believe I have covered the inept hirings and actions of the EC BOE fairly well. But, why not give everyone a little something to think about. Will Sallie Cooks run again? From what I hear she might be seeking the overpaid job she and Cooks' Crew gave her sister in law, who may be retiring this year. Of course, Dr. Brightharp will get paid in her retirement from her last position as Title 1 Director where she got a HUGE increase right after getting hired. Where have I heard that before? (Que music from The Twilight Zone)

Will it happen? Only time will tell. But it would be a pretty neat little trick unless the school board members seeking re-election this year (Cooks, Bibbs, and Chitty) are opposed and unseated. Brad Covar is opposed already. He and Andy Livingston are the only voices of reason in the asylum.

Just as a side note, anyone running against Scott Chitty for School Board is free to use this slogan, "Don't make a Chitty choice, Vote (name)". Or maybe "Chitty ideas lead to Chitty choices - Vote (name)". Feel free to come up with slogans in his or other races of your own and send them in.
web posted May 14, 2008

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Anyone have any positives to share about ST Varsity Football spring practices?

Editor's note: The effort that these young men put forth during our brutal summers to bring such pride to this county every fall should not be overlooked.
web posted May 14, 2008

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When are the elections for the different positions being sought after ?

Editor's note: The primary election will be held June 10. Take three friends with you to vote. Some races will be decided in the primary.
web posted May 14, 2008

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I read the story on the guy that hooked up with the woman on the internet and got robbed. Who looks for a date on a prison website? How hard up do you have to be?
web posted May 14, 2008

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You probably know this, but I heard the (Edgefield County) school board was going to block (EdgefieldDaily.com) from the school computers.

Editor's note: Yes, I was provided information to that effect. As I understand they were discussing it but found out that doing so would mean they would have to block every single news web site from the same computers. Otherwise they would land right in the middle of Federal Court. Edgefield County and Administrator Wayne Adams were just hours away from there when they tried it three years ago and restored access.

A tip for teachers, administrators, and other school workers - do not send comments for the Wandering Minds by email from your work computer, Big Brother (or sister as the case may be) may be watching you. If you do not have a home computer you can always use our mailing address of PO Box 972 Edgefield SC 29824.

It is interesting when elected and appointed officials are so afraid of free speech that they seek to stop what they are sworn to protect. How sad that a school system, where information and ideas are supposed to be nurtured, would be willing to consider a "ban" on access to information and ideas.
web posted May 14, 2008

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Enjoyed the article on the Edgefield County School District Retirees.  There should be some job openings in the schools this year according to the list of retirees and the vacancy announcements.  NOT!!!  Don't count on it. If an employee wants to return to work in the same job, I bet they are rehired at the same pay they were making and a retirement check too!  It is a shame they are not hired back as a new employee.  This could be a real money saver for the county.  Not as much for non professional positions as the retired administrators.  Although it is a little frightening to think of who the
"Mo-Town-Fo" would put in  the positions.
web posted May 14, 2008

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In response to yesterday's article "Johnston Town Council members donate pay to balance budget"...
The past mayors and council have spent more money than it took in over each of the past 12 years!!!  This has reduced  the town's reserve savings account of approximately one-half million dollars ($500,000) to approximately ZERO ($0).  Based on this fact, the zero salary that the council members have agreed to accept is still too high!!!  Poor Job Council!!!
web posted May 14, 2008

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John Pettigrew was a cruddy mayor. He should've stuck to selling cars.
web posted May 14, 2008

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Edgefield (County) used to be so powerful in the state and now we are nothing. Some say it's all because (Sen.) Strom (Thurmond) died but it was long before then. I remember sitting around the fire in the back yard with my daddy and gramps and listen to gamps tell us about the old days. Men were men and Edgefield (County) men made things happen. I'm gramps now and just wanted to say you are somebody my gramps would be proud of because I am proud of you. You have a backbone and that is rare these days.

Editor's note: I do not know how to respond. I am humbled and thank you seems trivial after such a compliment. I hope I can live up to such high standards.
web posted May 14, 2008

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I apologize to all STHS fans.  It seems as if our coach is too scared to play the Rebels, but has gladly placed Fox Creek on the Mustang's schedule.  I know the MV / ST matchup is very profitable and enjoyed by both communities, but Coach Knight is looking for easy wins regardless of how embarrassing the matchup is.  Who knows, perhaps the Mustangs can upset the Predators!
web posted May 13, 2008

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On Tuesday (Today) the school board will meet to discuss several items. Something that needs be be discussed is the budget. If you have kids that attend school you need to be at this meeting. They, the school board will have to deal with budget cuts. But be aware, one thing they will not cut is the amount of money that goes into their pockets. Yes YOUR tax dollars that should go to teach YOUR kids, goes to their pockets. Edgefield County School board perhaps one of the highest paid school boards in the state. What is more needed, your kids education or for them to have a Mercedes to drive around in? Go to the school board meeting on tuesday. Let them know that you care how they waste your money on expense hotel rooms and $100. 00 meetings. Spend the money on the kids, not on themselves. Please, attend this meeting.
http://www.edgefield.k12.sc.us/schbd/agenda.htm
web posted May 13, 2008

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It is strange that a county, such as Edgefield,  that has a long and glorious past would hire someone WITHOUT any administration experience. True he was a Mayor, but he did not run the town.  A Clerk, Police Chief, Dr. of Public Works and a part time Administrator did that.  So what qualified our current Administrator for this POST??????????????
 
Time always has a way of showing up a persons short comings.  As we can now see, the county is not doing so great?  Why, you may ask?  Planning, the experience that a person who has the responsibility to make the right decisions .  Experience, knowledge that a person in charge has to have in order to know when to direct his people in the right direction  Knowledge, stuff that does not come out of a LAW BOOK.
 
How long will the governing body allow the county to be run into the ground????  Could it be ELECTION TIME. ONLY you the VOTER  can make that decision.  Good Luck
web posted May 13, 2008

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Amen! In reference to the opinion expressed about “Edgefield County’s Shining Stars”.  Scary though, for the people governed by such under qualified representatives!  I agree that change is needed or the county may never see any industry or gainful employment opportunities, for the residents. It is almost a joke, but a bad one.
web posted May 13, 2008

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Bravo on your editorial on our "shining stars". Thank you for reminding us about the overpaid employees and the broken spokes on our wheel of county government. At least we have a shot at correcting the problems with the county council through election. However, with people like Mr. Pettigrew it seems we are stuck. Not only is he overpaid, but the position seesm to have gone to his head. I have observed him even in personal life behaving as if he runs everything he comes in contact with. If we elect a new council can they fire and replace all of these unqualified individuals? It seems that eliminating the overpaid would bring a good amount of money back into the budget to be used for other things that we need. If these people truly cared about the county and the people in it, they would either step down or ask for a lower, more fair salary.
web posted May 13, 2008

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I read with great interest the Opinion about “The Shining Stars of Edgefield”.  Do you really think the citizens of Edgefield County will wake up and see just how bad our elected officials manage Edgefield County’s business?  The article mentioned the Council, Tax Assessor and Administrator but, it failed to mention the Appeals Board (which provided suspect help to taxpayers) hand picked by the Council Members and headed by Mr. McFarland who is now head of the County’s Republican Party.  As many citizens of Edgefield know, the Appeals Board was just another fine example of how this County operates.  Maybe we need to hear more of the horror stories from the Appeals Board hearings or if the Appeals Board members were open and honest what their instructions/resolutions were.

What goes round comes round.  If we do not elect a change to our County Management Team then shut down Edgefield Daily because it will be obvious that the citizens want to expose the ugly side of Edgefield but will not change it.  Let us not keep reminding citizens of the problems and not take the opportunity to do something about them that is, through electing an all new County Council.
web posted May 13, 2008

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Thank you to the Edgefield Cty. EMS for arriving within 'those critical minutes' to my home in the Merriwether area on Thursday a.m. with a medical crisis! God Bless You! We are true believers & so proud of you. Thank you to the nice lady with the Firefighters Dept. who stayed on the phone with me until the ambulance arrived . Hat's off to 2 young teenagers for 'taking charge' in an instant; otherwise, this salvation wouldn't have happened to begin with. Our dear neighbor drove into our driveway having severe chest pains, while the 2 teens who carpool were preparing to leave for school to STHS . Our neighbor got out of the car. (She) recognized with 'immediate instinct' that she was about to collapse. She explained to me that she didn't want her to fall on the concrete driveway and guided our neighbor to a soft grassy area of our yard. Thank you Kaitlyn; as we know now, that it would have happened on the driveway. Our daughter, Katelyn, rushed into our home & woke me to the situation. Then, she immediately called 911, & handled everything while giving & passing on all pertinent information, which was before & after, I threw on clothes & rushed to assist her. Fortunately, our dear neighbor is recovering in the hospital and should arrive to her home soon. Thanks to God for blessing these 2 girls to take the matter into their own hands with such caring emotions, 'before' coming into my home to let me know what was happening. Again, Bless you 2 girls, the EMS & the fire dept. lady; she wouldn't be here today, if it were not for you!!! Time was of the essence. The girls were late to school; but, they saved a life.

Editor's note: I would advise all residents, young and old, to attend a First Responder Class sponsored by your local Fire Department to gain the training needed in an emergency situation. Odds are the life you save will be someone you know.
web posted May 12, 2008

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Thanks for posting the ST Varsity schedule on the headline page.  I read that ST will be playing 96 in
the Abbeville Jamboree on Aug 15th, could you confirm this?

Editor's note: I have to rely on the Strom Thurmond Athletic Department for schedules and confirmation. All information will be posted as soon as it becomes available. As always, EdgefieldDaily.com will publish any and all information contributed by local schools.
web posted May 12, 2008

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Stellar performance at Fox Creek continues.  The recent article in the Chronicle about AP test results got me wondering how Edgefield County did (the Chronicle always forgets us). Well Fox Creek had 35% of their students score 3 or higher while Strom Thurmond students achieved a 44% passing rate.  Once again, the strong leadership of Dr. Smurph shows up in the data.  Come on new board, wake up and get something going or will you keep the good doctor around to spread more of his manure on the new grass field at the new school which Ms Bishop has promised the community for three years.

Editor's note: It has come to my attention that posts by Fox Creek Charter High School parents are being misconstrued as mine. Any comment not noted as an "Editors Post" or an "Editor's note" is the comment of a poster, and not that of the myself. Please do not confuse the two.
web posted May 12, 2008

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I was at a cookout this weekend and I heard there was a push to have staggered terms for county council seats. It sounded like a good idea to me and didn’t know if you knew about it. Maybe that would help?

Editor’s note: I am aware of the talks, but I doubt it will go anywhere and I would not be supportive of the measure. I would support term limits, but not four-year terms for county council members which is what staggered terms would require. I feel two-year terms are important. If it is good enough for the US House of Representatives, it is good enough for county council. Take a look at what four-year staggered terms has done for our School Board.

I think six years (three terms) is more than enough for a county council member to make a difference. If they cannot make changes in that period, it is time for someone else to be elected. Under the current county council’s tenure, instituting term limits would create the same effect as sitting members would be replaced at staggered intervals giving us the best of both worlds, so to speak.

Instituting the policy may require some to serve a three-year term, but they would still be held to the six-year term limit and it would take no more than two elections to balance out the discrepancies.
web posted May 12, 2008

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We went to the fishing rodeo saturday and had a fantastic time. Hats off to the police and firemen that made it possible. Thank you!
web posted May 12, 2008

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To the person that wants the wandering minds to be shut down, get a life loser. (The Wandering Minds) is the best thing that ever happened to this county. Just because it slapped you in the face ain’t no reason to shut everybody up.  I thank the editor for taking the time to let us say what we want. He let you say what you wanted. Maybe he should have just shut YOU UP!
web posted May 12, 2008

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I’ve (written) about ten times about Briggs Rd and the big dip in the road by the pond at the strawberry farm and you don’t even post it. Somebody is gonna get killed there if they don’t fix it and put in a gardrail. Its funny because you seem to be covering up that (County Councilman) Joel Hudson lives on that road and he gets his road paved when we can’t get ours paved.

Editor’s note: First let me state that your previous emails were not sent as Wandering Minds post (as indicated in the subject line) and were therefore considered regular correspondence. I have passed your concerns on to the proper people at the SC DOT and they are being addressed. As I am told, the likelihood of a guardrail being placed at the location is slim to none.

Secondly, Councilman Hudson had nothing to do with the repaving of Briggs Road. That is a state road and the project was pushed by former State Senator Tommy Moore. The project will continue across Martintown Road to include Woodlawn Road which connects to Highway 28.

Sad to say, when the second phase of the repaving has been completed I will be reporting on an increase in deaths on Woodlawn Road, which remains unpatrolled for the many motorcycle groups that use the road as a raceway due to its hilly and curvy terrain. The uneven pavement and potholes currently on the road is the only thing that keeps most of them at speeds under 100 mph.
web posted May 12, 2008

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I have a rant about the sheriff. It took almost a hour for a deputy to get to our house when we called. They called us back and said that they were busy and would get here as soon a possible. I’m sorry, almost an hour later isn’t “ASAP”!!!

Editor’s note: With the county funding only two or three deputies to cover the entire county at any given time response times will suffer. Sadly, the same holds true with EMS. There are only two ambulances on call at any time in the county. Obviously our county leaders feel non-emergency expenditures outweigh essential services.
web posted May 12, 2008

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Editor's post: I took Friday night off so there are no news stories. Other sections have been updated and some of the Wandering Minds. I needed a break. Have a great weekend and if you have children, don't forget the Fishing Rodeo at Lick Fork Lake beginning at 9am today.
web posted May 10, 2008

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It was really great having the Strom Thurmond Marching Band in the Johnston  Peach Blossom Parade.  Having the Marching Rebel Regiment in the Parade made it a real parade.  I think they are great and they really work harder than most people know.
 
I think the town should have done alittle more to prepare for the event.  I only saw one store with the peach ribbons on it.  They use to put ribbons on all the trees which was really pretty.  Also the town use to clean up on Calhoun Street by sweeping along the sides of the street and they use to even edge the sidewalks.  And for the ones that cleaned up their yards the week before, the leaves and limbs were not even picked up by the town.  With all the people coming to town for this event you should do your best to show off our town.
web posted May 10, 2008

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Can you please tell me what all the talk is about with ECSB has different punshment for black and white children? Where would  I find this information? Thanks.

Editor's note: Some directives are spoken.
web posted May 10, 2008

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To the writer that said only one new person will be on the board at Fox Creek, the parents had a different idea. The one new person running was elected as were TWO write-in candidates. Ousted were two of the old members.  Interesting enough, the write-in candidates had more votes than any old board member except for Ms. Bishop.  It took 41 votes to be elected and results were as follows:

Randy Parks (66 votes)
Keith Holliday (48 votes)
Sherolyn Bishop (45 votes)
Kevin Baker (44 votes)
Terri Mayson (44 votes)
Steve Elliott (42 votes)
Jim Oliver (42 votes)
Sharon Reese (40 votes)
Rod Huffman (37 votes)

As for the teacher who said folks should be part of the solution, I hope she voted for change.
web posted May 10, 2008

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As Teacher Appreciation Week ends, we must ask whether our teachers received the Thanks from students, parents, principals, and administrators to name a few? Teachers are taken for granted by all concerned, and rarely receive their due recognition. If you have not thanked your student's teacher/s, you should do so, or one day this educator may leave for a school where the atmosphere is more rewarding. We must not forget Edgefield County is home to a School District where the School Board ,Especially the MoTownFo, set a example for racial mistrust, promotion of the NAACP, abusing their position, and many other acts of incompetence. It's amazing any of our educators can teach effectively with these four buffoons lining their pockets with taxpayer dollars or hiring their friends into positions beyond their level of competence. Our educators can not continue to work in an environment manipulated by the likes of Professor Bibbs, Sister Sallie and the two Jackson sisters. You better get out and vote against Bibbs and Sister Sallie this August or there will be no one to blame, except those who failed to rally against the MoTownFo ineptness/Lack of Intestinal Fortitude.
web posted May 10, 2008

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I have been reading the comments about the teacher's dress and the girl's prom dresses. It is a shame that woman no longer show repect for themselves in the way they dress and that parents do not teach them to respect themselves.we wonder why we have grade school children sexualy active and many rapes and murders and sex offenders. Sit outside any school and you will be appauled by the way girls dress. They are advertising sex.Why not just put a sign on their backs.
 
Also, lay off Edgefield Daily!!!! If you don't like it stop logging on.
web posted May 9, 2008

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Is there a list, or accounting sheet, of how the Edgefield County Transportation Committee expends the C-Funds that are allotted to our county?  How have they spent those funds in recent years?
 
Thanks for (EdgefieldDaily.com).

Editor's note: A request has been submitted on your behalf. The results will be posted when available.
web posted May 9, 2008

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Well its Teacher Appreaction week and what did the School District do to show how much they appreciate the teachers?  Well I got a candy bar and a pencil.  I get more than that from the kids.  Get real if you really want to show some appreciation, show that you have some intestinal fortitude, (wonder where I have herd that remark before).  If the school board wanted to show that they really care then here is an idea for you.  Stop taking you high paid salaries and travel expense and tell the Ms Clark, “spend it on the kids”    If the Town  council of Johnston  can step up to the plate and say that the town is more important than lining their pockets with taxpayers money then the school board should also do that.  This is a challenge,  who on the school board is brave enough, who there cares enough about the kids to say, Don’t pay me anything until all the needs of the schools have been met.  I really doubt none of you have the guts to do it.  All of you, white skinned or black, care way too much about stuffing your pockets with tax payers money that you care about the kids or the teachers. 
 
If you really want to show how much you appreciate the teachers, then give them at least a cost of living increases event if it means you don’t get to drive your Mercedes to the school board meeting that you get paid $100.+ dollars for the 2 hours you sit there.
 
And Mr. Blackwell, why don’t you ask the school district who on the school board has had money of any kind paid to them and post it on this website.  I would love to do it but the teachers know if we even show up at a school board meeting we are labeled as trouble makers and are at risk of losing our job.  Then again that may not be a bad thought as every surrounding county pays at least five thousand dollars more than Edgefield does, and they don’t care what color our skin is..
web posted May 9, 2008

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One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. Got a clue who this quote came from?I wonder if any of our local candidates can answer this one.It maybe interesting who can answer it.
web posted May 8, 2008

 

I am not a candidate but I believe the saying above is a quote from Plato.  I think a lot of candidates have used this quote before.  Do I win a prize?

Editor's note: No.
web posted May 9, 2008

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