End in Sight for Sewer Rehabilitation
- By Jim Freeland
As a local business owner involved in the development of Greenville County, as well as the Chairman of the Metropolitan Sewer Subdistrict (MetroConnects) Commission, I believe sustaining underground infrastructure is a crucial element of ensuring a community’s success. Continually upgrading and replacing aging pipes is truly an investment in the future. Though often out-of-sight-out-of-mind is the general perception, it quickly becomes a pressing issue when systems begin to deteriorate, fail or no longer efficiently provide service to the customers depending on them.
Pistol Packing Patriots
- By Frank Raddish
What we need in our country are guns, guns, and more guns.
The Second Amendment states "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
The greatest fear of any Marxist totalitarian government is gun toting citizens. This country was not founded, conquered and settled by hippies giving the peace sign to defeat the Indians, French troops, and English soldiers, but patriotic and rugged farmers and frontiersman opened America to be settled with an axe to clear the land and a gun to protect what they had built. During this time of American history sons, daughters, and mothers were taught to shoot a gun by the fathers in order to protect and provide for the household. This is an excellent example for fathers to follow today. After America gained a toehold on the Eastern part of this country the Westward expansion would have never taken place without "the right of the people to keep and bear arms."
Widespread Planned Voter Fraud
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
It is quite apparent that the Obama Administration and the Democratic Party are planning for massive voter fraud to ensure the reelection of Barack Obama and return as many Democrats as possible to Congress. Who would have thought as recent as five years ago that such a thing was possible in our country, much less highly probable.
Americans are living in unprecedented times. At no time since “Reconstruction” has there been such blatant, unrestricted, abuse of power, tolerance of fraud, corruption and lawlessness in the federal government.
Greenville Charter School Welcomes Students at New Location
- By Press Release
Lead Academy, a local charter school catering to grades five through eight, welcomes new and returning students for the fall at their new location. To accommodate enrollment growth, the school now operates out of the Upstate Circle of Friends building located on Ridgeway Drive in Greenville.
The school commemorated their success with a ribbon cutting ceremony this summer at the new facility. Representative Karl Allen and Greenville County Council Chairman, Butch Kirvin attended the ceremony, praising the school for their commitment to providing quality education opportunities to upstate children.
My Time Examined
- By James "Chip" Moore
Reflection of a summer internship with The Times Examiner
Writing has always been a passion of mine. It is the effect that reading has on the brain that has built my interest with it. While someone is reading, for that brief period of time, they are thinking the writer’s thoughts. As an educated man I value my discernment and value my search for truth. In the beginning writing was a hobby and was used to express my imagination, but now it has become more than that.
As an aspiring fiction writer I felt that furthering my education in writing would be the best way to gain credibility when it was time to acquire a publisher. Attention to my writing while gaining my business degree led me to enroll in the Print Media program at North Greenville University when I moved back to South Carolina. My Grandfather was a student and my step-sister was also enrolled at the time. I like to think that the Lord opened the path for me to continue my education at the university.
Rick Warren Denies Support of Chrislam
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Warren Insists “Building a Bridge of Love” to Muslims “Has Nothing to do With Compromising Your Beliefs”
One reader took exception to Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, and author of The Purpose Driven Life, being listed as a supporter of “Chrislam” in last week’s Opinion to Stimulate the Mind. Some followers of Pastor Warren consider The Purpose Driven Life being second only to the Bible as a guide for Christian living.
The reader was very helpful in providing information reportedly from Warren and his supporters, denying numerous allegations and opinions that Warren subscribes to and promotes Chrislam.
Greenville County Names Two Emerging Teachers of the Year
- By Press Release
In addition to naming Will Ragland, Woodmont High drama teacher, the 2012-13 Greenville County Teacher of the Year, Superintendent W. Burke Royster today announced two Emerging Teachers of the Year.
Angie Lewis, a third grade teacher at Skyland Elementary School, was named the Elementary Level Emerging Teacher of the Year, while Adrienne Johnston, Spanish teacher at Riverside Middle School, was named Secondary Level Emerging Teacher of the Year.
The Emerging Teachers of the Year Program, sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union, recognizes a second or third year teacher for outstanding performance. Each winner receives $500, a crystal award, and $500 for their school.
Roof Raisers Succeed in Bluegrass Band Benefit
- By Tammy Johnston
On Saturday, August 11, the Roof Raiser Volunteers for the River Falls Fire Department sponsored a Bluegrass Band Benefit at Lakemont Colony, in Cleveland, South Carolina, benefiting the River Falls Fire Department. Rain came slowly then poured down, but that did not stop over 250 people from enjoying this charitable event.
Two Bluegrass Bands came and performed Mountain Creek Bluegrass featuring Mike Elrod and Josh Johnson’s group. “Both groups provided wonderful music for free for us to listen to. I went up and thanked them for their time and contribution,” says Pat McCain, Wellness Specialist, and Nurse from the area. It was calming and relaxing listening to the beautiful sounds of banjos and guitars with the local community, smiling and talking with each other… coming together to support each other to raise money for this important cause.
Woodmont High School Teacher Named Greenville County Teacher of the Year
- By Press Release
Greenville County Schools Superintendent W. Burke Royster announced the selection of Will Ragland, a drama teacher at Woodmont High School, the 2012-13 Greenville County Teacher of the Year.
Sherryan Yarbrough, a kindergarten teacher at Blythe Academy of Languages, was named first runner-up; Rex Smith, a science teacher at League Academy of Communication Arts, was named second runner-up; and Abigail Cook, a chemistry teacher at Wade Hampton High, was named third runner-up.
Six other finalists were named in this year’s program that exemplifies the “best of the best” in Greenville County Schools. They are: Matt Critell, kindergarten, Fork Shoals School; Jillian Grimsley, fifth grade, Stone Academy of Communication Arts; Jessica Jackson, special education, West Greenville School; Brian Morgan, art, Duncan Chapel Elementary; Sara Newell, fifth grade, Sterling School; and Jennifer Valenti, eighth grade Spanish, Northwood Middle.
After the Shooting, We’re Still Standing
- By Tony Perkins
Family Research Council
On Wednesday, FRC was the target of what the FBI is calling an act of domestic terrorism. A gunman, identified as Floyd Corkins, invaded our headquarters in Washington, D.C. armed with a 9mm pistol, approximately 50 rounds of ammunition, and 15 Chick-fil-A sandwiches. The gunman was confronted by an unarmed member of the FRC staff, Leo Johnson. When the gunman pulled the gun from his backpack and aimed the weapon at Leo, Leo moved toward the gunman to disarm him. Despite being shot in the process, Leo was able to subdue the shooter and call for others on the staff, who helped admirably. One of the investigators, based on their preliminary findings, told me Leo's actions saved a lot of lives.
J. C. Penney Sales Slide, Stock Drops as Customers Stay Away
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Management Blames Pricing, Denies Impact of Boycott
The Associated Press has reported that J. C. Penney has experienced an unexpected slide in sales and a drop in stock prices. Management is attributing the losses in business to a new pricing strategy that is unpopular with customers. The report printed in the local daily newspaper failed to mention the ongoing “One Million Mom” boycott of the retail chain.
J. C. Penney’s problems with customers began early this year when the retail chain hired openly lesbian Ellen DeGeneres as spokesperson and began portraying same-sex couples in their advertisements.
Freedom Focused
- By Harry Kibler
There are few South Carolinians that haven’t heard about the ballot fiasco that emerged during the current election cycle. For many voters in South Carolina the issue has become so complex and difficult to follow that they’ve simply given up on making sense of it. For those that have followed the controversy and have a basic understanding, they have engaged the battle to maintain a choice between the incumbent and a challenger.
A single incumbent, Senator Jake Knotts of Lexington County, fearing a competitive race, challenged the legal filing status of his opponent, Katrina Shealy. When the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that Shealy had not properly filed paperwork she was removed from the ballot. The court’s decision prompted a firestorm of other challengers being removed from the ballot. It also revealed the inability of incumbents to correct a problem they created. The end result was more than 200 challengers being removed from the June Primary ballot. No incumbents were entangled in the paperwork mess because they had created an exemption for themselves to avoid the requirement.
On Top of North Carolina
- By Terry M. Thacker
In the house in which I grew up there was a door frame that had accumulated a lot of pencil marks over the years. It was where our dad would measure our height from time to time so that we could see how much we had grown since the last time we had been measured. It was always a thrill for me to see that I had gotten taller, even if it was only by a sixteenth of an inch or so.
A road trip that I took this past Thursday made me hearken back to those days because, for just a few minutes, I stood taller than anyone else east of the Rocky Mountains. More on that in a minute.
I recently joined James Spurck, the managing editor of The Times Examiner, and his family for a day trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our main destination for the day was Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak in the eastern United States.
Governor Nikki Haley Earns Speaking Role at the Republican National Convention
- By Press Release
Governor Nikki Haley has been asked to speak at the Republican National Convention, to be held August 27-30th in Tampa.
Speaking at the Republican National Convention is a high honor and Governor Haley's remarks will undoubtedly shine a positive spotlight on South Carolina. The nation and world will get to see why South Carolina is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Will you contribute $20.12 in Governor Haley's honor today, so that we may continue the fight against Barack Obama and the liberal Democrats?
Travelers Rest Area Celebrates Spirit ‘45
- By Gilbert Scales
The United States Congress passed a resolution in 2010, stating that the second Sunday in August would be a celebration of national unity and our appreciation for the men and women who were in the military during World War II. World War II officially ended in August 1945. The war in Europe ended May 8, 1945, but the Japanese did not officially surrender until September 2, 1945.
Sunday, August 12th, being the second Sunday in August, the Travelers Rest community celebrated the annual “Spirit ‘45" at the Reedy River Baptist Church. More than 300 guests attended the celebration program, which included 24 WWII veterans.
River Falls Firefighters Saving Lives … What Are We Doing for Them?
- By Tammy Johnston
River Falls Firefighters are losing their fire station…two months ago the roof of their station dropped dramatically and the ceiling bowed in the middle of the bay area where their shiny red fire trucks sit, ready to rescue an injured person in the Marietta area. Walls have shifted, windows cracked, and trusses dropped a foot…1st one loose and then came the domino effect…boom, boom, boom…. “Contractors have said this building is dangerous and it is going to fall in,” affirms David Embry, River Falls Fire Chief. Now the firehouse is unsafe for these heroes to serve this area.
These firefighters, both men and women ages 13 to 70, volunteer their time to serve this area of 4,000 plus residents every second of the day.
Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice May Return to Bench
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Roy Moore Won Republican Primary, Leads in Polls over Democrat Opponent
It appears that former Alabama Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore is headed back to his old job.
We recall that Moore was removed from his elected post by a federal judge for refusing to follow an order to remove the Ten Commandments from the Supreme Court building.
Alabama voters are allowed to elect their Supreme Court justices. Moore has filed for the office, won the Republican primary over two well-financed opponents and now is the Republican candidate on the ballot for the November 6, General Election. His Republican opponents were incumbent Judge Chuck Malone and Former State Attorney General Charlie Graddick.
“From My Cold, Dead Hands”
- By W. H. Lamb
Most of us have seen the famous photo of the late, great Charlton Heston as he held his reproduction musket and uttered the famous words; “From my cold, dead hands.” Long one of my heroes, Heston was a friend of our Second Amendment firearm liberties for most of his life, and as President of the National Rifle Association for 5 years he stood firm and strong in his support of our Constitutional liberties, constantly reminding all of us that without the Second Amendment, our First Amendment freedoms could soon be taken from us. In that, he was most certainly correct.
The NEA Shows Its Politics
- By Phyllis Schlafly
Political conversation on the media is full of chatter about how to cut spending and debt, but it reminds us of the comment attributed to Mark Twain: Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it. There’s a lot of talk about how to cut back on entitlements, but why doesn’t somebody suggest cutting the extravagant federal dollars spent on education, which is not even an entitlement?
The billions spent on education have not achieved any of their designated goals, which were to raise the test scores and to close the gap between kids from upper-income and lower-income families. The handouts, however, produced a lot of cheating by teachers and administrators trying to hide their failure to achieve designated goals.
The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment Revisited
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
After briefly mentioning The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America’s Future, by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic Jew, in this space last week, I was in for a surprise a few days later. On Thursday evening I was fortunate to be one of about 20 people who were invited guests of a Greer couple. They presented the video documentary version of the Harbinger. The video is titled, The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment. Those present engaged in an interesting discussion afterward.
PFC Adam Corey Ross Buried at Wood Memorial Gardens
- By Gilbert Scales
Thursday afternoon the chartered plane carrying the body of PFC Adam Corey Ross from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, landed at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport and then taxed toward the FedEx Terminal.
PFC Adam Ross, 19, was fatally wounded while on patrol in Wardak, Afghanistan on July 24th.
An Honor Guard of SC National Guard soldiers escorted the flag-draped coffin to the Wood Mortuary hearse. More than 200 members of the Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders on motorcycles with flags escorted the hearse to the Wood Mortuary in Greer.
Chick-fil-A Receives Outpouring of Support for Biblical Stand on Marriage
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
When Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told a reporter that he subscribed to the Biblical view of marriage between one man and one woman, little did he know what was to come. The entire liberal establishment went on the attack. Left to their devices, they would have destroyed a wonderful company created by a self-made man and his sons based on Biblical principles. The food outlets are closed on Sundays, the employees are courteous, the food is tasty and customers are loyal.
When former Arkansas Governor and Baptist preacher turned Fox talk show host suggested that Wednesday, August first be Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, Americans responded. They responded by the thousands.
Defense Budget Cuts Leave Americans Vulnerable
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Sequestra-tion mechan-ism will lead to “Inability to Defend the Nation”
Billions of dollars in automatic spending cuts are scheduled to hit the Defense Department beginning next January. These cuts, amounting to half of the total $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts over the next decade, would result in the “smallest Air Force in the history of the United States, the smallest Navy since 1940, and the smallest Army since 1915.
“Those cuts, in the words of the secretary of defense and all our uniformed leaders, would jeopardize our national security. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said it would be devastating,” said Senator John McCain last week in an interview with NEWSMAX intended: “to warn the country of the devastating effects of this sequestration and, literally, our inability to defend the nation.”
Obama is Only a Symptom of What Ails America
- By James Aldridge - Anderson, SC
On 4/28/10, an article in the Prague newspaper Prager Zeitung from the Czech Republic stated America's obvious problem: "The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool; but, It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools, such as those who made him their president."
We Must Heed the Harbingers!
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
“Ultimately, we don’t have a crime problem or a gun problem – or even a violence problem. What we have is a sin problem. And since we ordered God out of our schools and communities, the military, and public conversations, you know, we really shouldn’t act so surprised when all hell breaks loose.”
That was Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and candidate for president speaking on his FOX television program following the Aurora, Colorado, movie massacre. Huckabee is also an ordained Southern Baptist Preacher and is speaking from a biblical perspective.
Ruby Lucille Beacham Howard Last Survivor of Fourteen Siblings
- By Press Release
Ruby Lucille “Lucy” Beacham Howard, 94, formerly of 1254 Camp Creek Road, died July 28, 2012, at The Cottages at Brushy Creek in the loving care of her family and the staff in Lilac Cottage where she was a resident. She celebrated her 94th birthday on July 1 with a birthday party given in her honor and in the presence of many family members and friends.
A native of Greenville County, she was the widow of Melvin Gurley Howard, whom she married late in her life. She was the daughter of Rev. Hartwell and Lou Della Burgess Beacham and the last surviving member of her family She was a graduate of Mountain View High School and a former employee of Homelite. Mrs. Howard was a charter member of Praise Cathedral Church of God and was an active member up until recently when she was no longer able to attend. She loved her church and the many friends whom she cherished. She was a 40-year member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Hampton-Lee Chapter #1281 serving as president for twelve years.
Langley Installed as First Lt. Commander, 16th Regiment SCV
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Commander David Wright, above left, gives the oath of office to Doug Langley as First Lt. Commander of the 16th Regiment, Sons of Confederate Veterans in Greenville. The camp consists of approximately 200 members who are direct descendants of Confederate Veterans. The camp owns and operates the Library and Museum of Confederate History at 15 Boyce Avenue in Greenville. Thousands of adults and students from the Upstateand around the world visit the Library and Museum each year. Admission is free. For hours of operation and group tours,call (864) 421-9039.
Primary Ballot Fiasco Continues in Palmetto State
- By James "Chip" Moore
Brown informs of legal battles
“This election cycle is one of the most critical that we’ve faced,” said attorney Stephen Brown as he spoke during the Greenville County Republican Women’s luncheon on July 26th, 2012.
Brown informed of the legal battles that are currently going on in Columbia as the general election approaches. As a representative of petition candidate Ed Harris, Brown has first-hand experience of the actions being taken to keep candidates off of the ballot. After 20 years of experience in politics, Brown sees this as a very critical time, not only in our state history, but our national history. Being a part of the legal battle taking place, Brown doesn’t think that everything will be resolved by November 6th, 2012.
White House Security Leaks “Devastating to National Security”
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Graham told FOX News’ Greta Van Susteren that the leaks are “the most devastating event in our national security in decades,” and has led to intelligence operatives and their families being withdrawn from Yemen.
Legacy Charter School adds Fred Crawford
- By Press Release
Education leader brings track record of charter school success
Legacy Charter School announced the hiring of veteran Greenville educator Fred Crawford as executive director of the school’s Elementary Campus and Parker Campus.
Crawford comes from Greenville Technical Charter High School, where he served as principal for 10 years. Greenville Tech Charter was the first charter school in South Carolina to be named a National Blue Ribbon School and in 2007 was honored as a National Charter School of the Year by the Center for Education Reform.
Charles (Charlie) Waller, “The Grand Ole Gospel Man”
- By Keith Crowe
When I began to write “The Gospel Music Corner,” I said that not only would the feature be about groups and artists but also about folks who had made an impact on the gospel music industry. This week’s feature is without question about one person who has impacted the gospel music industry nationwide, as well as the upstate, as much if not more than any other person.
This person is Charles (Charlie) Waller, “The Grand Ole Gospel Man.” Charlie is one of the more colorful people in Southern Gospel Music. He loves traditional Southern Gospel Music and works tirelessly to promote and preserve it. Charlie was born in 1948 (a very good year) in Waynesboro, Mississippi. Today he divides his time between Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Georgia.
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