'One bad thorn' Not voting means 'yes' in Clemson - Upstate Today

The Journal

Vol. 115 No. 215

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

1$ 00

EVERYDAY SUPPORT: Daniel Foundation working to meet students' needs. B1 STILL IN THE DARK: Frustration rises amid more blackouts in California. D1

FUN IN THE

WINNING

Clemson DE Rudolph

produces tackles and laughs. C1

WALHALLA

Walhalla mayoral candidates talk spending priorities

BY NORM CANNADA THE JOURNAL

WALHALLA -- While officials say about half of the more than $8 million in city of Walhalla reserve accounts is expected to stay in those accounts because of the bond issued for the city's water plant now under construction, some of those funds could be used in the next four years.

In less than a week, one of four men -- Tjay Bagwell, Randy Chastain, Danny Edwards or Dennis Owens -- will be chosen to lead the city as mayor

Bagwell

Chastain

for the next four years. The Journal asked them to discuss budget priorities if they win the city election on Nov. 5.

Bagwell said that while much of the money in reserve accounts is needed to protect the city's bond rating while the new water plant is being

OUR VIEW

TO READ A RELATED EDITORIAL, TURN TO PAGE A4.

Edwards

Owens

built, "we do have excess funds."

"I would like to put a plan in place that gets input of the citizens and the business leaders, along with the council and the department heads that over the next 3-5 years we prioritize using those excess funds in a way that

will return the investment," Bagwell said. "That would be specifically things that increase revenue streams. If we can get new construction in town, that will increase our tax base and increase hospitality taxes and business licenses."

Following that, Bagwell

SEE CANDIDATES, PAGE A5

Debate set for tonight

BY NORM CANNADA THE JOURNAL

WALHALLA -- The four men who want to be Walhalla's next mayor will meet tonight in a debate at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center.

The event is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. at the center,

located at 101 E. North Broad St. The public is invited to attend and submit written questions for the candidates to be considered by debate moderator Brett McLaughlin, retired editor of The Journal.

McLaughlin said he

SEE DEBATE, PAGE A5

CLEMSON

It's a dirty job ... but somebody has to do it

SENECA

`What could be'

City unveils conceptual plan for downtown area

BY NORM CANNADA THE JOURNAL

SENECA -- Seneca City Council members saw a vision Tuesday night of what downtown could look like in the future with an amphitheater, splash pad, more parks, a city stage and a more pedestrian-friendly downtown.

The ideas are part of a conceptual downtown

master plan presented at Tuesday's council work session. City administrator Scott Moulder stressed the plan is conceptual and would likely change as council and the public respond to it.

Shannon Calloway of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture presented the plan to council. His

SEE DOWNTOWN, PAGE A5

PHOTOS BY SAVANNAH BLAKE | THE JOURNAL

A Clemson public works employee holds out the city's Meat Off Street punchcard, which gives employees the opportunity to earn a free lunch by picking up dead animals from city roads.

Clemson's Meat Off Street program continuing to thrive

BY GREG OLIVER THE JOURNAL

CLEMSON -- A program that began six years ago in an effort to get dead animals off the street continues to thrive in Clemson, according to the city's public works director.

Meat Off Street began in 2013 in an effort to incentivize the efforts of public works employees in picking up deer, raccoon, possums, squirrels, birds, groundhogs, chipmunks -- and even the occasional coyote. Each employee is issued a wallet-sized card containing six punches that they can turn into a free lunch once the card is filled.

"It's still working out well," public works director David Conner said. "Most of what we pick up are indigenous wildlife. I can't remember the last time we picked up a dog that was dead in the road."

Although he no longer keeps a running count, Conner said a couple of years ago that close to 600 dead animals had been removed from city streets since the program's inception. Additional punches are given to employee cards if workers discover an animal weighing more than 50 pounds or deal with animals considered un-

City of Clemson office assistant Casey Lackey hands public works employee Don Johnson a Meat Off Street punchcard.

pleasant, such as a skunk. But while the program gives an

incentive to workers tasked with performing such a thankless, but necessary job, Conner said the

comments he has received from residents are overwhelmingly positive.

"We have very few complaints

SEE MEAT, PAGE A3

WALHALLA

Stumphouse park expansion opens

BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR THE JOURNAL

WALHALLA -- Phase two of the Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park is now open to the public.

Local officials and dignitaries gathered at the park on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the 6-mile expansion, growing the park from 4 miles to 10.

Walhalla Mayor Danny Edwards cut the ceremonial ribbon at the event held in partnership with the Palmetto Conservation Foundation.

"Ten miles is going to bring a lot of more experienced riders, and it makes it a destination instead of just `Maybe I'll go,'" Edwards

SEE PARK, PAGE A3

SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

Walhalla Mayor Danny Edwards cuts the ribbon Tuesday celebrating a 7-mile expansion at the Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park.

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A2 THE JOURNAL

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

Central bid for at-grade railroad crossing rejected by Norfolk Southern

BY GREG OLIVER THE JOURNAL

CENTRAL -- Efforts

by the town of Central to

install an at-grade cross-

ing from the intersection

of Maw Bridge Road and

Madden Bridge Road

across to S.C. Highway 93

have again been rejected

by Norfolk Southern.

Mayor Mac Martin said

the battle with the rail-

road company "has been

going on for years."

"We've been trying to

get a crossing in, and they

said if we agreed to close

two crossings, they would

give us another crossing,"

Martin said. "We couldn't

proceed unless we agreed

with their point. So, we

agreed to go with a mod-

ern crossing instead of the

SAVANNAH BLAKE | THE JOURNAL

two antiquated crossings Central Mayor Mac Martin points to an area near the intersection of Madden Bridge Road

they had."

and Maw Bridge Road where the town requested an at-grade railroad crossing. Norfolk

Although the town com- Southern turned down the request, however, urging the town to build a bridge instead.

plied with Norfolk South-

ern's request, Martin said Central officials come up plan ahead," he said.

legislative leaders about

the company "turned (the with plans for an alter-

Martin said the cross-

the situation, adding,

request) down and told

nate location they want

ing would be an updated "the letter (from Norfolk

us to build a bridge." In a Norfolk Southern to look version with turn signals, Southern) was pretty

letter to the town, Norfolk at, to "let us know."

turn lanes and sidewalks. final."

Southern engineer for

"It's always a good idea Town administrator Phil-

"At this point in time,

public improvements Jake to bridge over the rail-

lip Mishoe said Central is it didn't look like a useful

Watson said the request

road instead of crossing

just trying to plan ahead thing to do," Martin said.

was rejected

at-grade if pos- for the future.

Town council is looking

for several reasons. He said

`We just

sible," Watson said.

"This isn't something

at a copy of the Norfolk

you ask for when you need Southern email, Martin

need to back there are sight

distance issues

What rankles it, because by then, it's too said, and plans to discuss

the mayor and late," Mishoe said. "We

it at its next work session

in a nearby curve, as tree

up and punt town officials is that Nor-

anticipate we're going to Monday night.

need something like this,

South Carolina Depart-

and see what clearing would

be required to

folk Southern already tore

so we get approval, get it ment of Transportation on the drawing board and assistant resident con-

address and bring it up to a safe standard.

happens.'

one bridge down in the town and has

when the time comes, if

struction engineer Scott

we need it, it's in line.

Baldwin said his depart-

"With the kind of growth ment has yet to be contact-

While that issue could be addressed,

Mac Martin Central mayor

since asked the town to build two bridges,

that's coming around here and the kind of growth we anticipate, that's probably

ed by town officials about an at-grade crossing.

"We have no knowledge

he said one

with the other a wise move."

of any request for this

that could not is that the requested for the front of

When asked how many crossing," Baldwin said.

proposed location is in

Bolick Field. Martin said years it would be before

Mishoe said SCDOT

the full body of a curve

Norfolk Southern officials the at-grade crossing

has not been contacted

with 5 inches of super-el- have been flippant about becomes a reality for

because approval must

evation, meaning the low the issue, knowing full

the town if approval was first come from Norfolk

rail is 5 inches lower than well the cost would be

suddenly given, Martin

Southern. "It's the rail-

the high outside rail and, prohibitive -- as high as replied, "A number of

road's property, so they

therefore, would make it $5 million.

years."

must approve the crossing

"very rough and un-

"We just need to back

"It would be down the

first," Mishoe said.

comfortable crossing for up and punt and see what line," he said.

vehicular traffic." Watson happens," Martin said.

The mayor said the town goliver@ | (864) 973-6687

also cited concerns "that

While there have yet to has not talked lately to its

Follow on Twitter @JournalGO

our ability to maintain

be any accidents in the

the correct track geometry with tight tolerances in this curve would be

Madden Bridge Road-Maw Bridge Road areas, the mayor said traffic conges-

ABLES DRIVING SCHOOL

inhibited by the new crossing."

tion "is getting heavier as time goes along."

Classes Now Forming:

Watson added that if

"We're just trying to

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Salem reschedules planned fall festival

SALEM -- With rain in the forecast on Halloween, Salem has changed the date of its fall festival.

Town clerk Marti Jen-

nings told The Journal that Thursday's event has been pushed back one day to Friday.

The event will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Eagle Ridge ball field.

-- The Journal staff

| CALENDAR |

TODAY

DAV VETERANS advocates Terry Neale (864) 6474227 or (303) 501-4273, Michael Brown (678) 858-6052 or Mike O'Shields (864) 247-1577 will be at the Knights of Columbus meeting hall, 112 E. North 2nd St., Seneca, from 1-5 p.m. to assist veterans with VA benefits. Please bring your DD214 and any other correspondence already received from the VA.

THURSDAY

TRICK OR treating 6-8 p.m. at Residences at Park Place, 115 Gillespie Road, Seneca. (864) 973-4130

GOLDEN CORNER Respite Care for families dealing with dementia from 1-4 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Seneca. Registration required (864) 973-7590 or goldencornerrespitecare@.

FRIDAY

SENECA LIONS Club chicken barbecue 4:30-7 p.m. at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 616 W. Quincy Road, Seneca. $10 ticket includes chicken, beans, slaw, roll, dessert and drink. Eat in or carry out. Tickets can be purchased from any Seneca Lion by calling (864) 710-7534 or at the door.

SATURDAY

WIDOWED PERSONS of Oconee County will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. at El Agave in Seneca. All widowed persons welcome. (864) 719-0483

MONDAY

BOARD OF Anderson-Oconee Behavioral Health Services will meet at 6 p.m. at Joe's Pizza in Clemson.

AMERICAN LEGION Post 120 will meet at 7 p.m. at 575 N. Fairplay St., Seneca. All veterans welcome.

TUESDAY

NEWCOMER CLUB of the Foothills will meet at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 616 Quincy Road, Seneca. Presenters will be Mike White of FOLKS and Prisma Health Hospice of the Foothills.

NAMI AOP support group will meet at 6:15 p.m. with an educational presentation at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Pendleton.

Please join us in welcoming these new subscribers to The Journal family!

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The Journal

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| LOTTERY |

CASH FIVE -- 10/29/19 12 - 23 - 28 - 31 - 33 - 3

S.C. POWERBALL -- 10/26/19 3 - 20 - 48 - 54 - 59 - 4

S.C. PICK THREE -- 10/29/19 Evening: 0 - 0 - 2

S.C. PICK FOUR -- 10/29/19 Evening: 5 - 9 - 5 - 5

| THE WEATHER |

Today

Tonight

Thursday Friday

Saturday Sunday

Rain; winds T-storms; T-storms;

ENE at 5 winds S at 3 winds SSW

mph

mph

at 11 mph

Sunny; winds NNE at 3 mph

Sunny;

Sunny;

winds NW at winds SE at

5 mph

3 mph

High: 67 Low: 64

Low: 64

High: 73 Low: 39

High: 62 Low: 40

High: 63 Low: 38

High: 59 Low: 38

| RIVERS AND LAKES |

Lake

Change (As of 7 a.m. yesterday)

Full pool

Hartwell Lake.. . . . . . . . . 655.69 down .11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 660.0

Lake Keowee . . . . . . . . . . . 97.8 up .3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.0

Lake Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . 473.98 down .08 . . . . . . . . . . . 480.0

Lake Thurmond . . . . . . . . 324.06 down .01 . . . . . . . . . . . 330.0

Lake Jocassee . . . . . . . . . . . 94.8 down .3 . . . . . . . . . . . 100.0

River

Stage/Change

Flood Stage

Tallulah River at Tallulah Falls. 5.28 down .01 . . . . . . . . . . . . n/a

Saluda River at Greenville.. . . . 2.09 down .91 . . . . . . . . . . 12.0

French Broad at Rosman, NC 2.44 down .29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.0

Twelve Mile Creek near Liberty . 1.92 down .06 . . . . . . . . . . . n/a

Chattooga near Clayton.. . . . . . 1.63 down .36 . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.0

Circulation Department hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. | (864) 973-6678

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

A3 THE JOURNAL

PARK: `Genesis of almost 25 years of work' CU employee arrested

FROM PAGE A1

said. "I think this is just going to continue to build into something great. We're fixing to start with Palmetto Conservation on the plan with the next 10 miles. This is just kind of getting things going."

The first phase of the project opened in March 2018.

PCF interim executive director Mary Roe told The Journal the second phase will present more challenging elements for

MEAT: `It really works well'

FROM PAGE A1

experienced riders. "The first part of

Stumphouse is really for beginner to intermediate (riders), it's something you go out with children to introduce to mountain biking. This phase two has a lot of elements and is going to be for those that really enjoy mountain biking," Roe said. "It's going to be a much more advanced kind of experience. There's rock elements and bank elements and a lot of great mountain biking for that higher-end rider.

"It's just adding a tremendous amount of outdoor recreation to the Walhalla community. Walhalla has embraced this because of the ability their residents have to come out and mountain bike and hike. We just saw a whole family head out into the woods, and it's just a magnificent opportunity for this corridor of South Carolina."

Roe said Oconee County

residents can expect to see more out-of-town tourists checking the trail out.

"You're going to find the parking lot filled with license plates from North Carolina and Georgia," she said. "People are going to travel to this. It's a great experience for anyone who comes here and it is an economic driver for the community. Everyone recognizes that, and you have to appreciate that."

S.C. Rep. Bill Whitmire, a former Walhalla mayor, said past city councils dreamed the Stumphouse area would grow into what it is today.

"This is the genesis of almost 25 years of work," he said. "When I was on city council in Walhalla, we had the dream to open the tunnel back up. It's just going to be a great boon not only for Walhalla, but all of Oconee County. I'm extremely excited. We can't

wait to see what's going to happen in the future."

The trail addition offers "something for everybody," State Sen. Thomas Alexander said.

"I think it's great to celebrate this accomplishment and is a significant advancement of the trail. It provides another opportunity for people to come and enjoy Oconee County," he said. "It's vital to the people of Oconee County to have another outdoor experience for them to enjoy. ... I think the main thing is that it's something for everybody.

The next phase of the trail doesn't have a firm timeline, but will take the trail up to 20 miles.

Roe said phase two was funded through the South Carolina Recreation Trails Program and private funds.

She estimated the expansion to cost around $130,000.

BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR

THE JOURNAL

ORANGEBURG -- A Clemson University employee was arrested Monday by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, accused of falsifying more than $8,000 in travel vouchers.

Yolanda Gvette Felder, 43, was charged with obtaining signature/ property under false pretenses, valued at more than $2,000 but less than $10,000.

Felder was released from the Orangeburg County Detention Center on the same day of her arrest on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

Felder worked at the South Carolina Coalition of Math and Science satellite office in Orangeburg and submitted falsified travel voucher documentation between December 2016 and March

2019, obtaining $8,234.03, authorities allege.

"Facts to establish the charge against the defendant are based on department records from the S.C. CoaFelder lition of Math and Science, a forensic audit conducted by Clemson University Internal Auditing confirming the fraud, and documentation provided to SLED by Clemson University Internal Auditing to prove the same," an arrest warrant said. The investigation was requested by the Clemson University Police Department. A Clemson University spokesman had not responded to The Journal's interview request by press time Tuesday.

rmorningstar@ | (864) 973-6685

about dead animals decaying in the street," he said. "We want people to have a positive impression of the city when they enter, rather than seeing dead animals lying around."

Conner said dead animals are picked up throughout the city, whether the road is owned by the state or county.

Participation among public works employees is high, whether they discover the animals while staffing a garbage truck or flatbed. In recent years, there have been a large number of deer discovered, and Conner said skunks require special disposal due to the odor involved.

"We have to do something different with skunks," he said. "If workers are on a garbage truck where they can pack it up tight and get it back on the truck, that's OK."

The public works program said the program was first held on a trial basis to see how it worked. After the initial effort passed, the decision was made to keep it intact.

"If it's not broke, there's no need to fix it," Conner said. "We're not going to try to fix it, because it's working out so well. I'm just thankful it continues to prosper."

Conner said he is surprised more municipalities haven't contacted him about wanting to do a similar program.

"It really works well, and it's because of the wonderful human beings we have here in public works," he said. "When they see something that needs to be done, they're always great about getting out and doing it.

"Our guys really like this program."

Don Johnson, an employee with the public works department for 13 years, said he is appreciative of the way the program recognizes the hard work of employees.

"When we fill up our card, we turn it in to our supervisor and he gives us a gift card to different restaurants," Johnson said. "They really show us appreciation for what we do."

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goliver@ | (864) 973-6687 Follow on Twitter @JournalGO

| ARRESTS |

William Loyd Bray, 37 110 Webb Heights Circle Apt. 4, Seneca Booking Date: 10/28/19 Oconee County Sheriff Harassment-2nd degree

Brian Terrell Segars, 53 10520 Highway 106, Carnesville, Ga. Booking Date: 10/28/19 Oconee County Sheriff Breach of trust with fraudulent intent >$2,000 ................
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