Accident Scene

Council Holds

Public Hearings

  Saluda County Council held public hearings on the Saluda Schools and Country budget Mon., June 19.

  No one spoke at either hearing.

  Council will hold a called meeting on Mon., June 26, to give final readings to both budget ordinances.

  Also, at the meeting Council voted to disperse $575,000 in reserve funds - $30,000 to vehicle reserve for the emergency training trailer, for which a grant has been applied; $250,000 to the heavy equipment reserve for lease payments, etc.; $75,000 for the ambulance reserve; and the rest to the coroner’s building.

  Amelia M. Herlong was appointed to the Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term of Bill Spearman. Steve A. Mills was appointed to the Planning Commission.

Man Dies From

Accident Injuries

  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office reported a one vehicle collision occurred on March 21, 2023 in the town of Ridge Spring in Saluda County.    The driver of the vehicle, Mr. Paul Robinson, age 72, of Saluda County, sustained injuries and was transported by Saluda EMS to Augusta University.  Mr. Robinson died of complications at AU in Augusta, GA on the morning of March 23, 2023.  

  The results of the autopsy were delayed, but determined Mr. Robinson died of complications related to his injuries sustained in the collision.  The collision is being investigated by the SC Highway Patrol and Saluda County Coroner’s Office.  

  The Coroner’s Office extends its sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Robinson.

July 6th Paper A Day Late

Due to July 4th falling on Tuesday, the day we normally pick up the paper in Greenwood, we will pick-up and mail the paper on Wed., July 5.

THANKS

Plant Expansion

Local Industry Announces
$100  Million Expansion

  Palmetto Gourmet Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary of Borealis Foods, producing high-protein, nutritious, low-cost ramen meals, June 8 announced an $100 million expansion over the next five years to construct new facilities and install a solar power infrastructure.
  The expansion, which will help meet the growing global demand for the company’s products, includes:
  •Building of additional factories – including a dedicated gluten-free ramen facility;
  •Launching of new gluten-free meals and healthy high-protein snacks; and
  •Construction of a solar power plant with the goal of powering Palmetto Gourmet Food’s facilities with 100 percent renewable energy.  
  “We are pleased to announce the next phase in growing our successful food technology company, which will expand our ability to meet a critical need for many people in the U.S. and around the world: access to nutritious, high-protein meals at an affordable price,” said Palmetto Gourmet Foods co-founder and CEO Reza Soltanzadeh. “And we are pleased to fulfill this mission while at the same time creating facilities that are highly sustainable.”
  Palmetto Gourmet Foods, headquartered in Saluda, has grown from start-up in 2019, to approximately 300 employees today in its 220,000 square foot plant. It expects to hire another 700 by 2028. The expansion is expected to allow Palmetto to fulfill its mission to produce a billion meals per year in its South Carolina facilities. Since its inception, $100 million has been invested toward building the company into a leading healthy food technology company, producing innovative, sustainable ramen noodles under the Ramen Express and Chef Woo brands – and toward establishing it as a leading U.S.-based maker of high-protein ramen products.
  In addition to the new gluten-free product factory, Palmetto Gourmet Foods will expand its Ramen Express and Chef Woo product lines at its existing facility, scaling production from its current capacity of 600 million meals per year to more than one billion meals annually.
  “A key part of Palmetto's success stems from the collaborative relationships that it has with key U.S. retailers like Walmart, who share a commitment to sustainable innovation, and U.S.-based manufacturing,” said Soltanzadeh. “The collaborations continue as we further expand our range of plant-based, high-protein, low-cost ramen sustainably sourced and made in the U.S.”
  Said U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, whose district includes Saluda County, where Palmetto Gourmet Foods is located: “South Carolina’s Third District is a great place for businesses to start, thrive, and expand. I’ve had the opportunity to visit many of the wonderful businesses in our area, including Palmetto Gourmet Foods, one of our many growing businesses. When our local businesses do well, so does our community.”
  Palmetto Gourmet Foods’ facility is expected to be powered by a solar plant that is expected to be operational in 2025. Sustainability has been a hallmark of Palmetto Gourmet Foods since its inception. The company’s products and packaging are already among the most sustainably produced in the food industry, according to a lifecycle analysis study conducted by the University of Michigan.
  “Sustainability is fully integrated into all the parts of our business – from our operations to the packaging and the product itself,” said Soltanzadeh. “We fully understand that our customers, our retail partners, and the wider community expect their favorite brands to be environmentally responsible – it’s a commitment we take seriously.”
  About Palmetto Gourmet Foods Palmetto Gourmet Foods (www.palmettogf. com), located in Saluda, S.C., is an innovator and producer of the world’s first high protein organic ramen noodle, sold under the Chef Woo brand as well as producer of the popular Ramen Express brand. Both products are available nationwide in more than 20,000 stores, including major retailers such as Walmart, Costco and others. These products are also being exported coast-to-coast in Canada, with growing international demand. Palmetto Gourmet Foods is one of the fastest-growing food companies in the U.S. and is the first American producer of innovative sustainable, plant-based ramen noodles.
  With a focus on sus-tainability, the company strives to partner with local and environmentally friendly suppliers and use recyclable packaging. With its Chef Woo product, Palmetto Gourmet Foods is supported by retailers such as Costco and Walmart in developing an affordable, convenient, shelf-stable and planet-friendly instant protein meal that can help in the fight against protein malnutrition, both domestically and on a world scale.

JAYCEES DONATE BALL PARK - The Saluda Jaycees presented the 12-acre Jaycee Ballfield complex to Saluda County and the Recreation Department Mon., June 12, at the Council meeting. Picture, L to R, are Recreation Director William Wideman, Jaycee President Brandy Cromley, and Councilman Jack Atkinson. (Photo by Britni Miller)

Sheriff Pleads For Better
Pay For His Employees

  Saluda County Sheriff Josh Price issued a plea to County Council Mon., June 12, to increase the salaries of his staff.
  Price said he is continually losing staff to area counties and municipalities that pay more that Saluda County. He gave each council member a folder containing letters of resignation from his former staff members.
He says about half of the staff still with the department are working a second job to support their families.
Afgter 11 years  as a deputy and the last three years as Sheriff, Price said “This is my home. To serve in law enforcement you have to want to help others and that’s what my job is all about helping people.”
  “We are seeing other agencies are paying higher salaries and they’re coming in recruiting our employees, because we can’t offer the kind of salaries our surrounding counties offer.”
  “Since I  took office, salaries have been a priority. I’ve had multiple meetings, warning the county council if we do not step up our pay and pay the men and women who risk their lives every day to keep us safe and give them the salary they deserve, we are slowly losing employees, and that’s what is finally starting to happen.”
  Price said the Town of Saluda starts new police officers between $40-50,000.
  “You can’t  blame our people for wanting to work there. We can’t compete.”
  He added the County EMS offers salaries that can attract employees from other counties.
  Price asked council to reconsider the budget, by postponing special projects that  are not a need but are a want, and putting emphasis on law enforcement in Saluda County.
  “Let’s pay our men and women what they deserve,” he said.
  The County Recreation Department got a big boost, when the Saluda Jaycees gave the 12-acre Jaycee  Ballfield complex on West Wheeler Circle to the county.
  Jaycee President Brandy Cromley presented the deed to Councilman Jack Atkinson, chairman of the Council’s Recreation Committee. Also present was Recreation Director William Wideman.
  Dr. Dennis Lambries, Saluda County’s representative on the Piedmont Tech Area Commission thanked Council for the county’s continued support for the college.
  Council gave third and final reading to Ordinance No. 06-23, an ordinance allowing the Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority to decrease its boundaries. This will allow the Saluda Commission of Public Works to provide water and sewer to the county Commercial Park on the Columbia Hwy.
  First reading was given to an ordinance adopting the declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions for the Saluda County Com
merce Park.
  A resolution passed ting juror pay for county court, magistrate court and coroner’s court at $15 per day.
  A resolution clarifying the commencement date for Catalina Solar was passed. This has to do with a fee in lieu of property taxes.
  A resolution approving an amendment to the Aiken-Saluda Industrial Park was approved.
  Council voted to accept the low bid of $71,995 from Summers Construction Co. to  building a short-term animal shelter for the county. This will be used until the permanent shelter is constructed in Edgefield County. It will also be used as temporary housing for animls picked up by the animal control officer.
  Donald Kneece was appointed to the  Behavioral Health Board.
  Reappointed to the Fire Board were Austin Rodgers of the Ridge Spring Fire Department, with Russell Derrick as the alternate; and Tim Taylor of the Saluda Fire Department, with Randall Porter as alternate.
  After an executive session, Council voted to appoint Bill Spearman as planning advisor, starting immediately.

Alumnus Speaks

Alumnus Delivers Commencement Address

  Marine 2nd Lt. Curtis “Curt” Berry was the commencement speaker at Saluda High School’s graduation on Sat., June 3.
  Berry is a graduate of Saluda High School class of 2011 and Clemson University 2015, 2018 where he achieved a bachelor's in Pre-Veterinary medicine and Master's in Agricultural Education.
  After graduation, he decided to do something he’d always dreamed about, being a military pilot, so he joined the Marine Corps.
  His speech began:
  “December 17, 1903: thousands of people flowed into the fishing town of Kitty Hawk, NC. Trains, horse and wagon, the earliest of automobiles brought in curious crowds of what would be in their eyes, a magnificent feat of innovation, physics, and design. Reporters and photographers filed in from all over the country to be the first to catch the full story. Upon their first attempted flight, the Wright brothers sailed their invention over a mile with plenty of time in the air before it settled down smoothly.
  Is this really what happened? Not at all. Their first powered attempt here only stayed airborne for 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet. That’s only a third of a football field. There was also a far from a crowd of spectators. Only 5 people watched other than Wilbur and Orville: most of them being a primitive form of a, “crash crew”.
  Good morning, Saluda high school class of 2023. I would like to go ahead and say congratulations to you graduates, faculty and staff, and every family member or supporter in attendance today. I know it’s been a long road and each one of you have been very excited to get to this point in your life.
  Today we’re learning to fly. And no, don’t worry, we’re not having physics class this morning. Big concepts when you initially learn to fly are lift/weight and thrust/drag. These are all counter-opposing forces and have to overcome each other to have successful flight designs.”
  He then explained weight/drag,thrust and lift, using examples of how they correlate with life.
  “We’ll start with the portions you have to overcome: Drag is a rearward force on the aircraft caused by disruption of airflow over the wing and other impeding surfaces on the aircraft.  Weight is the force that pulls the aircraft downward towards the center of the earth because of mass and the effects of gravity.
   Graduates: Believe it or not, the world can be pretty nasty out there… Most of you have already come to find that out in one way or another. Some of you have had it better than others in your life, some worse. Whenever you walk out the gates of this football field, however, you’re going to find yourself in the giant equalizer. Those of you who thought you were cool, wealthy, trendy or just overall hot stuff; you’re about to get a wake-up call. Those of you who are a little nerdy, weird, quirky in your own way; you’re about to find out that there are a lot more of you out there. There is a lot the world has to offer all of you that Saluda does not.
  Thrust is the forward force or motion produced by some form of propulsion system. Thrust opposes drag. Although the Wright brothers became pretty good at gliding, one reason for their whole challenge was to create powered flight. There were already combustion engines in the world, but none designed for this purpose. The Wrights built their own lightweight twelve horsepower engine to create thrust with their aircraft prototype. What a challenge these two overcame by putting their good ideas and skills together to create something new.
  How are you going to create thrust for your aircraft? Your life? What skills and hard work are you going to put to use in your future? A good start is by doing the little things every day. The things we may not think about or may not find important. When I was at officer candidate school, I asked a prior enlisted in my fireteam, “Jacob, why do we have to pull these IP’s (Irish pendants) off of our uniform? Is it really such a big deal?” He replied, “Curt, probably not. There’s unlikely any tactical significance in removing them. However, as a Marine, if you can’t do the little things like have your uniform squared away, how are you going to do the big things correctly?”
  Lift is the upward force produced by a certain amount of airflow forced over the airfoil, better known as wings. Through proper aircraft design and excess thrust, you create enough lift to overcome the forces of weight and gravity. After years of experimenting with design, creating a propulsion system strong enough to push through the drag, and the right conditions, they created enough lift to achieve flight.
  Now for a time of reflection. Who has lifted you up until this point? Who has helped lay the groundwork for your future. I know many of your teachers have poured their talents and care into you to mold a design strong enough to hold up to what is to come intellectually. Your family has been there too. Moms, dads, grandparents; they fed you over the years just as birds provide food for their young. They built the nest in order for you to have an environment for you to physically grow up and grow strong enough to finally flap your wings. Make sure to thank the people who have gotten you this far in life. A heart of gratitude goes a long way within yourself and with others.
  Furthermore, how are you going to lift others up? Neither of the Wright brothers did it by themselves. They were there working together the whole time. I’m sure they held each other accountable and lifted each other up in times of need. Share kindness with the world. Be there for others when they need a hand. There’s a quote hanging in my late-grandfather’s shop that states, “to have a friend, be one.” It’s simple as that. You never know when you’ll need that helping hand.
  -Be yourself. It’s okay to be a little weird or different. Many of you have seen that birds look nowhere near the same when they hatch as when they’re mature.  You’ll find your place in the world one day. Be unapologetically yourself and things will be a lot easier in life. People will like you for the real you, not some fake version of yourself you try to portray.
  -Exercise extreme ownership and honesty within yourself. Nothing will get better in life if you’re not able to pinpoint what you are doing wrong. If you lie to yourself or never own your mistakes, you won’t be able to improve the things you are lacking in order to learn from your failures.
  -Just go do it. Whatever you want to do with your life (in a healthy, reasonable sense). Don’t take no for an answer until it’s the last moment and there are physical limitations of why. I wouldn’t take no for an answer when the military told me I may not pass a flight physical because of reconstructive ear surgery when I was a child. They ran tests and wrote me a waiver.  If someone tells you no, ask them why. Don’t chase other people’s dreams, chase your own. That’s what I had to do.
  Class of 2023, you’ve spent these 18 years or so learning how weight and drag of the world acts on you. You’ve learned things to be able to thrust yourself forward into the reality you want to create for yourself and your future. You’ve been lifted up until this point in your life and have an opportunity to share gratitude and lift up others in the future. Graduates, it’s time to spread those wings of yours, step off the ledge, and learn to fly.