Chairman Remembered

LATE CHAIRMAN REMEMBERED - Late County Council Chairman Jerry Strawbirdge was remembered in Councilman Frank Daniel’s invocation Mon., Feb. 14. Strawbridege’s chair was draped by a black ribbon.

Late County Council
Chairman Remembered

  Saluda County Council remembered their late chairman, Jerry Strawbridge, at the Mon., Feb. 14, meeting.
  Strawbridge’s chair was draped by a black ribbon, and Councilman Frank Daniel remembered the Strawbridge  family in his invocation.
  Daniel, Jack Atkinson, Acting Chairman Justin Anderson and Carey Bedenbaugh all expressed their condolences. Bedenbaugh thanked the many county employees who attended Strawbridge’s funeral the day before at Rehoboth United Methodist Church.
  The meeting began on a public hearing on an ordinance granting a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes for Project Thunder II, and authorizing the expansion of a multi-county business park. No one spoke except an official with the solar company, who volunteered to answer any questions from the council members, but none were asked,
  In the old business, council gave third reading approval of the Project Thunder ordinance,  second reading  to an the ordinance creating and establishing the four single-member election districts for the election of County Council members. It will replace the 2011 ordinance and second reading was given to an ordinance authorizing the expansion of the boundaries of a multi-county business park to include certain parcels of real property comprising the project and to provide for a special source revenue credit agreement by and between Saluda County, and BOJ of WNC, LLC and SC Saluda Main, LLC, with respect to certain economic development property in the county, and other matters related thereto.
  In new business, Council voted to pay the $36,000 employer health insurance increase from contingency.
  Council approved purchasing a used federal/state surplus vehicle from Vehicle Reserve for the coroner’s office, and setting the currently used vehicle aside to serve as a  back-up.
  The Fire Coordinators vehicle was added to the Enterprise Lease Program.
  Being the meeting was held on Valentine’s Day, it was adjourned after 20 minutes.

PAST RECIPIENTS - Past recipients of the Saluda County Firefighter of the Year pose with John and Kelly White of State Farm - Kelly White Agency.

TOP HONOR - Lauren Yonce of the Mayson Fire Department was named the Saluda County Firefighter of the Year. The plaqur was presented by Kelly White of State Farm - Kelly White Agency.

Yonce Named Firefighter Of Year

  State Farm-Kelly White Agency was  presented the 2021 the Saluda County Firefighter Award to Lauren Yonce, member of Mayson Fire Department.
  They agency has sponsored the award for the past 24 years. They were also proud to have a reunion of the past recipients.
  Andy Horne received the Rookie SCFS award and Danny Longshore was the SCFS officer of the year.
  The dinner was held at St.Paul UMC in the Family Life Center. The beautiful table decorations were arranged by Julia Wills and Amy Price. Mrs. Wills shared that no one can fill the firefighters boots and we truly all appreciate each firefighter’s dedication and loyal service to each citizen of Saluda County.

Council Chairman Dies

REMEMBERED IN CONGRESS - Third District Congressman Jeff Duncan remembered Saluda County Council Chairman Jerry Strawbridge in a session of the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Strawbridge died Mon., Feb. 7. (YourTube screen capture)

County Council Chairman
Jerry Strawbridge Dies

  Saluda County Council Chairman Raymond "Jerry" Gerald Strawbridge, 79, died at his home, Mon., February 7, losing a battle with cancer.
  Strawbridge is the fourth County Council Chairman since 2004 to either die or resign while in office.
  In 2004 Bernard Horne, 56, died of heart disease just a few weeks into the second year of  his second term.
  Horne’s son Hardee won the special election to succeed Bernard. Hardee Horne completed his father’s term and won re-election. Near the end of this second term he announced he could no seek re-election because of the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act is a United States federal law whose main provision is to prohibit federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity. Horne was at the time employed by the Employment Security Commission.
  In 2010, Don Hancock, a Democrat, took a close 3184-3009 decision over Saluda County Republican Party Chairman Strawbridge for County Council Chairman. Hancock took 51.5 percent of the vote to Strawbridge’s 48.5.
  In his second term, Hancock, 64, died Tues., Aug. 2, 2017, after a more than year long battle with cancer.
  Republican Derrick Jones, a Saluda pastor,  was elected Saluda County Council Chairman Tues., Dec. 19, 2017, defeating Democrat Frank Daniel 961-576 in the special election to fill Hancock’s unexpired term.
  Jones abruptly resigned Fri., Nov. 8., 2019.  In his letter Jones gave no reason for his decision, other than to say it was time to resign.  On Sun., Nov. 10, Jones also resigned as pastor of Saluda Church of God, citing health reasons.
  The special election to fill the unexpired term of Jones was rescheduled several times due to the Corona virus. Strawbridge defeated Democrat Darren Horne for Saluda County Council Chairman Tues., July 14., 2020. The final tally was 1169-521 in Strawbridge’s favor. Strawbridge was sworn into office two days later.
  Strawbridge’s last appearance at a public meeting was in November 2021.
  The candidate filing period for County Council Chair Special Election for Saluda County will open at noon on February 25, 2022, and close at noon on March 5, 2022.
  If any party primary is necessary to determine the party nominee (multiple candidates file for a party nomination), primaries will be held on April 19, 2022. Any necessary runoffs will be held on May 3, 2022.
  Strawbridge was born on July 5, 1942. After graduating from Myrtle Beach High School in 1960, he joined the South Carolina National Guard where he served 40 years. Upon his retirement, he held rank of Sergeant Major for 14 years. He was a Past Master of Pacific Masonic Lodge and member of Saluda Masonic Lodge. He was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 10th Masonic District.
  Strawbridge was previously Chair of the Republican Party of Saluda County, Chair of Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority, and current Chairman of the Saluda County Council. He was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Council, was a Sunday School teacher, and delivered several testimonies of his faith.
  Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Denise Rowsam Strawbridge, three daughters, Angela Thompson (John), Katherine Carter (James) and Ashley Rose (Tyler), one son, Raymond Strawbridge, Jr. (Dawn), five sisters, Dianne Aikman (Michael) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Brenda Joyner (Wayne) of Lugoff, Linda Turbyfill (Arthur) of Lugoff, Margo Brooks (Larry) of Dallas, TX and Barbara Jean Stamper (Ryan) of Mansfield, OH, and seven grandchildren, Jacob, Daniel, Phillip, Lee, Clayton, Mason and Kaylin.
  Services were held Sun., Feb. 13, at Rehoboth.

3837 County COVID
Cases, 56 Deaths

  Saluda County’s COVID-19  cases total 3837 (3,103 actual, 734 probable), with 56 deaths (3793 last week).
  The county had 723 cases per 100,000, classified as a high incidence.  Last week, the figure was   1309 cases per 100,000 with a high incidence rating. Twenty-seven weeks ago, the Saluda County figure was 14.7 cases per 100,000 with a low incidence rating.
  The number of tests given in Saluda County is 40,078. Saluda County.
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following cases (3 weeks): Aiken - 26,034  - 26,900 - 27,290;   Edgefield -   4,618 - 4,764 - 4,856;  Greenwood - 17,988 - 18,839 - 19,163; Lexington - 67,201 - 69,945 - 71,183; Newberry -  9,952 - 10,303 - 10,499.
  Thurs., Feb. 11, 1,647 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by state Department of Health and Environmental Control, with 87 confirmed deaths.
  Positive tests were 13.8%.
  The state total is 1,122,736, with 308,331 probable, and 308,331 deaths and 2,352 probable.
  Be Positive You’re Negative
  DHEC urges South Carolinians to be positive you're negative by routinely getting tested if you're regularly out in the community.  DHEC-sponsored testing is free, doesn't require insurance, and results are available within 72 hours. DHEC's testing options have expanded to include shallow nasal testing, an oral swab, or a saliva test at different locations.
  The local sites giving vaccinations are Emmanuel Family Clinic - Saluda (Public health provider – Rural Health Clinic), 501 West Butler Ave, Saluda, SC 29138.,  the Saluda County Health Department, Mondays and Wednesdays,445-2141, and CVS, appointment, walk-in.

Charlie Foundation

CHARLIE FOUNDATION DONATION - Group on hand for recent manikin demonstration, from left: Saluda County EMS Director Jacob Starnes, Charlyn Staubes of The Charlie Foundation, Saluda School District Superintendent Dr. Harvey Livingston, Ann Coker with The Charlie Foundation, PTC President Dr. Hope E. Rivers, and PTC Paramedic Program Director Steve McDade.

The Charlie Foundation Donates
Medical Manikins to PTC Foundation

  Baby boomers and science fiction fans may remember The Six Million Dollar Man TV series from back in the ‘70s.
  The worldwide hit followed the exploits of a “rebuilt” former astronaut working as a secret agent with robotically enhanced super-abilities. Even today’s techies understand that such an undertaking on any scale would be prohibitively expensive. Enter The Charlie Foundation, which recently donated three high-tech, life-like medical manikins to equip the Piedmont Technical College (PTC) Saluda Campus. The bionic devices can be programmed to speak, to bleed, to be intubated, and more. It is the Saluda-based charity’s largest gift to date.
  “The Charlie Foundation’s generous gift of three advanced patient simulator manikins — one adult, one pediatric, and one infant — provides a significant asset for training emergency medical technician, paramedic, and other health care majors in skills such as CPR, trauma triage, and other acute care duties,” said PTC President Dr. Hope E. Rivers. “These manikins are essential tools helping to train a highly in-demand work-force.”
  The Charlie Foundation was established in 2017 upon the passing of Don Hancock, a two-term chairman of Saluda County Council. Shortly before his death, he also was appointed chairman of the Upper Savannah Council of Governments. Hancock was a steadfast champion for Saluda County. His sisters, Charlyn H. Staubes and Ann H. Coker, now lead the foundation’s board in carrying out its mission of supporting economic development, education, and quality of life in Saluda County.
  “This was Don’s vision,” Ann Coker said. “It was an easy decision because this was money well-spent.”
  PTC Paramedic Program Director, Steve McDade said the tetherless, high-fidelity manikins can mimic many common types of medical emergencies. They are heavy and similar in weight to actual people.
  “They breathe, have a pulse and blood pressure, make heart and lung sounds. They even bleed,” he said. “They afford students a realistic experience performing procedures that include CPR, bag-mask ventilation, defibrillation, applying tourniquets, placing chest tubes, and more in a safe, controlled environment.”
  The manikins were procured from Gaumard Scientific, an industry leader in patient simulators and skills training equipment. For more information about PTC’s Healthcare Programs, visit www.ptc.edu/academics/schools-programs/health-care.

Rabid Skunk Confirmed
in Saluda County

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed that a skunk found near Barr Woods Road and Highway 378 in Saluda, S.C., has tested positive for rabies.
  No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
  The skunk was submitted to DHEC’s laboratory for testing on February 2, 2022, and was confirmed to have rabies on February 3, 2022.
  “To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program Team Leader. “If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or wildlife rehabilitator.” If you believe that you or someone you know has had contact with or been potentially exposed to this or another suspect animal, please reach out to your local Environmental Affairs office. An exposure is defined as direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal. If your pet is found with wounds of unknown origin, please consider that your pet may have been exposed to rabies.
  If you believe that you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this skunk, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC’s Environmental Affairs Aiken office at (803) 642-1637 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).
  It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination which is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. This skunk is the first animal in Saluda County to test positive for rabies in 2022. There have been three cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year. In 2021, none of the 101 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Saluda County.
  Contact information for local Environmental Affairs offices is available at www.scdhec.gov/EAoffices. For more information on rabies visit www.scdhec.gov/rabies or www.cdc.gov/rabies.