First 2023 Council Meeting

SWEARING IN - Pictured above is a screen capture of the swearing in ceremony for Saluda County officers, Council Chairman Jim Moore, Councilman Justin Anderson, Treasurer Tiffany Shaw, and Auditor Memmus Forrest. Councilman Frank Daniel was also sworn in, but was standing out of range of the camera. Michelle Daniels conducted the swearing in.

Council Holds First
Meeting Of New Year

 Saluda County Council held its first meeting of the new year on Mon., Jan. 9.
Jim Moore began his first full term as chairman. He was previously elected to fill the unexpired term of the late Jerry Strawbridge, who died while in office.
  Councilmen Frank Daniel and Justin Anderson were re-elected and began new four-year terms.
  In the first action of the new year, Councilman Jack Atkinson was elected vice chairman.
  In his report, Moore said he had included in the council members packet proposed fees for animal control from Edgefield County, and advised the members to study them and contact him if the had any problems with the proposal.
  He let Council know in the first six months of the fiscal year, the county had collected 55 per cent of the budget and expended 49 percent.
  Moore said he had met with department heads and asked them to submit strategic plans for their departments. He encouraged them to all work together as “one Saluda County.”
  He proposed a retreat with the S.C. Association of Counties to discuss strategic planning, the administrator form of government, budgeting and zoning. The retreat will be Mar. 15 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Moore said the pet neutering project was going well. So far 64 cats and 56 dogs had  been neutered, and 40 more pets are scheduled for this week. The project has cost the county $3000 so far.
  Saluda’s new Mayor Miliken Matthews, accompanied by Town Council and administrator, pledged cooperation with the county. Matthews said he had heard the County and the Town have not worked well in the past, but said the two governments should use the “one Saluda” theme Moore mentioned earlier.
  He concluded by quoting Thomas Jefferson, “I like dreams of the future better than history of the past.”
  In new business, Council gave first reading to an ordinance that will allow the county to sale property located at 117 and 119 North Main Street in Saluda. Anderson voted against the reading.
  Moore announced the committee appointments, which were the same as last year.
  Council approved and signed an agreement with Safebuilt Carolinas, LLC, for continuing to provide building code services for Saluda County.
  Also approved were engagement letters with Haynesworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. and First-Tryon Advisors for the Detention Center Project.
  Atkinson questioned if Council was moving too soon on this, but Moore said, “we have been kicking this can too long.”
  Atkinson agreed and voted for the letters.
  Council voted to transfer funds, not to exceed $115,000, from Contingency for increase in insurance premiums.
  They also approved transfer from Contingency for administrative salaries, as approved at a prior council meeting.

County Has State’s 9th
Longest Life Expectancy

  Saluda County is tied for the ninth longest life expectancy in South Carolina, accosding to Slacker.
  These are the Top 10 counties in South Carolina with the longest life expectancy: 1. Beaufort County 2. Edgefield County 3. Charleston County 4. Berkeley County 5. Greenville County 6. York County 7. Dorchester County 8. Lexington County 9. TIED: Saluda County, Jasper County
   #9. Saluda County - Average life expectancy: 77.2 years (0.8 more than the statewide average) - Health outcomes statewide rank: #18 --- Length of life rank: #11 --- Quality of life rank: #23
  Life expectancy in the United States has generally been on the rise, with rare exceptions for certain segments of the population. Between 1960 and 2019, the life expectancy of Americans rose by roughly a decade to the age of 79.
  Greater longevity can be attributed to improved health care such as diagnostic and medical advancements, as well as shifting lifestyle choices including healthier diets and a reduction in rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.
  While no one single factor determines the overall health of an entire community, certain socioeconomic and environmental factors such as access to health care, clean air, clean water, and affordable housing, contribute significantly to the general health and wellbeing of the entire population.
  Using 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Stacker  identified counties with the longest life expectancy in South Carolina. Life expectancy measures the average number of years from birth a person can expect to live, and is calculated based on the number of deaths in a given time period and the average number of people at risk of dying during that period. Counties with unreliable or insufficient data were excluded from the analysis. Mortality data came from the National Vital Statistics System.
  © Stacker 2023. All rights reserved.
Saluda County is tied for the ninth longest life expectancy in South Carolina, accosding to Slacker.
  These are the Top 10 counties in South Carolina with the longest life expectancy: 1. Beaufort County 2. Edgefield County 3. Charleston County 4. Berkeley County 5. Greenville County 6. York County 7. Dorchester County 8. Lexington County 9. TIED: Saluda County, Jasper County
   #9. Saluda County - Average life expectancy: 77.2 years (0.8 more than the statewide average) - Health outcomes statewide rank: #18 --- Length of life rank: #11 --- Quality of life rank: #23
  Life expectancy in the United States has generally been on the rise, with rare exceptions for certain segments of the population. Between 1960 and 2019, the life expectancy of Americans rose by roughly a decade to the age of 79.
  Greater longevity can be attributed to improved health care such as diagnostic and medical advancements, as well as shifting lifestyle choices including healthier diets and a reduction in rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.
  While no one single factor determines the overall health of an entire community, certain socioeconomic and environmental factors such as access to health care, clean air, clean water, and affordable housing, contribute significantly to the general health and wellbeing of the entire population.
  Using 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Stacker  identified counties with the longest life expectancy in South Carolina. Life expectancy measures the average number of years from birth a person can expect to live, and is calculated based on the number of deaths in a given time period and the average number of people at risk of dying during that period. Counties with unreliable or insufficient data were excluded from the analysis. Mortality data came from the National Vital Statistics System.
  © Stacker 2023. All rights reserved.

Murder-Suicide

Saluda County Couple
Deaths Ruled Murder-Suicide

  The recent shooting deaths of a Saluda County couple has been ruled a murder-suicide.
  On December 27th, Saluda County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on Long Cane Road for a welfare check.
  Upon arrival, deputies could not get anyone to the door. Deputies made entry into the residence and located the deceased bodies of a male and female.   Throughout the course of the investigation, it has been determined that the male subject, James (Jamie) Perry, 47, shot and killed the female victim, Patricia Kneece Perry, 49. It has been further determined that Mr. Perry’s death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
  The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office sends our thoughts and prayers to the families affected by this tragedy.

SC Counties
Should Wear Masks For Covid

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest community levels map shows seven counties with high levels of COVID-19.
  This comes following a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, proceeded by months of low rates of the virus across the state.
  The CDC recommends citizens in seven counties wear masks. Included in this list are Saluda neighbors, Newberry and Lexington.
  Saluda and Greenwood have medium levels.

Sheriff’s Awards Banquet

The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office recently held its annual Christmas Dinner and Awards Banquet. Congratulations to Leason Horne for being named Deputy of the Year, to Kayla Latham for being named Correctional Deputy of the Year, and to Dawn Drafts for being named Dispatcher of the Year! “Thank you to everyone at the Sheriff’s Office for your hard work and dedication to Saluda County,” said Sheriff Josh Price.

Murder Charges Filed

Arrests Made In
Monetta Murder

  Sheriff Josh Price has announced the arrests of Earl Valentine and Montavis Barnes in connection with the murder of Zonnie Cyrus.
  The body of Mr. Cyrus was located on November 19th on Hi-land Farm Road, in the Monetta area of Saluda County. The Saluda County Coroner's Office ruled the cause of death a homicide caused by numerous gun shot wounds.
  Earl Valentine has been charged with Murder and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime. Montavis Barnes is charged with Accessory to Murder after the fact.
  Sheriff Price commented, “this is not going to bring back Mr. Cyrus, but I hope this brings some relief to the Cyrus family that those responsible for the death of Zonnie Cyrus will be brought to justice.”

Couple Found Shot To Death

  Coroner Keith Turner reported his office responded to a fatal shooting on the evening of Tuesday, December 27th in the Johnston area of Saluda County.   
   The bodies of a male and female subject were located in their mobile home by law enforcement after conducting a welfare check. The decedents have been identified as James (Jamie) Perry (age 47) and Patricia Kneece Perry (age 49). Autopsies have been scheduled for Monday at Newberry Pathology.  
  The investigation is ongoing and there are no further details at this time. Saluda County Sherriff Office, SLED and Saluda County Coroner’s Office are investigating.

Saluda, Edgefield Counties To Partner
On Animal Shelter, And Control

  Saluda County will partner with Edgefield County to build an animal shelter and provide animal control.
  This decision was made at the December meeting of County Council.
  The two counties  began discussions on partnering on Dec. 1, 2015. Both counties are not ready to implement the effort. The shelter will be built in Edgefield County. The cost of the shelter will be determined once plans are completed, and the cost of providing animal control will also be forthcoming.
Chairman Jim Moore said the thinks partnering with Edgefield County will save the county money.
  Council took another step toward making animal control a reality by voting to purchase an animal control truck, the cost not to exceed $45,000. The payment will come from the vehicle reserve fund.
  Council the took legal step to approve the change of government from the current chairman-council form to an administrator-council form. Citizens voted in favor of the change in the November General Election.
 Under the new form, voters will still elect a chairman at large, and four council members from single member districts, but an administrator will have more say in the operation of the government.
  The resolution passed 3-1, with Councilman Jack Atkinson voting against and Moore abstaining.
  Council accepted the audit of financial statements for Fiscal Year 2021-22, as presented by David Enzastiga, CPA, Rish & Enzastiga Firm. Enzastiga said the county got an unmodified opinion, the top opinion an audit can get.
  Jim Bowie from Guppie Lane Property Development, who appeared at a previous meeting, urged Council to change the building ordinance to allow Park Model homes at the lake and other areas. At the previous meeting, Bowie said he was told the Park Models were allowed, then was later told they were not.
  Bowie said changing the county ordinance to allow the homes would bring in increased property tax revenue, and provide many customers for the Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority.  Bowie showed a computer presentation on how the homes are built and said their are eight to ten designs.
   Council took the presentation as information.