Electing a new sheriff

Sheriff-elect Chris Abril’s big win last week, despite facing rape charges, sends a signal in several respects.

The principal, “presumed innocent until found guilty,” was certainly reaffirmed in a resounding way. More than that, Chris’s many friends and fans voted their faith in his character, a fact he said “brought me back to life.”

The vote was also a strong repudiation of the notion that any power brokers should ever be able to manipulate a local election. There is a widespread suspicion that outgoing sheriff David Satterfield had some influential backers with both the capability, and a cold enough disposition, to trump up terrible charges against a man just to win an election. Whether this is true or not, that voters who believe it to be true would reject this sort of corruption is a fine thing. Corruption certainly should be rooted out of public life, whenever possible, wherever it is found.

Less admirable were the voters who told us they simply thought it would be “more interesting” to elect Abril, as though law enforcement and political life in Polk County might fulfill their need for yet one more “reality show,” this one a test of human character in a particularly grueling set of circumstances.

The district attorney, Jeff Hunt, has already notified district residents, in a press release, that despite the “awkward” situation, he plans to work with all elected law enforcement officials in his district. Some Polk deputies apparently will not.

Perhaps, Abril’s election was in part due to the sweeping desire this year to unseat Republicans, to bring about a change in national affairs.

Whatever the reasons, we certainly hope that the legal circumstances clouding the new sheriff’s administration will be cleared up in a court of law, and quickly, so that Polk County can move on with confidence and unanimity in its law enforcement efforts. — JB

Chairman should be Melton

There is one more election yet to take place in Polk County, this one with just five voters. The five Polk commissioners will elect a chairman on Dec. 5.

By longstanding tradition here, the top vote-getter in the general election is given the chairmanship. In 2004, top vote-getter Harry Denton declined and nominated Tom Pack. But, generally, the chairman is chosen election day.

This year, however, the majority party on the board does not include the top vote-getter. Voters chose a split ticket, reelecting Republican Ted Owens along with Democrats Tommy Melton and Warren Watson. The Democrats won four-year terms, taking first and second.

Though he finished last, Owens’ party is now in the majority, as he rejoins Harry Denton and Tom Pack. Some of the Republican leadership would like their men to forego tradition and elect a Republican chairman.

Tommy Melton, a Democrat, should, by rights, get the job. He is qualified, having served two years on the Columbus Town Council. Furthermore, he embodies the public mandate for change at the county level.

The chairman, elected each year in December, votes on all questions before the board. The chairman is generally recognized by law as the county’s chief executive officer and may acquire considerable prestige and influence by virtue of the position. The chairman has no more legal power than other members of the board, but the chairman does have special authority to declare states of emergency under state laws governing riots and civil disorders. He also can call special meetings.

Only a relatively few partisans even think party politics matters in county administration. There is much for the new board members to focus on that does matter – fixing the old courthouse and planning for county water needs, to mention two. A partisan fight would not be helpful as we start this new administration. –JB

Random thoughts, the day after

As we write this, we have no idea who has won the Polk County board election. Nonetheless, here are some random thoughts, the day after, as life returns to normal:

• If the pattern holds true, no matter what the candidates for Polk County Board of Commissioners thought and said during their campaigns, those elected will learn a lot and will change some of their views while in office. They will go to commissioner school, read reams of reports in preparation for every meeting. They will face the fact that they now have the responsibility to tackle and resolve the actual challenges facing Polk County, unlike the coffee klatchers and critics who are “solving the world’s problems.”

We’ve elected three commissioners. We should give them a chance, root for them, listen to them. They ran to serve. Let’s let them do it.

• Congratulations to those who lost yesterday. They deserve our sincere thanks for taking the risk.

• Don’t you know that there are some folks just outside Tryon today who wish some municipality would exercise control over the old Blockhouse property.

Unlike the neighbors of the Tryon Country Club, who sought relief from the Tryon Town Council recently, these folks have no one to turn to for protection. The owner of the Blockhouse acreage, a Californian apparently bent on maximizing a profit at whatever cost to the neighborhood, plans to take advantage of Spartanburg and Greenville’s lack of control over the land just north of Landrum. It appears likely there may soon be 44 units built on 5.67 acres, at the entrance to Hunting Country. Landrum has little control over the extension of its water and sewer lines, as it sold both to the Spartanburg Water System. There’s lots more open land in that area, which may soon be served with water. Funny how the view changes outside the city walls when invaders storm the gates. — JB

It’s almost over, thank God

It is no wonder that local politics lack civility, considering what we are fed these days in our mailboxes, in television ads and shows, and yes, in letters. It is a fine line between free speech, robust debate, and civility, and perhaps only dreamy-eyed idealists think there is a chance to find it. Certainly, national leaders set a poor example.

Consider the cost of giving up, though. What sort of community will we live in together after the latest issue?

There is hope. Basic reforms are needed. The N.C. Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform wants to change the state redistricting process. On Tuesday, 63 N.C. House and 22 Senate candidates will face no competition. If lines are redrawn next time using formulas aimed at making more districts competitive, moderates might have a chance. We might see more candidates who want to work with others to serve the people.

Polk County needs civility. Some say anger and harsh words, brought to bear in spades on every controversial issue, are required “to get attention.” It’s not true. Lack of civility is a root cause of dysfunction, like campaign finances. Until the corrupting influence of money is removed, important national issues will remain unsolvable.
Until we achieve rational, civil debate locally, there will be no chance for satisfactory resolutions. The same issues will just be “studied” on and on. A bunch of J. Edgar Hoovers will continue running around compiling private dossiers. Good people will not serve. To get elected, others will pander to the worst behavior, crediting the level of anger with more weight than facts. These inevitably become victims of their own standards, once they are “the government” and must deal in facts. Former commissioners of every persuasion now recall their service bitterly. Leaders can’t take polls. Folks line up on both sides of every question. We need honorable governors, who hear and practice only civil debate, to show us the way. – JB

Big City Owner (see the cigar?)

There has been a fair amount of grousing about our comment last week, “Worst Nightmare.” Mostly antiannexation folks thought we wrote about annexation. Go back and read. We wrote about behavior.

Below is an example of exactly what we were talking about. This is an anonymous post to The Curb Reporter weblog at tryondailybulletin.com. Read for yourself, and see what sort of spirit is given voice.

“It is evident there are still a lot of Polk County residents that wish to remain outside the limits of cities. Not everyone wants to see their area swell up into big city life such as the owner of this newspaper. It is a shame that residents have to use strong words to get the message across to some who are bent on forcing their own way of life on others. It would be nice if all residents both in city and out could get along, but as long as the power of the press continues to belittle the due process, there will always be strife. Thus, just another day in the life of a big city newspaper owner that has come to a small town and throws his weight around.”

Beg your pardon? This editor never worked in a “big city,” has family roots on a farm, and has lived in the “city” of Tryon for 17 years. He has no power to stop or make change, to “swell up” anything. This is childishness.

“Due process?” Is “due process” now “strong words,” personal attacks? There is no proposal on the table.

Such attempts to demean any who disagree is exactly what we complained of last week. The basic strategy is to isolate and vilify six representatives – for doing their jobs. Regular folk will dive for cover, afraid of taking fire. Thereby, divide, denigrate, with no pang of conscience.

It is beneath our community to join in such a “process.” Good people, give no heed. Shun characters who rant and slander. Their words are but cheap diversions to avoid discussing the issues as adults and neighbors. – JB

‘Worst nightmare’

It was not the opposition to potential annexation that made last Wednesday’s anti-Tryon spectacle so ugly. It was the tone set by some of those leading the attack. Neighbors setting neighbors upon neighbors.

After all, until the rumor surfaced that the Town of Tryon might want to enlarge its borders, in and out all shopped, went to church, volunteered and visited on the sidewalks of a beloved hometown together. All mutually share the village of Tryon, and without it community life in this corner of the county would dry up.

Yet, at the first hint that Township neighbors might be asked to help support the village – with money! – in-towners are painted as the electors of an “evil regime trying to foist its outrageous debt load off on others.”

Tryon’s reasonable debt is simply the financing of longterm assets which all of us in the region enjoy. Few of us can buy a house, an asset we expect to enjoy for decades, in one lump payment. The Town of Tryon, almost bankrupted some years ago, has had its financial house put in order by the current administration.

No one likes to pay taxes, but reasonable people acknowledge the benefits of civilization. Why do you suppose the settlers incorporated towns? Some even donate to improve civic life. Thus the purely mercenary self-interest expressed by anti-Tryonites was disheartening, to say the least. No one even knows what might be the finances and benefits. Specifics have not been discussed.

Did even one anti-Tryonite ask what’s best for all of us and the town our forefathers founded? What would Township homes be worth if Tryon became a ghost town?

If specific annexation proposals are ever made, arguments against, and for, should be offered in a spirit of goodwill and neighborliness. Not like this: In a blazing glory of pettiness, one neighbor vowed to become “Tryon’s worst nightmare.” Welcome to our village! – JB

Columbus well-served by Rhodes

Polk County and the citizens of Columbus are losing a top notch government professional a week from Friday.

Since 2002, Glenn Rhodes has put his many years of solid government experience to work for the Town of Columbus. Rhodes had worked as a town manager before, and had served as a member of the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission staff, administering grants and advising regional governments.

Still, Rhodes was hired in Columbus as a town administrator. As such, his assignment was only to “oversee operations,” without any real authority over the town work force. A similar form of municipal government is still in place in Saluda, where each commissioner supervises a portion of town operations – water and sewer, police, streets. It can work, but can also be disastrous when politicians start manipulating simple business functions.

The Columbus Town Council in 2004 wisely opted to use Rhodes’ talents more fully and upgraded the position to town manager, the same form of government used in Tryon. Rhodes has improved Columbus’ financial standing, working with council to correct a deficient fund balance. Furthermore, his contacts and knowledge have enabled the town to take advantage of low-interest loans and grants for its water and sewer projects.
There are always some who think that government functions should cost next to nothing, and begrudge paying a professional’s salary. But a professional, like Rhodes, can actually save taxpayers money, many times over.

This is particularly true for Columbus today, a busy, fast-growing town, where new developers come knocking every week, it seems. Just keeping up with Columbus Commons, The Sanctuary and The Promontory is nearly full-time work. Here’s hoping Columbus can find another professional of the same calibre as Rhodes, whom we wish all the best in his new position with the state. — JB

Barriers at state border

Border counties, like Polk, Spartanburg and Greenville, need to foster cooperation to optimize their prosperity.

Leaders from border counties across a three-state region gathered in Asheville last week to discuss a UNC-Chapel Hill business school study that looked at the barriers to economic success caused by political borders: physical systems disjointed, regional leaders not interacting, chambers of commerce not collaborating, political leaders competing. Conferees discussed a strong business case in which collaboration can be better for all.

N.C. Sen. Walter Dalton (D-Rutherfordton) suggested N.C. and S.C. might develop interstate agreements. Ideas included reciprocal tuition agreements that might allow WNC students to attend USC- Spartanburg, or Clemson and Landrum students to seek out UNC-Asheville. Industrial properties – at least in certified parks, of which Polk has none – could be jointly marketed.

The Upstate S.C. Alliance board already says it wants to extend its industrial site marketing across the border “to better reflect the regional economy.”

Upstate S.C. and Western N.C. are one economic region. We share employment, commuter patterns, utilities, media markets. It was always thus. In the past, Spartanburg textile mills recruited mountain workers, and built Lake Adger to power their plants. Howard Gap Road, just at the base, once provided hospitality for hog drovers resting up before heading home, back up the mountain.

Excursion train proponents have already asked Clemson to study the corridor that connects Asheville to Greenville-Spartanburg, I-40 to I-85. After last Thursday’s conference, Polk economic development director Kipp McIntyre is also helping to form a Mid-Atlantic, Southern Regional Collaborative. It is a pioneering effort for the patient of temper, but one that can bear fruit over the next 50 years. — JB