March 1 News Notes Blog

       Welcome to the News Blog, a daily rambling look at what is going on in the community and beyond if it affects folks here. This week will be a busy and eventful one as County Council looks at, among other things bringing the few remaining independent municipal elections authority under the Election Commission and a hard look at county vehicle policies. Last year council cut the number of county employees who were allowed to drive county vehicles home as part of their jobs. No word if those cuts have been looked at in detail and are saving the county money. For example, is mileage reimbursement more costly than using county vehicles in some cases? Is the use of county vehicles a de facto cut in employee benefits? Questions worth answering. Come on out to the meeting and ask that quesiton.
       Meanwhile, Anderson County School District Five Board of Trustees will hold at least two meetings this month, an executive session March 15 and the building committee meeting March 16. After the last regular meeting turned into something pretty ugly, perhaps bordering on race baiting, will be interesting to see if they can turn down the temperature as they look at record budget cuts. The district has already absorbed huge cuts at the main office, and it will be interesting to see where else the board thinks cuts can be made. So far no word on whether TERI employees will be looked at first, since they have served out their years and have a retirement income waiting. At least two principals and the superintendent are part of the TERI program.

        In case you missed it, Dr. Don Garrison died over the weekend. Garrison was President of Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, SC, from November 1971 through June 2003. In 2002, the Tri-County Technical College Commission recognized Dr. Garrison by naming the Pendleton campus in his honor. His obituary is here.
        Busy week ahead, and now they are saying it might just snow Tuesday….