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Applebee’s Breakfast with Santa
Come on out to the Applebee’s Breakfast with Santa on December 12 from 7:30 am- 9:30 am. Proceeds benefit Safe Kids of Oconee County.
Who: Santa!!
Where: Applebee’s on Hwy 123, Seneca SC
When: December 12, 2009 7:30 am- 9: 30 am
Why: to benefit Safe Kids
Cost: Adults $7.00 Children (12 & under) $4.00
Please call 864. 885. 7912 for tickets.
Oconee County tool manufacturer expanding, adding 85 jobs
Up to 85 jobs could come to Oconee County as a result of an expansion of a local company that makes drill bits, officials announced today.
Greenfield Industries Inc. plans to invest $18 million over the next five years in its Seneca plant, including the addition of 50,000 square feet of space, officials said.
The move will allow the company to consolidate some operations and bring a North American distribution center to the county, where the unemployment rate in the current recession has been over 14 percent, three points higher than the state level. Read more
Live here, pay 75% more
in Oconee County are almost 66 percent higher per person than in all of South Carolina and are markedly higher than county’s with similar populations.
The numbers are part of a state financial analysis
requested by state Sen. Thomas Alexander, a copy of which has been obtained by The Journal.
The South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s Office of Research and Statistics compiled the information for Alexander, who represents Oconee and portions of Pickens County. Although taxes are not paid on a per person basis, the analysis compares Oconee with six other counties and the state on a population basis.
The study’s results are telling in light of the recent debate over taxing and spending in Oconee.
What it shows is that, per person, the county collected $438 for every man, woman and child in fiscal 2008, or $175 more than what property owners paid per person statewide.
The report, dated Oct. 29, clearly shows Oconee standing head and shoulders higher in property taxes collected per person over six other counties with comparable populations.
Oconee County Council Chairman Reg Dexter said Wednesday that the comparison does not tell the whole story.
Dexter said some of the counties Oconee is compared to own their own utilities and can increase water and electricity bills
for revenue.
“We don’t have that luxury,” Dexter said, declining further comment.
Tax data in the report covers a six-year span from fiscal 2002 through fiscal 2008 during which Oconee consistently exceeded statewide per person property tax collections.
Alexander said this week that he requested the information from the state agency. He said the data is a good informational tool that better equips him to answer constituents’ questions because it compares Oconee with other counties. Read more
First Steps to celebrate 10th anniversary
County First Steps will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a reception/drop in from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the United Way of Oconee County Conference Center at 409 East North 1st Street.
State Sen. Thomas Alexander will serve as the keynote speaker while Sandra Pruitt, chair of the First Steps Board, will reflect on the “early days” and Executive Director Marie Dunnam will provide an overview of the past decade.
The event is in coordination with the beginning of “Make a Difference Month,” and the kickoff of the agency’s signature project “Warm a Child for the Winter.” The public is invited to attend and everyone is encouraged to bring a new baby blanket, knitted or fleece throw and or single or double blanket to assist families with a child from birth through age 5 during the winter months.
Donated items will also be accepted at the United Way Office through the end of October and divided among Bethesda Ministries and the Soup Kitchen in Seneca, Oconee A.I.D. in Walhalla and “We Care Ministries” in Westminster.
Proud to call him ‘friend’
It has been my joy and privilege to serve as the chief executive officer of Tamassee DAR School since 1985. I also represent the children and families of South Carolina as a member of the board of directors of the South Carolina Association of Children’s homes and Family Services.
The opportunities to improve services for the children served by Tamassee have been many, and the need for helping making those improvements possible has, at times, seemed overwhelming.
But every time I have asked state Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee, for help, he has always done everything within his power to help. Read more
Senator Alexander Signs ‘SC Veterans Policy Academy Covenant’
This Week in The Senate: McConnell, Fair, Alexander, Land
Senators McConnell, Fair, Alexander, and Land chat about the big issues up for debate in the Senate.
Alexander: Only God’s grace may result in cigarette tax hike
South Carolina’s cigarette tax would increase by 50-cents per pack under a plan legislators approved Thursday although the measure almost certainly will be vetoed by Gov. Mark Sanford.
With a 16-5 vote, the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Walhalla Republican Thomas Alexander, agreed to raise the nation’s lowest per pack tax from 7 cents to 57 cents a pack. That action came after legislators stopped arguing about how to spend the $145 million the tax would raise. They decided instead to impose the tax in July, create a trust fund for the money and put off spending decisions until next year. Read more
SC Senator Thomas Alexander on Novelty Lighters
SC State Senator Thomas Alexander on his novelty lighter legislation.
Senators Cracking Down on Novelty Lighters
Alexander: “These lighters entice children to play with fire.”
South Carolina’s State Senators today began moving legislation through the General Assembly that will keep novelty lighters out of the hands of children by making it illegal for stores to sell them. The bill’s author and subcommittee members believe the lighters are marketed to appeal to children. Read more