Another Way To Recycle ... Give By Not Throwing Away Valuable Bonuses For Schools

Liberty area public schools (Liberty Elementary, Liberty Middle, Liberty High School) are collecting BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION and LABELS FOR EDUCATION.

You don't have to have a child in school to help ...

If you consider that local property taxes are levied based on school needs, then you should have a desire to contribute to the schools in any way possible to keep your tax bill from rising.

One way to give to our local schools without any extra effort or out of pocket money is collecting labels that are found on most of the brand name products we buy.

These coupons can be found on many of the products you buy including:

General Mills
Hefty
Huggies
Ziploc
Betty Crocker
Juicy Juice
Cottonelle
Fiber One
Green Giant
Pillsbury
Hamburger Helper
Old El Paso (Taco & dinner kits)
Kleenex
Scott
Yoplait
Avery (they make address labels & office supplies)
Nature Valley

_________________________________

Campbell’s®
Campbell’s® Chunky™ Soup
Campbell’s® Healthy Request
Franco-American®
Pepperidge Farm®
Spaghettios®
Swanson®
V8® Beverages
V8 V-Fusion®
V8 Splash®
Prego® Italian Sauces
Campbell’s® Soup at Hand®
Campbell’s® Select Harvest™
V8® Soup

Recycle By Burning ...

Residents within the city limits are not allowed to burn brush or trash ... but ... here's a creative way you can recycle and therefore not throw away as much ... helping Liberty to meet its recycling target.

You can burn cardboard boxes.

If you have a wood burning furnace you can burn boxes.

I used to make "starter logs" for my father for Christmas and his birthday.

I would take between 10 to 20 cereal boxes, flatten them, and roll them as tightly as I could, then tie a string in three places to hold it together. I would then take pecan shells that we had left over from shelling and fill the center. I would then soak this in water and let it dry ... this prevents unrolling.

Phone books also burn well.

It is estimated that phonebooks account for nearly 500,000 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND) pounds each year going into landfills.

Wait ... what's that you say about the ink or dyes being harmful to burn or bad for your chimney.

That use to be true, but now all printed matter is made of what is called bio-soluble inks, glues, and dyes.

This sounds like a bit of trouble to go to, but once you've used one of these logs - you'll be happy you discovered the tip.

Also, don't forget that ash from your wood burning stove makes PERFECT fertilizer and composting material.*

* Always dispose of ash properly

* All of the cereals in the picture above have box tops for education on them - please cut these off and send to your local school.

What Are The 10 Best Foods To Eat? Part 2: Soybeans

Website after website and blog after blog seems to have some opinion on what the best foods to eat are ...

Many go into great detail to prove their case while others seem to have no reasoning other than a certain food looks healthy or that it's a common doctor recommendation.

I've done a lot of research on food nutrition.

Any "Best For You Food List" that places one food as the top food is usually exaggerating. In some cases, the published list that places one food in a top spot is compensated for making that "#1" claim. Truth is, eating anything in moderation can be healthy. There just so happens to be a few foods that are particularly healthy to eat on a regular basis.

ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM is taking a look at 10 of the best foods to eat. These are foods that you should in any way possible integrate into your diet and make a habit of eating on a regular basis. The foods listed will be presented in no particular order.


* Picture of soy beans in pods

2. Soybeans

Soybeans, in general, are a great source of protein.

But ... why are soybeans, in particular, the better bean?

____________________________________

From the FDA Website:

Soy protein products can be good substitutes for animal products because, unlike other beans, soy offers a 'complete' protein profile. Soy protein products can replace animal-based foods—which also have complete proteins but tend to contain more fat, especially saturated fat—without requiring major adjustments elsewhere in the diet.

Soybeans are in soy milk - if you're lactose intolerant - soy milk is a great alternative that's just as good for you. Most soy milk is fortified with the same vitamins and minerals (such as calcium) as regular dairy milk.

Tofu is also a great source of soy protein. Tofu comes from the curdled oil that is skimmed from the top of soy milk.

Tofu is high in protein, low in salt and calories, and has no cholesterol. Tofu by itself is bland in taste but it picks up the flavor of other foods that are cooked with it. It's the perfect addition to light soups - chopped into very small cubes.

Many don't realize that soy sauce is essentially "soybean wine" - derived from fermented soybeans. Using low sodium soy sauce is an excellent means as a salt alternative.

Soybeans are a perfect way to add protein to a salad.

Soybeans contain significant amounts genistein and daidzein.

These are what is known as isoflavones.

These isoflavones are primarily good as antioxidants.

The antioxidant genistein counteracts tissue damage caused by aging.

It has been shown that genistein makes some cells more receptive to various methods of cancer treatment.

Studies have also found genistein to be useful in combating leukemia and that it can be used in combination with certain other leukemia combating drugs to improve their efficacy.

____________________________________


* Typical sea salted edamame as served in restaurants

My favorite way to eat soybeans is in the form of Edamame.

These are essentially "high heat boiled" soybeans left in the "shell" and then lightly salted with coarse sea salt.

These make a great appetizer to most any meal.

I particularly like to eat them with sushi.

Most Japanese restaurants that serve sushi - serve edamame.

You can also find frozen edamame at Ingles in the freezer section.

Because it's a fun food, my son loves to "de-shell" them and eat them.

My son also likes soy milk - although I'm not a big fan of it.

Notes:

The proper spelling is using one word, "soybean" not two; like "soy bean".

I couldn't find the resource for a claim that I had heard when I was first discovering sushi around 1999. I had read or heard somewhere that eating 20 or so pods of soybeans was the equivalent of eating two steaks as far as protein is concerned.

Soy has been used in China for 5,000 years primarily to add nitrogen (and other nutrients) into the soil as part of crop rotation and not necessarily for edible purposes.

Soy is also used in the creation of biodegradable plastics.

Buying soy products is also a small way of supporting US Agriculture.

The main producers of soy are the United States (32%), Brazil (28%), Argentina (21%), China (7%) and India (4%).

____________________________________

I don't want to cheat by saying this ... but I won't cover another "bean" in this series. All beans are good for you ... but most must have a "quality carbohydrate" and "quality green" to go with it to make it completely healthy for you.

Recently, I've gotten into eating pinto beans with collard greens and corn bread all mixed into a bowl. Everyone in my family enjoys this. It's a very inexpensive meal that doesn't weaken as a leftover. I usually put a little mayonnaise in the bowl - mixing everything together. This is yet another thing my wife taught me is tasty that I, at first, thought "yuck" to.

The miraculous thing about the soybean is that it gives you the benefit of eating all of the above ingredients in one - the pinto beans, corn bread, and collard greens.

Resources:

http://www.fda.gov

http://www.soynutrition.com

http://www.wikipedia.com

Please take a look at the other articles in this series:

Healthy Living

Easley Progress Spotlights Liberty's Rosewood Center During Black History Month

* Picture of Rosewood Center in Liberty SC / National Historical Register

Black History Month Spotlight: The Rosewood Center In Liberty

From the article:

The Rosewood Center, best known to Liberty residents as the community building where meetings, parties, receptions and other events are held, has a far deeper history than many people may know.

In 1937, the building was erected by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), an organization President Franklin D. Roosevelt established to give men work after the depression.

The building was called Liberty Colored Junior High School until 1945 when the name was changed to Liberty Colored High School. It became a full-fledged high school, but high schools then only went to eleventh grade. The school remained a high school until 1955 when the consolidation program did away with smaller community schools.

The school was one of the two high schools for African-American students in Pickens County serving students in Liberty, Norris, Central, Clemson and other areas. In 1955, Liberty Colored High and Simpson High were consolidated into Clearview Colored High School in Easley and remained that way until integration was put into force ...

When the high school moved to Easley, the building was renamed Rosewood Elementary because it was on Rosewood Street. The building remained Rosewood Elementary, which held first through eighth grade, until integration took off, which was around 1970.

The building was renamed the Rosewood Center and was used by Pickens County Schools as overflow for some of the schools in the area.

Since that time, the Rosewood Center has no longer been used as a school. Johnson said the building stood vacant for several years until Liberty First Baptist Church leased it as a youth activity center.

The City of Liberty bought the building and has since used it for town meetings, conferences, and other community events.

Read the story for an interview with a Liberty resident that attended the school and recounts its various transformations over the years.

Black History Month Spotlight: The Rosewood Center In Liberty

Here is a link to more information about The Rosewood Center at The National Historical Register:

The Rosewood Center

* I'm fairly certain that this is an older piece that has been recycled from a previous year.

The Creation Museum: In One Day I Saw All Seven!

This is an article that I wrote for my technology blog in 2008 discussing a trip I took to The Creation Museum ... as you plan out your spring or summer vacations - you may want to consider this choice:


* Picture of the front of The Creation Museum in Petersburg Kentucky

"These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage." ~ Jude1:16

I must give credit where credit is due. I hadn't heard anything about the Creation Museum, until I saw a brief post on John Gruber's Daring Fireball in November of 2007. One doesn't have to read Gruber's website a lot to know that he is obviously atheist, agnostic, or a combination of the two. Every couple of weeks or so, Gruber will post a blurb in his "linked lists" about a blog or "well known atheist" (like Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist) that says something critical about Christianity or organized religion.

Gruber posted:



I was intrigued after reading this link in November 2007 on Gruber's site:



_________________________________________

The Creation Museum is located in Petersburg, Kentucky - near the Cincinnati Ohio border and within just a few miles of The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. The museum is based on a detailed scientific display of the first few chapters (1-8) of of the book of Genesis from the Holy Bible.

Readers ... I am a Christian. I was created by God Almighty. I was given salvation by Jesus Christ and through him everything positive, productive, and creative in my life flows. I am also a skeptic. I am a believer in evolution. I am believer in science and to me science has no designation of being secular or "God's Design". The documentaries in the Book of Genesis in the Bible are just as real to me as the biography and life work of Charles Darwin. Evolution has mutated since Darwin's discoveries into an evolution and origin of everything - not just life. I don't believe that evolution is the complete answer, the complete correct answer, or the only answer to our existence and the existence of all that we know and see.

The review of The Creation Museum below is formed from my own opinion both before and after visiting and following up over the last two weeks with careful and concise research into the science the museum uses, the background of the founders of the museum, and the evidence that is often used to refute such information.

_________________________________________

I love to be challenged ... to be stumped ... to be told something is impossible. Because I know that through God ALL things are possible.

Atheists, Agnostics, Religious Haters latch on to the theory of evolution and scientific testing as it itself were a religion. The truth is, there is nothing written that has been discovered that can confirm anything is older than 6000 years. Writing is believed to have started in the 4th Millenium BC. All carbon dating (and other dating techniques), all of the theory of evolution beyond 6000 years is merely speculation - faith in science. Ask yourself, without being foolish or oblivious to fact, is there any way whatsoever that we know something ... anything is greater than 6000 years old?

Before visiting The Creation Museum, I was of the opinion that the earth was millions of years old. I believed that rocks, minerals, and oil were part of a long geological process. I believed that while God created the universe, the earth, and all living things in 6 days - that the most likely answer to all of this would be ... "To God time does not exist". I believed the passage from II Peter:

"Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

... meant that it is possible that those "Days Of Creation" were the millions of years that we all accept.

I still believe that way. The Creation Museum presents (read as; does not force) the theory that it truly was six actual 24 hour days and that God rested on the seventh day. I do know that God is powerful enough to have snapped his fingers and spent a few minutes more perfecting and that all of creation could have been created just as the Bible says. However it is not errant of me to believe that every word of the Bible is true and to believe that a day could have been a million years.

My best friend made a very poignant statement when I discussed my trip to The Creation Museum with him.

He said,

Why has everything come so far, so fast in such a short time?

For me, it is logical to see that there has been intervention, rather than evolution. Evolution to me is a way of explaining survival of the fittest and procreation of the desired - not the development of new species. Darwin was a genius to make the discoveries he did - but did he discover a process that could be easily reproduced or did he truly discover a way to finally debunk the creation theory?

Evolution is not modern science. Many think that just because Darwin's work was accepted during his lifetime and then became widely known by the 1930's - and lead to the general acceptance of today; that it is a new enlightenment - that it is the way "rational thinkers in the age of knowledge" are to accept.

ONLY ...

Be careful when someone uses the word "only". In the many references for this piece that I have about Darwin - it seems as though all of them say evolution is the only way to explain "the diversity of life". The Creation Museum is very careful to present the evidence as they see it and carefully relate it in a very detailed manner to the Bible. At no point did I see or hear anything at the The Creation Museum say that it was the "only" way this or that happened. A narrow mind thinks in the absolute and has the word "only" on the brain.

One way, in which The Creation Museum convincingly shows the case against the "thousands of years or millions of years of evolution theory" is by showing you how dogs in the modern age developed from what is nothing more than a wolf, dingo, or wild dog - all with the assistance of man breeding different characteristics over just a few generations of canine offspring. They show how man has created the "evolution" in a very short period of time. In just a few hundred years we have been able to produce over 800 different breeds of dogs - that would all seem like completely different animals.

_________________________________________

One of the draws of The Creation Museum is its dinosaur display, exhibit, and theory.

Most people, when thinking of the Bible immediately say,

"Where does The Bible talk about dinosaurs?"

Many think that the book of Genesis simply dismisses them from creation. The Creation Museum presents the passages in the Bible where dinosaurs are mentioned. They also convincingly present evidence of dinosaurs throughout history.



One premise The Creation Museum presents is that it would be next to impossible to come up with the vision of a dragon. They posit that most fantasy is of positive imagery or simply farcical - such as beautiful mermaids or Medusa.

"Would you mistake an elephant or a giraffe for a dinosaur?"

Another logical premise The Creation Museum goes on is that the word "dinosaur" is a recently coined term. Mentioning the term "dinosaur" in the Bible would be like the Bible saying,

"David googled and could not find the answer, so he prayed."

The Creation Museum does speculate on an answer for "dinosaurs being mentioned in the Bible".

* When I say "speculate" - I mean just that. They don't throw all of this in front of you via a sermon or condemn you for not believing, they ask that you consider their answers. The Creation Museum at no point seemed like a church preaching or a scientist teaching. It felt exactly like a learning experience in the same way that EPCOT in Disney World is or like a trip to the Smithsonian would be.

Job 40:14-16 (King James Version)

15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.

Why not just say "elephant" if that's what "behemoth" was?

_________________________________________

I went to The Creation Museum to see for myself whether or not this is some religious fanaticism and crazy theory. I also wanted to see if this was some creative way to get money to make religious predator's pockets fatter. I wanted to be the first (it seems) to review The Creation Museum without bias. You cannot expect a preacher, a biology teacher, an evolutionist, or a revolutionist to give you a non bias review of such a place.

The presentation of the museum is wonderful. The creativity, design, and overall detail is incredible. It's not meant to be eye candy for believers or technological trickery for non believers - even though it may seem as such to those who specifically want to criticize the museum.

Whether a believer or not, how could you possibly trust a bias review that starts out like this:

This Saturday, I made my much anticipated field trip to the Answers in Genesis Creation Museum, a $27 million monstrosity devoted to religious fanaticism, disguised as “science”.

Two of my heretical friends and I ventured an hour north up I-75 from Lexington, just short of Cincinnati, to discover a museum full of shocking idiocy and unintentional humor.

~ posted on the BLUEGRASS ROOTS blog

or like this ...

Yes, finally, ladies and gentlemen, I present you with your Creation Museum report! Thank you for your patience. Our report today has two parts: The first part is a photographic tour, with all the snarktasticness you’ve been no doubt hoping for. Click on the first picture and cruise on through. It’s long — 101 pictures — but, hey, you guys paid top dollar, so I don’t want to skimp. The second part, a think piece, if you will, is directly below. It’s no less snarky (as you will soon discover), but also somewhat more thoughtful. Enjoy.

~ John Scalzi November 12, 2007

You owe it to yourself to visit The Creation Museum to at least be entertained for a day. If you're a creative person or a designer it's worth going just to get a look at an example of excellent design for a venue or presentation. To me, it is one of the most compelling Christian presentations ever done - second only to Passion Of The Christ in my opinion. I consider myself, as do others, to be a very rational person. It just seems that The Creation Museum has chosen to allow one review by a fanatic to be on their website, and that several of the critics of the museum found the crazy people to interview for their YouTube exposes. I thought it was desperately needed for a positive review to compel everyone to go see this incredible place.

If you've ever wondered about there being "no proof" of God, or the creation from a divine intervention; this venue certainly makes you think with a presentation of real science and was given obvious detail and dollar to many years of research. If you are a skeptic, an atheist, or an agnostic your reading and accepting other negative reviews about this is being dishonest with yourself - if you consider yourself to be rational. After all, there are lots of poor reviews of Paris France and Disneyland! Are you going to let everyone else have the fun that wants to see for themselves?

read more | digg story

Make A Resolution To Start Recycling In Liberty

Liberty is last out of the seven municipalities in Pickens County for recycling. Over the last few months, Pickens County Council has been plotting (and planning) to integrate "recycling percentage minimums" for each municipality. The target is 25% recycled of all trash collected. For every percentage/ton under 25%, Liberty city residents face a fine of $35 per ton. For every ton over 25% that is recycled ... Liberty will be rewarded $35 per ton. As of February 7th, 2010, Liberty is at 14%. At present, this equals roughly 15 tons per month. If this plan were integrated today ... Liberty would be fined $525 for the month of February. If nothing were done to improve that number AND it remained flat at 14% for the rest of 2010, the City of Liberty would be fined $6300.

"Where would the City get this money" you may ask. They would be forced to raise the money by adding to the water/sewer bills - which are already extremely oppressive.

I don't know what the city's plans are - none have been discussed publicly. I have asked the Mayor and City Council to use this site as a mouthpiece for anything they would like to say to residents. I've also asked that the city website be updated more frequently and that this issue be addressed there.

I'm trying hard to do my part and requesting your cooperation so that we don't have higher water/sewer bills come May 2010.

PLEASE go by City Hall Monday thru Friday 9AM to 5PM and get two recycle bins if you don't have them.

Start collecting, at the very least; your milk containers, shampoo bottles, dish detergent bottles, mouthwash bottles, and Coke & Pepsi bottles, plus your aluminum drinking cans.

Seriously, this isn't even a lifestyle change, there's no extra effort. It's a matter of putting some trash somewhere else.

My family of 4 produces about 15 pounds of plastic and glass a week. (We reuse or don't use that much plastic and we recycle our own aluminum for our own profit.)

Call The Pickens County Recycling Facility to check for the times when recycling pick up is on your street.

(864) 850-7092

YOU MUST CALL THE NUMBER ABOVE AND GET ON A "PICK UP LIST" or your recycling will NOT be picked up.

Read this article I wrote about building a recycling plan:

Building A Recycling Plan

Liberty, this is very important.

Building a recycling plan ...

The new Pickens County Recycling implementation isn't taking into account home recycling efforts nor is it creatively encouraging proper recycling.

Most people think that recycling is just setting out cans, glass, and plastic on the street. It's much more than that. To put it plainly - it's putting less in the garbage as often as you do.

7 Ways you can recycle without even knowing it:

• If you have children or regularly write down notes or do your own doodling, pay attention to junk mail or unused portions of paper - cut them out and reuse the leftovers.

• I don't know about you ... but I get little thin plastic packaging a lot ... such as the plastic trays that jelly beans and candy come in. These can be reused in lots of ways. You can use them to hold paints, screws, and even food. My son LOVES to have his food on a "special tray" - putting each food in a separate space. This will save a paper plate or two and washing dishes. Think of small things like this that can be reused at least once.

• Shred junk mail or unused paper and reuse it as packing material or even insulation. Yeah, insulation. Consider compacting and bagging up shredded paper and placing it in your attic or above a barn. At first this sounds silly, but once I saw it - it made sense. If you ever have a friend, relative, or neighbor to move - offer them some packing material you have stored.

• Composting. This may require a desire to have a garden, BUT composting can also benefit you if you have houseplants or even around the house bushes and flowers. I save about 15 pounds a week from going into our garbage by doing this.

• Newspapers - most newspapers (the actual "news sections" - not ad/sales inserts) have biodegradable organically soluble ink. This means they are perfect as weed barriers. Weeds depend on light to grow. When planting this spring, pull any old mulch from around your house or flower beds and lay down a two or three layer thick spread of newspaper - getting it as close to the base of bushes, plants, and flowers as possible.

• If you live outside the city limits and you are able to burn your trash, do so. The ash makes great fertilizer. It also makes a terrific cement stretching agent. You can add two cups of ash to every ten pounds of cement to make it go further. It doesn't weaken or discolor the cement. This is particularly useful when building a retaining wall with rocks.

• Stop throwing away what can be reused. Really. Stop. If you throw out a perfectly good microwave or a perfectly good TV - you are being irresponsible.

Two Thrift Stores in Liberty that help two very worthwhile charities exist:

Hospice Of The Upstate (next Palmetto Pawn)

303 Anderson Drive
Liberty, SC 29657

Wilderness Way Girls Camp Thrift Store (next to Freds)

315 West Front Street
Liberty, SC 29657

If you don't want to lug it a few miles in your car - there are online alternatives like:

FreeCycle - advertising your item for free to locals. They pick up.

Craigslist - advertise (FREE) to Upstate SC residents. You can charge or offer items or services for free or trade.

Who knows, you could even make a dollar or two on your stuff.

Also ... try to communicate with neighbors and friends that may have a need for your "leftovers".

Many pet owners can use newspapers for cage linings. Many artists can use newspaper for paper-mâché.

The smallest of gardeners can use your leaves.

Some other considerations:

• Buying a wood chipper to grind up small branches
• Finding someone who lists on eBay to recycle boxes & packing materials.
• People such as myself will pick up packaging that computers come in.
• Talk to the school or your church about leftover materials that might be used.

What are some of your ideas for recycling?

NO DELAY FOR PICKENS COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2010

Despite lingering ice and continued freezing rain in some parts of Liberty - ALL Pickens County Schools are on regular schedule today.

When my son left school yesterday and we walked home - we went through a decent snow shower ... but that turned to steady rain as the evening progressed.

Checking this morning there IS ICE on roads downtown and there may be "black ice" in some shady parts of the road where temperatures are below freezing.

Current temperature in Liberty as of 7:00AM is 35˚.

Forecasters are calling for an additional 1" - 3" of precipitation over the next 24 hours.

Please be careful driving as ice develops.

Also be careful on house steps.

Clemson Spring Practice Football Game Saturday April 10, 2010

The Clemson University Spring Football Game will be held April 10 @ 4:00 PM in Memorial Stadium (Death Valley).

(Some people call this the orange & white game)

Liberty Resident Honored With Profession Award

As reported by The Anderson Independent:

Jan Petersen has earned the CPPO (Certified Public Purchasing Officer) Credential from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council.

Petersen, a Liberty resident, is coordinator of purchasing for the School District of Pickens County. She was among 65 professionals who earned certification following the last exam.

Congratulations Jan!

* Link to full article.

FREE Computer Classes Begin Today @ Sarlin Library

REMINDER:

Liberty's Sarlin Library will host several FREE computing basics classes each Wednesday in February:

February 3 10AM - Computer Basics
February 10 10AM - eMail
February 17 10AM - Microsoft Word
February 24 10 AM - Excel

February 3 1PM - Internet Basics
February 10 1PM - FaceBook/MySpace
February 17 1PM - Advanced Microsoft Word
February 24 1PM - Job Seekers

Open Letter To State Officials Regarding Texting While Driving

I decided to make the following into a post so all SC Legislators could see it in one easy to link to place:

From a letter sent to SC Representative Shane Massey:

How will texting while driving be proven?

Clemson says they will ask for your phone and "see" if you were texting.

My iPhone is a computer more than it is a cellphone.

I have an "example" that my wife and I discussed this past weekend.

We watched Public Enemies with Johnny Depp ... one scene has Dillinger getting burned by the silencer on his weapon. He was yelling at his men - asking them to "do me a better custom - I'm gettin burned."

After we watched Public Enemies ... my wife and I watched one of our favorite shows "Forensic Files"

On this show - a guy committed a murder using a "homemade silencer". The show narrator said - he made the silencer because silencers are illegal.

I wanted to see why silencers were illegal ... coincidentally it was part of the Firearms Act passed in the 1930's due to John Dillinger.

This information is still loaded on my iPhone as a bookmarked page.

If a police officer pulled me over - inspected my phone and I had that on my iPhone ... What would he think?

I also would like to have a conceal & carry permit. I am suppose to hand over that ID if I'm pulled over ... Again I ask you ... What is an officer going to assume by all of this?

I have never been arrested, I've never been charged with a misdemeanor or felony ... but these "coincidences" make me look suspicious.

An officer has no right to search my personal effects - even if I didn't have this suspect information.

See also:

Cell Phone Bans Don't Decrease Accident Study Shows

"I Couldn't Give A Damn About The Future Of Touch"

How Clemson Is About To Erase Liberty In Liberty

Tax Deduction Available For Haiti Relief

A new (and temporary) tax relief law allows people who contributed in 2010 to charities providing relief during the Haiti earthquake to take a tax deduction for the contribution on their 2009 tax return instead of waiting to make it a part of their 2010 return.

This means you can receive an immediate tax benefit, rather than having to wait until you file next year’s return.

Most people that will have contributed don't itemize their taxes, so, won't be able to take the deduction.

Only cash contributions made to these charities after Jan. 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, are eligible. This includes contributions made by text message, check, credit card or debit card.

The contributions must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.

You may deduct these contributions on either your 2009 or 2010 returns, but not both.

In addition, the general rules about tax deductions for charitable donations apply:

You must itemize your deductions on Schedule A; those claiming the standard deduction, including all short-form filers, are not eligible.

You must keep a record of any deductible donations you make.

For donations by text message, a telephone bill will meet the requirement if it shows the name of the donee organization and the date and amount of the contribution.

For cash contributions made by other means, be sure to keep a bank record, such as a cancelled check, or a receipt from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution.

Contributions to foreign organizations generally are not deductible.

Make sure your contribution goes to a qualified charity. Most organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible donations are listed in a searchable, online database available under Search for Charities. Some organizations, such as churches or governments, may be qualified even though they’re not listed on IRS.gov.

The True Benefit Of Liberty Only Comes From Laws That Are Self Imposed

"We owe every other sacrifice to ourselves, to our federal brethren, and to the world at large, to pursue with temper and perseverance the great experiment which shall prove that man is capable of living in society, governing itself by laws self-imposed, and securing to its members the enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and peace ...."
~ Thomas Jefferson

Groundhog Day: The Greatest Chamber Of Commerce Gimmick Ever

Punxsutawney is in Western Pennsylvania, about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

There's nothing really that special about the area.

Nearly 100 years ago ... a group of townsfolk in Punxsutawney got together to try to figure out how to get people to visit in the dead of winter ... they created the mythos of Punxsutawney Phil - a woodchuck who predicted (with his shadow) whether we would have an early spring (in six weeks) or a month and half more of winter. (The joke is these are the same length of time - one just sounds longer.)

Spring 2010 will begin regardless on Saturday,March 20th in 2010. The winter season of 2010 ends Friday, March 19th.

I'm not sure how many websites have ever made the connection that the popularity of The National Weather Service and the modernization of equipment used in various meteorological measurements happened right around the same time as the mythos of Punxsutawney Phil began.

Punxsutawney Phil's legend also happened to come about right as townships began to finalize their boundaries and form chambers of commerce and establish mayorship. (Punxsutawney and Liberty are very close in their times formation.)

Groundhog Day, which initially capitalized on the growing fascination amongst Americans with weather prediction and measurement, was further promoted by the Punxsutawney Chamber Of Commerce.

Now, each year, the town of Punxsutawney and nearby Gobbler's Knob capitalize on the media coverage and curious travelers who make their way by the THOUSANDS to the small little towns.

_________________________________

From the Punxsutawney website:

How many "Phils" have there been over the years?

One!

C'mon... really?

Of course there has only been one Phil. How many Santa Clauses have there been!?! Every summer the Groundhog Club gives Phil a special elixir called The Elixir of Life. The drink extends his life for an extra seven years with each sip.

Where can I get a cute, cuddly stuffed groundhog?

Visit the Chamber of Commerce's Official Souvenir Catalog. You'll find all kinds of items there to help you celebrate the holiday even if you're not planning to visit in person!

_________________________________

All I can say is GENIUS!

Liberty has somewhat of a genius move with the annual Liberty Idol contest ... I hope it lasts. The only thing I see is that interest in American Idol is waning and its popularity in the ratings is sagging.

It also doesn't help that other (local to Liberty) municipalities are getting in on the "Idol" entertainment too. I doubt many know Liberty was one of the first to do it - I doubt many care. I guess what I'm getting at is that while Liberty Idol is a valiant effort - it isn't unique or lasting.

Since I'm a man of vision - I would like to see Liberty eventually do at least one thing a year that is unique that could draw national attention. One thing we could capitalize on is Ben Robertson - who is buried here in Liberty. I'd love to see a writing event - maybe a celebration of Liberty history - something that seems to be lost by our own current chamber.
_________________________________

One of the best comedies ever made is Bill Murray's Groundhog Day:




The story focuses on Phil Conners, an arrogant weatherman who finds himself living the same day over and over again. He eventually starts to learn from each day as he repeats it - but can he become a better man before going insane?

One note about the story that is left up to the viewer to determine - the repetition could have only lasted a month or it may have lasted for years. Once you start to think about this - you see what a great actor Murray is - playing a very sad and dark role.


* I won't get into the Pagan origins of Groundhog Day, but for a starting point if interested check here.

Reference:

http://www.groundhog.org/groundhog-day/history/

http://www.punxsutawneyphil.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puxatony_phil

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/pa/history/timeline.php

LOST: The Final Season To Premiere Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The season premiere of LOST is on Tuesday February 2, 2010.

It starts at 8PM EST on ABC.

I'm not saying this as a fanatic, I don't have posters or action figures ... I don't even own any of the DVDs from previous seasons ... this is just one of the most compelling stories ever told.

I'd strongly encourage you to watch.

If you'd like to catch up ... The Sarlin Library can get seasons 1-4 on DVD. I rented season 5 from Blockbuster in Easley. You can also watch and catch up on ABC.COM and on iTunes. The SYFY Network and G4 also rerun previous seasons.

2 Hour Delay For Liberty Area Public Schools on Monday February 1, 2010

2 HOUR DELAY

There is a two hour delay for

Liberty Elementary
Liberty Middle
Liberty High School

... for Monday, February 1, 2010.

Announcement from Pickens County School District:

Inclement Weather Announcement

All Pickens County buses and schools will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, February 1.

4K morning classes will be held and will dismiss at regular time.

This means that children DO NOT get picked up by buses until 2 hours later also.

DO NOT send children out into the cold as temperatures are in the teens with wind chill factored in.

The normal school bell rings at 8:00AM:

From School District Handbook:

School students are expected, by district policy, to arrive to school on time each day. First period begins at 8:00 AM. Any student arriving after 8:00 AM is tardy to school.

The normal Liberty Middle and Liberty High bells ring at 8:10 - even though students are to arrive no later than 8:00AM.

This means that on a two hour delay - this time moves to 10:00AM.

Additional notes:

The Skyline Region Wrestling Tournament scheduled for January 30, at Crescent High School has been re-scheduled for Monday, February 1, at 5:00PM with weigh-ins beginning at 4:00PM.

Lander University has moved its Open House to Saturday, February 13, from 9:30AM to 2:30PM.

Students can register for Open House at www.lander.edu/admissions

Or call 864-388-8307 or toll-free 1-888-4LANDER

Cell Phone Bans Don't Decrease Accidents

While our local municipalities and state government consider "texting while driving" bans; this study raises questions on their effectiveness:

Cell Phone Bans Don't Decrease Accidents, Study Says

The full story from NPR.ORG:

According to a study of four jurisdictions that have banned the use of hand-held devices while driving, the laws have not reduced accident rates.

Policymakers who have become increasingly concerned about drivers using cell phones now have a new worry: According to a study of four jurisdictions that have banned the use of hand-held devices while driving, the laws have not reduced accident rates.

The study, conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute, an insurance industry group, looked at accident rates before and after cell phone bans took effect in New York, the District of Columbia, Connecticut and California.

It found that month-to-month fluctuations in collision accident claims didn't change before and after cell phone bans took effect. Nor did accident patterns change compared with those in nearby states without cell phone bans.

"The laws aren't reducing crashes, even though we know that such laws have reduced hand-held phone use, and several studies have established that phoning while driving increases crash risk," said Adrian Lund, president of the HLDI.

HLDI says the reduction in observed cell phone use is substantial when laws banning hand-held cell phone use take effect. And the link between the effects of phone use on the risk of a crash has been well established. So it's a bit of a mystery as to why there has not been a corresponding drop in the four jurisdictions' accident rates since their cell phone bans took effect.
Lund says the HLDI is gathering data to figure out the mismatch. It could be that drivers may be switching to hands-free phones in these jurisdictions. The institute says the risk of crashing while using a hands-free phone and holding a phone are about the same. Currently no state bans the use of hands-free devices.

"Whatever the reason," Lund says, "the key finding is that crashes aren't going down where hand-held phone use has been banned."

He says the finding "doesn't augur well for any safety payoff from all the new laws that ban phone use and texting while driving."

NTSB: The Study Is 'Irresponsible'

On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced an immediate ban on the use of texting devices by commercial truck and bus drivers. There are indications that the department is considering a ban on all cell phone use by commercial drivers.

Lund points out that drivers are subject to other distractions, including audio devices, eating and dealing with fighting children in the back seat. He says technology that could alert drivers about "all of the mistakes we make when we're distracted by anything is ultimately the way to deal with this problem."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reacted strongly to the HLDI study.

"It is irresponsible to suggest that laws banning cell phone use while driving have zero effect on the number of crashes on our nation's roadways," the agency said in a statement. "A University of Utah study shows that using a cell phone while driving can be just as dangerous and deadly as driving drunk. We know that by enacting and enforcing tough laws, states have reduced the number of crashes leading to injuries and fatalities. We know that high-visibility campaigns and enforcement, like Click It or Ticket and Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest has had a positive influence on driver behavior.

"That's why seat belt use is at an all-time high of 84 percent and drunk driving is declining. These improvements didn't happen overnight. It took strong laws, enforcement, education and personal responsibility to bring us where we are today, and still there is more work to do. When it comes to distracted driving, we are only at the starting gate."

I don't know about you ... but at least locally (recently) there've been a lot of drunk driving and seat belt related fatalities. And just for statistical purposes ... If I only published 84% of a story - would you get 100% of the story?

* NTSB = National Transportation Safety Board

2009 SC Tax Booklets

Reminder, if you want a South Carolina tax booklet ...

You must ask for one by mail or go to your library, online, or call the IRS.

(In previous years, the post office has had tax forms.)

Here is the link for the SCDOR (South Carolina Department Of Revenue):

SCDOR: Forms & Instructions

If you do your taxes online or by computer program such as TurboTax - you don't need these forms.

It's A "No Show For Snow" In Liberty

Here are a few pictures taken at around 7:30AM On Saturday January 30, 2010. At 8:00AM it is lightly raining and most of the ice seems to be melting - even though temperatures are expected to hover around the freezing mark all day.




New Hope Baptist Church


The hood of my car


East Front St / Downtown



The grass in my front yard

Reminder: Liberty Area Boy Scouts Hold BBQ & Yard Sale Today @ Vet Hut In Liberty

The Boy Scout Troop 172 needs your help ... don't let the inclement weather hold you back from going out to show your support.

The Boy Scouts do a lot of good for the Liberty community.


The Liberty Area Boy Scout Troop 172 will be holding a fundraiser to send the troop to summer camp in Virginia and the National Jamboree.

BBQ & Yard Sale
Saturday January 30, 2010
(@American Legion Vet Hut)
219 North Palmetto St
Liberty SC 29657

"The Rollercoaster" In Liberty

Many people in Liberty call this area "the rollercoaster". My son asks to go down "the hill". The speed limit is just fast enough to feel a slight pull in your stomach when you get to "the dip". At the bottom you can see where cars with low clearances have scratched the pavement.

Febuary 2010 Events In Liberty ...

Please also see the Google calendar to the right. It requires a Google account to view it. If you don't have a Google account - you should get one. It's fast and easy to sign up. Having a Google account will allow access to the monthly calendar in the right column. It will also allow you to add events as well. The monthly static calendar of events will still be posted, but the Google calendar will include more up to date information.

February 2, 2010

Groundhog Day

Season Premiere of LOST
(8PM on ABC / Channel 13)

________________________________

February 8, 2010

Liberty City Council Meeting
6PM at Rosewood Center (next to Ingles)

New Liberty Public Schools Hearing
7PM at Liberty Middle School Auditorium

________________________________

February 11, 2010

Conservatives Of The Upstate
Meeting at 6:30 PM @ 769 Belle Shoals Rd Pickens, SC 29671

________________________________

February 14, 2010

Valentine's Day

________________________________

February 15, 2010

President's Day
(Most government employees off/Post Office Closed/Banks Closed)

Also see this list of Liberty Sarlin Library Branch Events:

February 2010 @ SARLIN LIBRARY

* If you're looking for a birthday to celebrate ... mine's the 23rd.

A criticism ...

While I don't normally like to make fun of the illiterate among us, I found this comment (made this morning) almost comical:

"Okay well i think this web site is a bunch of crapp.. you dont know the people in this town. and you make a web site bout are town like you know it all. you complain bout the lil boy who died 3years ago like you knew him and really you didn't your website was a bad ided thanksss "

I especially love the "double p" on "crapp" - it gives it extra oomph!

This was posted on an unrelated article ... but I believe it was in reference to:

An issue that needs to be laid to rest

City Of Liberty Water Tower

This is a picture of the City Of Liberty Water Tower.

I didn't realize it was located in someone's backyard like this.

I suppose the location would classified as West Front Street.



The picture above is from the perspective of the Liberty Elementary parking lot.

Liberty Woman Burned Badly By Wood Burning Heater

Picture of Doctor's Hospital Augusta GA

As reported by The Anderson Independent:

A Liberty woman was flown to the Augusta burn unit Thursday night with 2nd & 3rd degree burns following an accident with a wood-burning heater.

Anderson County Fire Chief Billy Gibson said the unidentified 34-year-old was in the living room of her mobile home on Shadow Hills Drive trying to light the heater when flames flashed from it and set her clothes on fire.

Gibson said firefighters arrived at the house and contained the fire.

“It appears she had put some type of flammable liquid, maybe kerosene, on the wood,” Gibson said. “This caused the fire to flash. She had some of the fluid on her clothes, too.”

Gibson said MedTrans flew the woman to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia.

He said the woman suffered burns to her torso, neck and head.

“She may also have burned her lungs by inhaling the flames,” he said. “She was having trouble breathing.”

“This is a very tragic situation,” Gibson said. “Anytime you start a fire it’s important not to use flammable liquids.”

“For anyone using a space heater it’s important to keep it at least three feet away from combustibles like bedding, furniture or curtains.”

Not that this has any relation to this story but ... I was just down in Augusta this past weekend - one topic of conversation for the drive down was getting a wood burning stove. We also drove by the Joseph M. Still Burn Center - which I didn't know existed.

This is the same burn center that Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker was taken to when he was involved in a plane crash in Columbia, South Carolina in September of 2008.

GET YOUR FREE KAZOO @ PICKENS COUNTY LIBRARY BRANCHES TODAY!

Did you know that today is National Kazoo Day? Me neither! But the library wants to celebrate it.

Thursday January 28, 2010
National Kazoo Day/Get a FREE kazoo at the Liberty Library

Recent Tweets ...

If you're not part of the ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM Twitter feed you may have missed this Liberty & South Carolina news:

[RETWEETED from @rexrice] Tonight we will hear the State of the Union. Read President Reagan's view from 1992 here: http://bit.ly/d9lJpq

about 1 hour ago from Twitter

SC closes 4 interstate rest areas 2 save money http://bit.ly/crJ8iI / Hope cops will save me money by not ticketing me if my son pees out of car

about 1 hour ago from Twitter

S.C. lawmakers might ban texting while driving http://bit.ly/bV0xHc How is this enforceable?

about 4 hour ago from Twitter

S.C. senators 2 discuss banning high-sugar, high fat foods N schools http://bit.ly/ax1ezw / They should B considering a ban on bad teachers.

about 5 hours ago from Twitter

SC Rep. Joe Wilson (Famous for saying "You Lie!") 2 give video response on Facebook 4 President's StateOfU speech tonite http://bit.ly/92KjT7

about 6 hours ago from Twitter

Visit ATLIBERTYTOSAY TWITTER PAGE to follow @ATLIBERTYTOSAY to receive live updates and news that may not make it to the front page.

If You Love Wealth Greater Than Liberty ...

Regarding politicians who create laws specifically for revenue:

"If you love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." ~ Samuel Adams

Bonus Quote:

"The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates" ~ Tacitus

School District of Pickens County To Hold Public Hearing Concerning Attendance Lines

As reported by The Anderson Independent:

Liberty residents can comment on proposed attendance lines for Liberty Elementary School and the new Chastain Road Elementary School, which is set to open in 2011.

The School District of Pickens County will conduct a public hearing about the attendance lines starting at 7PM Monday February 8, 2010 at the Liberty Middle School auditorium.

Until Chastain Road Elementary opens, students in kindergarten through fourth grade in the current attendance area for Liberty Elementary, the Pickens County's largest elementary school, attend that school. When they reach fifth grade, students move to Liberty Middle School.

The new school, scheduled to open in September 2011, will change that. Both Liberty-area elementary schools will serve kindergarten through fifth grade. Additionally, the goal is to have two schools of similar size, approximately 500 students each.

“We’ve examined the demographics to see if we can find a line that will create schools with similar student population,” said Henry Hunt, superintendent, in a statement. “We see the railroad as a logical dividing line. At the meeting we’ll present the demographics so that folks can see how equal the populations will be. Certainly, though, we do want to hear what others have to say.”

Habitat Applicants Needed In The Liberty Area

Pickens County Habitat is in need of families that are willing to live in the Liberty area to apply.

Applicants can call 864-868-3737 and have an application mailed to them.

Please help recruit Liberty applicants. More Liberty families are needed for the houses we will build there to implement our Neighborhood Stabilization grant from Columbia.

Qualifications for Habitat Houses:

1. Must have income (Examples: SSI, wages, SSDS, or child support.)
2. A need for housing
3. If employed, must have been on current job for last 365 days.
4. OK credit- Not great-Just OK
5. Must meet income guidelines (see below)

Note: Food Stamps are counted as income when calculating yearly income.

Yearly Income

1 person = at least $11,550 but not over $23,040
2 person = $13,200 to $26,340
3 person = $14800.00 to $29,640
4 person = $16,450 to $32,940
5 person = $17,800 to $35,580
6 person = $19,100 to $38,220

Applicants cannot be below or above these income thresholds.

Benefits of a Habitat home:

• No interest/Quicker ownership
• Incentive programs for on time payments
• Property tax & insurance are rolled into payments
• Usually extensive landscaping is included
• High flexibility if new construction
• Usually a convenient location
• Satisfaction for being part of revitalizing Liberty
• Satisfaction for contributing to one of the only completely worthwhile volunteer charities

Contact:

Michelle Parsons
Pickens County DSS
864-898-5309

* My home is a habitat built home

On The Way To Liberty ...

This sign is on HWY 8 in Easley straight across from the Miracle Hill Thrift Store just before you enter downtown.

Pickens County School Board To Meet Tonight [UPDATED]

As reported by The Anderson Independent:

The Pickens County school board meets Monday to elect a new chairman and consider new school calendars.

The board will hold an executive session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss personnel actions, a principal’s salary schedule and an architectural contract, according to an agenda.

It will hold an open session at 7:30 p.m. to consider board elections, adoption of school calendars for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, and to consider a budget amendment.

Under the proposed 2010-2011 calendar, school would start for students Aug. 17 and end June 2. Spring break would be April 18-22. Christmas vacations would run Dec. 20-31.

Under the proposed 2011-2012 calendar school would start Sept. 6 and end June 14. Spring break would be April 2-9, although April 2 is an inclement weather make-up day if needed. Christmas break would be Dec. 19-30.

Financial officer Melissa Campbell will provide an update on the school district’s 2011 General Fund Budget Calendar, a monthly financial report and fiscal year 2010 funding flexibility plans.

The board also will hear a report on the district’s building program. Also on the agenda are discussions of policies related to professional personnel assignment and transfers, classified personnel assignment and transfers and the district’s sick leave bank.

The School Board meets at the administrative office at:

1348 Griffin Mill Road,
Liberty, SC 29657

* The Independent errantly reports the location as being in Easley.

Directions in Google Maps

[UPDATE]

Notes from the meeting:

The Pickens County school budget has declined from a peak of $104 million to a current $93.1 million, the School Board was informed.

The board agreed to a budget amendment to make reductions of $1.95 million, with $1.4 million cut from several programs or services and $500,000 transferred from a special revenue fund into the general fund.

The district is behind this fiscal year a total of $500,000 in real estate and vehicle taxes, but that was made up by being $800,000 ahead in delinquent tax collections, she said. Board member Alex Saitta said the delinquent tax collection was a sign of the economy, with foreclosures being purchased and the taxes paid off.

The school board also agreed to two new calendars.

The School District of Pickens County will start the 2011-2012 year on Tuesday, September 6th 2011.

The reason: The district will be opening five new schools as part of its ambitious building program. The later start will give everyone ample time to move into the new schools.

The new schools to open are Pickens High School, Liberty High School, Dacusville Elementary School, Chastain Road Elementary School and the Career and Technology Center.

The school board, meeting Monday night, approved the later opening date.

The start date for 2010-2011 will be closer to the district’s normal opening, Tuesday, August 17, 2010.

School board members also agreed to use an online program for courses that allows students who need to catch up on credits, and for use by homebound students. The program offers 30+ courses.

The board will meet Thursday, February 11 2010 to begin discussing its budget reductions for the next fiscal year.

Habitat House Being Built In Liberty

This past Saturday, Habitat for Humanity, Women Build, Lowes and volunteers to began work on a new home on Lee Street in Liberty.

Mayor Deese welcomed the Williams family to Liberty and then helped hammer the first nails of their new home along with Sara Newton, Women Built Coordinator.

Deese said, “You’ll make a lot of friends. We are excited about this Habitat project. It's great to have people here to make this families dreams come true. I’m excited about seeing the house go up.”

Habitat Coordinator Jill Evans said volunteers are welcome on Saturdays 8AM to 1PM.

Those interested can show up at the build site at 17 Lee Street.

Groups of five people or more should call ahead.

Volunteers don't need to bring anything with them to the site. (No tools)

For more information about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity visit:

www.pickenshabitat.org

or call 864-878-6374.

* My home is a Habitat built home.

What Does Liberty Depend On?

A poignant statement regarding the modern "texting while driving" debate:

"Our safety, our liberty, depends upon preserving the Constitution of the United States as our fathers made it inviolate. The people of the United States are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts - not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." ~ Abraham Lincoln

Old Train Ticket ...

In my research about the train in Liberty ...

I found this old train ticket from 1906.

This train went nearby Liberty but doesn't show it stopping or running through Liberty.

Does anyone happen to have a train ticket from a train that has Liberty SC as a stop?

Why We Should Read Every Word Of The Bible

Every few Sundays I deliver a message at a family Bible Study. This is one of my "talks" from a few months ago ...

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

John I 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Many interpret "the word" = Jesus/I've always thought of "the word" as the word of God = The Bible)

I John 1:14

And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.

(My personal interpretation of this passage is that God/Bible/Jesus/Holy Spirit are one)

I Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Psalm 12:6

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver is refined in a furnace, purified 7 times.


If you noticed ... all these passages were about what the Bible is. The Bible is the word. If the Bible IS God then that means ALL of the words in the Bible are important.

I'd like for each of us to read one verse from Matthew 1, then I'd like to tell you the importance of this chapter that's never discussed in a church.

Matthew 1: 1-25

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

We should read the Bible from cover to cover without skipping any verses.

As I discussed a few moments ago, the word is God - if we skip over ANY portion we are effectively skipping over something God wants us to know about him.

Matthew 1 1-17 is often skipped over - but it's one of the most important few verses in the Bible as it details the complete genealogy of Jesus.

One of the best things I've heard my Dad preach about is the importance of reading the verses, and chapters which, when I was young I called, "The begats". Every morning, we had a devotional and I'd roll my eyes when I had to read a chapter where Rehaboam begat Jereboam and Jereboam had three sons ... ughhhhh.

But it's important.

Here's another reason:

What if some time in the near future, someone were reading your family tree and they skipped over your father or your grandfather and so consequently left you, your sisters, your brothers, your daughters, and your sons out. We'd all be forgotten just because someone chose to "skip over us".

I would encourage everyone to read the Bible cover to cover before you reach the next zero in your birthday. If you read two chapters a day ... one from the old testament and one from the new testament - you'll be done in one year's time.

I've downloaded the Bible onto my iPhone. When I'm waiting in line by myself somewhere I read the daily devotional - it also gives me encouragement and strength if I happen to be waiting to speak with someone or about to get "examined" by a doctor, etc etc.

Liberty Area Boy Scout Troop 172 BBQ & Yard Sale

The Liberty Area Boy Scout Troop 172 will be holding a fundraiser to send the troop to summer camp in Virginia and the National Jamboree.

Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its 100th Year this year.

BBQ & Yard Sale
Saturday January 30, 2010
(@American Legion Vet Hut)
219 North Palmetto St
Liberty SC 29657

Liberty Residents Getting Calls From Strange Numbers On Cellphones

I've had three Liberty residents communicate to me that they have been getting called on their cellphones by strange phone numbers:

The first comes from a regular reader who communicated with ATLIBERTYTOSAY through FACEBOOK.

The number:

541-909-8989

Here's a forum discussing this number which seems to originate from an Indian Reservation in Oregon:

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-541-909-8989

The second comes from a Caller ID in Washington D.C. - offering a free cruise if you answer a few survey questions:

202-495-7141

If you see one of these numbers on your cellphone - don't answer it!

Calls like this are increasing as telemarketers have seen their databases dry up as more and more people switch to cell phones as their only phone.

This is what is known as a "line test call". The call is meant solely to find out if you have a valid cellphone number. This confirmation (if you answer) then allows a few things to happen.

First, you are added to a marketing database either on an Indian Reservation or an international telemarketer database. These entities do NOT have to follow Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or Federal Communications Commission (FCC) polices - since they aren't governed by Federal law.

Most likely, this exact number isn't going to call you back, but it's a good idea to call AT&T to get the number blocked anyway. If enough people complain about the number - AT&T will block the call from calling any AT&T wireless or landline number.

Just know that with modern (and commonly available) technology like an iPhone - I can "spoof" a call and make it seem like it's from any number. I even did this as a joke a few weeks back to my wife - calling as our daughter. The Caller ID literally shows up with my daughter's name, number, and picture right on my wife's iPhone.

My rule of thumb is that I don't answer ANY phone number that I don't recognize as a local number or a valid connection. People that I know - know how to get in contact with me.

Summary Of Pickens County Republican Meeting Held @ Rosewood Center In Liberty

Phillip Bowers, Chair of the Pickens County Republican Party introduced himself and mentioned that the Pickens GOP focuses on getting people involved in the Republican Party in Pickens County and helps with election funding - even in city council races - mentioning that local government is where great Republicans are born.

He mentioned the need for young people to get involved as it's hard to unseat an incumbent.

Liberty City Councilman Rick Clark was present.

Representative Rex Rice was the guest speaker.

Rice made an analogy about how bad Hurricane Hugo was and how clean the air felt the next day. He said that's how it's beginning to feel in the State of South Carolina and on the Federal level - especially after the win of Republican Scott Brown for the Senate Seat in Massachusetts held by Democrat Ted Kennedy.

He polled the audience to ask who was a pessimist or optimist, alluding to the analogy of the glass being half empty or half full. He jokingly said he was a "realist" who knows the glass needs to be washed.

He expressed his thoughts on implementing a drug test to receive State assistance.

He mentioned a resolution to stop Employment Security Commission (SCESC) from paying benfits to those who were fired for cause.

After an audience question about immigration burdening social service programs in the state,

Rice mentioned that illegal immigrants shouldn't be here.

He moved on to talk about his legislation on the Virtual School Bill.

He said South Carolina was second in the nation on this front.

"It's amazing South Carolina can be number two in education in anything," Rice said.

Rice also mentioned:

"You can have fair trade or you can have free trade."

"Low to no corporate income tax would help draw business to the state."

February 2010 Events At Sarlin Library In Liberty SC

Liberty's Sarlin Library will host several computing basics classes each Wednesday in February:

February 3 10AM - Computer Basics
February 10 10AM - eMail
February 17 10AM - Microsoft Word
February 24 10 AM - Excel

February 3 1PM - Internet Basics
February 10 1PM - FaceBook/MySpace
February 17 1PM - Advanced Microsoft Word
February 24 1PM - Job Seekers

Monday February 8, 2010
Liberty Book Club @ 11AM

Tuesday February 9, 2010
Yoga @ 11AM

Monday February 15, 2010
Liberty Library Closed for President's Day Observance

Tuesday February 16, 2010
NASCAR Kart Racing Wii @ 3:30PM

Saturday February 20, 2010
YACK & YARN 10AM

Liberty Middle School artwork will be on display during the month of February at the Sarlin Library.

The Greatest Dangers To Liberty ...

The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.
~ Louis D. Brandeis

From Wikipedia:

Louis D. Brandeis (November 13, 1856 – October 5, 1941) was a United States Supreme Court Justice from 1916 to 1939. He enrolled at Harvard Law School, graduating at the age of twenty with the highest grade average in the college’s history.

He achieved recognition by submitting a case brief, later called the "Brandeis Brief," which relied on expert testimony from people in other professions to support his case, thereby setting a new precedent in evidence presentation. (expert testimony)

Southeastern Gun & Knife Show To Be Held At Anderson Civic Center This Weekend

The Southeastern Gun & Knife Expo will be held from 9AM to 5PM Saturday January 23, 2010 & Sunday January 24, 2010.

Thousands of guns, knives, and accessories will be on display by vendors.

Admission is $7 per person or $10 for a two-day pass; children under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult.

Anderson Civic Center
3027 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Anderson SC, 29525

For more information call (864) 260-4800.

Pickens County Library Now Has iPhone Library Card Scanning

A few weeks ago I corresponded with Sashont Crisp-Grieser, creator of CardStar for the iPhone.

Cardstar is an application that can hold the barcode of all your "member cards" and "rewards cards" - it works perfectly at Ingles in Liberty using it for my Ingles Advantage Card. I have 8 other cards including other grocery club cards, frequent flyer, and various office store rewards.

Here is the correspondence with the programmer of CardStar so you set up your Pickens County Library Card properly:

Hi Philip,

Thank you for the sample image. I was able to verify the barcode and will be adding it into the CardStar database within the next 2 weeks. After this time you can find them listed the All Merchants category or under the merchants relevant category (i.e. gym, library, retail, etc). Also, when entering in your cards it does not matter if you enter in your spaces. CardStar will treat it the same. However, make sure you include all the digits associated with a barcode including any in front of or after your barcode and fir simplicity you can always leave out any spaces or dashes. Hope that helps!
Also, when scanning at your local merchants please be sure you are following all our Tips for Scanning Success, including:

1) Make sure the screen is free of dust and fingerprints. The screen MUST be clean in order to scan properly.

2) Keep the screen just shy of perpendicular to the scanner and hold the barcode image steady (don't wave around).

3) Hold the screen approximately 5-7 inches from the scanning device.

4) Keep the screen in a vertical (portrait) orientation. Only use horizontal (landscape) orientation when the barcode is too wide to display otherwise.

5) Set your screen brightness to 80% or higher for best scanning results.

6) Avoid screen protector covers which can hinder the laser from reading the barcode off the screen. Some screen protectors can work fine and not hinder the scanning process. If you are looking for alternative screen protectors try types that are listed as "clear", such as PowerSupport Crystal from apple.com, ScreenGuardz Ultra-Slim, and Ultra clear full from HDAccessory.com. All of which were tested in our lab for scanning compatibility.

7) Avoid flatbed scanners which can be problematic for scanning off of phones. Instead stick to handheld scanners which allow the laser scanner to read effectively off the phone screen. NOTE: some users have reported successful scanning off of flatbeds but only under very specific circumstances so its easiest to stick to handhelds.

Hope this information helps and please let me know if there is anything further I can assist you with!

-Sashont

CardStar Support
*******@mycardstar.com

Just to note - the Liberty Ingles self checkout flatbed scanners work perfectly almost every time for me.

Also, while the Liberty Branch has made an exception for me to use this - the Pickens County Library System does not yet sanction the use of CardStar. I am working with them to get it approved - although I was told in a very "red tape manner" - it could be a few months before approval.

Notes on SC Governor Mark Sanford's Final State Of The State Address

Picture Of Mark Sanford/Screenshot of SC ETV broadcast

Tonight, Governor Mark Sanford gave his final state of the State address.

Here are a few notes:

“I disappointed you, I disappointed my family. I disappointed many across this state and across this nation. But you know what it means? It means that I am weak and at times all too human.”

[PARAPHRASE] We have an environment for change because of economic difficulty. We should look at this as a positive - essentially to live within our means.

"It's my hope that we will be "for the people" in the results we produce."

In reference to unfunded Federal mandates:

"History has consistently shown how governments spend themselves into oblivion and cause real pain for the taxpayer."

He spoke of the damages that Federal stimulus money and health care proposals has done and will do.

"If you can take one pearl of wisdom from this talk, I ask that you make your voice heard concerning jobs growth and the economy."

He mentioned the tools a Governor needs:

• Electing a Governor and Lieutenant Governor on the same ticket.

• Let the voters decide whether officials should be appointed or elected.

• There can be no accountability without transparency.

"Thank you for passing the first cut to the marginal income tax in South Carolina history."

"$260 million dollars have stayed in the hands of taxpayers."

"Thank you for passing workers compensation reform."

"Thank you for passing the small business health care bill."

Sanford mentioned his work on reform of the Department of Motor Vevicles (DMV).

(I have to admit this IS something Sanford deserves great praise for.)

"Wait times at the DMV have gone from 66 minutes to 16 minutes."

He discussed progress on school choice in South Carolina.

He discussed the importance of the State's balanced budget requirement.

He discussed the State employee health care savings plan and how it's saved the State millions.

Representative Harry Ott (House Minority Leader) delivered the response speech afterward:

About the only interesting thing he said was,

"State Republicans have virtually seized control of local governments."

Public School Sports Division Realignment To Affect Liberty

Liberty public school sports will have a different conference schedule next year. Three of the six Skyline 2A teams are to be replaced by three other teams.

Walhalla will move to the Western 3A conference.

Abbeville is to move down to the 1A level.

Liberty, Crescent, and Pendleton will remain in the Skyline 2A Conference.

Emerald High School will be the largest 2A school, according to league attendance records. The Emerald Panthers will move from Skyline 2A (Region 1-2A) to Region 3-2A next season.

Replacing those three schools in Skyline 2A will be; Carolina, Chesnee, and Palmetto (Each currently in Region 2-2A).

None of this year’s Region 2-2A teams will be in the same conference next season, as three move to Region 1-2A, Woodruff and Broome move to Region 3-2A, while Southside moves to 3A.

The South Carolina High School league realigns its conference every two years, depending on attendance figures for the schools. Generally, the 48 biggest schools are classified as 4A, the next 48 as 3A, the next 48 as 2A and the remaining schools as “Single A.” Schools can apply for an exception to realignment, such as when a school’s new conference assignment would require greater travel and cause that school to incur greater expenses. Daniel High has often received alignment due solely to competition.

Mayor Of Clemson,"I couldn't give a damn about the future of touch."

Picture from CBS News

Well, I just got a taste of what it's like to "talk with the mayor of Clemson".

I went to the Clemson City Council meeting tonight.

One topic of tonight's meeting was to be the ban on (and fine for) texting while driving.

I am genuinely concerned for the lives of Pickens County residents. I am more concerned about our civil liberties. Our civil liberties allow us to pursue our God given rights of life, liberty, and justice.

Because people kill with guns doesn't mean I support a ban on guns.

Because radical Muslims kill innocent Christians doesn't mean I want to ban them from practicing their religion.

Because The Enquirer publishes false gossip about celebrities doesn't mean I want to censor them.

The same is true with texting while driving, Damn those that do. They are putting lives at risk - including their own. This doesn't mean I want to make up some new arbitrary and ambiguous law to prevent it. How do you legislate stupidity?

I say that texting while driving is already covered under a reckless driving charge. If I am seen driving recklessly - that should be my charge. If the city feels it necessary to prove their point with a subpoena of my cellphone records - then so be it. I should be given the right to defend it in court. I do not want a police officer rifling through my iPhone.

_____________________________

So, I started off introducing that I am Philip Smith from Liberty and I was concerned that this texting law would make it to my nearby hometown.

I "broke the ice" sarcastically reading them a text message I sent to my wife on the way down 123 to Clemson,

"Bcause it may B 1 of the last times I get 2 do this - I luv u - I wrote this while driving"

I mentioned that I would like to review each persons cellphones after my talk just to see what's on them.

I mentioned that my iPhone isn't a cellphone - it's a computer. I have private information on it. I haven't broken any laws that I know of ... I'm a good citizen ... I have nothing to hide. The Fourth Amendment states:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.

I questioned whether Council had considered the amount of training for all the different types of cellphones.

What about radios, GPS, car DVDs?

I stated that media and councils are always seeking buzz words and catch phrases and if they could take one thing away from my talk it's this:

The future of tech is touch.

I briefly described the concept of "Precrime" as it pertains to the movie Minority Report.




I said that the common argument for this law is,

"Other states are doing it?"

Other states are allowing legal marijuana.

Other states are allowing gay marriage.

This is South Carolina - we have always led the charge for freedom - we were the first to secede.

Does this ban include tweeting or checking email? Are police officers going to rummage through my phone to see exactly what I was doing?

I was timing my talk myself on my phone. I was surprised myself that i was under 2 minutes at this point. At 2 minutes 30 seconds I was interrupted by Mayor Larry Abernathy of Clemson saying my time was up.

I mentioned that I had one more thing to say. I was reminded that my time was up. I insisted to be heard. I read this quote:

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~ Ben Franklin

Less than sarcastic and more jackassed remark Mayor Abernathy said,

"Did Benjamin Franklin text?"

He asked how many people in Liberty text? I couldn't tell whether this was a meaningful question or a jab referring to Liberty residents as backwoods rednecks. I mentioned my daughter texted somewhere around 17,000 texts last month.

He said, "We're dealing with human lives here."

I decided to leave after my talk was over.

As I left, he remarked,

"I'm sorry this is an issue I really care about, I couldn't give a damn about the future of touch. If there's no one else to speak let's read the minutes from the last meeting."

Mr. Abernathy, you owe me an apology. You were rude, out of line, and your behavior was unbecoming of an elected official. I patronize Clemson restaurants. I deal with Clemson businesses on a regular basis - as I'm sure many Liberty residents do. I am concerned that you are about to erase liberty in Liberty.

_____________________________

[UPDATE] I watched all of the various newscasts last night. Fox 21 covered the story with a LIVE remote. Earlier in the day they had conducted a number of interviews with students at Clemson University. Two of the three interviewed said they wouldn't mind the law and think it would be a good step towards deterrence.

What I would like for older generations to understand is that this is the "Brady Bill" of the new decade. The Brady Bill had good intentions, but just as my father felt his gun rights were being taken away, I feel my personal rights (along with others) are also being eroded. Texts don't kill people; people kill people = Guns don't kill people; people kill people.

I'm sorry that people, especially teens, text while driving. That said, I'm sorry that people drink and drive. In fact, I'm sorry that people consume alcohol at all. I'm sorry people smoke. I'm sorry that people do a lot of stupid things. What stupid thing did you do today? Be forewarned, local municipalities are gearing up to legislate, tax, and fine your stupidity!

City Sets Dates For 2010 Liberty Idol

LIBERTY IDOL 2010

AUDITIONS BEGIN SATURDAY APRIL 3RD 2010
(Auditions last four consecutive weeks)


COMPETITION BEGINS SATURDAY APRIL 24TH 2010
(Competition lasts through Saturday July 3, 2010)

The event is sponsored by local business, the City of Liberty, and the Liberty Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information contact:

Roy Costner
Phone: (864) 843-3139
Cell: (864) 270-3675 or (864) 270-9082

OR

Roy Costner
Costner Entertainment
186 Liberty Hwy.
Liberty, SC 29657

Pickens County Taxpayers Association & Pickens County Republican Party To Meet Thursday January 21, 2010

Each meeting is to be held 7 p.m. Thursday night at separate locations.

The Pickens County Taxpayers Association will meet at the Farm Bureau Building on SC 178 between Pickens and Liberty.

SC State Senator Larry Martin is scheduled to be the guest speaker.

The Pickens County Republican Party will meet at the Rosewood Center in Liberty.

Scheduled guest speakers are South Carolina State Treasurer Converse Chellis and S.C. Representative Rex Rice, who is a candidate for the S.C. District 3 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The following subtitle has been on my technology blog since I started it in 1999:

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

This has been a motto in my life ever since I read it in high school - although I never felt a want or desire to become a police officer or enlist in the military - I have always made it a mission to expose the truth. This website is an extension of that philosophy.

My tech blog experienced a small bit of notoriety early on by exposing a modern day Frank Abignale. Abignale is the basis for the movie Catch Me If You Can.



________________________________

The last thing I want to do on this website is offend anyone ... although sometimes that's not possible.

Sometimes, the truth is offensive to those that read their biographies.

The reason I don't like the specific nature of Martin Luther King Day is that it is targeted towards an exclusive group. While King did many things to forward civil rights for all people, not just racial minorities, but economic minorities as well, I still don't see the merit in a national paid holiday. King preached hard work and perseverence ... would he really have wanted us to take a day off to honor him?

There are too many holidays already ... and in actuality (I realize this sounds contradictory to my last statement) ... I wouldn't mind if President's Day or Memorial Day were replaced with Martin Luther King Day. Veteran's Day and The Fourth Of July are inclusive of all military veterans as it is now.

What would I like to see done on this day? If I were President, especially if I were Barack Obama, I would make a special speech today. I would come right out and say,

"Today, let's resolve something ... no matter the color of our skin ... let's resolve to stop using words like "nigger". Let's resolve to speak clearly and carefully. Let's resolve to understand what offends others and resolve to be less offended ourselves. Let's make today the day that Dr. King dreamed of .... the day we resolved to be equal in character ... not imbalanced by our own laziness or perceived inabilities. Let's resolve to be Americans, a nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL."

Liberty Woman To Arrive Safe From Haiti

On Friday, ATLIBERTYTOSAY reported exclusively about Natacha Lomax whose whereabouts were unknown after she travelled to Haiti for her father's funeral - last week before the devastating earthquake.

I'm pleased to report that her friend just called to notify me that she is okay and will be landing in Atlanta later this evening.

Thank you to all that offered advice and help in locating Mrs. Lomax.

Issues Resolved For Liberty Residents

On Monday January 11, 2010, I attended the Pickens County Delegation meeting.

There I addressed three issues facing Liberty residents:

• Addressed roadside memorial on HWY 178

This has now been addressed and has been adjusted to an acceptable and sane memorial.

• Addressed Pickens County Recycling Program

(I mentioned that this lends to fraud by not accounting for home efforts, commercial pickup, & water weight differences.)

All of our delegates expressed that they will be scrutinizing this carefully. Since the meeting, I have had close communication with "other contacts" (asking not to be identified at this time). There are considerations to cede control of pickup to private waste management companies. If even one municipality does this - the whole program would fall apart.

My concerns over fraud have been discussed with two other mayors (besides Liberty) - they both feel that MANY in our county recycle themselves by burning trash, hauling themselves, reuse, composting, etc and that this behavior should be accounted for and encouraged. Further, these mayors have reviewed my personal study that water weight isn't being considered. The trash is being picked up and compacted. The trucks are then weighed and dumped. A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT of water weight is being added to our recycling totals that is NOT being hauled to a landfill. Either the water weight isn't accounted for or evaporation has occurred.

A simple test of a banana peel illustrates this principle:

Take a fresh banana peel and leave it outside for three weeks. It's weight will be approximately 1/10th that of the original weight.

Concerns have also been expressed by municipalities that the county is only considering THEIR efforts and not private trash pick up.

I know that over the past year I have saved AT LEAST a ton of organic waste and somewhere around a 1/2 ton of aluminum from being thrown away.

• Addressed Liberty residential dognapping issue

(Rex Rice had communicated that he will immediately investigate this issue.)

I have been told by the investigator in this case and the Anderson County Solicitor that anyone who feels their dog may be in custody - may now call Detective Danny Barton @ 864 844-3046 and he will arrange a viewing.

Many of the 150+ animals have been adopted.

I would suggest class action litigation against Wade & Faith Patterson at this point to recover punitive damages as some of the animals "napped" are in other's hands or possibly dead.

Many of the dogs, as confirmed by Detective Barton, were sold prior to the bust at the Anderson Flea Market. The charge of "animal theft" cannot be brought through circumstantial evidence and the Pattersons are denying this allegation.

Research indicates that Faith Patterson (and associates) were regular sellers at the Anderson Jockey Lot where they often would "take orders" for animals and then show up with the requested animal or breed the next week. It can be surmised that some of these animals were being stolen to fulfill these requests.

I consider these issues mostly resolved and I would like to thank Senator Larry Martin and Representative Rex Rice in particular for specifically addressing these issues.

I hope some of this helped a few of you with the issues you brought to me on ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM ... please don't hesitate to contact me regarding these issues or anything else.

On The Way To Liberty ...

This is a double sided sign in downtown Six Mile on Main St.

Both sides shown.

Also pictured: "Liberty Highway" sign - Liberty Highway begins in Six Mile and ends in Liberty - melding into Summit Drive.

Liberty Teen Involved In Fatal Car Wreck [UPDATED]

As reported by The Anderson Independent

ANDERSON COUNTY — A head-on collision Friday morning in northern Anderson County killed a 19-year-old Pickens woman.

Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said Kayla Rene Watkins, who turned 19 on Dec. 27, was riding in a 2000 Saturn sedan with William “Billy” Hayes, 18, of Liberty when Hayes lost control of the car and struck a Toyota pickup truck head-on.

Watkins, of Pickens, was flown to the Greenville Hospital System. She was pronounced dead at 11 a.m., Shore said.

The accident happened around 8 a.m. at Sharon Church Road and Cecil Drive, said Cpl. Bryan McDougald of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Shore said Hayes was taken by ambulance to AnMed Health and that he was in critical condition.

He said Patrick Prater, 43, of Central, was driving the pickup. Prater also was taken to the Greenville Hospital System with injuries that are not life-threatening, Shore said.

A limited autopsy was planned for Watkins. But Shore said Friday the cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the chest and abdomen.

[UPDATE] Multiple news sources are now reporting that Hayes, a Liberty resident, passed away at approximately 5:30 Friday evening -after being unable to recover from his injuries.

Police reports indicate that neither of the deceased were wearing their seatbelts.

EXCLUSIVE: Liberty Resident's Whereabouts Unknown After Haiti Earthquake

A worker at Milliken's Gayley Plant in Marietta, SC contacted ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM to inquire about news regarding a Liberty resident - Natacha Lomax.

Mrs. Lomax had taken a week of leave from her job at Milliken to attend her father's funeral in Haiti.

That funeral was scheduled for Thursday January 14th, 2010. Natacha is expected to return to work Monday.

A call to the Gayley plant where Mrs. Lomax worked was answered where her Manager Michael Altop expressed concerns along with her coworker Angie Thomas. The two helped fill in a few details.

Both stated that their efforts to locate Natacha have been unsuccessful and they pray she is okay.

Calls and visitation by Natacha's coworkers to the Lomax residence have been unfruitful. Husband, Geiter Lomax hasn't had communication with his wife since leaving, state Natacha's coworkers.

Natacha has two children who stayed behind with their father while she attended the funeral - one attending Liberty Elementary, the other attending Liberty Middle.

According to close friends - they are using Marine contacts to assist in relief efforts.

If you have any way of helping to find Natacha Lomax - please leave a comment on this article.

I will be contacting other news organizations to get the story out.

[UPDATE] Mrs. Lomax has arrived safely back in the US.

Liberty Woman To Arrive Safe From Haiti

An Op-ed about "The H1N1 Virus" by ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM editor Philip Smith

"The Shot Heard Around The World"

With the swine flu fading in the UK (projected winter deaths of 65,000 have been downgraded to 1,000, and new cases are decreasing) the UK government has been left with millions of unused vaccines, and (unlike its contract with Baxter Pharmaceutical) no clear break-clause to get out of its contract with GlaxoSmithKlein. Although the amount paid for vaccines has not been disclosed, it likely cost the UK government an estimated $183 million dollars. The US is in a similar position having ordered 251 million doses of the vaccine. France and Germany are aiming to cut back on their orders considerably. To say that the case for the pandemic has been overestimated appears to be an understatement. Now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that it's launching an internal investigation into whether or not it bowed to pressure from drugs companies to overplay the threat.

Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health in the UK labelled the swine flu as a "false pandemic", and claims in a resolution

'"... in order to promote their patented drugs and vaccines against flu, pharmaceutical companies influenced scientists and official agencies responsible for public health standards to alarm governments worldwide and make them squander tight health resources for inefficient vaccine strategies, and needlessly expose millions of healthy people to the risk of an unknown amount of side-effects of insufficiently-tested vaccines.

By some estimates, GlaxoSmithKlein is expected to net $600 million + from vaccine sales.

Why had the public not learned from the Avian flu - also called the "Bird Flu" just a few years back?

Yes a lot of people got sick then, a lot of people got sick in 2009 from THE FLU?

It just seemed that not every case of H1N1 was actually H1N1 - but if you had the symptoms you were quarantined into thinking so - ostracized at work - sent home from school.

From the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website:

How many people get sick or die from the flu every year?

Each flu season is unique, but it is estimated that, on average, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu, and more than 200,000 persons are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. About 36,000 Americans die on average per year from the complications of flu.

Do you realize less than 36,000 people died in the US last year from ALL strains of flu?

Should we attribute this to the mass H1N1 coverage and more people getting the shot?

To know we'd have to ask ourselves, "Was Y2K less of a problem because we became educated and took measures to lessen the effect?"

The answer probably lies somewhere in between prevention, better hygiene, and the shot itself.

What I am most concerned about is the conditioning we received. Once minimally with the bird flu, then a few short years later (on a world scale) with the swine flu.

Conditioning? For what - I don't really know. To speculate leads us down paths that end with hyperbole and conspiracy. What is scary to me is that when the next media hype comes along - people won't even think twice about getting their arm or ass stuck with a needle. In fact, they may not have the choice - but they may not care - even even if they did.

Liberty, indeed.

On The Way To Liberty ...

This sign is in Norris on HWY 93 ...



And this is the city limit sign you see as you enter into Liberty (traveling from Norris/Central)

On The Way To Liberty ...

This is a sign I forgot about ...

This is at the Ross Ave (HWY 93), Hwy 8 overpass (over HWY123).

To my back (from this picture's perspective) is The Easley Post Office.

I hope all of these postings are of some value or mild interest to readers.

I still have the signs from Six Mile, Norris, and Anderson to post.

I think it's interesting to see what signs tell people how to get to Liberty.

An Op-ed about "The Liberty Chamber Of Commerce"

A businessman from Liberty writes:

The Liberty Blunder Of Commerce

Does Liberty have a Chamber Of Commerce? I know they have a website. I know that when the city's newsletter comes out, they throw a Chamber Member of the Month in there somewhere.

I realize that the Liberty Chamber is a volunteer organization. But, I'm also aware that a certain local businessman may be controlling them like a puppet as an indirect means of controlling or influencing city officials.

What does the Chamber do with the monies it collects - buys trophies for the Christmas parade? Buys banners for the Member of the Month?

If one looks at the Liberty Chamber's website - it hasn't updated the Member of The Month since July of 2009.

This same website currently reads in a "History of the Chamber of Commerce" section:

"The goals of the Liberty Chamber of Commerce, formed on March 11, 1976, are varied ranging from acquiring new businesses to improvement in educational facilities. The Chamber uses advices [sic] from citizens in deciding the image of the town and in formulating some of its objectives."

* ATLIBERTYTOSAY note: "advices" is grammatically incorrect on the Liberty Chamber website

Acquiring new business? What business? Although we all can realize that this a tough economy, businesses are closing in Liberty, not opening. Rental rates are down for property owners; not stable. Business is weak in our downtown; not strong. Our downtown businesses and property owners aren't being encouraged to clean up or maintain their buildings. Wasn't Liberty Idol suppose to help all of this? Shouldn't the Chamber be encouraging the city to give the hospitality tax back as a rebate to clean up or beautify rather than dirty our city with energy drink cans from the teens who come here to litter on Liberty Idol nights?

What citizens are giving advice to the Chamber nowadays? I'm a business owner and I was a member of the Liberty Chamber until this year - I was never asked once for advice. No "citizen of Liberty" I know has ever been solicited for ideas.

Which brings us to recent memory. What a crappy Christmas Parade? (Put on by the Liberty Chamber) There was no advertisement of the entry process or encouragement to do anything special - you kinda just had to wing it and show up. A lot of people braved the cold to come out - I'll be surprised if as many people show up next year. Who wants to see a bunch of cars drive by? I've heard that suggestions were made by ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM's webmaster - who seems to be a creative individual. He tells me nothing really came of his suggestions other than a late email response.

I have a new suggestion - the mayor needs to get behind this - disband the Liberty Chamber of Commerce. We need a new idea - a fresh start. Let's consider asking another local municipality (or two) if they would like ban together and to also work with other local Chambers. We can no longer depend on the luck of a business wanting to locate here - which is what seems to be the only way any new business is locating in or even near Liberty.

From Liberty City Council minutes and the detailed minutes provided on ATLIBERTYTOSAY (Thank you Philip!) - I see no Liberty Chamber involvement in city affairs and business representation other than an occasional photo op.

What I do know is that the Clemson Chamber is actively pursuing the matter of recycling - because they do not want to see fees levied onto businesses. What I do know is that the Easley Chamber organizes some great events that draw many to its city. We'll forget that the Pendleton and Greenville Chambers exist so we don't have unfair comparisons.

I also see Liberty city government getting involved in activities that the Chamber should be handling solely - Liberty Idol comes to mind, as do various downtown events.

Philip tells me that the Mayor reads his website. I'm choosing not to come forward mostly out of shyness. I hope he reads this.

Thank you Philip for providing this forum and all the work you're doing for representing Liberty!

The Vet Hut: Veteran's Lodge In Liberty

Many Liberty residents call this place the "Vet Hut" ... it is located on North Palmetto Street in Liberty.

The two memorials state:

IN MEMORY OF
L. CPL. JAMES DONNIE HOWE U S M C
WHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN VIET NAM
THAT HIS BUDDIES MIGHT LIVE
AWARDED THE
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
KILLED MAY 6, 1970 IN VIET NAM

The wikipedia page for L. CPL. JAMES DONNIE HOWE USMC states:

James Donnie Howe was born on December 17, 1948, in Six Mile, South Carolina. He attended Six Mile and Pickens Elementary Schools, graduated from Cateeche Elementary School in Cateeche, South Carolina, in June 1960, and then attended Liberty Junior High School in Liberty, South Carolina, from September 1960 until June 1961.

IN MEMORY OF
PFC WILLIAM A McWHORTER C M H
WHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN WORLD WAR II
THAT HIS BUDDIES MIGHT LIVE
AWARDED THE
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
KILLED 5 DEC 1944 LEYTE P I

The wikipedia page for PFC WILLIAM A McWHORTER CMH states:

McWhorter joined the Army from his birthplace of Liberty, South Carolina, and by December 5, 1944 was serving as a private first class in Company M, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. On that day, at Leyte in the Philippines, he smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown explosive with his body, sacrificing himself to protect the man next to him. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor nine months later, on September 27, 1945.

McWhorter, aged 25 at his death, was buried in West View Cemetery, Liberty, South Carolina.

The two memorials have different dating schemes that seem out of place with one another.

Lance Corporal Howe's memorial spaces out the word "VIETNAM" to "VIET NAM".

Typing "VIET NAM" into Google brings up few results that mostly auto-correct to "Vietnam". At first I thought this was an alternate way to spell Vietnam or by spacing this way it had extra significance - but it appears as if this is just "chiseler's choice" or "mason's mistake".

The "LEYTE P I" on Private First Class McWhorter's memorial refers to The Battle Leyte Gulf

A toilet has been sitting on the porch of the "vet hut" for a few months - I wish whoever has the authority to do so - would remove it and dispose of it properly.

[UPDATE] I emailed a professor who has a detailing of Vietnam on his website. He spells it "Viet Nam"

Here is that correspondence:

Subject: Spelling it Viet (space) Nam on your website

Just curious ...

Why do you spell the country Vietnam as "Viet Nam" on your site.

We have a memorial in my city with this spacing scheme and I'm trying to find out the origin of this way of naming.

Thank you,

Philip Smith "Rus"
www.atlibertytosay.com

___________________________________

Rus,

Good question . . . give me a week or so to research it and try to recall.

I seem to recall it having something to do with nam being an independent word meaning "south".

I recall asking individuals if they were 'nguoi bac' or 'nguoi nam'?, i.e., a person from the north or south . . . usually we could tell by the clear different dialect . . .

Peace,

Russell Kleinbach, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Philadelphia University

Pickens County School Board Sets Final Price Tag For New Liberty High School

Announced on the Pickens County School District website:

School board approves maximum cost for new LHS

Members of the school board unanimously approved Monday night the guaranteed maximum price for the new Liberty High School.

The cost for the new Liberty High School, provided by Gilbane SYS Constructors, is $28,683,007.

I like the added $7 - I imagine that's paying for a door handle or two.

The new Liberty High School will be located at:

435 Ruhamah Road
Liberty, SC 29657

Town Hall Meeting With Lindsey Graham

I went to the town hall meeting with Lindsey Graham tonight ...

Lindsey Graham is our Federal Congressional Senator in Washington D.C. for the state of South Carolina.

Graham graduated from Daniel High School in Central.

He has a home in Seneca SC.

(Jim DeMint is the other Senator representing the lower part of SC)

His website is here:

http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/

___________________________

Before the event:

I just found out about the event today from my dad ... it wasn't very well publicized in the news.

A bunch of protesters outside protesting "Cap & Trade".

A bunch of politicians handing out brochures beforehand.

___________________________

A lot of very arrogant, rude, and crazy people were in attendance - constantly interrupting and making unintelligible remarks.

One person was removed after standing up and yelling about civil war if mandatory health care is passed. He had on a bright yellow shirt labelled "EXTREMIST".

Issues discussed:

• Fair or flat tax and the importance of a Republican presidential candidate to make this a #1 issue in 2012.

• Healthcare reform

• Tort reform / specifically legislating for a loser pays system

• Terrorism / terrorists being tried in military courts

• A big focus/nearly 30 minutes discussing energy policy and getting away from foreign oil dependency

The staging of this "town hall meeting" was hard to judge ... a lot of the event seemed planned rather than spontaneous ... while Lindsey Graham answered questions from all the current pot of issues ... he does know this area well and seemed to call on people he knew and purposely calling on a few weirdos to make it seem like some issues are brought up by whackos. He called on a woman next to me who he called by name - but admittedly everyone in Clemson knows her and she also knew me. (I used to live in Clemson.)

I do have to say I am thankful to Senator Graham for having the courage and stamina to stand up for an hour and a half and then spend an additional 30 minutes discussing a few issues with people who stayed afterwards.

The Anderson Independent has a very good summary of the meeting:

Anderson Independent coverage of January 2010 Lindsey Graham Town Hall

On The Way To Liberty ...

In a continuing series of photographs ... I present; another sign pointing to Liberty. This one is from Summit Drive - very near the present Liberty High School. I had to travel to Terrapin's Crossing Rd today to drop someone off ... I thought that Terrapins Crossing was completely in Six Mile. It's very interesting to me how the outer boundaries of Liberty extend way into areas that most people would consider other cities or even other counties.

2010 Pickens County Delegation Meeting Notes

I would personally like to thank all of the delegates for their warm reception to the introduction of my website and the concerns I addressed that have been brought up on ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM.

Brief summary of meeting:

___________________________________

Gaurdian Ad litem program & Foster Care officials spoke ... thanked delegates and expressed that progress has been made.

___________________________________

Junius Smith, Conservatives of the Upstate President spoke on the school building plan.

(For more information see this Greenville News article

___________________________________

Philip Smith (that's me) spoke about ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM:

• Addressed roadside memorial on HWY 178
(Delegates mentioned that this is a serious issue & does need addressing)

• Addressed Pickens County Recycling Program
(Mentioned that this lends to fraud by not accounting for home efforts, commercial pickup, & water weight differences)

• Addressed Liberty residential dognapping issue
(Rex Rice communicated that he will immediately investigate this issue.)

___________________________________

Discussion from a retirement home director of regulations on retirement homes for sprinklers and concern that about the financial burdens this will place on retirement homes because there is a "no grandfathering clause".

(Delegates mentioned that they were aware that this applied mostly to lodging and would table and investigate the impact on retirement homes if the issue arose for discussion of the bill before a final vote.)

___________________________________

Discussion of moving the Pickens County Ozone Monitoring device away from Clemson. Statements were made regarding businesses not locating here because of the poor measurement and that Clemson is not an accurate portrait of the whole of Pickens County.

___________________________________


Other statements made:


"If you're gonna run as a Republican please vote like one."

• School choice - Christian values aren't being taught in schools because Christian teachers have been retiring for the last 15 years

• Businesses don't come because there aren't eligible employees/Linked to poor school performance & dropout rate

"Whoever you borrow from; you are a slave to."

• A call for "roll call voting" - ie tying votes to individual politicians so we can see how they voted

• A call for a return to State Sovereignty - refusing Federal mandates

• A brief discussion about the dangers of the Real ID & animal RFID tagging being unconstitutional

• Mention that Animal RFID will cost $50 per head of cattle to farmers

• Statements regarding the ACLU wanting to end the National Day Of Prayer
(See here for more details)

• Statements regarding school building projects by out of state contracts ...

"Think of almost $400 million leaving our state."

• Discussion of there not being enough money to finish all the school building projects at once because projects will have gone over budget due to very poor planning. Mention of the need for a bypass around Daniel High to ease congestion - things like this will cause the school building project to go over budget.

• A discussion of imminent domain taking far more land than necessary for water lines in Easley

• Property taxes on second homes causing people to not build 2nd homes in Pickens & Oconee counties.

Meeting wrap up.

I spoke with all the delegates and they thanked me for the work I've done on my website - a few saying that they had already seen it.

This was a very productive meeting with close to 80 in attendance.

January 2010 Liberty City Council Meeting

There were no speakers at the January meeting.

All council members were in attendance.

Discussed at this meeting:

Repeal of old water rates & establishment of new rates to go into effect Monday, March 1 2010.

Discussion of dilapidated homes needing to be torn down
(May take months for homeowners reactions)

Police Dept report:

For the month of December 2009:

71 warnings
104 citations
Collected $5,038 in fines
11 adults arrested
7 traffic accidents

Police Chief Miller remarked, "It was mostly quiet this holiday."
(For a small town, that seems strange, I think that's high.)

Fire Dept report:

• 24 Calls
• New equipment arrived
• Vinyl lettering for new fire truck will be done locally
• Radio and walkie talkie replacements have been ordered

Other reports:

• A number of weather related water breaks have occurred lately.

• Public works grumbled about picking up leaves & brush around city.

• Palmetto Pride awarded grant to city for Pedestrian Park/Councilman Sheriff drafted the plan

• Councilman Yates commended city workers who work outside in cold weather/Thank council members for praying for his mother

• Mayor Deese briefly discussed a "Vision Retreat" for council

• Rosewood Center is being "lended" to Census Workers for the 2010 Census as a "base"

• Mayor Deese noted that his grandson graduates the US Marine Corps soon.

Meeting lasted 25 minutes.

* Many thanks to my wife for taking notes while I attended The County Delegation meeting

Liberty City Council Meeting & Pickens County Delegation Meeting Tonight

The January Liberty City Council Meeting is being held tonight @ 6:00 pm at The Rosewood Center.


Rosewood Center
425 E Main Street 
Liberty, SC 29657


ALSO TONIGHT:  


Area politicians will meet with constituents and have a chance to share their concerns.  


The meeting is scheduled to start @ 5:30PM Monday January 11, 2010 (TONIGHT) at the Fellowship Hall of Six Mile Baptist Church.  


Six Mile Baptist Church  
149 North Main Street 
Six Mile, SC 29682 


In attendance:  


Senator Larry Martin  
Senator Thomas Alexander 
Representative Rex Rice 
Representaive Phillip Owens 
Representative B.R. Skelton 
Representative Davey Hiott  


* Click on individual names (above) to see their state website pages & biographies  


The public is invited and encouraged to attend this open meeting.  


I will be discussing three issues that have been raised on ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM by local residents.

Happy Birthday Donna!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife! Without her, this website wouldn't be possible. She is the inspiration for all of my creativity. I love you Donna!


Since I know that she is my most avid reader, I created a website specifically for her:



PINTOBEANPROGRESSREPORT.COM

Liberty Man Drowns After Flipping Car

As reported by The Easley Progress & Pickens Sentinel:

A Liberty man died early Friday morning after his car went out of control and went into a fresh water spring, according to the coroner.

Christopher Wardlaw, 22, was traveling south on S.C. 93 near Quarry Road when he lost control of his 1999 Buick four door, according to Lance Cpl. Scot Edgeworth.

The car went off the right side of the road, overcorrected and went off the right side of the road again before it flipped over and landed in a pool of water, he said.

No one else was in the car at the time of the accident, he said.

Wardlaw died of fresh water drowning, as well as blunt force trauma to the neck and head [according to reports].

An autopsy was performed at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Wardlaw was wearing a seat belt.

The accident is being investigated by the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Union Campground Church & Cemetery In Liberty

As I was traveling back from Six Mile, I noticed this cemetery just as I entered the boundaries of Liberty.



I noticed this sign (above) - indicating that one can go to WWW.TOURPICKENSCOUNTY.COM to find out more information. Unfortunately, there isn't any more information available on this site - nor are there clear instructions on how to use the marker system by typing in P187 as indicated on the sign.

After typing in several different search terms - I finally got this message after being redirected to another website:

6m N of Easley
GPS =
P187

Need help finding & recording cemetery

This is very strange ... why wouldn't the GPS coordinates be known? They're on the sign.

North 34˚48.753 West 82˚ 43.449
( N 34 48.753 W 82 43.449 )


View Larger Map

As you can see, the Google map shows this is Campground Rd, but the actual street address is listed as 121-173 Riggins Bridge Rd.

Then it hit me ... this is why the road is named Campground Rd. I've always thought this area was confusing. Where do the addresses on Campground Rd start and where does North Palmetto St start - does Riggins Bridge Rd stop?

This is a very poorly labelled area of Liberty that happens to be very close to the city limits.



Since I haven't found any history on the Union campground cemetery area we can surmise a few things:

This was a church and cemetery for Union troops and their families during (and following) the American Civil War (1861–1865).

Apparently this area was designated as a "peacekeeping zone" by Union troops after the Civil War ended.




A number of the graves are for people born in the late 1870's and dying in the late 1920's. There are also some 1960's, 70's, and 80's tombstone additions to the gravesite. I'm unsure if these burials were sanctioned or not or whether the plots were purchased. There is a considerable mess where memorials have been dumped into the woods to the left side of the graves. There are also a number of graves scattered throughout the wooded area around what you see in the pictures below.

Picture Of The Road In Front Of My House On January 8, 2010

I'm not so sure that the school district should have gone with a two hour delay. I would be concerned about children waiting out in the cold and buses on roads like my own pictured above.

* Picture taken at 6:21AM

One Hour Delay For Liberty Area Public Schools Friday January 8, 2010

1 HOUR DELAY

There is a one hour delay for

Liberty Elementary
Liberty Middle
Liberty High School

... for Friday January 8, 2010.

Announcement from Pickens County School District:

Inclement Weather Announcement

All Pickens County buses and schools will operate on a one-hour delay on Friday, January 8. 4K morning classes will be held and will dismiss at regular time.

This means that children DO NOT get picked up by buses until 1 hour later also.

DO NOT send children out into the cold as temperatures are in the teens with wind chill factored in.

Current actual temperature at 6:31AM in Liberty: 24˚ F

The normal school bell rings at 8:00AM:

From School District Handbook:

School students are expected, by district policy, to arrive to school on time each day. First period begins at 8:00 AM. Any student arriving after 8:00 AM is tardy to school.

The normal Liberty Middle and Liberty High bells ring at 8:10 - even though students are to arrive no later than 8:00AM.

This means that on a one hour delay - this time moves to 9:00AM.

Apple & PC Computer Repair In Liberty!

This is in reference to me ;-)

I've partnered up with a PC computer technician in Easley named John Sasse (a Liberty resident) to help with PC & Mac repair. Presently, we are working to get the shop in order. If you need help with computer repair, virus removal, installs, upgrades, sales, training, networking - we can help.

Give us a call @ the number you see listed in the ad
or call 864-905-APPL

Ummm ... Yuck ... Liberty's Roper Wastewater Treatment "Facility"

I fully realize this kind of thing has to be done but this area, VERY VERY close to houses, the downtown area, near a creek that runs through our parks, and just the general condition of this area is disgusting - nothing compared to Greenville's well maintained, well built implementation.

It's hard for me to comprehend what we pay for water and sewer in Liberty and this is the best we can do?

Liberty Officials Discuss Recycling

As reported by The Easley Progress:

Mayor Brian Deese told council during the January 4th City Work Session that he has asked for recycling bins to be placed by Public Works, a recycling trailer for the city, and a new cardboard bin to be placed behind Yanks.

Deese said the county received a grant for recycling and he hopes to receive some of those funds.

Councilman Rick Clark asked Deese why he would want to purchase a recycling trailer for the city.

Deese replied, “We want to do our own recycling of green bins instead of using the truck we use now. We will save about $8000 a year. Right now we help pay for the truck and the driver. Plus, if we recycle ourselves, we will get paid for it. It will help us meet our 20% goal.”

Deese told Council the county is willing to help Liberty out, but it is their job as city officials to educate the public about the new pick-up times and exactly what they will accept for recycling.

Each municipality in the county is expected to reach the 20% target by April 30. If they do not meet the 20 percent rate, they could be fined $30 per ton, but if they exceed the 20% rate, they could be giving a rebate of $30 per ton for the amount over target.

Deese said he has talked with St. Jude about getting the left over metal from them. He said he hopes to talk with Reliable, Ohio Gear, and Champion. However, Councilman Brian Peterson said, “We have to think about taking city officials outside of the city. It isn’t kosher.”

City officials should probably make 100% sure that efforts the city takes ARE kosher - this recycling push IS NOT FOR BUSINESS or GOVERNMENT - but for residential recycling - an effort to "enhance the rate" is going to have to be done by residents - although having recycling drives is a good idea.

I'm still not satisfied that my personal recycling efforts, which are considerable, are not counted. Why should I (or my city) be punished because I compost organic matter and GET PAID for my aluminum?

I would like for the city to have a glass, plastic, aluminum dropoff area like Greenville has - those stations are awesome and I regularly deposited items there when I lived in Greenville.

* As with most Easley Progress/Pickens Sentinel reposts I had to spend significant time editing for grammar & continuity.

January 2010 Events At Sarlin Library In Liberty SC

Monday January 11, 2010
Liberty Book Club 11AM

Saturday January 16, 2010
Yack & Yarn 10AM

Monday January 18, 2010
Liberty Library Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Observance

Tuesday January 19, 2010
Play Guitar Hero World Tour 3:30PM

Thursday January 28, 2010
National Kazoo Day/Get a FREE kazoo at the Liberty Library