Yank's or Frank's?

Not sure what it means, but the owners of Yank's obviously know about it because it's been scrawled on the windows of the old Trish's Deli for some time now.

The business was for sale for most of 2010.

Message says on window:

This is MINE NOT FRANKS!

On molding:

THIS BELONGS TO YANK's NOT FRANKS!

This corner store banned people from setting up Halloween tables in front of it last year.

http://www.atlibertytosay.com/2009/10/theres-always-someone-there-to-ruin-fun.html

Who Will Be The Next Liberty High School Football Coach?

After the forced resignation of Coach Curtis Middleton in November, a committee was formed in early December to search for a new Varsity Football coach for Liberty High School.

Chatter around the community from several "football player's parents" is that former NFL Coach and current Pickens County Councilman Sam Wyche is heading up the selection committee.

Many that I've spoken with were told the selection would be made before the end of the year and most are frustrated that, as a community, LHS administration has kept them in the dark about the whole process.

I would add that the selection process may be somewhat "secretive" for a reason. If the names of the selection committee were public knowledge ... I'd imagine lots of parents and "vocal fans of Liberty Football" would be harassing the selection committee members with their input.

I'm somewhat puzzled that the Athletic Department hasn't made any outreach whatsoever to players and parents of players to ask for input - even if it's disregarded.

From the Palmetto Football Talk forum:

"They are still conducting interviews but the front runner seems to be Kyle Stewart a Easley assistant."

Another comment in this forum suggests that two of the coaches that are currently on staff are in the final, along with Stewart and an assistant from Florence.

This forum can be found at this link:

http://bit.ly/g8FsTH

I'm not certain, but I believe the school board will have to meet before a final decision can be made as salary would have to be budgeted and other contracts would need to be terminated (and shifted).

You may also discuss your thoughts on this post regarding this issue. Your comments are far more likely to be read by those to whom such issues matter than any where else.

Please keep your comments and speculation rated G and non accusational as possible. Demeaning comments will not be published.

Liberty: The Year 2010 In Review Part I & II

2010

This was the first full year ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM has been operating.


The site's traffic grew from an average of 1500 page views a day in January of 2010 to 7100 average page views per day in December of 2010.

The site's traffic peaked at 17,056 page views for one day on November 11, 2010 for the story:

Liberty High School Football Coach Curtis Middleton's Contract Not Extended 

Since November 10, 2010, this post has received 100 comments and 63,712 total pageviews.


By far, it was the most talked about story in Liberty, but one story earned Liberty national and even some international television exposure.



2010 was the year the train derailed in Liberty. Separately from the derailment, there was a five hour long delay that clogged up traffic dramatically.


For a complete review of all the derailment and delay see this tag:

Train In Liberty SC

January:


In 2010, Pickens towns were threatened with "fines" from County Council over recycling. The City of Liberty had the lowest numbers and therefore faced the highest fines. Diligence and diplomacy on part of Liberty Mayor Brian Deese - along with dramatically increased City recycling efforts and reprimand of Council and public education from this website, plus my own hefty weekly contribution helped the City of Liberty to not only become within compliance, but to exceed future recycling targets. The City also opened a recycling station on Hedgepath Rd near Iselin Field and the Liberty Rec water tower.

During 2010, controversy also arose over the construction of new schools across the district. The new schools were approved by the Pickens County School Board even though a referendum unanimously rejected such plans. 


In January, ATLIBERTYTOSAY.COM posted:

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.

This cost rose higher a few weeks ago when the School Board approved another $31+ million for "more needs" - some of which funds will be going to the new Chastain Rd Elementary in Liberty and the New Liberty High School.

Also significant in 2010 regarding new school construction in Liberty is that a number of illegal immigrants were found on the worksites of the new elementary and high school.

In January, the tremendously overhyped and overreaching constitutionally H1N1 Virus was still being discussed in the media.


I published my thoughts on this issue here:


An Op-ed about the H1N1 Virus


This issue, paired with texting while driving laws, reduced our freedoms in 2010 more than many realize ... all in the name of safety.


An applicable Founding Father quote:

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

~ Benjamin Franklin  

Lastly, in January, in an exclusive for ATLIBERTYTOSAY, a Liberty resident was missing after the devastating Haiti earthquake. Luckily, she was found safe in Haiti. She had been there to mourn the loss of a relative and attend funeral services.


February:


On February 9th, 2010 ... authorities reported that a Liberty man, Christopher Clark was missing. Tragically, a body was found and it was identified as Clark. Foul play was ruled out and coroner reports indicated that the cause of death was starvation and cold temperatures.


March:


• On March 18th 2010, the first block of the new Liberty High School was laid.

• During March, 3rd Congressional seat campaigning was in full swing. ATLIBERTYTOSAY interviewed all the major opponents and posted interviews and reports on each one.


• In late March of 2010, Verizon and AT&T completed a rollout of 3G and 4G cellular data towers and signal boosters across the area. Liberty received dedicated towers. The Verizon tower is located near highway 123 and AT&T placed two towers in service, one near Sealevel Systems and the other near the old AT&T/Ryobi factory (near Sphinx gas station).

• March also saw the beginning of construction on a new fire bay for the downtown Liberty fire station.


• Sidewalk work was also in full swing during March - replacing many sidewalks within 1/3 mile of City Hall.


• The railroad was certified as the dividing attendance line for the new Chastain Rd Elementary and the existing Liberty Elementary Schools ... ironically allowing children the taunt "the kids from the other side of the tracks".


April:


• On April 3rd 2010, Liberty Idol 2010 auditions began.


• Dunkin Donuts closed their doors in Liberty.


• A Liberty resident was sentenced for counterfeiting more than $42,000 in fake currency, using most of the proceeds to buy meth.

• The first day of The Liberty Idol competition was cancelled due to rain.


May:


• Liberty Idol competition officially began.

First Night Liberty Idol Results, Pictures, & Notes

• The Liberty Police Department & Liberty Fire Department started twitter feeds to keep residents informed.


• Liberty Idol launched an official website:

www.libertyidol.net

• The television show LOST aired its final episode. The ending may go down as the worst ending in television history. Most fans were left dozens of unanswered questions.

June:

• The Liberty High School Class of 2010 graduated.

• A hotly contested South Carolina political office primary took place resulting in several runoffs.

• On June 10, 2010, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Liberty near Champion Aerospace.

• A large wind storm (declared with partial tornado activity) ripped through Liberty knocking out power and leaving trees and branches downed over roads across the area and a large cleanup for City of Liberty Public Works.

July:


• Jeff Williams won Liberty Idol 2010 after entering the competition several times.

• The Liberty Hardees got a facelift.


August:


• The City Of Liberty hired Kimberly Keasler as a new paid position; Parks Director ... assisting Tony Boiter.


• Work was finalized on the Pickens County Airport renovations and expansion.

Pedestrian Park / Downtown Liberty SC

• After more than a year in disrepair, Pedestrian Park in downtown Liberty is finished.


• The train stalls on the track for nearly 5 hours due to a problematic braking system.

September:

• The Federal Rail Administration concluded their investigation of the Liberty train derailment. The cause: "bouncing wheels". Norfolk Southern also completed all claims for compensation and the clean up was certified as complete.


• A Liberty woman makes news for losing more than $60,000 in a Nigerian email scam.


• Liberty resident Ray Clark passed away.

Ray retired from the City of Liberty – Director of Water and Sewer. Prior to working for the City of Liberty, Ray owned and operated Clark Cabinet Shop, also known as the “Sawdust Café” and “Darlene General Store” during the filming of the movie Chill Factor; and Clark Furniture in Liberty. Ray was a former councilman for the City of Liberty, a member of the Liberty Lions Club and Masonic Lodge 235 and the “ROMEO” Club. In 2006, Ray received the Chamber of Commerce Award for outstanding contribution to the character and quality of life of the Greater Liberty area. Ray was also an “Honorary Trooper” in the law enforcement community due to his loyal support over the years. 

• King Field was dedicated at Freedom Park.


October:


• In early October, a rumor that Liberty High School Coach Curtis Middleton had been fired started circulating throughout the Liberty community. After an investigation no truth to the rumor could be confirmed. Close sources have now confirmed that it was planned for Middleton to be fired if he did not win out.


• Liberty Rec Football 12 & Under ended their season with a perfect record!


• A new Liberty Rec website went live:

http://www.libertyrecreationdepartment.com

• Liberty High Varsity Volleyball defeated Crescent to become Regional AA Champions!


• The Liberty High School Red Devil Mascot, Sean Mercado, was tackled by a Crescent Football player during Volleyball regionals at Carolina High School.


• 3rd Congressional Candidate Jane Dyer was discovered falsifying a trip to Liberty and attempting to manipulate the November election in her bid against Republican Jeff Duncan.


• A homicide on Porter Rd in Liberty received a lot of media attention.


• On October 29th, 2010 Liberty High School Football wins thier only game of the 2010 season.


Part III continues tomorrow ...

Liberty Boys' Basketball Falls To Seneca In 2nd Round Of Christmas Tournament

LHS' Tyler Winchester #24 takes a shot against the Seneca Bobcats / Photo C.J. Gibson

The Liberty High School Boys' Basketball fell to the Seneca Bobcats at The Greer Christmas Tournament held in Greer last night.

Liberty 55
Seneca 57

The Boys are set to play again on January 4, 2010 versus Seneca at home.