Monthly Archives: December 2019
Auditor’s report: Liberty’s finances greatly improved
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — The city of Liberty’s financial situation has dramatically improved from two years ago, according to 
a certified public accountant.
Greene Finney LLP CPA Ken Meadows presented audit results to Liberty City Council members during their Dec. 10 work session.
The city received an unmodified opinion — “the best opinion that the city can get,” he said.
The city’s general fund had a positive fund balance of $548,000.
“That’s an increase from a deficit of $65,000 in previous years,” Meadows said. “This year was a very good year
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Local business collecting toys for children in need
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — A local businessman has been collecting toys and hopes to give them to people in need this Christmas.
“We’ve got a lot of people here that need help,” Dewayne Bennett said.
He said he began collecting toys about a month after starting his Blue Flame Auction business. He runs the auction business out of Blue Flame Automotive on South Catherine Street in Pickens.
“I’ve had numerous customers of mine that’s bought stuff and put in the donation box or brought stuff and put in the donation box,” he said. “Me and my family have done the same. We’ve already given about 50 or so away already. We have a couple hundred or so left. It may be more than that.”
Bennett said he’s looking for suggestions on who to give the toys to this Christmas. He’s been working with Pickens City Councilman Isaiah Scipio. Mayor Fletcher Perry asked the Pickens Police Department to assist
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Making spirits bright
With only a week to go before the big day, the Christmas season is winding down around Pickens County, and the final parades of the season were held over the weekend. Easley held its annual event Saturday night, while Pickens rescheduled its parade from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, taking advantage of sunny weather to get in a festive holiday event.
Winner picked for storefront contest
The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce and the city of Pickens announced recently that the winner of this year’s holiday storefront decorating contest was Full Circle Vintage Modern Market, located at 109 W. Main St. The store is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Pictured are Todd Ragsdale, Jennifer Cournoyer and Maggie Cournoyer.
Outgoing Easley councilmen recognized at final meeting
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Last week’s Easley City Council was the last meeting for Councilman Thomas Wright, Councilman Chris Mann and Mayor Larry Bagwell.
A drop-in was held for them before the start of the council meeting.
Wright has served on council for 30 years. Mann has served for 16 years. Between his time as a council member and his tenure as mayor, Bagwell has been in public service for 40 years.
“That’s 86 years of combined experience that we’re losing,” Councilman Brian
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Delegation to host annual meeting in Liberty Jan. 6
LIBERTY — The Pickens County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual public meeting at the Pickens County Performing Arts Center, located at 314 W. Main St. in Liberty, on Monday, Jan. 6.
Reports from organizations and boards will be heard starting at 5:30 p.m. The floor will be opened for public comments at 6 p.m.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions
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The wonder of life and leaves
Nearly all the leaves have fallen now, save a few motley stragglers that rustle in the breeze. I wish I knew how 
many of them fell on my hillside sliver of earth in Easley, but it must have been a few billion — or maybe a trillion.
I emailed a Clemson professor to try to get some estimate of the total biomass produced each year by the trees of Pickens County. I suspect he laughed off my request, or maybe he’s gone for the holidays, but I haven’t heard back.
But I’m not as interested in the statistics of leaf production as I am
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String up the lights, no matter the fight
Last year there was a problem when I put the lights on and around the Christmas tree. I started at the top and worked down. Unfortunately, once finished, I found that the bottom strand of lights had no plug, so they 
couldn’t be lit. So then I had to take them all down and start over in reverse. This was discouraging, but it’s important to never give up on matters like this.
It was not a disaster. It was an inconvenience. So we did what had to be done.
This year I remembered last year’s learning experience and
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Courier Letters to the Editor 12-18-19
Higher taxes and fire fees
Dear Editor,
Over the past year, county officials proposed and county council discussed a plan to radically change the structure of fire protection in Pickens County. For decades, we had 13 local fire districts with a chief and a local board for each district. Most districts charged only a fire fee on homes, and a few charged millage on all property.
Their plan is to abolish all the 13 fire boards, have one centralized board, the county to take ownership of all fire equipment and charge a 30-mill fire tax on all property. The benefits they cite are centralized management, streamline operations, build a comprehensive capital plan, more manpower and better training. They also say it will save money, but looking at the proposal, that is not true and they need to be upfront and honest with the
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Winter Bluegrass Jubilee set for next month in Pickens
PICKENS — The Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) will hold its annual indoor music festival, the Winter 
Bluegrass Jubilee, on Jan. 25 at Pickens High School.
This year’s jubilee promises to be the best year yet, with a full day of performances, jamming, dancing, workshops, vendors and food.
This year’s band lineup includes Sister Sadie, Carolina Blue, ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, West End String Band, New Dixie Storm, Young Appalachian Musicians school groups, Sweet Potato Pie
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