In nature's hands: Georgetown forest safeguarded for future

A narrow, idyllic stretch of the Black River surrounded by ancient bald cypress trees near Georgetown is now protected from encroachment with a purchase by The Nature Conservancy.

The 440-acre purchase of mature bottomland forest adds to the conservancy's current 1,296 acres along the adjacent side of the river. It marks the first addition to the Black River property in almost 25 years.

Intensive development wasn't threatening the area, said Maria Whitehead, project director for the Winyah Bay and Pee Dee River Basin, but the purchase guarantees the tract will be managed as an old-growth forest. The conservancy's staff scientists and partners will use the area for future research while working to maintain and improve its condition.

The added protection will also enhance and preserve water quality in the area, said Eric Krueger, director of science and stewardship for the conservancy.

"Land protection within this watershed will help recharge groundwater, control flooding and filter nutrient and sediment run-off," Krueger said. "This will improve water quality and habitat for people, wildlife and even our oyster restoration project 20 miles downstream in Winyah Bay."

The stretch of the Black River now protected by the conservancy is frequently used by kayakers and anglers, Whitehead said, and the group encourages the public to continue using the property.

On the Black River, the water moves slowly and the surrounding area often features wild turkeys, wood ducks, yellow-bellied sliders and the occasional American alligator, Whitehead said.

"The river corridor here is one of the most beautiful and unique sections of the Black River because of the remnant ancient cypress trees," she said.

Funds to purchase the property came from Phase II of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North Conservation Act grant awarded to the conservancy. Acquiring this particular property was an 18-month process beginning with the initial submission of the grant and ending with the recent closing of the transaction.

"It is rare when we are provided the opportunity to expand a conservancy preserve and we were so grateful to have the support of NAWCA in making this addition a reality," said Ryan Olson, assistant director of land protection. "Finally, we could not have asked to work with more professional sellers, where all parties fully supported a conservation outcome for the property."

The Nature Conservancy is a U.S.-based, international organization with approximately 4,000 employees in 34 countries. The organization's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters that they need to survive.

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Georgetown street keeps eye on mill's future

GEORGETOWN -- Sitting by the window of his Fraser Street shop, Dan Memminger can watch workers returning to the ArcelorMittal steel mill.

He isn't counting on the returning workers to come get their hair cut in his barber shop, saying that a haircut is "a personal thing" and "a lot of people go where they've always gone to get their hair cut."

But he hopes that the extra money circulating in the area's economy will find its way to his customers and, eventually, his pockets.

"Money gets to all sorts of different places," he said. "Money circulating with people working over there."

The steel industry's outlook has dimmed some since word of the reopening was first released, but ArcelorMittal spokeswoman Katie Patterson said the restart of the Georgetown mill is planned for the first three months of 2011. Patterson said that timeline could shift with market conditions.

About 250 workers will be employed when the mill reopens, said James Sanderson, local United Steel Workers union president.

In the weeks since Sanderson announced that the mill would be gearing up for a January reopening, about 45 workers have returned to the plant and 30 more are expected to start work this week, he said.

Cephis Anderson has watched the workers come back from his seat at a table in the window of Georgetown Market Commons furniture store on Fraser Street for the past couple weeks.

Anderson, the sales manager of the store, said business has been slow since the mill shut down in July 2009.

With the workers returning "it's got to get better," he said.

But not everyone in Georgetown is looking forward to the restart of the mill.

Jurmie "Bucky" Watkins, owner of the Old Fish House/Big Tuna on Front Street, said he is concerned about the environmental impact the mill has on the area.

"The steel mill, it puts very dirty particles in the air," Watkins said. "And it's very loud at night."

Watkins said he thinks the mill would be better off farther away from downtown.

About a week ago, after Watkins made similar statements to a Charleston TV station, Sanderson and union members announced that they would boycott Watkins' restaurant and bar.

"I find it very strange that you would have a businessperson that would call out another business," Sanderson said. "We have a business that wants to inflict pain and ill will on the employees of our plant, so we don't see any purpose in patronizing their business."

Sanderson said the local union members as well as members of other unions who come to visit the area won't patronize the Front Street bar.

But Watkins said he isn't worried about a boycott.

"I have every right to voice my opinion about what goes on," Watkins said. "And I'll respect that people can make the choice to come in here or not."

Watkins said he isn't "bashing" the employees of the plant.

"I'm not bashing anything except the pollution that the mill creates: the noise pollution and the dust," he said. "For the amount of good things that come out of the steel mill, we also have a lot of negative things."

Historically, there has been tension between the business owners on Front Street and the mill.

In 2003, the union organized a boycott of some Front Street businesses after they said they weren't sure the mill and downtown tourism and development efforts were compatible.

"I know there are some people that do not want the steel mill there. They want condos to go there. They think that would help their business," Sanderson said. "But tourism alone cannot support Georgetown."

And Georgetown Economic Development Director Wayne Gregory agrees, saying the area needs both tourism and industry.

"Tourism is still important to us in our community. And Georgetown itself is a manufacturing community," Gregory said. "We need a definite balance within our community.

He said he is anticipating that the county's 10.9 percent unemployment rate will decline with the startup of the mill.

Gregory said the mill "serves as a hub" for the area.

"When you have a large employer it has a trickle-down effect," he said. "It creates jobs not just at the steel mill but other companies."

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Future cloudy Myrtle market

Future of Myrtle Beach farmers market is also uncertain as the crop next year.

As Myrtle market finds his season Saturday, Manager uncertain market so popular to buy locally, corn, beans and potatoes grown tomatoes location opens when rolls around his season in spring.

"I know right away," said Neal Williamson, a farmer in retirement is Executive Director of the c.c market ' is in question as soon as maintenant.Je know what will happen next year.?

The market had collect operating, including electricity and lost when city - constrained do drastic to balance budget 2010-2011 - financing of the advertising market in force on 1 July, the beginning of the fiscal reductions and to Midway of the market season.

The market is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from April to octobre.Un vendor of the Christmas tree will be implemented here in November.

The loss of support from the city contributed to a decline of 25 percent of sales, said Williamson.

"He has some hurt," he said, adding that remains behind economy did not help the market, either.

The town, which still provides free space on the market to operate at the corner of the Oak Street and Mr. Joe White Avenue, has spent about $25,000 on the market of Myrtle annually.

This money covered utilities, cleaning, maintenance and part-time wage Williamson.He has not received a pay cheque since the city cut funding.

$2,000 Went to promote market with printing and advertising, spokesman Mark said Kruea - what vendors say Radio City has been the greatest loss.

"I think the market type becomes a first agreement", said David Horton, a seller of long-standing sells plants on the market."The city should be the publicité.Je believes that the city should further support .c ' is a of my pet peeves.".

The town has simply no money, the Board members have said. The Council has struggled to balance the budget of 136.8 million this year, slashing funding agencies such as the large pane Humane Society, Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp. and the community kitchen; start a tranche of $3 charge for parking at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.Chapin Memorial Library and recreation base.et city dress cut hours vacant jobs open.

"The city is not able to pay for advertising," said Kruea.

"The city needed to save money this year and had cut a number of things .Lorsqu ' there is no money, services must be cut."

The city still provides the land and shelter for the market and it is not unreasonable for vendors to pick up the rest and manage themselves, City Councillor Mike said Lowder.

"We felt that they could run their business and doing quite well without funding Manager", he said. "It was just another way, that we examined, as all areas of the budget."

"We have the knife to the budget around where you regardez.Nous must operate within our means."

Williamson said that he was unable to pull together enough money to publicité.Les suppliers market win money they make on their products, and the economy already affecting certain sales, they want to sacrifice.

"We have money to advertise, period," said Williamson. " We would like to advertise, but we cannot do so.?

During the winter, it is to shop around several authors - maybe wood companies or farmers - which could help to promote market and cover the estimated $ 2,000 monthly fees .the ' insurance is paid in June, if at least that is already covered, he said.

"We just see, try," said Williamson.

Several members of the Council of the town do not want to see the market to disappear.

"I think it is important to have," said Mayor John Rhodes. ""I want to see continue.

The city had prioritized during times of tight budget means making difficult cuts, Member of the Board Randall Wallace said.

"I love not having to do", he said. "It is unfortunate because it is a gathering for people...I détesterais go.?

The thinking of the market is not it next year some of his followers buyers upset last week.

"I would be horrified," said Barbara Gentry, which loads on the weekly market. "What we can do to keep here we should do.?

Like gentry, Janice Page stops market once a week because she likes to buy fresh vegetables and fruits and supporting farmers with.

"I certainly hope that it will disappear", said page. ""I would like to see grow and expand.

Myrtle Beach is a first spot for a market, with a mixture of faithful inhabitants and tourists who made a regular stop when visiting the Grand Strand, said Sarah Bellamy farms Indigo, one of the largest suppliers.

"There is great potential for a cheap here", she says.

Last year, supporters market helped restore the opening hours on Saturday after they had cut to two days per week, on Wednesdays and vendredi.Plus 1,000 people signed a petition to bring back Saturday, said Bellamy.

Some of these same supporters already are rallying around the market during these challenging times, said Crystal Nickerson, who works in the settlement of farms Indigo.

"People are like:"where are you going?"and worried that we will not be here next year", she says.

"We hope that we will be here, depending on what is happening with the city."

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Fight a father | The future of the Court for child

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Editor's note: This is a follow-up to a six-part series of in-depth reports by columnist Issac J. Bailey in which he examined a Conway father's two-year struggle to bring his daughter home from a New York foster home.

This week, Johnny Smith, his wife and a few other family members will drive 17 hours to Warren County, N.Y., for a hearing before a judge who will decide whether his more than two-year fight to bring his daughter home to Horry County will end.

She has been in a New York foster home since July 2008 after being battered, bruised and assaulted by the teenage sons of her mother's boyfriend, according to police and medical reports.

On Wednesday, Smith will try to clear another in a series of hurdles to reclaim the daughter who lived safely in his home for the first three years of her life, a hurdle that would have not existed except for the drawn-out implementation of the federal Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children law by officials in New York and South Carolina.

For the past two years, Smith has been exhausting his modest savings and retirement accounts, paying lawyers and hounding officials with S.C. Department of Social Services for help.

For the past two years, Warren County DSS argued that it could not return her to Conway because S.C. DSS said the Smith home was unsuitable and "financially fragile" - a decision the Smiths could not challenge because South Carolina does not have an appeals process for cases that fall under the federal interstate rule, meaning no state judge could overturn the decision of the case worker.

After two denials, S.C. DSS recently agreed that the Smith home is now suitable for his daughter's return.

But even though the rationale upon which the Warren County Department of Social Services based its original decision no longer applies, the department plans to use another one: It will argue that Smith's daughter should remain in custody because "all of her medical, educational, mental health and emotional needs are being met," according to court documents.

And it is asking that Smith pay for more than $30,000 in medical expenses, Smith said.

His daughter now effectively has two families, both of whom have reason to be deeply, emotionally tied to her.

She has spent two years and three months with her New York foster family, which has had the primary duty to nurse her back to health, to see her wounds heal, to cradle her during nightmares, to take her to doctor and therapist appointments, and to school and activities a 5-year-old girl trying to overcome horrific abuse needs.

Smith's daughter has been calling her foster parents "mommy" and "daddy." Shortly into her stay in foster care, she began calling Smith "Johnny."

"The case worker said that was to show that they have a stable environment," Smith said. "Now I'm being called 'daddy Johnny.' For a 5-year-old to call you by your first name and not daddy is very heart-breaking, makes me feel like the three years she was here with me was pushed aside for someone else, like I'm being made to be forgotten."

A need for change

Attempts to change the laws and procedures that exacerbated Smith's plight are being considered. The S.C. Department of Social Services is reviewing options for changing the process for those subjected to the ICPC.

National ICPC reformers and experts are continuing a push for changes on the federal level, which may include taking more fully into account the constitutional rights of biological parents, commissioning a comprehensive look at the law's impact, and an appeals process for the law, which was designed to provide out-of-state social services agencies with vital information about households into which a child might be sent from foster care.

The S.C. General Assembly may weigh in when it gets back in session early next year.

"[Smith's] story ... highlighted a problem which continued to worsen due to the flaws in the law and failures of the system," said state Rep. Tracy Edge, who helps determine DSS and other health care funding. "With the legislature being out of session we have not had the opportunity to codify any changes or act upon them. ... I am told that [DSS] is trying to come up with new protocols on dealing with these issues in the future where the procedure of another state creates issues in how cases are normally dealt with."

Those changes are about broader issues concerning the ICPC, which has affected parents throughout the country, according to analysts.

For Smith and his daughter, this week is personal.

Her abuse began after Smith and the girl's mother, Helen Prince, ended their nine-year live-in relationship and the child moved with Prince to the South Carolina home she shared with her boyfriend. It continued when they moved to New York.

And although Smith sought help from S.C. investigators when his daughter was still living in South Carolina and he first suspected she was being harmed, authorities did not step in until the then-3-year-old was dressed in a shirt and diaper crossing busy Route 9 in Queensbury, N.Y.

Her mother served less than a year in jail for her role in the abuse. The boys, then 12 and 15, didn't serve time because their father wasn't present during an interrogation when they gave details of what happened.

Months after Prince was released, she was charged in similar crimes with another family in Brunswick County, N.C. Those charges were dropped after a key witness failed to show up in court. She, too, has been trying to regain custody of her daughter, though her paperwork has not been completed. She has declined to be interviewed.

The Smiths have filed suit against Warren County for custody and are asking for their lawyer's fees and other costs be paid for, though they primarily want their daughter home, they said.

"I don't know what to do no more," he said. "All they do is hide behind red tape."

Best interest

On Wednesday, it won't be about red tape. It won't be about Smith being pushed further into financial instability because of the length of the case. It won't be about the months it took to send a request for a home study from Warren County to Horry County and back again. It will be about what constitutes the ill-defined "best interest of the child."

Is it in her best interest to keep her in foster care longer or to let the foster parents adopt her, which would mean legally stripping Smith of his parental rights?

Or is it better to return to her father, his new wife, her siblings and extended family on farmland in rural Horry County?

If she is returned, "an Horry DSS worker will be visiting the Smith home," said Virginia Williamson, DSS spokeswoman. "Part of her work will be assistance with accessing services locally and assessing the need for other services. Mr. Smith would need to tell her about any problems so she can help. New York will retain responsibility for helping Mr. Smith. If New York makes this placement, everyone will work together so it can be successful."

Smith says he understands the dilemma, that his daughter "sees it as having two families."

He has already arranged a therapist and doctor and school, all of whom said they can provide the same level of services his daughter has been receiving in Warren County.

He appreciates how the foster family has treated his daughter and believes they are good people. He wants them to remain a part of her life, through phone calls and visits and other ways. But he wants his daughter home.

"The last time we visited her, she asked when she could come home," he said. "She said, 'Where's my brothers and sisters? Why can't I go home with you?' I can answer it, but it don't make sense to her. I just want to try the best I can because my daddy never tried for me."

Richard Wexler, executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, says the legal case for returning custody to the Smiths is clear.

"If I kidnap your child at birth, flee to Mexico, take really good care of her, 'meet all her needs,' and then come back two years later - can I keep her? Of course not," he said. "So why is the standard different when the 'kidnapping' is done under color of the law by a government agency? If Johnny Smith were middle class, this wouldn't even be an issue. The child would have been returned very quickly."

Wexler recommends the judge give Smith custody while allowing the foster parents to remain involved in her life.

"Ideally, the Warren County court will recognize that, ideally Johnny Smith will allow the foster parents to remain a part of his daughter's life," he said. "And ideally South Carolina will pick up the tab to let the foster parents come and visit the child in South Carolina. Ideally. But, of course, you don't often get an ideal result in child welfare."

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