By Stan Welch
The Anderson County Council meeting Tuesday was highlighted by Councilwoman Gracie Floyd’s accusations that Councilman Eddie Moore is a racist. Floyd offered Moore’s own sworn testimony as proof.
In a deposition taken recently in conjunction with the County’s lawsuit against former administrator Joey Preston, Moore admitted being a member of the Ku Klux Klan for a couple of years when he was much younger. Moore also stated under oath that he was sent into the white supremacist group as part of an undercover operation while he was a deputy at the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Floyd waved a thick sheaf of papers around that she said was a copy of the deposition, as she alleged that Moore is a racist. Moore did not respond to the charges during the meeting.
Between the time of the deposition and Tuesday night’s meeting, the Council was presented a settlement offer from the Preston camp. At a called meeting, the entire Council, including Floyd, whom many think should be excluded from any deliberations concerning the lawsuit because of her role in the events that led to the lawsuit, received information on the settlement offer during executive session.
After reconvening in open session, Moore informed the Council and the public that he would not be intimidated by threats and he voted to refuse the settlement offer. Floyd was the only vote in favor of accepting the settlement.
In other business, the Palmetto High School AFJROTC unit was recognized for their achievements in winning the Distinguished Unit Award for academic year 2011-2012.The award marked the sixth year in a row that the school’s AFJROTC unit has been honored for their efforts in academics, military training, and community service.
Cadet Colonel Cory Taylor said that the unit’s 150 members had worked together to achieve the goals they set at the start of the school year last year. “Our unit takes pride in representing the school and the community.”
The Council also gave final approval to ordinances authorizing certain incentives to three companies located or locating in the Piedmont area. Those companies are Henry Molded Products, Insc.;Opperman Webbing; and Wilson, Inc. of Piedmont.
