IN SPORTS: Swampcats try to clear Hammond hurdle, get back to title game B1 Sip and Stroll 9th Annual
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Bronze Star, Purple Heart
DHEC wants to bolster dams BY SAMMY FRETWELL The State
drugs in 2004 after he admitted to himself that he had a problem and needed help. The greatest human failure is not being able to admit when we need help, he said. “It’s a humbling step,” he said.
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control wants to bolster its beleaguered dam safety program with more money and more staff after floods last month reignited concerns about the program’s effectiveness. In its budget request for next year, DHEC is asking to roughly double the size of its dam safety staff as part of an overall program increase of $595,000. If approved, the dam safety program would be as large, if not larger, than it has been during the past 20 years. The proposal includes hiring six full-time engineers and an environmental health manager, spokeswoman Jennifer Read said in an email. She said the agency now has 6.75 dam safety employees. DHEC is charged with inspecting and overseeing 2,370 dams across the state. But in recent years, inspectors haven’t always examined the dams as frequently as needed because the dam safety program is so small. Without inspections and oversight, the state doesn’t always know about shaky dams that threaten property downstream. Read said the plan to increase staffing would bring the program up to “existing statutory and regulatory requirements.’’ But the agency also is working with Gov. Nikki Haley and lawmakers on legislation to further strengthen the dam safety program with more money. That money could come from general appropriations, inspection fees or both, Read’s email said. Read did not provide details of the plan. But state Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, said some of the legislative changes under discussion include providing more clarity on the responsibilities of those who own dams and how they are to maintain the structures. The majority of dams in South Carolina are privately owned, many by homeowners groups that DHEC director Catherine Heigel says are not always well organized. “We have learned some hard lessons from this recent flooding,’’ said Smith, who chairs the budget subcommittee that will hear DHEC’s request for more money. “It’s incumbent upon us to make sure we have appropriate enforcement and inspection mechanisms as it relates to dams. We see the catastrophic damage that (failed dams) can do to the surrounding area.’’ DHEC’s dam program has in recent years ranked as
SEE RECOVERY, PAGE A6
SEE DHEC, PAGE A6
Army honors philanthropist for valor in Vietnam War
Above, Fort Jackson Commanding General Roger L. Cloutier, left, speaks to Purple Heart and Bronze Star of Valor recipient Robert D. Fisette during the Army’s award ceremony and graduation on Thursday at Ft. Jackson. Left, Fisette, wearing the purple hat, accompanies Cloutier during the “Trooping the Line” ritual during the ceremony.
BY JACK OSTEEN jack@theitem.com Robert D. “Bob” Fisette’s time to be recognized as a war hero finally came. Forty-five years and a day later, Fisette was presented Thursday with the Bronze Star for Valor for his action in Vietnam on Nov. 11, 1970, during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Graduation at Fort Jackson in Columbia. Additionally, Fisette also received the Purple Heart for the wounds he sustained in combat on Jan. 17, 1971, in Vietnam. Now 81, Fisette said his hand has healed nicely from the shrapnel that hit him during combat. “It felt like being hit by a dart and when I looked down, I had a hole in my
PHOTOS BY JACK OSTEEN / THE SUMTER ITEM
hand,” he said. Known to many in the community as a humble man who gives generously to many charities including private and public schools, various veterans charities and The Sumter Item’s own Fireside Fund, Fisette’s wife Claire was the driving force behind making it all happen for her husband. She said she worked more than a year to make the day happen and couldn’t be happier for Bob. With all five of his children in town for the ceremony from as far away as Louisi-
ana and Indiana, Fisette clearly was even more humbled than normal by receiving this award. A man of few words, Fisette chose not to speak but seemed to enjoy the attention the beautiful fall day had brought him. Wilson Hall School Headmaster Fred Moulton, who has known Fisette for nearly 20 years, attended the ceremony. “Bob is a remarkable man in many ways and such a good friend to the Sumter Community,” he said. The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Fort Jack-
son Post Command Sgt. Maj. William D. Hain. He spoke of Thursday’s 1,200 graduates being much like Fisette in that they are clearly there “for the warriors to your left and your right,” he said. “Team gets you to the end. “More importantly who I am is what I am. I’m an American Soldier,” Hain told the crowd of more than 2,000 people. After Fisette’s story of heroism and achievement, he received a standing ovation from the crowd for his service during the Vietnam War.
Recovery meeting to host Hootie drummer BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Jim Sonefeld, drummer for Hootie and the Blowfish, will attend the Celebrate Recovery meeting this evening at Salt & Light Church, 360 Miller Road. A dinner will be held at 6 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Sonefeld, who first sought help for his addiction 11 years ago, will speak to the group about the recovery journey. He will also perform several contemporary praise and worship songs, a few of his original selections recounting his story and possibly a Hootie and the Blowfish favorite. “My music ties into the message
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CELEBRATE RECOVERY WHERE: Salt & Light Church, 360 Miller Road, Sumter. WHEN: Dinner at 6 p.m.; meeting at 7 p.m. today.
JIM SONEFELD
about the journey,” he said. Sonefeld decided to seek help controlling his addiction to alcohol and
DEATHS, B7 Phillip Nixon Donald W. Thompson Bobby Legrant Keith E. Canty Patsy Blanding
Danny McCray F. Dewey Timmons Sr. George Mickens II Matthew R. Pringle
WEATHER, A10
INSIDE
SUNNY AND CLEAR
2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 26
Cooler today with lots of sunshine and little to no chance of rain; chilly and clear tonight. HIGH 68, LOW 38
Classifieds B8 Comics A8 Lotteries A10
Opinion A9 Science A5 Television A7