greenvilleonline.com FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2006 THE GREENVILLE NEWS Obituaries Frances Rutledge, 101, was Greenville educator Frances Godfrey Rutledge, 101, widow of Walter Thomas Rutledge died Jan. 24, 2006. She was a former resident of 33 Byrd in Greenville, and taught most of her career at DunElementary School, and ended her career as the first principal at Greenbrier Elementary School in Mauldin. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Greenwood, and was a former member of the Augusta Road Baptist Church in Greenville. Surviving are a son, Walter Thomas Rutledge and wife, Ruth Clark, of Lexington; three daughters, Mrs.
William Arnold (Lou) Putman Jr. of Lexington, Mrs. William Paul (Ruth) Martin Jr. and Mrs. Jesse Thomas (Ann) Cox, Lawrence Gignilliat Adams Seneca Lawrence Gignilliat Adams, age 78, of Seneca, died Monday, Jan.
23, 2006, at his home. Lawrence was born on Aug. 19, 1927, in Anderson, S.C., to Francis Bowen Adams Sr. and Norma Gignilliat Adams. He is survived by his wife, Janice Shippy Adams of Seneca; a daughter, Suzanne T.
Smith, and son-in-law, James L. Smith, of Brentwood, a son, Britton S. Adams, and daughter-in-law, Judith M. Adams of Seneca; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Catherine Smith of Irving, Texas, and Cpl. Timothy Gignilliat Adams, USMC, and Danielle Ryerson Adams, both of Seneca; a brother, Dr.
Francis B. Adams and his wife, Mrs. Dianne Adams, of Seneca, S.C.; and nieces and nephew. Mr. Adams was a graduate of Clemson University in physics in 1949 and civil engineering in 1953, as well as a Navy of World War II.
He was employed at Bethlehem Steel and American Institute of Steel Construction, and after moving to Seneca in 1980, was a consulting structural engineer. Mr. Adams was a member of Seneca Presbyterian Church. Graveside services will be held today, Jan. 27, 2006, at 2 p.m.
at Mountain View Cemetery in Seneca, with Dr. Charles Dougherty officiating. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be made to the American Heart Association, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5000, Greenville, SC 29601. The family is at the home. Seneca Mortuary is assisting the family.
Zella M. Robinson Allgood Zella Mae Robinson Allgood, of 106 Cornelia died Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, at St. Francis Women's Hospital. Born in Anderson, she was a daughter of Mrs.
Pauline Breazeale Robinson of Greenville and the late Roy Robinson. Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her daughters, Iris Lane and Teresa Allgood, both of Greenville; sons, Leonard and Edward Allgood, both of Greenville; sisters, Peola Maloney, Berdie MoBetty McNeil and Rosella Robinson, all of Greenville; brothers, Alfonzo Robinson of Pendleton and Grady Robinson of Travelers Rest; and eight grandchildren. Funeral service: 1 p.m. Saturday at Watkins, Garrett Woods Mortuary, with burial in Pinedale Memorial Park. The family is at 6 Sunnyview Drive.
Willie J. Anderson Greenville 2006, at Greenville Memorial Hospital. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was a member of Cedar Grove Willie J. Anderson, 49, of 34 E.
Main died Monday, Jan. 23, Baptist Church. Survivors: mother, Ellen L. Sullivan Anderson of the home; a son, Norris Williams, and a daughter, Kwansa Nakisha, both of Fountain Inn; brothers, Joseph Lee Anderson of Greenville, L.T. Anderson of Simpsonville, and Arthur Junior Anderson, Toy Lee Anderson, Rick Anderson and Renzie Anderson, all of Greenville; sisters, Lee Alice Anderson and Pearl Anderson, both of Greenville; and three grandchildren.
7:30 p.m. tonight at Webb-Settles Funeral Home Chapel. Services: 3 p.m. Saturday at Queen Street Baptist Church. Burial: Pinedale Memorial Park.
Katharine Mason Anderson New York, N.Y. Katharine Mason Anderson, formerly of Moore, S.C., died Dec. 30, 2005, in New York City. She was born on April 12, 1917, at the family homestead, "Tyger near Moore in Spartan- all of Greenwood; 16 grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. Services: Noon today at First Church in Greenwood, with visitation from 10:30 a.m.
to noon at the church. Burial: 3:30 p.m. today in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Laurens. Memorials: First Baptist Church, 722 Grace Greenwood, SC 29649, or Thornwell Home School for Children-Mrs. Bessie Godfrey Scholarship Fund, P.O.
Box 60, Clinton, SC 29325- 0060. Online condolences: www.blyth funeralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home Cremation Services is in charge. burg County. She was the daughter of the late James Mason and the late Rosa Eppes Anderson.
She graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1934 and from Converse College in 1938. Miss Anderson taught school for several years before working, with the American Red during World War II. After the war, she moved to New York City, where she lived until her death. She was associated with several of the national airlines, and then later worked with the Rockefeller Foundation. In her youth, Miss Anderson was a member of the Center Point Presbyterian Church at Moore, S.C.
In New York City, she was a member of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her four sisters, Martha Anderson Goldsmith of Greenville, S.C., Margaret Anderson Gibbs of Murphy, N.C., Nancy Anderson Moore of Lexington, and Rosa Anderson Keith, formerly of Greenville, S.C., and now residing in Columbia, S.C. A memorial service will be held for Miss Anderson on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, at Nazareth Presbyterian Church, Moore, S.C. at noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nazareth Presbyterian Church, 680 Nazareth Church Road, Moore, SC 29369. Lanford-Dunbar Funeral Home Crematory. Charles Dial Armstrong Jr. Fountain Inn Charles Dial Armstrong 88, of 206 Fairview Street Fountain Inn, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006.
Born in Fountain Inn on April 14, 1917, he was the son of the late Charles Dial Armstrong Sr. and the late Esther Verdin Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong was a Mason, a lifetime member of Fairview Presbyterian Church and a World War II Army veteran, serving in the European Theater of Operations. Surviving Mr.
Armstrong are three sisters, Eleanor A. Wood Atlanta, Rachel Jacobs of Clinton, S.C., and Esther A. Presher of Greenville; four brothers, J. Verdin Armstrong of Fountain Inn, Armstrong of Fountainenden, S.C., Rodney N. Armstrong of Easley, S.C., Don Armstrong of Pamplin, and many nieces and nephews.
Three sisters predeceased him, Louise A. Hodder, Dorothy A. Vela and Marjorie A. Chamberlain. A graveside service will be held Saturday, Jan.
28, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Fairview Presbyterian Church in Fountain Inn S.C. Memorials may be made to Fairview Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1664, Fountain Inn, SC 29644. Cannon Funerals and Cremations Fountain Inn.
Amos T. Bishop Mauldin Amos T. Bishop, 64, of 109 Sunrise Drive, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006. He was the husband of Mary Francis Via Bishop, and the son of the late late Della Amos T.
Bishop. Bishop Mr. Sr. Bishop and was of the Baptist faith, served his country in the U.S. Army and was employed by Self Service Laundry, where he worked as mechanic.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Diane Rogalle of California and Joann Smith of Greer; a son, Ricky Bishop of Chicago; two stepsons, Chuck Head and his wife, Judy, of Greenville, and James Beard and his wife, Kim, of Maryland; two stepdaughters, Shirley Hall and her husband, Hedges, of Virginia, and Brenda Medwed and her husband, Gary, of Virginia; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held tonight, Jan. 27, 2006, at Cannon Funerals and Cremations, Simpsonville, from p.m. No service is planned at this time. Flowers are to be omitted and memorials may be made to Hospice of South Carolina, 600 E.
Today's obituaries Greenville Zella M. Robinson Allgood Willie J. Anderson Mary Clayton Johnson Harris Betty M. Mies Columbia Estelle Furman Easley Gloris 'Lucy' Massingill Elwood, Ind. Janie Roberson Fountain Inn Charles Dial Armstrong Jr.
Greenwood Frances Rutledge Greer Edith A. Campbell Iva Sandra Christine Smith Laurens Bobbie K. Gibbs Liberty Frank Perkins Mauldin Amos T. Bishop New York, N.Y. Katharine Mason Anderson Seneca Lawrence Gignilliat Adams Taylors Gloria Ponease Johnson Washington Greenville, SC 29601.
The family is at the residence. Cannon Funerals and Crema- tions Simpsonville. Edith A. Campbell Greer Edith Avery Campbell, 73, of 4009 Jenny Road, died Jan. 26, 2006, at Allen Bennett Hospital.
A native of Startex, daughter of the late Thomas and Carrie Brown Avery, she was a homemaker and was a member of United Christian Church, Greer. Surviving are her husband, Carroll Campbell of the home; her children, Rita Wood of Wellford, Linda Campbell of Greer, Sharon Young and her husband, Richard Young, of Greer, Karen Fidler of Lyman, the Rev. Pete Campbell and his wife, Bobbie Campbell, of Greer, and Tammy Huffman and her husband, Larry Huffman, of Greer; a sister, Betty Williams of Sacramento, 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Mrs. -Campbell was predeceased by a daughter, Sheila Campbell.
Funeral services will held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Wood Mortuary, conducted by the Rev. Jimmie Alman and the Rev. Danny Whitmore. Burial will follow Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Wood Mortuary. The family is at the home. Mary Clayton Greenville Mary Clayton, of 1008 White Horse, Road, 2006, at her died home. Sunday, Born in Greenville, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Daisy Vance Clayton.
Survivors: a daughter, Willena Vance of Greenville; a son, Jeslyn Clayton of Columbia, S.C.; sisters, Shirley Brown, Willie Frances Allen, Susan Butler and Mildred Gash, all of Greenville, and Patricia Green of Cincinnati, Ohio; a brother, Sammy Gash of Greenville; and three grandchildren. Funeral service: Saturday at Watkins, Garrett Woods Mortuary, with burial in Pinedale Memorial Park. The family is at 503 Idlewild Ave. Estelle Furman Columbia A memorial service for Estelle Meador Furman, 78, will be held in Smith Chapel at First Presbyterian Church at 2. p.m.
Sunday. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Third Century Fund, 1324 Marion Columbia, SC 29201. Mrs. Furman, widow of Lt.
Col. Henry Jones Furman, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006. Born in Union County, she was the daughter of the late Manley Earl and Leila Gregory Meador. She was an alumna of Winthrop College, and was first married to the late George B.
Sparks of Union and Myrtle Beach. She retired as cashier of Converse College in 1974. She was a member of the Columbia Symphony League, the Robert Burns Society of the Midlands, the Columbia Museum of Art, Carolina Watercolor Society, the Re- Officials say rolling back assessments ts not a good idea Travelers Rest Ethel Plumblee McKinney Details incomplete Franklin Childers, Kinards Elinor S. Ellis, Greenville Ret. Lt.
Col. Clyde M. Cleveland Darlington Other deaths ANDERSON Bozeman, Myrl, McDougald Funeral Home Chastain James Frank, 90, 106 North Pointe Creek -McDougald Funeral Home Hall, Paul Wilson, 57, 1410 Cox Lake Road McDougald Funeral Home Ruth, Linda Sue Waters Williams, 50, 403 Blue Ridge Ave. McDougald Funeral LAURENS Hileman, Steve 28, 301 Julie Island Road Gray Funeral Home OCONEE land Powell, Road Daniel Robert, McDougald 27, Home PICKENS Swaney, Scooter Roger, 40, 340 Windy Hill Road McDougald Funeral Home Obituary guidelines All obituaries are prepared and billed through the funeral home handling the arrangements. Obituaries within the newspaper's circulation area are billed to funeral homes at a rate of $5 per line.
the circulation area, the rate $6 per line. Pictures cost $25, and there is no charge publishing an American flag for veterans military service. There is no charge to list name in the Other Deaths list. Veteran. 86, 2414 Northview tired Officers Auxiliary, and was life member of the University oliniana Society.
She was an member of First Presbyterian Church since 1975, serving on Women of the Church Board of rectors as recording secretary, as General Circle and Circle person. Surviving are a daughter, Sparks Burdett of Landenburg, a grandson, Michael S. dett, also of Landenburg, stepsons, Richard A. Furman Park, and James Furman of Austin, Texas; in-law, Rachel, Meador of Frances Columbia Alma Furman of Greenville; niece and nephews. Mrs.
Furman predeceased a brother, Manley Earl Meador Jr. ralsandcrema- tions.com Bobbie K. Gibbs Laurens Bobbie 842 Gibbs Herschel Wednesday, home. Born in Gibbs June Kirby Gibbs, 70, of Road, wife of William Gibbs passed away Jan. 25, 2006, at her Greenville, she was a daughter of the late Joe Berry and Ruth Heaton Kirby.
She retired from Food Lion and was a member of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church and an associate member of St. James United Methodist Church. At Chestnut Ridge she was a member of the "Sonshine" Sunday School Class and was a former Sunday school teacher and choir member. She had also traveled to West Virginia and Romania on mission trips. Surviving, in addition to her husband, are three children, Nancy Louise Compton and husband, Terry, of Gray Court, William "Bill" H.
Gibbs and wife, Pam, of Laurens, and M. Letherenda Rivers and husband, Frank, of Easley; two brothers, David E. Kirby of Dawson, and Richard F. Kirby of Laurens; two sisters, Letherenda K. Chaney and Betty K.
Vaughn, both of Laurens; six grandchildren, William Jason and Christa Gibbs, T. Lucas and Michelle Compton, and Jeremy T. and Michelle Gibbs, all of Laurens, Zachary L. Compton of Gray Court, Joshua A. Rivers of Easley, and Rebecca C.
and Mark Malone of Enoree; A. and four Gibbs great children, Bailey and Mason T. Gibbs, both of Laurens, and Heather V. Malone and Marley R. Malone, both of Enoree.
She was predeceased by two Charles E. Kirby and J.B. Kirothers, p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, at Funeral services will be, at 4:30 Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev.
Tony Crouch and the Rev. Charlie Short, with burial in the church cemetery. The family is at the home, and will receive friends tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Kennedy Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Laurens County, P.O.
Box 178, Clinton, SC 29325. The Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens. Johnson Harris Greenville Johnson Harris, of 202 Gordon died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, at When my auditor and assessor explained to us what would happen, I got a great deal of heartburn. We can't sell that as relief," said Sen.
Larry Martin, R-Pickens, chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Property Tax Assessment Reform Act. Statewide, a reassessment rollback would decrease local government revenue by $552 million, taking $182 million from owner-occupied horses and $369 his home. Born in Greenville, he was a son of the late Rev. James and Florence Wright Harris Sr. Survivors: Wilma Jackson of Greenville; sons, Johnny Harris and Marion Harris, both of Greenville, and David Harris of Guttenburg, N.J.; sisters, Emma Golden and Edna Mae McMahand, both of Greenville; brothers, James Harris Jr.
of Greenville, Larry Harris of Teaneck, N.J., and Bubba A. Harris of Detroit, 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Watkins, Garrett Woods Mortuary, with burial in Greenville Memorial Gardens. The family is at the home of Wilma Jackson, 207 Trotter St.
Gloria Ponease Johnson Taylors Gloria Ponease Johnson, of 600 Rye Court, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital. Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Clark and Lula Mae Baker Johnson. Survivors: daughter, Jacqueline Gary of Taylors; a son, Jason Ellis of Atlanta, and six grandchildren.
Funeral service: 4:30 p.m. today at Rock of Ages Baptist Church. The family is at the home. Watkins, Garrett Woods Mortu- Gloris 'Lucy' Massingill Easley Pauline Gentry Sweezy, Mrs. Massingill retired from Dayco Corporation and was a member of Jones Avenue Baptist Church, where she belonged to the King's Daughters Sunday School Class.
71, Pelzer Highway, wife of Chorion "Lucy" Sweezy Massingill, the late Roy Garland Massingill, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, at her home. Born in Gaffney, S.C., a daughter of the late Calvin Wesley and Massingill Massingill of H. sistersUnion, and a Mies graduated from Mrs. Business College and Draughns former accounting clerk was a with the Coleman Company.
She was member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Preceding her in death were her first husband, Henry Edwin Wooten; her second husband, Charles Mies; two sisters, Frances Dunn A. Louise Cunningham; and a brother, Hugh McMullan. Maria Surviving Patterson, and her husband, are her daughter, Dean, of Easley, S.C.; two sons, Mac Wooten and his wife, Mary, of S.C., and Jack Wooten and his wife, Teresa, of LynnhaTigerville, ven, five grandchildren, Jennifer and Jon Wooten, Laura Patterand Margaret and Tonda Wooson ten. Also surviving is a sister, Bobbie Hinson of Starr, S.C.
A memorial service will held toJan. 27, 2006, at 1 p.m at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. day, Susan Crowell and Pastor Shannon Mullen officiating. The family will receive friends this afternoon from 12 to 1 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, 15 Oregon Greenville, SC 29605; or to Trinity Lutheran Church, Altar Flowers Fund, 421 N. Main Greenville, SC 29601. The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive. the Outside for of a a. Caractive the Diand chair- Vicki Frank Perkins Liberty Funeral services for Mr.
Perkins will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be at Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. at the mortuary.
Franklin William Perkins, 72, of 1282 Ruhamah Road, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital. Born in Pickens County, he was a son of the late Luther and Geneva Burton Perkins. He was retired from Greenwood Mill, was a U.S.
Army veteran, and was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are his wife, Rachel Whitaker Perkins of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Marvin and Terry and Holly Perkins of and Roberta Perkins of Liberty, Central; a daughter and son-inlaw, Tina and Terry Creasman of Liberty; a brother, Tom Perkins of Easley; two sisters, Louise Posey of Liberty and Betty Hendrix of Pendleton; and four grandchildren, Jennifer Perkins, T.J. Creasman, and Karen and Matt Perkins. The family will be at the home. Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com Liberty Mortuary is handling ar- Surviving are two daughters, Pam Duncan and her husband, Roger, of Sunset, and Gwen Satterfield of Hope Mills, N.C.; a brother, William George Sweezy of Piedmont; a sister, Patsy Heaton of Snellville, five grandchildren, Chasity Williamson, Garland Williamson, Kiely Nix, Josh Satterfield and Jeremy Satterfield; and two greet Carr.
In addition to Cheyenne her hus- and band and parents, Mrs. Massingill was predeceased by a brother, James W. Sweezy, and by two sisters, Lois Kay and Jo Ann Jones. Funeral services will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with Rev.
Dr. Roger Couch officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Jones Avenue Baptist Church, 614 Ross Easley, SC 29640. The family is at the residence. Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown is assisting the family with arrangements. Ethel Plumblee McKinney Travelers Rest Ethel Beatrice Plumblee McKinney, 93, formerly of 35 McKinney Road, and widow of Lawrence P. McKinney, passed away Thursday, tal." 26, 2006, at St.
Francis HospiBorn in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late James Ernest and Lena Jordan Plumblee. Mrs. McKinney retired from Lyman Printing and Finishing after 36 years of service, and was a member of New Liberty Baptist Church. Surviving are a sister, Cleo P. Griffin of Rock Hill, S.C.; a brother, Ralph G.
Plumblee of Plymouth, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews. A sister, Ruby P. Duncan, three brothers, Lionel, Marvin, and Carl Plumblee, predeceased her. Funeral services will be Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at New Liberty Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Howze Mortuary. The family will be at 109 View Mont Drive, Greenville. Memorials may be made to New Liberty Baptist Church, 1798 Highway 25 Travelers Rest, SC 29690. The Howze Mortuary, Travelers Rest, is in charge of arrangements.
Betty M. Mies Greenville Betty McMullan Wooten Mies, 78, of Countryside Village, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006. Born on June 30, 1927, in Greenville County, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Alexander M. and Nannie Lucille Davis McMullan.
million from commercial and rental properties. The corresponding tax rate increase needed to recoup that would shift $106 million worth of taxes from top-value homes to the rest, Gillespie said. "We don't want a situation where none of the relief goes to those who need it most," said Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg. Martin said the onlyway to ensure a tax shift doesn't occur rangements.
Janie Roberson Elwood, Ind. Janie M. Bagwell Roberson, 69, died Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, in Elwood, Ind. Born in Abbeville, S.C., she was a daughter of the late William T.
and Essie Anglin Bagwell. She retired from State Plating and was a homemaker. Surviving are a daughter, Rachel Roberson Carr of Elwood, sons, Don Roberson of Elwood, and Richard Roberson of Beaver Creek, Ohio; sisters, Lee Keller and her husband, John, of W. Lafayette, and Ann Pope of Coeburn, a brother, Press Brown of Lafayette, a brother-in-law, Gerald Johnson of Abbeville, S.C.; four stepsisters and two stepbrothers, all of Greenville, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Amy Johnson.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Broadmouth Baptist Church in Honea Path, with the Rev. Benny Walker officiating. The family will receive from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, before the service, at the church.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Gray Mortuary, Pelzer is in charge of arrangements. Sandra Christine Smith Iva Sandra Christine Smith, 69, of 406 West Broad died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, at AnMed Health Center. Born in Anderson County, she was the daughter of the late Barney Blease and Vera Thompson Smith.
She was a member of Belton Presbyterian Church. Surviving are daughters, Wanda E. Gwinn of Tennessee, Kathy L. Clay of Georgia, and Connie F. Smith of Williamston; sons, Randy Smith of Belton and Curtis R.
Smith of Williamston; a brother, Wilton Ray Smith of Woodruff; a sister, Avis Lynn Stone of Greenwood; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Norma Jean Paige. Saferyices will be held at 11 a.m. at Cox Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. John LeHeup officiating.
Burial will follow at Garden of Memories. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at Cox Funeral Home. The family will be at their respective homes. By Seanna Adcox THE ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBIA A Senate subcommittee on Thursday rejected efforts to roll back property tax assessments after realizing the proposal would hit most homeowners with a tax increase.
Bill Gillespie, the state's chief economist, said the idea would shift taxes "from the Battery to North Charleston, for example." The rollback measure is part of a Senate bill that would make the so-called point-of-sale the default system statewide. Under that system, property is reassessed only when sold, transferred or substantially improved. The Senate proposal, crafted after months of meetings, also seeks to roll back reassessed values to 2004 or earlier. Senators wanted to give tax relief to homeowners that went through reassessment last year and saw their property taxes skyrocket the impetus of this year's drive for property tax reform. But the rollback also included a clause for local governments, allowing them to increase the tax rate so they wouldn't lose money.
That increase would help owners of high-value property but hurt the average homeowner, officials said. "It's really good we caught that, but I'm very disappointed. would be to prevent local government from recouping the lost revenue, and "that would truly be an assault on home rule." Subcommittee members said they still want to throw homeowners a lifeline. Assuming the General Assembly approves a change in the reassessment system, the constitutional amendment would still require voter approval, so nothing would change this year..
