Oconee tax increase proposed

Impending expenses, including the cost of a Tri-County Tech campus in Oconee County, are prompting a county councilman to suggest a one or two tax mill increase for the new county budget. Joel Thrift made the suggestion last night, but he immediately ran into opposition from Wayne McCall, the chairman. McCall called the idea of a tax increase ludicrous and said, “I’ve got people in my district living on soda crackers and diet sodas.” Thrift and McCall’s colleague, Edda Cammick, conditioned her support for a tax increase to funds to help the town of Salem with water and sewer projects. Cammick, who represents Salem, also said she believes the school district is about to “tear the heart” out of Salem by consolidating Tamassee-Salem with the new Walhalla High that will open this August.