Pastor and wife object to wineries

The pastor and his wife at a rural church nearly 65 years old don’t want a winery in their midst—regardless of the economic benefits promised in the Salem area.  The Rev. Daniel McComb and his wife, Tanya, during Oconee County Council’s public comment registered their opposition from a religious standpoint and from the standpoint of the effect on a wooded area in the vicinity of SC 130 and the Nimmons Bridge Road.  The Rev. McComb says the Issaqueena Church of God is across the road from where the Gardiner Group wants to open a pair of wineries.  “It’s against our beliefs.  It’s against our religious,” said the Church of God minister.  McComb’s wife, Tanya, said besides conflicting with her church’s doctrines, she believes the project will take away “the beauty and the peace” that the two roads offer.  The McCombs spoke in vain, as during the regular part of the meeting the council gave unanimous approval to a zoning change that will allow the project to go forward.