Salem couple chides school trustees

Lynne and Eddie Martin of Salem lamented that last night they were the only two members of the public who took an opportunity to speak directly to Oconee’s trustees and school district administrators.  But the Martins were glad to see that, in the board meeting audience, there were a handful of people concerned about the possibility that the last public school in their community might close, if the board of trustees approves certain long-range options.  Some eight years ago, Lynne Martin was an outspoken opponent to the closing of the Tamassee-Salem High School and took her plea as far as a circuit courtroom.  Last night she warned against what she sees as bad consequences if her community again loses its school.  She was followed by her husband, the conservationist Eddie Martin.  The Martins are concerned about what happens to abandoned buildings and, further, they fear that Oconee County is losing a lot of its charm and character in what seems to be a building boom that is eating up its natural resources and replacing it with more concrete.