Morris name removed from highway

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The State Transportation Commission changed the name Thursday to South Carolina 153 after lawmakers asked Morris' name to be removed following his conviction on security fraud charges in the Carolina Investors case. The commission vote was 6-0.

Thursday's action was welcomed by some Upstate residents who lost money in Carolina Investors, which Morris chaired.

"That's wonderful," said Lynne Finley of Greer, who lost $189,000 in Carolina Investors. "I think that's fair. I'm happy for the residents who have to drive by those signs each day."

Scott Cleveland, who lives near 153 in Greenville County, said, "I think it should be a lesson for the people in the Statehouse to not go around naming things for people until they are assured their attributes are what we want to look for in people."

Morris, who is free on bond pending his appeal, couldn't be reached to comment.

Department of Transportation Commissioner Marion Carnell of Ware Shoals, who served in the Legislature with Morris, said it saddened him to remove Morris' name.

"Personally I regret having to take it down, but I understand the feeling of the people there in Pickens," he said.

Agency officials said the two major signs marking the highway will be taken down soon, perhaps within a week.

The road, which travels through Anderson and Pickens counties, was named after Morris in 1975 by the state Highway Commission.

Morris served as a former lieutenant governor and state comptroller general.

House lawmakers began attempts to change the name last year. Their efforts stalled in the Senate, however, when Sen. Larry Martin objected to the resolution saying Morris hadn't yet been charged with any crime.

Martin surveyed businesses along the highway late last year which he said overwhelmingly supported removing Morris' name.

He and Rep. Dan Cooper, of Piedmont, introduced different resolutions this year asking that the name be changed. After the measures passed their respective chambers, Martin sent a letter to the Department of Transportation board asking it to finish the job.

"I'm pleased the commission went ahead and acted," Martin said Thursday. "That should lay the issue to rest."

He said removing the name was difficult. "We were absolutely left with no choice," he said.

Cooper, whose mother-in-law lost money in Carolina Investors, said the Legislature could have finished the issue itself. But he said he was glad the commission acted.

"It's been a long time coming," he said.