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GREER -- The Greer community will say thanks on Tuesday to a friend and leader.

The public is encouraged to attend a reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Greer's First Presbyterian Church to mark the retirement of state Sen. Verne Smith, said Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce president and CEO John Kimbrell.

It's a chance for the community to thank the veteran legislator, Kimbrell said.

Smith served in the senate 34 years. He helped bring BMW Manufacturing Corp. to the Upstate, helped achieve a compromise to remove the Confederate battle flag from the statehouse dome, helped fund the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville Technical College and human resource centers.

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The reception will be televised on Greenville Education Network Channel 14.

Kimbrell said Smith's family expects to attend, and Smith may or may not be in attendance. Smith retired for health reasons.

On Nov. 7, District 5 voters will choose Republican Lewis Vaughn of Greer or Democrat Frank L. Eppes of Travelers Rest to take his seat in the senate.

Special guests at the reception include state Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman; Greer Mayor Rick Danner; Bobby Hitt, BMW spokesman; Greenville Technical College President Dr. Thomas Barton; Suzanne Shennan, coordinator of the J. Verne Smith Human Resources Center and other community leaders.

Said Danner, "I don't think we can ever underestimate the value that Sen. Smith has brought to our community."

The event is free; cake and coffee will be served, Kimbrell said.
Nan Lundeen can be reached at 298-4316.