The Pickens Sentinel, Easley Progress and Powdersville Post family grows

Editor

EASLEY - Growing up in the mountains of Tennessee, Scott Williamson is familiar with living in a close-knit community with country values.

"I'm from Sevierville," Williamson said. "That's where Dolly Parton was born. My father went to school with her."

Williamson will bring those country community values with him as he begins his duties this week as publisher of The Easley Progress.

Williamson will also serve as publisher of The Pickens Sentinel and Powdersville Post, the Progress' two sister papers also owned by Heartland Publications.

"Pickens County is a beautiful place," Williamson said. "And everyone I've met has been proud of their community. I want to work the community and keep them proud of their community newspapers also."

Williamson said the history of the papers and the talented staff help make his goals easily attainable.

"The Pickens Sentinel and The Easley Progress have been serving the community for more than 100 years each," Williamson said. "That's a tradition we want to continue. The Powdersville Post, while not as long-established as its two sister newspapers, is growing much like that special area of the Upstate.

"We want that publication to serve the many new families moving to the area as well as those who have lived there for many years. Our staff features several people with deep roots in this county," Williamson said.

"Just today I was listening to Bonnie Lesley and Ben Robinson as they rattled off the names of former publishers of the Progress," he said. "Our people work for the newspaper because they care about the community, and that's the kind of people I want to work with."

Williamson graduated from Central Florida University and began his newspaper career in 1994. He comes to Easley from another Heartland Publication, The Sampson Independent in Clinton, N.C.

He and his wife Karen have four children: Mitchell, 12; Megan, 11; Lucas, 4; and Peyton, 14 months.

"The phrase 'community newspaper' implies a publication that serves the community," Williamson said. "That's exactly what we want from all three of these newspapers."

Williamson said he plans to be an active member of the communities served by The Progress, The Sentinel and the Powdersville Post.

"I'm glad to be part of Pickens County and the Powdersville area," he said. "I look forward to being part of the community."

Former publisher Paul Barker has assumed the position of General Manager for all three publications.