Up and Down the County

Hutson on the attack

According to The State newspaper, Rep. Heyward Hutson is questioning his fellow House caucus members . He believes Jim Merrill is behind the campaign of Jenny Horne. Hutson beat Horne last year in the special election to replace Converse Chellis.
Horne, contacted by The Journal Scene this afternoon, says Merrill is not running her campaign this time around, but did run it last fall in the special Republican primary.

Update: Horne exclusively tells Up and Down the County says Rick Quinn is running her campaign this year.

Empty rhetoric may end

It looks like the empty rhetoric over better growth management tools may finally be coming to an end. Dorchester County Council may actually do something to better manage growth.
Up and Down the County is blogging live from County Council's all day budget retreat at Coosaw Creek Country Club.
Growth Manager Eva Lunder said she is preparing to send out a request for professional services, at the approval of County Council, which would develop a master plan for transportation and parks. While it seems good to have master plans, the underlying advantage of a master plan is an impact fee.
Instead of continuing the rhetoric about the lack of help for school impact fees, it seems Council is finally moving forward to enacting impact fees for roads and parks, two things allowed by state law already.
But, before they can enact those, they need a master plan to show the need for the impact fee and what projects those monies will fund.

Where are the conservatives?

It’s hard to continue to remember the one golden rule of politics anymore: Republicans aren’t conservatives. They don’t operate for limited government at the local level.
Drafting ordinances such as restricting boats and RVs in yards or stopping mining in the county shows the limited government in which Dorchester Republicans.
With a 5-2 majority on council, Up and Down the County would like to think no frivolous, intrusive law would be passed. While County Council did not end up passing the two laws above, they do seem set on passing 2 a.m. bar closings.
Now, Up and Down the County can tell you from experience, nothing good has ever happened after 2 a.m. at a bat, but why does the government need to get involved?
Up and Down the County was at the exciting Goose Creek Republican Breakfast a few weeks back when the issue for Berkeley County came up. Applause filled the room when it became known Berkeley was going to pursue 2 a.m. bar closings? I thought I was in a room of Republicans, which by nature are supposed to support limited government.
What’s next prohibition? Why doesn’t the Republican majority work on putting a Sunday alcohol sales referendum on November’s ballot. That is working to make less government interference.
Oh, I forgot that would mean Republicans are for less government, which obviously they are not.

Consolidation to rise again?

Up and Down the County just received the following press notice from Gov. Mark Sanford's office:

Governor Mark Sanford will on Monday sign S.639, a bill that would consolidate Sumter County's two school districts into one district. During the bill signing, the governor will also discuss the importance of looking at consolidation in other South Carolina districts as well. The bill signing will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the Governor Office at the S.C. Statehouse.

This brings back an issue that is likely to rile up Dorchester County residents. There are several proposals to consolidate districts statewide. One district per county is one bill. Another is to create regional school districts. Either way it's likely District Two and Four would not keep their independence if a statewide consolidation bill gains traction in the General Assembly. It's an issue to keep an eye on in the future.

Pascoe the Republican?

The actions of Democratic First Circuit Solicitor as of late have left Republican insiders wondering about his party affiliation, Up and Down the County has learned.
The second of two instances occurred this morning as Pascoe was the first speaker on the topic of illegal immigration at the Lowcountry Conservative Republican Breakfast Club meeting at Kelly's Barbecue. As he went around the room meeting Republicans, whispers spread.
Late last year, Pascoe named Blair Jennings as Dorchester County's DUI prosecutor. Jennings, the former Berkeley County deputy solicitor, is running as a Republican for the 9th Circuit Solicitor job.
These past two incidents have Republican insiders, according to the ones Up and Down the County has spoken with, wondering if a possible switch to the Republican party by Pascoe is imminent?

Update –– Pascoe told Up and Down the County yesterday he has no intentions to leave the Democratic Party. Up and Down the County has been left wondering who spread the rumor? Do Republicans wish Pascoe would become one of them or do Democrats hope he leaves the party?

Economic Development

How can we expect to attract economic development when we can't even attract an economic development director? Jim Friar resigned in July 2007 and was expected to leave by October 2007. It is now January 2008 and he's still here and the job is still posted.

2008 political candidates

Below is a list of candidates, either confirmed directly by the candidate or through at least two independent sources by Up and Down the County, as planning to file in March and run for political office in 2008. Primaries are in June. The general election is set for November. More names will be added to the list as they become available.

Senate District 38
Randy Scott (R) (I)
Mike Rose (R)

House District 98
Annette Young (R) (I)
Tara Bussjager (R)

House District 94
Heyward Hutson (R) (I)
Jenny Horne (R)

House District 97
Patsy Knight (D) (I)
George Bailey (R)

County Council District 4
Larry Hargett (R) (I)

County Council District 5
Richard Rosebrock (R) (I)

County Council District 6
Fred Luxmore (R)

First Circuit Solicitor
David Pascoe (D) (I)
Ben Lafond (R)

Sheriff
Terry Boatwright (R)
L.C. Knight (R)

Treasurer
Mary Pearson (R) (I)
Charlene Snowden (R)

Auditor
J.J. Messervy (R)
Teresa Messex (R)

Probate Judge
Tiffany Provence (R) (I)

Clerk of Court
Cheryl Graham (R) (I)

Register of Deeds
Margaret Bailey (R) (I)

Coroner
Chris Nisbet (R) (I)

*(R)= Republican, (D)=Democrat, (I)=incumbent

Feltner promises to widen Dorchester Road

Dorchester County Councilman Jamie Feltner has promised he will widen Dorchester Road.
"As soon as I have enough money, I will widen Dorchester Road myself." Feltner said today in reponse to last week's decision by the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank to give Dorchester County $213 million despite the fact the bank is broke.
Feltner says the bank's promise is just about as useful as his since anybody can promise money when they don't have any.
Everyone in Dorchester County can relax, as soon as Feltner banks $40 million our growth problems are over.

No Guilani visit

According to The State newspaper, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is making his 21st visit to the Palmetto State, when he visits Beaufort County today.
Yet, Giuliani has not visited Summerville or Dorchester County; neither has former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Are they not trying to get our votes?

Bad news for schools

In perhaps a foreshadowing of next year for Dorchester School District Two, two school districts had bond referrendums fail yesterday.
Lexington 5 voters, which includes the high growth Irmo and Chapin areas, turned down a school bond request for $256.5 million, which would've built three new schools, a technology training center and pay for renovations to seven existing schools, according to The State newspaper.
Florence 1 voters rejected a $125 million school bond referrendum, which would've helped the district reduce the number of portable classrooms and class sizes, upgrade outdated facilities, and meet the demands of growth in the district, particularly the western part of Florence, according to the Florence Morning News.
As District Two considers a bond referrendum for next year's November ballot, the votes yesterday shows a problem statewide in funding schools. Maybe this will allow Lexington and Florence legislators to team up with Dorchester legislators to find a fix at the state level for school construction.
Local schools are told how to fund school operations, how many students to be in one class, what curriculum to teach and buys school buses, why not create a system where the state pays for schools or creates a new option. The only option Dorchester has to pay for schools is through a property tax hike. Why not look at the ability to have State School Infrastructure Bank, where high growth areas get money for new schools or impoverished areas get money for renovations? Or allow a local sales tax to be enacted to build schools rather than forcing it on the property owners, instead allowing high tourist areas to tap into that economy?