COMMUNITY UPDATE: December 2007
November 30, 2007 | 2 Comments
Here’s this month’s regular update to keep you informed of what’s going on in the State House and in our community! If you have events you’d like me to share on the site, please email me at BallentineN@scstatehouse.net and be sure to put the word CONSTITUENT in the subject line so that I can reply to your email before the hundreds of others I receive daily.
STATE HOUSE
January 8th will be here in a few weeks and the House/Senate will begin our session in earnest. Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect this session from my colleagues because it’s an election year and I’m not sure some folks may have the courage to take up issues we need to be dealing with. Sad - but true. House members are elected every two years and Senators are elected every four. This is the year when all 170 elected officials in our state will be on the ballot.
In my opinion, I believe you’ll see the House focus on the following items: illegal immigration, earmark reform (my push since day one!), education testing and funding, and roads and bridges.
As you can see, these are many of the same items you have shared with me either in email, phone calls, or at your homeowner’s meetings/churches or in passing at the mall/grocery store. Again, the seat I hold is not mine - it’s yours. I continue to be able to be effective by listening to you and your neighbors and taking the message to Columbia.
On a personal note, I am presently campaigning for a seat on the House Ethics Committee which will be voted on by House members in January. It’s my desire to work to restore dignity and honor to the word “politician” and I feel this is a manner that can help me work towards that goal.
You can help me with this, too! In mid-January, I will be mailing you my annual Constituent Survey. This year, I will focus on getting your ideas and opinions on what we need to do to “fix” state government. It’s important to me to hear from you and I need you to take the time to give me your personal, honest feedback. I hope you will help me!
YOUR MONEY
In Sunday’s paper you’ll read an article about Earmark Reform. As you know I have been pushing for this for quite some time and am glad that several like-minded colleagues have joined the effort to help it advance. I’m pleased that the Speaker of the House is also behind this type of accountability and I honestly believe we will see something pass this year. If not a state law, perhaps a House Rule to help provide more sunshine on where your hard-earned tax dollars are going and who is spending them.
COMMUNITY
Shelley Halstead and Logan Ross (both Chapin High School graduates and presently students at USC) will serve as my page appointments this year. These ladies will represent our community well while seeing the ins and outs of state government on a daily basis this session.
I recently nominated Jack Cook, Irmo, to the Southern Growth Policies Board. Jack has a wealth of experience, talent, and ideas and I was honored to give his name to the Governor for consideration. Shortly after his paperwork had been completed, Jack was appointed to this prestigious board.
Gwendolyn Strobel and Christine Shelton (Dutch Fork High School) have been named one of only five national finalists in this year’s Alive @ 25 Allstate Insurance Contest. If you haven’t seen their video yet, please check it out on my website.
The Incorporation Efforts of many in our community has resulted in the question being place on the ballot in the next few weeks! At that time, voters in the proposed area will not only vote on whether to incorporate or not; but also vote on the name: Ballentine, Dutch Fork, or Lake Murray.
Library coming! A grand opening celebration of the Richland County Public Library’s newest location - The Link, Ballentine - will be held Tuesday, December 4th at 1321 Dutch Fork Road.
The Town of Irmo will host their annual Tree Lighting Event in Irmo Town Park, December 4th at 6pm with music by the District Five Elementary Honors Choir.
The Chapin Chamber Christmas Party will be December 11 at 6:15 pm at The Bomb Island Grille. (The event is sponsored by BB&T and The Bomb Island Grille).
Lastly, Exit 102 B will soon get a name. This “Exit to Nowhere” will be designated at Lake Murray - Blvd EAST. The sign should be updated by February 2008.
SCHOOLS
There is always so much going on in our schools that I could do a complete update on those every week! Due to space limitations, I’ll just mention two schools this month:
Dutch Fork Middle School and Oak Pointe Elementary School.
This past month I’ve been an “educator for the day” at DFMS as well as participated in Career Day. I was very glad to hear 3 young men tell me they want to serve in the Marines when they graduate high school.
While shopping at Publix one night, I walked into OPES Family Reading Night. I really thought this was a great thing in our community. I’m sure other schools and business participate as well and I’d love to hear more from our other schools when they have their events!
THANK YOU
Thanks again for visiting the site! Please let your friends and neighbors know about it so that they can stay as informed as possible.
As you can see, I try to write often and regularly update photos from our community as well as videos.
You have given me a great honor by choosing me to represent you in the South Carolina House of Representatives and I remain as committed as ever to staying in touch. Please contact my office, 734-2969, or email me at BallentineN@scstatehouse.net anytime I can be of service to you or your family.
I hope you and your family have a WONDERFUL Christmas and a very safe and happy New Year!
Nathan Ballentine
www.nathanballentine.com
House of Representatives, District 71
Richland-Lexington Counties
320A Blatt Building
Columbia, SC 29221
Alive @ 25! Promotes safe driving for teens
November 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Public Officials Rally to Promote Safer Teen Driving during Holiday Season!
State and local officials will rally on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 10:00 AM in the State House lobby area outside the Governor’s Office to promote greater public awareness for the Alive at 25 Defensive Driving Program sponsored by the South Carolina National Safety Council and to film a PSA promoting defensive driving by young adults. Wray Automotive, the producer for the PSA being filmed, is a major supporter of the Alive at 25 Program.
Participating in the promotion will be Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, Senator Joel Lourie, Senator John Courson, Senator Ronnie Cromer, Representative Nathan Ballentine, Representative Chip Huggins, Lexington County Sheriff James Metts, Lexington School District One Superintendent Karen Woodward, Lexington School District Five Superintendent Scott Andersen, Executive Director Brooke Russell of the SC National Safety Council, Harold Wray of Wray Automotive, and teachers and students from Dutch Fork High School.
Media representatives are urged to attend and cover this event to help increase awareness by young adults and their parents of the importance of safe driving during the Holidays when teen drivers are expected to spend more time than normal behind the wheel.
Alive at 25, a defensive driver education program for young adults, was piloted at Dutch Fork High School in April 2007. It has since been expanded to 9 high schools throughout SC. In any participating school, only students who attend the program are permitted to operate their vehicles on campus.
Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of teens in the United States, accounting for 44% of all teen deaths. During November 2007, students and teachers at Dutch Fork High School observed the sobering first year anniversary of two tragic automobile accidents, occurring one week apart, which claimed the lives of three fellow students. Those tragedies were the impetus for Dutch Fork High School teacher Kelly Payne and others to bring Alive at 25 to SC.
Unlike traditional driver’s education courses that focus on the mechanics of driving, Alive at 25 addresses the behaviors of driving. It provides tools for making better decisions in a peer-pressure environment and reinforces good decision-making.
The program, developed by the National Safety Council, concentrates on drivers between the ages of 14 and 24 - the group most likely to be involved in fatal collisions. It is taught by off-duty law enforcement officers in an intensive 4-½ hour session that focuses on improving the behavior and decision-making techniques of young drivers and passengers.
More information on the South Carolina National Safety Council and the Alive at 25 Program is available at www.scnsc.org.
(For questions or more information, please contact
Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom at 734-2588.)
Incorporation efforts advance - time to vote!
November 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Yesterday, Secretary of State Mark Hammond called me to inform me that the efforts of several in our community will soon have a chance to appear on the ballot!
Within the next several weeks, members in the designated area will get to vote on whether to incorporate or remain an “unincorporated part of Richland County”.
They’ll also be choosing a name (see below): Ballentine, Dutch Fork, Lake Murray.
Stay tuned for more details. Below is a cut/paste from the Ballentine/Dutch Fork Civic Association:
GREAT NEWS ON INCORPORATION!
Several months ago 657 residents of our area signed a petition to vote on the issue of forming a new municipal government. Shortly after the first of the year, registered voters living in the proposed municipal area will have the opportunity to vote yes on this issue.
A Working Group has been meeting on a regular basis since the petitions were collected to prepare the papers for Incorporation. Our proposal received the support of the South Carolina Joint Legislative Committee on Municipal Incorporation on November 15th. Two weeks later on Nov. 29, the Secretary of State authorized us to conduct a referendum to decide how we will be governed in the future.
Here are the questions the Working Group plans to have on the ballot:
1. Do you support the incorporation of a new municipality? [See the map of the proposed municipality on the reverse side of this page.]
2. Which of the following names do you want this new town to be called? (a) Ballentine (b) Dutch Fork (c) Lake Murray
3. Do you support a Mayor-Town Council form of government where the Mayor presides over the Town Council and acts as chief administrator of the Town?
4. Do you support having the Mayor and four Council Members elected at large from the municipality with each serving four-year terms? State Law requires that the Mayor and Council Members initially be elected for a two-year term.
5. Do you support municipal elections being held on a non-partisan basis?
These are the questions that the first referendum will ask. If we receive a majority vote to Incorporate, a second election will soon follow to elect a Mayor and four Council Members.
HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
1. Register to vote if voting records do not show you as a current, active voter living at your current address. Call 576-2240 if you’re not sure you are accurately registered. You can register at any DMV office.
2. Attend a public meeting to discuss Incorporation. We plan to hold three public hearings on the issue of Incorporation. The first one will be Monday, Dec 3, at 6:30. Two others will be on Saturdays, Dec 15 and Jan 5 at 10:00. All meeting will be held at the Ballentine Recreation Center. Please plan to attend and bring a neighbor!
Member of the Working Group on Incorporation
Ken Colton, Chair 749-0417
Tom Callan 477-3472
Bill Sheely 781-8899
Mike Sloan 749-6740
Bill Edenfield 749-9599
Tom Yeoman 781-0452
Les Tweed 781-2995
Bruce Holland 732-2973
Local students make it to the Final Five nationally!
November 29, 2007 | 1 Comment
Dutch Fork High School (and our entire community) should be very proud of Gwendolynn Strobel and Christine Shelton!
These young ladies were voted most “populous” jingle for the Alive @ 25 Allstate Foundation contest, and are now in the top 5 contestants for $15,000!
On December 8th they will be flown to the Mall of America in Minnesota to perform their song in front of country star artist Taylor Swift! The students and DFHS will receive national recognition in a commercial as proud sponsors for piloting the Alive @ 25 program in South Carolina.
Thank you for voting for these local students! Go SILVER FOXES!
Tough on Crime in House District 71
November 27, 2007 | 1 Comment
Did you know?
Retiring SLED Chief Robert Stewart, Interim SLED Chief Mark Keel, and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott all live in our community?
I sleep safe at night knowing these men, and many others in the law enforcement community, are just minutes away from us.
A public thank you to Chief Stewart for his service to our state and a congratulations for Major Mark Keel to be recognized for his hard work and abilities.
From THE STATE:
State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart — South Carolina’s top law enforcement official for the past 20 years — will retire at the end of the month.
Stewart, 62, whose 45-year law enforcement career began as a parking meter cadet in Cheraw, plans to start a consulting business, Stewart, Konduros & Associates, according to a statement released Friday.
“There are many ways to serve God and country,” Stewart said in the statement. “I consider it to be a calling to become a law enforcement officer and a sacred mission to be a SLED agent. I have attempted to do my best to lead SLED to be an impartial and professional agency in which all South Carolinians can be proud.”
Attempts to reach Stewart, who also has been the state’s homeland security director, for further comment were unsuccessful late Friday night.
Gov. Mark Sanford likely will appoint an interim chief until the S.C. Senate returns to session in January. Then the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate itself will vote on a nominee for a permanent successor.
Sanford could look to the federal level for a new SLED chief — if history is any indicator — some law enforcement observers say. In 2004, Sanford tapped James Schweitzer, then South Carolina’s top FBI official, to head the state Department of Public Safety.
Sanford and Stewart were recently at odds over $5.3 million in State House security improvements Stewart had proposed. Sanford said the money could be better spent combating the state’s high violent crime rate.
Stewart’s concern about his mother’s poor health played a large part in his decision, said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, Stewart’s friend for more than 30 years.
“She’s in very bad health,” Lott said. “She’s a very independent woman, and it’s difficult for him to take care of her while he’s at SLED.”
Lott described Stewart as “probably the most respected law enforcement official in this whole state.
“He’s always kept SLED independent of political influence. He’s always done the right thing. His heart is a cop’s heart.”
Some law enforcement officials were caught off guard by the retirement, including U.S. Marshal Johnny Mack Brown, the former Greenville County sheriff who was a contender for the SLED chief’s post when Stewart was first appointed in 1987.
When he was sheriff, Brown said, Stewart was always available to respond to his department’s needs — whether for laboratory work or anything else.
“He is the epitome of a law enforcement professional,” Brown said. “He’s always conducted himself in a professional way. He will be missed.”
Stewart was in the running to become South Carolina’s U.S. Marshal, but changed his mind after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts, who also was a contender for the SLED chief’s post in 1987, credited Stewart with modernizing SLED’s crime laboratory and being the “driving force” behind the opening of the S.C. Computer Crime Center.
Metts and Brown said Stewart is referred to in the law enforcement community as the 47th sheriff.
Longtime Columbia attorney Dick Harpootlian said when he was the 5th Circuit solicitor, he was getting outside pressure to drop the income tax evasion case against former USC president James Holderman.
But Stewart, whose agency investigated the case, told him, “You gotta feed everybody from the same spoon,” Harpootlian recalled. Several weeks after Holderman was convicted in 1991, Harpootlian said, Stewart sent him a spoon in the mail.
“He’s one of the most diligent, honest human beings I’ve ever known,” Harpootlian said.
A native of Washington, D.C., who grew up in Cheraw, he began his SLED career in 1975 as a white-collar crime investigator, and he made a name for himself in a Florence County case in which a family court clerk was convicted of embezzling county funds.
After joining SLED, Stewart moved to Columbia, completed work on a bachelor’s degree and earned a master’s in public administration from the University of South Carolina. Stewart also is a 1974 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Donnie Myers said Stewart was a stabilizing force when his predecessor, legendary SLED Chief J.P. “Pete” Strom died in 1987.
“He’s the epitome of the chief law enforcement officer of any state in the United States,” Myers said. “Someone will fill his position, but he can’t be replaced.”
Reach Higgins at (803) 771-8570 or Brundrett at (803) 771-8484. Staff Writer Gina Smith contributed.
Below are a few high-profile cases during Cheif Stewart’s 19 years as Chief.
1991 — Former USC president James Holderman pleaded guilty to receiving $25,000 in extra compensation and no contest to state income tax evasion. His time in office ended in 1990 after public criticism of his extravagant spending practices and allegations of sexual intimidation and harassment by male student interns.
1991 — Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins, one of the state’s most notorious killers who admitted to at least 13 murders in the 1970s and 1980s, was put to death for killing another prison inmate with a homemade bomb.
1993 — On Stewart’s order, SLED sharpshooters killed N.C. prison escapee and convicted killer Garland Tedder, who had wounded a SLED agent during a standoff in Horry County. Stewart and the agents were cleared by an FBI and judicial review.
1994 — Susan Smith reported to police that she’d been carjacked by a man who drove off with her sons. Her story provoked national sympathy, until nine days later when she confessed she’d let her car roll into a Union County lake, drowning her boys.
1996 — Larry Gene Bell was executed for abducting and killing 17-year-old Shari Smith of Lexington County and 9-year-old Debra May Helmick from Richland County, both of whom were taken from in front of their homes within two weeks in 1985.
1996 — SLED agents conducted a security sweep of the headquarters of the Public Safety Department while its director, Boykin Rose, was locked in a political fight with then-Gov. David Beasley. Stewart authorized the sweep after Rose’s top aide suspected his phone might be tapped.
2003 — SLED agents fired hundreds of rounds in a gun battle with a family angry with the state for taking about 20 feet of their land for a road-widening project. After the family surrendered, Stewart publicly mourned an Abbeville County deputy and a local constable killed during the gunfire.
Presidential Candidate comes to Ballentine!
November 27, 2007 | 1 Comment
Former Governor Mike Huckabee marks the fourth Presidential Candidate to know the importance of meeting your friends and neighbors. (Note: Senator Sam Brownback, who earlier walked in the Chapin Labor Day Parade, has since withdrawn from the race.)
If today’s polling means anything, I’d suggest all the candidates spend some time here to boost their campaign.
From WLTX:
Irmo - After spending time at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night for the Carolina-Clemson football game, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee spent Sunday morning with members of Gateway Baptist Church in Irmo.
The Presidential candidate spent time talking with members of the church as well as signing copies of his book, “Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork,” which is a guide to healthy eating.
One of the first statements he said in front of the entire congregation was, “I’m not here today in a political capacity.”
Huckabee went on to say that he wouldn’t mention Saturday’s in-state rivalry football game between the Tigers and Gamecocks. Instead he commented on the Arkansas Razorbacks’ defeat over the #1 ranked LSU Tigers. “Most everybody in the entire Southeast Conference enjoys LSU getting beat as much as we enjoyed getting to beat them the other day.”
The Link, Ballentine (Richland County Public Library)
November 21, 2007 | 2 Comments
RCPL Opens Newest Library Facility
A grand opening celebration of RCPL’s newest location—The Link, Ballentine—will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4 at 1321 Dutch Fork Rd.
The Friends of RCPL matched a $65,000 Library Services and Technology Act Grant to help bring a library to the rapidly growing Ballentine community.
In addition to popular books for all ages and wireless Internet access, the facility will feature a video reference system that allows users to see and speak with a reference librarian at the Main Library.
Please note there will be no Bookmobile service on Friday, November 30 or Monday, December 3 in preparation for the opening.
Personal note: I’d like to thank the Blanchette family for their willingness to make this a reality for our community. Tom and his family have been very cooperative and supportive and have worked hard to assure our community would have this opportunity. When you see him out in the community, please tell him THANKS!
Pictured above is long time Bookmobile Manager, Gayle Sneed, who will soon join Shirley Carter (Head Librarian) at The Link, Ballentine.
Stop by the Grand Opening if you can, this is something the whole community can enjoy!
An Update From Nathan’s Office
November 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
November 19, 2007 | 3 Comments
If so, I need your help.
As I’ve mentioned earlier on this site, each House member serves on a House standing committee and occasionally members have the opportunity to serve on other important committees as appointed by the Speaker, Governor, or a Committee Chairman.
In the few months since our session ended in June I have been appointed and am serving on three important committees that I feel will help us with some of the most pressing issues in our state:
1. The Joint Transportation Review Committee (responsible for screening DOT Commissioner applicants)
2. Education K12 Subcommittee (currently reviewing Accountability and Testing Standards for our state)
3. Education Funding Act Study Committee (one of the largest responsibilities of state government)
Any feedback you have on these subjects above would be greatly appreciated. Outside of taxes/government spending….roads and education are at the top of things we need to improve in this state!
In a directive from the Speaker of the House…”The Committee is to thoroughly review education funding in South Carolina. Specifically, the Committee is to examine the EFA, EIA, EAA and determine whether these pieces of legislation reflect the goals and obligations of this State with respect to the education of children. In addition, the Committee is charged with recommending any changes it deems appropriate to the current education funding system in South Carolina in an effort to better utilize available resources.”
H. 3531
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO CREATE A COMMITTEE TO STUDY HOW BEST TO ALLOW THE STATE’S PORTION OF EDUCATIONAL FUNDING TO FLOW DOWN TO THE SCHOOLS IN A WEIGHTED PUPIL FORMULA OR “BACKPACKING” WITH THE CHILD, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL RENDER ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS NO LATER THAN JANUARY 15, 2008 (NOTE: UPDATED TO NOVEMBER 1, 2008), AT WHICH TIME IT SHALL BE DISSOLVED.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives as follows:
(A) A committee to study how best to allow the state’s portion of educational funding to flow down to the schools in a weighted pupil formula or “backpacking” with the child is hereby created. However, the committee’s study shall not include how to increase educational funding or the formulas which determine this.
(B) The committee shall consist of nine members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Members shall serve a term to expire when the committee is dissolved pursuant to this resolution. Vacancies on the committee must be filled in the manner of original appointment. Members shall elect as officers from their number a chairman and vice chairman. Committee membership does not constitute an office for purposes of the prohibition on dual office holding provided in Section 3, Article VI of the Constitution of this State. Notwithstanding Section 8-13-770 of the 1976 Code, members of the House of Representatives may be appointed to serve on this committee.
(C) The committee shall meet after adoption of this resolution upon call of the Speaker for the purpose of organizing and thereafter at the call of the chairman.
(D) The study committee in order to achieve its purpose shall consider, among others, the following specific questions:
(1) how to reform funding for educational programs in South Carolina, mainly in the seventy-four funding categoricals in the Education Finance Act, in an effort to see that more educational dollars make it to the schools;
(2) how to provide for flexibility in spending these dollars;
(3) how to put some emphasis on allowing school principals budgetary input for spending the dollars in the areas where they see the need, thus matching funds to students’ needs;
(4) how to allow the state’s educators to use state funding in ways that produce the best results for students; and
(5) how to expend the Education Finance Act’s weighting system to include additional groups of students not currently weighted, including:
(a) low income or poverty weightings;
(b) gifted and talented program children;
(c) special needs children; and
(d) a base weight for all children.
(E) Professional and clerical services for the committee must be made available from the staff of the House of Representatives, the Education Oversight Committee, and other agencies or departments as the committee determines appropriate.
(F) The committee shall issue a report and recommendations to the House of Representatives with respect to its findings not later than January 15, 2008. (NOTE: REVISED TO NOVEMBER 1, 2008)
(G) The members of the committee are entitled to receive the per diem, mileage, and subsistence as is allowed by law for members of boards, committees, and commissions when engaged in the exercise of their duties as members of the committee to be paid from the approved accounts of the House.
(H) Upon the submission of its report and recommendations, the committee is dissolved.
Not just kids play
November 18, 2007 | 2 Comments
To anyone outside the House Chamber in Columbia, this news is insignificant and will never make it to the MSM (main stream media). Why should it? It’s just a few folks moving around on committees. Happens every year. Doesn’t mean much; does it?
Inside the Chamber it means much more.
With every House member up for election next year and with various rumors swirling, these moves could be just the beginning for some heated, internal challenges for the coveted title of Committee Chairman and/or could help move possible legislation forward quicker or, conversely, help stall bills all together.
As you know, nothing happens without the Speaker of the House making it happen. Here’s where the carousel stopped last week:
Two members moved FROM the Education and Public Works Committee TO the Judiciary Committee: Mick Mulvaney (R - Lancaster, York) and Leon Stavrinakis (D - Charleston). One of these moves filled the vacancy created by Catherine Ceips’ special election to the Senate. The other move enabled one member to move FROM the Judiciary Committee TO the Education and Public Works Committee: Jim Stewart (R - Aiken).
Phillip Shoopman (R - Greenville) was moved FROM the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee TO the Agrictulture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
Mac Toole (R - Lexington) was moved FROM the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee TO Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee (to fill the void created with Converse Chellis election to Treasurer).
Lastly, recent winners in special elections across the state are expected to be assigned as follows: Shannon Erickson (R - Beaufort) TO the Education and Public Works Committee* and Heyward Hutson (R - Dorchester, Charleston) TO the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.
Again, moves are moves and can be interpreted in many ways. For what it’s worth, here’s my take:
* There are now three Lexington Delegation members on LCI (considered by many to be the committee “next in line” to the coveted Ways and Means Committee).
* The Democrats picked up a seat on Judiciary and there are two new faces there now.
* The Republicans picked up a seat on Education and there are now two new faces there as well*.
Feel free to read into those moves what you will. I just wanted to keep you posted on what’s going on in the State House as we get ready to begin our session in January 2008.