In the top drawer of my State House office, I still keep the very first letter I received when I reported to be a public servant for our state. Dated January 11, 2005 from then Senator J. Verne Smith, the letter invited me to meet informally for a brief devotion and prayer period at 8:30 am each Thursday during the session in the Meetze Chapel, second floor of the Gresette Building.

While I have not been perfect in my attendance, I do consider myself a regular on Thursdays and have seen the same handful of people for the past three years. Sadly, Chaplain Meetze and Senator Verne Smith have passed away but the group still goes strong.

Also, every Wednesday Jeff Lingerfelt from Capitol Ministries also holds a Bible Study for Legislators and Lobbyists. I consider Jeff a friend and wish more people knew of the work he does here – not just for Legislator and Lobbyists – for all State Grounds employees (Mondays).

I share these because today is an important day in our Country. While many pray regularly, some do not. I hope you’ll take time today, and every day, to pray. [Read more...]

If there’s one thing we’ve seen this year, it’s that more people across the country are taking an active role in politics. Personally, I think that’s a good thing!

As you know, several precincts in our areas recently split in order to help alleviate your time spent at the ballot box on election day.

If you consider yourself a Republican, now’s your chance to take a leadership role in the newly formed precincts by attending a community meeting at Ballentine Park.

THE RICHLAND COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL ORGANIZE PRECINCTS.

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008—6:30 to 8:30 PM
BALLENTINE PARK, BICKLEY RD
PRECINCTS ORGANIZING: Dutch Fork #1, Dutch Fork #2, Harbison #1, Harbison #2, Oak Pointe, Parkridge, Piney Grove, Spring Hill.

PLEASE CALL 254-9543 FOR INFORMATION

(Note: I am unaware of any Democrat Precinct Reorganization but if someone has this information, feel free to forward)

I was watching Hannity and Colmes tonight when I about fell out of my chair. No, not because of the “Reverend Wright media frenzy.” (Question: When will those 15 minutes be up?)

It was this that made me think “will it ever stop?”

We send one of our best Speakers of the House across the border and his friends in the Great White North come up with this prediction? (I’m hoping someone carried and extra one by mistake doing the math on the gallon/litre conversion).

I’m finally numb to the fact we’re pushing $3.50 a gallon; but can’t imagine how we’ll tolerate $7 a gallon!

Maybe it’s like the analogy of the frog in pot of water. Turn up the heat a little bit and he’ll never notice. He’ll just stay there, not really notice or complain, next thing you know the water’s boiling.

Tonight, we paid $73 (at Kroger gas, by the way) to fill up my wife’s Expedition.

Someone please brush up on their French and give His Excellency a call and have him fix this now, eh?

Ask anyone in our community and they’ll probably all say the same thing: “Richland County sometimes forgets about us out here.”

Sure, we have a voice in the County through Richland County Councilmember Bill Malinowski, but oftentimes it seems Richland County focuses more on other areas instead of our corner of the world out here in Northwest Unincorporated Richland County.

I’m pleased to know that we now have a member of our community, Elizabeth Mattos-Ward, on the County Planning Commission.

I first met Mrs. Ward about two years ago when she contacted me about her interest in helping our community. It’s taken some time but she’s finally been appointed (thanks, Bill!) and will certainly help give our area a voice in planning matters.

While Bill and the other Council members hold the final votes on development and zoning, it’s the Planning Commission’s recommendations that generally carry weight in determining what and how things are approved locally in the County.

Mrs. Ward has been active in County Planning issues before when she lived in Horry County. She certainly has the qualifications and I know she’ll serve us and the entire county well.

Congratulations, Mrs. Ward!

* Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI)

* Member of South Carolina Association of Realtors

* Recipent of Realtor Image Award

* Former Planning Commission Horry County

* Planning Commission Richland County

* Former Board Member of Department of Social Service

* Member of Episilon Sigma Alpha National Sorority

* Founder of the Rennie Mattos Martin Nursing Scholarship

* Work on Habitat Homes

* Member of Chapin United Methodist Church

STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES

Reggie Gallant
Southern Zone Vice President – Agency

Many around the State House know Reggie Gallant and his work for State Farm but I realized several in our community might not have met Reggie yet.

Pictured above with Reggie and I are Teresa Wilson Florence, also a member of our community who works for the City of Columbia, and Marion Hanna . Marion is also with State Farm and we first met years ago when I was a member of the Spring Valley Rotary before moving my membership to the Lake Murray/Irmo Rotary Club.

Reggie’s been with State Farm since 1981 (27 years) and was an agent in Irmo from 1984 – 1995. Since 1995 he’s been in agency leadership and covers the Southeast for State Farm.

Reggie and his wife, Carmalita, live in Irmo and have three sons Reggie, Jr. (14), Joshua(12), and Caleb(5).

(From Master Deputy Sheriff, Amanda Lee)

Hello Everyone! This is for the period of April 15-21st.

We only had to incidents happen in the outbound area, but I need to go over two incidents (trends) that are happening in the outbound area.

One MVT (motor vehicle theft- someone stole a car) at a business off Dutch Fork Road. (this vehicle was recovered)

One Home Burglary in the Harbison Area.

Please take note that we had a few home burglaries in the harbison area a few emails back. Please keep your eyes open to anything the is suspicious in this area. We are finding that the suspect(s) are possibly using the pathways/bike paths during the day time when people are at work, school, or running morning errands. The hours are between 9am and 4pm. If you see or notice anything suspicious, please call 911 immediately to report what is going on.

Another home burglary trend, is in the Shady Grove Road area, Ashford area, West Shady Grove area. This is the same trend that was put out a few weeks ago. We had reports come in the a unknown person is going in behind residences and gaining entry into the homes through the rear of the houses. Please take note that we had the same situation before when I put out the alert about the men in the green van. I don’t want you to only be aware of the van, because criminals normally change vehicles to make it more difficult to ID, so keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Please call 911 immediately if you notice anything suspicious.

Some ask…..What is suspicious?? [Read more...]

There’s been much talk over the past few years about restructuring state government in order to be more efficient.

This year, the House has now passed two bills to move our state in this positive direction (of course, the House has passed similar bills in years past – only to see them go nowhere).

This week, we voted to move five state agencies to the control of the governor’s office: general services, human resources, the CIO’s office, procurement services, and the state energy office. These offices provide administrative services, rather than providing services directly to the people of South Carolina.

That bill (approved Tuesday) is the second piece of a two-part restructuring effort this year passed by the House. In late March, we approved a bill that will allow the governor to appoint the Secretary of State and the Superintendent of Education, as well as allow the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to run on the same ticket. If approved by the Senate, the voters will get the chance to decide on each of these positions during the November elections. Remember, you will get the final say on whether those positions would remain elected statewide, as they are now, or instead would be appointed by future Governors.

During the debate this week on the department moves above, critics argued that the new “Department of Administration” would actually cost taxpayers more money. They also said we were “growing government” with a new agency.

Obviously, as a fiscal conservative, I would have voted against the bill if those arguments were true. However, findings from a commission released earlier this year showed that there would be a net cost savings because of the new efficiencies.

For the Legislature (at least the House) to pass a law that some could see as “giving the Governor’s Office more power” – well, that’s a big step. [Read more...]

Every year, the State House recognizes the young ladies who will compete for the title of Miss South Carolina.

Miss Greater Irmo – Jessie Richards was one of the ladies recognized on the House floor today and I know she will represent our area well at the competition this summer.

In the balcony was another young lady that Representative Huggins and I had the chance to meet,Janie Davis, who was crowned Miss Greater Irmo Teen last September. Miss Davis is a freshman at Dutch Fork High School and she will compete for Miss Teen South Carolina later this summer.

Joining her on her visit was her coach, Donna Jewell Lifchez. Donna has the distinct honor of being Miss South Carolina 1980.

I’m sure we’ll see more of Janie in the future and perhaps one day she will be a competitor in the Miss South Carolina contest herself.

My best wishes to Jessie and Janie in their respective competitions!

UPDATE: I forgot that Dawn Smith Jordan (Miss South Carolina 1986, and 2nd runner up Miss America) performed at last year’s Chapin Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.

Earlier this month at the Ballentine-Dutch Fork Civic Association, I met a young lady from our community who gave wonderful presentation on what we can do in our own homes to help conserve energy and help the planet. Since today is Earth Day, I figured it was a great time to share.

Carly Basinger is an 8th Grade student at Dutch Fork Middle School and here’s some of the information she shared at that meeting.

***

By now, everyone knows about “going green”, so here are a few tips to add to your daily lives to become a greener household:

-Of course, change your lights to CFL’s (Compact Fluorescent Bulbs),they use about 75% less energy and last ten times as long.

-When you grocery shop use a canvas bag instead of new plastic bags every time, or take in your plastic bags to the recycling bins out front of most grocery stores. You can also use smaller bags for produce instead of the individual plastic baggies.

-Turn out your lights when you leave a room. This saves energy and also reduces heat (who wants more of that in SC summers?!)

-Unplug appliances you’re not using. You can use a power strip to unplug less-used appliances like reading lamps etc., and all you have to do is push a button!

-Avoid buying cases of bottled water. They use 57 million gallons of oil just to produce. Why not buy a reusable plastic water bottle for about the same price as a case and keep it forever?

-Recycle! In most of Richland County, they take recycling and trash on a certain day. Most places take plastic, corrugated cardboard, paper, tin, and aluminum. You may have to travel to another dump to recycle glass. If you have any questions, you can call (803)
929-6000 for more recycling information.

Making a few simple changes to our daily lives can really add up to help make the world a better place for future generations!

***

Jonathan Carroll Ballentine, Jr.
” J.C. “

“Walk a little slower, Daddy,”
Said a little child so small.
“I’m following in your footsteps.
And I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they’re hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
for you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up,
You’re what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you.”

— Anonymous