Rutherford to lead Richland County Delegation?
June 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
No, the group above isn’t our delegation but it’s the best picture I can find on the web for Representative Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) who may soon be the leader of our Richland County Delegation (House and Senate).
As you may know, Senator Kay Patterson (D-Richland) retired after over a quarter-century of service in the General Assembly. He’s led the delegation for my four years (and many more before I was there) and - as with much in the State House these next few months - there is change coming locally to us in Richland County.
Sometime later this year (or early January 2009) when our delegation gets together for our “once a year meeting”, I expect Todd to have the votes needed to chair the delegation. In talking with Todd, there’s a few things I (he and others, too) hope to see.
1) More than a “once a year meeting”. As the one member who serves on both Richland AND Lexington delegations, I believe Richland can and should meet more often. (Lexington County Delegation meets monthly).
2) A rotation of the chairmanship between House and Senate members (again, much like Lexington and I’m sure other delegations in the state).
3) Cooperation in and for the Midlands. For the record, I’m in the minority party here in Richland. There are only 4 Republicans on the entire delegation (Reps. Harrison, Brady, me and Senator Courson). The cooperation I seek is not saying that there are internal fights within the delegation but that there’s just really no communication or collaberation on our legislation to help meet the needs our state - or the Midlands Community. Granted, it could just be that “partisianship” gets in the way, who knows? It’s almost like “the river” that gets in the way between the groups from Richland and Lexington. I’m hopeful though that with change comes some good.
If Todd indeed is our next Chairman (and he has my commitment already), I look forward to positive changes under his leadership.
Meet Sam Bryant - Irmo Little League (gets to meet President)!
June 27, 2008 | 1 Comment
Players Chosen for Tee Ball on the South Lawn All-Star Game - All 50 States to be Represented
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (June 19, 2008) Fifty-one Tee Ball players from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have been selected to play at the White House in the first Tee Ball on the South Lawn All-Star Game, set for July 16.
(Note: A highlight video from some of the Tee Ball on the South Lawn games of the past seven years can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/user/DugoutTheMascot)
For the past seven years, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush have invited Little League Tee Ball teams to the White House for games on the South Lawn. President Bush, the first U.S. President to have played Little League, uses the games as a way to highlight the fun and camaraderie that children and their families can have by participating in the sports of baseball and softball.
Since the event was announced in April, a selection panel at Little League International has reviewed hundreds of entries from around the country. Each entry was accompanied by an essay from the player’s coach, league president, teacher or school principal, giving the personl reasons for making the recommendation. (The essay for Sam, written by his brother, is printed after this release). Little League’s Tee Ball division is for players who are ages 4-7, with about 800,000 participants in the U.S. Read more
2008 Primaries: Did endorsements matter?
June 25, 2008 | 6 Comments
Does everyone really want to be like Mike?
Anyone over 20 knows “Air Jordan” and at that time, it was one of the largest endorsement deals ever. But now that the primaries are over, I keep asking myself the question I’ve asked since I ran for office four years ago: Do Endorsements matter in local politics?
During my first campaign (2004), I had no “endorsements” except those from my neighbors, church, civic clubs, etc. Obviously I was HOPING the “big name” endorsements wouldn’t matter.
We saw our opposition bring out mail piece after mail piece with the names of incumbent legislators, statewide office holders, sheriffs, and Washington politicians (we later learned some of those might not have been “real endorsements” but, heck, who knows the difference nowadays?). Obviously, we came out ahead in that race and it began to sink in….does the community-voter care who’s supporting who? Could it actually backfire on the candidate touting all the “politicians” support? Or, did it even matter at all?
I don’t have time to analyze all the endorsements, etc but tonight I did ask myself how our Governor did.
You probably have read that the Governor “can count on one hand” the number of endorsements he has done in the last 15 years. This year, he needed two hands.
Off the top of my head tonight, the Governor went 6-4 with WINS for two challengers (Tom Davis, Mike Rose), three open seats (Lee Bright, Tim Scott, Steve Stringer) and one incumbent (Greg Ryberg). His LOSSES were three challengers (Ed Rumsey, Katrina Shealy, Roger Nutt) and one open seat (Scott Singer).
For a Governor that many in the state support (and, yes, I support his fiscal-conservative ideas but have opposed him on things like cigarette tax, seat belts, autism, etc.), I would have expected a better result than my Gamecocks usually do.
Of course, when I look at someone else who has wide popularity in the state and is arguably our “favorite” US Senator, Jim Demint, the results really make me wonder.
Sen. Demint endorsed an open seat (Scott Talley) and a challenger (Katrina Shealy) and lost both. If you go back to the GOP Presidential race (we both supported the same guy - Gov. Mitt Romney), he actually is 0-3 in the 2008 primaries.
How do local voters look past a recommendation from someone who is the “darling” of the state?
Simple…voters want to make up their own mind.
In local races, voters have the time and resources to get to know the candidates and issues. They don’t want “polticians” butting in. They can figure it out themselves.
That’s why I really can count on one hand the primaries I’ve lent my name to: Lt. Governor Andre Bauer and Governor Mitt Romney. In my opinion, statewide races or national races don’t allow the voters the “one-on-one” chance to get to know candidates so MAYBE an endorsement or recommendation from someone can help voters. They’re also “up ballot” races meaning I’m not really telling my community who to pick to represent us locally. I publically stay out of local races and issues (but obviously share my opinion/vote when asked).
So…you tell me (again). When voters go to the polls, do they really care about the “big names” or do they care more about the person who has worked the hardest, shares their values, and whom they feel will do the best job?
Make it stop - please
June 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Just like any other groups, clubs, associations, or circle of friends - being an elected official has its drawbacks when perception (right or wrong) can tend to paint everyone with the same brush.
To that extent, several recent stories throughout the state (this month alone) have not put elected officials in the best light.
Everyone - especially elected officials - needs to be cautious to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
I hope stories like these become a thing of the past. I can hope, can’t I?
” (Elected official) earmarks could benefit family and friends”
“Critics rip (elected official) for lobbying”
“Schools act as money funnels”
These stories seem to relate to the roles of elected officials and possible conflicts of interests. I’m not even touching on things that appear during campaign races. We all know those are never any good (and more often than not half-truths or spun by opponents)
To be fair, these stories might also not tell the whole story but they were main stream media and did not appear to be related to any campaigns.
Happy Father’s Day!
June 14, 2008 | 4 Comments
The proud Grandfather….Dennis Ballentine (aka “Big D”) with me and JC on his arrival, April 21, 2004.
I’m fortuntate that my dad and my mom live in Taylors, SC and we get to see each other often!
Like most sons, there are so many memories of growing up with dad…too many to list. But if I had to condense it to five things that I think of most often:
(1) Faith: Dad’s an usher at Taylors First Baptist (alongside former House member, Bob Leach). He’s served in various roles in the church and he and my mother laid a strong foundation for me in the church.
(2) Family: Dad and Mom have been married almost 40 years! I also can’t remember him ever missing one of my ballgames….or political events! Dad, I promise, no more midnight newspaper box stuffing of campaign literature….but that did help get me where I am now! He also loves being “Big D” to his grandkids.
(3) Military: He’s a Vietnam Veteran. A Navy man. He doesn’t talk much about it but I admire him for his service. He was on those small boats on the river with only maybe 4 or 5 guys. One guy on his boat didn’t make it back. Another was injured. Thankfully, Dad made it back in one piece. He served his country well and I enjoy watching him stand during Armed Forces Day ceremonies.
(4) Business: My dad started his own CPA firms years ago after spending years with the big firms. I admire anyone who steps out on their own like that after years of working for corporations. I also now know the sacrifices he made for me and mom during that transition.
(5) Sports: My dad first took me to Gamecock football games before I was 10 years old! Even today, we enjoy tailgating together…and even enjoy some of the games…sometimes 
He’s also a pretty good putter on the golf course. I hope we get to play more than we have in the past.
Thanks for letting me brag a little about my dad y’all.
If you’re lucky enough to still have yours with you today - call him and tell him “Thanks, Dad. I love you!”
The Day After
June 11, 2008 | 5 Comments
Sitting here at Garden City for a mini-vacation with the family, I thought I’d stay in
touch with a brief post about yesterday’s primary results.
Afterall, how could I not post about something as important as actual elections that will shape our legislature for the next two to four years….or more?
Everyone has their own take (read here, here, and here) so I might as well give you mine.
First: When the legislature reconvenes June 25th, we’ll hear at least eight (probably more) farewell speeches because the winds of change blew loud last night and mainly in the Upstate.
If you were a House Member from the Greenville/Spartanburg you went to bed in a bad mood last night. Representatives Walker, Davenport, Haskins, Leach, and Smith all lost. (Smith being the lone Democrat in that group). Along the coast, Representative Heyward Hutson also lost.
In the Senate: Senators Ceips and Scott both lost. There are also two other well-known incumbents in runoffs - Knotts and Ritchie.
Second: If there ever was a sense of “change” in the air (anti-incumbency, etc) there was a big change in the Lowcountry last night. For the first time since Reconstruction, SC elected a black Republican to the House. Welcome, Representative Tim Scott. Tim previously served on County Council and won outright last night against two other candidates. (You may have heard his name before as he was the candidate Governor Sanford recommended to replace outgoing State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel last summer)
Lastly: while elections give an opportunity for consultants to crow about their victories and stew over their losses, let’s not forget that it’s the candidate who the voters select. With apologies to all the consultants out there, the consultants are like coaches and the candidates are the players on the field. Great consultantss can make candidates great….but the candidate still has to put the blood, sweat, and tears into the race.
Too often folks think running for office “must be easy”. Trust me as I speak from experience, these new members who defeated incumbents had to work their tail off. Money doesn’t win races; hard work and ISSUES do.
As I’ve written before….change is coming / has come to Columbia.
I just ask that these new victors remember who they sent them here, why they were sent, and what they represent.
I think they will and I look forward to welcoming them soon!
Some of their opponents may have been waiting on that Blatt Box to save them ….it never does.
Vote!
June 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Hopefully everyone knows tomorrow is Primary Day.
Republicans, Democrats, Independents and anyone registered to vote should make it a point to take ten minutes to have your voice heard. That’s it…ten minutes should do it tomorrow!
Too often, apathy consumes Americans who will come up with any and every excuse under the sun for why they DIDN’T vote.
For many races, the election tomorrow IS the election.
Many offices are being challenged by two or more Republicans or two or more Democrats but not often are there actually General Election races in November for these seats.
Here in our community, there are several Democratic races tomorrow but very few Republican ones.
Regardless your affiliation, please - get out and vote.
Other countries would love to have this freedom. Don’t take it for granted.
Happy Birthday, Bit-Bit!
June 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Daddies love their boys but their girls hold a special place in their hearts!
Today, my little bit-bit turned three and she’s growing up way too fast.
Between Angelina Ballerina, My Little Pony, Princesses, Dolls, and…..her ballet dances in the den…she sure is something else. There’s nothing she can’t do (or so she thinks). Guess she gets it from Mommy and Daddy?
Anyway….she keeps us busy and is never more than a step behind (or ahead) of her “big” brother (JC, 4) or Sarah (11).
We love you Emma-
Mommy, Daddy, Sarah, JC….and Annie!
Sarah graduates DFES!
June 6, 2008 | 2 Comments
Yesterday, Sarah graduated from Dutch Fork Elementary School!
She’ll attend Crossroads next year but before that she’ll have a fun-filled summer with trips to the beach, the mountains, Vacation Bible School, Cheerleading Camp, Horseback Riding Camp and more!
And of course, being Big Sis to JC and Emma at the pool!
Congratulations Sarah! We’re all proud of you and you’re growing into quite a lovely young lady!
Love,
Mom, me, JC, Emma…and Annie!
Congratulations: Class of 2008!
June 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Tomorrow, our three local high schools will graduate the Class of 2008!
The seniors who make up the Classes of 2008 in our district are very talented in academics, the arts, athletics and more. Here are just a few highlights of our three graduating classes:
Chapin High School• Number of graduates = 296
• Percent attending four-year colleges: 57%
Two-year colleges: 35%
Military: 1%
Work: 7%
• 19 Palmetto Fellows
• 2 National Merit Finalists
• 127 Preliminary Life Scholarship qualifiers
Dutch Fork High School• Number of graduates = 422
• Percent attending four-year colleges: 60%
Two-year colleges: 34%
Military: 3%
Work/Undecided: 3%
• 26 students chose to complete the District Five Extended Studies diploma
• 198 Preliminary Life Scholarship qualifiers
• One National Achievement finalist
• 34 Palmetto Fellows
• Total scholarship earnings: $11,654,463
Irmo High School• Number of graduates = 395
• Percent attending four-year colleges: 51%
Two-year colleges: 19%
Military: 1%
Work Force: 1%
Undecided: 28%
• Three members of this graduating class earned 12 years of perfect attendance. Irmo High is the only school in the Midlands to have even one student in the Class of 2008 graduate with 12 years of perfect attendance. Only five schools in the state had more than two students earn 12 years of perfect attendance.
• One National Achievement finalist
• 28 Palmetto Fellows
• 222 Preliminary Life Scholarship Qualifiers
• Total scholarship earnings: $8,409,470
(Information from District Five website)