VOTE! Why I smile about the Fair (Dutch Fork High)
September 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Zac Baker, Student Government Public Relations shares his thoughts!
Dutch Fork High School has entered the statewide video competition hosted by the South Carolina State Fair . Their video has already been selected as one of the finalists. Now, they need your support by going to wach.com to vote for it. It is the first entree titled: Why I smile about the Fair
Thanks again for supporting Dutch Fork High School! Voting ends tomorrow!
Winners announced October 1st. Fair dates: October 8 -19!
Struttin’ with Alive@25
September 28, 2008 | 50 Comments
Two years ago, our community lost three young lives to terrible automobile accidents right here close to home. One of those students was Megan Preston . I was honored to have her family walk alongside mine yesterday during this year’s Okra Strut Parade.
Joining us were over 100 local high school students. Several walked, rode, or distributed candy to the crowd - all while displaying Alive@25 on the back of their tshirts!
Our walk was a continued effort to promote Alive@25 in our community. As a believer that God has a plan for everything in life, I have seen how the loss of those students two years ago has led to hundreds of other young students learning how to better prepare themselves before getting behind the wheel.
Dutch Fork High School Teacher Kelly Payne has worked with the South Carolina Chapter of the National Safety Council to bring Alive@25 to Lexington/Richland School District Five.
in the past two years, there have been several events locally to promote and encourage our children to participate. Later this month (October 30), the second-annual semi-formal dinner by the South CarolinaNational Safety Council will benefit the “Alive@25 Coalition”. Please help us continue to raise awareness that vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of people between the ages of 16 and 24.
I hope you will purchase tickets or considering sponsoring this year’s event by calling Brooke Russell at 732-6778.
Common-Sense meets Status-Quo: On-The-Record Voting
September 24, 2008 | 17 Comments
I’m not sure why Speaker Harrell decided not to run for Governor, but after reading a release from his press shop today commenting about On-The-Record voting (or lack thereof), I’d tell him he probably saved himself alot of money.
That release (spin) stated: “Demanding that we should spend taxpayer money to take a roll call vote on a resolution congratulating a state championship high school team is not true transparency, it’s pandering…”
Well, sure. IF that’s what Representative Haley and I, Ashley Landess (Executive Director, SC Policy Council) and other common-sense legislators had been talking about last year, this summer, and all day today; I’d agree. However, that is NOT in this legislation and not what we’ve been talking about last year, this summer, and all day today during a four-city stop around the state with Governor Sanford lending his support.
Representative Haley sent a letter to EVERY House Member last week (124 members) and stated SPECIFICALLY that the bill does NOT include resolutions, recognitions, or congratulatory acts. What her bill WILL require are on-the-record votes for:
* all second readings
* any amended third readings
* all conference committee reports
* every section of the budget
Did that confuse anyone? Apparently some status-quo Columbia politicians (or their press shop) couldn’t keep up. Read more
See You at the Pole (Riversprings Elementary)
September 23, 2008 | 1 Comment
I’ve got a busy schedule tomorrow (I’ll blog about it tomorrow night) but I am making time to start my day at an event that I feel is important.
Friends have asked me to attend the “See You a the Pole” event tomorrow morning at Riversprings Elementary School.
I’m not sure if this is sanctioned by the school or district, but I’m glad they’re doing it and I will happily be there to pray and meet with anyone else who is there. I’m wondering how many other schools or districts will have similar events?
I wish I had posted this earlier so that maybe more local readers could be there in the morning but I’m hoping to see many students and parents there setting an example and sharing their faith.
Hey, hey, hey….What’s Happening?
September 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Ok, so I probably should’ve put ReRun’s picture up there. Anyone remember that show besides me?
Over the next few days, there are several opportunities for folks in our community to get active in grassroots efforts and community events right here in Chapin/Irmo.
Tomorrow (September 23):
Lake Murray Association holds a Membership and Public Meeting at St. Andrews Presbyterian at 7pm.
Our Lt. Governor comes home with a BBQ, Bluegrass and Bauer event at The Rusty Anchor at 6pm.
Thursday (September 25):
The Third Annual Irmo Community Prayer Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. at Gateway Baptist Church.
Friday (September 26):
The Okra Strut Friday Night Street Dance 6pm - 11 pm
Saturday (September 27):
Dam Run 7:30 a.m.
Okra Strut Parade 9:00 a.m.
Okra Strut Saturday 10:00 a.m - 5:00 pm
Thursday (October 2):
The Central Midlands Council of Governments share their 30-year plan for roads/transportation from 4pm - 7pm at Ballentine Park.
I can’t make all of them but will be at most. Hope to see you there!
Wanted - Community Columnists
September 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
From this week’s New Irmo News (and “Doing the First” blog):
September 11, 2008
“This newspaper is planning to bring back an old feature: community columnists - the locals who contribute a few paragraphs each week or so about goings-on in your neighborhoods or social circles.
We’re currently looking for the folks to fill those slots, and you might be one of them. If you’re interested in a new hobby - writing your own short column about the people you know - shoot me an email and I’ll pass it on. My personal email is RodShealy@aol.com.”
While you’re at it (with permission from the New Irmo News, of course) I’ll probably be able to add those columns to this blog site. Maybe sort of a “Guest Blogger” type post. To go along with the “Meet Your Neighbor” posts I’ve had here, here, here, here, here, here, and here over the past few months.
I join the local paper in asking you to give it a shot. Columns from locals make for much better reading. I hope you’ll consider it and I look forward to reading the columns soon!
$400,000,000 is a lot of money people!
September 14, 2008 | 2 Comments
I really don’t know what to say other than “Are you kidding me?”
Senator Barack Obama has raised over $400,000,000 during his presidential campaign. (In case you’re wondering…..the United States Population is just over 300,000,000. Do that math there).
I’ve been in public service for four years now and I obviously have heard that “money is the mother’s milk of politics” but c’mon….at what point is enough enough? (English majors, is that correct?)
Granted, he’s running for the “leader of the free world” but, to put things in perspective, my campaign raised barely over $30,000 for a seat in the SC House (2004). And I couldn’t believe it when I learned others had raised and spent six figures (for a job that pays $10,400 annual salary, no less).
Another saying in politics is “there are 2 kinds of candidates; those that raise money….and losers.” Can you believe that? Anyone candidate who says he/she loves raising money is lying (or maybe just a part of the system too long). Personally, it’s the worst part of being a public servant.
I give Senator Obama credit though. He’s tapped into people who have never voted before and never donated before. He’s also very dialed in to “new media” as well (Editor’s note: shameless plug here, I’m now on Facebook, too). I guess one benefit from a possilbe Obama White House could be the socialization of college football’s National Championship. I mean, c’mon…it’s not really fair that the rich keep getting richer is it? Maybe one year the mythical “National Champion” title can just be given to my Gamecocks .
To follow the money locally, you can click here (and in a few weeks everyone will have their updated finances reported). To follow the money nationally, you can click here.
In December, I will pre-file legislation to allow our citizens to follow the money at all levels (county, school districts, etc) as well as align our “dead period” (campaign disclosures) with the federal system so that everyone will know who gave to what candidate before they head to the polls.
Meet Deanne Guerkink - Ballentine Pediatrics (NEW)
September 14, 2008 | 1 Comment
Many of you have probably followed Deanne over the past several months at Caring Bridge (Over 7,000 people visited her CaringBridge Website with nearly 400 messages left for Deanne over a six week period).
After mircalous surgery on her neck in May, coupled with the prayers of hundreds of friends and patients, she is celebrating a new service and ministry to children in the Ballentine/Dutch Fork area!
Deanne is currently accepting new patients at the recently opened Ballentine Pediatrics (732-0920) located at 11134 Broad River Road, Suite D - Opposite the Food Lion by the Peak Exit
(Exit 97).
Dr. Geurkink is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University in 1990, and then completed her Medical Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in 1996. She finished her pediatric residency at Palmetto Health Richland Children’s Hospital. She has been practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine in Columbia, South Carolina since 1999 and is currently an Associate Professor at the Children’s Hospital. Dr. Geurkink is married and has three children. She attends Gateway Baptist Church . Her interests include family activities revolving around baseball, tennis, swim team, and music. She is also involved in world missions and women’s ministry.
Dr. Geurkink was born and raised in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). In her spare time Dr. Geurkink enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her husband Tim and her three children Victoria, David, and Caroline.
A Heartbeat Away in SC
September 11, 2008 | 6 Comments
Earlier this year, I wrote about the “under the dome” races currently underway to see who will lead House Committees and the House Republican Caucus next year when the General Assembly returns.
Recently, other blogs have speculated on the possible candidates to replace Governor Mark Sanford when his two terms ends.
Tonight, I’ll give you four names who are considering running for SC2. Names you haven’t heard - yet - but soon will. You’ve already heard about Mike Campbell who is “95% certain he will run”. The guys I’m about to mention aren’t quite there yet, but they are listening to folks from around the state and will no doubt have to make “the decision” within the next few months.
I consider these four friends, and I may not endorse anyone because of that fact. I’ve served with three in the House and the fourth is my constituent. Of course, before I go sharing their names, let’s remember the big “wildcard” in all this: what will our current Lt. Governor do? He’s being pushed by several folks to run for the top spot but if he passes, scenarios greatly change. Read more
“Next Year” never comes
September 9, 2008 | 3 Comments
It’s been almost a week since my Gamecocks did it to us again and I need to finally put closure on this.
Much like Lucy to Charlie Brown, the Gamecocks always lure us fans into thinking THIS is “next year”, only to have our heart ripped out again…and again….and again…and again.
I’m 37 and have seen several “Gamecockesque performances” first-hand myself. Dating back to the Furmans, the Pacifics, and the Citadels of the world, the memories come back year after year. And now…. Vandy “owns us”? Has it really come to THIS?
I said it last year during the cigarette tax debate and I’ll say it again….”As a lifelong Gamecock fan, I know next year never comes.”
The sad thing is, I can’t quit it. Gamecock Football is perhaps one of the most painful addictions you can have. It’s also one that has no cure or a 12-step plan to kick the habit (that I know of). At least with a cigarette tax increase, we may stop some folks from picking up that miserable addiction. But how do you stop folks from Gamecock Football?
The verdict is still out for “next year” with the cigarette tax but after last week, us Gamecock fans have seen the ball pulled away again on another season.
(Editor’s note: I hope to eat-crow after some miraculous upset this weekend……wait a minute….see, there I go again….I can’t shake it…..it’s just in my/our blood).