After day-long meetings today in “Peachtree City” (note: Peachtree City is NOT Atlanta ), I think I’ve caught up on news from back home.

Seems, the slow painful death of our Governor is still en vogue (mainly for folks who are running for higher office ). Also seems the Democrats are gonna have a bloodbath themselves in their gubernatorial primary. Just when I thought the GOP was the party that had a monopoly on attacks, smears and rumor campaigns.

I know the new candidate – by name only. We’ve never really talked more than anything other than “How’s it going?” in the halls of the State House. He seems like a decent guy but (as voters will certainly do), I have to question one thing on his resume: his current job as a registered lobbyist.

State Law requires members of the General Assembly to wait one year before lobbying the body. That seems to make sense to me and others. Heck, the waiting period probably could/should be even longer than 12 months. But what I can’t figure out is why isn’t there a law that covers the reverse of this situation.

SECTION 2 17 15. Persons prohibited from serving as lobbyist; application of section.

(A) The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, any other statewide constitutional officer, a member of the General Assembly, a director or deputy director of a state department appointed by the Governor and a member of the immediate family of any of these public officials may not serve as a lobbyist during the time the official holds office and for one year after such public service ends.
(B) The provisions of this section apply to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, or any other statewide constitutional officer who is elected after December 31, 1993, or any member of the General Assembly who is elected after December 31, 1991, and any director or deputy director of a state department appointed after June 30, 1993.

So, let me get this straight. A lobbyist doesn’t have a “waiting period” before he/she can run for office – either statewide or House/Senate? How’d the legislature miss that one?

I won’t belabor the point. His primary opponents and other camps seem to already have that issue right in their cross-hairs . But I do have to ask y’all…..should we fix this next year? Seriously?

I don’t mean this as anything against the new candidate, really. I’d even be willing to sponsor legislation that would be effective one year after our current governor signs into law (assuming the House/Senate would pass it).

Help me out here. Is this a common-sense idea? I realize it would be tough to pass but isn’t it worth the fight? Reminds me of other common-sense ideas recently like voting-on-the-record , campaign-finance disclosure reform , term limits , and others.

Fixing this won’t bring jobs to our state but it could keep us from getting on the Jon Stewart show, David Letterman show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and other embarrassing situations. We’ve had enough of that already

Once again last month, I enjoyed meeting with several of you in your neighborhoods and around the community! Thank you for your kind words of support and advice. I also appreciate it when you share concerns or ask questions that you may have about what’s going on in Columbia. Talking face-to-face with you, I’m better able to clear up any misconceptions or provide more insight to blog posts I’ve written.

While summer’s almost over, I hope you’ll have a chance for one more “day off” or “weekend away” with your family before school starts.

STATE HOUSE

Since I was first elected, many of you have called for guided tours of the State House. I’m always happy to arrange those for you, your family, or relatives coming to town but; unfortunately starting this week, the State House will now be closed on weekends. The building and the gift shop will only be open Monday-Friday.

Yes, this is just one of the very minor impacts of the falling revenues we are still experiencing in our state.

Later this month, I’m meeting with several colleagues (Republicans and Democrats) to discuss how we can work on lifting our state up from what seems to always be the “bottom of the rankings”. As always I appreciate those that share ideas here on NathansNews and also those of you who email me with your advice and suggestions.

It’s my hope that all elected officials will be focused on results and outcomes instead of being distracted this year.

YOUR MONEY

The 2009 Sales Tax Holiday weekend will begin Friday,August 7, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. and end Sunday, August 9, 2009 at midnight.

During this time, the 6% state sales and use tax, and any applicable local sales and use tax, will not be imposed on clothing, clothing accessories (e.g., hats, scarves, hosiery, and handbags), footwear, school supplies (e.g., pens, pencils, paper, binders, notebooks, books, bookbags, lunchboxes, and calculators), computers, printers and printer supplies, computer software, and bath wash clothes, blankets, bed spreads, bed linens, sheet sets, comforter sets, bath towels, shower curtains, bath rugs and mats, pillows, and pillow cases. The sales tax holiday, however, does not apply to sales of jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches, furniture, rental of clothing or footwear, items for use in a business, or items placed on layaway or similar deferred payment and delivery plans.

If you’re not sure what is and what is not exempt this weekend, you can check by going to the SC Department of Revenue Frequently Asked Questions Page.

COMMUNITY

National Night Out : Tuesday, August 4th, is the 26th Annual “National Night Out”. For the past few years, I’ve attended several neighborhood events but I’m disappointed to report that this year, Richland County Sheriff’s Department and I only know about three events taking place: Riverwalk and Misty Glen will have nieghborhood walks and Woods Edge will host an ice cream social at 6:30 p.m. in their community room.

Community Cookout: I’ll be hosting this year’s gathering in two weeks that I hope your family and neighbors can make ito the Rusty Anchor on August 18th starting at 6 p.m. I first hosted the event two years ago and was pleased to see almost every local elected official in attendance! When elected officials stay in touch regularly (instead of just during an election year), I feel we are better able to do our job. This cookout is a great way for you to meet/talk with school board members, mayors, county council members, town council members, Representatives, Senators, and statewide elected officials. Don’t forget to RVSP!

Get involved! If you’re a constituent living in Richland County, we need your services to assist with the Richland County Transporation Committee. Last week on NathansNews, I mentioned how I’m accepting letters of interest/resumes. To learn more about this opportunity, please read that July 30th post.

Saturday in the Park: In two weeks (August 15), Irmo’s last Saturday in the Park of the year will take place in the park. Come hear “Not Necessarily the Band” perform starting around 6pm. [Read more...]

A few years back I was pleased to appoint Chapin resident, David Jameson, to the Richland County Board of Mental Health. Not only was he willing to serve, he was willing to make a difference!

I’m pleased to share that recently David was appointed as Chairman of the Board for the Columbia Area Mental Health Center which broke ground late last year .

David has a wealth of knowledge and a very generous heart. Two assets that have served our community and the mental health community well over the years.

Here’s some more information about one of your neighbors:

• Graduated from Presbyterian College in 1969 with a BA in Sociology. Social Chairman, Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity.
• Married Jane Ashe McSween in 1970.
• Received a Master of Public Health Administration in 1977 from USC’s School of Public Health
• Executive Director of Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council from 1977 to 2001. Retired as Executive Director in 2001 but served until 2005 as the Corporate Compliance Officer. Received Order of the Silver Crescent in 2002.
• Formed Jameson Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm, in 2005.
• Member of the Columbia Rotary Club.

Want to meet David? He’ll be at our COMMUNITY COOKOUT in two weeks! Be suire to congratulate him when you see him!

I hope you’ll take time to visit with members of our community and several local, elected officials at the Rusty Anchor/Quarterdeck at Lighthouse Marina on Tuesday, August 18th from 6pm to 7:30pm.

Staying in touch and hearing from our constituents is the best way we can serve you in our roles on School Board, Town Council, County Council, Mayor or at the State House!

Whether you’re in the Irmo, Chapin, Dutch Fork, Ballentine area or not – I hope you’ll consider bringing the family out for BBQ, banana pudding, music and good conversations!

Please be sure to RSVP by emailing elizabeth@donehueagency.com!

Special thanks to the many folks and businesses that are supporting the cause again! If you can’t make it but would like to contribute to the campaign , please do so by clicking here for a secure site.

Hope to see you on the 18th!

** UPDATED, AUGUST 3 ** Additional special guests who have informed me they will be there are US Congressman Joe Wilson and Dutch Fork High School Teacher, Kelly Payne , announced candidate of State Superintendent of Education. See invitation below for the names of the other elected officials who will be there!