Lately, I’ve been having a pity-party; but last night I realized I have many more things to be thankful for than I do to compalin about. Besides, complaining won’t change things. Neither will worrying .

Like most folks, Karen and I will be spending time with the family today and tomorrow and that’s what’s really important.

Wherever you go this holiday season, be sure to give thanks for what you do have . If you have faith, family, and health you are more blessed than you’ll ever know!

Ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you I have no idea what I’m doing whenever we play cards (for entertainment only, of course). But ask most folks about our Governor and they’ll probably tell you he’s like the Gambler for the way he went “all-in” months ago after several calls for resignation .

After weeks of national late-night talk show embarrassment, the Governor’s situation now comes before the General Assembly tomorrow afternoon. As many know, we can usually count on two hands the number of supporters for the Governor in the “Lower Chamber”. Thing is, between his successful “Four Corners Strategy” and maybe holding aces up his sleeve, the Governor will more than likely survive impeachment.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Not only do I think he won’t be impeached, I don’t even think the resolution passes the House. That’s IF the resolution even makes it to the floor.

I don’t like to make predictions, but my hunch is the Ad-Hoc committee that was put in place will squash the resolution and this chapter in our state government’s history may soon be over. (I”m thinking the ad-hoc committee votes 4-2 against the resolution, but we’ll see…)

The Governor simply caught some good cards “on the flop ” with the House waiting for the Ethics Commission to finish their work, a major jobs announcement, and an apparent willingness to work together among colleagues.

Whether by design, opportunity, or sheer luck, the cards have been going his way.

When I saw the makeup of the AdHoc committee, I knew he had caught another break “on the turn ” and that the river card really doesn’t matter. It’s over.

For most folks, “pulling a Palin” and calling it quits months ago would have been the route they took. Heck, that was even my advice to him when we spoke in August because I saw the writing on the wall. I told him what I figured was coming: that everything he stood for would be critiqued, examined, and torn down in an attempt to force his removal. Check, Check, and check.

But here we are on the eve of the Ad-Hoc committee convening and the Governor’s basically got a stacked deck (in his favor) and calling bluffs.

Earlier this afternoon, local radio-personality Keven Cohen (you know, the guy running for Congress from South Carolina’s 45th congressional district ) asked callers their thoughts. Overwhelmingly, it was “move on”. Seems most folks have grown tired of the drama and figure letting the Governor serve out the remainder of his term is “better” than any of the alternatives.

Obviously when the Ethics Commission accuses you of breaking 37 ethics laws, that’s nothing to gloss-over; but it looks like this chapter is almost over and we will soon return to focusing on what’s really important to our state and our citizens.

So for those that like watching car-wrecks, go ahead. You can follow a few more dog-and-pony shows that may happen over the next few weeks but (spoiler alert) just know “Teflon Mark” appears to have survived one of the largest news stories in our state’s history.

Anyone wanna make a wager on 2012?

Today was the first of two days that House Members can pre-file legislation for the 2nd session of the 118th General Assembly. As I mentioned before, these bills face an up-hill battle to become law before we adjourn next May/June; but I wanted to give you a look at bills that were filed today .

While the legislation process is never “first-in, first-out”, there are a slew of other bills that have a year’s head start on today’s filings. Many bills have gone nowhere while others are in various stages (subcommittee, fullcommittee, House floor, in Senate, in conference committee).

Certainly, I see some legislation filed today that will be on most people’s radar; but which ones will see the most action when we return?

I’ve shared before how a bill becomes law ( from a purely process standpoint). Of course, there are also the other players involved to some degree in and around the State House; but the primary lifting is done by your elected officials and by folks like you getting involved, making calls and sharing concerns and opinions.

Generally the more co-sponsors on a bill, the better the odds that the bill can become law. I say generally because, as I saw in 2005, sometimes hard work and lots of support from colleagues doesn’t always yield fruit until much later .

Also, with the way SC Legislature is structured, one single senator can derail any piece of legislation.

With all 124 House Members up for re-election, it’s my hope we can all stay focused on what matters to the people of our state and finally work together . If we take our eye of the ball and have a short-term election-cycle mentality, well…we won’t see much done ; except press-releases and campaign-rhetoric and spin.

From www.scstatehouse.gov

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

Bills and Resolutions typically start in the Legislative Council, the department responsible for the organization and operation of research, reference and Bill drafting facilities. A member tells the Legislative Council attorney the type of Bill he wants to introduce, and it is put into legal form. After the member reads and checks the legislation, he gives it to the Clerk of his body. A Bill or Joint Resolution cannot become law until it has been read three times on three separate days in each body, has the Great Seal of the State put on it and has been signed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House. Bills may be prefiled before the beginning of a session. Prefiled Bills are numbered, dated and referred to committee. A list of prefiled Bills is sent to the members. On the first day of the session, all prefiled Bills are officially introduced and put into the record. If there are committee reports on any of the Bills, they are also put into the record. Bills received during the session are introduced and read the first time, given a number and referred to the proper committee. The Constitution states that each Bill or Resolution must apply to only one subject and the subject must appear in the title. Some Bills are placed on the Calendar (agenda) without being sent to a committee.

From WIS-TV.com :

IRMO, SC (WIS) – Dutch Fork High School’s football coach and athletics director will be leaving the school at the end of the academic year.

Coach Bill Kimrey is resigning effective June 30. Kimrey says after 18 years at Dutch Fork, he’s ready for a change.

WIS Sports will have more on this story tonight on WIS News 10.

While families are making plans for Thanksgiving later this month, let’s not forget to thank those that have served our country and fought for the freedoms we often take for granted.

Today, I again got to see Lake Murray Elementary’s third-grade presentation of “America’s White Table”. The presentation is moving, as is watching each child come to the microphone to share the name of a family member of family friend who has served. Several parents and grandparents were in the audience and I’m glad to see our children/school district recognize their service.

Tomorrow, I’ll be with Chapin Elementary for their services. The men and women from American Legion Post 193 (Chapin,SC) will also be there again and I’m honored to get to sit beside them during the ceremonies.

Unfortunately Columbia’s Veterans Day Parade has been canceled due to inclement weather; but that doesn’t mean you can’t honor the day and our veterans. Please be sure to give thanks to those that have served and pray for those currently serving our country.

More on Veterans Day…

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’” As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans. [Read more...]

Rarely does the public ever learn of areas in state government where they can offer their time and talents. Usually you have to “know someone” or know who to ask or where to look.

Hopefully we have people in our state willing and able to serve on the Department of Transportation Commission. This is one of the most important commissions in our state and we need a pool of very qualified individuals to consider.

I enjoyed my time on this very prestigious screening committee before being unceremoniously removed last year; but that’s old news now. Want I want us to focus on is getting good people to continue to do good work with our state’s infrastructure needs.

Three seats on the S.C. Department of Transportation Commission will become vacant in February of 2010. A vacancy will exist in the Second, Fourth and Sixth Congressional District seats.

Pursuant to Act 114 of 2007, the Joint Transportation Review Committee is now accepting notice of intent from interested persons who intend to apply. Remember that Section 57-1-330 (A) stipulates, “For the purposes of electing a commission member, a legislator shall vote only in the congressional district in which he resides.”

Those interested must meet eligibility requirements and possess certain qualifications (see below) in order to serve.

Each term of office begins February 15, 2010 and expires February 15, 2014.

To receive application materials, prospective candidates living within these districts must notify the Committee in writing of their intent to apply before the Thursday, December 3, 2009 deadline.

The notice must include the person’s home address.

Notice and questions related to the screening process should be sent to:
David Owens
Joint Transportation Review Committee
P.O. Box 142
Columbia, S.C. 29202
803-212-6400

More information is available at www.scstatehouse.gov under ‘Citizens’ Interest’, then ‘Joint Transportation Review Committee’ (or better yet, click here ). Notice of intent will not be accepted after 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 3, 2009.

Joint Transportation Review Committee
SENATOR LAWRENCE K. GROOMS
Chairman
REPRESENTATIVE JAMES H. LUCAS
Vice Chairman
SENATOR HUGH K. LEATHERMAN, SR.
SENATOR GLENN F. MCCONNELL
SENATOR HARVEY S. PEELER
SENATOR GERALD MALLOY
REPRESENTATIVE ANNETTE D. YOUNG
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP D. OWENS
MR. REID BANKS
MR. PATTERSON SMITH

POST OFFICE BOX 142
COLUMBIA. SOUTH CAROLINA 29202-0142
(803) 212-6400

Section 57-1-310.

(A) The congressional districts of this State are constituted and created Department of Transportation Districts of the State, designated by numbers corresponding to the numbers of the respective congressional districts. The Commission of the Department of Transportation shall be composed of one member from each transportation district elected by the delegations of the congressional district and one member appointed by the Governor from the State at large. Such elections or appointment, as the case may be, shall take into account race and gender so as to represent, to the greatest extent possible, all segments of the population of the State; however, consideration of these factors in making an appointment or in an election in no way creates a cause of action or basis for an employee grievance for a person appointed or elected or for a person who fails to be appointed or elected.

(B)(1) Candidates for election to the commission must be screened by the Joint Transportation Review Committee, as provided in Article 7 of this chapter, and determined to meet the qualifications contained in subsection (C) in order to be eligible for election.

(2) The at-large appointment made by the Governor must be transmitted to the Joint Transportation Review Committee. The Joint Transportation Review Committee must determine whether the at-large appointee meets the qualifications in subsection (C) and report its findings to the General Assembly and the Governor. Until the Joint Transportation Review Committee finds a gubernatorial appointee qualified, the appointee must not take the oath of office and the full rights and privileges and powers of the office shall not vest.

(C) The qualifications that each commission member must possess, include, but are not limited to:

(1) a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from:
(a) a recognized institution of higher learning requiring face-to-face contact between its students and instructors prior to completion of the academic program;
(b) an institution of higher learning that has been accredited by a regional or national accrediting body; or
(c) an institution of higher learning chartered before 1962; or

(2) a background of at least five years in any combination of the following fields of expertise:
(a) transportation;
(b) construction;
(c) finance;
(d) law;
(e) environmental issues;
(f) management; or
(g) engineering.

Tomorrow, voters in the Town of Irmo will vote for two at-large seats on town council as well as decide on whether the town can have Sunday alcohol sales .

From The State, Neighbors

HARDY KING (I)

Age: 53

Education: Graduate of Western Alamance High in Burlington, N.C.; attended Appalachian State University; graduate of Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government

Occupation: Owner of furniture revival service

Elected political experience: Town councilman since 2005

Current membership in community organizations: Friarsgate Residential Association

Family: Married, two children

Resides in: Old Friarsgate

Why I am running: We need to continue to grow our borders, bringing the revenue into Irmo, not Columbia, or allowing Richland County to keep 100 percent. Irmo has changed in the last four years as we have grown. Growth has occurred in those areas which would have occurred, regardless if annexed or not. We need to develop a town center around Irmo Park. As I have done with annexation, I will work to make these things happen. I have proven I don’t just talk or di-rect town staff to do it. As an Irmo business owner, and a resident, I am on the front line — on the ground so to speak — and I see and hear and know the needs from both perspectives first-hand.

BARRY A. WALKER SR. (I)

Age: N/A

Education: University of Connecticut, bachelor’s in mathematics

Occupation: Restaurateur and musician

Elected political experience: Town councilman since 2004

Current membership in community organization: City Center Partnership

Family: Married, three children

Neighborhood: Archers Court

Why I am running: I lived in Irmo for over 20 years. I have seen our community grow and change for the better. We have a population that is getting older and I want to make sure that Irmo is place were they can grow old comfortably. I believe:

1) Irmo should adopt a no-smoking ordinance

2) Irmo should encourage small business to relocate here by reduc-ing governmental interference with the way they conduct business. 3) Irmo should work closely with its chamber of commerce to encourage business growth

4) If our senior citizens feel unsafe, we should increase police check-ups and patrol.

5) Irmo should require all head of household residence over 18 years of age to own a loaded fire-arm in their home.

6) Irmo should have more community cookouts and gatherings to help all residents get to know one another.

7) Irmo should continue to hold the line on expenses and have a zero tax rate for residence.

SARAH WATSON

Age: 52

Education: Graduated from Fur-man University, bachelor’s in sociology

Occupation: Financial services representative

Elected political experience: None

Current membership in community organizations: Representing Richland County, Central Midlands Council of Governments; S.C. Association of Regional Councils board of directors; Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board and chairwoman of the administrative committee; Auntie Karen Foundation Executive Committee

Family: Single

Resides in: Town of Irmo

Why I am running: I have a firm belief that the town of Irmo should direct its own growth and development, rather than allowing it to be dictated by others. We must be-come proactive in responding to those issues that are important to the town, such as economic development, community safety and the preservation of the town’s character. I want to combine new ideas that reflect the faces of the town with the basic values that we share as a community. Growth and economic opportunity are issues that Irmo will face in the coming years. A positive proactive approach will ensure that the town grows in a direction that will allow us to chart our own fate, and control our own destiny. I want to serve the Irmo community and assist in position-ing the town for the opportunities of tomorrow.

— Compiled by Tim Flach