For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Contact: Luke Byars
(803) 931-0580

Ballentine Focuses on Jobs

Announces Campaign; Learn More at www.nathansnews.com

(Chapin, SC) – Today, businessman Nathan Ballentine announced his campaign for reelection to the State House of Representatives, District 71. Ballentine serves the people of Irmo, Chapin, and Dutch Fork. He has built a solid reputation as a civic leader committed to working well with others to get results that will help grow our economy and provide tax relief for South Carolina.

“I truly understand the impact this economic downturn has had on our state. I am committed to do anything and everything I can to help grow our economy, promote business development and ultimately create more jobs. While we have made some improvements recently, I will not be satisfied until everyone here that wants a good job can get a good job,” Ballentine said. “I want us to have the best place in the State to live, work and raise a family.”

Recent news stories have highlighted petty partisan politics and legislative infighting. This has left the perception that South Carolina government has become dysfunctional and ill prepared to partner with business groups to help grow our economy.

Ballentine, however is committed to working with others to get results, “I believe in standing tall on principle and I will continue to speak up whenever I feel that our collective liberties or personal freedoms are under attack or when a lack of transparency prohibits our State from moving forward. But, I have also learned it is important to work hard with others who are committed to improving our State and on projects of mutual benefit to all of us.”

Recognized as a “Friend of the Taxpayer” by the SC Association of Taxpayers, Ballentine is known for his fiscal conservatism and he has also received high marks from the conservation community. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and several other business and civic organizations have singled him out for his straightforward leadership in the legislature.

Going forward Ballentine’s #1 focus will continue to be jobs and economic development. His campaign message remains People, Not Politics. For more information, please visit www.nathansnews.com where Nathan openly discusses issues of importance to House District 71 and the Palmetto State.

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Tuesday morning interview with local radio station 560 WVOC, click play.

The following article appeared in The State:

USC and Clemson will be required – by state law – to continue their annual football matchup in perpetuity if one lawmaker has his way.

State Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Lexington, has introduced a proposal, to be considered by a panel of House members Wednesday, to require the two teams to continue their annual face-off, college football’s second-longest consecutively played rivalry in the nation. The teams have met 103 consecutive years.

With both the Southeastern Conference, to which USC belongs, and the Atlantic Coast Conference, to which Clemson belongs, adding teams this year, Ballentine and some other fans are worried that scheduling conflicts could mean no more USC-Clemson matchups.

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles celebrates a stop of the Clemson offense in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 26, 2011.

For instance, the ACC soon will add Pittsburgh and Syracuse universities to its membership. As the ACC expands, it also will require league members to play nine conference games each fall – up from the current eight.
That will leave Clemson with only three games to play non-ACC members, including USC.

The SEC also is expanding – adding Missouri and Texas A&M.

“I had a constituent bring it up to me, asking whether it was state law that these two teams play. It’s not,” said Ballentine, a 1992 USC graduate. “With all the conference realignment, we just wanted to make sure this annual game continues.”

Other longtime rivalries have been put on the shelf as conferences have realigned, Ballentine noted.

“You saw Texas and Texas A&M,” Ballentine said, referring to the two Texas schools that no longer will play after A&M bolted to the SEC from the Big 12, which includes Texas. “That rivalry went by the wayside. Nebraska and Missouri dropped by the wayside (in 2010). No one wants to see that happen here to our two universities where families enjoy the annual game, and it’s great for our economy.”

Ballentine said he wrote both universities, asking for their input, but heard nothing.

University officials said Monday that they do not want legislative guidance on their football schedules.

Spokesman Wes Hickman said USC appreciates Ballentine’s sentiment but does not support his bill. “Athletic schedules need to be decided by athletic directors and coaches,” Hickman said.

In a statement, Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips said, “Clemson would prefer to not have to legislate this issue as I cannot conceive of a realistic scenario that would prohibit Clemson and South Carolina from continuing our football series.”

This wouldn’t be the first time Palmetto State lawmakers have stepped in to preserve the state’s most well-known rivalry game.

During his research, Ballentine discovered that USC and Clemson only played each other Oct. 23, 1952, because the General Assembly intervened to require that they play.

That year, Clemson ignored a ban on going to a bowl game by its then-conference – the Southern Conference – and played the University of Miami in the Orange Bowl. The penalty? Clemson was barred from playing any other Southern Conference opponent, including USC.

“There is a precedence for doing this,” Ballentine said.

Source

Yesterday, the new website for the General Assembly debuted! I haven’t had time to check out all the bells and whistles but I have learned there were some recent House Committee moves that now appear on the website: Bill Whitmire and Garry Smith have moved to Ways and Means, Rick Quinn has moved to Judiciary and Tommy Stringer has moved to Education.

There are 2 vacant spots: one on Agriculture and one on Education. Recently elected Reps Eddie Southard and Joshua Putnam have not been assigned but it’s not clear if they will get those spots or if more moves will happen. Usually, most freshman are assigned to the 3M committee.

Check the new site out so you’re accustomed to it when we return in January. There’s obviously some hiccups as I checked “Find Your Legislator” by typing in my home address and saw my friend, Chip Huggins listed!

Expect improvements and updates but for now, it’s still a very great way for you to stay informed!

Sorry I haven’t written much lately. My paying job has been keeping me very busy!

It’s hard to believe that Representative Chip Huggins and I first started this event six years ago at my church, Riverland Hills Baptist.

Once again, we like to think of the event as the unofficial kickoff to the Okra Strut ! We have always hosted it the Thursday morning before the Okra Strut and that means Thursday, September 22nd this year.

Seven Oaks Presbyterian will be the host church and Chip and I are excited to have local businessman, Steve Arnold, give the morning’s message.

Past events have seen attendance over 200 and this year space is keeping us to only 200 so be sure to RSVP for your FREE spot by calling Elizabeth Donehue at (843) 864-9414.

This event could not have continued like it has without the support of the many sponsors who help make it possible as well as the host churches, their members, and you – the community!

Hope to see you later this month! Special thanks to this year’s sponsors (most of who have been there every year from the beginning): Babcock Center Foundation, SC Representative Nathan Ballentine, SC Representative Chip Huggins, Irmo Insurance Agency, Inc., L.R. Enterprises, Inc., Rotary Club of St. Andrews, Rotary Club of Lake Murray-Irmo, Lexington Medical Center, Debra and Mike DuBose, Columbia Conference Center/ Blake DuBose, DuBose Web Group, Palmetto Health Parkridge, The Warren Group.

Quick video/info on previous breakfasts:

2010 First Baptist of Irmo -speaker Adrian Despres, chaplain USC football team
2009 St. Mary’s Episcopal – speaker Eddie Walker, then principal of Irmo High School
2008 Gateway Baptist – speaker Jeff Davis, former Clemson football player
2007 St. Andrews Presbyterian – speaker A.V Strong, director A Better Way, Project Gang Out
2006 Riverland Hills Baptist – speaker Bob McAlister, McAlister Communications

The Richland County Recreation Commission is offering flu shots to members of our community (ages 18+) next month on Tuesday, October 4th, from 9am to 11am at Ballentine Park.

The shot will cost $25 but is free to Medicare patients.

Be sure to register by September 14th by calling Lisa Smarr at 699-7425.