Meet Herbert Berg - Interim Superintendent
August 5, 2008 | 1 Comment
(While watching WIS 11pm news tonight, I learned we have a new Interim Superintendent)
From The State….
Former Kershaw County School District superintendent Herbert Berg will come out of retirement to temporarily lead Lexington-Richland 5 schools.
The District 5 school board chose Berg as its interim schools chief at a special called meeting Tuesday night.
Berg, who retired in 2007, has 34 years of experience as a superintendent. He replaces Scott Andersen, who resigned Thursday.
Board chairwoman Paula Hite said she doesn’t expect that Berg will be in the job any longer than a year.
— From Staff Reports
Prayers Needed - Rod Shealy, Sr.
August 5, 2008 | 2 Comments
I’m torn tonight whether to write about this. We obviously have many folks in our community in need of prayer. Some I get a chance to write about. Obviously several others, I do not.
But I couldn’t let it go without bringing this to everyone’s attention in our community and asking for everyone’s prayers for Rod Shealy, Sr.
The news first broke this morning after Rod wrote on his weekly blog, Doing the First .
I literally had to pull over in my car.
Rod Shealy - political consultant, businessman, and always a “Hawaiian-Shirt-Wearing-Guy” - has shared that he has a cancerous brain tumor.
Simply put - keep him and his family in your prayers.
Arguably one of the most brilliant minds in SC politics , Rod learned under the tutelage of “Republican Bad Boy” Lee Atwater . Everyone in political cirlces either loves him or hates him (opponents of his candidates, obviously the latter) but tonight, everyone joins me in sending their love and prayers.
Rod’s a laid-back, fun-loving guy but I know he’ll treat this battle like he does all his campaigns - aggressively, with everything he’s got, and pulling off another upset that many thought he couldn’t.
Never - never - bet against him!
UPDATE (8/6): Tonight, one of SC’s most popular blogs has put the first of a series of video interviews with Rod) Go visit at www.schotline.com.
National Night Out : August 5, 2008
August 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
9:15 p.m. Just got in from National Night Out events in our community.
Special thanks to Corporal Amanda Lee with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Community Action Team for allowing me to ride along tonight with her and her team.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get to all the events but worse than that was that not many neighborhoods in our area participated. Next year, I want to work to have more local participation.
Before joining Amanda and others at the Riverwalk Subdivision, I was at Waterford. They had a great set-up complete with Law Enforcement, Fire Department, hot dogs, dessert, prizes for the kids, tshirts, and even Andrew Talkish (our local celebrity) who spoke to the kids about recylcing. I spoke with many folks, including Mr. and Mrs. Rembert who lead the Crime Watch efforts. I also got to speak with Chris and Susan Locker , Karen Way , and Christina Cato (Treasurer of the HOA).
Next, I met up with Amanda Lee at Riverwalk along with Joni Crosby (Riverwalk HOA) and rode the main thoroughfare with several members of RCSD as well as two law enforcment officials visiting from Germany. It was good to see many residents come outside with their children and their dogs to see what was going on. Before the parade, I got to meet with a few neighbors who were grilling out on Siklwoth Place: Mr. and Mrs. Gobel, Mr. and Mrs. Ray, Ms. Patricia Van Houten and Laura, and a few others. They braved the 100+ degree heat to participate and fellowship with neighbors - right there on the road!
From there we went back to Waterford (National Award winners for their 2007 event) and then on to The Village at Hilton. We were joined there by Sheriff Leon Lott and we had a chance to talk with Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock, Amy Taylor, Mr. Hatfield and Susan Thabian (CrimeWatch Leader).
It was good to hear that our area (”Region 4″) is one of the safest areas in the county.
Let’s keep it that way! Stay involved. Know your neighbor. Report any suspicous activity.
How much for your child?
August 4, 2008 | 2 Comments
Tomorrow we continue our Education Funding Act Study Committee meetings (Room 521 Blatt Building, 1:30 p.m.). The committee has heard alot of testimony from several knowledgable individuals but now we need to start formulating a plan that can hopefully accomplish two simple objectives:
1. Improve how our state funds public education
2. Draft legislation that can actually pass through the House and Senate and Governor (171 people).
The State has been writing about this alot. Tonight I wanted to provide some “sunshine” on information most people may not know about. Tonight it’s Weighted Pupil Units.
The (current) weight system provides for the cost differences between educational programs for different students. The elementary (4-8) student is determined to be the most economically educated student and bears a weight of 1.00. Visually and hearing handicapped students bear a weight of 2.57. There are 15 classification of weights.
Classification Weightings
Kindergarten……………………………….1.30
Primary……………………………………..1.24
Elementary…………………………………1.00
High School………………………………..1.25
Trainable Mentally Handicapped*……….2.04
Speech Handicapped……………………..1.90
Homebound………………………………..2.10
Emotionally Handicapped………………..2.04
Educable Mentally Handicapped………..1.74
Learning Disabilities……………………..1.74
Hearing Handicapped…………………….2.57
Visually Handicapped…………………….2.57
Orthopedically Handicapped…………….2.04
Vocational………………………………….1.29
Autism………………………………………2.57
*Includes Profoundly Mentally Handicapped.Average Daily Membership (ADM) The aggregate number of days for which students are in membership divided by the number of days in the reporting period. Reporting periods are 45 days (October) and 135 days (March/April)
Ok….can’t we simplify this? Do we really need FIFTEEN different classifications? In doing research, some states have only three…..1, 1.5, and 2.0? And aren’t these numbers arbitrary really?
Apparently we acknowledge a different “cost” (weight) for each “type” of student. However, one notable exception to me is the “Poor Kid”. (Is that politically correct to say?) My question is this: Wouldn’t most of us consider it more expensive to educate someone in a “poorer district”? Most would admit that in a “perfect world” it should cost the same to educate every child but if we already have a system of weights, shouldn’t we explore this concept?
I’m not saying we need to throw more money at the problem but (here goes the politically damaging part), shouldn’t we agree there should be some weight given to “rich” and “poor” kids? This would most likely mean that folks like me (representing “rich” districts) will have to give up some of “our money” to the “poor” districts. Because if we actually address this disparity, districts with a “poor kid” classication will receive more money than those with less students in that category.
I could muster that (and hope my constituents could to) if….and that’s a BIG IF:
1. We assure the money gets to the classroom (maybe 65%?)
2. We let the districts determine how to spend that money…free them up, so to speaks so that they have local control on what works/what doesn’t, instead of all these mandates from state government.
Of course, now we are getting outside the scope of the committee (are we?) and addressing more than just the FUNDING side of things. And if we’re going to go there, do we address the “third rail of SC politics” - school choice? And by “school choice” I mean public AND private.
Back to funding: can’t we propose something like Elementary 1.00, Kindergarten, Primary and High School 1.25, “Poor Kids” 1.50, Handicapped/Disabled 2.25 for Weighted Pupil Students?
I could, if we can also address the SPENDING part of the equation too.
That’s alot of Ifs, isn’t it?
COMMUNITY UPDATE: August 2008
July 28, 2008 | 3 Comments
I hope you and your family are having a safe summer and enjoying everything our community and state offers! How many places in America can you live and travel to the mountains and the beach both within about 2 hours from home?
If you have events you’d like me to share on the site, please contact me directly through Nathansnews.com and I’ll be happy to see how I can help pass along the news. Before I continue with the update, I wanted to mention a special event to you. I hope to see you there!
*** SPECIAL EVENT *** The 3rd Annual Irmo Community Prayer Breakfast will be held this year, Thursday September 25th at 7:30 a.m., at Gateway Baptist Church . The event is made possible through sponsorships of $250 (table of 8). Please help us continue this wonderful annual gathering and consider sponsor a table or reserve a ticket ($8). You may contact me or Representative Chip Huggins (ch@scstatehouse.net).
STATE HOUSE
Education Finance Act Study Committee: You may have noticed that we are attempting the daunting task of improving (hopefully) our Education Funding in South Carolina. To that extent, I am joining other members of the committee in ongoing meetings that will certainly last until (and including) our session in 2009. Our next meeting is Tuesday, August 5, at 1:30pm. If you have any suggestions, I’m listening!
What bills would you introduce? The Legislature doesn’t return until January, but during the next several months is when I do my research and planning for what I feel (or have heard form you) is needed in our state and can move our state forward. I’d like to hear from you!
Did you know? Lobbyists: Ever wondered how many lobbyists/lobbyist principals there are in our state? You may be surprised.
YOUR MONEY
“Sales Tax Holiday” is Aug. 1 - 3: South Carolina’s annual back-to-school “Sales Tax Holiday” - the state’s popular three-day sales and use tax break on traditional back-to-school purchases - is less than a month away. The ninth annual tax-free weekend begins at midnight Friday, Aug. 1 and concludes at midnight Sunday, Aug. 3. During the long weekend, the state’s sales and use tax is lifted on purchases of clothes, shoes, school supplies, book bags, computers, computer parts, printers and more. South Carolina shoppers typically save about $2.8 million in sales tax during the event. The popularity of the tax-free weekend has made it the third busiest shopping period of the year, exceeded only by the weekend after Thanksgiving and the weekend before Christmas. South Carolina adopted the sales tax holiday in 2000 and in following years, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee have also implemented similar tax-free weekends. This year, each will hold their tax-free weekends at the same time as South Carolina.
Richland County Council defeats road tax: Richland County recently rejected placing a 1% sales tax increase on the November ballot. The revenue from the tax would have funded roads, bike paths, and public transportation.
COMMUNITY
Friarsgate Park / Irmo Little League: There will be another of the Friarsgate Advisory Committee tonight (Wednesday night) at Friarsgate Park with law enforcement, elected officials, the Irmo Little League, and parents/neighbors in the area to talk about recent events at the park and the need for safety awareness. If you live in the area or have children who play sports at the park, please attend. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
National Night Out: Next Tuesday evening, August 5, several homeowners associations in our area will bring neighbors outdoors for food, fellowship, and community awareness events. I’ll be joining local Community Action Team member Amanda Lee and Sheriff Leon Lott that evening at Riverwalk, Waterford, and other neighborhoods.
FLW tour comes to Lake Murray: The top 77 professionals and 77 co-anglers in the world will compete for a $1 million top award in the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol — bass fishing’s world championship — on Lake Murray in Columbia, S.C., Aug. 14-17. Many of these anglers, representing 31 states and Japan, are fishing on teams sponsored by some of the nation’s leading brands. The event is expected to have a $40 million impact on the area!
Jenny Sorenson coming home! Hospitalized since January 23, Jenny is coming home August 11. Many have followed Jenny and her family’s journey and last March, Gateway Baptist Church hosted a Blood Drive for Jenny. Scott (Jenny’s husband) thanks everyone in the community for their ongoing prayers and support.
SCHOOLS
Got a “Straight-A Student” in your house? Once again, I want to recognize any K-12 student in our community who receives “Straight-As” on their report cards! Parents - please email your student’s name, school, and grade and I will have a State House Certificate of Recognition prepared in his/her name and mailed to your home address!
Prayer Walk at Irmo High School: August 16th at 9:00 am, there will be a Prayer Walk with Principal Eddie Walker and others at Irmo High School. The walk is in preparation for the upcoming school year.
Filing starts for School Board Elections: August 1st is when the filing period starts for School Board Officers throughout the state. Here in Lexington/Richland District Five, voters will fill three seats this November. Seats currently held by Robert Gantt (Richland) and Paula Hite (Lexington) and the seat held by the late Jerry Fowler (Lexington).
Bond Referendum: Over the next few months, you’ll see lots of information (for/against) another bond referendum for our schools. I encourage everyone to review all information, ask questions, and vote in November.
THANK YOU
Thanks again for staying informed by visiting the site! Please let your friends and neighbors know about it so that they can stay as informed as possible, too. As you can see, I try to write often and regularly update photos from our community as well as videos.
You have given me a great honor by choosing me to represent you in the South Carolina House of Representatives and I remain as committed as ever to staying in touch.
While we will not return for the next session until January 2009, please know I am just a phone call or email away. If you have a civic organization, church or homeowners’ association meeting or event - I would love to attend and hear from your members.
Please contact my office, 734-2969, or email me at BallentineN@scstatehouse.net anytime I can be of service to you or your family.
Nathan Ballentine
www.nathansnews.com
House of Representatives, District 71
Richland-Lexington Counties
320A Blatt Building
Columbia, SC 29221
Fair is fair?
July 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Watching TV tonight (which means “Fox News” in our house), Sean Hannity stated that the Top 10% wage earners pay 70% of the tax bill for our country.
My question: Is that “ fair “?
Since I’m into “numbers” this week, I wanted to share some interesting places for you to visit: here and here.
While we’re on the topic of taxes…got any thoughts on the Fair Tax ?
Discuss…
Is gambling back in SC?
July 24, 2008 | 1 Comment
Sure, we have the lottery - but I was talking about this post I came across tonight while cruising the blogs. (Brad, hope it’s ok I cut/pasted the letter below. What’s protocol here? I’m supposed to put h/t right? Hat tip?)
Anyway, read on….
***
July 24, 2008
Mr. Katon Dawson
SC Republican Party
P.O. Box 12373
Columbia, SC 29211
Dear Katon,
Recently, I wrote an op-ed that appeared in a number of newspapers in South Carolina entitled “Why Obama Will Win South Carolina.”
It seems to have caused quite a stir among some of your Republican friends who confidently dismissed an Obama victory as an impossibility. You have been quoted in newspapers as saying “We’ve got South Carolina taken care of.” and the idea of Obama winning was ‘a pipe dream’.
A ‘pipe dream’?
To quote Robert Kennedy, “Some men see things as they are, and say ‘Why?’ — I dream of things that never were, and say, ‘Why not?’”
Along with millions of people around the country, we in South Carolina are working to make our dream come true…and it will happen.
I’m so confident of victory that I would propose a friendly wager — as representatives of our respective candidates — the loser buys the winner a dinner of the finest South Carolina barbeque, with all the trimmings, at any restaurant of the winner’s choice in the state — except Maurice’s.
I look forward to hearing from you…and having a great dinner on you.
Sincerely,
Phil Noble
President
SC New Democrats
***
Wow, dem’s fighting words , ain’t they? Maybe everyone will get energized and SC will have it’s largest turnout yet. We can dream, can’t we? Afterall, there’s a lot of apathy towards politics in general - especially with national politicians approval ratings less than 20%.
Earlier this morning, this post seemed to lead some credence to Obama having at least a shot at pulling off the upset but - really - what do you think? Does he have a chance in South Carolina?
And with barbecue at stake, I’m wondering if the writer of this blog will be called in to serve the winner?
Warning: Political Junkies Only
July 23, 2008 | 9 Comments
As you can imagine, elected officials have an enormous about of information come to us daily…..emails, snail mail, phone calls, invitations, and publications.
Tonight I was reading through the recent issue of “State Legislatures” (from the National Conference of State Legislatures) and thought I’d pass some statistics along for those junkies out there who may actually find this interesting.
Did you know?
In 1938, there were 7,480 state legislators representing 113 million people.Since then, the nation’s population has grown to 304 million people and the number of state legislators actually decreased.
In 1938, a House member represented 23,124 people and a senator represened 72, 176. Today, a House member represents 56,216 people and a senator represents 154,330.
In the South Carolina 2004 elections (the last time prior to this year that all House and Senate were on the ballot), 6 candidates for the House raised more than $50,000 campaigning - and lost. In the Senate, 12 candidates raised more than $100,000 campaigning and lost.
In the New Hampshire 2004 elections the most money raised for a House Seat? $12,158 (That was the only candidate to raise more than $10,000).
South Carolina has the lowest percent of female representation (And our Senate next year will have ZERO women).
New Hampshire’s legislature has the oldest (92) and youngest (21) lawmakers in the country.
The New Hampshire legislature has 424 members (400 House, 24 Senate) making it the THIRD LARGEST LEGISLATIVE BODY IN THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD behind only the United States Congress and British Parliament. (As reference, we have 170)
Legislative Salaries: California $116,098; Michigan $79,650; Pennsylvania $70,163, South Carolina $10,400; New Hampshire $200.
Legislatures that meet biennially: Arkansas, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas.
Average age of state-lawmakers throughout the US: 56
WIS-TV (Ben Tanner) at Irmo Food Lion
July 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sorry for the late notice but tonight I saw where Ben Tanner and company will be at the Food Lion on Broad River Road/Kennerly Road tomorrow morning and again in the evening.
Outside of FoxNews, HGTV, and The Food Network, my wife’s other favorite station is “The Weather Channel” so I’m sure she’ll be there tomorrow with Hurricane JC and Hurricane Emma in tow.
Sam Bryant meets POTUS
July 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
(As you recall, last month I wrote about our own Sam Bryant who was selected to represent our state at the President’s annual t-ball game. Sam’s parents sent a great recap of that wonderful experience and I wanted to share it with you. UPDATE: WIS-TV ran a story tonight as well!)
Sam’s Day at the White House
What an exciting day. It started at 10:45 AM at the Marriott Downtown Washington just 3-4 blocks from the White House. All 50 states and the District of Columbia t-ball players showed up for lunch and to get uniforms and to meet their teammates. We sat at a table with Noah Wubben, the T-Baller from Iowa and had a great time. After lunch, Stephen Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer for Little League Baseball and Softball welcomed us and told us what will be happening this day. Kenny Chesney will be singing the National Anthem and Frank Robinson (Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame) will be the Honorary Commissioner. Their will be four teams (Western, Central, Southern and Eastern), playing two games: Eastern U.S. vs. Central U.S. and Southern U.S. vs. Western U.S. We were all very excited and you could hear the kids saying “When are we going?!”
At the end of the announcements they call teams to the back of the room for the handing out of uniforms. Sam was part of the Southern tams which consisted of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.
Part of the packet they received they all got baseball cards so after we got the uniform on all the kids in the room started trading out cards and going to meet everyone. Sam was able to get cards from all of his teammates and from some other teams’ players. Then it was time to go to the White House. The Southern team huddled and cheered before we left for our 4 block walk to the White House.
Then we were off, 51 T-Ballers and their families navigating the streets Washington DC. A block from the white house we were greeted by a secret service member who escorted us the final block and we got a police escort to cross the final street in front of the White House. Of course at that point all the kids were thirsty and tired and kept asking when they could sit down. We met our White House representative who was going to get us through security and give us our White House tour. Read more