It’s only Rock-n-Roll…isn’t it?
October 12, 2008 | 4 Comments
In case you’re not sure, we’re less than a month away from one of the “most important elections” ever.
I’m reminding you because, since SC is seen as a state that’s not really in play (McCain should carry the state), you haven’t seen too many ads flooding the airwaves like the folks are seeing in the “swing states”.
I put the phrase “most important election” in quotes because….well….it seems like every election is labeled like that. At least this year, I think we have an election that will certainly change history. Whether Republicans win or Democrats win, our country will either have the first African-American President or the first female Vice-President. Both are pretty big news, if you ask me.
But tonight’s post isn’t about labels like black/white, male/female, Republican/Democrat though. We have enough labels in the world that separate us already.
One label I had to write about though is the ever present record-label and the music industry. I mean, forget the issues! Don’t we all just really listen to the songs that play when candidates walk out on stage and base our decision then who our guy (gal) is?
I mean, I’m the biggest Boston fan you’ll find; so when Huckabee played “More than a Feeling”, that was it! He was my man! But wait….then Tom Scholz got upset and told Huckabee to stop playing and using his song. Huckabee couldn’t really be my man if Boston didn’t like him, right? Read more
Tough times call for tough measures!
October 8, 2008 | 2 Comments
While the folks at AIG are spending bookoo dollars on luxury trips - weeks after a nice tip from Uncle Sam - folks in the “real world” are finding times a little bit tougher than they have been in the past.
With my paying job being with Wachovia Mortgage ….ummm….Citigroup?….ummm….Wells Fargo?……I certainly see the effects this housing market/crisis is having on builders, contractors, subcontractors, electricians, plumbers, realtors, lenders, real estate attorneys, title insurance companies, etc.
As an elected official, I’m witnessing first hand the budget shortfalls of our state and the inevitable emergency-session coming our way in a few weeks.
Well, closer to home, in fact - at home - we’re exploring new ways to help out the budget. We’re thinking Karen may be heading back to work next year (note: PAYING WORK, she certainly works her butt off at home like all the other mothers who sacrifice careers to be with their kids during the early years). But it’s not just the grown-ups pitching in here.
Tonight, our four-year old, J.C. has pitched in and is doing his share! As I type this, he’s anxiously waiting on a “Tooth Fairy Bailout” that (based on the number of times he keeps getting up) can’t come soon enough!
COMMUNITY UPDATE: October 2008
October 7, 2008 | 6 Comments
I hope you and your family are enjoying the (slightly) cooler weather as it appears fall is in the air!
If you have events you’d like me to share on the website, please contact me directly through NathansNews.com and I’ll be happy to see how I can help pass along the news.
STATE HOUSE
As folks in Washington are passing bailouts to “help” our economy (editor’s note: Dow down 1,000 since passage), we officials here in South Carolina are looking at the strong possibility of returning for an emergency session to address revenue budget shortfalls. Wednesday, the SC Board of Economic Advisors will address revenues and, should they be 4% lower than original estimates, the General Assembly needs to be prepared to return and address these issues. It won’t be pretty but I personally would rather us revisit the budget than just pass “across the boards” cuts.
As I have since day one, I look at the state’s budget much like I do our personal budgets back home. With that in mind, if your income dropped 5% one year, would you cut all your budget expenditures by 5%, across-the-board? Probably not (I hope). Instead I believe you you would cut things like “going to the movies” or “entertainment” before you would cut savings, or groceries, or other more pressing matters. This is what we’ll have to do in the emergency session. If we do it “right”, we’ll have floor debate and carefully consider where to cut more and where to cut less. I’m afraid though that the cuts are already being decided by 3 or 5 individuals and their staffs. See, that’s usually how the budget works. “The plan” gets rolled out and the “default vote” from the floor is to vote against any amendments. Trust me, I know. If you have any suggestions of where to cut more/less, I’m listening. I want to take your views to Columbia and, if possible, impact change instead of just accepting what a small few present.
YOUR MONEY
See above. The budget is the biggest legislation we pass every year. I want to be sure we’re spending money wisely but sometimes folks are more willing to just vote and get back home that there really isn’t much debate.
At least with an emergency session, I hope most folks will forego the income from the state since others are also having to make sacrifices. To be fair, it’s easier for me to make this statement because (a) I return my salary to worthy causes anyway and (b) I live 10 miles from Columbia. What are your thoughts? Should my colleagues accept income? One could say “we didn’t get the job done to begin with” while others could say “they shouldn’t have to pay for gas, mileage, and lodging just because revenue estimates are off”. Which would you say? Read more
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.