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Retired veteran carries on mission of volunteerism

April 22, 2009 By

Delivering coffee, comfort, companionship and conversation to his fellow comrades in arms is the ongoing mission of 85-year-old retired Master Sergeant Emanuel Poston. The Korean and Vietnam War veteran has carried out his mission so well the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia honored Poston Wednesday with its top volunteer award. Poston began his volunteer work at the facility in 1984. 25 years later, Poston has logged an overall record of 17,135 volunteer hours. Poston says he sincerely hopes that through his volunteer work he has given as much to his fellow veterans as they have given him over the years.  “Sometimes I would feel bad myself and go up on the ward and see a guy, a double amputee, and he would be smiling and I would have a frown on my face. Then I think, that double amputee is smiling and here I am with a frown on my face now I’ve got to go get a smile on my face.”

A native of Lincolnton, NC, Poston was the first African American to serve as Commander of the South Carolina Disabled American Veterans organization from 1992-1995.

Poston works two days a week at the Disabled American Veterans office located in the Dorn VA Medical Center. He works assisting veterans and delivering welcome packets to new patients. Poston says he has no secret “fountain of youth,” he simply keeps active. “I think it comes from exercising and keeping yourself busy, rather than feeling sorry for yourself. Keep busy, that way you wouldn’t be thinking about yourself.”

Poston turned 85 on March 15. He says he still feels well enough to continue his mission of volunteerism.

Filed Under: Human Interest, Military, News

SCDOT and stimulus funds go to work

April 22, 2009 By

The South Carolina Department of Transportation is getting another step closer to putting the stimulus funds to work. After receiving $463 million to be used towards projects such as building new bridges and repaving roads, the DOT has identified most of the shovel-ready projects where funds will be allocated. Last week, bids were excepted from contractors on 12 different contracts and there are just a few minor details to iron out, according to Pete Poore, communications director of the SCDOT. “By low bidder, actually it is the most qualified bidder…not only do they have the lowest price but they have to prove they can do the work.

“Our engineers are in contract negotiations with them right now. That’s where they cross the Ts and dot the Is. We’re anticipating that those contracts will be formally awarded in the first week of May. At that point, that’s where the contractors will get a notice to proceed which means, OK, we’re done, go to work.”

Poore says the stimulus money has doubled the SCDOT’s budget for this year and all of the money needs to be spent. None of the current projects being done in the state are related to the stimulus funds. He also says the SCDOT was able to fund the most important projects in every county and that was a huge priority. “The baseline criteria was that every county would receive funding and that has occurred,” said Poore.

“For example, a project in Richland County did not have to compete with a project in Charleston County. The criteria was broken down onto the county level. In other words, in the re-surfacing category the top roads in Richland County, or any county, (the question was asked) what are the top priorities in this county? That’s where the money went.”

Poore says that the bidding for the current projects came in under budget leaving more money for other projects. “Whenever we put a project out for bid, our engineers estimate the best of their ability what a project is going to cost,” he said. “We don’t advertise that because we want to see what the market will bear, so to speak.

“All of those 57 projects or actually those 12 contracts came in 21 percent lower then we thought they would which is good because that means there is more money for more projects.”

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News, Politics & Government

Port expansion to create jobs, boost state’s economy

April 22, 2009 By

Port expansion at the former Navy Base in North Charleston will bring in nearly 720 jobs over a 15-month period. Byron Miller with the South Carolina State Ports Authority says the new container terminal will sit on 280 acres and it’s a major factor in boosting the port’s capacity.

“The new terminal at the former Navy Base is essential to South Carolina’s competitiveness in the future. We haven’t had port expansion here in South Carolina in about 15 years now, meanwhile our neighbors have taken a lot of our business away from us so the new terminal at the Navy Base is absolutely critical to keeping our port competitive in bringing new jobs to the state in the future,” says Miller. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, News

House Judiciary Committee tackles restructuring measures

April 22, 2009 By

After a two week  furlough, members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were back to work Tuesday. The House Judiciary Committee hit the ground running by discussing several measures aimed at the restructuring of state government. Measures passed out of the committee included a bill that would place candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor on one ticket similar to how candidates for President and Vice President are slated on the federal level. The measure would require amending the state constitution. For passage the proposal would require a two-thirds vote by the House and the Senate and a vote of the people in the next general election in 2010. Other proposals passed through included changing several constitutional offices from elected positions to positions appointed by the Governor including secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of State. Alluding to the stimulus funds and budget debate, Newberry County Representative Walter McLeod objected to the Superintendent of Education becoming an appointed position especially in light of present Governor Sanford’s action of “holding hostage “funds that could be used for public education. Committee Chair Jim Harrison says such a measure would not take effect for years if it is approved.”This will have to voted on by the public in 2010 and at that point a superintendent will be elected in the next election and we can’t end that office during that term, so it wouldn’t take effect I don’t think until 2014, so if the concern is the current Governor (Sanford) he’ll be long gone by the time this ever goes into effect.”

McLeod says he is concerned about the current governor but he is more concerned about the pattern of behavior the Governor has displayed that could be carried forth by a future Governor.

“We do not need a governor to behave in the manner that we have had one in recent weeks, years, and months with respect to public schools. Public schools are the very foundation of our democratic society in our state. I’m opposed to the concept in general and in particular.”

Despite McCleod’s objections the measure passed out of committee. All measures that would change constitutional elected offices to positions appointed by the Governor requires that all appointments be approved with the advice and consent of the House and Senate.

Filed Under: Legislature, Politics & Government
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