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Ethics Commission probe underway

August 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Since Governor Sanford sent in a waiver of his right to have confidentiality in his own Ethics Commission investigation into his travel, the Commission does now confirm that Sanford is, indeed, being investigated.The case file was opened August 18th.

Commission Executive Director Herbert Hayden says it will take four to eight weeks to finish their investigation of Sanford.   “We have about 120 flights listed through the Division of Aeronautics and there are 35 listed through the Department of Natural Resources.  So there are a good many flight logs and manifests to go through to determine if they were for official business or for personal or political purposes.” 

Hayden says the investigation will examine some flights that were provided as gifts to Sanford.  “The question is whether those flights should have been on his statement of economic interest.  We’re also looking at some reimbursements made to him to determine is they were campaign-related or personal.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Upstate chambers team up to lobby legislature

August 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ten chambers of commerce across the upstate have joined forces to create an Upstate Chamber Coalition to unify their message to state leaders. Ben Haskew is the President of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. He says, “The Upstate region of South Carolina really is the economic engine of our state. If all of these chambers could come together and essentially speak with one voice to the legislature, we could make a huge difference in getting the business point of view across.”

Chambers included in the coalition are Greenville, Spartanburg, Greer, Anderson, Greenwood, Cherokee, Laurens, Clemson and Westminster. The 10 chambers consist of more than 8000 members.

(compiled by Upstate reporter Ed Jensen)

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Legislature, News

Freestyle still rollin’

August 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Freestyle Music Park survives its first summer in a slumping economy.

In its first summer as Freestyle Music Park, the Myrtle Beach amusement park shows some activity, but still below the hopes of management. Owner of Freestyle, FPI MB Entertainment President Steve Baker told the Associated Press: “Overall, I’m real happy and proud of this summer. We got the park open, the park looks great, the employees are outstanding and the guest reviews have been terrific. The results of the park are not what we wanted, but I don’t think we understood the economy to be like it was going to be.”

The park’s previous owner of Hard Rock Park filed bankruptcy last year after declining revenues and lack of attendance. Freestyle is hoping to boost revenue by making the park more “family-friendly” with various attractions for all ages.

Filed Under: Business, News, Recreation & Entertainment

“Cash for Clunkers” stimulates car buying in SC

August 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The federal government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program ended a week ago and Pat Watson of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association says he is still gathering final figures on auto sales in the Palmetto state during the duration of the program. Watson says dealers is the state says the program did stimulate auto sales and attract larger numbers to their showrooms.”Consumers were turned on by the program. People purchased vehicles not only in South Carolina but across the country in a way that surprised everybody, especially the federal government, because the federal government was so swamped with “Cash for Clunkers” claims, they’re having a hard time paying any of them so far.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News

House prepares for next session, governor’s actions discussed

August 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The House Republican Caucus meets annually to discuss the most important issues on the minds of South Carolinians, and how each member can prepare for the upcoming session. House Speaker Bobby Harrell led the meeting in Myrtle Beach over the weekend.

“We started the conversation on economic development and how to do something about the high unemployment rate South Carolina is facing right now. We will have an Economic Development Jobs Creation Act of 2010 that will be written as a result of that meeting. We talked about education, particularly K-12 and reading, and helping our schools get back to basics, as I said, particularly with reading. We talked a lot about tort reform,” says Harrell.

After the topics on the agenda were discussed, a hot topic on the minds of many was brought up for debate: Governor Mark Sanford and possible impeachment. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy, Education, Legislature, News, Politics & Government
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