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Gen. Petraeus addresses Citadel cadets

April 15, 2010 By

U.S. Army General David Petraeus is addressing military cadets today at the Citadel. General Petraeus is speaking to the cadets before being inducted into the Citadel School of Business Administration’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame inducts those who demonstrate integrity and respect, as well as work for the professional and intellectual development of people.

Petraeus, the former commander of American forces in Iraq, is now the commander of the U.S. Central Command. The Associated Press reports Petraeus is addressing the cadets today as part of the college’s Greater Issues series.

Filed Under: Military, News

DeMint: GOP needs to embrace Tea Party ideals

April 15, 2010 By

Tea Party activists will meet at the U.S. Customs House  in Charleston on Tax Day to protest how their taxes are being spent. Senator Jim DeMint says the GOP needs to throw its full support behind Tea Party ideals.

I think we have a chance as conservatives to create that big tent that both parties have longed for. If Republicans will embrace the passion, the energy, the ideology of the Tea Party Movement, I think you will see a resurgent Republican Party. If some of our leadership continues to stiff arm the Tea Party Movement, what they are doing is stiff-arming the consensus of the American people.

Interviewed last week on WTMA in Charleston, DeMint says he is focusing changing the direction of the Republican Party in Washington.

I’m trying to pull our party back to the middle. I think our party has gone to the left in Washington, but not in South Carolina. When I visit Republicans here or across the country, the party itself, the people, they are right in line with our core principles. We’ve just got some old timers who have been hanging on too long in Washington.

Tea Party rallies are scheduled statewide today as well as in Washington, DC.

Filed Under: Human Interest, News, Politics & Government

Education supporters fill Statehouse lawn (Video)

April 15, 2010 By

 

Educators and education supporters from all over the state filled the entire front lawn of the statehouse late Wednesday afternoon, calling on state lawmakers to better support public education funding, even in this disparate economy.

Olde English Consortium Director Mike Fanning emceed the event and energized the crowd with the flair of a lively minister.  Fanning said that an error between state agencies may cause the state’s General Fund budget to be down $60 million dollars, and he insisted that the shortfall not come out of the funding for public education. He told the crowd that senators were meeting right in front of them and that the voice of public education should be heard loud and clear. The crowd shouted, “Enough is enough, enough is enough!” and carried similar signs.   

President of the National Parent Teachers Association, Chuck Saylors, a South Carolina parent, says that those lawmakers who don’t support public education should be remembered on election day.  The crowd roared. 

“We’re in a day and time now when we have lost the mentality of a statesman, and all we have is politicians.  The money is there.  They have to find the courage to find it.” 

President-elect of the South Carolina Education Association Jackie Hicks represented public school teachers.  She said that education funding also draws business and jobs to the state. 

(Hicks at education rally  MP3  1:29)
Jackie Hicks at education rally

Fourteen hundred fewer public school teachers are employed statewide than in 2009 and many more positions would be cut under the House budget plan.

South Carolina State Teacher of the Year Bryan Coburn said that school would be the real victims of budget cuts. He said that cuts will mean a reduction in text books and classes, and an increase in class size.

(Cobrn at education rally  MP3  3:34)
Coburn at education rally

Clover High School Junior Lindsay Richardson was the one student who took the podium. She said she knew that the supporters there Wednesday cared about students, but she questioned how much lawmakers care.

(Richardson at education rally  MP3  3:36)
Lindsay Richardson at education rally

Filed Under: Education, Legislature, News

Mistake leaves SC General Fund $59.7 million short (Audio)

April 15, 2010 By

A big mistake resulting from a lack of communication between state agencies has left the General Fund of South Carolina government almost $60 million short. The South Carolina Board of Economic Advisers met a week early on Wednesday in order to deal with the issue, after the error was found on Monday.

Board Chairman John Rainey says the $59.7 million should have been put into a segregated account under the treasurer’s office just for money generated through increased tax auditing at the Department of Revenue. Because that wasn’t done in 2009 at the beginning of the fiscal year, the General Fund figure guiding state lawmakers will have to be cut. The oversight will increase next year’s budget shortfall to more than $600 million.

(Rainey on $60 million mistake  MP3  1:42)
Rainey on $60 million mistake

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Economy, Legislature, News

Warm weather brings mosquitoes, greater risk of serious disease

April 15, 2010 By

Just when the great outdoors seems perfect, it’s ruined by the buzzing noise of an annoying mosquito looking for a tasty treat. The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is asking the citizens of the state to assist in their own protection by taking appropriate measures in reducing the mosquito population and the risk of serious disease spread by mosquitoes.

Adam Myrick, DHEC spokesman says that mosquitoes can emerge from very small amounts of water when left to stagnate.

What we are asking South Carolinians to do is help us out.  Help us control the mosquito population. And the best way to do that is — take a look around your yard, around your house and remove any standing water you might have. Some things that collect standing water that we might may not think about, sometimes, can be boats, grills, even little kids’ swimming pools. Those are the big culprits.

Myrick says it’s important to avoid mosquito bites to reduce our chances of contracting diseases such as the West Nile virus.

It’s something that we’re going to just have to deal with like any other virus or any other disease that is now common place in our state, or in our country.   That’s really the big one there that we’re concerned about. We know if we cut down on mosquitoes, obviously the likelihood of contracting a mosquito-borne disease such as West Nile, goes down along with the mosquito population.

Pets and livestock can also become infected.  Myrick explains that veterinarians know more as to what is the best protection for  the treatment and prevention of mosquito-born disease for a particular animal.

In addition to preventing mosquitoes from breeding, DHEC advises people to practice protective measures such as staying inside at dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are most active. Those who must be outside should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and the appropriate use of insect repellents is recommended.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, News
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