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Limehouse says oil spill is a pressing issue for SC

June 1, 2010 By

As the oil spill continues to effect the Gulf Coast, South Carolina lawmakers are gearing up for the possibility of the disaster spreading to the South Carolina coast. Senator Chip Campsen and Representative Chip Limehouse, both of Charleston, have introduced legislation that asks for a contingency plan if the oil spreads up the coast to South Carolina. Limehouse spoke with WCIV about how serious the spill is.

I don’t think there’s anymore pressing issue that we have than the potential for an environmental disaster we have here. The likes of which we have never seen before. They’re struggling with it in Louisiana. It’s gonna destroy a way of life there.

DHEC says it already has a plan if the oil does reach as far as the South Carolina coast. President Obama has sent Attorney General Eric Holder to New Orleans today to meet with federal and state prosecutors.

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, Environment & Conservation, News, Politics & Government

Delayed shrimping season begins

June 1, 2010 By

Shrimping season has finally begun in South Carolina, after a delayed start from a prolonged winter. The Department of Natural Resources made the decision to start the season two weeks later than normal because of effects the cold weather has on the white shrimp population.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports DNR spokesman Larry DeLancey says the season looks more promising now than it did earlier this year. Local seafood salesman say, so far, business is looking good. Along with the cold weather, the Gulf Coast oil spill has also raised concerns among shrimpers. However, the South Carolina Seafood Alliance says clean seafood is available from the Gulf.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News, Weather

A pre-primary voter primer for South Carolina

June 1, 2010 By

The South Carolina primary is a week away. A number of statewide offices are on the ballot including governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. State Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire says voters should make sure of the location of their respective polling places and be clear on voting day that they are casting their ballots in order of their particular political party preference. Whitmire explains:

You are locked into the primary you voted into originally, so if you vote in the Republican primary on June 8, then your only option for the June 22 runoff is the Republican runoff. If you did not vote in a primary on June 8 then you would have a choice to decide what runoff you would like to vote in.

Whitmire says historically, voter turnout is low for primaries when compared to turnouts for the November General Elections. Whitmire says your choice of party in the primaries has no bearing on your voting choice in the general election. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government

School board battle looms as District 41 game changer (AUDIO)

June 1, 2010 By

The Democratic Primary race in House District 41 may boil down to one issue, education. District 41 covers portions of Chester and Fairfield Counties. Young incumbent Boyd Brown is facing competition from two fellow Fairfield County residents Kenneth Belton and Kamau Marcharia.

In March, Representative Brown along with state Senator Creighton Coleman, who are both white, pushed a bill through the General Assembly to strip the majority black school board of its financial authority. Another measure allows the school board to be expanded from five to nine members with Brown and Coleman each appointing two persons to the board. Governor Sanford vetoed the bills because he said they violate state law empowering local government, however the House and Senate voted to override Sanford’s vetoes. District 41 challenger Kamau Marcharia is among a group of citizens that filed a lawsuit against the pending measures:

I filed a lawsuit along with five other individuals with the American Civil Liberties Union. I traveled to Washinton to meet with members of the U.S. Justice Department to present our case and our objection to the appointees to the (school) board and also the finance committee they want to appoint.

In mid-March, a Justice Department spokesman said it would take a pre-clearance to the legislation and that would take up to 60 days. Marcharia argues that the measures go against home rule and violates the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

AUDIO: House Dist 41 candidate Kamau Marchiria on lawsuit

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government

Island Tea Party founder brings challenge to Hilton Head House race (AUDIO)

June 1, 2010 By

Three Hilton Head residents are competing in the June 8th Republican primary for District 123 in Beaufort County.

Incumbent Richard Chalk says he has been fascinated in state politics since he was a Boyscout. He studied political science, before becoming a businessman.

AUDIO: Chalk on Dist 123 race (:16)

Chalk has served in the House since 2005.  He previously served in the North Carolina legislature.

Challenger Kate Keep has been a small business owner for 25 years, previously worked as a CPA in Los Angeles where she managed audits of large organizations. Keep served on the Hilton Head town council and last year she started the Hilton Head tea party.

AUDIO: Keep on recording votes (:18)

Andy Patrick served in the Air Force on active duty and served as special agent with the US Secret Service, before starting his own security and risk management consulting firm. Patrick wants to see taxing and spending reforms.

AUDIO: Patrick on spending reforms (:20)

 

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government
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