Last week the SCAC, the South Carolina Association of Counties, held it's mid year conference.
On Wednesday, at the general session, the members discussed the plethora of problems facing the counties. They discussed the fact that the State is finding it necessary to cut funding to local governments in these difficult economic times. When local government funding to subdivisions, meaning counties, is cut, counties must find funding elsewhere, cut back on spending, or cut services. Berkeley County has learned that these cuts will amount to a loss of multi-millions of dollars to the county. They, also, discussed pending legislation and what impact this will have on county governments.
Wednesday evening, the various county delegations arranged to stay late in order to meet with their county representatives. The delegations realized their county people would want to discuss these serious problems and get some first hand answers to their questions.
Well, the members of the Berkeley County Delegation did exactly what they were supposed to do. They stayed late to speak with our Supervisor, Mr. Dan Davis. They were there at the appointed time and place. They were ready. They were prepared. They were anticipating a productive meeting. They waited.............and waited.............and waited for over an hour. Finally, they realized they had been stood up, so they left. Mr. Davis never arrived.
The members of the Berkeley County Delegation were very concerned. Had Mr. Davis suddenly been taken ill? Had he been involved in a terrible accident? What unfortunate circumstances could have prevented him from attending this all important meeting? After all, the county taxpayers footed the bill for this trip.
Then, the concerns of the members of our Delegation were put to rest. Mr. Davis was not ill. Mr. Davis was not injured in an accident. No misfortune had befallen him. The Berkeley County Delegation learned that Mr. Davis had simply skipped the meeting and, instead, attended a Carolina ball game.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
REORGANIZATION
Berkeley County Republicans will be thrilled to learn that reorganization is going along swimmingly. There was an Executive Committee meeting held on February 16, 2009. The purpose of this meeting was to explain reorganization to the new people, set dates for the precinct reorganization and make-up meetings, and to distribute the precinct packets to those who wished to organize their precincts.
Well, several weevils appeared in the cornmeal even before the meeting could be completed. The first oddity was the vote conducted by "the dark side" to set the reorganization meeting on March 5, 2009, which is a Thursday instead of the customary Tuesday. Next, the make-up meeting was set for March 19, 2009, two weeks after the initial meeting instead of the customary one week.
Then, the fun really began. There were several people who attended the meeting to pick up packets for previously unorganized precincts. These folks presented their voter registration cards to prove they were legitimate members of their precinct clubs. At this point, Wayland Moody informed them they could not have their packets. When GE&P asked why, he said the chairman had to take care of unorganized precincts. As it turned out, there was no malace intended. There had been a simple failure to communicate. When a large number of attendees learned that some people were being refused receipt of their packets and approached Mr. Moody to question his determination, Mr. Moody informed the crowd that he had simply misunderstood the request. It seemed, according to Mr. Moody, that he didn't realize that these people were members of the precincts for which they were requesting packets. (voter registration cards?)
According to Mr. Moody, the only remaining problem was that the packets being requested were not there at the meeting. Then the chairman, Mr. Arnette , came to the rescue and announced that the remaining packets were in the trunk of his car out in the parking lot. Mr. Moody questioned the validity of this contention. Oblivious to the winks and nods, Mr Arnette went to his car and returned with the packets. Our question here would be, "How did Mr. Arnette determine which packets to bring into the meeting and which ones to leave in the trunk of his car?" We digress.
We can assure the reader that everyone involved in this exchange saw this situation for what it was.......simply a failure to communicate. Judging from past history, no one would dare suspect any duplicity.
From "Wisdom Of The Ages"
"When one anticipates encountering a situation where laws and rules are likely to be ignored, bring with one a large crowd of tall, angry men to back one up."
Well, several weevils appeared in the cornmeal even before the meeting could be completed. The first oddity was the vote conducted by "the dark side" to set the reorganization meeting on March 5, 2009, which is a Thursday instead of the customary Tuesday. Next, the make-up meeting was set for March 19, 2009, two weeks after the initial meeting instead of the customary one week.
Then, the fun really began. There were several people who attended the meeting to pick up packets for previously unorganized precincts. These folks presented their voter registration cards to prove they were legitimate members of their precinct clubs. At this point, Wayland Moody informed them they could not have their packets. When GE&P asked why, he said the chairman had to take care of unorganized precincts. As it turned out, there was no malace intended. There had been a simple failure to communicate. When a large number of attendees learned that some people were being refused receipt of their packets and approached Mr. Moody to question his determination, Mr. Moody informed the crowd that he had simply misunderstood the request. It seemed, according to Mr. Moody, that he didn't realize that these people were members of the precincts for which they were requesting packets. (voter registration cards?)
According to Mr. Moody, the only remaining problem was that the packets being requested were not there at the meeting. Then the chairman, Mr. Arnette , came to the rescue and announced that the remaining packets were in the trunk of his car out in the parking lot. Mr. Moody questioned the validity of this contention. Oblivious to the winks and nods, Mr Arnette went to his car and returned with the packets. Our question here would be, "How did Mr. Arnette determine which packets to bring into the meeting and which ones to leave in the trunk of his car?" We digress.
We can assure the reader that everyone involved in this exchange saw this situation for what it was.......simply a failure to communicate. Judging from past history, no one would dare suspect any duplicity.
From "Wisdom Of The Ages"
"When one anticipates encountering a situation where laws and rules are likely to be ignored, bring with one a large crowd of tall, angry men to back one up."
Monday, February 23, 2009
GO FIGURE
Let's have some fun today. We're going to try to figure out the minds of bureaucrats. We know that sounds pretty scary but let's give it a go.
The subject of this exercise is the "re-patterning" of the intersection that was once located at the old fire tower on Hwy 6 in Berkeley County. When locals would give someone directions that took them through that area, they would describe Hwy. 6 as "changing into Hwy 311". This created a straight road with stop signs for the small secondary roads that intersect at that point. If you haven't driven in that area lately, that original intersection no longer exists. It has been replaced with a "new and improved" version.
The old intersection, as you all know, was simple and straightforward. The roads were straight and level. Hwy 311/6 carried through traffic. There were stop signs at the crossroad for the Mudville Road and Ranger Drive traffic. Hwy 311/6 were and are the major highways. Mudville Road/Ranger Drive were and are small secondary roads. There was clear visibility in all directions. With a small amount of caution, as one would demonstrate at any intersection, one could negotiate any crossings or turns.
Well, Folks, GE&P has a news flash for all. It's not the old way anymore.
Some SCDOT engineer in Columbia decided those who must travel these roads needed a little challenge. He "redesigned" the intersection.
NOTE: GE&P attempted to include a sketch of the existing intersection but Scribed.com got all confused with the chicken scratch. In all honesty, if we had provided an aerial photo of this mess, you still couldn't get the full effect as if you were actually trying to negotiate your way through it.
Now, when you attempt to travel from Moncks Corner on Hwy. 6, at the old fire tower you will encounter a Talladega type banked curve. Then, you will come to a stop sign. If you choose to go toward Hwy. 311, you will be required to turn to the left, go down a hill, cross the distance of several lanes, and avoid the non- stop traffic coming from either direction. If you do manage to get across to the appropriate lane without getting hit, you can, then, stop at another stop sign before you turn to the right onto Hwy. 311. God help you if you encounter this mess at night in the rain. On your return trip to Moncks Corner, you simply reverse the procedure. Doesn't that sound simple?
GE&P contacted SCDOT officials to question the safety and practicality of the changes to this intersection and we really learned a lot. One official said the changes were made to "slow down the traffic on Hwy 311". Another official said the changes were made "because of the high number of fatalities that have occurred there". (No documentation was provided to support this claim) One official said the changes were made to correct the angle at which the intersecting roads came together. The most telling comment of all was that "the calls we have received about this issue are not unusual. We have found that 'rural people' take a little while to get accustomed to any changes in traffic patterns". Oh, really. Thanks a lot for telling us that. We didn't know we were that stupid.
The most chilling assessment of this new intersection was made by several troopers with the SC Highway Patrol. They described this debacle as "JOB SECURITY" for them.
Now, for the best part. GE&P has it on good authority that the cost of this project was only $4,000,000. You heard us right. You, the taxpayer shelled out $4 million so you could have the opportunity to be killed at this ridiculously dangerous intersection. And, how much of Hwy 6 from the fire tower toward Monck's Corner could have been resurfaced with this $4 million?
GE&P would like to know if SCDOT Engineering Division in Columbia has a regular drug testing program in place. If not, we would strongly suggest that one should be initiated.
The subject of this exercise is the "re-patterning" of the intersection that was once located at the old fire tower on Hwy 6 in Berkeley County. When locals would give someone directions that took them through that area, they would describe Hwy. 6 as "changing into Hwy 311". This created a straight road with stop signs for the small secondary roads that intersect at that point. If you haven't driven in that area lately, that original intersection no longer exists. It has been replaced with a "new and improved" version.
The old intersection, as you all know, was simple and straightforward. The roads were straight and level. Hwy 311/6 carried through traffic. There were stop signs at the crossroad for the Mudville Road and Ranger Drive traffic. Hwy 311/6 were and are the major highways. Mudville Road/Ranger Drive were and are small secondary roads. There was clear visibility in all directions. With a small amount of caution, as one would demonstrate at any intersection, one could negotiate any crossings or turns.
Well, Folks, GE&P has a news flash for all. It's not the old way anymore.
Some SCDOT engineer in Columbia decided those who must travel these roads needed a little challenge. He "redesigned" the intersection.
NOTE: GE&P attempted to include a sketch of the existing intersection but Scribed.com got all confused with the chicken scratch. In all honesty, if we had provided an aerial photo of this mess, you still couldn't get the full effect as if you were actually trying to negotiate your way through it.
Now, when you attempt to travel from Moncks Corner on Hwy. 6, at the old fire tower you will encounter a Talladega type banked curve. Then, you will come to a stop sign. If you choose to go toward Hwy. 311, you will be required to turn to the left, go down a hill, cross the distance of several lanes, and avoid the non- stop traffic coming from either direction. If you do manage to get across to the appropriate lane without getting hit, you can, then, stop at another stop sign before you turn to the right onto Hwy. 311. God help you if you encounter this mess at night in the rain. On your return trip to Moncks Corner, you simply reverse the procedure. Doesn't that sound simple?
GE&P contacted SCDOT officials to question the safety and practicality of the changes to this intersection and we really learned a lot. One official said the changes were made to "slow down the traffic on Hwy 311". Another official said the changes were made "because of the high number of fatalities that have occurred there". (No documentation was provided to support this claim) One official said the changes were made to correct the angle at which the intersecting roads came together. The most telling comment of all was that "the calls we have received about this issue are not unusual. We have found that 'rural people' take a little while to get accustomed to any changes in traffic patterns". Oh, really. Thanks a lot for telling us that. We didn't know we were that stupid.
The most chilling assessment of this new intersection was made by several troopers with the SC Highway Patrol. They described this debacle as "JOB SECURITY" for them.
Now, for the best part. GE&P has it on good authority that the cost of this project was only $4,000,000. You heard us right. You, the taxpayer shelled out $4 million so you could have the opportunity to be killed at this ridiculously dangerous intersection. And, how much of Hwy 6 from the fire tower toward Monck's Corner could have been resurfaced with this $4 million?
GE&P would like to know if SCDOT Engineering Division in Columbia has a regular drug testing program in place. If not, we would strongly suggest that one should be initiated.
Friday, February 13, 2009
IT'S OFFICIAL
GE&P has received verification from the secretary that there will be a meeting of the Berkeley County Republican Party Executive Committee on Monday evening at 7:00 PM at Eagles Landing Community Center. The chairman has indicated that he intends to distribute the precinct packets for reorganization at that time.
NOTE:
The fact that Monday is a holiday and part of a three day weekend should not adversely influence turnout.
NOTE:
The fact that Monday is a holiday and part of a three day weekend should not adversely influence turnout.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Wade Arnette, Republican Party County Chairman, has told several people that there will be a meeting of the Berkeley County Republican Party Executive Committee at Eagles Landing Community Center on Monday night, February 16, 2009, at 7PM. He said the purpose of this meeting is to distribute the precinct packets for reorganization.
NOTE: Don't jump out there and attend the meeting until you get an official call from the secretary.
NOTE: Don't jump out there and attend the meeting until you get an official call from the secretary.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
SOME FOLKS NEVER LEARN
Did you hear the latest? It seems Mr. Herb Hayden, head of the SC Ethics Commission, placed a call to the leadership of the Berkeley County Republican Party. He wanted to remind them that they had neglected to file their quarterly financial reports, which are required by law.
Was it not just a year ago that the party leadership was fined $500 by this same Ethics Commission for neglecting to file quarterly financial reports since 2003?
Was it not just a year ago that the party leadership was fined $500 by this same Ethics Commission for neglecting to file quarterly financial reports since 2003?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
FOIA OR NOT
foia
Since two of the goals of GE&P are to educate and inform:
Above is the portion of the FOIA law applicable to this issue. Following are the facts of what actually happened.
correct w&s foia 2008
Since two of the goals of GE&P are to educate and inform:
Above is the portion of the FOIA law applicable to this issue. Following are the facts of what actually happened.
correct w&s foia 2008
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