The Palmetto Scoop The Palmetto Scoop The best political news and information from South Carolina. The Palmetto Scoop (TPS) is reinventing and redefining the Palmetto State’s political scene. We’re fun, edgy, at times crass, and admittedly conservative. And we’re just fine with that. 
Articles
TPS resuscitates Huckabee?s veep chances
2008-06-09 17:51:00 MAKES MIKE CAMPBELL LT. GOV. OF NORTH CAROLINA The story we broke Saturday of former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee ’s breakfast table heroics has been making its way through pretty much every major news source in the country. That includes FoxNews, which had Huckabee and the man he performed the Heimlich maneuver on, Mike Pittenger, on Fox & Friends this morning. Although they initially cited The Palmetto Scoop on their online coverage, this morning’s FoxNews broadcast showed me no love. But they did refer to former South Carolina Lieutenant Governor candidate Mike Campbell — who I quoted in my story — as the man Huckabee saved. They also said he is the Lt. Gov. of North Carolina, which I guess would be a promotion. But while FoxNews skimped on using TPS as their source, a number of others were more generous. Among those attributing TPS with the news were John Boy and Billy on The Big Show, which means our site has made new inroads with the die-... More About: Republicans , Chances
Nanney forged e-mail used to attack opponent (UPDATED)
2008-06-09 02:15:00 ORIGINAL E-MAIL SHOWS HASKINS NEVER MADE STATEMENT An e-mail sent by State Rep. Gloria Haskins to an irritant in May 2007 in which the Greenville legislator allegedly made a racially-charged remark was forged by her opponent’s campaign in an attempt to mislead voters, The Palmetto Scoop has learned. In the e-mail, Haskins supposedly wrote, “I don’t represent ,[sic]you or your kind. I represent my people ,[sic]the hispanic[sic] caucas[sic]!” Wendy Nanney, who is challenging Haskins, used those two sentences in a piece of direct mail attacking the incumbent and has posted what she claims to be a copy on her campaign website. But an original, unedited copy of the full e-mail thread between Haskins and a Mr. John Gaines shows the lines were inserted after the fact into a May 10, 2007 communiqué. The Palmetto Scoop has confirmed with sources close to the situation that a SLED investigation is ongoing and that the manipulation of a statehouse e-mail may constitute... More About: Mail , E-Mail , Legislature , Attack
Huckabee knows how to save a life
2008-06-08 00:24:00 FORMER ARKANSAS GUV PERFORMS HEIMLICH ON NC LT. GOV. CANDIDATE The North Carolina State Republican Convention got quite exciting today — and it had nothing to do with politics. During a pre-event hospitality breakfast, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee , who was in attendance as the convention’s keynote speaker, was sitting next to North Carolina Lt. Gov. candidate Robert Pittenger when the state senator began choking. Huckabee reportedly noticed Pittenger having difficulty breathing and immediately began performing the Heimlich maneuver. “I’m glad that Mike was in the right place at the right time and continued to lead by example,” Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. candidate Mike Campbell told The Palmetto Scoop. “We all know that [Huckabee] is pro-life, and once again he has lived up to it.” Pittenger, whose company Bahakel Communications owns WOLO-TV in Columbia, apparently suffers from acid reflux, which likely caused the incident to ... More About: Life , Republicans , Save
Dems trade barbs for chance to lose to Wilson
2008-06-06 19:44:00 MILLER POPS LOTZ FOR FOR BEING ‘BUSH AIDE’ Two guys I have never heard of are doing battle in the race to become the Democrat’s sacrificial lamb against Congressman Joe Wilson . The primary matchup pits Iraq War veteran Rob Miller — the guy who cut this well-done TV spot — against former something or other Blaine Lotz. Until recently, both campaigns had been taking the cookie-cutter, anti-candidate approach. They had built their message entirely around attacking Wilson as a Bush crony, spouting off lofty goals to change Washington, and so on. But that changed Thursday when Miller dropped a district-wide mail piece attacking Lotz as a “Bush Administration insider.” It reads: It’s incredible, but true — for nearly five years, Blaine Lotz ran Intelligence Oversight for Don Rumsfeld in the Bush Administration. Blaine Lotz once described himself as the Pentagon’s “policeman” and the Secretary of Defense’s ... More About: Chance , Trade
Ceips campaign to feature ‘death defying’ GOTV effort
2008-06-04 04:07:00 STATE SENATOR WORKING HARD TO TURN OUT DEAD SUPPORTERS Proving once again that consultant Rod Shealy truly is the master of using unconventional — and often illegal — tactics to get his candidates a win at any cost, State Sen. Catherine Ceips recently dropped a mailer that was, quite literally, a last ditch effort. The piece featured the characteristic “We Proudly Support _______ candidate” piece that Shealy is known for unleashing toward the end of a campaign featuring a huge list of local yokels. Ceips’ list, however, featured a new Shealy trick; or at least one that hadn’t been caught until now. After “briefly” reviewing the mailer, Ceips’ Republican primary opponent Tom Davis identified 53 of his supporters in the list, plus 10 dead people. “That’s not right. … It’s incumbent on you, if you’re going to put someone’s name out there” to contact each individual, Davis said. “There... More About: Feature , Campaign , Death
All aboard
2008-06-03 04:05:00 CLYBURN FINALLY HOPS ON PRESIDENTIAL GRAVY TRAIN, ENDORSES OBAMA Congressman Jim Clyburn ended his long bout with neutrality in the Democratic presidential primary and decided to throw his support behind the all-but-inevitable winner, Barack Obama. Many in South Carolina are left saying, “gee golly, he’s so bold”! The South Carolina congressman told The Associated Press on Monday that he has started to phone the state’s superdelegates to ask them to get behind one candidate. When asked whether that candidate was Obama, Clyburn said yes. Clyburn says he’ll make a formal endorsement announcement Tuesday. The backing of the highest-ranking black member of Congress comes more than four months after Obama won the Democratic primary in South Carolina. [AP] No wonder Clyburn’s the majority whip in the U.S. House of Representatives. That’s exactly the kind of courage we need in Washington. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "All aboard", url: "http://www... More About: Democrats
McCall wins committeeman post
2008-05-31 19:40:00 YORK COUNTY CHAIRMAN GETS MORE THAN 70 PERCENT OF VOTE South Carolina has elected a new member to represent them on the Republican National Committee. York County GOP Chairman Glenn McCall won a landslide victory over incumbent Drew McKissick Saturday at the State Republican Convention in Columbia. The vote was an estimated 402-172 in McCall’s favor, but McKissick conceded defeat and asked that his opponent be elected by acclamation before the tally was officially recorded. “As an Air Force veteran, successful businessman and York County Republican Party Chairman, Glenn?s record of leadership and experience embodies an unwavering lifetime commitment to service,” SCGOP Chairman Katon Dawson said, noting that he looks forward to working with him. “I have great confidence in Glenn?s ability to make a real impact on our national party beginning on day one. ?I couldn?t be prouder of his historic election as Republican National Committeeman from South Carolina.? ... More About: Republicans , Post , Wins
Beltram, Sullivan engage in e-mail war
2008-05-30 23:30:00 PARTY CHAIR ENMESHES SELF IN SOUTH CAROLINIANS FOR TRUTH AND DISCLOSURE CONTROVERSY Following the uproar over the discovery that the new third party group South Carolinians for Truth and Disclosure appears to be a coordinated front by consultant Terry Sullivan to protect his firm’s clients, Spartanburg County GOP Chairman Rick Beltram took the group to task. That e-mail has led to a three-part exchange between the two late Friday afternoon. In an e-mail to Sullivan, Beltram listed his “beefs” with the Truth and Disclosure group’s efforts. And in typical Beltram style, he held nothing back. Terry: As per our discussion yesterday, you asked me to call/e-mail you when I have a “beef” about your campaign tactics. We had a long list yesterday as we discussed. None were satisfied. Well, your automated attack calls are at it again today. The announcer is “Jim” is in a complete attack mode about out of state money. As we discussed, yesterd... More About: Mail , E-Mail , Engage
Bill Murray lives in SC, has problems
2008-05-29 20:54:00 POST AND COURIER GETTING MAJOR NATIONAL LOVE A Charleston Post and Courier story about actor Bill Murray being sued for divorce by his wife Jennifer over allegations of drug addiction, abandonment, adultery and physically abuse is gaining major national press, once again putting South Carolina on the map for nothing good. The Murrays married in 1997 and have four children, all minors. Jennifer Murray is represented by Charleston attorney Robert Rosen, who declined to comment on the case Wednesday and said his client also would not comment on the filing. Court records do not list an attorney for Bill Murray , who is listed in the complaint as “William Murray” and famously does not have a publicist or agent. A telephone message left for Murray at the RiverDogs office Wednesday was not returned. Jennifer Murray also seeks a restraining order barring Bill Murray from her Sullivan’s Island home and asks the court to determine if the couple’s premarital agreement is... More About: Problems , Lives
Three strikes for new watchdog group
2008-05-29 17:25:00 DOCUMENTS REVEAL SOUTH CAROLINIANS FOR TRUTH AND DISCLOSURE IN VIOLATION OF ETHICS LAW A new third party group established to combat the half truths and lies that arise during the course of an election appears to have fallen into its own trap after records show they coordinated with campaign consultants and failed to file proper disclosure statements. An e-mail obtained exclusively by The Palmetto Scoop contains communication between political consultant Terry Sullivan and South Carolinians for Truth and Disclosure Chairman Bill Cotty outlining the mission statement for the newly-formed group. “The ultimate goal of the organization is to demand new laws requiring issue advocacy groups that mention an elected official by name to follow the same laws of disclosure that candidates and party organizations are required to follow,” Sullivan wrote in the e-mail (full letter posted below). “We also plan to serve as a watchdog group setting the record straight whenever the... More About: Republicans , Legislature , Group
Our very own Ron Paul
2008-05-29 00:55:00 MSM RIPS WITHERSPOON FOR BASING CAMPAIGN ON INTERNET CONSPIRACY I swore I was going to stop giving coverage to reactionary Buddy Witherspoon, who is “challenging” Sen. Lindsey Graham in the upcoming GOP primary, but this is too good to pass up. Some of the mainstream media are finally starting to pay attention to Witherspoon’s “campaign” and, the more they do, the more they realize this guy is a joke. Not only is he a joke, but so to is the focal point of his entire platform. That’s because Witherspoon has crafted his entire message around a fictional issue. Witherspoon has made immigration one of the cornerstones of his campaign, but has also tied it to his fierce opposition to a “North American Union,” which would merge the United States, Canada and Mexico into one political and economic entity. “It is apparently fashioned after the European Union,” Witherspoon told WYFF News 4’s Beth Brotherton. “I believe i... More About: Congress , Ron Paul , Paul
RNC race coming down to wire
2008-05-28 23:17:00 MCCALL VS. MCKISSICK HEATS UP WITH LESS THAN THREE DAYS TO GO The heated race for the RNC Committeeman seat from South Carolina has entered the final 72 hours before voting takes place at Saturday’s State GOP Convention in Columbia. And the showdown between sort-of incumbent Drew McKissick and challenger Glenn McCall is gaining some national attention. The National Review Online Wednesday noted the significance of a McCall victory in that he would be the first ever first black RNC member elected from the South since Perry Howard from Mississippi in the 1950’s. Adding to McCall’s recent traction was a big endorsement from his hometown Rock Hill Herald. “McCall has demonstrated his ability at outreach with weeks spent driving around the state speaking to county organizations and talking with party activists,” the Herald wrote. “As a member of the RNC and one of the highest-profile Republicans in the nation, McCall also would help shine a light on ... More About: Race , Wire
MSNBC Launches Veepstakes Bracket Challenge
2008-05-28 06:25:00 SANFORD GETS BASELESS NO. 1 SEED, GRAHAM MAKES FIELD I think this is possibly the most amazing thing I have seen from a mainstream media network in a long time. In a stroke of genius, MSNBC has created a “Veepstakes” Bracket Challenge where users can pick a winner from a field of 32 potential running mates for Republican presidential nominee John McCain, seeded and placed against one another in head-to-head match ups, similar to the NCAA’s “March Madness.” Users are given the ability to make their selections in the first round (complete with analysis from David Gregory and Chuck Todd above) and, after the results are tabulated, the second round field will be set for next week. But while the concept is brilliant, the seedings are an absolute joke. Here’s the breakdown: (1) MARK SANFORD v. (8) JOHN DANFORTH The channel of Keith Olbermann and Joe Scarborough continues their unfounded love affair with our own inept Gov. Mark Sanford by giving him on... More About: Republicans
Saving the City of Columbia $60,000
2008-05-27 23:48:00 I’LL ONLY ASK FOR $10,000 TO USE MY SLOGAN(S) I know the folks with the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau are avid readers of The Palmetto Scoop, as are a number of City Council members including Mayor Bob Coble, so I would like to pose this offer to them directly: I heard y’all have decided to scrap the useless ?Where Friendliness Flows? slogan that cost the city $70,000 in 2004. To find another catchphrase, you have decided to dish out another $70,000 in hospitality and accommodations taxes to the local ad firm ADCO. I think that’s pretty outrageous. Think about it… seventy large for a few simple words that in all likelihood won’t do anything to help tourism? To remedy this — because I’m very generous — I have decided to present a few ideas that I have come up with (henceforth copyrighted, of course). If y’all choose to use them, I will only charge $10,000; in cash, all up front, no large bills. Here th... More About: Saving
On Memorial Day?
2008-05-26 18:57:00 HONORING THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE During America’s nearly 232 year existence, thousands of incredible men and women have laid down their lives to protect our freedom. Today we honor those great souls and pray that we can live up to the gift they gave us with their sacrifice. To complement the above video with a great Memorial Day song from Tim McGraw, here’s the classic “In Flanders Field” poem by Lt. Col. John McCrae of the Canadian Army during World War I: IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders f...
The State: E-mails, letters show depth of Sanford involvement
2008-05-26 05:47:00 THE STATE NEWSPAPER SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON GOVERNOR’S ‘ACTIVE ROLE’ IN DEVELOPMENT DEALS According to e-mails and letters obtained by The State newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act, Gov. Mark Sanford was “involved heavily” in multiple development deals between the state and contractors — something that critics claim usurps the bidding process laid out by state law — the latest of which was the sale of Port Royal. But if you read The Palmetto Scoop, which broke that story three months ago, you already knew that. The newspaper said the documents showed Sanford personally thanked local residents who wrote letters to the editor supporting his approach to developing the land, looked to help local shrimpers who worried their business will be harmed by development plans, and apologized to a campaign contributor and bidder for the land whose ties to the governor were the subject of news stories. That campaign contributor, as TPS first reported... More About: Show , Letters , Executive
Talley supporters are friendly, mysterious
2008-05-25 22:49:00 SENATE CANDIDATE SENDS BOATERS TO INTERRUPT OPPONENT’S DINNER A campaign event for State Senate candidate Lee Bright turned into a bit of a spectacle when his opposition, Rep. Scott Talley, sent a boat carrying a four-foot-by-eight-foot road sign to crash the party. In the above video cleverly set to the theme song from the movie Jaws, you can see a motorboat (ed: Wedding Crashers, baby) with the offending “Talley for Senate” sign attempt to interrupt a May 15 Bright dinner at the Twin Lakes Clubhouse in Spartanburg. I think it’s safe to say I haven’t seen such a masterfully executed political move since the fourth grade student president elections when Betsy Sue Carter threw mashed potatoes at Bobby Smith, saying “you’re a stinky head.” I’m told that there were two people in boat, one was a younger individual and the other was none other than Sen. John Hawkins, who is currently supporting Talley to take over his seat. But, then... More About: Mysterious , Friendly , Legislature , Supporters
Sanford launches new ad for slush fund
2008-05-24 23:13:00 REFORM SC SPOT TOUTS BAD SPENDING PRACTICES, NOT INCLUDING $101K GIVEN TO THEM BY GUV With the twilight of his governorship fast approaching, South Carolina’s Mark Sanford has embarked on a new journey to keep himself relevant. That journey is called “Reform SC” and the governor has just released its first television ad. But since he can’t really run for anything in this state, and since he pretty much threw away his shot at becoming the next vice president, I’m guessing the objective of this is to make Sanford the Supreme Commander of his own cult. They could be called the Sanfordites and build a nice little compound somewhere in Marlboro County. In the 30-second spot attacking the legislature’s out-of-control budgetary waste, Sanford says, “I’d simply ask that anyone who believes in this notion of responsible spending and limited government to take action by calling their local senator or representative.” While he makes a gre... More About: Executive , Fund
Nailed cast grows
2008-05-23 23:10:00 KIRSTIE ALLEY JOINS CAST, DEMI MOORE REPORTEDLY NEXT I’m not sure what the hell is going on with the movie Nailed, which began filming in Columbia last month, because one week they are shut down for a lack of money, and the next they are bringing in new cast members. A few days ago I discovered that Kirstie Alley was in the movie. I have since learned that she will be playing a veterinarian and eating taking care of animals. I guess that makes sense since the job of a vet is to take care of animals. But what doesn’t make sense is how that role has anything whatsoever to do with a movie about a Congressman. Maybe they just felt bad that she hasn’t had any real work since Ronald Reagan was president. As if that wasn’t enough, umm, “star power,” I’ve now heard from a “super-secret source” that Demi Moore may be brought into the film as well. I have no idea what she would be doing, but it’s probably got something to do with ... More About: Cast
Ms. Teen SC Loves Pork and Beans
2008-05-23 21:43:00 Just when we thought that Lauren Caitlin Upton’s 15 minutes of fame might be coming to an end Weezer swoops in to save the day. With the first single off of their upcoming Red Album the Weez brings in about a dozen and a half YouTube celebrities to put them back at the top of the charts. Check out Ms. Upton at the 1:10 mark. Oh yeah and I was really hoping to get Rick Rolled sometime during the video and it just didn’t happen… This video fits the Weezer formula for #1 rock singles. With Buddy Holly we saw them in Happy Days. For Hashpipe they brought in some Sumo wrestlers and for Beverly Hills they spent their time with Hugh Hefner and his bunnies at the Playboy Mansion. I like the song and am excited about the Red Album, but I’m not expecting Pinkerton. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Ms. Teen SC Loves Pork and Beans ", url: "http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2008/05/23/ ms-teen-sc-loves-pork-and-beans/" });
Irmo is bad, nationwide
2008-05-22 21:58:00 SC SCHOOL MAKES NATIONAL MEDIA AFTER PRINCIPAL QUITS OVER GAY CLUB The story of Irmo High School principal Eddie Walker, who resigned this week following the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance club, has been making the rounds on all of the national news networks. WIS first reported that Walker sent a letter to residents saying the group “conflicted with my personal beliefs and religious convictions.” One parent supported Walker’s decision, telling [WIS] News, “You’re not putting them, like, oh, you know, you’re lepers. But we’ve got to stand for what our foundation of our nation was about.” However, Brent Childers, executive director of Faith in America — which describes itself as “a unique voice in the GLBT social justice movement — called it “a shame that the principal … decided to place religion-based bigotry and discrimination over his former commitment to his students and staff.” One former st...
Lying isn?t a family value
2008-05-22 03:24:00 REP. TALLEY’S TOUCHING, UNTRUTHFUL AD TOUTING HIS ‘IMPORTANT WORK’ The heated bid to win the open Senate District 12 seat in Spartanburg has hit the television airwaves as Rep. Scott Talley unleashed a new 30-second tearjerker. The spot brags that “every day, Talley makes the drive” 92 miles from his house to the Statehouse “instead of spending the night in Columbia like many other legislators.” You know, because he’s a family man and all that stuff. But FITSNews has found the ad to be more than a little hyperbolic in nature. [T]he ad is so good it?ll make you want to cry ? well, until you examine the economic interest statements that Talley has filed with the State Ethics Commission. Those documents show Talley attending 45 legislative receptions in 2006 alone - including 29 dinners at swanky Columbia restaurants and private clubs which were paid for by the likes of R.J. Reynolds, the S.C. Trial Lawyers Association (and the Defense ... More About: Family , Lying , Legislature
Glenn McCall update
2008-05-21 22:58:00 COMMITTEEMAN CANDIDATE WORKING HARD BEFORE MAY 31 CONVENTION I’ve been out of town pretty much all week, so things have been pretty lax on TPS. But during that time, my friend Glenn McCall has really stepped up his campaign for RNC National Committeeman. With just over a week before South Carolina Republicans choose the next delegate to the national party at the state convention, McCall has been sending out daily updates to the GOP faithful. He’s even taken his campaign to the web with the above video, which I’m told is the first of two or three. Here’s a snippet from today’s update: Conservative Values “McCall has not shied from outspoken stands on hot-button policy issues. In one of his first acts as party chairman, for example, McCall took the rare step of urging local Republicans … not to support a controversial immigration bill derided by critics as a form of amnesty. …The bill ultimately failed.” (Rock Hill Herald, 2/28/0... More About: Update
The celebs are still in town
2008-05-21 05:21:00 TRACY MORGAN AND KIRSTIE ALLEY SPOTTED AT COLUMBIA HILTON I just finished grabbing a late dinner in Columbia’s Vista district after a long day and saw Tracy Morgan hop out of a minivan in front of the Hilton Hotel on Senate Street with none other than Kirtstie Alley. Yup, that’s right, Kirstie Alley. At the Hilton in Columbia. With Tracy Morgan. At 10:30 on a Tuesday night. I wish I had had a camera. This raises a number of questions. First, I thought all the stars had packed up and left South Carolina after filming of the movie Nailed was shut down because of financial problems. Apparently I thought wrong. But more importantly… Kirstie Alley? While Morgan has a role in Nailed, Kirstie Alley does not. At least none that I know of. So what is she doing here? Another odd thing I noticed was that Morgan was wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt. I know this is South Carolina, Hollywood celebs, but we’re not completely classless. I attempted to speak with the... More About: Celebs , Town
Two Tuesday Scoops from around the SC blogosphere
2008-05-20 17:49:00 HUCKABEE ENDORSES MCCALL, STATE NEWSPAPER ENDORSES BLACKMAIL It’s Tuesday in South Carolina, and there are two big stories buzzing around the state’s active blogosphere. Here’s what’s going on: ? SCHOTLINE: STATE NEWSPAPER HAS SERIOUS ETHICAL ISSUES — Apparently on the planet that is Jeffrey Sewell’s ascot, “journalists” are called “ournalists” and spacing between words is optional, because he sent out an e-mail blast earlier trumpeting an “SC Hotline Exclusive” with the subject line “OURNALISTIC BLACKMAILAT THE STATE NEWSPAPER.” That said, his site has been all the rage today after publishing copies of ethically-questionably communications between the marketing department of South Carolina?s largest newspaper and representatives with the payday lending industry. Over the last two years, for example, The State has made the payday lending industry its whipping boy, targeting the industry for eliminat... More About: Blogosphere
Vote for Blowfish baseball
2008-05-20 02:29:00 COLUMBIA MINOR LEAGUE TEAM LAUNCHES 2008 SEASON WITH CREATIVE CAMPAIGN COMMERCIAL I saw this ad on television over the weekend and said to myself, “damn, how come I’ve never heard of this Bill Shanahan guy?” His ad makes him look viable for whatever it is he’s running for, but there’s no way in hell I missed a serious contender in any race on the June 10 primary ballot. Then I figured, “oh, he must be some fringe candidate running for governor in two years or something.” Then he said that “hot beer must be hot and cold beer must be cold” and I instantly decided he had my vote — whatever office he’s seeking. Then I finally shut up and listened to the rest of the ad. Had I done that in the first place, I would have realized this is a new spot running to promote the “floundering” (pun very much intended) Columbia Blowfish minor league baseball team. And it’s a really good jab at campaign commercials... More About: Baseball , Vote
Clouds descend on SC
2008-05-19 21:53:00 MCCORMICK COUNTY PARK GOES WIRELESS, SADLY RAISES BAR It’s only 40 acres, and it’s in McCormick County of all places, but South Carolina finally has a sizable, respectable wireless Internet cloud; albeit not the much-hyped but undelivered statewide cloud. Hickory Knob State Resort Park on the shores of Lake Thurmond is one of the first state-owned facilities to offer wireless Internet access to visitors. Across the state, free wireless Internet access is now available in and around the ranger station at Myrtle Beach State Park, in and around the park store at Devils Fork State Park on Lake Jocassee, in and around the Visitors Center on S.C. 11 at Table Rock State Park, in and around the office at Santee State Park on Lake Marion, and at the Drummond Conference Center at Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area. “We’re putting this service in place to meet customer demand,” said Chad Prosser, director of the Park Service’s parent agency, the S.C. Depar... More About: Clouds
SCBOS Benefits State Through Public-Private Partnership
2008-05-18 14:00:00 South Carolina Business One-Stop, or SCBOS, has changed the way we conduct business in our state. This online system streamlines access to government information, saves time, and removes bureaucracy ? making government more use-friendly and convenient. I am particularly proud of this project not only for its innovation, but for the collaborative effort that brought it to fruition. SCBOS is a shining example of what can be achieved when public and private entities join forces. SCBOS, created in 2005, allows prospective business owners to get most required permits and licenses from the convenience of their home or place of business, and make a single payment for all fees at the end of their transaction simply by going online to www.scbos.com. SCBOS presents a series of questions to users that determine what transactions must be made, with what agency, and then directs users through the necessary steps. This ensures all prerequisites are met in sequence before fees are paid, so t... More About: Public , State , Private , Benefits
Myrtle Beach has problems playing with others
2008-05-18 03:39:00 COASTAL CITY PICKS FIGHT WITH VIRGINIA BEACH There’s a great scene in the movie Braveheart, just prior to a major battle, in which the big brute Hamish asks William Wallace “Where are you going” as the Scottish leader rides toward the middle of the battlefield to discuss terms with his English adversaries. Wallace responds, “I’m going to pick a fight.” I wasn’t privy to the internal discussions of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce when they decided on a tourism marketing campaign dissing Virginia Beach, but I imagine it looked something like that scene. Only instead of thousands of lives hanging in the balance, there are millions of dollars. The ad pops up when someone searches for Virginia Beach on Google. It touts Myrtle Beach as a cheaper, more relaxing and more thrilling alternative to its fellow resort up the Atlantic coast. Myrtle Beach Chamber head Brad Dean said he was surprised Virginia Beach officials took offense at what... More About: Problems
The company Clyburn keeps
More articles from this author:2008-05-16 17:00:00 U.S. HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP, SC’S TOP DEMOCRAT, HIRES EX-CON I have to hand it to Rep. James Clyburn because very few politicians would have the gall to knowingly hire someone convicted of federal bribery and extortion charges as part of their Congress ional staff. Yet that’s exactly what he did when he brought on former Orangeburg County Councilman John Rickenbacker to work in his Columbia field office. He defended the decision saying, ?I think it is always important to give people a second chance.? Rickenbacker, who was released from a Columbia-based halfway house April 7 after serving a one-year sentence in a federal prison system for federal bribery and extortion charges, will begin working in his new position as early as [Friday], depending on completion of the required applications. […] Rickenbacker?s primary duties will be to conduct visits throughout the district with constituents on their concerns related to senior issues such as Social Security or veteran di... More About: Company 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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