New legislative voices offer helpful hints about electorate

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Four new state lawmakers, two in each chamber, may be able to give their colleagues the best inkling of what South Carolina voters really want today. Makes sense – these new legislators spent the fall knocking on doors and meeting closely with voters to get their support and learn their wishes for government.

More than anything else, people brought up concerns involving illegal immigration, noted Sen. Paul Campbell, a Goose Creek Republican elected to fill the vacancy left after the death of Sen. Bill Mescher. New Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, agreed, adding that lawmakers had several different proposals already in the hopper.

Posted January 21, 2008 by

New law enforcement team to crack down on DUI

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Second Judicial Circuit Solicitor Barbara Morgan said most prosecutors serving in the Palmetto State would say it’s easier to try a murder case than a DUI.

She is one of many local officials supporting efforts to change the state’s current DUI laws and, in turn, save lives, she said.

Morgan, Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt, Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton, members of Aiken Public Safety, North Augusta Public Safety and the S.C. Highway Patrol met in Aiken Thursday afternoon to address highway safety and ways to decrease the number of deaths on area roadways.
Last year 1,073 people died statewide in traffic-related crashes. Locally, there were 45 lives claimed.

Posted January 21, 2008 by

Charter school bid explored

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CALHOUN FALLS — A month after the Abbeville County School District Board of Trustees voted to close Calhoun Falls High, residents continue to explore options to keep a school in their town.

Last week, residents heard a presentation from David Church, executive director of the South Carolina Association of Public Charter Schools, and on Sunday more than 200 people attended a “Save Calhoun Falls High” meeting to learn more about one charter school option: Imagine Schools, a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va.

Posted January 21, 2008 by

South Carolina’s Youngest State Senator

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From WRDW:

He’s 32 years old, the youngest Senator in South Carolina and he’s ready to Shake Up Columbia. We’re talking about Edgefield’s Shane Massey.

He’s only walked through the State House doors for a week, the youngest man in the South Carolina Senate.

Posted January 21, 2008 by

State Senate welcomes new members

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COLUMBIA — As the second session of the 117th General Assembly convened, the Senate welcomed two new members, Sen. Paul Campbell, R-Berkeley, representing District 44, and Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, representing District 25.“I look forward to working with Senators Campbell and Massey as we continue to face the important issues before the South Carolina General Assembly,” said Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee. “Both of these men were in tough races, and they are a welcomed addition to what we, as a party, are trying to accomplish here in Columbia.”Campbell and Massey come to the Senate as a result of special elections during the interim of the 2007-08 session.Campbell was elected Aug. 7 to fill the seat formerly held by Republican Sen. Bill Mescher, who died in April.The Nov. 6 special election, which resulted in Massey being elected, was because of the resignation of Democratic Sen. Tommy Moore.“I am very exited to get started working for the people of District 25 and the State of South Carolina,” Massey said. “I hope to be a voice of change and work to create a better government so the citizens of South Carolina can move the state forward.”Campbell will be serving on Agriculture and Natural Resources; Corrections and Penology; Fish, Game and Forestry; General; and Judiciary committees. Massey will be serving on Corrections and Penology; Fish, Game and Forestry; General; Judiciary; and Rules committees.The Index-Journal1/10/08

Posted January 14, 2008 by