Aiken Standard: Massey discusses sex offenders, illegals

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Sex offenders who do not prey on children should not be lumped together with those who do, people at a town hall-style meeting told Sen. Shane Massey. He agreed.
People argued that there is a big difference between a sexual predator and a person who is convicted for urinating in public. Currently, the law does not allow for those differences. In both instances, the person is added to the sex offender registry and will remain there forever. Massey said that does not sit right with him.
If there is a high school couple and the boy is caught and convicted of statutory rape, his name is listed on the sex offender for the remainder of his natural life, Massey said.
“That’s wrong,” two people in the crowd said simultaneously.
Massey gave an answering nod.
Massey, who was elected just last year, organized the meeting to establish a dialogue with his constituents. It was not an opportunity for him to push a particular issue, he said, but to listen to the people he represents and hear what they have to say. The Thursday meeting in Langley was his first and attracted roughly 30 people. He is planning four to five of these town hall-style meetings in each county of District 25 - Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda.
Crowd members also called for a crackdown on illegal immigrants, saying they are drawing the majority of resources out of the public education system.
One man complained that most of the workers installing a sewer line in the Horsecreek Valley area are Hispanic and don’t even speak English.
Massey cited legislation currently moving in Columbia that puts restrictions on businesses that partner with government entities. It would require businesses to verify the identity of each employee and prohibit them from hiring illegal immigrants.
“I’ve been getting a flood of e-mails on illegal immigration,” he said.
Despite the fact he feels strongly about supporting the legislation, he said illegal immigration is a federal issue.
“Congress has got to move on this,” he said.
During the two-hour meeting, Massey also spoke with the crowd about the work he has been doing in a Senate committee to strengthen the state’s DUI laws and his commitment to be a “thorn in the side” of Gov. Mark Sanford when it comes to bringing economic development to District 25.
“I heard some good, positive ideas on what he’s looking at,” said Gene Redd after the meeting Thursday.
Massey has organized a meeting in Aiken on Monday at the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center, 400 Kershaw St., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Aiken Standard

By HALEY HUGHES Staff writer

Posted February 11, 2008 

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