Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Gilliard Proposes Homeless Study, Including Tents

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 1:44 PM

Rep. Wendell Gilliard (D-Charleston) has proposed a study to determine how the recession is impacting the state's homeless population, including the possible use of tents for those turned away from crowded shelters.

Introduced last week, H. 3801 would require a study of the number of homeless in the state and "assess the availability and capacities of homeless shelters in each county, and determine the feasibility of using tent-like temporary shelters to be obtained with state funds to house on a short-term basis persons who would otherwise be turned away."

Gilliard says he's heard terrible stories of people turned away from shelters and that it can only get worse as the recession continues.

"We need to see if we're prepared to handle the onslaught of people," he says of the study, which would be completed in January, if approved by the legislature.

Solid numbers on the homeless population and their needs could help in lobbying for more funding in Columbia and Washington to expand and renovate shelters, Gilliard says. The tents he's suggesting would be able to withstand harsh temperatures, particularly through cold winter months, he says.

Topics: City Hall

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Locals Rally, Tell Sanford To Take Stimulus Money

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 1:00 PM

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photos by Greg Hambrick

Gov. Mark Sanford has been facing pressure from Statehouse leaders and local elected officials to take $700 million in federal stimulus aid, but the calls today came from Charleston residents.

More than 70 Charlestonians gathered at a peninsula rally to plead with Sanford to take the money. Speakers included local education leaders, including Charleston County School District Superintendent Nancy McGinley, board Chairwoman Toya Hampton-Green, and College of Charleston Student Body President Seaton Brown. Most of the $700 million the governor plans to turn down would go toward education programs.

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Local woman Jacquetta Jones also spoke. Jones was laid off from her finance job last May and has been surviving off of her retirement accounts — money she thought she'd be spending on trips in her golden years.

"The trips and fun are out the door," she told the crowd. "I'm going to spend my time trying to help our governor realize he's wrong."

The highlight of the rally came from a plea near the end of the event for attendees to get their phones out and call Gov. Sanford at 803-734-2100. A few people got through and the crowd yelled their message at the phone:

"Show us the money!"

Topics: City Hall

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Mt. Pleasant's Hallman Asks Sanford To Take Stimulus Cash

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 12:46 PM

Mt. Pleasant Mayor Harry Hallman has penned an appeal to Gov. Mark Sanford, asking him to accept $700 million in federal stimulus aid.

Sanford has said he plans to refuse the money. In a letter sent late last month, Hallman told the governor that he understood the desire to stand on principle, but these are unique times.

“The stimulus plan is the law of the land,” Hallman wrote. “More importantly, our nation, but particularly our state, needs its leadership to be of single purpose regarding our economic condition …

“I personally think the majority of residents believe that there is at least some chance of the stimulus funding helping our economic condition in the short term. That, I think, is the most important voice to listen to.”

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley authored a similar letter earlier this month and has had about 80 municipal leaders from across the state sign it with him.

Topics: City Hall

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Monday, March 30, 2009

New Press Time Survey: Bridge Run, S.C. Unemployment, Madonna, and March Madness Upsets

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 4:19 PM

This week, we look at the Cooper River Bridge Run, South Carolina's 11 percent unemployment rate, Madonna's baby drama (she just came on my iPod as I was typing this up — creepy), and just how crappy our March Madness bracket is looking (Clue: Only the trash man knows for sure). Here's one of the questions and two possible answers.

South Carolina’s unemployment rate climbed to 11 percent in February, according to state numbers released last week. What’s the one thing that’s keeping us upbeat during these tough times.

B. A boss that understands coffee filters and toilet paper will always be budget priorities.

D. A rock-solid sob story if the boss starts hinting at layoffs (complete with some rare tropical disease and secret illegitimate children).

Go take this week's survey to see the other possible answers and the rest of the questions.

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School Tax Credits: Sen. Ford Has Lots of Confused, Troubled, Spurned Friends

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:24 PM

More than 50 local community leaders, pastors, and citizens came out Monday to oppose a new effort for tax credits to go toward private school education and to call out their friend Sen. Robert Ford for introducing the measure.

Ford (D-Charleston) is one of the only members of the Legislative Black Caucus to come out in support of the tax credits. The bill would also provide tax credits for donations to private school scholarship programs for children from low-income families.

Led by the NAACP, the event today was in response to Ford's suggestion that he had strong support in his community for the bill.

"Let us make one thing clear," said Rep. David Mack (D-Charleston). "One cannot support vouchers and tax credits and be a supporter for public schools. Funds are more limited now than they've ever been."

Several of the speakers talked of protecting public schools from losing students or resources, but others spent their time at the mic venting their angry befuddlement at Ford's new support for private school tax credits.

"He's forgotten how he got where he is," said Rev. John Paul Brown. "We trusted him. We did not look for him to turn on us."

Former School Board Chairman Hillery Douglas suggested the community "buy back Sen. Ford" from the tax credit lobbiests who have supported him with campaign contributions.

The Rev. Joe Darby, vice president of the local NAACP chapter, said that, in a backwards way, he was grateful to Ford for galvanizing a community that had grown complacent as the movement toward tax credits slowed in Statehouse circles over the years.

"He's brought us together," Darby said. "Across lines of community, race, class, and agenda, so we can stand with one voice and say that we do not support Sen. Ford and his quest to strengthen private schools."

The NAACP is encouraging Ford to call a public meeting and ask community members what they think of the tax credit propasal.

"Talk to the people, so that those citizens united here for public education can also educate you," Darby said.

Topics: Schools

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