Your Comments and Odds & Ends (10-3-08)

Friday is the last day to register to vote (actually Saturday is, but the voter registration office is closed that day). Here is the form: http://www.state.sc.us/scsec/vr/VR_Blank_Form.pdf. The voter registration people will usually take it if it is postmarked Saturday, and Richland has been kind enough to take them if they are pushed through the doors before Monday at the county office. But I suggest you do it Friday.

There is much more detailed info at the far bottom about voting and the constitutional amendments we are to vote on.

Joseph, I have six tickets to the USC v Ole Miss game in Oxford, MS for sale.

Let me add to your business....I need Tennessee - Georgia tix for Oct 11th!

Joe, hey wanted to know if you knew anybody with 4 lower seats to the SC ,Clemson game?

Hey Joe,

I'd love to buy 4 tickets to the LSU game if you hear of any. A parking spot would be great too. Thanks!


Great! I have passed the word on. Email me about any. Now that those are out of the way……..


Homeless

Joseph,

I attended the meeting yesterday, and got there about 1:30, so as to arrive early, since your notice said it began at 2 p.m. The meeting had already started. However,i did get to speak. I understand that there is a three minute rule, but I had not been speaking much longer than three minutes (if that long) when Mr. Austin interrupted me when I bought up an issue that had been raised by a someone who had spoken prior to me, The fact was that some of these people are homeless because they cannot take advantage of housing due to the fact that they have been in Jail.

When I further addressed this issue by saying that some of these people have benn in jail as a a result of the fact that the city often chooses to throw them in jail for loitering and pan handling, and that this causes the city not have enough police officer oftentimes to protect us from real crimes (shop lifting, breaking and entering, etc) and that it is the Tax payer who ends up paying because rather than dealing with the issue, the police e just throws these people in Jail/

It was at this point that I suggested (as i have done before) that there needs to be some criteria or system in place in which people who have been in jail for loitering and pan handling and people who have been in jail for shop lifting or violent crimes. The person who bought this up "works at a law firm on Bull street," had mentioned that she had offered to help some homeless people get job a at her law firm, by driving them around to get (birth certificate and other needed documents so that they could get into housing. After she had done this work on behalf of the homeless, they could to get housing because they "had a record."

It was at this point that Austin tried to get me of the stand." I did finish saying what I needed to say however. I told the city that rather if they spend less time complaining about this, and more time trying to work with community, existing programs and businesses, rather than giving lip service and going by "The not in my back yard" excuse, they may accomplish more.

I had even mentioned that city work initiatives that are advertised in the Big DM, also be advertised in free Publications inn free Publications such as "Free Times," City Newspaper, and other free publications that these people actually read. I also suggested that they put leaflets on the blank advertising spaces not used on the buses, and that they be distributed at the transit station, where these programs targeted towards programs could be seen by the homeless. I even suggested that rather than paying $10-$15/ hr to get people to pick up trash, that they try paying some of these homeless people to do it. Again Austin mentioned that my three minutes was exceeded.

I should also point out two council members here: Kirkman Finley, who conspicuously absent, and E.W. Cromartie who was text messaging during a rime when someone else was speaking. When I did get to speak,I thanked the council for allowing me to speak, and prefaced my comments by saying that I followed the rules and turned my cell phone off, and asked Council member's not to text message or answer calls while I was speaking. Adding that the Councilperson who was doing that as someone else was speaking, exhibited "the height of Rudeness.)

My impressions are as follows: (1) Austin is going to do what he is told to do. (2) Tony Lawton will at least attempt to try to communicate with the Public. According to Tony,the city will be getting input from the citizens of Columbia " within the next 14-21 days." (3) Coble will do what it takes to satisfy whoever has objections with words more than actions. (4) Rickenman and Gergel in my opinion came off as the only two who were genuinely interested in being at this meeting, for the purpose of making a positive difference.


Rick Baty

Sharing something about my City and my dad...Thanks Joe!

jsa-Glad to. He was a catalyst for much good. We need more like him.
…………

Hi Joe,

I just had to comment on the statement that helping sway his followers to vote for Coble when he promised to do the recycling thing, if elected, constitutes a blemish on Rick Baty's record. This does not create a blemish on Rick's record nor anyone's record, it is an honest and open way to achieve some very important things and obviously you were willing to go the same route. Whatever kind of leader Coble became or whatever kind you might become if elected would not blemish Rick's very dedicated and unselfish efforts. A fact of life, and Rick knew it, the people who admired and were part of that group of followers were strong thinkers who walked with as opposed to being followers. In plain words you could not lead them where they felt they should not go, they went based on their own knowledge and research.

Rick Baty was a dear friend of mine. I attended his and Anna Hata's wedding, at that time he was Raja Swarr (probably spelled incorrectly), saw their daughter when she was just days old, I watched as he returned to being Rick and Anna Hata returned to being Nicki, there when they painfully separated. I was with them back when environmentalism was a joke and people wished we would all just get lost. I was there as Nicki nursed him in his illness and we all suffered when he passed on. It was indeed a great loss to everyone in this city and state. Rick was an example we could all follow and wish more of us would. So I do thank you for reminding us of some of his wonderful efforts and reminding us of this very special person.


Needed

Hey Joe,

I would appreciate it if you could forward this email to your list serve. Thanks for all that you do.


From: Scott Coots [mailto:scoots@hdsvans.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 4:26 PM
To: scoots@hdsvans.com
Subject: We Need Your Help!


Dear Customer,

We are working with a non-profit charitable organization that is setting up a driving experience in an accesible modified racing car at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The date of the event is October 23-26, 2008. The event will be held at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The non-profit would like to rent or requests the donation of a Class A motor home for the event.

If anyone knows where to rent such an RV or has one that they would donate the use of we would greatly appreciate you contacting us.

I can be reached at 770-422-9674 or mdresdner@hdsvans.com.

Thank You,

Michael Dresdner

Michael Dresdner
Handicapped Driver Services
1310 Kennestone Circle
Marietta, Georgia 30066

770-422-9674
mdresdner@hdsvans.com
www.hdsvans.com

Atlanta Jacksonville Birmingham Nashville
…………

Joe,

How are ya? Me...doing better, getting my strength back.

I am writing to let you know that I am in need of a file cabinet (a small one would work). If you know of anything, please help me.

Take care of yourself.

Eboniramm
Main Street Jazz
www.eboniramm.com
803-665-7036

Hydrogen: Hope or Hype?

Plenty to read: http://www.designnews.com/channel/Hydrogen_Power_Hope_or_Hype_.php


Flooding

One kind reader, an engineer, always keeps me informed about flooding issues as he is concerned that we make the same mistakes on the banks of the Congaree as other states have made with their rivers.



From the NSPE newsletter: (NSPE => National Society of Professional Engineers)
Overdevelopment may have worsened flood damage.
In continuing coverage from Wednesday's edition of Daily Designs, the Washington Post (6/19, A1, Achenbach) reports in a front-page story that some in Iowa suspect that "this natural disaster wasn't really all that natural" and "that the heavy rains fell on a landscape radically reengineered by humans." However, while "[o]fficials are still trying to understand all the factors that contributed to Iowa's flooding,...not everyone has" such suspicions. In fact, "some Iowans who study the environment suspect that changes in the land, both recently and over the past century or so, have made Iowa's terrain not only highly profitable but also highly vulnerable to flooding." Jerry DeWitt, director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, "sense[s] that the flooding is not the result of a 500-year event," because "[w]e're farming closer to creeks, farming closer to rivers," and "[w]ithout adequate buffer strips, the water moves rapidly from the field directly to the surface water."
The Wall Street Journal (6/19, A4, Belkin) adds, "As the swollen Mississippi rolls south, breaching levees, drowning crops and submerging towns, a debate is intensifying among scientists, environmentalists, and developers about whether development not only flirts with disaster, but helps cause it." The Journal notes, "Since the historic flood of 1993, nearly 30,000 homes have been built on land that was underwater around the Mississippi and Missouri rivers near St. Louis. This weekend, the dwellers may find out if they built wisely."
Meanwhile, "[a]s floodwaters slowly receded from much of Iowa on Wednesday, authorities focused their attention on a swollen Mississippi River that punched through at least two levees in Western Illinois and increasingly threatened hamlets in Missouri," the Los Angeles Times (6/19, Huffstutter) reports. "Federal officials said as many as 30 levees were in peril."
"Twenty levees already have been topped by flood waters this week," according to the Army Corps of Engineers, the AP (6/19) adds. "The levees in danger protect rural, industrial, and agricultural areas, not heavily populated towns. The levees protecting large towns are not as at risk of overflowing, officials said."
A related AP (6/19) report notes that "[t]he White House is asking Congress for $1.8 billion in emergency disaster aid for the flood-ravaged Midwest." Meanwhile, "[a] dozen senators in both parties are pressing to add money for levee repair and help for displaced homeowners, among other pressing needs."
Flood pollution raises concerns. USA Today (6/19, 3A, Gomez, Dorell) reports, "Human waste overflows, fertilizer runoff, and floating propane tanks are raising concerns in the flooded Midwest but should not cause severe or long-term environmental problems, health officials say." Karen Timberlake, Wisconsin's secretary of Health and Family Services said that "[s]erious chemical pollution from factories and chemical plants 'aren't concerns because we don't have many reports, just isolated cases and leaks.'" She said that, "at least for now,...health concerns are rather mundane: 'bacteria...stomach upset...and (the possibility of) tetanus.'" USA Today notes, "The sole wastewater treatment plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is inoperable, and Pat Ball, the city's utilities director, said it won't be up and running for months. That means raw sewage will continue spilling into the river and affect cities downstream, just as waste from damaged cities upstream continue to flow into Cedar Rapids' water supply."

The City

Joe,

You can bet your sweet ass that the city is "broke"!!! Yet, they are spending over $100,000 to do a new salary survey so they can once again "legitimately" boost salaries of those in the big building on the corner. Also, they just hired a new Deputy Finance Director which is a brand new position for the city @ $85,000 per year. They still have to fill the Finance Director's position at about $110,000 per year. Not to mention the literally thousands of dollars that they are spending to do a search for someone for the position. Two months ago Austen was in the newspaper with a statement that there is a "job" freeze on in the city since they are trying to conserve funds. That was and still is a lie--they are posting jobs and hiring people right and left. He put that in the paper to get everyone off his butt about spending so much money. Also, it is about time for Austen's "helpers" at city hall to get another "pay adjustment" that does NOT go thru council for approval.
…………

Joe:
Incompetence reigns…disgusting!

Subject: FW: City Finances Update


-----Original Message-----
From: Coble, Bob [mailto:bcoble@columbiasc.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:55 AM
Subject: City Finances Update
I wanted to give you an update on our efforts to correct problems in the City's Finance Department. This week we had a training and orientation session for the Audit Committee that was conducted by Jackie Breeland a CPA. I have copied and pasted an email from our Interim Finance Director Missy Caughman with this week's status report. Additionally, I will send by separate email send a report from staff outlining how we are protecting the City's assets in view of the national financial crisis. If you have any questions please call me at 315-4123 or email. Thanks


From: Caughman, Missy
Sent: Fri 9/26/2008 5:43 PM
To: Austin, Charles Sr. (City Manager)
Cc: Ellis, William H
Subject: FW: FY 06/07 Audit & FY 07/08 Close Status


Mr. Austin

Here is the weekly update on the status of FY 06/07 and FY 07/08.

FY 06/07

*Bud Addison received a final draft of the CAFR on September 17.
*The final draft of ordinance to amend the FY 06/07 budget was sent to Legal on September 25 for review and placement on the October 1 agenda for City Council approval. The budget amendment will need to be approved in order to finalize the CAFR.
*A tentative date to send the CAFR to the printer for publication is October 17.
*The FY 05/06 A133 Single Audit (audit of grant accounts) final entries are also being reviewed by Bud and we have expressed to him that this is a high priority.

FY 07/08

*Bill Ellis is leading City staff with closing of FY 07/08. The MASC team is assisting in these efforts and will be partnered with City staff as much as possible for the training and coordination of the work.
*Staff is evaluating the journal entries and work performed on FY 06/07 as a basis for possible entries needed in FY 07/08. Once the prior year entries are reviewed, we will have a better idea of time frame for completion of the FY 07/08 closing and issuing of the CAFR.
* We will deliver to you a schedule of events (with appropriate terminology) in addition to weekly progress reports of FY 07/08 within the next 2 weeks.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please let me know.

Thanks
Missy
…………

From: Coble, Bob [mailto:bcoble@columbiasc.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:09 AM

Subject: Part II City Finances Update
In view of the national financial crisis, we asked City staff to review our investment status. I am attaching that report for your review. Thanks


Points concerning the City’s cash and investments position.

General

The City is subject to state law concerning its cash and investments policies. State law requires a very conservative policy with which the City complies.

Cash

The City’s primary bank accounts are with First Citizens Bank. Other banks are also local.

Deposits in commercial banks are collateralized by government securities. This means that for practical purposes the deposits are 100% "insured" by the federal government.

There is no reason to believe that the local banks in which the City’s deposits are held have any exposure to the types of loans or investments ("sub prime products") that have been at the root of the nationwide credit crisis.

Accordingly, the City’s cash is collateralized and in banks with no perceived exposure to high risk assets.

Investments

Investments are in two groups:

o Group One – investments administered by Merchant Capital. These investments are very conservative and are in or collateralized by government securities. The status of this portfolio was discussed with Brent Robertson and Trey Monroe and all agreed that the City’s investment position was as conservative as practicable.

o Group Two – these investments include the City’s Treasurer’s Fund and several smaller funds and approximate $96.3 million at June 30, 2008. These investments are under the custodianship of U.S. Bank and also are in government securities.

All the City’s investments are under a custodian or trustee – this adds a further level of protection due to their fiduciary duty to "perfect" the City’s ownership of the securities that they administer.

We obtained and reviewed a market value report received from U.S. Bank for the Group Two investments. Overall the market value is in excess of the cost of the investments (giving rise to an unrealized gain). This analysis supports the conclusion that the City’s investments are high quality (otherwise the market value would be diminished due to credit concerns).

Cash and Investments Summary

Cash is conservatively managed and positioned due to the local banks used and because of the collateral "insuring" the City’s deposits.

Investments are also positioned conservatively with respect to credit risk (i.e. credit risk is practically eliminated due to the state’s limitations on investments and the City’s investments in government securities) and the investment’s market value exceeds cost.



Bond Insurance

This matter was discussed with Brent Robertson and Trey Monroe of merchant capital.

The City’s exposure is limited to one bond – the 1993 Water and Sewer Bond which is insured by AMBAC. Currently, AMBAC’s credit rating is adequate (AA). If AMBAC is downgraded the worst case is that the City would have to deposit $7.3 million in a reserve fund (essentially the City would set aside the last year’s payment).

Even in that event, there should be no effect on the City’s bond rating because the City has adequate cash to satisfy the reserve requirements.

Other options in the event of an AMBAC downgrade are to secure a letter of credit to support the debt or to acquire other insurance. In any event, the City should be able to manage the worst case without any significant disruption.

To Do

We will continue to monitor the credit markets and the City’s market position; however, at this time the City is as conservatively positioned as could reasonably be expected.


Miscellaneous Received

If anyone has any old phones they have replace you can donate them to Sistercare in Cayce. They can wipe the Eprom and give them to women at risk. Even if the phone doesn’t have service 911 sill has to work by law. I know they would really appreciate it and they can use any and all old cell phones they can get.
…………

Write in SHERRI ABBOTT for Richland County Clerk of Court November 4th.


Visit the web site: www.sherriabbott.com

View full size
Forward this e-mail to everyone in your address book.
............

'Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.'

jsa-My definition is not nearly as descriptive, but another word for PC is hypocrisy.
…………

Something we won’t worry about this year (a rerun)

A farmer from South Carolina dies and, being a heathen, goes to Hell.

When he gets there its 95º F with 90% humidity, but Satan notices he's
kicked back on the brimstone relaxing comfortably.

He asks, "Why aren't you miserable like everyone else here?" The farmer
replies, "Oh, this is like a warm spring day in Columbia . I like it."

Angry, Satan turns up the thermostat until its 100º F and 95% humidity.

Still, the farmer's happy. "This is like a good June day on the farm.
Not bad at all."

Furious, Satan turns it up to 105º F and 99% humidity. Everyone is even
more miserable, except the farmer from South Carolina still resting.< BR>
"Hey, this is like a good August day on the farm bailing hay. Feels good
the hotter the better."

In a total rage, Satan turns the thermostat down to minus 25º F. Within
seconds, the air becomes chilly and frost appears, soon followed by
solid ice everywhere. Satan smirks, watching the farmer.

The confused farmer looks down at the frozen ground for a moment,
suddenly jumps up excitedly, looks around everywhere and begins to
laugh, scream, and jump for joy.

Scroll Down…..




"THE GAMECOCKS WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP



Good Morning Everyone,
Thanks to each of you for coming out last evening to hear two really good and informative speakers. Both Rob Godfrey and Adam Piper did a superb job – we are indeed fortunate to have these two young people on the conservat ive side of the equation.
I know the information provided below is lengthy, but please be patient and read every line or better still print it for quick reference. If you have further questions and can’t get them answered by logging onto scvotes.org, just let me know and I will try getting the answers in a timely manner.

There are some local issues that are not yet available. I will let you know just as soon as I receive the information.

Thanks everyone,

LN

ALL UNDERSCOR ED INFORMATION SHOWN BELOW IS ACCESSIBLE BY LOGGING ONTO SCVOTES.ORG
VOTER REGISTRATION ‘PHONE NUMBER; 576-2240

October 4th is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the 2008 General Election.
November 4th is Election Day 2008. Polls are open 7 am to 7 pm.
Register to Vote
How to Vote
List of Candidates - Federal & State
List of Candidates - by County (coming soon)
Constitutional Amendment Questions & ExplanationsSouth Carolina Voter Registration Information

*********** ******************************************************

***UNDERSCORED INFORMATION: PLEASE LOG ONTO SCVOTES.ORG AND CLICK ON THE UNDERSCORED FOR MORE INFORMATION.
How to Register
A citizen who wishes to register to vote can register in perso n at their county board of voter registration; or they may download a form, complete it, and mail it to their county board of voter registration.
Voter Registration Application
County Boards of Voter Registration - Mailing Addresses & Contact Numbe rs
Who Can Register?
In order to vote, South Carolina law requires one must first register to vote at least 30 days prior to the election. To be eligible to register in South Carolina you MUST:
• be a United States citizen -be at least eighteen years old on or before the next election
• be a resident of South Carolina, this county and precinct
• not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
• not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
• have never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws OR if previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction.
There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina in order to register to vote. You can register at any time.
You must be registered at least 30 days prior to any election in order to vote in that election. Registration by mail applications must be postmarked at least 3 0 days prior to that particular election to be eligible.
Check Your Voter Registration Information
Note: When checking your voter registration information, you must provide your name, county and date of birth as it appears on your voter registrati on card in order to view your information.
Your Voter Registration Information
Update Your Voter Registration Information
If your voter registration information has changed (name, address, etc.), and you still live within the same county, you may update your voter registration information using this form. If you have moved to a different county, you will need to re-register in your new county (see How to Register above).
Students
Students may register to vote where they reside while at tending college.
Students can use the following documents as proof of residency:
• a copy of a current, valid photo ID (driver's license, student ID, DMV-issued ID cards, etc.)
• copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or othe r government document that shows your name and address in the county
Many college students who live on campus receive their mail at a campus post office box. These students must register at the physical address of their dormitory. The student's P.O. Box can be provided for mailing and contact purposes.
Voter Registration Drives
If you are planning a voter registration drive at an institution of higher learning, please make sure you have the National Voter Registration Application for student s who maintain their residency outside of South Carolina. For a list of addresses of Election Commissions throughout the country please see the Election Assistance Commision web site.

Absentee Voting
Absentee Voting for Military & Overseas C itizens
Voters with Disabilities
How to Use the Touchscreen Voting Machines

******************************************************************

2008 Constitutional Amendment Questions

Amendment 1
Must Section 33, Article II I of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to delete the provision that no unmarried woman shall legally consent to sexual intercourse who shall not have attained the age of fourteen years?
Yes []
No []
Explanation of Above:
This amendment deletes the section of the Constitution which says an unmarried woman must be fourteen years old or older in order to consent to sexual intercourse. Deleting this section would allow the state legislature to set the age of consent. Currently, the state legislature has the age of consent set at sixteen for most cases.
A "yes" vote would delete the section from the Constitution and let the state legislature set the age of consent.
A "no" vote would leave the section of the Constitution in place.
Amendment 2
Must Section 16, Article X of the Constitution of this State relating to benefits and funding of public employee pension plans in this State and the investments allowed for funds of the various state-operated retirement syste ms be amended so as to provide that the funds of any trust fund established by law for the funding of post-employment benefits for state employees and public school teachers may be invested and reinvested in equity securities subject to the same limitati ons on such investments applicable for the funds of the various state-operated retirement systems?
Yes []
No []
Explanation of Above:
"Post-employment benefits" are benefits, mainly health insurance, provided to eligible state government an d school district retirees.
To comply with a change in accounting standards, the state has created trust funds to pay for these post-employment benefits. This amendment relates to how the money in these trust funds may be invested.
A "yes" vote w ould give the state government the option to invest these funds in equity securities (stocks).
A "no" vote would mean that state government is not allowed to invest these funds in any kind of equity securities (stocks).
Amendment 3
Must Secti on 16, Article X of the Constitution of this State relating to benefits and funding of public employee pension plans in this State and the investments allowed for funds of the various state-operated retirement systems be amended so as to provide that the funds of any political subdivision of this State that have been set aside for the funding of post-employment benefits for the political subdivision's employees, including those invested in independent trusts established for that purpose, may be invested or reinvested in equity securities of the type permitted for investment by the various state operated retirement systems, as provided for by the General Assembly?
Yes []
No []
Explanation of Above:
This amendment is the same as Amendment 2 except it applies to local governments' post-employment benefits (instead of the state government's post-employment benefits).
________________________________________