Thank You Bradley Elementary School

Last week had a lot of activity.  Our campaign raised money, I was able to work to help a number of taxpayers, and we began to more widely publicize the need for a Northeast full-service government office to better serve our citizens.

However, the best part of my week happened last Monday – and it helped me remember that my job is more than just a job.

On Monday, I was asked to read at Bradley Elementary School for the “Read Across America” program where I had read books for classes several times before.  The last time I’d read there was last year for City Councilwoman Tameika Devine’s “Together We Can Read” initiative where community leaders read to, and give a book to every third grader in Richland School District One. 

The staff at Bradley Elementary, led by their principal, Mrs. Maczyk, was one of only a handful of schools across the nation who’d won the recognition to host a “Read Across America” event this March, and I was asked to read to a class of fourth graders.  As I finished reading, and the children began asking questions, I said: “Wait, I’ve met some of you before, haven’t I?”

All of the kids said that yes, I’d read them the book “Dave the Potter” when they were in the third grade last year.  Then, almost every single one of the children said that they still had the book.  Several of them said they still read the book because it was one of the few books they owned that weren’t text books – and one little girl said that she read it to her baby sister almost every night to help her go to sleep!

For me, that day a year ago was a wonderful event where I could share my love of reading with children.  But, for those fourth graders – our community’s children – it was a moment that became a part of their daily lives since.

How neat is that? 

Monday was another reminder that this job you have given me is a chance to really help people.  And, I thank you so much for that moment with those children – that day will be a moment of joy that I always remember.

A Nice Note from Thursday

Yesterday was packed full of events and work – it was one of those days you enjoy because you get to do a little bit of everything.  I was the speaker at an elementary school career day, reviewed statehouse legislation, worked with several taxpayers who needed help, made a presentation to a citizens’ group, attended both a development seminar and a young professionals networking event.  I was able to work with children, citizens, issues impacting our future, and I was able to meet our community’s future leaders – I consider that a good day!

As I was meeting young professionals at the Talented Tenth reception in the newly named BB&T building, I met a young woman named Ashley and introduced myself as Richland County Treasurer.  She said, “My friend was at your office waiting to pay taxes the other day, and she was on Facebook telling everyone how great you were helping people through the long lines!”

It was so nice to hear that no matter how tough a “long lines day” can be people appreciate how hard our staff works to help make their experience go more smoothly.  Of course that comment was one of the highlights of a very long but great Thursday.

The Busiest Day

Around 20,000 car tax bills are paid each month in Richland County and close to a third of them are paid on the very last day (by mail, internet, NBSC drop-offs, or in person at our office).  If the last day of the month falls on a Friday or a Monday it is even busier than a usual month-end.

Today was busier with taxpayers than I’ve seen in almost two years.  The lines to pay taxes at the end of the month are usually about 40 deep and our fantastic staff can move people from the end of the line thru their payment in about ten minutes (or two minutes per payment).  Today, the lines were never shorter than 70 deep and we processed more than 3,000 in-office payments.

I’m not sure why so many people came into our office, today, but I was in the lobby directing people to where they should be so they could be served as quickly as possible.  It is so nice to hear that I’m the only elected official who actually works with the public in the lines to make their experience move forward smoothly.  I enjoy working with our taxpayers to ensure they get the best service possible when they come into our office.

But today also highlighted our need for a satellite office in the Northeast (where 1/3^rd of our walk-in payments come from) to shorten the lines for everyone.  I hope that County Council will see days like this and understand that our taxpayers deserve the more convenient option that a new office will provide. 

My Favorite Season

I love basketball.  The last time I played was for The Citadel my freshman year in college, but I played for fun for years after.  I was an all-state 6’2” center for Irmo High School in 1989 not because I had any talent, but because I practiced for hours every day – rain or shine, hot or cold, on a grass court or in a gym.  I just love basketball.  My eight year-old son has started playing now and enjoys it and I enjoy sharing it with him.

So, when we found out about the great rivalry games between Dreher and Lower Richland tonight, we packed up the kids and travelled to the “Diamond Mine.”  I’ve been there several times for games over the years, but last played there as a sophomore at Irmo in 1986 against the legendary state championship teams that included Stanley Roberts and Jo Jo English – needless to say that scrimmage wasn’t a fond memory, but it helped our teams to grow and have some success in the playoffs those next three years as we went 18-7, 18-7 and 19-6.  Of course, Irmo basketball has had a lot more success since I left!

The girls' game was fantastic and physical, and the LR team looked like it would run away with victory at the half.  But the Dreher team rallied in the second half and brought the game to within three points with two minutes left before foul trouble finally took its toll and the lady Diamond Hornets were victorious.  Our children started to get too tired to stay and we left after the first quarter of the boys’ game but it looked like that game might go down-to-the-wire, too.

The Diamond Mine was packed to capacity and we saw so many old friends and met plenty of new ones.  It is always a great night to spend time with my family watching basketball!

Dr. Martin Luther King Day - a Gift from a Child

     I want to thank Martin Luther King for what my children don’t have to know.  Only in history books do they have to understand separate-but-equal, or know what Jim Crowe means.  My children don’t live in a world where their first impression of another is based on the color of their skin and they can play with every child without a thought that precludes them from making friends with anyone that they enjoy spending time with.

     That really struck me when my red-headed daughter came home with a picture from her kindergarten class.  She attended a class that had five white students and seventeen children of other ethnicities.  She’d arrived early one day and was the only white child present when her teacher snapped a photo of the group working together.  There were about twelve children in the photo and they were gathered together reading.  She was very proud of her friends, and her achievements, and she produced the photo with a great excitement and said to me, “Daddy, this is my class – I’m the one with red hair!”  She didn’t notice the color of the other children, or anything else at all.  It was a moment so sweet in its truth that I only could begin to understand the impact that Dr. King really has had on our world today, and to be thankful to him for it.

     Sometimes it is through the eyes of a child that we see clearly.  My daughter’s innocent comment was that for me.  I’ve always played sports, I’ve been a Democrat since I was born, I’ve worked in the richest and poorest parts of our community, and I’ve tried to help everyone no matter who they are.  But my daughter’s comment brought a clarity to me that only Dr. King could see fifty years ago.

     America is good, even with all of our faults.  America is the best nation in the world even when we struggle amongst ourselves.  We still have huge disparities in different communities in education, health care, housing and economic opportunity that we need to find answers for.  America still fights to find the balance between a Christian nation that cares for those less fortunate with our tax dollars, and the American capitalist ideal that everyone must fend for themselves.

     We are a nation that has made huge strides in acceptance, equality and opportunity because of Dr. Martin Luther King.  That is what we honor as Dr. King’s legacy.  We are better as a society than we were in 1964.  Our children think we’ve already achieved the dream he showed us.  I can only hope that we will strive to become an even stronger community in the future here in Columbia, in South Carolina and in America to make all of our children – of every background – proud of the progress we continue to fight for in 2014.