24 March

Tomorrow I am reading to a third grade class and giving each child a book through the "Together We Can Read" program. It is exciting to me as a father because every child has unlimited possibilities, but those possibilities are severely limited if they cannot read. A love of reading is a great indicator of future success and I hope that this program can reach a lot of the 1,800 third graders who will receive a book tomorrow.

It is also exciting to me as Treasurer because we make an enormous investment in our schools here in Richland County - some would say too much and others would say too little. But that investment will always be difficult to translate into the kind of success we want without the involvement of parents and the community at large. "Together We Can Read" will send hundreds of volunteers to read in every Richland One elementary school, and hopefully it can be a spark that will increase the community involvement we need to make our schools top-notch for all of our children.

Hopefully, they will not ask me to teach grammar.

23 March Update

Last night was the best Mayoral debate, yet. It was hosted by the Free Times and moderated by Cynthia Hardy, and had over 350 residents there. The atmosphere and the format brought out the best in the candidates. It was the most lively and informative exchange between the folks running for the top job that I have seen. I was able to meet a lot of new people, and there were important discussions on tax issues and revenue that the next mayor will have to face. Two weeks to election day.

22 March Update

Ready for a big week with a ton of events in the community.  This Saturday was a great Richland Democratic Breakfast at Mac's on Main where Steve Benjamin spoke and answered questions.  After that was my son Preston's first baseball game - 2 hits!  Sure, everybody gets hits in tee-ball (that's the rule) but he hit 'em hard, and the kids on both teams had a great day.  On Sunday at church, my daughter Daly wrote her first book with pictures and she bound it (she's still explaining it to us).

18 March Update

Just got back from the Democratic Convention in Bamberg County where I spoke for Senator Vincent Sheheen who I support for Governor. There were 50 great Democrats at Denmark Technical College who turned off "March Madness" and joined in the political process tonight! Great crowd, a kind reception, and a very moving speech by Rep. Bakari Sellars.

17 March Update

Budget meeting today ... included discussions with administration about new software to help people receive their county information correctly the first time, and re-opened a dialogue regarding on-line billing. The administrators were quietly enthusiastic, and I hope it moves forward with their support.