prominently in the campaign this year, whether it’s saving struggling schools, handling growth and the related cramped facilities, or addressing increased violence in schools nationwide.

But how to determine the class clowns from the star jocks? The freaks from the geeks? The Pretty in Pink Molly Ringwald from the The Breakfast Club Molly Ringwald? We’re sending all the candidates back to school in the 2006 Election Guide and grading them on some of the most important issues in each race. One should pass and one should fail. But, in the grand South Carolina tradition, there are a few races where a candidate will be “passed on” to the next grade as the better of two unexceptional students.

Regardless of one’s party affiliation (or lack thereof), we’re all responsible for sending our politicians into the fray with the more than 50 percent support they need. Want better schools, equitable taxes, personal freedoms? Then pull the lever (or push the button) on Nov. 7.

Disclaimer: The endorsements here were compiled by the City Paper’s editors and writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

CP’S

Fi d out Fi Fi Fi d d SCHOOLSSSCHHHAZETHE

MAKESGRADETHE THE

and WHO

★ ★

WHO

OODOESN'T

MARK SANFORD (R - INCUM.)

JOB: Governor POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Governor, 02-present; U.S. House of Rep., 94-00 ENDORSEMENTS: NRA Political Victory Fund, National Taxpayers Union Campaign Fund, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Political Action Committee, Conservation Voters of South Carolina, The National Federation of Independent, Business’s Safe Trust, SC Club for Growth PAC, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal, The Sierra Club

TEACHER COMMENTS

TOMMY MOORE (D)

JOB: Business owner POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State House of Representatives, 78-80; State Senate, 80-present ENDORSEMENTS: The State news-paper, The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, The South Carolina Education Association, The (Rock Hill) Herald

★ G O V E R N O R • S A N F O R D T H I N K S H E ’ S S E T, B U T H E ’ S N OT T H E M A N

ANDRE BAUER (R - INCUM.)

JOB: Businessman, Lt. Gov. POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: S.C. House of Representatives, 97-99; State Senate, 99-02; Lt. Governor,03-present ENDORSEMENTS: NRA Political Victory Fund, The (Rock Hill) Herald

ROBERT BARBER (D)

JOB: Restaurant owner POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Charleston County School Board, 84-88; State House of Representatives, 89-94 ENDORSEMENTS: The State newspaper, The Sierra Club, Conservation Voters of South Carolina, The South Carolina Education Association, The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News

★ L I E U T E N A N T G O V E R N O R • B U S Y B A R B E R R E A DY TO TA K E B A U E R ’ S C A R K E Y S

AGING: Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer notes changes he’s overseen in the Council on Aging, but the candi-dates seem to have similar views on the future of the council and the improved services that will be necessary in the next few years.

EXTRA CREDIT: Democrat Robert Barber says he’s ready to expand the part-time posi-tion to become an advocate for job creation in South Carolina. “As long as we’re number two in unemployment in the country, I’ll consider it

a full-time job,” Barber says. As for Bauer, he’s already whining about the workload. “I don’t know where they’d find the time,” he says. “I don’t know how you can take on any more.”

RECREATION: Barber is going to have his work cut out for him as he looks to rebuild his fam-ily restaurant (Bowens Island) as well as the responsibilities of the office. As for Bauer, we’re not holding the dodged speeding tickets or the crashed plane against him, because who hasn’t

crashed their private plane and tried to get out of a more than 100 mph speeding ticket by pro-claiming he’s “S.C. 2?”

FINAL EXAM: Barber passes. Bauer fails. Barber provides a vision for the office that goes beyond waiting for a chance to be S.C. 1. Plus, he gets extra credit for Bowens Island.

TEACHER COMMENTS

THOMAS RAVENEL (R)

JOB: Business Developer POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None ENDORSEMENTS: The State newspaper, SC Club for Growth PAC, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal, NRA Political Victory Fund

GRADY PATTERSON (D - INCUM.)

JOB: State treasurer POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Treasurer, 66-94 and 98-present ENDORSEMENTS: The South Carolina Education Association, The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News

★ T R E A S U R E R • PAT T E R S O N ’ S E X P E R I E N C E O U T W E I G H S R AV E N E L ’ S E N E R G Y

BUSINESS: Ravenel obviously has business savvy, but Patterson’s been in the role for 36 years and guided bipartisan efforts to control state spend-ing and protect state savings.

MODERNIZATION: Ravenel promises to bring the office into the 21st century. Patterson says it’s already there.

POLITICAL SCIENCE: As the story goes, Patterson accepted the role as a favor four

decades ago and hadn’t thought much of politics. On the other hand, this is Ravenel’s second grab in the cookie jar. It was only two years ago that Ravenel considered the Senate the best place for his talents. Now it’s the treasurer’s office? Excuse us if it sounds like a stepping stone for some higher aspiration from the son of former U.S. Rep. Arthur Ravenel Jr., who appears else-where on this election round-up.

BIOLOGY: Where age would be an asset in most any race as an indicator of experi-ence, Patterson is at the advanced age of 82. Patterson’s efforts to avoid debating Ravenel likely go further than concerns of appearance against a young, good-looking, energetic oppo-nent.

FINAL EXAM: Patterson passes. Ravenel fails. The state treasurer is a leadership role and

Patterson has provided that in spades over the years. We’ll bet he’s got four more good years in him, but that may be it. And as one of the few Democrats in statewide office (and possibly the only one after November), there’s some value to having a foil on tuition tax credits and other backwards initiatives. Ravenel shouldn’t be upset, though. He really doesn’t want the job anyway, does he?

TEACHER COMMENTS

continued on page 13

BUSINESS: There have been some big regional successes under Gov. Mark Sanford’s watch, but Democratic Sen. Tommy Moore contends that more could have been done in the last four years by properly funding the Department of Commerce. The proof may be in the numbers: In Jan. 2003, South Carolina’s unemployment rate was at 6.4 percent. Four years later, the number has returned from peak-ing at 7.2 percent to 6.4 percent in

September. Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate has fallen from 5.8 percent in 2003 to 4.6 percent in September.

POLITICAL SCIENCE: As an inde-pendent thinker, Sanford scores big, but as a consensus builder, the man’s talents are lacking. From having poop-ing pigs clutched under each arm in the Statehouse lobby to years of vetoes on local priorities, Sanford has riled liberals and conservatives in the

Statehouse. Apparently things got so bad this year that he just threw up his hands and vetoed the whole budget.

EDUCATION: It’s tuition tax credits, stupid — Sanford has unrelentingly pushed to put public money into pri-vate schools. Supporters have taken great pains to pull this issue away from vouchers, but giving parents the money to give to private schools is the same thing as giving money to pri-vate schools, and it would be to the

detriment of the public school sys-tem. Moore supports school choice and offers up charter schools as an innovative alternative to traditional schools that keeps some oversight in the public realm.

HISTORY: Neither candidate can claim to be anti-establishment. Sanford continues to highlight shorter lines at the DMV as a crowning achievement of a four-year term, and Moore’s 28 years in the Statehouse

don’t speak well for any reformist agenda.

FINAL EXAM: Moore is “passed on.” Sanford fails. Moore’s got a few solid ideas, but it’s hard to believe a man that entrenched in Columbia will really be shaking things up. That said, Moore will likely have a better run at cooperation and consensus building than Sanford’s been able to accomplish.

Attorney General: Henry McMaster (R)

S.C. HouseDistrict 94: Converse Chellis (R)District 99: Jim Merrill (R)District 110: Chip Limehouse (R)District 111: Floyd Breeland (D)District 112: Ben Hagood (R)District 113: J. Seth Whipper (D)District 114: Bobby Harrell (R)District 116: Robert Brown (D)District 117: Bob Shipley (R)

County Council District 5: Teddie Pryor (D)District 8: Curtis Inabinett Sr. (D)Probate Judge: Irvin Condon (R)Register of Mesne Conveyance: Charlie Lybrand (R)

Consolidated School BoardNorth Area: Ray Toler (R)

Public Service DistrictsSt. Andrews-Section 1: Andrew M.G. SmithSoil and Water Commission: Raymond Tumbleston, Kathy Woolsey

Constituent School BoardDistrict 1: Elaine Fitzgerald, Jeff Massey, Sheila McNeil-Powell, Charles SingletonDistrict 2: Jane FultonDistrict 3: Donna JenkinsDistrict 4: Sheila West, Edwina Green PetersonDistrict 10: Jana Dell-Gatti, Edythe Haynes, Russell K. JohnsonDistrict 23: Shanta Barron-Millan, Ethel Cobb, Sam Hiott

EARLY ADMISSIONSFourteen school board candidates, seven constitutional referendums, two county bond questions. With so much to fret over, it’s nice to know that there’s a fl ood of uncontested races voters won’t have to worry about. Here’s a run-down of the candidates who will sail to success Nov. 7, bar-ring a surprise write-in vote.

continued on page 14

EDUCATION: Democrat Jim Rex has 30 years of experi-ence in public education, serving in every role from football coach to college administrator. Karen Floyd’s worked as a lawyer and a judge and now owns a public relations firm. She says avoid-ing the classroom since she graduated makes her a wor-thy outsider. Funny how that’s a selling point only in politics. You know, we’ve never held a hammer, but we’ll build your house.

PHILOSOPHY: Both candi-dates recognize that reforms will be necessary, including a shared understanding that the state’s testing program needs to be retooled to make it more relevant. Each has posi-tive ideas for change and to the victor should go the best ideas of his/her opponent.

OPTOMETRY: Rex has about as unique a vision as any candidate running in any race this election year. As a coach, Rex says he saw the effectiveness of coaches investing years in their stu-dents, coordinating programs and encouraging progress with positive investment by parents. As for Floyd, her vision is…

TUITION TAX CREDITS: Again, it’s a deal breaker. As Rex put it, “This isn’t a Pepsi-Cola or Coca-Cola choice.” Floyd has tried her darned-est to avoid the question and has said she’ll consider a wide variety of options that include putting public money toward private school tuition. But she’s clear on her website: “I support giving public dollars back to the original source: Parents and taxpayers. Parents deserve

the opportunity to choose the best school for their chil-dren, whether that’s a public, private, or religious-based school.” But what about parents that don’t care what school their children go to or don’t have the income to get the tax credit? The entire debate on tax credits has wasted the time and resourc-es that could have been spent fixing our public schools.

FINAL EXAM: Rex passes. Floyd fails. Jim Rex provides enthusiasm and an under-standing of the school system as well as a positive direction for change. Rex will do what’s best for students and, more importantly, he will not aban-don public schools and strip them of their much-needed funding.

TEACHER COMMENTS

★ E D U C AT I O N S U P E R I N T E N D E N TR E X P R O V I D E S C L A S S R O O M E X P E R I E N C E TO M AT C H R E F O R M A G E N D A

KAREN FLOYD (R)

JOB: Owns public relations and marketing firmPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Spartanburg County Council, 1999-2003 ENDORSEMENTS: SC Club for Growth PAC, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal

JIM REX (D)

JOB: Retired 30-year educator POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None ENDORSEMENTS: The South Carolina Education Association, The (Rock Hill) Herald

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: Both candidates are on board to reduce the amount of oil South Carolinians are depen-dent on. Weathers has been encouraging ethanol produc-tion, albeit in a car most people can’t afford. DeFelice highlights real concerns about the competition for food and fuel, but also sees that the issue will probably be one of the most important for the state and the country in the next few decades.

SMALL FARMERS: As a self-made farmer, DeFelice has

the experience here, having fostered a small crop in his backyard into a more than 100-acre farm. His campaign has focused on “putting your state on your plate” and his efforts to awaken the every-man’s inner farmer shows his passion for the job.

BIG FARMERS: Weathers comes from a family of large-scale farmers and he’s shown he’s got a clear understanding of the larger problems plagu-ing farmers in South Carolina. Noting that farmers get only about 18 cents on the dollar

for their goods from grocers, Weathers’ promise to seek more funding is laudable.

FINAL EXAM: Weathers passes. DeFelice fails. The State newspaper said it best when it pined for the oppor-tunity to pick both. When it comes down to ability to get the job done, Weathers wins out. DeFelice has terrific ideas and an evident passion, but Weathers already has the ear of the industry.

TEACHER COMMENTS

★ A G R I C U LT U R E C O M M I S S I O N E R

W E AT H E R S ’ C O N N E C T I O N S O U T G R O W S T R O N G O P P O S I T I O N

HUGH WEATHERS (R - INCUM.)

JOB: Co-owner of Weathers Farms POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Appointed commissioner in 2004 ENDORSEMENTS: The State newspaper, The Greenville News, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal

EMILE DEFELICE (D)

JOB: Farmer POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None ENDORSEMENTS: The (Rock Hill) Herald, Conservation Voters of South Carolina, The Sierra Club

FOREIGN POLICY: Both candidates recognize the need for change in Iraq. Clyburn wants a new direc-tion for America’s role in Iraq and McCleod wants us to “whoop up” some folks and get out of there.

ECONOMY: Clyburn’s concern is keeping Social Security solvent. McCleod wants to abolish federal taxes and replace them with con-sumption taxes like sales tax.

GOVERNMENT: Seeing an often overreaching hand of the federal government, McCleod wants to get rid of most federal programs and return them to the responsi-bilities of the individual states.

MINIMUM WAGE: Clyburn wants to increase the mini-mum wage. McCleod wants to abolish the minimum wage to make the market more competitive.

FINAL EXAM: Clyburn pass-es. McCleod fails. McCleod says the Republican Party doesn’t want him to win, and some of his ideas make us think he’s probably right. While power shouldn’t be a sole determiner, it’s important to note that Clyburn’s expe-rience in the Congress puts him in play for one of the House leadership positions, possibly House Democratic whip.

TEACHER COMMENTS

★ 6 T H C O N G R E S S I O N A L D I S T R I C T C LY B U R N M O S T L I K E LY TO S U C C E E D

JAMES “JIM” CLYBURN (D - INCUM.)

JOB: Retired S.C. Human Affairs commissioner POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: U.S. House of Representatives, 1993-presentENDORSEMENTS: The Post and Courier

GARY MCCLEOD (R)

JOB: Former dairy farmer POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

continued on page 17

HENRY BROWN (R - INCUMB.)

JOB: Retired Piggly Wiggly executive POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: U.S. House of Representatives, 2000-present; State House of Representatives, 1985-2000; Hanahan City Council, 81-85 ENDORSEMENTS: NRA Political Victory Fund, The Post and Courier

RANDY MAATTA (D - WORKING FAMILIES)

JOB: Former U.S. State Department proj-ect manager POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None ENDORSEMENTS: The Sierra Club

★ 1 S T C O N G R E S S I O N A L D I S T R I C T • B ROW N ’ S PA RT Y L I N E S RU N F L AT AG A I N S T M A AT TA

FOREIGN POLICY: Undeniably, America’s next step in Iraq is the most important issue in the cam-paign. To say things haven’t gone as planned is an understatement. Brown says Democrats are look-ing to “cut and run.” It’s encour-aging that even Republicans like Brown are using words like “exit strategy,” but you have to wonder if they really are tired of this crap or if they just recognize that a majority of Americans are. Randy Maatta and other Democrats aren’t looking to roll up the tents Nov. 8, but they want a clear vision from this administration on how to get America out of this mess while giving Iraq the best chance for success.

ECONOMY: Brown says the economy is strong. Look at the stock market and housing numbers, he says. Well, if you don’t have stock or a mortgage or millions of dollars of inheri-tance, there’s little for you to see through the rose-colored glasses. Maatta says out-of-control spending isn’t an urban myth, it’s a Republican reality.

IMMIGRATION: Fixing the immi-gration problem requires a rea-soned conversation among legisla-tors who can come to reasoned

conclusions. Sending all the illegal immigrants back or build-ing a fence may sound like great politics, but they’re both practical nightmares. Maatta says he’s ready to sit down and find solutions, including targeting employers of illegal immigrants who are encouraging the problem. Brown is an old man towing the Republican party line.

MINIMUM WAGE: It’s likely the issue that sums up the “do-nothing Congress.” North Carolina stepped out and increased its minimum wage, but South Carolina officials say they’re still scared a hike in the minimum wage will drive business elsewhere. Regardless of what the Republicans say, they’ve been the foils in raising the minimum wage nationwide to avoid those local competi-tion concerns. Democrats in Congress finally got the support they needed for minimum wage hikes last year. So the Republicans decided to tack on the one thing that Democrats couldn’t vote for, a permanent repeal of the estate

tax. What the whole ordeal highlighted was that the Republicans aren’t as concerned with a fair wage as they are with tax cuts for the wealthy. Maatta says that a Democratic Congress will have a minimum wage bill on the president’s desk within two weeks.

FINAL EXAM: Maatta passes. Brown fails. Well,

we could give some snide com-ment that at least we’ve seen Maatta, but it’s more important in this race to highlight the fact that Democrats are looking to get things done, while Republicans are spinning their wheels.

TEACHER COMMENTS

WALLACE SCARBOROUGH(R - INCUMB.)

JOB: Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Co. POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State House mem-ber since 2001 ENDORSEMENTS: NRA Political Victory Fund, The Post and Courier

EUGENE PLATT (D)

JOB: Retired from U.S. governmentPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: James Island Public Service District Commission since 1993 ENDORSEMENTS: The Sierra Club

★ S . C . H O U S E D I S T R I C T 1 1 5 • P L AT T W I N S O U T I N P E R S O N A L R A C E

DEVELOPMENT: Platt’s got a problem with new people. He says that he’s had about all the transplanters he can stand. “Nashville. Omaha. Des Moines. Nice places. People should be encouraged to stay there.” To say he would closely restrict develop-ment would likely be an under-statement.

TAXES: Scarborough has said he supports further income tax cuts and opposes increasing the cigarette tax. Platt says income

taxes are part of a balanced, three-legged tax system with sales and property taxes. He supports increasing the cigarette tax, one of the lowest in the country.

TUITION TAX CREDITS: Yep, that one again. Scarborough told the P&C that he supports some sort of voucher program for stu-dents attending private schools. Platt says he questions the value in subsidizing private schools.

CHARACTER: Scarborough has been upset that recent personal

events have provided much of the press on this campaign. Those events include Scarborough firing a weapon during an altercation with two South Carolina Electric and Gas employees and accusa-tions in divorce filings that he had an affair with Rep. Catherine Ceips (R-Beaufort). Platt has claimed that Scarborough’s initial denial of the affair in The State newspaper puts Scarborough’s character into question. Scarborough has since refused to confirm or deny the affair.

FINAL EXAM: Platt is “passed on.” Scarborough fails. We grudg-ingly send Platt on to the next grade, though noting his vocifer-ous, though moot, support for the gay marriage amendment as a particular sticking point. That said, one can hope that when he goes to Columbia, he’ll be there to work for James Island, and not for Ceips’ district.

TEACHER COMMENTS

SUZANNE PIPER (R)

JOB: Realtor and appraiser POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

LEON STAVRINAKIS (D)

JOB: Lawyer POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Charleston County Council since 1998, chair since 2004 ENDORSEMENTS: Conservation Voters of South Carolina, The Post and Courier

TEACHER COMMENTS

★ S . C . H O U S E D I S T R I C T 1 1 9

S TAV R I N A K I S W I L L TA K E L E A D E R S H I P, B I PA RT I S A N S H I P TO C O L U M B I A

TAXES: Piper says no new taxes and wants to further reduce property taxes, though she’s not very sure how. Stavrinakis has been a long-time supporter of a 15-percent cap on reassess-ments and supports a sales tax swap, though he’s worried about how schools will be funded under the legislation approved earlier this year.

EXPERIENCE: Neither can-didate has sat in the House, but Stavrinakis has spent eight years on the Charleston County Council, including two years as council chair. Piper has noted that she’s been actively involved with the Sea Island Republican Women but has held no elected office before.

PARTISANSHIP: Basically, Piper is all for it and Stavrinakis says he wants no part of it. Piper’s been using what appears to be a

Republican mantra in this election cycle: Republicans have the majority so they can get things done. Stavrinakis has noted the bipartisan support he’s received for his campaign and his experience working with Republicans and Democrats for solutions.

EDUCATION: Stavrinakis is calling for at least 65 percent of school funding to go to the classroom. Piper has noted that Stavrinakis’ plan was first introduced by a Republican. Surprisingly, that Republican could not get it passed in a Republican con-trolled House. (Assignment: Reread Partisanship)

POLITICAL SCIENCE: At one of the only opportuni-ties to see the two candi-dates debate, Piper attacked Stavrinakis’ plans for reforms by noting that Republicans had introduced similar legisla-tion in the past that was on

the books. Her proof? Each said “this takes effect with the signature of the governor.” Well, every bill includes that language when its introduced, regardless of it’s chances for success. Asked afterward if she knew how a bill became a law, she stumbled through an answer that was mostly accurate. (Assignment for Piper: Dig up Schoolhouse Rock: “I’m Just a Bill.”)

FINAL EXAM: Stavrinakis passes. Piper fails. Stavrinakis has upset members of his own party on the tax cap and on the marriage amend-ment, but it shows an ability to come to his own con-clusions. Meanwhile, Piper seems narrowly obsessed with Republican solutions to the state’s problems and apparently convinced that Republicans and Democrats can’t work together for the betterment of Charleston. We think she’s wrong.

JOE MCKEOWN (R - INCUMB.)

JOB: Allstate insurance agent and financial representativePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: County Council since May; Mt. Pleasant Town Council, 2004-2006 ENDORSEMENTS: The Post and Courier

STEVEN GOLDBERG (D)

JOB: Steinberg Law Firm LLP POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

TEACHER COMMENTS

★ C O U N T Y C O U N C I L D I S T R I C T 1

M C K E O W N S H O U L D G E T C H A N C E TO P R O V E H I M S E L F

TEAMWORK: Democratic challenger Steven Goldberg notes the County Council has struggled recently to incorporate municipal con-cerns in some decisions. McKeown concedes more work needs to be done to include municipal leaders in decisions.

GROWTH: Goldberg has also been critical of his opponent’s support for high-density development, but McKeown says that Charlestonians will have to make tough decisions if they want workforce housing near where people work.

“You can’t complain about sprawl and not make allow-ances for high density,” McKeown says. “You’ve got to pick your poison.”

DEVELOPMENT AGREE-MENTS: Goldberg is also critical (seeing a pattern here) of development agreements that delay construction of a library in northern Mount Pleasant. The development agree-ment was approved by Mt. Pleasant Town Council while McKeown was a member. McKeown notes that the library will come once the development reaches a cer-

tain size and that the free land and money donated by the developer were negoti-ated by the town even though libraries are a county responsibility.

FINAL EXAM: McKeown passes. Goldberg fails. These two already went at it this summer and Goldberg lost. Let the people’s choice have time to disappoint us. McKeown will have to make good on his vision of well-placed affordable housing or we’ll be crawling back to Goldberg in 2010.

DICKIE SCHWEERS (R)

JOB: Santee Cooper POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None ENDORSEMENTS: The Post and Courier

JANE MCMACKIN (D)

JOB: Retired advertising and marketing executive POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Isle of Palms Town Council since 2004

★ C O U N T Y C O U N C I L D I S T R I C T 2

M C M A C K I N ’ S G R E E N T H U M B A W E L C O M E A D D I T I O N

TEACHER COMMENTS

EXPERIENCE: Democrat McMackin says her time on the Isle of Palms Town Council makes her better prepared for County Council. Republican Schweers doesn’t have the political experience, but he’s a lifelong resident of Charleston with solid roots in the community.GROWTH: McMackin stresses consistency in devel-opment agreements while Schweers notes Charleston

County needs to foster regional planning. RECREATION: A strong supporter of bike and pedes-trian trails on Isle of Palms, McMackin says she’ll continue to call for walking trails.CONSERVATION: Schweers helped craft county guide-lines for preserving property through the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2004. McMackin says those

properties purchased should provide some recreational value for Charleston resi-dents. “We need interactive greenspace, not just greens-pace to look at,” she says. FINAL EXAM: McMackin passes. Schweers fails. McMackin’s vision on walk-ing trails is on the right track and, while her time on the town council has been relatively brief, it shouldn’t be shortchanged.

PAUL THURMOND (R)

JOB: Lawyer, ice cream franchise owner POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

GEORGE TEMPEL (D)

JOB: Retired professor and research scientist at the Medical University of South Carolina POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None ENDORSEMENTS: The Post and Courier

★ C O U N T Y C O U N C I L D I S T R I C T 9

T E M P E L ’ S Y E A R S S I D E L I N E T H U R M O N D P O L I T I C A L L E G A C Y

TEACHER COMMENTS

JAMES ISLAND: Both can-didates support the island’s recent incorporation and question the county’s planned charges for police protection and planning services.

TAXES: In one of the sharp-er differences, Thurmond says adding just a fraction of a penny to the sales tax could eliminate county property taxes on residential homes while letting tourists further contribute to county coffers. Tempel sees the sales tax as regressive, impacting low-income and middle-class homes the most.

EFFICIENCEY: Thurmond wants to improve the CARTA bus system to make it a more acceptable alternative for residents. Tempel has taken up Sheriff Al Cannon’s suggestion to consolidate municipal police services under the county’s umbrella. “We’ve done it with EMS,” he says. “I truly believe the effect on law enforcement would be dra-matically improved.”

EXPERIENCE: Tempel notes his 30 years in the communi-ty, compared to Thurmond’s three. That said, Thurmond’s

excitement for the campaign is hard to ignore.

FINAL EXAM: Tempel passes. Thurmond fails. Either candi-date would likely be a strong choice for County Council and they’ve both noted they agree on many issues. In the end, the decision between two untested candidates comes down to experience.

continued on page 18

STAR PUPILS: Gregg Meyers, Susan Simons, Marian Mentavlos, Ruth Jordan

All of these candidates support the district’s Charleston Plan for Excellence and see the value in giving the plan more time to show results.

• GREGG MEYERS: A school board veteran, Meyers supports Maria Goodloe-Johnson, opposes tuition tax credits, and recommends offering incentives to get high-quality teachers and administrators into troubled schools.

• SUSAN SIMONS: At a recent debate, Simons got applause for her challenge to critics that the board doesn’t take a sharp enough look at the budget. She’s been an outspoken supporter for giving the Plan for Excellence a chance to work.

• MARIAN MENTAVLOS: She’s a former district official and has made it her mission to get into every school in the district to seek out struggles and successes in each classroom.

• RUTH JORDAN: Jordan has been a tireless campaigner ready to offer up vast changes from incumbent Sandi Engelman’s reign. As a black woman, she would also be able to shore up a minority perspective that’s much needed on the board.

★ C H A R L E S TO N C O U N T Y S C H O O L B O A R D • B E T T E R O D D S F O R A C C O U N TA B I L I T Y W I T H C O O P E R AT I O N

CONSTITUENT BOARDSUsually when “Charleston” and “unique” are used in the same sentence, it brings a smile to everyone’s face. Not so when that sentence includes constitu-ent boards, Charleston County’s unique effort to maintain little fiefdoms when the county’s eight school districts were consolidated in 1967. Local legislators are promising to head to Columbia next year to try to put the constituent boards into more of an advocacy role instead of the bureaucratic oversight the boards now hold on transfers and teacher hiring.

In Districts 3 and 4, there are seats without candidates to fill them and there’s just enough to fill the seats up for election in districts 1, 10, and 23. But in a busy election season, the problem for candidates in districts like District 20 on the peninsula is getting their names out to voters. Incumbents Marvin Stewart, Mauri Haynes-Jones, and Christopher Ellis are on the ballot, but Leroy Connors has decided not to run for reelection.

HERE’S A LIST OF THE CONTESTED RACES:

District 2 — Moultrie

One at-large seat: Craig Ascue, Kevin Croth-ers, Paul Truluck

District 9 — St. John’s

Four seats: Renea Brown Bligen, Angel Jones, Calvin Morris, Andrea Murray, Naquita Page, Sharon Sissy Robinson

District 20 — City of Charleston

Four seats: Ida Jackson Ascue, Susan Guerard Cale, Christopher Ellis, Thuane Fielding, Shamekei Gray, Mauri Haynes-Jones, Marvin Stewart

Okay, one more time. We’re taking this extra effort because voting for the school board is confusing. Charleston County School Board is sort of broken up into districts. While board members are elected to represent those districts, every candidate is elected on a countywide ballot. Here’s the rundown of the races and our take on the candidates:

EAST COOPER (PICK 2): Robin Beard, Gregg Meyers, Arthur Ravenel Jr., and Susan Simons

DOWNTOWN (PICK 1): Doug Berger, Jo Anne Cannon, Toya Hampton Green, Lurline Fishburne, and Marian Mentavlos

NORTH AREA (PICK 1): Ray Toler

WEST ASHLEY (PICK 1): Sandi Engelman, Ruth Jordan, Kay Kernodle, and Ann Oplinger

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AVERAGE STUDENTS: Doug Berger, Jo Anne Cannon, Toya Hampton Green, Kay Kernodle, and Ann Oplinger

These candidates have all shown a passion for the campaign and would make decent board members.

• DOUG BERGER: He’s been a leader on parental concerns in District 20. His suggestion that schools receive extra funding for struggling students to encourage the schools to keep these students is a terrific idea. “You fund each student instead of funding the schools,” he says.

• JO ANNE CANNON: Her effort to follow in her late husband’s footsteps is commendable and she’s proven to be a unique, independent thinker.

• TOYA HAMPTON GREEN: The fact that she’s raised more money than any of the other candidates, including the collected A-Team, is an indication of her support in the community. Like other candidates for District 20, Hampton Green’s showed a passion for focusing on improving low-per-forming schools.

• KAY KERNODLE: She’s a straight-talker with her own unique perspec-tive on solutions, including tuition tax credits for parents who send their kids to public schools.

• ANN OPLINGER: Her experience as an educator and passion for get-ting out into the schools would make her a worthy board member if two were needed from West Ashley.

A+ C

NOTES FROM THE BATHROOM WALLWhat’s a candidate for statewide office supposed to do when he can’t get any press for his campaign? Well, you start slinging mud. God bless Democrat Drew Theodore: he wasn’t really slinging mud, just honestly reporting a lapse in judgement by incumbent S.C. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom. The gaffe became the opening segment for Saturday Night Live this season and, unable to defend himself, Eckstrom started digging through Theodore’s closet. What fol-lowed can only be summed up on the bathroom wall.

Eckstrom used a state van to go on Minnesota vacation and paid for his gas with a state credit card. (No, really) — D.T.

Theodore had two failed businesses and didn’t pay his taxes. — R.E. Theodore says the business was his in-law’s.

Eckstrom’s CPA license expired in 2002. — D.T.

Theodore isn’t even a CPA. — R.E.

Eckstrom intimidates women. — D.T.

Eckstrom says not true.

Eckstrom wasted money on office renovations. — D.T. Eckstrom says he’s cut waste from the office and left his personal office untouched.

DETENTION: Sandi Engelman and the A-Team (Arthur Ravenel Jr., Robin Beard, Ray Toler, and Lurline Fishburne)

Engelman is outspoken and, bless her heart, that’s not a bad thing. Her point of view has been clear since the race began. Unfortunately for her, it’s her views that are getting her in trouble. Her recent gaffes on the radio and her constant

combative tone would lead no one to believe we’re looking at a consensus builder here. That is, unless she had like-minded people on the board. Enter the A-Team. Perceptions that the team will bring partisanship onto the school board, fire Maria Goodloe-Johnson, and chart yet another new course for the district have persisted because the team’s done little to refute the suggestions. What they call “accountability,” we call “micro-managing.”

• SANDI ENGELMAN: For the two people that haven’t heard the story, Engelman claimed on a radio program that Goodloe-Johnson was constantly on “CPT.” While many consider the term to mean “Colored People’s Time,” Engelman says it means “Certain People’s Time.” While “certain people” are calling for her ouster, Engelman recently reflected back on the whole furor as “free press.”

• ARTHUR RAVENEL JR.: When Ravenel says he wants to help Goodloe-Johnson, he gets laughter from district supporters. Nobody’s fooled, Arthur. We’ll give Engelman one thing, she’s honest about her intentions.

• ROBIN BEARD: The other former Congressman looking to come out of retirement. Beard is looking for increased oversight on the board, but has few answers when pressed for proposed solutions.

• RAY TOLER: Rates the Charleston Plan for Excellence “below average” and says Goodloe-Johnson needs to earn her pay-check. Toler heads toward election day unopposed, almost assuring at least 25 percent success for the A-Team.

• LURLINE FISHBURNE: In the past few months, Fishburne has been an impassioned advocate for District 20 schools. While some have suggested Fishburne’s recent attention is politically motivated, her promises for change are commendable. Unfortunately for Fishburne, this final exam is based on the company she keeps.

OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT ENDORSEMENTS:• THE NONPROFIT BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE

Gregg MeyersSusan SimonsToya Hampton GreenRuth Jordan

• THE BUSINESS ADVOCATING CHANGE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Gregg MeyersSusan SimonsToya Hampton GreenAnn Oplinger

School Board continued from page 18

F

“The Marriage Amendment” or “The Family Discrimination Amendment”

What you’ll see on the ballot:1. Must Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended

by adding Section 15 so as to provide that in this State and its political subdivisions, a marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized; that this State and its political subdivi-sions shall not create, recognize, or give effect to a legal status, right, or claim created by another jurisdiction re-specting any other domestic union, however denominated; that this amendment shall not impair any right or benefit extended by the State or its political subdivisions other than a right or benefit arising from a domestic union that is not valid or recognized in this State; and that this amendment shall not prohibit or limit the ability of parties other than the State or its political subdivisions from entering into contracts or other legal instruments?

TRANSLATION: Proponents of Amendment 1 claim they are “pro-tecting marriage,” but this amendment doubly underscores the fact

that gay couples are not equal to straight couples in South Caro-lina, with an asterisk implying that judges may no longer have to recognize common-law marriage. It will make it even more impos-sible for gay couples to obtain insurance coverage together, not to mention the legal and financial advantages that straight couples receive, including benefits from employers. Furthermore, domestic violence laws and protections will not include same-sex couples. What happened to “equal protection under the law,” or President Eisenhower’s declaration that “There shall be no second-class citi-zens?” The amendment has possible implications for straight people as well. If a deadbeat knocks up his 17-year-old girlfriend, fathers three children, never marries her, and leaves her after seven years together, a judge can legitimately ignore common-law marriage and rule that he doesn’t owe child support. The “family discrimina-tion amendment” is a hastily written, self-righteous product of fear, leaving too many loopholes to be legitimate. Religious feelings and the word “marriage” aside, something must really be stuck up our state’s conservative ass to have such a problem with allowing gay people civil unions and equal benefits under the law.

REPUBLICANS: Want to protect marriage from gay couples.DEMOCRATS: No word. Scared to upset conservatives and gays.CITY PAPER: We’ll vote no. We dig the Golden Rule.

What you’ll see on the ballot:2 a. Shall Article III, Section 9 of the Constitution of this State

be amended so as to provide that the annual session of the General Assembly shall commence on the second Tuesday in January at the State Capitol Building in the City of Columbia, but that each body shall be authorized by majority vote to recede for a period of time not to exceed 30 consecutive calendar days at a time, or by two-thirds vote to recede for a time period of more than 30 consecutive calendar days at a time, and to sit in session at the State Capitol Building in the City of Columbia, and to provide for meetings as each body shall consider appropriate, and to provide for an organizational session for the Senate in those years in which the membership of the Senate is elected and to delete obsolete language relating to earlier sessions of the General Assembly?

TRANSLATION: This gives the House and Senate the power to take steps to shorten their sessions. South Carolina’s legislature cur-rently meets longer than other states of similar size and budgets. It

Despite a clause to “delete obsolete language” in Amendment 2a, the changes to the state constitution on this year’s ballot read like the old-school language of our founding fathers. Rather than leave you to untangle the gub’mints tricky wording while standing behind the curtain, we’ve trans-lated the Amendments into plain English. With the exception of the first, there is general bipartisan support for all of these. Democrat Aaron Polkey and Republican Lanneau Siegling, vice-chairs of their parties in Charleston County, lent a hand to the deciphering effort. No longer shall we be fooled by word trickery. —Stratton Lawrence

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should encourage efficiency, thus saving money, and allow people who aren’t self-employed to pursue civil service by lessening time away from jobs. If they’re just sitting around, this allows them to go home and organize. “It has positive ramifications,” says Democrat Polkey. “It’ll get people out of the Columbia lifestyle. It’s not healthy partying and dealing with lobbyists.”REPUBLICANS: Yes.DEMOCRATS: No official stance.CITY PAPER: Go for it, who wants to be stuck in Columbia?

What you’ll see on the ballot:2 b. Shall Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended

by deleting Section 21 which provides that neither house of the General Assembly shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which it shall be at the time sitting?

TRANSLATION: Or not 2b? This one simply allows 2a to happen by eliminating a provision that requires the House and Senate to vote on whether the other may adjourn. If the House is working on the budget, the Senate will no longer have to wait around for them to get that done. Then when the Senate comes back, the House can go home. There’s no opposition to this from either side.

REPUBLICANS: Yes. No flip-flopping here.DEMOCRATS: No official stance. “It makes sense to not hold each other captive.”CITY PAPER: Yes. Getting it right the first time is never a bad thing.

What you’ll see on the ballot:3a. Must the first sentence of the fourth paragraph of Section

16, Article X of the Constitution of this State relating to the equity securities investments allowed for funds of the vari-ous state-operated retirement systems be amended so as to delete the restrictions limiting investments in equity securities to those of American-based corporations regis-tered on an American national exchange as provided in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any successor act, or quoted through the National Association of Securities Deal-ers Automatic Quotations System or similar service?

TRANSLATION: 3a allows the state to invest its retirement funds in foreign markets. In the free trade 21st century, if public money is to be invested in the stock market, it makes sense to use the most profitable avenue. Currently the state must invest only in American companies, harking back to “Buy American” Reaganesque ideals that even Wal-Mart no longer meets. Although some feel that we shouldn’t be investing retirement savings in the stock market at all, incumbent Treasurer Grady Patterson (D) is touting this as a posi-tive move. If we’re investing, it makes sense to do so where we’ll get the highest likely return.

REPUBLICANS: Yes.DEMOCRATS: No official stance.CITY PAPER: Get rich before they die trying.

What you’ll see on the ballot:3b. Must the second through the seventh sentences of the fourth

paragraph of Section 16, Article X of the Constitution of this State relating to the establishment and membership of the State Retirement Systems Investment Panel be amended by deleting these sentences thereby abolishing this consti-tutionally established panel?

TRANSLATION: No one seems to know what the State Retirement Systems Investment Panel is, or what it does, so why not get rid of it? As an “advisory” panel, it has no real power and is considered a waste of money. It’s somewhat baffling to eliminate the invest-ment panel while simultaneously expanding our investments. This amendment must assume that we won’t elect an idiot as our Trea-surer.

REPUBLICANS: Yes.DEMOCRATS: No official stance. CITY PAPER: Can we wait and see if Thomas Ravenel gets handed a blank check?

What you’ll see on the ballot:4. Must Article III and Article X of the Constitution of this State

be amended to authorize the General Assembly to establish the method of valuation for real property based on limits to increases in taxable value, adjusted for improvements and losses, of no more than fifteen percent over a five-year period, unless an assessable transfer of interest occurs; to provide that for purposes of calculating the limit on bonded indebtedness of political subdivisions and school districts, the assessed values of all taxable property within a politi-cal subdivision or school district shall not be lower than the assessed values for 2006; and to provide that the General Assembly, by general law and not through local legislation pertaining to a single county or other political subdivision, shall provide for the terms, conditions, and procedures to implement the above provisions?

TRANSLATION: If you live on the water, vote yes. This is tax relief for those who own valuable homes, so the Republicans are expectably adamant about pushing it. Under current law, if the value of your home increases 50 percent over five years, you can owe 50 percent more on property taxes. If you intend to sell your home, that tax might make sense, but for those sit-ting tight, their disposable income has likely not increased with the home’s value, and that’s a big hit to take. It’s only fair that families living in rapidly gentrifying areas not be forced to cough up huge tax bills for the house they’ve always owned, just because it’s suddenly worth more to outsiders. “Poor families have been taxed out of their communities when their prop-erty value has risen,” says Democratic Vice-Chair Polkey. Unfortunately, the amendment fails to account for where the difference will come from. Logically, it can only come from those who aren’t “capped” — the folks with less valuable homes who are more likely to be in financial straits. “If a house on Kiawah appreciates 45 percent, they pay only 15 percent. If the government continues to operate at current levels of service, it’s got to account for that money. The person whose home went up only 5 percent may find their tax goes up 15 percent as well,” explains Polkey. Homeowners of valuable properties have undeniably been overtaxed, and this amendment remedies that, but at the cost of the middle and lower classes. It’s a decision each voter must base on their personal situation.

REPUBLICANS: Yes. Save the little old ladies and the beach front homes.DEMOCRATS: No official stance.CITY PAPER: Every man for himself.

What you’ll see on the ballot:5. Must Section 13, Article I of the Constitution of this State be

amended so as to provide that except as otherwise provided in the Constitution, private property shall not be condemned by eminent domain for any purpose or benefit, including, but not limited to, the purpose or benefit of economic de-velopment, unless the condemnation is for public use; and to further provide that for the limited purpose of the rem-edy of blight, the General Assembly may provide by law that private property, if it meets certain conditions, may be con-demned by eminent domain without the consent of the owner and put to a public use or private use if just compensation is first made for the property; and must Section 17, Article I of the Constitution of this State be amended to delete undes-ignated paragraphs that give slum clearance and redevelop-ment power to municipalities and housing or redevelopment authorities in Sumter and Cherokee Counties; and must the Constitution of this State be amended to delete Section 5, Ar-ticle XIV, which provides slum clearance and redevelopment power over blighted properties to municipalities and housing or redevelopment authorities in Spartanburg, York, Florence, Greenville, Charleston, Richland, and Laurens Counties?

TRANSLATION: Eminent domain scares people, and this amend-ment is a Republican push to support individual property rights by disallowing economic development as a viable reason for the government to seize property. The lengthy text then outlines excep-tions to the rule, meaning that “slum clearing” is still okay. There have been positive outcomes of seizing blighted land in Charleston: the S.C. Aquarium, Gaillard Auditorium, and, most notably, Charles-ton Place. Hopefully this amendment will discourage unjust land seizures, although the real solution is to elect public officials who won’t allow them.

REPUBLICANS: Yes.DEMOCRATS: No official stance. CITY PAPER: Stay off my property.

Voting for Dummies continued from page 21

THE ROAD BOND REFERENDUM

QUESTION 1: Shall Charleston County be empowered to issue not exceeding $205,000,000 of general obligation bonds of Charleston County, payable from the 1⁄2-cent special sales and use tax approved by referendum November 2, 2004, the bonds maturing over a period ending no later than 2030, to fund the costs of highways, roads, streets, bridges, and other transportation-related projects facilities, and drainage facilities related thereto, including, but not limited to the following projects: • Widening and improvements to US Route 17/Johnnie Dodds Boulevard from the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge to the Interstate I-526 Overpass

• Folly Road (SC 171)/Maybank Highway (SC 700) Intersection Improvements

• James Island Connector (SC 30) Interchange Loop to Folly Road (SC 171)

• Harbor View Road (S-1028) Improvements

• Interstate I-526 Loop Ramp to Glenn McConnell Parkway (SC 61 Spur)

• Bees Ferry Road (s-57) widening from US Route 17 to Ashley River Road (SC 61)

• Folly Road (SC 171)/Camp Road (s-28) Intersection Improvements

• Future Drive extension to Ladson Road and the extension of Northside Drive

• Maybank Highway (SC 700) widening from proposed I-526/Mark Clark interchange to Bohicket Road/Main Road (S-20)

• Roadway Improvements in the Medical University area including Lockwood Drive (S404), Courtenay Drive (S-550), and Bee Street (S-551) with additional improvements at the Courtenay Drive intersections with Calhoun Street (S-404) and Spring Street

This amendment is the second step in the process of utilizing the half-cent sales tax. We approved the tax, now we have to approve the county’s list of prioritized projects. The only problem here lies in our readiness to widen already huge roads. Perhaps we should be thinking about aggressively funding and encouraging alternative methods of getting people around. How about a Highway 17 monorail between the two 526/Highway 17 intersections?

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS: No official stance. They all say yes though.CITY PAPER: Traffic sucks.

THE CONSERVATION BOND REFERENDUM

QUESTION 2: Shall Charleston County be empowered to issue not exceeding $95,000,000 of general obligation bonds of Charleston County, payable from the 1⁄2-cent special sales and use tax approved by referendum November 2, 2004, the bonds maturing over a period ending no later than 2030, to fund the costs of greenbelts projects?

Hell, anything to help control our cancerous sprawl. Greenbelts are good.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS: No official stance. But they’ll all vote yes.CITY PAPER: Of course.