TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1999
Tuesday, May 11, 1999
(Statewide Session)
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The Senate assembled at 12:00 Noon, the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.
A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:
Beloved, yesterday was Confederate Memorial Day. Hear ancient words from the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 31 (vv. 28, 31):
“Her children rise up and call her blessed... Let her works praise her in the gates.”
Let us pray.
Dear God, the Father of us all, we pause to remember and reflect upon our past; but especially to give thanks to You. You preserved us, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, as we fought, filled our lands with blood, and for more than a century suffered the trauma of the aftermath.
Lord, we are raising a monument to our sisters and brothers from Africa. They joined us, the children of an embattled and miserable Europe, seeking a home in “the Land of the Free.” They have added their blood and strength to make this land the LAND OF HOPE for the whole world.
Together, we pray in the words of Robert Murray in 1880:
“Our Saviour King, defend us,
And guide where we should go;...
Thy love and light to show...
From ocean unto ocean our land shall own Thee Lord.”
Amen.
RECESS
At 12:08 P.M., on motion of Senator SALEEBY, the Senate receded from business not to exceed fifteen minutes.
At 12:23 P.M., the Senate resumed.
REPORT RECEIVED
COMMITTEE TO SCREEN CANDIDATES
FOR BOARDS OF TRUSTEES
OF STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
May 5, 1999
9:15 a.m. - 9:33 a.m.
The meeting was conducted on May 5, 1999, at 427 Blatt Building, Room 501, Columbia, South Carolina, before Sonya S. Keesee, Court Reporter and Notary Public in and for the State of South Carolina.
APPEARANCES:Representative Olin Phillips
Senator James E. Bryan, Jr.
ALSO PRESENT:Sophia Floyd
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: We call the meeting to order. And I'd like to introduce the committee that is here. Senator Jim Bryan from Laurens, and myself, Representative Olin Phillips from Cherokee. First, we'll do Coastal Carolina University, Mr. George Anderson, Seat 1, District 1. Mr. Anderson, if you'd stand and raise your right hand, sir. The information you give here today will be the truth and nothing but the truth, so help you?
MR. ANDERSON: Yes.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Do you have any health-related problems that would prevent you from serving on the Board in a full capacity ...
MR. ANDERSON: No.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: ... that we don't know about?
MR. ANDERSON: No.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend the Board meetings on a regular basis?
MR. ANDERSON: Yes. With due notice.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Sir?
MR. ANDERSON: With due notice.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Yes, sir. Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that would be a conflict of interest if you would be elected to this Board?
MR. ANDERSON: No.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: None. Do you hold any public office now that would prevent you from fulfilling your duties if you were elected to this Board?
MR. ANDERSON: No.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: None. Well, sir, you may open with a statement, if you'd like to make a short statement.
MR. ANDERSON: Yes. I have a prepared statement I would like just to briefly read, which is in addition to the resume and other information that you have.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: All right.
MR. ANDERSON: And as to the reason I'm applying as a Trustee, is the fact that I've had a life-long interest in both personal and community education. In addition to the listed formal degreed programs, I have spent considerable personal time and effort to expand my horizons by taking numerous studies in a number of different areas of interest. I have been actively involved in the education of others in the communities where I've lived. These include being a member of the Executive Board of the Fayette-Westmoreland Council of the Boy Scouts in Pennsylvania. I was chairman of their Explorer Scouting program and both started patrols and also counseled high school students in discovering career opportunities. I was also a member of the Education Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where we provided annual career awareness programs for young people. I've taught both undergraduate and graduate level MBA college students at two local colleges as a hobby, because I am an engineer I taught at Penn State University and at California University of Pennsylvania, because I felt I could help young people toward leading a better life. These courses included engineering, marketing, economics, business principles, and production management. I was also a visiting water industry instructor at the Texas A&M University at Colleton ... College Station, Texas. Other examples of my interest in promoting education has been a judge for 15 years at regional high school science fairs and also being a mentor for engineering students. During the time I was actively employed, I was part of an ad hoc group of professionals who established the ISO 9000 Users Group, which is an international inspection concept in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to advance quality concepts in the workplace. I was a member of a number of civic organizations throughout my work career, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club for ten years, the Rotary Club for eight years, and being included... including being their Executive Treasurer for three years. Also, actively involved with the Boy Scouts and am a member of Mensa. I have remained active throughout the Grand Strand area since I have retired to Myrtle Beach, even though people consider me retired. In reality, all I've done is change careers from paid employment to volunteerism. I retired and moved to Myrtle Beach four years ago at the age of 58. I've become active in a number of community activities, including being the vice president of Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, Chairman of the Grand Strand Chapter of SCORE, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Condo Owners' Association at the Beach. I'm also a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Myrtle Beach and on a team of members who provide meals to a charity group called Street Reach Mission. In addition, I'm past president of the Owners' Association of Southcreek where I reside. In summary, I believe my educational background, business management skills and experience in a wide range of activities prepares me to contribute in a positive manner to the Coastal Carolina University and its various stakeholders.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Senator Bryan, do you have any questions of Mr. Anderson?
SENATOR BRYAN: No, sir. He's got a very thorough statement here.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Mr. Anderson, we appreciate you coming and are certainly sorry you didn't make the other screening...
MR. ANDERSON: Yes.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: ... because you was having fun, probably. But anyway, we ... your resume looks good and I would inform you that the election is set for next Wednesday at twelve noon at this date. And your and Mr. Parker ...is that ...
MS. FLOYD: Yes, but they're not going to be involved in that election. We're going to wait. Because we have to give them two weeks.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Two weeks?
MS. FLOYD: Uh-huh (affirmative response). Yes. So they're not going to be involved in the May 12th ...
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Oh that's right. We're screening him for that.
MS. FLOYD: Yes. We'll let you know.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: So that will be deleted from the regular election next week. But I would tell you that you need, you're in town today, contact your legislatures and everything, because I feel like you're qualified. And do I hear a motion to screen Mr. Anderson now?
SENATOR BRYAN: So moved.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Sir?
SENATOR BRYAN: So moved.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Yes, sir. Thank you. Mr. Anderson, we deem you qualified to run and now you may seek votes for this position and you can start when you leave here.
MR. ANDERSON: Very good. Thank you very much.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Thank you for coming.
MR. ANDERSON: Thank you committee, and you, for giving me the opportunity to speak today.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Yes, sir. Well, we just appreciate people, you know, who are willing to run and certainly you went through the efforts to qualify and everything and you certainly couldn't be here the last time, but we appreciate your public interest in doing what you do, even though it's not getting anything out of it but the pleasure of helping someone else.
MR. ANDERSON: Right.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: And we certainly appreciate that for the State of South Carolina.
MR. ANDERSON: Fine.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir.
MR. ANDERSON: Thank you.
MS. FLOYD: I take that back about him, because all the other candidates for his Seat are going to be involved in ...
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Yes, I think ... sir, your election is next Wednesday.
MS. FLOYD: Yours is next Wednesday. Your all's is going to have to wait.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: These two are the ones.
MS. FLOYD: Yes, your all's is going to wait, but yours will be ...
MR. ANDERSON: Okay. Next Wednesday.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Yes, sir. And ...
MS. FLOYD: 12:00 o'clock.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Twelve noon, and the ...
MR. ANDERSON: The General Assembly ...
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: It's a Joint Assembly between the Senate and the House in the House Chambers at twelve noon.
MR. ANDERSON: Got it.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir.
MS. FLOYD: And you can call me if you have any questions.
MR. ANDERSON: Okay. Thank you.
MS. FLOYD: Uh-huh (affirmative response).
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: The House goes in at ten and the Senate at eleven today, so you have time to see a few of them, Mr. Anderson.
MR. ANDERSON: Okay. Fine. Thank you.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Okay. Our next order is candidates for Francis Marion University, Seat 76, District 3. And Ms. Patricia Edmonds. Would you please raise your right hand. Ms. Edmonds, the information and questions we ask you here today will be the truth and nothing but the truth so help you?
MS. EDMONDS: Yes, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Thank you. Do you have any health-related problems that we need to know about ...
MS. EDMONDS: No, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: ... that would prevent you from serving?MS. EDMONDS: Huh-uh (negative response).
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Considering your occupation and present activities, would anything prevent you from serving the Board in a full capacity?
MS. EDMONDS: No.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that would cause a conflict if you were elected?
MS. EDMONDS: No.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Do you hold any public position of honor or trust, if elected, would prevent you from serving on a regular basis on the committee?
MS. EDMONDS: No.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Okay. Then you may go ahead with a statement.
MS. EDMONDS: Thank you so much. What I'd like to do is just summarize my statement because I'm not sure everybody had a chance to read it. But currently I serve as director of Regional Planning and Development Council. And through that organization I've had a lot of opportunity to work with institutions of higher education, in particular, I just finished serving a two year term on the Board of Visitors at Lander University. And we work very closely with the institutions in our six county region as well as a lot of others in the programs that we offer through our organization, so I've had a lot of interaction and I feel as though that in our District we have an awareness of what the issues and needs are. In particular, for students who are undecided as far as their career goal. We run a workforce improvement program. We run a lot of programs where we actually are out in the schools talking with students, and a lot of them are undecided about where their future lies, and I think we can help shape that as a Board through Francis Marion, and I would like the opportunity to have influence in an organization such as Francis Marion in an institution. Additionally, for the last few years, through our development corporation, which is a subsidiary of Upper Savannah, we have served the State of South Carolina through the Budget and Control Board as coordinating some of the programs with two of the German sister states that we have agreements with. And through that association I've worked with the University of South Carolina, Lander, Clemson, College of Charleston, a number of them in helping introduce them to international programs. I would like, there are so many schools in the two states that we're partners with that want partners, American partners, South Carolina partners, and I would like the opportunity to introduce Francis Marion to those partners as well. Particularly in the areas of research exchanges, faculty exchanges, and also student exchanges. We have a delegation, as a matter of fact, right now today in Columbia, they're from the Ministry of Sport and Interior and they're looking at ways in which they can work with athletic clubs, colleges, universities, and a number of other organizations in helping bring the activities of the sister state partnership more at a level where the general population can understand. And I hope through our opportunities that we see while we're over there and while we have visitors over here, that we can share that information with Francis Marion and thereby involve their students and their administrators in some of the advantages of working in an international environment. We also hope to work it towards entering into some specific relationships to develop contacts for research opportunities, and that's an area that I think that I can offer because we come into contact with so many of those individuals over there. And so those are the two things that I think I can offer as a Board member. And I've had the pleasure of working with the new president as well for the last many years I've been at Upper Savannah for 23 years, and for the last ten years that Dr. Carter was in his position, we've had the opportunity of working together and I feel as though we have a good relationship.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Thank you. Senator Bryan?
SENATOR BRYAN: Yes. This South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land Resources, is that an advisory committee member?
MS. EDMONDS: That's an advisory.
SENATOR BRYAN: How is that appointed? I mean, that's not a ... some kind of Board is it?
MS. EDMONDS: No, it's not. The D&R ... it's an advisory committee to the D&R Board.
SENATOR BRYAN: Okay.
MS. EDMONDS: That need a council of governments representative, and so they came to the cog and they asked for us to select one person. We have a lot of contracts with D&R. For instance, we do the mapping programs for them in the region. And I'm in that position. I've had it now for four years, but that actually can fluctuate from one cog member to another. There's just a slot on there for a cog member.
SENATOR BRYAN: It's not a ...
MS. EDMONDS: Dual office holding.
SENATOR BRYAN: It's totally advisory, if you ...
MS. EDMONDS: It's totally advisory.
SENATOR BRYAN: You don't have any kind of ...
MS. EDMONDS: No.
SENATOR BRYAN: ... as far as that, getting to the dual office holding.
MS. EDMONDS: Yeah. Yeah. Total advisory.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: And if elected to this Board, would that be sometime in the future some kind of conflict?
MS. EDMONDS: No, sir. We don't even meet regularly. I think we've had two meetings already this year and that's it. I know there's another one sometime in June. More or less our work with that organization involves coordinating the resources of the councils of governments. There's a representative from Clemson University on that Board and from other organizations from the city, from the county, and we are the voice of -- for instance, I represent the ten cogs in South Carolina on that Board. So we're more or less someone that they can call on should they have any questions about specific mapping projects.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Okay. Well, you've certainly got a good resume. Senator, have you got anymore questions?
SENATOR BRYAN: No.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Okay. Thank you, ma'am.
MS. EDMONDS: Thank you. I guess I'm free to go then?
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Well, you can wait just a minute until Mr. Hill if you'd like.
MS. EDMONDS: Okay.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Mr. Joel Hill.
MR. HILL: Yes, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Joel, will you please raise your right hand. The information that we are seeking from you here today will be the truth and nothing but the truth so help you?
MR. HILL: Yes, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: I'll ask you these questions. Do you have any health problems that would prevent you from serving if elected as in a full capacity?
MR. HILL: No, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would it be any hinderance to serving on the Board?
MR. HILL: No, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that would be a conflict ...