Donations to Cato’s PAC no surprise Having followed our legislators’ antics for years, not much surprises me. Rep Harry Cato is certainly not the first to take money from a special-interest group, take action favorable to that group and tell us that the money had nothing to do with it.- 12:15 AM
The recent death of William Seeley at an adult-care facility in Newberry County brings sharply into view a reality that is tragic and heart-breaking to his loved ones, and shameful for all citizens of South Carolina. The story of his struggles with disabilities and mental illness undoubtedly has led many to conclude that he was an individual who somehow fell between the cracks of the state system that is entrusted with protecting and ensuring the welfare, and in this case the survival, of older and...- 12:15 AM
Nonsmokers’ health focus of smoking ban This is in response to Robert C. Lewis’s letter, “Give smokers liberty to smoke,” on Monday.- 12:15 AM
Payday lending bill shouldn’t be delayed Surprisingly, the S.C. General Assembly has been reluctant to regulate or ban payday lenders in the state. A significant number of states throughout the country, including neighboring Georgia and North Carolina, have already taken tough measures to protect their constituents from an industry that expects common folks to borrow not just one loan, but to eventually take a number of loans until the industry is able to make a profit. South Carolina legislators...- 12:13 AM
Cayce government operates in sunshine In response to your editorial on Friday (“Cayce must be open about plans for Congaree land”), I would like to say that the city of Cayce and its elected officials are committed to making information available to its citizens regarding the property along the Congaree River that was annexed last year.- 1:49 AM
This is an exciting time, with the Olympics coming up, to make sure our community has accurate information about a sport (one of only four) that’s been in every Olympics since the creation of the modern Olympic Games in 1896.- 1:48 AM
Teachers not paid for extra hours they put in I take issue with J.H. Green’s May 6 letter, “Teachers appear to make enough money.”- 1:48 AM
Hillary has earned second spot — on GOP on ticket The way Sen. Hillary Clinton has run her campaign makes Karl Rove jealous and would make Lee Atwater jealous.- 1:48 AM
Five Points should go green, get rid of cars Five Points should be developed thoughtfully as a model for “green.”- 12:13 AM
Schallenberger needs mental evaluation I feel that a mental evaluation of Ryan A. Schallenberger is definitely in order. All newspaper accounts of Schallenberger’s behavior suggest a mental problem; maybe he’s had a psychotic break. The only rational way to know is to have trained mental health professionals determine if he is competent.- 12:15 AM
Candidate confusion leads to Paulsen revival The political scene is so confusing these days! Take the flap between Sen. Barack Obama and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Did Obama wrongly drop Wright, or rightly? Does Wright really feel wronged? Does Obama feel righted? Is Obama now to the right of Wright or to the left of Wright? Is Wright really left or old-school right?- 12:14 AM
Five Points South will be boon to area I noted with annoyance the flurry of letters Monday from citizens — not merchants — decrying the mixed-use project known as Five Points South.- 12:13 AM
Five Points employees need safe place to park Where in the world do the dissenters about the Five Points project expect the hundreds of area employees to park on any given day or night in Five Points? (I did an informal count of the 700 Saluda Ave. block employees, excluding Wachovia, and came up with approximately 200.)- 1:49 AM
Developers respond to community’s wants I am a developer and have been for the last 55 years. I am constantly amused at the residents of any area making the same objections to land-clearing, high-density housing, traffic congestion, crowded schools, etc.- 9:59 AM
Growth is good, but preserve what’s special There is wonderful growth and development happening in downtown Columbia. But there is much to treasure about the old parts of Columbia, too. The old neighborhood where I live is adjacent to Five Points. In March, the City Council declared us an architectural conservation district. After a three-year process, Wales Garden is protected from developers who would build McMansions that destroy our ambience and human scale. Wales Garden will be preserved...- 1:48 AM
When my family moved to Columbia in 2000, one of the things that attracted us to our neighborhood was the close proximity to the charming shopping and dining area of Five Points. We frequent many of the unique stores and restaurants in the area, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, where we know many merchants by name. Our daughter celebrated her 11th birthday by having a scavenger hunt in Five Points with several of her friends. There really is no other place in Columbia with such a village atmosphere...- 1:48 AM
Young people need facts on birth control Abstinence is a valid and important option that should be presented to youth as part of their education. However, limiting information to abstinence only does nothing to promote the health and well-being of what should be a well-informed citizenry.- 1:48 AM
Property owners need proper notification Once again, big money prevails over property rights. (“Farmer tries to block dump,” Tuesday). The Department of Health and Environmental Control quickly approves a landfill without contacting the neighboring landowners.- 12:17 AM
On April 25, I attended the S.C. Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. As the teachers representing each district across the state processed into the banquet hall, I took in their proud-yet-humble smiles, while following along in a program that had quotes from all the honorees, expressing their beliefs about education.- 12:17 AM
Wright out to sabotage Obama Uncle Jeremiah. Bob Herbert (The State, Wednesday) judges him smart. Maybe so. And he does voices. He does stand-up. Like a rapper out there over the edge, he does profanity. If the street doesn’t eat it up, the gullible media do.- 12:15 AM
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