TheState.com: Warren Bolton

Bolton: City-county clash

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:05 EST

IF COLUMBIA and Richland County officials aren’t careful, their already-strained relationship could take a sharp turn for the worse.

And taxpayers and citizens would suffer the consequences.

Consider recent developments involving two matters.

On Tuesday, Columbia City Council openly and soundly rejected Richland County Council’s proposed contract to continue their more-than-20-year joint fire agreement.

As encouraged as I am that Columbia, unlike Richland County, discussed this matter in open session (all discussions about this subject should be public), I cringed as I read State staff writer Clif LeBlanc’s story.

Bolton: Run Drew well, but not as a business

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:07 EST

IF YOU’RE shocked at the assertion by some that Columbia’s Drew Wellness Center is “losing” hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, then you’ll be totally aghast at the millions being lost in the operation of the fire and police departments.

Of course, no one would characterize tax dollars spent for fire and police in that manner. Neither should they mischaracterize the dollars spent for other basic services, including parks and recreation.

Yes, the city has been doling out an average of about $540,000 annually to the wellness center since the 2006-07 fiscal year. The center’s overall costs have averaged about $956,000 annually, and it has generated average revenue of about $418,000. But it’s unfair to suggest that Drew is losing money as if it is a free-standing, private enterprise that was expected to hold its own and not receive city tax dollars. It was clear from the day it opened that the recreational and health facility wasn’t going to break even, let alone make a profit.

It’s legitimate to question whether Drew is operating efficiently and whether the city is spending too much on its operations and personnel, particularly in times when dollars are limited and more important needs aren’t sufficiently being met. There’s nothing wrong with questioning whether Drew could bring in even more revenue.

But what you can’t argue is that Drew is losing money, unless you’re willing to make the same claim about every other service, from the animal shelter to the police and fire departments.

Bolton: Bus fires

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:02 EST

FOR THE first time in its decade of existence, the Midlands public bus system has a transit professional running day-to-day operations.

Bob Schneider, the new executive director of the Central Midlands Transit Authority, brings the expertise and experience to the table that has been lacking from the day the bus system became public.

With a new board being assembled near the end of 2011, local business leaders convinced Columbia and Richland officials to allow Veolia Transportation to continue its contract another year and a half and bring in an expert to serve as executive director — at no charge to the public — to stabilize the beleaguered system.

Mr. Schneider, Veolia’s choice, has a background that suggests he could be of some help: He served as general manager of the bus system in Boise, Idaho, for nearly five years. Before that he was chief operating officer of the Knoxville Area Transit system for more than two years, and director of program administration for about a year and a half.

He knows transit, is very familiar with the challenge of answering to a board (his doctoral dissertation focused on the relationship between transit CEOs and board members) and has experience dealing with a system with funding challenges (all have them).

Bolton: Fantasy land

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:09 EST

IT’S PAINFUL listening to Richland County Councilman Norman Jackson try to justify his outrageous but successful effort to strong arm a majority of his colleagues into paying an exorbitant amount for 44 acres of land and a pond along Garners Ferry Road for use as a park.

First, the facts: The county isn’t in the parks business — that’s the Richland County Recreation Commission’s job — but has agreed to pay $1 million for this property, more than twice what the owner paid. An engineer hired by the county says that a dam on the site could fail during a heavy rain, doesn’t meet state regulations and needs $1.8 million in repairs. The county will use money restricted by state law for tourism projects to purchase the site, which isn’t likely to draw many, if any, tourists.

Mr. Jackson vehemently defends his actions, saying Lower Richland has long been neglected and that he intends for residents to get something.

Also, he noted, the council plans to spend tens of millions on a sports complex in Northeast Richland; Lower Richland should get something too.

Besides, this will be no ordinary park, he argues. He says that while initially the park will only have a couple of picnic areas, his vision is to develop walking trails and — over time — add amenities that would draw people from miles around. He’d like to see a skateboard park (one big and impressive enough to lure competitive events), a water park, and a building that could be rented for weddings and receptions, among other things, on the site. Also, he said there are five well-preserved “historic” structures on the property that could draw tourists.

Bolton: Where is Richland County headed?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:25 EST

RICHLAND County is rudderless.

If you haven’t noticed, you haven’t been paying attention. The signs are everywhere.

From County Council’s mind-boggling decision to extend long life to a landfill to its acquiescence to the hair-brained ideas some of its eccentric members dream up to its failure to address pressing issues, the 11-member body — and by virtue the county — has been adrift for the past couple of years. Yes, county government continues to function, thanks to a capable administrator, good employees and the other elected and appointed officials who run the various departments.

But the council — which is charged with laying out a vision, establishing budget priorities and setting the overall tone — has done little to provide direction. It’s spent too much time advancing unnecessary and expensive pet projects, some of which could become burdens to taxpayers.

It’s typical for governments to carry difficult issues over from one year to the next; many require more discussion, study or deliberation.

Bolton: Richland 2 experiencing growing pains

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:19 EST

WHEN A SCHOOL district’s population is growing astronomically, it’s a sure sign that it’s offering quality education and churning out top-notch students.

But while growth is a good sign, the accompanying growing pains can present quite a challenge.

Richland District 2, one of the fastest-growing and largest districts in the state, is finding it must work overtime to retain its stellar status while addressing all its students’ and communities’ needs.

The recent brouhaha over new high school attendance lines is a prime example: The district had to set new lines to make way for a much-needed new high school, but it also had to respond to parental and community concerns that an early proposal would pack too many poor and minority students into two schools while making two other schools more affluent and white.

Despite the controversial and tension-filled process, Richland 2 board members emerged with the resolve to tackle tough and lingering issues, some of which took center stage during the debate over attendance lines.

Bolton: A mind to worship

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:09 EST

WITH CHRIST’S birthday falling on a Sunday, you’d think churches would be elated about holding Christmas worship services.

And in fact, far more churches will hold services today than did back in 2005, when some of the larger churches across the country canceled worship, saying many families preferred to be at home opening gifts. Among them were some S.C. churches in the Upstate and Lowcountry, which joined megachurches such as Willow Creek near Chicago in foregoing services. Having received a severe — and deserved — lashing for that decision, they don’t intend to make the same mistake twice.

This year, the overwhelming majority of churches, including the mega-churches, intend to assemble in their sanctuaries today. Life Way Research, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, surveyed 1,000 Protestant pastors, and 91 percent said they would be holding services today. Although most churches that will forgo worship today said they would hold Christmas Eve services, you’ve still got to wonder about that 9 percent who will choose a holiday over a holy day.

Don’t count Turkey Branch Missionary Baptist Church of Neeses among those sitting out. Pastor Clyde D. Holliday says his church of about 50, which is located about 35 miles outside of Columbia in Orangeburg County, will be lifting up praises unto God.

But if any church could make an excuse for skipping today, Turkey Branch would be it: The congregation’s church caught fire in late October, and it suffered significant smoke damage as well as a hole in the roof. As if it wasn’t bad enough that the devastating fire had robbed the church of its place of worship for who knows how much longer, it was burglarized; the culprit carted off a $400 freezer.

Bolton: Give peace a chance

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:43 EST

S.C. LEADERS and citizens should take note of a study that suggests our state — as well as others — could produce more jobs, boost the economy and bolster government coffers if we put more effort into curbing violence and create a more peaceful environment.

The Palmetto State is one of this nation’s chief purveyors of violence, according to the 2011 U.S. Peace Index, which measures states by level of peacefulness or “the absence of violence.” The study ranks South Carolina as the ninth least peaceful state in the country.

This includes but isn’t just about some men’s penchant for beating and killing their wives and girlfriends or this state’s general embrace of violent acts. It’s also about how poor and uneducated or undereducated our citizens are. It’s about the large number of people who populate our jails and prisons. It’s about how so many of our fellow South Carolinians lack health care. It’s about how poorly we care for our children.

For all the talk about being tough on crime and recruiting new industry to boost jobs, this state’s leaders spend precious too little time trying to reduce the ranks of the poor or ensuring those without health care can get it or making sure every child has a quality education (and can land one of those jobs being recruited) regardless where they live. Lawmakers push for longer prison sentences and ignore the need to reduce the ranks of non-violent offenders taking up expensive prison space.

If we made progress in some of those areas, not only would our state be more peaceful, but it would be more prosperous. “In the U.S. there are many benefits that would flow from improvements in peace, either physically, emotionally or socially, but one of the key benefits that is often overlooked is the substantial positive economic impact that even small improvements in peace can have,” the study said. “Violence creates costs for both business and government, it also reduces productivity, which if unleashed will create additional economic growth.”

Bolton: Bus woes

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:17 EST

IT SEEMS the fortunes of the beleaguered Midlands public bus system are, ever so slowly, moving in a more positive direction.

Despite the system’s challenges — it’s short on funds, has suffered from poor board leadership and hasn’t had a permanent director in months — local leaders adopted a more positive outlook after a new, smaller board made up of local go-getters was appointed and arrangements were made to have a transit professional run day-to-day operations at least for the next year or so. The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s increased involvement in the effort to stabilize the system has helped create new hope as well.

But whatever positive momentum the bus system has gained could be dashed by proposals headed to Richland County Council committees.

In October, Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson proposed dissolving the transit authority and transferring operations and management to Columbia. Her motion said “the public transportation system will be known as the City of Columbia Metropolitan Transit Authority.” Richland County would purchase service from the city for unincorporated areas.

Two weeks ago, Councilman Norman Jackson proposed permanently financing bus service via a vehicle fee the county has used to fund the system for the past several years. Frankly, that’s not a bad idea — if the county is willing to charge a high enough fee to meet the bus system’s needs.

Bolton: They wove their way into our hearts

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:11 EST

"If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place."

Margaret Mead

GOTTLIEB Jones Harvest literally and figuratively wove her way into the fabric of Columbia.

The seamstress and active church and community member touched the lives of many - from family to church members to students and beyond - in her 100 years of living. She died Feb. 8. Her family and friends remember her as one who was humble but with a strong spirit and a keen sense of humor and as a role model for wholesome living.

Gifted with artful hands passed on by her seamstress mother, this uncommon woman with an uncommon name worked magic with what would be formless cloth in the possession of common men.

Bolton: Mayor, Council District 4 races the ones to watch

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:25 EST

IT MAKES sense - and would be partly right - to assume that Columbians' anger over City Council leading the city into one of the biggest fiscal debacles in its history prompted candidates to crowd the field for mayor as well as the District 4 council seat.

Candidates in both races are spouting rhetoric about being fiscally responsible, frugal, prudent, open, transparent ... you name it. They all know they're not going to win if they don't sell themselves as someone who can get the city back on solid financial footing.

But you have to wonder why one incumbent - District 1 Councilman Sam Davis - is unopposed and another - at-large Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine - has only token opposition. Apparently voters in Mr. Davis' district are very pleased with him. That's how it works in many districts - if voters like you, you don't get opposition - but it's not healthy. Officials up for re-election need to be pushed to defend their record and to tell the people why they deserve to continue to serve. They should answer for all they've been a party to while in office, good or bad.

Mrs. Devine faces Antonio Williams, who has run unsuccessfully for council in the past, and Five Points business owner Grant Robertson, a political novice. She should win handily. It's odd that a citywide race didn't draw more interest at a time when the public is raising serious questions about the direction of the city.

While fiscal responsibility will be a big issue in the April elections overall, it appears it will play a bigger role in the race for mayor than the Council District 4 seat.

Bolton: Conflict of interest

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:52 EST

IF COLUMBIA mayoral candidate Steve Benjamin is elected, he might not have to recuse himself from issues involving payday lending after all.

Mr. Benjamin sent a message about how far he's willing to go to become mayor of the capital city last week when he announced his resignation from the board of the nation's largest payday lender. While his resignation from Advance America's board doesn't become effective until well after the election - some wonder whether he'll really step down if he loses - it was a pretty notable move. He chose Columbia over a cushy board position that pays a mighty tidy sum.

Mr. Benjamin has said the election should be about the future of the city, not payday lending. In removing what he termed a "distraction," he also minimized a big negative for his campaign. Some people had said they wouldn't support him because of his payday affiliation. Even some supporters said they had to first push pass the ties.

With Mr. Benjamin's resignation, pressure shifts to one of his chief opponents for mayor, attorney Steve Morrison, to determine how he will handle his own tie with Advance America. Mr. Morrison represents Ken Compton, CEO of Advance America, in a legal matter and has been unwilling to talk about specifics. Mr. Compton has been the subject of a federal investigation involving possible insider trading.

Based on what I know, I don't see Mr. Morrison's relationship to Mr. Compton as any different than I would a plumber or physician who provides a service to someone who works in the payday lending industry. But the fact that payday lending is fresh on city residents' minds means any candidate even remotely tied to a payday lender must explain himself. Mr. Morrison, citing attorney-client privilege, has said little about the case. Recently, he said he doesn't intend to abandon a client. Both positions are understandable - and even admirable - under normal circumstances.

Bolton: Payday lenders are at it again

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:07 EST

IT SHOULDN'T surprise anyone that payday lenders already have begun poking holes in South Carolina's new law meant to regulate them.

That's because these deep-pocketed, influence-peddling loan sharks don't play by the rules: They stretch, skirt and dodge them. They don't intend to allow the new law to prevent them from continuing to strip millions from poor S.C. workers.

While the minimal regulations S.C. lawmakers passed last year to protect consumers didn't go near far enough - a ban is the only real solution - many legislators saw them as an opportunity to keep the industry alive while giving - for the first time - at least some protections to borrowers.

But even before the law went into effect this month, lenders were already at work finding ways to exploit or avoid it.

As I wrote on Sunday, the lenders refused to put outstanding loans - some people have six or eight or 10 or even more - into a mandatory statewide database. The key protection in the new law is its limit of only one outstanding loan of no more than $550 at a time.

Bolton: Payday borrowers beware

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:16 EST

NEW PAYDAY loan regulations that lawmakers touted as a way to protect consumers go into effect Monday, but early signs are that borrowers had better take steps to protect themselves.

Things are going to get worse - potentially much worse - for many borrowers before they get better, if they ever get better.

Things will worsen because - just as they did when they first sanctioned payday lending back in 1998 - lawmakers left holes in the new law that lenders can - and likely will - exploit. Trapped borrowers can either sit back and take it or take control and step out of the payday lending cycle.

Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of exposure given to the burdens the new law could heap upon borrowers - particularly those with multiple loans.

In an effort to protect borrowers from getting caught up in a cycle of debt created by repeated, multiple high-interest loans, lawmakers limited consumers to one loan at a time. But they made no provisions as to how lenders are to settle affairs with the many consumers who have multiple outstanding loans.

Bolton: 'Mortified' by state's history of poverty

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:08 EST

LOST IN all the justifiable outrage over Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's "stray animals" remarks and his suggestion that we starve poor children was an intriguing comment: He said when he was on reduced-price lunch, he was "mortified" to present his ticket because others around him would know he was getting aid.

Does that mean poor people should be ashamed of who they are? Or does it simply mean they should fear this lieutenant governor who wants to be governor?

What else is on Mr. Bauer's agenda for the poor? Or on that of other gubernatorial candidates, for that matter? The Palmetto State has a large number of poor people, many of whom work but make little money. They're not poor by choice. And the list of those who need help in this tough economy is growing by the day.

At the risk of being confused with a stray animal, I unashamedly admit that I was on the free lunch program during my days in public school. And - please, don't tell Andre - I enjoyed every one of those free lunches. As the youngest of 11 children raised by a single mother, I needed those meals. I didn't have to sit in class hungry and inattentive, so I had the optimal opportunity to learn.

There were many others who were in the same predicament as I who today serve this state and their communities as doctors, lawyers, bankers, chefs, you name it. Despite being poor, their parents urged them to apply themselves in school and supported them the best they could.

Bolton: Identify, then help the homeless

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:58 EST

I GET calls and letters from time to time suggesting that every homeless person is a deadbeat who refuses to work. But the 2009 homeless count gives a much more realistic - and truthful - profile of some of our area's most vulnerable residents.

Many of the homeless in a 14-county area that includes Richland and Lexington counties are people genuinely in need. They include veterans who've helped defend our nation, families with children and the mentally ill. The overwhelming majority - 88 percent - are fellow South Carolinians. Some have been shipped to Richland from other counties, but many you see in Lexington and Richland are locals - our brothers, sisters, family members and friends who grew up in local communities, attended local schools and, for whatever reason, became homeless locally.

The question is, how are local advocates, providers, governments and others going to meet the need? For starters, they need to know who the homeless are and what their needs are.

That's where the 2009 Homeless Count conducted by volunteers comes in. It's designed to raise community awareness and, more importantly, help agencies and governments develop a plan. There's no need to do a count if we aren't going to do anything about it, right?

The Midlands - particularly Lexington and Richland counties - should waste no time pulling together to respond. There are lots of groups, individuals and governments doing some good things, but the area's best response will come from a unified, comprehensive effort.

Bolton: Just what do Columbians think about strong mayor?

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:57 EST

DESPITE A recent survey showing the majority of Columbia residents want a strong mayor to run the city, some on City Council dispute the findings.

They don't believe it, they say. The survey didn't include a large enough sample size, they say. They haven't heard of anything that suggests a majority of residents supports an empowered executive, they say. The push for a referendum is only the result of a small, vocal minority, they argue.

Their claims are based largely in emotion, not fact. Meanwhile, they reject the survey results, which, while they aren't gospel, do give us a glimpse of just what the facts might be.

A December survey of Columbia residents conducted for The State by Metromark Market Research found that 58 percent of respondents want a full-time mayor. Only 19 percent said they preferred a city manager, with the remaining 23 percent undecided.

Nearly 50 percent of the 363 people surveyed in the city limits were black, while 46 percent were white. For the record, African-Americans make up 43 percent of the city's population, while white residents make up 52 percent, according to 2008 census figures.

Bolton: The baggage of payday lending

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:37 EST

I DON'T know whether candidates' connections with payday lenders will decide Columbia's mayoral race, but any with ties to the legalized loan sharks must give an account of themselves.

Payday lending is a scourge that sucks money out of communities while snaring people in a cycle of debt. These businesses don't uplift communities; they bring them - and residents - down. The industry is as much a nuisance as video poker was, and similarly tries to stretch the law, tie matters up in court and influence politicians to get a favorable regulatory environment.

Candidates for office should steer clear of them. Of course, it's a bit late for Steve Benjamin and Steve Morrison, who find themselves having to defend or explain their connections with the nation's largest payday lender, Spartanburg-based Advance America.

Anyone seeking public office should anticipate being called on to explain their alliances and at least some of their business dealings, especially if they involve such a highly controversial industry as payday lending.

City Council's debate over a proposal to limit where payday lenders can locate heated up around the same time that candidates began announcing their intentions. Not surprisingly, things escalated a bit when Mr. Benjamin, a member of Advance America's board, entered the mayor's race. Another log was placed on the fire with recent revelations about candidate Mr. Morrison's connection to Advance America.

Bolton: Status quo must go

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:43 EST

NOTE TO Columbia City Council members:

It's not about you.

As the council discusses allowing voters to decide whether they want the city to be run by a strong mayor, some members will be focused on preserving their own power - even if it's to the detriment of the city.

But there's too much at stake for council members to get myopic.

Columbia is a growing metropolitan city with lots going for it - it's a state capital, has three rivers running through it, the fort, a great climate, a favorable cost of living, a major university and other institutions of higher education. When the economy stabilizes and begins to click again, I expect Columbia to make a solid come-back and resume efforts to grow the riverfront and downtown and preserve its neighborhoods. The city's ability to boost its economy will hinge on building the right kinds of alliances, wise spending decisions, sound leadership and clear vision.

Bolton: Content of character, not content of graffiti

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:47 EST

"NO N----- mayor die."

Please. Let's not be naive.

There's nothing surprising about the ignorance exhibited by the vandals who spray-painted this slur on the side of Columbia City Hall on Dec. 30. It's a part of our ugly, racist past that continues to linger.

I grew up in Columbia; there's been some level of racial tension in the city all my days. While we've made many strides in our fair city - many - there are still issues to be addressed and people who haven't progressed. I've got phone messages, e-mail and letters to prove it. It's not been that long since private clubs where business deals get done first started allowing black folks to join; one, although not in Columbia proper, is still holding out. And have you seen the Confederate flag lately?

All that said, the racial graffiti found at City Hall says far more about the sorry saps who scrawled it than it does about Columbia or its residents. No, we don't know who they are - yet - but we know that they are, and that they or others like them likely will be with us all of our days.