State Sen. Darrell Jackson deserves credit for helping to boost Lower Richland County
On Jackson
The fact is that Lower Richland County has historically been the poorest part of this county. I moved here in 1958, and I love and respect my fellow neighbors in this area — most of them are part of families that have been in Lower Richland County since slavery ended.
This area needs to have someone like state Sen. Darrell Jackson representing it, and it makes us proud to see what he’s done over the years to help Lower Richland County.
He has taken a small church in the poorest section of this county and used it as an engine to transform sections of Bluff and Atlas roads. And he has done everything possible over the years to help raise the education and employment levels of our area.
State Sen. Jackson is a doer. He is a leader. And he is someone who has helped instill pride in our community and among everyone who lives in it.
Tom Elliott, Eastover
On bears
Here’s a word to the wise: beware of bears right now.
The campgrounds have been empty.
The summer cabins have been empty.
There have been no fishing guides, no hikers on trails and most of all, no one filling up those dumpsters that bears usually love to rummage around.
They are just waking up from hibernation and they are hungry.
So you should think twice before you go and tie your pet up outside for long periods. And you should pay attention if you hear something scratching at your door.
It won’t be “Boo-Boo Bear.”
Charels Moran, Leesville
On crowds
Commentators predict COVID-19 will have lasting impacts on Americans’ behaviors, and some behavioral changes will occur sooner than others. But in its recent editorial on the crowds that gathered in the Five Points district, The State Editorial Board adopted the tone of a cranky neighbor who yells at kids to get off his lawn.
The editorial pointed to a problem, but that’s all it did: it didn’t take a clear position on whether reopening outdoor areas is misguided — and it didn’t offer any solutions.
What readers don’t want right now is another cranky neighbor.
Tim Lorick, Columbia
On social distancing
Recently The State ran a photo of a group of young adults waiting outside a local restaurant after Gov. Henry McMaster lifted some of the restrictions put in place because of COVID-19. What was striking about the photo was the total lack of social distancing among the youths as they congregated outside the restaurant.
If restaurants are going to be able to have patrons dining on their premises again, they must be responsible enough to make sure that people are practicing social distancing. Apparently the folks in the photo weren’t that concerned about potentially bringing the virus home to a parent or grandparent.
The main reason why authorities issued quarantine policies in the first place was out of concern that people wouldn’t use common sense and show common courtesy.
Darlene Fragale, Chapin
On the issues
Here are some questions worth considering these days:
▪ While some medical experts are continuing to advocate shutdowns because of COVID-19, that clearly is in conflict with the efforts of many governors to reopen their state economies. Given that there is only an infinitesimal death rate in South Carolina, how do our leaders weigh the “risk/reward” of new cases versus the years of recovering from this financial disaster?
▪ Will the Republicans in power stay focused on funding small businesses and the unemployed during COVID-19?
▪ Will powerful Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer take advantage of this crisis to use taxpayer money to bail out bankrupt states?
▪ When it comes to the presidential race between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, are Americans really willing to allow more government control over our freedoms just to see Trump defeated?
Carroll Player, Florence
On COVID-19
It is important to remember that COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic; if our government had done a better job of protecting America from viruses coming through our border, this lockdown could have been avoided.
Since 2003 federal support to help build our states’ capacity to manage a new viral crisis fell by 50%; these cuts were continued through various presidencies and now we Americans are seeing the result.
As chairman of the Senate’s foreign aid subcommittee, Sen. Lindsey Graham has the power to push for federal funding for infectious disease prevention and primary health care in humanitarian situations. He should do so because it might help prevent another infectious disease from reaching our shores.
Garrett Moss, Columbia
On public employees
I am a retired federal employee and I think all public service employees deserve to be recognized for their hard work all year long. Federal employees provide the vital services that benefit Americans every day, yet much of this important work goes unnoticed.
We see them when hurricanes strike, floods destroy communities and pandemics spread worldwide. And we know that they help land our planes safely and perform inspections to maintain a healthy food and water supply. But for every public service employee you may see on TV, there are thousands more working behind the scenes to keep this country running.
They process tax refunds, small business loans, stimulus payments, Social Security checks and loans for college students. They track biological threats and alert Americans to treacherous weather conditions — and those are just some of their critical and life-saving tasks. COVID-19 is just the latest crisis that we see our civil servants working tirelessly to address.
I take comfort in knowing that America has so many dedicated professionals who selflessly serve their fellow Americans for the greater good.
Susan Swanson, Columbia
This story was originally published May 9, 2020 at 4:28 PM.