Thumbs up
Winthrop. Hats off to Rock Hill’s university for being picked to host the First in the South Democratic presidential forum, slated for tonight. More.
Tecklenburg. Congratulations to Charleston businessman John Tecklenburg, who came in first in a much-watched, six-way election on Tuesday to replace longtime incumbent Joe Riley for mayor of the Holy City. Tecklenburg still faces state Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston, in a Tuesday runoff, but a big endorsement for Tecklenburg by third-place finisher Ginny Deerin may make the Nov. 17 outcome academic. But, as all in politics know, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.
Burns, Gates. We’re looking forward to a national conversation on race next month that will kick off next month when filmmaker Ken Burns and historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. start in Charleston. More.
Clemson. Calls of “We’re number one” now actually ring true thanks to the latest ranking in national football polls. Congratulations to the Tigers — and good luck against Florida State this weekend.
In the middle
More time. It’s reasonable for the state Supreme Court to give lawmakers more time to figure out a way to fix state education funding, but all of the squealing by legislators about a possible constitutional crisis over the court setting deadlines was a little too much. More.
DSS. The beleaguered agency, which is 18 years behind in developing a system to track deadbeat dads, says it wants at least $17 million more to get the system going six months after the last deadline. Umm, get it together, folks. You’ve already wasted enough money not doing the job. More.
House Ethics. The committee kicked the can down the road when it agreed to give former House Speaker Bobby Harrell more time to prepare his case challenging the demand that he pay $113,000 to the state in a fine related to his corruption conviction. More.
Thumbs down
Mosquitoes. We hate ‘em. So do you. Thank goodness lawmakers from both parties agree that it’s a non-partisan, big priority to get rid of the plague of mosquitoes that have descended upon the state since the flood. Yes, there are health risks, but getting bitten to a pulp by mosquitoes poses big risks too.
DHEC. Three of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control’s top environmental officials have left or transferred since DHEC director Catherine Heigel took charge six months ago — not exactly a ringing endorsement of her leadership. More.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!