By Andy Brack | There are a lot more presents and treats for South Carolinians than coal in stockings this year.
Despite some horrific news that occurred in the Palmetto State in 2015 — from the police shooting of Walter Scott in North Charleston, the grisly murders of nine members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston and then the fall flooding that impacted more than a million people — the way that South Carolinians reacted is making Santa smile.
In North Charleston in April, quick city action followed by an eventual settlement with Scott’s family kept a tragedy from exploding. It also spurred state legislators to adopt body camera legislation to improve accountability during police stops.
In June, families of victims killed at the Charleston church forgave the accused shooter. Their acts showed South Carolina’s spirit and resolve to the world. That led to what many long dreamed — removal of the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds.
Then in October, days of flooding ripped apart roads, dams and tens of thousands of families’ lives. But helping hands and generosity from hundreds of thousands showed the strong stuff deep in the hearts of South Carolinians.
Special 2015 recognition for Santa’s nice list goes to:
Gov. Nikki Haley, for finally saying the Confederate flag should come down and move to a place of honor. While lots of people worked behind the scenes to get it done, Haley’s action helped make it happen.
State legislators, who embraced flag and body camera legislation, but who also toughened domestic violence laws to curb violence against women.
Former U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings, who selflessly pushed to remove his name from a federal courthouse annex to honor a civil rights hero, the late U.S. District Judge Waties Waring of Charleston. In the country’s history, no one has had their name removed from a federal building to honor another.
Clemson, the nation’s number one football team.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina’s senior sitting senator whose presidential bid fell short but who set a higher tone focused on security and common sense that is missing in the reality show of the current GOP primary brawl.
Aid workers, who gave countless hours to return life to normal for those whose homes and lives were upturned by October’s rains.
Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties, which became the nation’s second rural Promise Zone. This new federal designation should steer millions of dollars of grants and funding to this often forgotten, poor section of the state. Since September, the area has received $9 million in loans and grants, and $312 million in capital investment, which will generate more than 150 jobs.
The Post and Courier, which won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of domestic violence.
Former U.S Rep. Bob Inglis, an Upstate Republican whose work to highlight the dangers of climate change is helping to lift the debate and has garnered national acclaim.
Although there’s more good news to go around, there’s also a little coal to dispense. Just look at some state agencies with frightening problems:
The state Department of Social Services, which continues to struggle with child welfare cases, says it needs more millions of dollars for a computer system that is two decades overdue.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control, which continues to lose top leaders, allowed itself to be used as a political tool in a silly witch hunt of Planned Parenthood that revealed no major problems.
The state Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, which owes $1.6 million to the feds for wrongly charging room and board for some patients with intellectual disabilities.
And then there’s ethically-challenged officials: Former House Speaker Bobby Harrell of Charleston, brought down on corruption charges, has said he needs more time to pay big fines. Two sitting lawmakers — Democratic Reps. Cezar McKnight of Williamsburg County and Rep. Carl Anderson of Georgetown County — were fined for campaign violations.
There are more who deserve coal, but in this season of giving — and with all of the good that did happen this year — let’s just give them a pass … for a day or two. Happy holidays.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!