The Opinion Blog

Trying to be Distinguished

The powers-that-be have (in perhaps an overt act of desperation) allowed me to begin writing a periodic political column. In the course of any given week, I attend a number of events and conduct a number of interviews that never make it into “official” editorials, simply because they don’t warrant the newspaper’s taking an “official” position on them. But they still represent other people’s legitimate opinions, so I hope a column might give them some audience – after all, that’s why they call and invite me.

My column won’t have a regular run date; it’ll be kind of catch-as-catch can, which somewhat reflects the state of the industry these days. It’ll be more observational than ideological, and I hope it’s better than nothing.

It was a rule begging to be broken: each office-seeking Democrat had four minutes to explain to a crowded Pawleys Island living room why he should be the next governor of South Carolina.

I wasn't keeping time, so I don't know if anyone actually kept it to four minutes – but it was striking how quickly contrasts emerged between the four candidates for the Democratic nomination. Unlike the top-heavy Republican field (which includes two statewide officers and a Congressman), most of the Democrats are new names for most S.C. voters, giving them the added hurdle of forging an identity as they pitch their ideas.

Food Card Use Soars

Wednesday’s editorial highlights the fact that more S.C. families than ever need help buying food.

The number of Horry County residents using federal food cards (still popularly known as food stamps) increased by 28.7 percent in August from August 2008.

Wind in our Sails

Friday’s secondary editorial suggests local leaders seek ways to capitalize on a major new wind facility planned for Charleston.

Thanks to a $98 million kickstart (dare we say stimulus?) announced this week, coastal South Carolina may find itself poised at the forefront of a the nation's developing wind-power industry.

Charitable Giving Week

Wednesday’s second editorial acknowledges the good work of a local community foundation.

In its first decade, Waccamaw Community Foundation has grown to manage approximately $16.6 million in assets and has helped hundreds of Georgetown and Horry County nonprofit organizations to the joyful tune of $8.8 million. WCF was started in 1999 with only $1,200.

Forward Movement

Friday’s secondary editorial suggests support for a new bus route to Charleston and a ferry at Sandy Island.

Two recent developments in the Grand Strand's nascent mass transportation efforts are worthy of encouragement.

Cracking Open the School Books

Friday’s editorial applauds a new state law that requires schools to post their spending online.

Following an emerging and highly laudable trend, the Grand Strand has seen a number of its local governments begin regularly posting their spending records online for anyone to see: first Myrtle Beach, followed quickly by Surfside Beach, and most recently the city of Georgetown.

Soon, thanks to a litlte-noticed but likewise commendable new provision in state law, they will be joined by some of the area's largest governing bodies: local school boards.

One Last Chance

Thursday’s editorial reminds Myrtle Beach candidates that they have two more weeks to show voters real leadership.

Attacks on family members, anonymous mailers, allegations of kickbacks – the politics in the Myrtle Beach city elections was filthy enough the first time around that we hope the next two weeks will be an improvement.

Georgetown: A Fresh Start

Friday’s editorial issues recommendations in the Georgetown city council and mayor’s races.

Despite divergent political backgrounds of the five announced candidates for mayor of Georgetown, they share an impression of a city government that has grown oversized, inefficient and unfriendly to customers. Yet among all the candidates is genuine hope things will soon be much better.

Remain Ready for Storms

Thursday’s editorial warns that while summer has passed without a catastrophic storm, the 2009 hurricane season is not yet over.

Complacency seems as though it is neutral but it can be a powerful negative force, especially with regard to hurricane preparedness. So with six weeks remaining in the 2009 hurricane season, it's timely for both Georgetown and Horry emergency preparedness officials to talk about the dangers of complacency.

Second New YMCA Opens

Tuesday’s editorial remarks on the donations, despite the recession, that allowed the construction of the new YMCA.

Opening two new YMCA buildings in a few weeks is a notable accomplishment for the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. Constructing the two new community buildings in Myrtle Beach and Georgetown in an economic recession makes this all the more remarkable, and it is to the credit of hundreds of people.