Governor candidate discusses S.C. future
With South Carolina holding the second highest unemployment rate in the nation leaving thousands of people out of work, it is foolish not to accept stimulus funds to maintain and create jobs, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, (D-SC) said Thursday.
Sheheen, a candidate in the state's 2010 gubernatorial race, served as the keynote speaker for the Aiken County Democratic Party's third annual Dorn-Derrick Dinner. Sheheen said the state will be responsible for paying the funds back whether they are accepted or not.
"It's one thing to debate whether the funds should be passed in the first place, but now that we and our children are responsible for paying them back, South Carolina deserves its fair share," he said.
Sheehen, of Camden, is in his second term in the state senate. He represents Chesterfield, Lancaster and Kershaw counties in District 27.
Sheheen said he is running to improve the economy, make changes in the way schools are funded, create a long range plan for environmental conservation and to create more jobs in the state.
"We have to have a governor willing to travel the nation and the world recruiting new businesses in South Carolina and who will project an energetic and positive belief in the state," he said. "We can't afford to sit still as we are now."
Sheheen said growing up, his mother worked as a teacher in Kershaw County. He said the state needs to focus on retaining its teachers, shrinking class sizes and making sure schools throughout the state are equally funded.
"Right now we should be focusing making sure we are not laying teachers off and that will happen if we don't accept the stimulus funds we are paying for anyway," he said. Sheheen said his goal as a candidate is to instill a belief in South Carolinians that it is possible to get the state moving again. "Right now, our governor's office is not playing the role of economic ambassador; that's a role a governor must assume and that's something I'm going to do."
Several other candidates in the 2010 race, also attended the dinner. Jane Dyer, a candidate for the state's Third Congressional District seat, talked to the group about the need for leadership in the state.
"This is the time we as democrats have to stand up and work together," she said. Dyer said she is "astounded," that some of the state's leaders are not in favor of accepting stimulus money.
"How in South Carolina have we gotten to a point that the very people we elect, stand up against the people of South Carolina?" Dyer asked.
Second congressional district candidate Rob Miller said 2010 is a key election year for South Carolina. "Vision is what we need in South Carolina," said Miller. "We need a new direction that takes on the climate of today and a great vision of what tomorrow will be."
The dinner is named for former congressmen Butler Carson Derrick Jr. and William Jennings Bryan Dorn, both of whom have represented South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District.
"We hold this annual fundraiser in honor of two great democratic congressmen from the 3rd district," said John Brecht, chairman of the Aiken County Democratic Party. Brecht said the dinner helps to fund the party's activities throughout the year and helps get other democrats elected.
"Now is a great time for democrats to come together," he said.
Recipient of the Richard Johnson Jr. Award- Will Salter
Recipient of the Elise Curtis Award-Mary Harris
Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.