What we saw from 25 to watch in 2009
Name: Strom Thurmond Jr.
Position: Incoming Aiken County solicitor
What we're watching for: Thurmond comes into a system with a massive backlog of cases, often credited to an antiquated case management system. Additionally, an overflowing detention center has inmates awaiting trial for sometimes years.
What we saw: Thurmond has made great efforts to shift people out of the jail and get cases into court. His new system of strict deadlines for plea deals and negotiations being removed at a certain juncture in proceedings has cases coming in front of judges more quickly than under previous administrations. The Solicitor's office has also become more open to public and press inquiry in recent months, rather than the clenched-fist approach of predecessor Barbara Morgan.
Name: Sam Bhattacharyya
Position: Director of Savannah River National Laboratory
What we're watching for: Under Bhattacharyya's leadership, the Savannah River National Laboratory is expected to grow - both in numbers of researchers on staff and in diversity of projects.
What we saw: SRS management and operations contractor, SRNS, and their president and CEO have made a commitment to the lab not only in financial terms but also demanding the Department of Energy take the research station seriously. The lab has seen research come to public sector fruition and looks for future commitments.
Name: Chuck Munns
Position: President, SRNS
What we're watching for: After everyone has settled in over at SRS, what new directions and new strategy will an SRNL-led operator bring to the plant and to the community as a whole.
What we saw: Munns had a rough ride in 2009 at SRS. Paperwork, bookkeeping and logistical errors, as well as accidents, saw his company lose $200 million in stimulus funds. Munns retired very soon after the stimulus funds were lost and was immediately replaced by Garry Flowers.
Name: Grant Gibbons
Position: Second Judicial Circuit's first chief public defender
What we're watching for: How will the new system affect the representation of their clients, will the equity in pay attract better attorneys to the cause?
What we saw: In the courtroom, Gibbons' presence has been of real help. As the solicitor, he is a central reference point for his department and has, at very least, streamlined judges needing answers from overworked public defenders allowing court to proceed more smoothly.
Name: Jim French
Position: Project manager for liquid waste contract at SRS
What we're watching for: With the establishment of new treatments and technologies for separating waste, how quickly will those tanks filled with 35,000 gallons of waste start to close?
What we saw: SRR has plugged away at its mammoth task and continued to do well in the community. While it has been peripherally involved in the DOE scandals, French and SRR have kept quiet and moved on. The past year has been an adjustment as the URS Corp.-headed firm takes hold of the liquid waste contract.
Name: Vernon Dunbar
Position: Mayor, New Ellenton
What we're watching for: Despite a hostile group of opponents and ethics violations, the mayor has stood his ground, vowing to continue to fight for New Ellenton. Will his detractors keep pressing, and will his supporters still back him?
What we saw: From tornadoes to tragic losses to legal issues, New Ellenton had a literal and figurative stormy year, but Dunbar seems to have weathered it.
Name: Tom Young Jr.
Position: S.C. State legislator
What we're watching for: Young campaigned as a backer of public education and an opponent of vouchers. The issue will certainly be raised during the next year, and Young will have an opportunity to make his voice heard on the issue. Additionally, with Skipper Perry's absence comes a leadership void in the Aiken County Legislative Delegation. Is Young the one to fill it?
What we saw: Young stepped in and began pushing legislation immediately. Perhaps his most visible move as a legislator came on the heels of the GVW water rate hike, where he teamed with Sen. Shane Massey and Rep. Roland Smith to help offset the effects of the failing water system.
Name: Shane Massey
Position: S.C. State Senator
What we're watching for: Massey has promised more accountability in government and has pushed for roll call votes, rather than the traditional yay/nay voice vote on the Senate floor. Can he get the help to get the support to get a bill to the governor's desk?
What we saw: An eye toward D.C. When Rep. Gresham Barrett announced he was running for governor of South Carolina, Massey threw his hat in the ring, announcing he would run for Barrett's U.S. House seat.
Name: Donna Moore Wesby
Position: Incoming School Board member
What we're watching for: Moore Wesby pledged during the campaign to bring the community and its resources in partner with the school district. Success in that avenue will be all the more important as educators deal with budget issues in 2009.
What we saw: Wesby has been active in promoting community relationships - both through the School Board and through a weekly radio show, "Education Matters."
Name: Chad Leverette
Position: Chemistry professor at USC Aiken
What we're watching for: Leverette's international recognition can bring a scientific spotlight to some of the research work being done at USC Aiken, and its place as an independent research facility.
What we saw: Leverette received the USCA Excellence in Teaching Award. Professors are nominated by students, and finalists were observed and evaluated by a group of faculty and students.
Name: Sharon Rodgers
Position: President of the United Way of Aiken County
What we're watching for: Again, economy, economy, economy. How do you keep the giving up when money is down? Additionally, needs for social services continue to rise as the economy spirals downward.
What we saw: Despite a financial crisis that was worse than projected a year ago, Rodgers coordinated a volunteer effort that saw the United Way significantly exceed its 2009 campaign goal.
Name: Kevin O'Gorman
Position: Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability for Aiken County Public Schools
What we're watching for: After a successful four-year run as principal at North Aiken Elementary, he now takes over the task of guiding curriculum for the entire district at a time of shrinking resources and a new accountability test.
What we saw: O'Gorman is overseeing a major literacy initiative that includes school- and district-based coaches and a focus on Reading Recovery, a program that provides additional help for struggling first-grade readers.
Name: Jim Hooper
Position: Principal, Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary/Middle School
What we're watching for: He and two new assistant principals are trying to make gains in a rural school - and the district's only school with a combined elementary and middle school.
What we saw: Hooper has introduced the district literacy model, including best teaching strategies. He has also implemented a formal division between the elementary and middle schools through separate offices for assistant principals and guidance personnel.
Name: Richard Pearce
Position: Assistant City Manager
Why he's on the list: The former City Solicitor and staff attorney since 1998, Pearce took on a new role as the City's assistant City manager in September 2008.
What we're watching for: Pearce will lead the City's Inspections Division, along with other special projects. Also, with current City Manager Roger LeDuc up for retirement in a few years, Pearce could be Aiken's future City manager.
What we saw: Pearce has helped to head up plans for the City's 175th anniversary celebration, including helping to pen, "Aiken Illustrated: The Southworth Collection," a coffee-table book filled with the works of award-winning photographer Ginny Southworth.
Name: The Houndslake Resident
Position: Between rock and hard place
What we're watching for: How will they handle it (the potential closing of the Laurel course)? Do the residents buy the course? Does a third party come in? Will it be green space? Anxious residents - and those watching property values - are looking for answers.
What we saw: Houndslake officials eventually decided to keep the course open by beginning a membership drive that would bring in funding for renovations at the courses over the next five years. Houndslake has also implemented the First Tee golf program at the club.
Name: Carla Cloud
Position: Director, Aiken Downtown Development Association
What we're watching for: Nervous store owners are fearing 2009. Her efforts at bringing more people downtown - through events, special occasions, promotions - can go a long way to keeping Downtown Aiken vibrant.
What we saw: A rough year. Nearly a dozen downtown stores closed in 2009.
Name: Leasa Segura
Position: City of Aiken supervisor of Neighborhood and Development Services
What we're watching for: In a shaky real estate market, can the City reclaim a once-proud middle class subdivision that has been overrun with drugs and violence? The City had success with Toole Hill and Ashton Oaks, but that was done in a booming economy, so the battle will be an uphill one.
What we saw: Segura continues to be a key player in the neighborhood revitalization. The City has partnered with several nonprofit organizations for the process and have begun remodeling two homes in the neighborhood, which are slated to be complete next year. Thus far, the City has purchased 30 homes and has optioned 70 more. The City's goal is to restore 150 homes in Crosland Park.
Name: Sam Bennett
What we're watching for: The most pressing issue facing Bennett will be replacing Chief Lee Wetherington, who will retire in February 2009, as well as replacing several other longtime directors.
What we saw: Coming up on his third anniversary in North Augusta, Bennett has settled into his position as City Administrator - making the hard decisions where necessary and reaching out to the other governmental entities in the area whenever such cooperative efforts are appropriate. He has hired a new director of North Augusta Department of Public Safety in John Thomas - someone he already knew as the police chief in Clinton and someone who has definitely taken the bull by the horns and is working to reorganize and reprioritize for his department.
Under Bennett's watchful eye in 2009 the new Municipal Center of North Augusta has opened, the city purchased land to begin work on a new entrance to the City at the Fifth Street Bridge, a new intersection was completed there, the final leg of the Palmetto Parkway opened last week and, in addition to a variety of cooperative boards in the CSRA, Bennett is involved in the Augusta Tomorrow Westobou plan for the entire region.
Name: Brian Tucker
Position: Director, N.A. Chamber of Commerce
What we're watching for: The North Augusta Chamber has been without strong leadership for some time, and Tucker has a chance to grow the Chamber and tighten the North Augusta business community.
What we saw: Tucker has been true to his growing view of what a Chamber should be about - Give members something they want, something they need and something they can use. He has laid the groundwork for a Member Values program, for being eyes and ears of Chamber members where government agencies are concerned and for providing network and education opportunities for members. Tucker has reported that membership is up and his goal in 2010 is to increase that membership to 450.
Name: Rick and Cathy Cram
Position: Owner, Highfields
What we're watching for: Can the Crams continue to attract high-level shows on a consistent basis in a beleaguered economy?
What we saw: Rick and Cathy Cram's Progressive Show Jumping and Highfields Event Center continues to be one of the leaders of Aiken's strong equestrian base. It has helped the area become one of the nation's preferred equine destinations. The 2010 schedule at Highfields Event Center offers a series of quality shows, demonstrating the Crams' continued commitment to excellence.
Name: Jim Diehl
Position: Director of Missions, Aiken Baptist Association
What we're watching for: Representing more than 7,000 worshipers each week, the Baptist denomination is by far the most represented in Aiken County. A downturn in the economy can hit church collection plates, which can then hamper missions, just when the need is rising. Diehl's efforts to continue - and grow - Baptist missions will be a challenging need.
What we saw: A struggling economy hit all aspects of society, and 2010 doesn't look to be less of a challenge.
Name: Vince Alexander
Position: Head coach, USC Aiken Pacers
What we're watching for: Wins. Alexander fell short last year, but pundits put his Pacers as a preseason favorite. Additionally, Alexander has been known to take on reclamation projects. Can he continue to recruit quality players who need a second chance - and help them stay on the straight and narrow?
What we saw: Alexander took his USC Aiken basketball team further than it had ever advanced, as the Pacers made it all the way to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 before losing to Augusta State. He also held his team together following the tragic loss of point guard Javonte Clanton to an auto accident, and he put together another strong recruiting class to try to keep USCA on top.
Name: Troy Elwell
Position: Aiken County Sheriff's Office public information officer
What we're watching for: Is he the new face of the Sheriff's Office? Or will he assist in the transition of a new PIO? Under the late Lt. Michael Frank, the Sheriff's Office developed a reputation for openness with the public, and Elwell inherits that responsibility. At least for now.
What we saw: After taking over public information duties late last year, following the sudden death of Frank, Elwell helped steer the public affairs office into the hands of Sgt. Dave Myers, who took over the most public aspect of the position in late spring. Although Elwell, a captain, is no longer the most frequently quoted spokesperson at the sheriff's office, he supervises the release of information to the media.
Name: Joe Lewis
Position: Chairman of the Board, Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce
What we're watching for: The business community is obviously staring down a scary 2009. With looming business closures and slashed operating costs, keeping the Chamber membership up (and growing) is critical to weathering the financial storm. Additionally, what new programs will surface to help businesses be as successful as possible?
What we saw: During his year as chairman of the Chamber board, Lewis guided the local organization of businesses to a successful year. In addition to seeing to a sound financial year, Lewis and the Chamber headed up local business efforts to turn aside the Blue Laws limited hours of operation for merchants on Sundays. The Chamber also began a strong effort to work with the variety of disciplines in the equestrian industry and to bring the many groups together to promote their common interests.