This article provides the unofficial election results from Lancaster County, South Carolina for the 2012 general election. It lists the vote totals for various federal, state, and local races including U.S. President, State Senate, State House, County Council, School Board, and a state constitutional amendment question. The votes shown are only for Lancaster County and do not include absentee ballots still being counted.

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3. South Carolina
Press Association
Hall
of
Fame
Col. Thomas Bissell Crews
1832 - 1911

4. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
AWARD
for her long and outstanding support
of the S.C. Press Association

5. AN ORAL HISTORY OF
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWSPAPERS
Remembering Eyewitnesses to History
CO-SPONSORED BY:
School of Journalism and Mass Communications

6. THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT
Our project’s goal is to
capture video and audio
interviews of some of South
Carolina’s leading newspaper
journalists from the last
half century. We wish to
ensure that the heritage of
the state’s journalists and
newspapers is preserved.

7. The Oral History is located on a website containing video and audio
recordings, photos, links and biographic information. In addition to
recalling stories from the past, such as the Orangeburg Massacre, we
are also interviewing selected journalists who covered significant
events to give their oral recollections and background information.
AP Reporter, Jim Davenport’s
interview page on the website.

8. OUR CURRENT INTERVIEWEES

9. Time is of the essence with
this long-term, ongoing
project. We must get
interviews before key
witnesses are gone. This
is important for future
generations of South
Carolinians so we do not
forget, and can broaden our
perspective by looking at
the past.

10. AN ORAL HISTORY OF
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWSPAPERS
Remembering Eyewitnesses to History
Can be found at:
SCNEWSPAPERHISTORY.COM

11. REMEMBERING THOSE WE’VE LOST
Robert Nettles Hugh Munn
Bob Bentley Vicki Shealy
Mim Woodring Samuel Rayford Marshall
Ernie Adams Dwight Dana
Lance Noel Anderson Jim Davenport
John Kerr Anne Mae Pickens Collins
Gerhard Spieler Dr. J. Nolan Etters
Walter Julian Mark Stafford Linder
SEE PAGE 8 OF YOUR PROGRAM FOR FULL NECROLOGY

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end of the presentation!
iPads donated by:
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Newspaper Network

14. JUDSON CHAPMAN AWARD
Open Division
THIRD PLACE:
Charleston City Paper
Un bal
Paul Bowers
an c
Photography by Adam Chandler; CP photo illustration
ed
Residents of North Charleston’s poorest
neighborhoods have easy access to junk food,
Diet one mile of home, which can present a barrier to nutrition
when a family lives in poverty and does not own a car.
Sometimes kids from the neighborhood will stop by
to help tend the small field beside the train tracks, but
but not fresh fruit and veggies
W
Hampton says they’ve got a lot to learn.
“You know they’ve never seen an earthworm,” says
Hampton, who started cultivating the empty lot in the
BY PAUL BOWERS the garden during his spare time, sometimes rising early Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood three years ago. His idea
or working between jobs. But on a small scale, he is help- was to start a community garden where anybody could come
hen Clay Hampton swings a hoe in his ing to solve one of the great ills that plague the southern tend the field, plant a few seeds, and take home some fresh
FEATURE | charlestoncitypaper.com
garden, he can hear the roar of trucks end of North Charleston. Every time a family takes collard produce to their families.
passing by on Spruill Avenue and see his greens from his community garden for Sunday dinner, and Ashley Brown, who has rented a house from Hampton
neighbors riding bikes down to the corner every time someone picks a bell pepper for salad, Hampton since October and lives directly next door to the garden, says
convenience store. He grew up working enlarges an oasis in what many experts call a food desert. she has not yet taken him up on the offer of free produce in
in his mother’s garden on James Island, Food deserts are low-income areas where residents have exchange for a little bit of labor. She is a big believer in fruits
so he knows how to till the earth, kill weeds with a tarp, and little access to healthy food and produce, often because their and vegetables for her two growing boys, ages 2 and 4, but
salvage seeds from a dying okra plant. Wiry and active at age neighborhood lacks a supermarket. According to the USDA, for now, she rides with her boyfriend to West Ashley to buy
69, he also knows the health benefits of working outdoors North Charleston contains 11 census tracts that fit the crite- healthy groceries.
and eating fresh produce — and he wants to share those ria for food deserts, many in the river-bound stretch of land “I’m going to wait until Mr. Clay shows me the way,
benefits with his neighbors. called the Neck. Of the 33,000 people living in those tracts, because I don’t want to mess it up,” she says.
Hampton is not a social worker or eco-activist. He is a 19,500 have low access to grocery stores. For urban areas,
handyman and sports bar owner by trade, and he works in “low access” is defined as the lack of a grocery store within continued on page 24 23

15. SERIES OF SPORTS ARTICLES
Open Division
FIRST PLACE:
The Lancaster News SPORTS: Lancers sweep Spartanburg Methodist 9A
Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper
INSIDE: Body found on Mt. Carmel Road Monday 2A
The
Gregory Summers Lancaster News
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Lancaster Speedway Two sections/18 pages/75 cents
GREGORY A. SUMMERS/gsummers@thelancasternews.com
Crate Model driver Timbo Mangum, right, dives below Ted McDaniel after McDaniel tagged the Turn 2 wall during a practice run at Lancaster Speedway on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday night
Gregory A. Summers ple of sizes too big, but Jar-
MORE INSIDE ed was definitely growing
SHOWCASE
gsummers@thelancasternews.com
◆ Banks Simpson wins first into it. Start ’em young.
Fist-bumping with a dirt
race at local speedway. 6A And chances are, regard-
tracker in the back of a
◆ Getting track ready to less of size, Jared will be
hauler is still a big deal.
race is no simple task. 6A wearing it this weekend
So when youngster Jared
when the half-mile dirt
Smith wanted to talk racin’
The youngster’s six track opens its gates for the
and rubbin’ with Timbo
words drew Mangum’s full 2012 local racing season.
Mangum on Saturday af-
attention. But this isn’t just any
ternoon during a practice
“You’re gonna be wear- opening event. The elite in
round at Lancaster Speed-
ing it next week, right?” dirt tracking will put Lan-
way, Mangum set down the
caster in the national spot-
Largest dirt race in state history coming foam bowl full of chicken
and rice he was working
the veteran driver asked,
smiling. light this weekend when
the local track hosts the
on. Before the youngster
inaugural Carolina Crown.
to Lancaster Speedway this weekend “I got me a Timbo shirt,”
Jared said.
could reply, his dad chimed
in. The shirt was still a cou- See SHOWCASE | Page 7A

16. ONLINE COLUMN WRITING
Open Division
THIRD PLACE:
The News and Reporter
Travis Jenkins
Something special

17. ONLINE COLUMN WRITING
Open Division
FIRST PLACE:
The Moultrie News
Renae Brabham
Piddlin in Dixie

18. ILLUSTRATION
Open Division
THIRD PLACE:
Carolina Forest Chronicle
Chris Mowder
Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary

19. INNOVATIVE CONCEPT
Open Division
Times,
SECOND PLACE: NFHS
Fort Mill Times
team up
Michael Harrison
for cyber
and Jenny Overman
forum
By John Marks
jmarks@fortmilltimes.com
Live, online candidates debate FORT MILL — If there’s a rec-
ord for fewest attendees at a polit-
Candidates questioned via social media ical debate, it may be in danger.
Which isn’t at all to say there
By John Marks won’t be voter participation in Michael Harrison,
the near future,” said an
jmarks@fortmilltimes.com Inside Fort Mill Times editor and event moderator.
Oct. 24 event broadcasting from Dist. 26 oppo-
First up were state House
■ Candidate profiles, 4A
FORT MILL — A high school senior holds
up her fingers to tell candidates and a Con-
Nation Ford High School. That’s a Republican
■ On the ballot, 5A
nents Jeremy Walters, a Libertarian Party
candidate, and Raye Felder,
gressman when they’re allowed to speak. when candidates for as an unaffiliated petition candi-
■ Why you should vote, Eudy, 5A running two area of-
Another student tweets concerns on cafete- fices will take to their issues via snafutook
date following a statewide ballot ear-
ria food. lier this year. Both rookie candidates
To say the least, Wednesday’s debate at those who have made social media a way of with questions ar- road mainte-
social media, on job creation, tax reform,
Nation Ford High School wasn’t the most life, including some of the youngest voters nance and per pupil school spending.
traditional. Candidates for U.S. House Dist.
riving and responses posting tax exemp-
in next month’s general election. Felder wants to curb sales
5 and state House Dist. 26 took questions “We’re partners in a live.
new adventure in de- tions and better measure school standards,
not from a live audience, but a virtual one mocracy that represents a mash-up of tradi- and to improve state transportation opera-
with Facebook and Twitter accounts tional journalism and social media, that we sponsored by the and examine
The event, tions before raising the gas tax
plugged into the live-stream event hosted hope encourages more participation Times andpaying back government benefits if
Fort Mill in the ways of Nation Ford
by the school and the Fort Mill Times. electoral process, particularly by those who
The idea was to connect the races with have just reached voting age or who will in Please see DEBATE 5A

20. AFFILIATED OR NICHE WEBSITE
Open Division
SECOND PLACE:
Myrtle Beach Herald
Chris Mowder
listenupmyrtlebeach.com

21. ONLINE NEWS PROJECT
Open Division
Local
THIRD PLACE: candidate
Fort Mill Times forum to be
streamed
Michael Harrison and From staff reports
Jenny Overman
news@fortmilltimes.com
FORT MILL — The Oct. 24 can-
didate debate hosted as a joint
Online candidate forum project by the Fort Mill Times and
Nation Ford High School will be
streamed live from 10 a.m. to
noon.
The event will be broadcast
from the Nation Ford News TV
studio.
There will not be a studio audi-
ence, but the public is invited to
participate via social media.
Questions can be submitted by
Twitter or Facebook and will be
posted live, along with the re-
sponses.
Libertarian Jeremy Walters
and independent Raye Felder,
both running for S.C. House Dist.
26., will debate from 10 to 11 a.m..
Candidates for U.S. House Dist.
5, incumbent U.S. Rep. Mick
Mulvaney and challenger Joyce
Knott, will go head-to-head from
11 to noon.
The community can submit
ti d i th t i

22. BEST EVENT MARKETING
Associate/Individual Division
FIRST PLACE:
Municipal Association of South Carolina
2012 Annual Meeting

23. BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM
Associate/Individual Division
SECOND PLACE:
Simpsonville Sentinel
Keith Grounsell
Drugs in our Society

24. BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM
Associate/Individual Division
FIRST PLACE:
S.C. Farm Bureau
Bill Johns
Member Benefits

25. 2012 ELECTION/POLITICAL
COVERAGE L ANCASTER VOTERS SPEAK OUT
Here’s a look at the unofficial Lan-
Two sections/20 pages I Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper I 75 cents
State Senate District 16 County Council District 1 School board District 2
All Weekly Division
caster County vote totals for 2012. ◆ Greg Gregory (Republican) – ◆ Larry McCullough (Republi- ◆ Tyrom Faulkner (Non-partisan)
The votes shown here in the races 15,685 can) – 3,363 – 1,393
for the S.C. House and S.C. Senate
are for Lancaster County only. These
State Senate District 27 County Council District 3 School board District 4
numbers do not include the paper ◆ Vincent Sheheen (Democrat) – ◆ Bob Bundy (Republican) – ◆ Bill Sumner (Non-partisan) –
2,711 2,989 2,591
absentee ballots that were received.
An estimated 3,400-plus paper bal- State House District 44 County Council District 5 School board District 6
lots were still being counted at mid- ◆ Joseph Coy (Petition) – 1,802 ◆ Steve Harper (Republican) – ◆ Margaret Gamble (Non-parti-
night. Check www.thelancasternews. ◆ Mandy Powers Norrell (Demo- 2,203 san) – 2,284
com for updated results. crat) – 7,758 ◆ Kathy Sistare (Democrat) – State Constitutional
U.S. president ◆ Ryan Payne (Republican) – 1,914
Clerk of Court Amendment question
3,454 County Council District 7
◆ Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan ◆ Jeff Hammond (Democrat) – ◆ From 2018 onward, will the
(Republican) – 18,163 State House District 45 ◆ Brian Carnes (Republican) – Governor and Lieutenant Gover-
◆ Deborah Long (Republican) – 19,571
◆ Gary Johnson and James P. 3,551 nor run on the same ticket and
Gray (Libertarian) – 250 8,441 Coroner be elected jointly? As a result the
◆ Mike Morris (Democrat) –
City Council District 3
◆ Barack Obama and Joe Biden State House District 53 ◆ Linda Blackmon-Brace (Non- Lieutenant Governor will no lon-
(Democrat) – 12,275 19,377
◆ Phil Powell (Petition) – 38 partisan) – 95 ger preside over the S.C. Senate
◆ Virgil Goode and Jim Clymer
◆ Ted Vick (Democrat) – 329
Auditor ◆ Jackie Harris (Non-partisan) – and the S.C. Senate will elect its
(Constitution) – 51 ◆ Cheryl Morgan (Democrat) – presiding officer from within that
◆ Richie Yow (Republican) – 597 275
◆ Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala 19,173 body.
(Green) – 78 State House District 65 City Council District 4 Yes – 15,943
◆ Jay Lucas (Republican) – 1,517 Treasurer
5th District U.S. Congress ◆ Jean Cureton (Non-partisan) – No – 13,051
Sheriff ◆ Carrie Helms (Republican) –
THIRD PLACE:
79 Local question
◆ Mick Mulvaney (Republican) – 18,807
◆ Scott Case (Republican) – ◆ Tamara Green Garris (Non-
17,936 ◆ Will restaurants in Lancaster Coun-
10,067 Soil and Water District partisan) – 243
◆ Joyce Knott (Democrat) – ty that have alcohol licenses be al-
10,985 ◆ Barry Faile (Democrat) – ◆ Phil Cleveland (Non-partisan) City Council District 6 lowed to sell alcohol on Sunday?
◆ Joyce Knott (Working Families) 20,229 – 15,657 ◆ Sara Eddins (Non-partisan) – Yes – 17,116
– 1,091 384 No – 12,771
INSIDE TODAY’S ISSUE Voters approve Sunday alcohol sales in restaurants, 2A
The Lancaster News
The
Lancaster News
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012 I WWW.THELANCASTERNEWS.COM
S.C. House District 44 Lancaster County Sheriff
The beginning of the end
Powers Faile
Staff Norrell
wins seat Laura Caskey
lcaskey@thelancasternews.com
Democrat Mandy Powers Norrell
has won the S.C.
doubles
up Case
Christopher Sardelli
csardelli@thelancasternews.com
House seat in District
44, which covers a Sheriff Barry Faile celebrated with
large part of Lancast- his family late Tuesday night as he was
er County, defeating projected to win a
Republican petition second term in office.
candidate Joseph Coy According to unof-
and Republican can- ficial results from the
didate Ryan Payne. Lancaster County
According to un- Mandy Election Commis-
official results from Powers sion at about 11 p.m.,
the Lancaster Coun- Norrell Faile was projected
ty Election Commis- to win with 64.6 per-
Barry Faile
sion at press time, cent of the vote,
Norrell won 57.4 percent of the vote which translates to
with 7,758 votes, while Coy had 13.3 20,229 votes. His Republican chal-
percent of the vote with 1,802 votes lenger, Great Falls police officer Scott
and Payne garnered 29.3 percent of Case, trailed with 10,067 votes, which
the vote with 3,954 votes. was 35.29 percent of the vote.
Norrell, 39, is a partner in the Nor- The vote tally does not include all
rell & Powers Norrell law firm in GREGORY SUMMERS/gsummers@thelancasternews.com
absentee votes, which had still not
Lancaster. She has served as city at- Elvira Faulkner-McIlwain opens paper ballots that were mailed into the county’s voter registra- been fully counted by midnight.
torney for Lancaster for 14 years and “I feel good about it,” Faile said.
tion office by Tuesday’s deadline. Poll workers, volunteers and election officials had a busy,
See HOUSE | Page 2A non-stop day, thanks to a strong turnout by the county’s 47,000-plus registered voters. See SHERIFF | Page 3A
City candidates Mulvaney headed County Council
back to U.S. Capitol Dist. 5 race not final
split Tuesday vote Reece Murphy Christopher Sardelli
Council totals don’t reflect rmurphy@thelancasternews.com csardelli@thelancasternews.com
Republican Congressman Mick Mulvaney is likely The battle between a one-term incumbent and her
paper absentee ballot numbers heading back to Washington, D.C., for a second term Republican challenger had still not been settled late
Jesef Williams to representing U.S. House District 5. Tuesday night in the race for Lancaster County Council’s
Mulvaney, a Republican from Indian Land, was well District 5 seat, though there was a projected winner.
jwilliams@thelancasternews.com
ahead of first-time Democratic challenger Joyce Knott Republican Steve Harper was projected to win over
A political newcomer and an incumbent were leading as of press time Tuesday with 55.37 percent of the vote Democratic incumbent, and current council chair-
their respective Lancaster City Council races as of press at 65,548 to 48,514. woman, Kathy Sistare, based on unofficial results from
time late Tuesday night. Lancaster County voters also approved of their lo- the Lancaster County Election Commission released at
Jackie Harris, who challenged Councilwoman Linda cal congressman with 17,936 of the county’s voting about 11:30 p.m.
Blackmon-Brace for the District 3 City Council seat, gar- for Mulvaney versus 10,984 who voted for Knott. The vote tallies show Harper with 2,203 votes, while
nered 76 percent of the votes in the five voting precincts Whereas his 2010 campaign focused largely on Sistare trailed with 1,914 votes.
that encompass the city, according to uncertified results healthcare, Mulvaney’s focus during this year’s cam- The results included all precincts and 6,100 elec-
from the Lancaster County Election Commission. paign was on what he called the three interwoven is- tronic absentee votes, though about 3,400 paper ab-
All county precincts were reported by 10 p.m. Tues- sues of jobs, the economy and debt. sentee ballots had yet to be counted by midnight.
day. However, around that time, election officials had Mulvaney was not available for comment by press Election officials expected the counting of those votes
just begun to process absentee ballots. time. to last well into the early morning hours Wednesday.
More than 9,000 county residents are said to have Mulvaney, then Lancaster County’s S.C. House Dis- The ideas of job creation and workforce develop-
voted absentee. The Lancaster News received electronic trict 16 representative, defeated 12-term U.S. House ment dominated this year’s council race, though im-
See CITY | Page 2A See CAPITOL | Page 2A
See COUNTY | Page 2A
Weather Index Deaths, 4A-5A Margie Jordan
Cloudy, cool Johnnie Carnes William Massey
Business .................................6B Entertainment ......................3B Lowry Plyler
morning to David Copeland
Classifieds ...............................7B Faces & Places ......................1B Ada Threatt
start the day Coming Events ................3B, 4B Opinion .............................11A Almetta Estridge
Highs: 57-59 J.D. Geiger Melenia Trotter
Dear Abby ..............................3B Sports ...................................8A
Lows: 33-35 Louise Hatchell Ossie Whitaker
James Horton

26. 2012 ELECTION/POLITICAL
COVERAGE CYAN-AOOO MAGENTA-OAOO YELLOW -OOAO BLACK 2/6/01
All Weekly Division
®
Friday, June 15, 2012 50¢ www.journalscene.com
Primary 2012
SECOND PLACE:
The Summerville Jim Tatum/Journal Scene
Journal Scene
ReVille is brought into the courtroom before his sen-
tencing on Wednesday. David Hester/Journal Scene
Bennett, accompanied by campaign manager Brian Moniz, arrives at Summer House soon after learning he has won
Child molester the Senate 38 seat. Supporters were already on site celebrating. See more photos at http://seenit.journalscene.com/
gets 50 years Bennett unseats Rose
BY LESLIE CANTU AND DAVID HESTER Bennett shows
The Journal Scene supporters the hole
BY JIM TATUM he wore into the sole
The Journal Scene Political newcomer Sean Bennett toppled Sen. of his shoe as he
Leslie Cantu and Staff
Mike Rose in the Republican primary Tuesday campaigned door-to-
Louis “Skip” ReVille may get out of jail someday – but for the Senate 38 seat. door. He took his
not until at least his 74th birthday. With no Democratic opposition in November, shoe off and removed
ReVille, 32, a former teacher, coach, camp counselor, Bennett is poised to glide into the Senate seat. duck tape covering
Bible study leader, and youth mentor pleaded guilty to a At an exuberant celebration at the Summer the hole just before
number of charges related to his admitted sexual abuse of he held it up.
as many as 35 young male students across the See BENNETT Page 8A Judy Watts/Journal Scene
Lowcountry.
During the sentencing hearing, held Wednesday in the
Charleston County Courthouse, Judge Markley Dennis
handed down sentences of 15 to twenty years each on 23
indictments ranging from criminal sexual conduct with a
Carter prevails in primary
minor, performing a lewd act on a child, distributing Will face incumbent nating race for the House 97 vote, to Bryngelson’s 1,353 won with a 10 percent mar-
pornographic materials, and criminal solicitation of a seat, Ed Carter beat out votes. gin.
minor during a sentencing These sentences will run con-
Knight in November Jordan Bryngelson for the Wednesday, Carter said he Questions had come up
currently with a fifty-year sentence Dennis imposed on a chance to face Rep. Patsy was pleased with the results. during the campaign about
BY LESLIE CANTU
The Journal Scene Knight in November. He had been looking for a whether Carter was a “true”
See REVILLE Page 8A Carter won 1,643 votes, or victorious margin of 5 per- conservative, especially
In the Republican nomi- almost 55 percent of the cent, he said, but instead
Town employee
See CARTER Page 8A
Knight keeps
policy updated Sheriff ’s post
BY LESLIE CANTU agreed to allow him to
The Journal Scene take on some of the duties BY JIM TATUM
that an administrator The Journal Scene
Summerville Town would do.
Council agreed Councilman Bob Jackson It appears L.C. Knight will keep his job
Wednesday to make some initially wanted to table as Dorchester County’s top cop for four
basic changes to the the changes until council more years.
employee handbook, but could hash out a policy on The incumbent sheriff won the
left heftier questions for rehiring retirees, but he Republican Primary with a decisive 61
the budget retreat later this agreed that discussion percent of the vote over challenger Mike
summer. could wait for the budget Turner.
Director of retreat. Voter turnout was light, with about 12
Administrative Services Councilman Aaron percent of the registered voters in
Lisa Wallace said the Brown also asked that the Dorchester County turning out to the
changes were to provide a handbook change from polls but that was not unexpected for a
Jim Tatum/Journal Scene
more detailed policy on saying employee evalua- primary election. However, with no
Bufort Blanton congratulates Knight on his victory over challenger Mike
light duty and to change tions “may” be conducted Turner. See more photos at http://seenit.journalscene.com/
outdated wording that See KNIGHT Page 8A
to “will” be conducted.
Hearn, Hargett win council races
refers to a “town adminis- “What I’m trying to get
trator.” away from is subjectivity
Summerville hasn’t had a in promoting employees,”
town administrator since he said.
BY LESLIE CANTU bents Larry Hargett and Bill Hearn Miriam Birdsong in November.
Dennis Pieper resigned Having evaluations on The Journal Scene easily won the Republican nomina- Hargett, who currently serves as the
more than a year ago. file provides a history of
tions for their seats Tuesday. council chairman, has no opposition in
After Mayor Bill Collins employee performance, he Dorchester County Council incum- Hearn will go on to face Democrat
took office, the council said. See COUNCIL Page 8A
Summerville Journal Scene • www.journalscene.com
CYAN-AOOO MAGENTA-OAOO YELLOW-OOAO BLACK 01/29/08

27. 2012 ELECTION/POLITICAL
COVERAGE
All Weekly Division
FIRST PLACE: free-times.com May 23-29, 2012
Free Times
Staff Ballot
B mb
or, How Jake Knotts Blew Up
a Statewide Election
2012
Ethics Panel Wants More Competitive Pole Dancing Art Bar Agora: Artist
Info on Haley’s Lobbying Stripped Bare Market and Showcase
NEWS 8 ARTS 22 MUSIC 34

28. EDITORIAL OR COLUMN IN SUPPORT
OF FOI/OPEN GOVERNMENT ISSUES
All Weekly Division
Heading for ‘Sunshine’ at the beach
THIRD PLACE: -
Chronicle-Independent
- (see front page
story), -
- reasonable
not
Martin L. Cahn
not
-
not
-
- - not
-
-
-
-
-
-
- citizens’
-
-
-
-
-
- (Martin L. Cahn is the associ-
- - ate editor of the Chronicle-Inde-
- pendent, Camden, S.C. E-mail
- responses to camden@ci-camden
.com.)

29. EDITORIAL OR COLUMN IN SUPPORT
OF FOI/OPEN GOVERNMENT ISSUES
All Weekly Division
SECOND PLACE:
The News and Reporter
Travis Jenkins
The Law

30. EDITORIAL OR COLUMN IN SUPPORT
OF FOI/OPEN GOVERNMENT ISSUES
All Weekly Division
The School Board of Un-Trustees Fish
Leave it or Cut Bait
to the Fair- The Voice Short is
The Voice
Speaks the list of
things that Speaks
transpire
with the
James Denton James Denton
desired
editor
editor
FIRST PLACE:
amount of
expediency, particularly when those
to one’s self or to society as a whole.
The justice system is no exception, and
- those seeking relief through its laby-
rinthine networks often grow frus-
-
ing recourse or restitution.
-
The Independent Voice
But Monday morning, a Magistrate’s
-
der the feet of justice, giving the 6th
Circuit Solicitor 15 days to either pros-
- ecute or drop a case of criminal viola-
- tion of the S.C. Freedom of Information
Act against the president and individ-
ual Board members of the Jenkinsville
Water Company. Although it took a
of Fairfield County
motion to dismiss by the defense, at
least now the matter may be given the
appropriate attention by the Solicitor.
- And not a moment too soon.
For far too long, the Jenkinsville Wa-
ter Company Board has topped the list
of local public bodies who think that
the law somehow does not apply to
them; an attitude exacerbated by the
James Denton
fact that the JWC Board does not even
believe itself to be a public body. But
the FOIA is clear – if a body is sup-
- ported by even one penny of public
funds, as is the JWC, then that body
- - is public. Furthermore, a recent con-
versation with the S.C. Public Service
- Commission, which regulates the rates
of private utility companies, revealed
- that they do not regulate the rates of
- the Jenkinsville Water Company. Ei-
- ther the JWC is public, therefore, or
they are putting one over on the PSC.
The Solicitor, meanwhile, has been
- reluctant to prosecute the case from
the outset – and for that he cannot be
-
blamed. For one thing, it is only a mis-
demeanor. Most certainly, there is a
- line out the door and around the block
of far more grievous cases waiting at
- the entire cast of the bench marked
“Group W” from Arlo Guthrie’s “Al-
ice’s Restaurant,” and worse. And it
- is an unusual case, only the second of
- its kind in South Carolina, and brings
with it certain challenges, not the least
of which is proving willful violation.
The Freedom of Information Act
- is currently the most viable tool by
- which the public can ensure that their
government – from the White House to
- the local board room – operates in the
open, before the very eyes of the elec-
- torate. It is not just for newspapers,
but for the public at large. It literally
puts the “public” into the republic; and
without it, democracy is in peril.
And without an aggressive prosecu-
tion of its violators, it is a law in name
only. We encourage, therefore, the So-
- licitor to take action, to prosecute fully
- and earnestly, and to help make public
bodies accountable to the public they
serve.

31. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
All Weekly Division SALES TAX WARS
Amazon turns lemons into lemonade
BY JERRY BELLUNE
JerryBellune@Yahoo.com WHAT’S AT STAKE
Amazon’s fight to avoid sales tax
collections may have a silver lining.
The company which has opened a
National internet sales topped
$176 billion last year and are to
Fraud
new distribution center in Lexington
County has reassessed its position.
It now sees a way to increase prof-
reach $279 billion by 2015, For-
rester Research predicts.
Amazon.com and other on-
probe being
THIRD PLACE: swept
it by becoming an internet tax col- line sales are about 9% of total
lector for other internet retailers. retail sales.
Amazon for years has fought state That’s projected to triple over
efforts to force it to collect sales tax- the next few decades.
es from its customers.
In South Carolina, lawmakers
battled over making Amazon col- It’s recognizing there’s money
under rug?
Lexington County Chronicle
BY JERRY BELLUNE
lect sales taxes. The company said it to be made, said George Runner,
JerryBellune@Yahoo.com
would scrap its plans for the Lexing- a member of the California state Infinity Business Group investors
ton County center if it lost the fight. Board of Equalization which han- are frustrated.
In an 11th hour vote, Lexington dles sales taxes. Many are worried they may never
County business leaders and law- “This is what smart business people be able to recover millions of dollars
they invested in the company.
makers prevailed to allow Amazon do,” he said. “They’re very slick at it.”
Others are angry because they feel
to tell its buyers they need to pay Amazon and other online mer- the investigation of fraud charges
& The Dispatch News
the tax but not to collect it for them. chants have long contended they’re
Starting Feb. 1, Amazon will han- not legally obligated to collect sales
may be
swept un- INSIDE |_
dle sales tax chores for retailers who taxes in states where they have no der the IBG officials face
physical presence. rug. state fraud charges,
sell through its site for 2.9% of the
Inves- A3
taxes collected. Amazon doesn’t consider distribu- tigative Execs spent lavishly
The strategy could mean millions tion centers like the one near Cayce sources on themselves, A3.
in new revenue for Amazon. as a retail presence since it only ful- deny this. Everyone lost at IBG,
A3.
Jerry Bellune
Analysts said Amazon is conced- fills internet orders. They
The internet sales boom made Am- say it is IBG dream dies, A8.
ing that internet retailers will even- a highly Settlement ends
tually have to play by the same rules azon a target to cut losses in brick- compli- fight, A8.
as rival brick-and-mortar stores like and-mortar tax collections and tap cated case
Walmart, Target and Best Buy. new sources of sales tax revenues. involving
many investors who may be called
to testify against Wade and Brad
River Bluff High School
Cordell and others involved with
them in the collapse of IBG.
THE CHINA OFFENSIVE IBG operated from a brick build-
ing owned by Brad Cordell at 140
China contract concerns our readers
Gibson Road in Lexington. Among
its operations was a bad check col-
lection service for clients ranging
from the food industry to retail
stores to the public schools.
|
Twin investigations have been un-
BY JERRY BELLUNE - derway for more than a year since
INSIDE _ tractor did not underbid the the first complaints surfaced.
JerryBellune@Yahoo.com The complaints included charges
The high cost of River Bluff competition and make it up that the Cordells and their inner
circle spent investors’ money on ex-
High School has been a subject with overruns. pensive cars and boats, a condo at
Clemson, visits to gentlemen’s clubs
of local concern. and otherwise lived lavishly.
But of even more concern to bid amount,” she said. These allegation were included in
The Chronicle also asked, at complaints filed with the state Attor-
Chronicle readers is the issue of She said the project is on ney General’s office.
readers’ requests: Attorney General Alan Wilson has
a Chinese government-owned time and within the bid.
- confirmed his office has been inves-
company building the $138.9 River Bluff and the two tigating and gave the Cordells 30
fications or notices of cost over- days to respond.
million showplace school. Meadow Glen schools were ap- The Cordells’ attorneys have de-
run has the Chinese contractor nied all charges.
The Chronicle asked Lexing- proved by voters in the 2008
presented? Federal and state investigators
ton 1 a month ago for: Bond Referendum. This includ- have been involved although FBI of-
ficials say they can neither confirm
ed $138.9 million for the new not deny they have an investigation
bid amount,” spokesperson underway.
Meadow Glen Elementary and high school land, site work and
Mary Beth Hill said. But investors FBI agents have in-
Middle schools and how much construction, Hill said. terviewed told the Chronicle what
“There have been no cost they were asked and how they an-
of that will local resident work- One way the China Construc- swered a series of questions posted
overruns.”
ers and suppliers receive. tion Company successfully un- on an FBI web site.
The Better Business Bureau with-
der bid U.S. builders, industry drew accreditation after IBG officials
performance bond? filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy un-
for the high school. sources say, is that it uses cheap der the federal Bankruptcy Act Sep-
“ There have been no claims
The district has not respond- Chinese labor and below market tember 1, 2010.
under the performance bond,” Involved in the investigation are
ed to these questions. financing and insurance from officials who successfully prosecuted
she said. the Home Gold and Carolina Inves-
Chinese banks and insurers. tors fraud case.

32. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
All Weekly Division
SECOND PLACE:
Myrtle Beach Herald
Charles D. Perry, Michael Smith
and Tom O’Dare
Project Blue
Covation exec didn’t file tax returns for 14 years
Project Blue’s chief operating officer racked up more than $1.2 million in unpaid taxes, penalties
BY MICHAEL SMITH AND CHARLES D. PERRY court transcripts show. interfere with the lawful government support of the project after a Herald comment.
THE HERALD In 1999, Rocker was sentenced to functions of the IRS,” according to report about Rocker’s prison record. In an interview with the Herald
14 months in prison after he pleaded the Internal Revenue Service. New revelations about the circum- last month, Dave Rocker's business
Dave Rocker failed to file income guilty to one count of conspiracy to Rocker is currently the chief oper- stances leading up to Rocker’s prison partner and father, Bill, said the IRS
tax returns for 14 consecutive years, commit income tax evasion. He ating officer of Covation Holdings, sentence only reinforce concerns pursued his son in the late 1990s.
racking up more than $1.2 million in served 12 months before he was according to Horry County records. about using taxpayer money to sup- “You’ve got to understand, at the
unpaid taxes and penalties, accord- paroled in January 2001, according Covation has been in talks with the port the Covation call center, some time, what was going on in the Inter-
ing to federal court documents. to the federal prison bureau. Myrtle Beach Regional Economic council members say. nal Revenue Service,” he said. “They
Rocker, an executive with Covation Rocker’s charges were reduced Development Corporation (EDC) “We’ve had too much trust and not were at the apex of their power.”
Holdings — the company that’s after he agreed to assist the IRS in its and Horry County Council to possi- enough verification,” said council- But Bill Rocker didn't deny his
seeking millions in taxpayer money investigation of a Klein conspiracy in bly build a call center at River Oaks man Carl Schwartzkopf. “Before you son's tax troubles.
to open a Carolina Forest call center which Rocker participated. and International drives, creating up invest, it is absolutely essential that “David failed to file personal in-
— also faced allegations of misrepre- In a Klein conspiracy, two or more to 1,020 jobs. you investigate. This is part of that come taxes for several years and
sentation, inflating business expens- individuals agree to “use deceit, County council postponed a Sep- verification.”
es and even sexual harassment, craft, trickery or dishonest means to tember vote to borrow $8 million in Rocker couldn’t be reached for See COVATION, Page 3A

33. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
All Weekly Division
FIRST PLACE:
Greenville Journal
Charles Sowell
County Disabilities
and Special Needs Board

34. CARTOON
All Weekly Division
THIRD PLACE:
Free Times
Carlos Montage

35. CARTOON
All Weekly Division
SECOND PLACE:
News-Chronicle
Mike Beckom

36. CARTOON
All Weekly Division
FIRST PLACE:
Charleston City Paper
Steve Stegelin