Roll call

Chairman Joe McEachern, Vice Chair Val Hutchinson, Norman Jackson, Damon Jeter, Paul Livingston, Bill Malinowski, Mike Montgomery, Greg Pearce, Bernice Scott, and Kit Smith were present at the Richland County Council meeting July 15, 2008. Joyce Dickerson was absent. Presentation

The council recognized I.S. Leevy Johnson for his work in South Carolina, both as a defense lawyer and lawmaker. Johnson likened the recognition to a wake and thanked everyone for the "privilege of serving the Community." Sales tax public hearing

Thirty- eight people signed up to speak toward the one percent sales tax referendum to improve transportation in Richland County. Two were against the proposal, two were non- committal, and the rest were in favor.

Many of the speakers in favor were community leaders, who pointed out the quality of life and economic improvement aspects of the plan. Several were on hand to encourage the council to make sure bus service was improved, and bike trails wCearre li nGcululdliecdk. from Rock Hill encouraged the council to pass the referendum and told how the Rock Hill version had been a community and financial success.

The main item to be discussed for the evening was the sales tax referendum. Paul Livingston got the ball rolling by making a motion to approve option three of the ordinance. Val Hutchinson said after much soul searching she couldn't support the item. Hutchinson said the Transportation Commission did what the council asked them to do, but no one expected the economy to "go to hell in a hand basket." She said this is the right plan at the wrong time. Hutchinson opined that if Richland County waits a couple of years the economy will improve dramatically, and technology will allow everyone to plug their cars in so the issue will be much more manageable. The council should try to improve the current bus service until the prince comes and saves the day.

Mike Montgomery asked other council members to consider two amendments he will bring up during third reading. One will exempt food from the one percent tax, and the other will give more attention to dirt roads.

Montgomery was at his eloquent best when he reminded the rest of the council that no one suggested this shouldn't be done and that the voting public needed to be trusted. He reminded the others of the current lament about how drilling "ten years ago" would have solved the current oil crisis and said it is now ten years ago, and if the council doesn't act, the opportunity might be lost

Montgomery also said it was important to have compassion for the folks who depended on public transportation, courage to allow this plan to be voted on, and faith in the Richland County citizens to do the right thing.

Paul Livingston and Bernice Scott agreed with Montgomery. Bill Malinowski pointed out all the flaws in the plan since it was 18 months old. He suggested starting over with a new plan that is more current. (I assume he wants this one to be finished in a couple of weeks so circumstances won't change again.)

The vote was 7- 3 in favor of moving this referendum to third reading.

After executive session, a lengthy meeting was adjourned.