Chairman Joe McEachern, Vice Chair Val Hutchinson, Joyce Dickerson, 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 September 9, 2008.

County Administrator's Report

Milton Pope had a lot to update the council on after a month off. Most of the items were covered in secret during executive session. For those of you new to county politics, anything the least bit controversial can be deemed too sensitive for public discussion and handled behind closed doors. So anytime you hear executive session it means "don't worry your pretty little head about such things."

Pope did mention the Project Pet MOU with Lexington County. Discussions are being finalized for a joint no- kill shelter. Both county governments have approved the plan in principle and have the funding available.

Pope also introduced new Richland County Development Director Valer ia Jackson to the council and the public. Jackson is experienced in development projects and said it is a "pleasure to be here making a difference for Richland's citizens."

Recreation ordinance

A month off sure can make a difference. During the last council meeting in July, a bitterly divided council passionately argued over a long range fix for the area transit system. A tie vote narrowly defeated a proposal that was comprehensive, all encompassing, and two years in planning. Several council members made impassioned pleas about the taxpayers and the economy. Less than two months later, the same bitterly divided council quietly passed a 50 million dollar proposal to address shortcomings with area recreational facilities.

Five million dollars and a few last minute changes probably enticed a few votes to switch sides, and the motion passed by one vote. There were some questions of Recreation Commission Chair Leopard, but no impassioned pleas and no hand wringing for the taxpayer. Richland County is in dire need of recreational facilities as it is in dire need of a stable bus system. (I wonder how the council decided which was more important.)

Tropical homeless

Councilman Greg Pearce announced he was going to Miami this weekend to study the homeless facilities there. Pearce is part of the committee addressing the homeless problem in the Midlands. The plane ride is free, courtesy of Blue Cross. The folks will be able to see a how a large, tourist based city in a tropical climate handles their homeless problem. (How come no one ever goes on fact finding junkets to Dubuque, Iowa?)

Rules and appointments committee

Committee chair Mike Montgomery notified the council of several vacancies on committees; Airport Commission, two vacancies; Community Relations Council, one; Planning Commission, one; and Township Auditorium Board, one.

The following appointments were also made. Joseph E. Sharpe to the Board of Assessment Control, Michael Allan Letts to the Central Midlands Council of Governments, Celestine Parker, Rebecca A. Williams, Karen R. Jenkins to the Community Relations Council, Alfred Comfort III to the Internal Audit Committee, Paul Ray Bouknight to LRADAC, Rober t Pul l iam to the Airport Commission. Dennis Dabney was also suggested for the Airport Commission but his approval was put off until the next council meeting because of questions about a possible conflict stemming from membership in another airport committee.

A near record amount of executive session items preceded motion period and adjournment deep into the night.