Great race

We are writing to thank the volunteers, sponsors, the Y, the City, the Georgetown Times and everyone involved in putting together a wonderful “Historic Georgetown Bridge 2 Bridge” Half-marathon and 5K. It was a great race course with enthusiastic support.

We were most impressed with the town’s volunteer spirit and friendly hospitality. Walking the boardwalk and having lunch downtown after the run was a unique and memorable experience.

We look forward to the race next year!

Tim and Nan Ward

St. Marys, Georgia

HardiePlank feud

I just read Ted Bowden’s letter concerning the Rothrock’s feud with the City and the ARB over HardiePlank, and I could not agree more. I intended to write such a letter but Mr. Bowden beat me to it.

I would offer one small correction to Ted’s letter though. He stated this drama cost the City of Georgetown a half million dollars. No, it did not cost the City anything. It cost the taxpayers a half million dollars.

That’s the taxpayers’ thank you for electing these folks.

Carey Williamson

Georgetown

Kathy Harrelson for Auditor

Experience and qualifications should be the only factors you need to make a decision.

Kathy Sullivan Harrelson, is more than qualified. In the 6 years of working in the Auditor's office, she has worked hard to set a high standard of service for the taxpayers of this county. As part of her job, she has worked with civic groups and churches trying to reach out to the taxpayers by helping them to understand what the Auditor does and how the Auditor’s office can assist them.

Her parents, Dewey and Miller Sullivan, instilled in her the value of service to the community. She was an office manager for several medical offices. Being a native of Georgetown, she understands the diversity of the county residents and how best to serve their needs. She is a Christian Conservative.

The only logical choice is Kathy Sullivan Harrelson, petition candidate for Auditor.

 When voting for a petition candidate you will have to go to that particular race and select the candidate of your choice. You can also vote straight ticket and go back and vote for the individual candidate.

Eileen S. Johnson

Georgetown

Rod Stalvey for Auditor

Like so many of your subscribers, these days this reader seems to spend more and more time talking politics. With the elections now only a few days away, it appears there is always a friend or acquaintance walking along Front Street, who is willing to engage in speculation or pontification about the condition of our town, state, or nation.

Just the other day I happened upon an individual known to me and, after discussing such matters as the debates, the congressional race, and the probable makeup of the post-election Congress, we got around to local contests. When I made it known that I intended to vote for Rod Stalvey for auditor, my friend was flabbergasted! “What!” he said, “If Rod gets elected all he will ever do is complain about things. Count on it, Stalvey will complain, complain, complain and, after that, complain some more!”

I took my friend’s words for what they were worth and thought about “Rod the Complainer.” You know, that man was right! Rod will complain, and complain, and …” That said, it seems to me that we can use someone in the courthouse who is ready to stir up a fuss now and then.

Nearly every time someone in the city hiccups, it costs the taxpayers another fifty thousand dollars. Nearly every time some “expert” arrives in Georgetown, a new and expensive plan of some sort is made known to your readers, as we are told that this facility or that department is lacking. Soon land is acquired, buildings are erected, staff is hired, and the county’s indebtedness added to for another thirty to fifty years. A million dollars here, a million dollars there — eventually it adds up to real money. And who pays the bill? The same folks who always pay the bill.

Complainer? Yeah — give us a first-class complainer. Perhaps if complaints are made about expenditures or additions to the county’s budget, or the way the government goes about its daily business, we might be better off. Experience has shown us that there never is a shortage of candidates who have ideas about spending money; let’s hear what a voice of restraint might have to offer. Come election day, I’m casting my auditor vote for Rod Stalvey — complainer extraordinaire!

Barry A. Price

Georgetown

Good bye America

Our homeowner's insurance increased 33% over last year. The cost of gasoline has gone up 205% since 2009. The price of milk will double in 2013. Santee Cooper is raising its rates 7% over the next two years. Groceries have gone up 3-4% this year and are forecasting another 3.5% increase next year. Median income is down while unemployment is up. Home interest rates are low while more homes are for sale. Employment for college graduates is down while imports from China are up.

Nearly 90% of Americans will pay more taxes when the temporary cut in Social Security taxes and many of the 2001/2003 tax cuts expire. Lower income households will pay more when the 2009 tax credits expire. Higher income households will be hit hard also on ordinary income, capital gains and dividends and by the new health care reforms.

And don't forget to add that Georgetown County Council is asking us to pay an additional $40,000,000 sales tax for the next eight years. That's $2,000 per family of four on top of the taxes and fees that we are currently paying for libraries, parks, recreation and road paving. I don't think so.

Susan M. Sawyer

Georgetown